JPH05286337A - Damping force switching device using ultrasonic sensor - Google Patents

Damping force switching device using ultrasonic sensor

Info

Publication number
JPH05286337A
JPH05286337A JP8515492A JP8515492A JPH05286337A JP H05286337 A JPH05286337 A JP H05286337A JP 8515492 A JP8515492 A JP 8515492A JP 8515492 A JP8515492 A JP 8515492A JP H05286337 A JPH05286337 A JP H05286337A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
damping force
prohibition flag
projection
value
switching
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
JP8515492A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP3016300B2 (en
Inventor
Kenji Hayase
憲児 早瀬
Masahiro Kaneda
匡弘 金田
Yasuyuki Goto
康之 後藤
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mitsubishi Motors Corp
Original Assignee
Mitsubishi Motors Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mitsubishi Motors Corp filed Critical Mitsubishi Motors Corp
Priority to JP4085154A priority Critical patent/JP3016300B2/en
Publication of JPH05286337A publication Critical patent/JPH05286337A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP3016300B2 publication Critical patent/JP3016300B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure operable stability by automatically detecting the state of deterioration of operable stability and prohibiting switching damping force to the soft side under such conditions in a device to detect the protrusions on the road face ahead by an ultrasonic sensor and switch damping force to the soft side. CONSTITUTION:A damping force switching device using ultrasonic sensor is provided with ultrasonic sensors 11R and 11L, which detect protrusions on the road face ahead with ultrasonic signals and output protrusion signals, and a damping force switching actuator 16 to switch the damping force of the suspension of a vehicle, and protrusion signals are counted specified every hours, and if the resultant value is more than the specified value, a prohibition flag is set. The damping force switching device is also provided with a rain judging section 21 to reset the prohibition flag when the former value becomes smaller than the set value, and a damping force switching judging section 17, which performs controlling to switch the damping force of suspension to the soft side by actuating the actuator with the prohibition flag reset and does not perform controlling for switching with the prohibition flag set even if protrusion signals are detected.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】Detailed Description of the Invention

【0001】[0001]

【産業上の利用分野】本発明は超音波センサを用いた減
衰力切換装置に関する。
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor.

【0002】[0002]

【従来の技術】車両の前部に超音波センサを取り付け、
この超音波センサから車両の前方下方に向かって超音波
を送信し、その反射波の強さを検出することにより前方
路面の突起を検出し、車輪が突起を乗り越えるときには
ショックアブソ−バの減衰力をソフトに切換えておくよ
うにして突起を乗り越える時の衝撃を吸収して乗り心地
を向上させるようにした超音波センサを用いた減衰力切
換装置が知られている。
2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic sensor is attached to the front of a vehicle,
This ultrasonic sensor transmits ultrasonic waves to the front lower part of the vehicle and detects the strength of the reflected wave to detect the projection on the front road surface.When the wheels pass over the projection, the damping force of the shock absorber is detected. There is known a damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor, which is configured so as to softly switch to absorb a shock when riding over a protrusion to improve riding comfort.

【0003】[0003]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】このような超音波セン
サを用いた減衰力切換装置を搭載した車両が降雨中を走
行すると、雨滴が車両前部に取り付けられた超音波セン
サに入り込み、センサ内部に設けられた超音波振動子を
振動させ、超音波センサを誤作動させる。このため、降
雨状態では不必要にサスペンションの減衰力が長い間ソ
フトに切換えられてしまうため、操安性が悪化するとい
う問題点がある。
When a vehicle equipped with such a damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor travels in the rain, raindrops enter the ultrasonic sensor mounted on the front part of the vehicle, and To vibrate the ultrasonic vibrator provided in the ultrasonic sensor to cause the ultrasonic sensor to malfunction. Therefore, in a rainy state, the damping force of the suspension is unnecessarily switched to soft for a long period of time, which causes a problem that maneuverability deteriorates.

【0004】また、超音波センサを用いた減衰力切換装
置を搭載した車両を石畳路上を走行させた場合も、路面
を突起が常に検出され続けるためにサスペンションの減
衰力がソフトに切換え続けられ、ばね下共振に対し悪影
響を与えるという問題点がある。
Further, even when a vehicle equipped with a damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor is run on a cobblestone road, the damping force of the suspension is continuously switched softly because projections are always detected on the road surface. There is a problem that the unsprung resonance is adversely affected.

