JP2001334974A - Air suspension device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air suspension device capable of easily operating a compressor on an assembly line and allowing the compressor to be operated only when an engine is or, after rolling off the assembly line with a simple structure without increasing cost. SOLUTION: In the air suspension device for adjusting a car height by controlling the compressor 3 and an exhaust valve 4 by an electronic control unit 1 installed with a diagnosis circuit 5, the diagnosis circuit 5 is connected with a circuit 11 for grounding only on the assembly line, and the compressor 3 is operated by turning on an ignition switch 2 on the assembly line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air suspension device for controlling a compressor and an exhaust valve to adjust a vehicle height.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an air suspension system, an air suspension electronic control unit (air suspension ECU) 1 is connected to a positive terminal (+ B) of a battery via an ignition switch 2, as shown in FIG. The operation of the compressor 3 and the exhaust valve 4 is controlled by the air suspension ECU 1 to adjust the vehicle height.

[0003] The air suspension ECU 1 is connected to a vehicle height sensor (not shown) for detecting the vehicle height, and a vehicle height switch for selecting the vehicle height to high or normal, and further selecting the vehicle height to low depending on the vehicle. In addition, a diagnosis circuit 5 for diagnosis is built in, and a diagnosis terminal 7 is connected to the diagnosis circuit 5 via a harness 6. In addition, the air suspension ECU 1
The L terminal of the alternator, which is at the earth potential (ground) when the engine is stopped (off), is connected via the harness 8.

In a vehicle equipped with such an air suspension device, vibration or noise is generated when the compressor 3 is operated. Therefore, the compressor unit is usually mounted on the vehicle body via a floating rubber or the like, or in a place as far as possible from the vehicle interior. To be installed in

[0005] Further, since the compressor 3 consumes a large amount of current and may run out of battery if the engine is operated while the engine is off, in normal use, the ignition switch 2 is turned on and the engine is turned off. Only when the vehicle is in the operation (on) state, that is, when the harness 8 is at a predetermined potential other than the ground potential, the operation of the compressor 3 is permitted to increase the vehicle height. When the vehicle is operated, compressed air is supplied to the air chamber of the shock absorber via the dryer, and when the vehicle height is lowered, the exhaust valve 4 provided on the dryer is opened by the air suspension ECU 1 to open the air chamber. By discharging the air inside, the noise of the compressor 3 is reduced and unnecessary power consumption of the battery is suppressed. It has to so that.

On the other hand, in the outfitting line, if the vehicle height is not in a normal or high state, for example, it may be difficult to attach a door. However, if the operation of the compressor 3 is permitted only when the ignition switch 2 is on and the engine is on as described above, the engine is already mounted on the outfitting line, and the engine is turned on. Otherwise, the outfitting of the door will not be possible, and the outfitting line will be restricted.

Therefore, the following two methods have conventionally been known as methods for adjusting the vehicle height without turning on the engine even if the engine is not mounted on the outfitting line or even if the engine is mounted.

(1) When the ignition switch 2 is on, the diagnosis terminal 7 of the air suspension ECU 1
The compressor 3 is operated by connecting the dummy coupler 9 and grounding the diagnosis terminal 7 as shown by a virtual line in FIG.

(2) Since the battery in the outfitting line is in a fully charged state and there is no problem of capacity reduction under a load about the operation of the compressor 3, if the battery is connected, the ignition switch 2 should be turned on. To operate the compressor 3.

[0010]

However, in the method (1), the diagnosis terminal 7 is searched for and the dummy coupler 9 is connected and connected after the door mounting operation is completed in an actual busy fitting line. It is practically difficult to remove and restore. In order to easily carry out the method (1), a connector is attached to the diagnosis terminal 7 from the beginning, a dummy coupler 9 is connected via this connector to operate the compressor, and door installation work is performed. It is conceivable to remove the connector after completion, but this method is not very advantageous in terms of the cost of the connector and workability at the time of reuse.

