Displacement sensor device and shock absorber equipped with said displacement sensor device

Abstract

This displacement sensor device (110) comprises a plurality of displacement sensors (120, 130) for detecting the displacement of a plurality of different detection target parts (20, 81), respectively. The plurality of displacement sensors (120, 130) are configured from a plurality of spiral coils (121, 131) arranged side by side on the same surface (40d). The plurality of displacement sensors (120, 130) detect the amount of displacement of the plurality of detection target parts (20, 81) by detecting the electrical characteristics of electrical signals that vary according to the respective relative positional relationships between the plurality of detection target parts (20, 81) and the plurality of spiral coils (121, 131).

Description

Displacement sensor device and shock absorber equipped with this displacement sensor device

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved technology of a displacement sensor device and a shock absorber equipped with this displacement sensor device.

[0002] In recent years, the development of a displacement sensor device equipped with a displacement sensor for detecting the displacement (displacement amount) of a detection target part has been underway. For example, the stroke of a shock absorber is detected by a displacement sensor. As a technology of a shock absorber equipped with such a displacement sensor, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] The technology known in Patent Document 1 is by the inventors of the present invention, and it is said that a stroke sensor of a rear suspension or a front fork of a motorcycle is constituted by a planar coil (spiral coil) having a spiral shape (see paragraphs

[0323] to

[0336] , FIGS. 20 and 21).

[0004] Japanese Patent No. 7283000

[0005] For example, there are also models of shock absorbers equipped with a hydraulic jack of a vehicle height adjustment device. In order to accurately control the hydraulic jack, it is necessary to provide a displacement sensor for detecting the stroke of this hydraulic jack. This type of shock absorber includes a displacement sensor for detecting the stroke of the shock absorber itself (detection target part) and a displacement sensor for detecting the stroke of the hydraulic jack (detection target part). Thus, in order to detect the displacements of a plurality of different detection target parts respectively, a plurality of displacement sensors are provided. It is also conceivable to adopt the technology known in Patent Document 1 as each displacement sensor. However, a displacement sensor device that individually provides a displacement sensor for detecting the stroke of a shock absorber and a displacement sensor for detecting the stroke of a hydraulic jack has a complicated configuration.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of simplifying a displacement sensor device provided with a plurality of displacement sensors for respectively detecting the displacements of a plurality of different detection target parts.

[0007] As a result of diligent research, the inventors focused on the detection direction of each displacement sensor that detects the displacement of multiple different target parts. They discovered that all detection directions should be on the same plane. This invention was completed based on this discovery.

[0008] According to this disclosure, a displacement sensor device is provided that includes a plurality of displacement sensors for detecting the displacement of a plurality of different detection target parts, wherein the plurality of displacement sensors are composed of a plurality of spiral coils arranged side by side on the same plane, and the amount of displacement of the plurality of detection target parts is detected by detecting the electrical characteristics of electrical signals that fluctuate according to the relative positional relationship between the plurality of detection target parts and the plurality of spiral coils.

[0009] This disclosure provides a technology that can simplify a displacement sensor device equipped with multiple displacement sensors that detect the displacements of multiple different target parts.

[0010] This is a cross-sectional view of the buffer according to Example 1, taken along the axis. Figure 2A is an enlarged view of part 2A in Figure 1, and Figure 2B is an enlarged view of part 2B in Figure 2A. This is an enlarged view of part 3 in Figure 1. This is an exploded perspective view of the displacement sensor device shown in Figure 1. This is a schematic unfolded view of the flexible printed circuit board shown in Figure 4. Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the buffer according to Example 2, and Figure 6B is a schematic unfolded view of the main part of the displacement sensor device shown in Figure 6A.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the attached drawings are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these configurations. In the description, "up and down" refers to the up and down positions relative to the state in which the shock absorber is mounted on the saddle-type vehicle. Also, in the drawings, "Up" indicates the top and "Dn" indicates the bottom.