【0005】本発明は上記の点に鑑みてなされたもの
で、その目的は超音波センサにより前方の路面の突起を
検出し減衰力をソフトに切換えるようにした装置におい
て、ソフトに切換えることにより操安性が悪化する状況
を自動的に検出し、その状況下ではソフトに切換えるこ
とを禁止するようにして操安性を確保するようにした超
音波センサを用いた減衰力切換装置を提供することにあ
る。
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to operate an apparatus in which an ultrasonic sensor detects a projection on a road surface in front of the vehicle and switches the damping force softly. To provide a damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor that automatically detects a situation in which safety deteriorates and prohibits soft switching under such a situation to ensure safety. It is in.

【0006】[0006]

【課題を解決するための手段】本発明に係わる超音波セ
ンサを用いた減衰力切換装置は、車両の前方下方の路面
に向かって超音波信号を送信し、その反射波の強さを検
出することにより前方の路面の突起を検知して突起信号
を出力する路面突起検出手段と、車両のサスペンション
の減衰力を切換える減衰力切換えアクチュエ−タと、上
記路面突起検出手段から出力される突起信号を所定時間
毎に計数し、その計数値が車速に連動した所定値におい
て、所定値以上である場合には禁止フラグをセットし、
上記所定値より小さい設定値より小さくなると禁止フラ
グをリセットする禁止判定手段と、上記路面突起検出手
段から出力される突起信号を検出すると上記禁止フラグ
がリセットされている状態では上記アクチュエ−タを作
動させてサスペンションの減衰力をソフトに切換える切
換え制御を行ない、上記禁止フラグがセットされている
状態では上記突起信号を検出しても上記切換え制御を行
わない減衰力切換制御手段とを具備する。
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor according to the present invention transmits an ultrasonic signal toward a road surface on the front lower side of a vehicle and detects the intensity of the reflected wave. The road surface projection detecting means for detecting the road surface projection in front and outputting the projection signal, the damping force switching actuator for switching the damping force of the vehicle suspension, and the projection signal output from the road surface projection detecting means. Counting at every predetermined time, in the predetermined value that is linked to the vehicle speed, when the count value is equal to or more than the predetermined value, set the prohibition flag,
The prohibition determination means resets the prohibition flag when it becomes smaller than the set value smaller than the predetermined value, and the actuator is operated in the state where the prohibition flag is reset when the projection signal output from the road surface projection detection means is detected. A damping force switching control means is provided for performing switching control for softly switching the damping force of the suspension and for not performing the switching control even when the protrusion signal is detected when the prohibition flag is set.

【0007】[0007]

【作用】禁止判定手段により路面突起検出手段から出力
される突起信号を所定時間毎に計数し、その計数値が車
速に連動した所定値において、所定値以上である場合に
は禁止フラグをセットし、上記所定値より小さい設定値
より小さくなると禁止フラグを上記所定時間後にリセッ
トするようにし、この禁止フラグがセットされている状
態では路面突起検出手段により突起が検出されても減衰
力をソフトに切り換えるのを禁止するようにしている。
The projection signal output from the road projection detection means is counted by the prohibition determination means at predetermined time intervals, and when the count value is a predetermined value or more linked to the vehicle speed, the prohibition flag is set. When the value becomes smaller than the set value smaller than the predetermined value, the prohibition flag is reset after the predetermined time, and when the prohibition flag is set, the damping force is softly switched even if the projection is detected by the road surface projection detection means. I'm trying to ban it.

【0008】[0008]

【実施例】以下図面を参照して本発明の一実施例に係わ
る超音波センサを用いた減衰力切換装置について説明す
る。図1は超音波センサを用いた減衰力切換装置のシス
テム構成図、図2は超音波センサの取付け場所を示す車
両前部の斜視図、図3は車速に応じて変化する禁止フラ
グのセット条件及びリセット条件の閾値を示す図、図4
は動作を説明するためのタイミング図、図5は降雨判定
部の機能を示すフロ−チャ−トである。
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front portion of a vehicle showing a mounting location of the ultrasonic sensor, and FIG. And FIG. 4 showing the threshold value of the reset condition
Is a timing chart for explaining the operation, and FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the function of the rainfall determination unit.