Further, the method (2) cannot satisfy the requirement that the operation of the compressor 3 is permitted only when the engine is in the ON state during normal use. Therefore, when adopting the method (2), as an exception, immediately after the battery is connected, the logic for permitting the operation of the compressor 3 is canceled only when the engine is on, and the ignition switch 2 is turned off. It is conceivable that the logic of operating the compressor 3 only by the electric power of the battery by turning on the vehicle, thereby keeping the vehicle height on the outfitting line and enabling the door installation work.

However, in this case, if the battery once disconnected during normal use is connected again, the logic of the exception regulation on the outfitting line operates. For this reason, for example, the battery is removed for long-term nonuse of the vehicle by the user or long-term storage such as long-term stock after manufacture, and the air of the air suspension is released for some reason (for example, long-term parking or the like). When the battery is connected again in the state, the logic of the exception regulation immediately after the connection of the battery operates, and the ignition switch 2 is turned on to operate the compressor 3 to lower the voltage of the battery, thereby starting the engine. There is a concern that it will have an adverse effect.

That is, usually, the battery is often removed from the battery for a long period of storage. In this case, the charge capacity of the battery is small, and the electromotive force is often reduced by self-discharge. When the power is further consumed by the operation of 3, the possibility that the startability of the engine is reduced is increased.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of the above point is that the compressor can be easily operated on the outfitting line with a simple configuration without substantially increasing the cost, and the engine can be operated after leaving the outfitting line. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air suspension device in which the operation of the compressor can be permitted only when the vehicle is in an ON state.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air suspension apparatus for controlling a compressor and an exhaust valve by an electronic control unit including a diagnosis circuit to adjust a vehicle height. The air suspension device is characterized in that the diagnosis circuit is connected to a circuit grounded only on the outfitting line, and the compressor is operated by turning on an ignition switch on the outfitting line.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the diagnosis circuit is grounded only on the outfitting line. For example, in the case of a keyless entry vehicle, the diagnosis circuit is connected to the keyless entry unit and grounded. Even if it is not installed, the compressor is easily operated by turning on the ignition switch on the outfitting line, and if the vehicle has a predetermined vehicle height or a vehicle height switch, the desired vehicle height selected by the vehicle height switch This makes it easier to install doors, for example, and the grounding of the diagnosis circuit is released after completion of outfitting, so the compressor operates only when the engine is on. It is possible to make it.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air suspension device for adjusting a vehicle height by controlling a compressor and an exhaust valve by an electronic control unit including a diagnosis circuit. A ground connection circuit for connecting the diagnosis circuit to the ground by connecting only a predetermined connector on the outfitting line is provided, and the compressor is turned on by turning on an ignition switch in a state where only the predetermined connector is connected on the outfitting line. It is configured to be operated.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when only a predetermined connector is connected on the outfitting line, the diagnosis circuit is grounded by the ground connection circuit. Even if it is off or not installed, the compressor can be easily operated by turning on the ignition switch on the outfitting line, and if the vehicle has a predetermined vehicle height or a vehicle height switch, the desired height selected by the vehicle height switch It is possible to maintain the vehicle at a height, for example, to easily perform a door installation operation, and to operate the compressor only when the engine is on after the outfitting is completed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air suspension device of the second aspect, the predetermined connector is
After completion of the outfitting, one connector selected from a plurality of connectors set in advance to maintain the connection state, and the plurality of connectors are provided with switch contacts that are respectively closed by connection, and the ground connection circuit is connected to the plurality of ground connection circuits. Based on the switch contact state of the connector, when only the switch contact of the predetermined connector is in the closed state, the diagnosis circuit is connected to ground and the compressor is operated by turning on the ignition switch. It is characterized by the following.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the diagnosis circuit is grounded when only the switch contact of the predetermined connector is closed on the outfitting line, and the ignition switch is turned on in that state to turn on the compressor. Can be easily operated to maintain a predetermined vehicle height or a desired vehicle height selected by a vehicle height switch when the vehicle has a vehicle height switch, thereby facilitating, for example, door installation work. It is also possible to operate the compressor only when the engine is on, since the switch contacts of the multiple connectors are closed and the grounding of the diagnosis circuit is released after the outfitting is completed. It becomes possible.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the air suspension device of the third aspect, the plurality of connectors are:
It is a door harness connector.