[0012] <Example 1> The shock absorber 20 of Example 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the shock absorber 20 (suspension device 20) is used in vehicles, for example, and is used as a rear cushion in a motorcycle 10, which is a type of saddle-type vehicle that the rider straddles and rides on. Hereinafter, the motorcycle 10 may be referred to as "saddle-type vehicle 10" or "vehicle 10". The direction along the center line CL of the shock absorber 20 is called the axial direction. The stroke in which the shock absorber 20 shrinks along the center line CL is called the compression stroke, and the stroke in which the shock absorber 20 extends along the center line CL (axis line CL) is called the extension stroke. The shock absorber 20 of Example 1 exemplifies a so-called short-cylinder and inverted type configuration in which the piston rod 21 and piston 22 move back and forth relative to the damper tube 23 on the vehicle body 11 side, but is not limited to this.

[0013] The shock absorber 20 is a hydraulic shock absorber comprising a piston rod 21, a piston 22 provided at one end 21a of the piston rod 21, a damper tube 23 (cylinder 23) that houses the piston 22 so as to be able to reciprocate, and a suspension spring 24 that biases the damper tube 23 and the piston rod 21 in opposite directions. The damper tube 23 may be referred to as the "damper member 23" as appropriate.

[0014] The damper tube 23 is a cylindrical member. One end 23a (first end 23a) of the damper tube 23 is closed by a first closing member 25. The other end 23b (second end 23b) of the damper tube 23 is closed by a second closing member 26. The inside of the damper tube 23 is divided into two oil chambers 27 and 28 by a piston 22.

[0015] The first closing member 25 is provided with a first support portion 31. This first support portion 31 is swingably supported on the body 11 of the motorcycle 10. A second support portion 32 is screwed onto the other end 21b of the piston rod 21. This second support portion 32 swingably supports the wheel support mechanism 12 of the motorcycle 10. This wheel support mechanism 12 is represented by a link mechanism or swing arm that extends from the rear of the body 11 toward the rear and swings vertically, and supports the rear wheel (not shown). Thus, the shock absorber 20 has a first support portion 31 on the body 11 side and a second support portion 32 on the wheel side.

[0016] The outer circumferential surface 23c of the damper tube 23 is covered all around by a cylindrical cover 40. One end 40a of the cover 40 overlaps the outer circumferential surface 23c of the first end 23a of the damper tube 23. The other end 40b of the cover 40 extends further toward the other end 21b of the piston rod 21 than the second end 23b of the damper tube 23, and overlaps the outer circumferential surface 26a of the second closing member 26. The cover 40 is restricted from relative movement in both the circumferential and axial directions with respect to the damper tube 23, the first closing member 25, and the second closing member 26.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, one end 40a of the outer circumferential surface 40c of the cover 40 is surrounded by a slider 50. This slider 50 is a cylindrical member that is fitted to the outer circumferential surface 40c of the cover 40 so as to be axially slidable. This slider 50 is a component that forms part of the hydraulic jack 81 of the vehicle height adjustment device 80, which will be described later.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the suspension spring 24 is composed of a compression coil spring positioned to surround the damper tube 23. Both ends 24a and 24b of this suspension spring 24 are supported by a retainer 60 (spring receiving part 60) provided on the second support part 32 and a hydraulic jack 81 of the vehicle height adjustment device 80, which will be described later.

[0019] More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the retainer 60 is a substantially disc-shaped member placed on the surface 32a of the second support portion 32 that faces the first support portion 31 side (see Figure 1), and has a flange 61 on its outer circumference. This flange 61 supports one end 24a of the suspension spring 24.