【0009】まず、図1を参照して超音波センサを用い
た減衰力切換装置のシステム構成図について説明する。
図において、11R,11Lはそれぞれ車両の前部右
側、前部左側に取り付けられて、超音波を放射する放射
面が車両の前方下側を向いている超音波センサである。
First, a system configuration diagram of a damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor will be described with reference to FIG.
In the figure, 11R and 11L are ultrasonic sensors attached to the front right side and the front left side of the vehicle, respectively, and the emission surfaces for emitting ultrasonic waves face the front lower side of the vehicle.

【0010】これら超音波センサ11R,11Lは例え
ば8msec毎に超音波を前方下側に向けて送信し、路面か
らの反射波を受信する送受信部12と、この送受信部1
2で受信された反射波のレベルが所定値以上であると
“路面突起あり”と判定する突起判定部13と、判定部
13により突起が検出されると突起信号として1パルス
を出力する突起信号出力部14とから構成されている。
ここで、超音波センサ11R,11Lからそれぞれ出力
される突起信号をp1,p2と呼称する。
These ultrasonic sensors 11R and 11L transmit and receive ultrasonic waves toward the front lower side, for example, every 8 msec, and a transmitting / receiving section 12 for receiving reflected waves from the road surface, and this transmitting / receiving section 1
When the level of the reflected wave received in 2 is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the projection determining unit 13 determines that “the road surface has a projection”, and the projection signal that outputs one pulse as the projection signal when the determination unit 13 detects the projection It is composed of an output unit 14.
Here, the protrusion signals output from the ultrasonic sensors 11R and 11L are referred to as p1 and p2.

【0011】超音波センサ11R,11Lから出力され
る突起信号p1,p2はそれぞれコントロ−ラ15の減
衰力切換判定部17に送られる。この減衰切換判定部1
7には現在の車速を更新しながら記憶しているメモリ1
9、ロ−ル制御中フラグ,ダイブ制御中フラグ,スクワ
ット制御中フラグを記憶するメモリ20、図4に示す降
雨判定を行い降雨時には禁止フラグをセットする降雨判
定部21が接続される。そして、この減衰力切換判定部
17はメモリ19にロ−ル制御中フラグ,ダイブ制御中
フラグ,スクワット制御中フラグがセットされていな
く、しかも降雨判定部21での判定で禁止フラグがリセ
ットされていれば、突起信号p1あるいはp2の入力に
応答して減衰力を切換える判定を行なう。この減衰力切
換判定部17には減衰力切換指示部18が接続される。
この減衰力切換指示部18は減衰力切換判定部17によ
り減衰力切換判定が行われと、突起が車輪を乗り越える
タイミングを見計らって前後輪のショックアブソ−バの
減衰力をソフトに切換える指示を減衰力切換アクチュエ
−タ16に出力する。この減衰力切換アクチュエ−タ1
6により車両の前後輪のショックアブソ−バの減衰力が
ソフトあるいはハ−ドに切換えられる。
The projection signals p1 and p2 output from the ultrasonic sensors 11R and 11L are sent to the damping force switching determination section 17 of the controller 15, respectively. This attenuation switching determination unit 1
In memory 7, memory 1 is stored while updating the current vehicle speed.
9, a memory 20 for storing a roll control flag, a dive control flag, and a squat control flag, and a rain determination section 21 for making a rain determination shown in FIG. 4 and setting a prohibition flag at the time of rain are connected. In the damping force switching determination unit 17, the roll control flag, the dive control flag, and the squat control flag are not set in the memory 19, and the prohibition flag is reset by the rainfall determination unit 21. If so, it is determined that the damping force is switched in response to the input of the projection signal p1 or p2. A damping force switching instruction unit 18 is connected to the damping force switching determination unit 17.
When the damping force switching determining unit 17 determines the damping force switching, the damping force switching instructing unit 18 attenuates the instruction to softly switch the damping forces of the shock absorbers of the front and rear wheels in consideration of the timing at which the protrusion gets over the wheel. Output to the force switching actuator 16. This damping force switching actuator 1
6, the damping force of the shock absorbers of the front and rear wheels of the vehicle is switched to soft or hard.