According to the present invention, the diagnosis circuit is grounded by connecting only the door harness connector of the predetermined door to the corresponding door cord.
By turning on the ignition switch in this state, it is possible to easily operate the compressor to maintain a predetermined vehicle height or a desired vehicle height selected by the vehicle height switch when the vehicle has the vehicle height switch, For example, it is possible to easily perform door installation work, and after outfitting, the connection state of the door harness connectors of multiple doors is maintained and the grounding of the diagnosis circuit is released, so the engine is turned on. Only the compressor can be operated.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an air suspension device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention. In this air suspension device, an air suspension ECU 1 is connected to a positive terminal (+ B) of a battery via an ignition switch 2 and the operation of the compressor 3 and the exhaust valve 4 is controlled by the air suspension ECU 1, as described with reference to FIG. To adjust the vehicle height.

The air suspension ECU 1 is connected to a vehicle height sensor (not shown) for detecting the vehicle height, and a vehicle height switch for selecting the vehicle height to high or normal, and further selecting the vehicle height to low depending on the vehicle. In addition to the above, a diagnosis circuit 5 for diagnosis is built in, and a diagnosis terminal 7 is connected to the diagnosis circuit 5 via a harness 6. Further, the air suspension ECU 1
Is connected to the L terminal of an alternator which is set to a ground potential (ground) when the engine is turned off via the harness 8.

The present embodiment is applied to a vehicle having a keyless entry unit 11, and a keyless entry connector 13 is connected to the keyless entry unit 11 via a keyless entry registration circuit 12, and the keyless entry unit 11 is mounted on an outfitting line. Then, a predetermined coupler 14 is connected to the keyless entry connector 13, and the keyless entry unit 11 is connected to the keyless entry connector 1.
3 and the coupler 14 to be grounded.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the harness 6 connected to the diagnosis terminal 7 of the diagnosis circuit 5 and the keyless entry registration circuit 12 connected to the keyless entry connector 13 of the keyless entry unit 11 are connected by a diode. Connect via 15
By connecting the coupler 14 to the keyless entry connector 13, the diagnosis circuit 5 is grounded via the diode 15, the keyless entry connector 13 and the coupler 14.

In this way, when the ignition switch 2 is turned on on the outfitting line and the diagnosis circuit 5 is grounded, the compressor 3 is operated to maintain the vehicle height at a predetermined height. To

According to the present embodiment, the harness 6 of the diagnosis terminal 7 and the keyless entry connector 1
3 and the diode 15
The compressor 3 can be easily operated by a simple operation of turning on the ignition switch 2 with the battery connected even if the engine is not mounted on the outfitting line. To maintain a desired vehicle height.

Accordingly, for example, the work of installing the door can be easily performed without being restricted by the outfitting line. Further, the keyless entry connector 13 is detached from the coupler 14 when the registration of the keyless entry in the keyless entry unit 11 is completed. Therefore, after the vehicle is shipped and passed to the user, the compressor 3 is operated only when the engine is on. It can be activated.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 2 shows a main configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.
The same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIG.

In this embodiment, the air suspension ECU 1 is provided with a ground connection circuit 21 for connecting the diagnosis circuit 5 to the ground. Also, for example, the harness connector 22 of the first door to be attached and the harness connector 23 of the last door to be respectively attached to the first and last two doors of the four doors respectively have the corresponding door cords 22a and 23a. The switch contacts 22 b and 23 b that are closed (turned on) by connection are provided, and these switch contacts 22 b and 23 b are connected to the ground connection circuit 21.

The ground connection circuit 21 is provided with an AND circuit 25 and an inverter 26, for example.
For each of b and 23b, a contact signal which is, for example, high level (logic 1) when the contact is in the on state, and becomes low level (logic 0) when the contact is in the off state, is generated. Contact signal AND circuit 2
5, and the contact signal of the switch contact 23b is inverted by the inverter 26 and supplied to the other input terminal of the AND circuit 25. When the output of the AND circuit 25 is at the high level, the diagnosis is performed. Circuit 5 is connected to ground and is isolated from ground when low.