[0020] Furthermore, the retainer 60 supports the spring guide 70. This spring guide 70 is a cylindrical member having a flange 71 at one end, extending from the retainer 60 toward the first support portion 31 (see Figure 1), and overlapping at least a portion of the second end 23b of the damper tube 23 in the direction along the axis CL. In other words, even when the shock absorber 20 is fully extended, a portion of the spring guide 70 overlaps the damper tube 23. For this reason, the spring guide 70 can guide the suspension spring 24 from the retainer 60 toward the second end 23b of the damper tube 23. The flange 71 of the spring guide 70 is supported by the flange 61 of the retainer 60. Each flange 61, 71 is always pressed against the second support portion 32 by the biasing force of the suspension spring 24. Therefore, when the piston rod 21 moves in the direction along the axis CL, the second support portion 32, the retainer 60, and the spring guide 70 follow this movement. The spring guide 70 is a component that forms part of the shock absorber 20.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the vehicle height adjustment device 80 includes a hydraulic jack 81 that adjusts the suspension spring 24 in the extension / retraction direction Ar, and a hydraulic control unit 82 for controlling the hydraulic pressure that drives the hydraulic jack 81. The hydraulic jack 81 is located on the opposite side of the retainer 60 (see Figure 3) from the suspension spring 24, that is, on the side of the first end 23a of the damper tube 23.

[0022] The hydraulic jack 81 comprises a fixing member 90 attached to the damper tube 23 and / or cover 40, a plunger 100 that is movable relative to the fixing member 90, and a slider 50 that can follow the movement of the plunger 100.

[0023] The hydraulic jack 81 has a hydraulic chamber 81a defined (partitioned) by a fixing member 90 and a plunger 100. This hydraulic chamber 81a (jack chamber 81a) is connected to a hydraulic control unit 82. The hydraulic control unit 82 includes a pump (not shown) that supplies hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic chamber 81a. The working fluid supplied from the pump is introduced into the hydraulic chamber 81a. The plunger 100 presses the other end 24b of the suspension spring 24, and by moving back and forth in the extension / contraction direction Ar of the suspension spring 24 according to the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic chamber 81a, the suspension spring 24 is positioned to be adjustable in the extension / contraction direction Ar.

[0024] The slider 50 is connected to the plunger 100 in such a way that its relative movement in the axial direction Ar is restricted. Therefore, the slider 50 can move together with the plunger 100 along the centerline CL of the buffer 20.

[0025] A preferred example of the hydraulic jack 81 is as follows: The fixing member 90 of the hydraulic jack 81 is a cylindrical member that surrounds the outer circumferential surface 23c of the damper tube 23 and the outer circumferential surface 50a of the slider 50, with the side on which the suspension spring 24 is located being open. The end face 91 of the fixing member 90 that is open to the suspension spring 24 side is called the "first liquid chamber side end face 91". The slider 50 is housed within the fixing member 90 and also has an extension 51 that extends from the first liquid chamber side end face 91 of the fixing member 90 toward the suspension spring 24.

[0026] The plunger 100 is slidably fitted to the outer circumferential surface 92 of the fixing member 90 in a direction along the axis CL. The plunger 100 has an annular bottom portion 101 at the part facing one end 24a of the suspension spring 24. This bottom portion 101 has a through hole 102 that can be fitted into the extension portion 51 of the slider 50, a second liquid chamber side end surface 103 that faces the first liquid chamber side end surface 91 of the fixing member 90, and a pressing surface 104 that pushes the other end 24b of the suspension spring 24 toward the retainer 60 (see Figure 1). The hydraulic chamber 81a is a space enclosed by the outer circumferential surface 50a of the slider 50, the first liquid chamber side end surface 91 of the fixing member 90, and the inner circumferential surface 105 and second liquid chamber side end surface 103 of the plunger 100, and is sealed in a liquid-tight manner.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the shock absorber 20 is equipped with a displacement sensor device 110. The objects detected by this displacement sensor device 110 are the shock absorber 20 itself and the hydraulic jack 81. In other words, the displacement sensor device 110 detects the stroke of the shock absorber 20 and the stroke of the hydraulic jack 81.