【0012】次に、上記のように構成された本発明の一
実施例の動作について説明する。超音波センサ11R,
11Lが作動されると、超音波センサ11R,11Lの
送受信部12から8msec毎に超音波が車両の前方下方に
向かって送信される。この超音波センサ11R,11L
は路面で反射された超音波を送受信部12で受信し、そ
のレベルが所定値以上であると“突起あり”と突起判定
部13で判定する。そして、突起信号出力部14はその
判定が行われる毎に突起信号p1あるいはp2をコント
ロ−ラ15に出力する。
Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention constructed as above will be described. Ultrasonic sensor 11R,
When 11L is operated, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the transmitter / receiver 12 of the ultrasonic sensors 11R and 11L toward the lower front of the vehicle every 8 msec. This ultrasonic sensor 11R, 11L
The ultrasonic wave reflected on the road surface is received by the transmission / reception unit 12, and if the level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the protrusion determination unit 13 determines that “there is a protrusion”. Then, the projection signal output unit 14 outputs the projection signal p1 or p2 to the controller 15 each time the determination is performed.

【0013】これら突起信号p1,p2は減衰力切換判
定部17に送られる。そして、降雨判定部17は詳細な
動作を後述する図4のフロ−チャ−トに示すように10
sec毎に突起信号p1,p2の入力回数を計数し、そ
の計数値が車速に応じて可変設定される閾値PREIN
以上であれれば、降雨と判定して禁止フラグを設定
し、閾値PREOUT以下であれば禁止フラグをリセットする
処理を行う。
These projection signals p1 and p2 are sent to the damping force switching determination section 17. Then, the rainfall determining unit 17 performs a detailed operation as shown in a flowchart of FIG.
The number of times the projection signals p1 and p2 are input is counted every sec, and the count value is variably set according to the vehicle speed.
If it is above, it is determined that it is raining, the prohibition flag is set, and if it is less than or equal to the threshold value PREOUT, the prohibition flag is reset.

【0014】そして、減衰力切換判定部17は降雨判定
部21で禁止フラグがセットされていれば、突起信号p
1あるいはp2が入力されても減衰力を切換えない判定
を行なう。一方、禁止フラグがリセットされていれば、
突起信号p1あるいはp2が入力されると減衰力を切換
える判定を行ない、その判定信号を減衰力切換指示部1
8に出力する。
Then, if the prohibition flag is set in the rainfall determination unit 21, the damping force switching determination unit 17 outputs the projection signal p.
It is determined that the damping force is not switched even if 1 or p2 is input. On the other hand, if the prohibit flag is reset,
When the projection signal p1 or p2 is input, a determination is made to switch the damping force, and the determination signal is sent to the damping force switching instructing unit 1.
Output to 8.

【0015】減衰力切換指示部18は判定信号が入力さ
れると、突起が車輪を乗り越えるタイミングを見計らっ
て前後輪のショックアブソ−バの減衰力をソフトに切換
える指示を減衰力切換アクチュエ−タ16に出力する。
このようにして、前輪あるいは後輪が突起を乗り越える
ときにはショックアブソ−バの減衰力はソフトに切換え
られているので、突起を乗り越えるときのショックを車
体に伝達されるのを抑制し、乗り心地を向上させること
ができる。
When the determination signal is input, the damping force switching instructing section 18 gives an instruction to softly switch the damping force of the shock absorbers of the front and rear wheels at the timing when the protrusion gets over the wheel. Output to.
In this way, the damping force of the shock absorber is softly switched when the front wheel or the rear wheel gets over the projection, so that the shock when passing over the projection is suppressed from being transmitted to the vehicle body and the riding comfort is improved. Can be improved.

【0016】次ぎに、降雨判定部21の判定動作につい
て図4のフロ−チャ−トを参照して説明する。まず、突
起信号p1あるいはp2を計数するカウンタNに“0”
がセットされ、10sec タイマがセットされてタイマの
計時動作が開始される(ステップS1,S2)。
Next, the determination operation of the rainfall determination unit 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, "0" is set in the counter N that counts the protrusion signal p1 or p2.
Is set, the 10-second timer is set, and the time counting operation of the timer is started (steps S1 and S2).

