JPH0651478B2 - Height adjustment device for motorcycles - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vehicle height adjusting device for appropriately adjusting the vehicle height of a motorcycle in accordance with road conditions, running conditions such as the size of the mounted weight, and the like. Yes, for those that maintain a set vehicle height with an automatic adjustment device, it is extremely easy and easy for the passenger to set the vehicle height while riding over the motorcycle, and therefore the most desirable vehicle It can be set easily, easily, reliably, and quickly.

[Prior art]

The height of the motorcycle is preferably such that the legs of the occupant are in contact with the ground in order to ensure safety, and when traveling on a rough road, it is desirable that the vehicle height is high from the viewpoint of vehicle protection. Furthermore, when traveling on a flat road surface, particularly when traveling on a highway, it is desirable to reduce the vehicle height in order to improve the stability of the vehicle body.

On the other hand, the shock absorbers of motorcycles are relatively soft,
The vehicle height fluctuates greatly depending on the size of the passenger's weight and the weight of the loaded luggage, and the desired vehicle height depends on the passenger's size, and also on the passenger's preference.

Therefore, it is desirable to set the vehicle height according to the running conditions such as the quality of the road surface and the size of passengers, and to be able to automatically maintain the set vehicle height. The adjusting device is already known (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-13).
5380 publication). This type changes the vehicle height by supplying and exhausting air to the shock absorber of the rear wheels, detects the vehicle height relative to the set value by the vehicle height detection mechanism that is interposed between the vehicle body and the rear arm, and uses that detection signal. The vehicle height is changed by controlling the air supply and exhaust valve to the air spring of the shock absorber, and the vehicle height is automatically adjusted within the set range by the vehicle height detection signal from the vehicle height detection mechanism. , To maintain.

The vehicle height detection mechanism has a vehicle height detector fixed to the vehicle body frame. The vehicle height detector detects the degree of sinking of the wheels with respect to the vehicle body, and responds to the detection signal to control device 25. Are air supply / exhaust solenoid valves 15, 58, 15 ',
58 'is controlled to supply / exhaust air to / from the suspension devices (buffer devices) 2 and 3. The vehicle height detector is located in the casing and is connected to the rotary plate 52 ( (Actuating element) and a first optoelectronic device and a second optoelectronic device (response element) fixed to the casing, and an operating lever 53 connected to the other end of the shaft and a rear arm are connected to each other by a connecting rod 54 (connecting rod). ), The actuating element (movable side element) and the responding element (fixed side element) of the vehicle height detector are relatively displaced in response to a change in the position of the rear arm with respect to the body frame. When exceeding a predetermined range, this is taken out as an output signal from the response element of the vehicle height detector to perform the above control.

Then, the vehicle height is adjusted by changing the position of the actuating element by adjusting the length of the connecting rod that connects the actuating element of the vehicle height detector and the rear arm with the turnbuckle 67.

The above-mentioned conventional techniques have no problem in the vehicle height automatic adjustment function, and there is no particular problem in arbitrarily adjusting the set height of the vehicle height.

However, the vehicle height setting is adjusted by adjusting the length of the connecting rod that connects the actuation element of the vehicle height detector and the rear arm with the turnbuckle, so that the motorcycle can stand on its own. Adjustment is required, and this adjustment cannot be performed with the same load applied to the rear wheels as in the running state. Also, since the length of the connecting rod that transmits the vertical movement of the rear arm to the detector is adjusted, a rigid connecting means such as a turnbuckle that does not loosen even under strong vibration is used. It is not easy to adjust the length of the connecting rod for
Also, since the adjustment will be performed in a state different from the state where the passenger is on board and a predetermined load is applied to the wheel, in order to accurately adjust to the predetermined vehicle height, the length adjustment of the connecting rod is repeated. However, the accuracy and speed of the adjustment operation will be lacking.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

The present invention aims to solve the above problems, and therefore, allows a passenger to ride over a motorcycle, apply a load to the wheels, and easily and easily perform a vehicle height adjusting operation in the same posture. The challenge is to devise a mechanism such as a vehicle height detector.

[Means taken to solve the problem]

Means taken for solving the above problem has a vehicle height detector fixed to the body frame, and detects the degree of sinking of the wheel with respect to the vehicle body by this vehicle height detector,
In response to this detection signal, the control device controls the solenoid valve etc. to supply / exhaust air to / from the air spring of the shock absorber, thereby expanding / contracting the shock absorber to adjust the vehicle height. The actuating member of the high detector is connected to the rear arm via a connecting rod, and the actuating element and the responding element of the vehicle height detector are relatively displaced in response to a change in the position of the rear arm with respect to the vehicle body frame. Exceeds the specified range,
In a vehicle height adjusting device for a motorcycle, which takes out this as an output signal from a response element of a vehicle height detector and performs the above-mentioned control, it is constituted by the following elements (a) to (c).