[0028] The hydraulic jack 81 is such that the plunger 100 is displaced in the expansion / contraction direction Ar along the centerline CL of the buffer 20 relative to the damper tube 23 and the fixing member 90. Therefore, the hydraulic jack 81 is sometimes referred to as the "first detection target part 81". The hydraulic jack 81 is equipped with the slider 50 which can follow the movement of the plunger 100. This slider 50 is made of a conductive material such as copper or aluminum. This slider 50 is sometimes referred to as the "first conductive member 50" or the "first detected member 50". The amount of displacement of the slider 50 and the plunger 100 is sometimes referred to as the "first displacement amount of the hydraulic jack 81".

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the shock absorber 20 is such that the piston rod 21 is displaced in the expansion / contraction direction Ar along the center line CL of the shock absorber 20 relative to the damper tube 23 on the vehicle body 11 side. Therefore, the shock absorber 20 is sometimes referred to as the "second detection target part 20". The shock absorber 20 is equipped with a spring guide 70 that can follow the movement of the piston rod 21. This spring guide 70 is made of a conductive material such as copper or aluminum. The spring guide 70 is sometimes referred to as the "second conductive member 70" or the "second detected member 70". The amount of displacement of the spring guide 70 is sometimes referred to as the "second displacement amount of the shock absorber 20".

[0030] See also Figures 4 and 5. The displacement sensor device 110 includes at least one (preferably more) first displacement sensors 120 for detecting a first displacement of the hydraulic jack 81, and at least one (preferably more) second displacement sensors 130 for detecting a second displacement of the shock absorber 20.

[0031] The first displacement sensor 120 detects the displacement of the first conductive member 50 of the hydraulic jack 81. The second displacement sensor 130 detects the displacement of the second conductive member 70 of the piston rod 21. For example, multiple first displacement sensors 120 are composed of multiple first spiral coils 121. Similarly, multiple second displacement sensors 130 are composed of multiple second spiral coils 131.

[0032] The first displacement sensor 120 and the second displacement sensor 130 detect the amount of displacement of each detection target unit 81, 20 by detecting the electrical characteristics of electrical signals that fluctuate according to the relative positional relationship between each detection target unit 81, 20 and the plurality of spiral coils 121, 131.

[0033] Multiple spiral coils 121, 131 are arranged in a cylindrical cover 40. This cover 40 is sometimes called a "coil arrangement member 40" because it holds multiple spiral coils 121, 131. To facilitate assembly to the shock absorber 20, it is preferable that the coil arrangement member 40 be divided into a first half 41 and a second half 42 along the center line CL of the shock absorber 20. It is preferable that all spiral coils 121, 131 are arranged only in the first half 41. In that case, the second half 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape in cooperation with the first half 41.

[0034] More specifically, the inner circumferential surface 40d of the coil arrangement member 40 is a circular arc surface with respect to the center line CL of the buffer 20. All the spiral coils 121 and 131 are arranged directly or indirectly on the inner circumferential surface 40d of the coil arrangement member 40. For example, a plurality of first spiral coils 121 and a plurality of second spiral coils 131 are planar coils arranged side by side by forming a spiral pattern of conductive metal foil such as copper or aluminum on the inner or outer circumferential surface of a flexible printed circuit board 140. By attaching the flexible printed circuit board 140 to the inner circumferential surface 40d of the coil arrangement member 40, the plurality of spiral coils 121 and 131 are arranged side by side on the inner circumferential surface 40d of the coil arrangement member 40 (i.e., on the same surface 40d). The basic technology of the first displacement sensor 120 and the second displacement sensor 130 is the same as the technology known in Patent Document 1, so a description will be omitted.

[0035] Multiple first spiral coils 121 (multiple first displacement sensors 120) are arranged in the circumferential direction Br of the buffer 20. Multiple second spiral coils 131 (multiple second displacement sensors 130) are also arranged in the circumferential direction Br of the buffer 20. In other words, at least some of the multiple displacement sensors 120 and 130 are arranged in the circumferential direction Br of the buffer 20.