【0017】そして、突起信号p1あるいはp2が入力
されたか判定し、入力された場合にはカウンタNを+1
し、10sec タイマに10sec が経過されるまではステ
ップS3,S4の処理が繰り返し行われ、突起信号p1
あるいはp2の計数が行われる(ステップS3〜S
5)。そして、ステップS5において「YES」、つま
り10sec タイマで10secが経過したと判定されると
10sec タイマがリセットされる(ステップS6)。
Then, it is judged whether or not the projection signal p1 or p2 is inputted, and when it is inputted, the counter N is incremented by +1.
However, the processes of steps S3 and S4 are repeated until the 10 sec timer has passed 10 sec, and the projection signal p1
Alternatively, p2 is counted (steps S3 to S).
5). Then, if "YES" in the step S5, that is, if it is determined that the 10-second timer has passed 10 seconds, the 10-second timer is reset (step S6).

【0018】そして、禁止フラグがセットされているか
判定される(ステップS7)。このステップS7の判定
で「YES」と判定された場合には、前述のステップS
4で計数されたカウンタNの計数値が閾値PREIN 以上で
あれるか判定され、「YES」であれば禁止フラグがセ
ットされる(ステップS8,S9)。
Then, it is judged whether the prohibition flag is set (step S7). If "YES" is determined in the determination in this step S7, the above-mentioned step S7
It is determined whether the count value of the counter N counted in 4 is equal to or larger than the threshold value PREIN, and if "YES", the prohibition flag is set (steps S8 and S9).

【0019】一方、ステップS7の判定で「YES」、
つまり禁止フラグがセットされていると判定された場合
には、前述のステップS4で計数されたカウンタNの計
数値が閾値PREOUT以下であれるか判定され、「YES」
であれば禁止フラグがリセットされる(ステップS1
0,S11)。
On the other hand, "YES" in the determination in step S7,
That is, when it is determined that the prohibition flag is set, it is determined whether the count value of the counter N counted in step S4 is equal to or less than the threshold value PREOUT, and "YES".
If so, the prohibition flag is reset (step S1)
0, S11).

【0020】ところで、閾値PREIN は図2に示すよう
に、車速が高くなると大きくなるように設定されてい
る。これは、車速が高くなると同じ降雨状態でも超音波
センサ11R,11Lの超音波振動子に衝突する雨滴の
数が増加するためである。また、この閾値PREIN は降雨
でない状態で突起信号p1あるいはp2を計数してもそ
の計数値Nが閾値PREIN 以上とならないように設定され
ている。これは、降雨でない状態で計数値Nが閾値PREI
N 以上となると、禁止フラグがセットされてしまい、突
起を乗り越えるときに減衰力をソフトに切換える制御が
なされなくなるためである。一般に高速道路の継目など
の突起は10mに1回程度である。このため、時速12
0Km/h で走行する車両は毎秒33m走行するため、1
秒間に3個の突起を乗り越える。この突起を両センサ1
1R,11Lで検出すると10sec で60個の突起信号
を計数することになる。そこで、車速が110Km/h 乃
至120Km/h の間ではその「60」より大きい[6
1」に閾値を設定しておくことにより、降雨状態でない
状態で禁止フラグがセットされるのを防止している。な
お、他の車速領域での閾値も同様の主旨に基づいて設定
されている。
By the way, the threshold value PREIN is set to increase as the vehicle speed increases, as shown in FIG. This is because as the vehicle speed increases, the number of raindrops that collide with the ultrasonic transducers of the ultrasonic sensors 11R and 11L increases even in the same rainy state. Further, this threshold value PREIN is set such that the count value N does not exceed the threshold value PREIN even if the projection signal p1 or p2 is counted in a state where it is not raining. This is because the count value N is the threshold value PREI when it is not raining.
This is because if it is N or more, the prohibition flag is set and the control for softly changing the damping force is not performed when overcoming the protrusion. Generally, protrusions such as seams on highways are about once every 10 m. Therefore, 12 per hour
Since a vehicle traveling at 0 km / h travels 33 m / s,
Overcome 3 protrusions per second. Use this protrusion for both sensors 1
When detected with 1R and 11L, 60 protrusion signals are counted in 10 seconds. Therefore, when the vehicle speed is between 110km / h and 120km / h, it is larger than "60" [6].
By setting the threshold value to "1", it is possible to prevent the prohibition flag from being set in a non-rainy state. The threshold values in other vehicle speed regions are also set based on the same purpose.