(A) The vehicle height detector fixed to the vehicle body frame has a vehicle height adjuster, and the adjuster is in a casing of the vehicle height detector and is rotatably supported by the casing.
Connecting the actuating element to one end of a shaft, fixing the actuating member to the other end of the first shaft projecting from the casing, and connecting the rear arm to the actuating member via a connecting rod; An adjusting member that is driven by one end of a rotatably supported second shaft is movably provided in the same casing, and a pair of the response elements is provided on the adjusting member. The operation knob is connected to the end, and the operation knob is exposed to the side surface of the body frame. (C) The rear arm is attached to the rear arm close to the pivot axis of the body arm so as to project. The end of the connecting rod is connected to the section.

[Work]

When the rear wheel sinks with respect to the vehicle body frame, the rear arm moves upward with respect to the vehicle body frame, so that the actuating element pivots in one direction via the connecting rod, the actuating member, and the first shaft. By this rotation, the actuating element is rotated with respect to the pair of response elements held at a predetermined position, and a vehicle height detection signal indicating that the vehicle height has dropped below a predetermined height is emitted. In response to the vehicle height detection signal, the control device operates to press the air into the air chamber of the air spring of the shock absorber to extend the shock absorber, thereby raising the body frame to a predetermined height.
When the vehicle height reaches a predetermined height, the vehicle height detection signal is stopped and the vehicle height adjusting operation is stopped.

When the body frame floats up with respect to the rear wheel, the rear arm moves downward with respect to the body frame, so that the actuating element pivots to the other side via the connecting rod, the actuating member, and the first shaft. This rotation causes the actuating element to rotate with respect to the pair of response elements held at a predetermined position, and emits a vehicle height detection signal indicating that the vehicle height has risen above a predetermined height. In response to the vehicle height detection signal, the control device operates to discharge the air in the air chamber of the air spring of the shock absorber to contract the shock absorber, thereby lowering the vehicle body frame to a predetermined height.
When the vehicle height falls to a predetermined height, the vehicle height detection signal is stopped and the vehicle height adjusting operation is stopped.

The predetermined height in the vehicle height automatic adjusting operation is determined by the positions of the pair of response elements with respect to the actuating element. When the operation knob, which is connected to the outer end of the second shaft rotatably supported by the casing of the vehicle height detector and faces the side surface of the vehicle body frame, is rotated, it is driven by the second shaft. The adjusting member moves within the casing, and the pair of response elements provided on the adjusting member move with respect to the actuating element. This changes the set height of the vehicle height.

This vehicle height adjustment operation is performed by the operation knob that faces the side surface of the body frame, regardless of the actuating member, the connecting rod, and the rear arm, that is, the responding element facing the actuating element is operated by the rider. It is possible to easily, easily and quickly perform the vehicle height adjustment operation while straddling and putting the weight on the wheels.

In addition, since the detection range is not large regardless of whether the vehicle height detection element is an electromagnetic sensor or an optical sensor, it is desirable to reduce the operating range, and the size of the vehicle height detector should be as small as possible. Desirably, the mounting portion is provided on the rear arm in the vicinity of the pivotal axis of the rear arm to the vehicle body frame, and the end portion of the connecting rod of the mounting portion is connected to the rear arm so that the rear arm can move vertically with respect to the stroke. Since the operation stroke of the actuating element of the high detector can be reduced, the vehicle height can be detected with high accuracy by the sensor having a small detection range, and the detector can be downsized.

〔Example〕

 Next, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

The rear wheel shock absorber 10 is composed of a fluid damper having a cylinder 12 and a piston rod 14, a spring 24, and an air chamber 30 of an air spring, and an attachment portion 18 of the piston rod 14 is connected to a vehicle body frame.
The rear arm is supported by the mounting portion 16 at the lower end of the. On the side surface of the cylinder 12, a spring receiver 20 is provided to project laterally,
A spring receiver 22 is provided so as to protrude laterally near the upper end of the piston rod 14, and a spring 24 is interposed between the spring receivers 20 and 22. Furthermore, the steel cylinder 26
Is connected to the spring receiver 22 and the lower end of the cylinder 26 is connected to an elastic member 28 such as a bellows, and the cylinder 26, the spring receiver 20 and the elastic member 26 form an air chamber 30. Air is press-fitted into the air spring. Therefore, by changing the air pressure in the air chamber, the spring constant of the shock absorber 10 changes, and the vehicle height is adjusted.