[0036] The multiple second spiral coils 131 are aligned with the multiple first spiral coils 121 in the axial direction Ar (extension direction Ar) of the buffer 20. Therefore, the multiple displacement sensors 120 and 130 are aligned with the axial direction Ar (extension direction Ar) of the buffer 20. In other words, the multiple displacement sensors 120 and 130 are aligned with the axial direction Ar of the piston rod 21.

[0037] All displacement sensors 120, 130 (all spiral coils 121, 131) have lead wires 151 extending from their respective ends 121a, 131a. Each lead wire 151 is brought together at one point on the side of the buffer 20 that is attached to the vehicle body 11 (see Figure 1) along the axial direction Ar, and connected to a terminal 152. All terminals 152 are collectively connected to an external control unit 153. In this way, each terminal 152 of all displacement sensors 120, 130 is brought together adjacent to one side (the side attached to the vehicle body 11 (see Figure 1)) along the direction Ar (axial direction Ar) of the multiple displacement sensors 120, 130. One end of each first spiral coil 121, 121 is connected to the other by a first connecting wire 154. One end of each second spiral coil 131, 131 is also connected to the other by a second connecting wire 155.

[0038] <Example 2> The shock absorber 200 of Example 2 will be described with reference to Figures 6A and 6B. Figure 6A shows a cross-section of the shock absorber 200 of Example 2 and corresponds to Figure 1 showing the shock absorber 20 of Example 1. Figure 6B schematically represents the displacement sensor device 110 shown in Figure 6A. The shock absorber 200 of Example 2 is characterized by the arrangement of the piston rod 21 and damper tube 23 (damper member 23) of Example 1 shown in Figure 1 being reversed vertically. Other basic configurations are common to the shock absorber 20 and displacement sensor device 110 of Example 1. For parts common to the shock absorber 20 and displacement sensor device 110 of Example 1, the same reference numerals are used and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0039] The shock absorber 200 comprises a damper tube 23 (damper member 23) and a piston rod 21 inserted through the damper tube 23. The shock absorber 200 of Embodiment 2 exemplifies a so-called short-tube and upright configuration in which the damper tube 23 moves back and forth relative to the piston rod 21 and piston 22 on the vehicle body 11 side.

[0040] The shock absorber 200 (suspension device 200) of Example 2 may be referred to as the "second detection target part 200". The piston rod 21 includes the second displacement sensor 130. The damper tube 23 includes the second conductive member 70. The second displacement sensor 130 detects the displacement amount of the second conductive member 70 in the damper tube 23. Hereinafter, the shock absorber 200 of Example 2 and the displacement sensor device 110 provided in this shock absorber 200 will be described in detail.

[0041] The first end portion 23a of the damper tube 23 is closed by the first closing member 25. The second end portion 23b of the damper tube 23 is closed by the second closing member 26. The first closing member 25 is provided with the second support portion 32. This second support portion 32 swingably supports the wheel support mechanism 12 of the motorcycle 10.

[0042] The other end portion 21b of the piston rod 21 is provided with the first support portion 31 by screwing. This first support portion 31 is swingably supported by the vehicle body 11.

[0043] The cover 40 extends from the first support portion 31 toward the damper tube 23 and covers the outer peripheral surface 23c of the damper tube 23. This cover 40 is restricted from relative movement in both the circumferential direction and the axial direction with respect to the first support portion 31. The periphery of one end portion 40a of the cover 40 is surrounded by the slider 50. This slider 50 constitutes a part of the hydraulic jack 81 of the vehicle height adjustment device 80. The vehicle height adjustment device 80 is located on the side of the first support portion 31 of the cover 40.

[0044] The retainer 60 (spring receiving portion 60) is provided on the first closing member 25 and supports the suspension spring 24 and the spring guide 70 (second conductive member 70). This spring guide 70 overlaps with the other end portion 40b of the cover 40. The second support portion 32, the retainer 60, and the spring guide 70 follow the operation of the damper tube 23. This spring guide 70 is a component that constitutes a part of the shock absorber 20.