【0021】例えば、図3に示すように時刻t1で「N
≧PREIN 」であることが判定されてもまた、すぐには禁
止フラグをセットしないで、10sec タイマに10sec
が経過した時刻t2で始めて禁止フラグをセットするよ
うにしている。これは、まれに1m間隔程度で継目があ
る場合を考慮して、測定時間内の時刻t1に「N≧PREI
N 」である条件が成立してもすぐに禁止フラグをセット
しないで測定時間終了時(時刻t2)に禁止フラグをセ
ットするようにしている。つまり、1m間隔程度で継目
があると、測定時間内の早く時刻で「N≧PREIN 」であ
る条件が成立する。この時点ですぐに禁止フラグをセッ
トしてしまうと、減衰力はソフトに切換えることが禁止
されてしまい、突起を乗り越えるときの振動が車体に伝
達されて乗り心地が悪化してしまうためである。
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, at time t1, "N
Even if it is determined that ≧ PREIN ”, the prohibit flag is not set immediately and the 10 sec timer is used for 10 sec.
The prohibition flag is set only when the time t2 has elapsed. In consideration of the rare case where there is a seam at intervals of about 1 m, this is "N ≥ PREI" at time t1 in the measurement time.
Even if the condition "N" is satisfied, the prohibition flag is not set immediately, but the prohibition flag is set at the end of the measurement time (time t2). That is, if there is a seam at intervals of about 1 m, the condition of "N≥PREIN" is satisfied earlier in the measurement time. This is because if the prohibition flag is set immediately at this point, it will be prohibited to switch the damping force softly, and the vibration when riding over the protrusion will be transmitted to the vehicle body and the riding comfort will be deteriorated.

【0022】以上のように、降雨状態での走行であると
判定された場合には、禁止フラグがセットするようにし
たので、雨滴による誤動作により突起があると判定され
てショックアブソ−バの減衰力がソフトに切換えられた
状態が継続して操安性が悪化するのを防止している。ま
た、雨滴による超音波センサの誤作動に限らず車両を石
畳路上を走行させた場合も、路面を突起が常に検出され
続けるためにサスペンションの減衰力がソフトに切換え
続けられ、ばね下共振によるストロ−ク変化が大きくな
ることを防止することができる。なお、上記実施例にお
いて超音波センサ11R,11Lは突起を検出していた
が、突起に限らず溝を検出するようにしても良い。
As described above, when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling in the rainy state, the prohibition flag is set, so that it is determined that there is a protrusion due to a malfunction caused by raindrops, and the shock absorber is attenuated. This prevents the maneuverability from deteriorating due to the continuation of the soft force switching. In addition, not only when the ultrasonic sensor malfunctions due to raindrops but also when the vehicle is driven on a cobblestone road, the suspension damping force is continuously switched softly because the projections on the road surface are always detected, and the unsprung resonance causes -It is possible to prevent a large change in color. In addition, although the ultrasonic sensors 11R and 11L detect the protrusions in the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic sensors 11R and 11L may detect not only the protrusions but also the grooves.

【0023】[0023]

【発明の効果】以上詳述したように本発明によれば、超
音波センサにより前方の路面の突起を検出し減衰力をソ
フトに切換えるようにした装置において、ソフトに切換
えることにより操安性が悪化する状況を自動的に検出
し、その状況下ではソフトに切換えることを禁止するよ
うにしたのい、操安性を向上させることができる超音波
センサを用いた減衰力切換装置を提供することができ
る。
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the device in which the ultrasonic sensor detects the projection on the road surface ahead and the damping force is softly switched, the maneuverability is improved by the soft switching. To provide a damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor capable of automatically detecting a deteriorating situation and prohibiting soft switching under such a situation, which can improve maneuverability. You can

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図1】本発明の一実施例に係わる超音波センサを用い
た減衰力切換装置のシステム構成図。
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a damping force switching device using an ultrasonic sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【図2】超音波センサの取付け場所を示す車両の斜視
図。
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle showing a mounting location of an ultrasonic sensor.

【図3】車速に応じて変化する禁止フラグのセット条件
及びリセット条件の閾値を示す図。
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing thresholds of a set condition and a reset condition of a prohibition flag which changes according to a vehicle speed.