In this way, as in the first embodiment, when the ignition switch 2 is turned on on the outfitting line and the diagnosis circuit 5 is grounded, the compressor 3 is operated to increase the vehicle height. At a predetermined height.

According to this embodiment, the harness connector 22 of the door to be attached first and the door cord 22a are connected, and the harness connector 23 of the door to be attached last and the door cord 23a are not connected. Only when the output of the AND circuit 25 becomes high level and the diagnosis circuit 5 is connected to the ground, the door harness connector 22 and the door cord 22a of the predetermined door are connected before the door is attached. By simply turning on the ignition switch 2 while the battery is connected, the compressor 3 can be easily operated and maintained at the desired vehicle height even if the engine is not mounted on the outfitting line. can do.

Therefore, the door can be easily mounted without being restricted by the outfitting line, and the door harness connectors 22 and 23 are used.
It can be effectively applied to vehicles other than keyless entry. Further, in the completed vehicle state in which the door installation work has been completed, the door harness connector 23 and the door cord 23 are provided.
a is also connected, whereby the output of the AND circuit 25 becomes low level and the diagnosis circuit 5 is separated from the ground, so that the compressor 3 can be operated only when the engine is on. Moreover, since the ground connection circuit 21 can be constituted by a simple logic circuit, the cost hardly increases.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the diagnosis circuit 5 is connected to the keyless entry unit 11, but any circuit can be connected as long as the circuit is grounded only on the outfitting line. In the second embodiment, the door harness connectors 22 and 23 are used to
Although the diagnosis circuit 5 is connected to the ground on the outfitting line by the ground connection circuit 21, a similar logic can be configured using another connector connected on the outfitting line.

[0038]

According to the present invention described above, it is possible to easily operate the compressor on the outfitting line with a simple configuration without substantially increasing the cost, and furthermore, the engine is turned on after leaving the outfitting line. , An air suspension device that can permit the operation of the compressor only when the air suspension device is in the state described above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a first embodiment of an air suspension device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a conventional air suspension device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air suspension electronic control unit 2 Ignition switch 3 Compressor 4 Exhaust valve 5 Diagnosis circuit 6 Harness 7 Diagnosis terminal 8 Harness 11 Keyless entry unit 12 Keyless entry registration circuit 13 Keyless entry connector 14 Coupler 15 Diode 21 Earth connection circuit 22 First Harness connector of door to be installed 23 Harness connector of door to be installed last 22a, 23a Door code 22b, 23b Switch contact 25 AND circuit 26 Inverter

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An air suspension system in which a compressor and an exhaust valve are controlled by an electronic control unit having a built-in diagnosis circuit to adjust a vehicle height, wherein the diagnosis circuit is connected to a circuit grounded only on an outfitting line. An air suspension device characterized in that the compressor is operated by turning on an ignition key on an outfitting line. 2. An air suspension device in which a compressor and an exhaust valve are controlled by an electronic control unit having a built-in diagnosis circuit to adjust a vehicle height, wherein only a predetermined connector on an outfitting line is connected to the electronic control unit. A ground connection circuit for connecting the diagnosis circuit to the ground is provided, and the compressor is operated by turning on an ignition key in a state where only the predetermined connector is connected on the outfitting line. Air suspension device. 3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined connector is a connector selected from a plurality of preset connectors that maintain a connected state after the completion of the outfitting, and the plurality of connectors are each a switch that is closed by connection. A contact is provided, and the ground connection circuit connects the diagnosis circuit to the ground when only the switch contact of the predetermined connector is in a closed state based on the switch contact state of the plurality of connectors, and connects the ignition key to the ignition key. The air suspension device according to claim 2, wherein the compressor is configured to be operated when turned on. 4. The air suspension device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of connectors are door harness connectors.