[0045] The displacement sensor device 110 of Example 2 and the shock absorber 200 provided with this displacement sensor device 110 exhibit the same operations and effects as those of Example 1.

[0046] Summarizing the displacement sensor device 110 and the shock absorber 20; 200 provided with this displacement sensor device 110 described above, it is as follows.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 to 6. First, the displacement sensor device 110 includes a plurality of displacement sensors 120 and 130 that detect displacements of a plurality of different detection target parts 81, 20; 200 (hydraulic jack 81 and shock absorber 20; 200), that is, displacements of the first detected member 50 and the second detected member 70, respectively. The plurality of displacement sensors 120 and 130 are constituted by a plurality of spiral coils 121 and 131 arranged side by side on the same surface 40d, and by detecting electrical characteristics of an electrical signal that varies according to the relative positional relationship between each of the plurality of detection target parts 81, 20; 200 and the plurality of spiral coils 121 and 131, the displacement amounts of the plurality of detection target parts 81, 20; 200 are detected.

[0048] In this way, the plurality of displacement sensors 120 and 130 are constituted by the plurality of spiral coils 121 and 131 arranged side by side on the same surface 40d. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the displacement sensor device 110 provided with the plurality of displacement sensors 120 and 130 that respectively detect displacements of a plurality of different detection target parts 81, 20; 200. Moreover, since the plurality of spiral coils 121 and 131 are merely arranged side by side on the same surface 40d, the lead wires 151 drawn from each of the spiral coils 121 and 131 can be gathered at one location and easily connected to an external member, and the displacement sensor device 110 can be miniaturized. In addition, since the plurality of spiral coils 121 and 131 are arranged side by side on the same surface 40d, the displacement sensor device 110 can be made thinner compared to the case of arranging them in layers in the plane direction.

[0049] Refer to Figures 4 and 5. Secondly, preferably, the displacement sensor device 110 described in the first, wherein the terminals 152 of the plurality of displacement sensors 120, 130 are grouped together so as to be adjacent to one side of the arrangement direction Ar (axial direction Ar) of the plurality of displacement sensors 120, 130 (vehicle body 11 (see Figure 1)).

[0050] Therefore, the lead wires 151 drawn from each spiral coil 121, 131 can be gathered in one place and easily connected to an external component.

[0051] Refer to Figures 1, 4 to 6. Thirdly, preferably, the shock absorbers 20;200 are equipped with the displacement sensor device 110 described second. Multiple displacement sensors 120, 130 are arranged in the axial direction Ar of the shock absorbers 20;200.

[0052] Therefore, multiple displacement sensors 120, 130 for detecting the displacements of multiple different detection target parts 81, 20; 200 can be compactly integrated.

[0053] Refer to Figures 1, 4 to 6. Fourth, preferably, the shock absorber 20;200 as described in the third, wherein the plurality of detection target units 81, 20;200 are the shock absorber 20;200 and the hydraulic jack 81 of the vehicle height adjustment device 80 provided on the shock absorber 20;200. The plurality of displacement sensors 120, 130 are the first displacement sensor 120 which detects the first displacement amount of the hydraulic jack 81 and the second displacement sensor 130 which detects the second displacement amount of the shock absorber 20;200.

[0054] Thus, the displacement sensor device 110 is simply a compact device consisting of a first displacement sensor 120 (first spiral coil 121) that detects the first displacement amount of the hydraulic jack 81 of the vehicle height adjustment device 80 and a second displacement sensor 130 (second spiral coil 131) that detects the second displacement amount of the extension and retraction stroke of the shock absorbers 20;200, arranged on the same plane 40d. The compact displacement sensor device 110 can be easily incorporated into the shock absorbers 20;200.