【図4】一実施例の動作を説明するためのタイミング
図。
FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

【図5】降雨判定部の機能を示すフロ−チャ−ト。FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the function of the rainfall determination unit.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

11R,11L…超音波センサ、15…コントロ−ラ、
16…減衰力切換えアクチュエ−タ、17…減衰力切換
判定部、21…降雨判定部。
11R, 11L ... Ultrasonic sensor, 15 ... Controller,
16 ... Damping force switching actuator, 17 ... Damping force switching determining unit, 21 ... Rainfall determining unit.

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項1】 車両の前方下方の路面に向かって超音波
信号を送信し、その反射波の強さを検出することにより
前方の路面の突起を検知して突起信号を出力する路面突
起検出手段と、 車両のサスペンションの減衰力を切換える減衰力切換え
アクチュエ−タと、 上記路面突起検出手段から出力される突起信号を所定時
間毎に計数し、その計数値が車速に連動した所定値にお
いて、所定値以上である場合には禁止フラグをセット
し、上記所定値より小さい設定値より小さくなると禁止
フラグをリセットする禁止判定手段と、 上記路面突起検出手段から出力される突起信号を検出す
ると上記禁止フラグがリセットされている状態では上記
アクチュエ−タを作動させてサスペンションの減衰力を
ソフトに切換える切換え制御を行ない、上記禁止フラグ
がセットされている状態では上記突起信号を検出しても
上記切換え制御を行わない減衰力切換制御手段とを具備
したことを特徴とする超音波センサを用いた減衰力切換
装置。
1. A road surface projection detecting means for transmitting an ultrasonic signal toward a road surface below the front of a vehicle and detecting the strength of the reflected wave to detect a projection on the front road surface and output a projection signal. And a damping force switching actuator for switching the damping force of the vehicle suspension, and a projection signal output from the road surface projection detection means are counted at predetermined intervals, and the count value is a predetermined value linked to the vehicle speed. The prohibition flag is set when the value is greater than or equal to the value, and the prohibition flag is reset when the value is smaller than the set value, and the prohibition flag is detected when the projection signal output from the road surface projection detection means is detected. Is reset, the actuator is operated to perform switching control to softly switch the damping force of the suspension, and the prohibit flag is set. And a damping force switching control means that does not perform the switching control even when the projection signal is detected.
JP4085154A 1992-04-07 1992-04-07 Damping force switching device using ultrasonic sensor Expired - Fee Related JP3016300B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP4085154A JP3016300B2 (en) 1992-04-07 1992-04-07 Damping force switching device using ultrasonic sensor

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP4085154A JP3016300B2 (en) 1992-04-07 1992-04-07 Damping force switching device using ultrasonic sensor

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH05286337A true JPH05286337A (en) 1993-11-02
JP3016300B2 JP3016300B2 (en) 2000-03-06

Family

ID=13850755

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP4085154A Expired - Fee Related JP3016300B2 (en) 1992-04-07 1992-04-07 Damping force switching device using ultrasonic sensor

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP3016300B2 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009234454A (en) * 2008-03-27 2009-10-15 Honda Motor Co Ltd Control device of variable damping force damper
JP2011068195A (en) * 2009-09-24 2011-04-07 Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd Suspension control device
KR20160066293A (en) * 2014-12-02 2016-06-10 현대모비스 주식회사 System and method for controlling suspension of vehicle

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6136013A (en) * 1984-07-30 1986-02-20 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Control device of suspension for vehicle
JPH0459408A (en) * 1990-06-28 1992-02-26 Mitsubishi Motors Corp Active suspension device for vehicle

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6136013A (en) * 1984-07-30 1986-02-20 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Control device of suspension for vehicle
JPH0459408A (en) * 1990-06-28 1992-02-26 Mitsubishi Motors Corp Active suspension device for vehicle

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2009234454A (en) * 2008-03-27 2009-10-15 Honda Motor Co Ltd Control device of variable damping force damper
JP2011068195A (en) * 2009-09-24 2011-04-07 Hitachi Automotive Systems Ltd Suspension control device
KR20160066293A (en) * 2014-12-02 2016-06-10 현대모비스 주식회사 System and method for controlling suspension of vehicle

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