[0055] Refer to Figures 1, 4 to 6. Fifth, preferably, the shock absorber 20;200 described in fourth, wherein the hydraulic jack 81 is equipped with a conductive first conductive member 50 (slider 50). The first displacement sensor 120 is configured to detect the amount of displacement of the first conductive member 50 of the hydraulic jack 81.

[0056] In this way, by making a part of the hydraulic jack 81 (slider 50) the first conductive member 50, the amount of displacement of the hydraulic jack 81 can be easily detected by the first displacement sensor 120 (first spiral coil 121).

[0057] Refer to Figures 3 to 5. Sixth, preferably, the shock absorber 20 described in fifth, comprising a damper member 23 and a piston rod 21 inserted through the damper member 23 (damper tube 23). The damper member 23 is equipped with a second displacement sensor 130. The piston rod 21 is equipped with a conductive second conductive member 70 (spring guide 70). The second displacement sensor 130 is configured to detect the amount of displacement of the second conductive member 70 of the piston rod 21.

[0058] Therefore, the amount of displacement of the second conductive member 70, which follows the movement of the piston rod 21, can be easily detected by the second displacement sensor 130.

[0059] Refer to Figure 6. Seventh, preferably, the shock absorber 200 described in fifth, comprising a damper member 23 (damper tube 23) and a piston rod 21 inserted through the damper member 23. The damper member 23 includes a conductive second conductive member 70 (spring guide 70). The piston rod 21 includes a second displacement sensor 130. The second displacement sensor 130 is configured to detect the amount of displacement of the second conductive member 70 of the damper member 23.

[0060] Therefore, the amount of displacement of the second conductive member 70, which follows the movement of the damper member 23, can be easily detected by the second displacement sensor 130.

[0061] Refer to Figures 1, 4 to 6. Eighth, preferably, the shock absorber 20;200 as described in the third, wherein the terminals 152 of a plurality of displacement sensors 120, 130 are arranged on the side (upper side) of the axial Ar of the shock absorber 20;200 that is attached to the vehicle body 11.

[0062] Thus, when the shock absorbers 20;200 are mounted on the saddle-type vehicle 10, the height of the terminal 152 located on the side of the shock absorber 20;200 that is attached to the vehicle body 11 (upper side Up) is relatively high. Therefore, the protective performance of the terminal 152 against foreign objects that are kicked up while the saddle-type vehicle 10 is in motion can be improved.

[0063] Refer to Figures 4 to 6. Ninth, preferably, the shock absorber 20;200 as described in the third, wherein at least a portion of the multiple displacement sensors 120, 130 are arranged in the circumferential direction Br of the shock absorber 20;200.

[0064] Therefore, the degree of freedom in arranging each displacement sensor 120, 130 (each spiral coil 121, 131) on the same plane 40d can be increased.

[0065] Refer to Figures 1, 4, and 6. Tenth, preferably, the buffer 20;200 as described in the third, further comprising a cylindrical coil arrangement member 40 on which a plurality of spiral coils 121, 131 are arranged. This coil arrangement member 40 has a halved configuration, divided into a first half 41 and a second half 42 along the center line CL of the buffer 20;200.

[0066] If the coil arrangement member 40 is cylindrical, it cannot be inserted and assembled to the shock absorbers 20;200 from the axial direction. However, if it is split in half, it can be easily assembled from the radially outer side.

[0067] Refer to Figures 1, 4, and 6. Eleventh, preferably, the buffer 20;200 described in the tenth, wherein the plurality of spiral coils 121, 131 are arranged only in the first half 41.

[0068] The second half 42 works in cooperation with the first half 41, on which the multiple spiral coils 121 and 131 are arranged, to form a cylindrical coil arrangement member 40. In other words, the second half 42 forms a spacer located radially opposite to the multiple spiral coils 121 and 131. Therefore, the cylindrical coil arrangement member 40 on which the multiple spiral coils 121 and 131 are arranged can be easily installed on the buffers 20 and 200 simply by overlapping it from the radially outside of the buffers 20 and 200.

[0069] Furthermore, the displacement sensor device 110 and shock absorbers 20;200 according to the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, as long as they achieve the operation and effects of the present invention. For example, the displacement sensor device 110 is not limited to the configuration provided in the shock absorbers 20;200, but may be any device that detects the displacement of multiple different detection targets. Also, the shock absorbers 20;200 are not limited to a configuration applied to the rear cushion, but may be applied to the front fork. In addition, the multiple spiral coils 121, 131 may be arranged side by side on the same plane 40d, and this plane 40d may be a flat or curved surface.

[0070] The shock absorbers 20;200 of the present invention are suitable for application to rear cushions mounted on saddle-type vehicles.

[0071] 11...Vehicle body, 20...Shock absorber, 21...Piston rod, 22...Piston, 23...Damper member (damper tube), 24...Suspension spring, 40...Coil arrangement member, 40c...Outer surface, 40d...Same surface, 41...First half, 42...Second half, 50...First conductive member (first detected member), 50a...Outer surface, 70...Second conductive member (second detected member), 80...Vehicle height adjustment device, 81...Hydraulic jack (first detection target part), 110...Displacement sensor device, 120...First displacement sensor, 121...First spiral coil, 121a...End, 130...Second displacement sensor, 131...Second spiral coil, 131a...End, 151...Leader wire, 152...Terminal, 200...Shock absorber, Ar... Extension / contraction direction (axial direction, direction of alignment of displacement sensors), Br... Circumferential direction of the buffer, CL... Centerline (axis) of the buffer.

Claims

1. A displacement sensor device comprising a plurality of displacement sensors for detecting the displacement of a plurality of different detection target parts, wherein the plurality of displacement sensors are composed of a plurality of spiral coils arranged side by side on the same plane, and the amount of displacement of the plurality of detection target parts is detected by detecting the electrical characteristics of electrical signals that fluctuate according to the relative positional relationship between the plurality of detection target parts and the plurality of spiral coils.

2. The displacement sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the terminals of the plurality of displacement sensors are grouped together so as to be adjacent to one side in the direction in which the plurality of displacement sensors are arranged.

3. A shock absorber comprising the displacement sensor device described in claim 2, wherein the plurality of displacement sensors are arranged in the axial direction of the shock absorber.

4. The plurality of detection targets are the shock absorber described in claim 3 and the hydraulic jack of the vehicle height adjustment device provided on the shock absorber described in claim 3, and the plurality of displacement sensors are a first displacement sensor for detecting a first displacement amount of the hydraulic jack and a second displacement sensor for detecting a second displacement amount of the shock absorber described in claim 3.

5. The shock absorber according to claim 4, wherein the hydraulic jack is equipped with a conductive first conductive member, and the first displacement sensor is configured to detect the amount of displacement of the first conductive member of the hydraulic jack.

6. The shock absorber according to claim 5, comprising a damper member and a piston rod inserted through the damper member, wherein the damper member is equipped with the second displacement sensor, the piston rod is equipped with a conductive second conductive member, and the second displacement sensor is configured to detect the amount of displacement of the second conductive member of the piston rod.

7. The shock absorber according to claim 5, comprising a damper member and a piston rod inserted through the damper member, wherein the damper member comprises a second conductive member, the piston rod comprises a second displacement sensor, and the second displacement sensor is configured to detect the amount of displacement of the second conductive member of the damper member.

8. A shock absorber according to claim 3, wherein the terminals of the plurality of displacement sensors are arranged on the side of the axial direction of the shock absorber that is attached to the vehicle body.

9. A buffer in which at least a portion of the plurality of displacement sensors are arranged in the circumferential direction of the buffer according to claim 8.

10. A buffer further comprising a cylindrical arrangement member on which the plurality of spiral coils are arranged, wherein the arrangement member is divided into a first half and a second half along the center line of the buffer described in claim 3.

11. The buffer according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of spiral coils are arranged only in the first half.

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