The air compressor 32 is operated by a motor 34, and the air compressor 32 is a filter 36.
It is designed to take in air from the atmosphere side through. Air from the air compressor 32 passes through the check valve 38 and the dehumidifier 40, and is supplied into the air chamber 30 through the pipe 42.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a vehicle height adjuster (corresponding to a "vehicle height detector" in the section of the above-mentioned means, the same applies hereinafter) for adjusting the vehicle height and setting the position thereof. In FIG. 2, the vehicle body frame is shown. The installed state is shown. Down tube 54, seat pillar tube 56, back stay 5
Reference numeral 8 constitutes a vehicle body frame 59, and these three members are integrally connected at a joint 60. The wheel 62 is pivotally supported on an axle located on the right side of the rear arm 64, and the left end of the rear arm 64 has a pivot shaft 66.
It is pivotally supported by the vehicle body frame 59 via. Therefore, the rear arm 64 swings around the pivot shaft 66 with respect to the vehicle body frame 59 under the load of the passenger riding on the motorcycle, and the position thereof is changed with respect to the vehicle body frame 59. The vehicle height adjuster 44 is attached to the lower end portion of the seat pillar tube 56, and an operating member (operating lever) described later in the vehicle height adjuster 44 is connected to the rear arm 64 via a connecting rod 68. That is, one end of the connecting rod 68 is connected to the operating lever of the vehicle height adjuster 44 via the pin 70, and the connecting rod 68 is also connected.
The other end is pivotally supported via a pin 74 to a mounting portion 72 provided on the upper surface of the rear arm 64 immediately above the pivot shaft 66. Therefore, the body frame 59 and the rear arm 6
Relative displacement with respect to the vehicle height adjuster 4 via the connecting rod 68
4 is transmitted to the rotary arm 88.

At the lower end of the casing 76 of the vehicle height adjuster 44, the first shaft 7 is attached.
8 is pivotally supported via a bush 80. First shaft 78
Penetrates from the outside to the inside of the casing 76, and the first shaft 7
The left end of 8 is an operating lever (operating member) via a pin 82.
The upper end of 84 is fixed. The lower end of the operating lever 84 is connected to one end of the rod 68 by a pin 70. Therefore, when the rear arm 64 swings and the connecting rod 68 moves, the first shaft 78 rotates via the operating lever (operating member) 84. A lower end 89 of a rotary arm 88 is pivotally supported on the right end 86 of the first shaft 78, and the rotary arm 88 and the right end 86 of the first shaft 78 are connected via a spring 90. That is, one end 92 of the spring 90 is locked to the rotating arm 88,
The other end 94 of the spring 90 is the right end portion 86 of the first shaft 78.
Is locked to. Therefore, when the first shaft 78 rotates, the rotating arm 88 rotates within the casing 76 via the spring 90. Stoppers 96 and 97 project from both sides on the left and right sides of the casing 76, and the rotary arm 88 can swing at an angle regulated by the stoppers 96 and 97. The spring 90 functions as a shock absorber when the rotating arm 88 contacts the stoppers 96 and 97 and rotates more than the regulation angle.

A permanent magnet 98 as an actuating element is attached to the upper end of the rotary arm 88. A rectangular slider 104 (see FIG. 5) as an adjusting member is slidably supported in the upper and lower grooves 100 and 102 formed in the casing 76. A substrate 106 made of Bakelite or the like is adhered to the surface of the slider 104, and a pair of magnetic sensors 1 as a response element is attached to the substrate 106.
08 and 110 are provided. Magnetic sensor 108,
Reference numeral 110 is composed of a reed switch. Therefore, when it is in a position close to the permanent magnet 98, it is closed and energized.

When only the magnetic sensor 108 is energized, a signal is sent to the controller 50 through the lead wire 112 to drive the motor 34 and supply air into the air chamber 30 to raise the vehicle height.

When only the magnetic sensor 110 is closed, the conductor 114
From the controller 5 to the controller 50,
0 sends a signal to the exhaust valve 52 to lower the air pressure in the air chamber 30 to lower the vehicle height.

Further, the permanent magnet 98 has a pair of magnetic sensors 108, 11
When the vehicle is located at the center of 0 and both magnetic sensors 108 and 110 are closed, the vehicle height does not change.

In this way, the magnetic sensors 108, 11 as the response elements
0 generates a signal according to the position related to the permanent magnet 98 as an actuating element, changes the air pressure in the air chamber 30 of the air spring to change the vehicle height, and cuts off the supply and discharge of air to increase the vehicle height. Set. Since the vehicle height is set when the permanent magnet 98 is located at the center of both magnetic sensors 108 and 110, this position becomes the vehicle height setting position of the operating element 98.

Since the magnetic sensors 108 and 110 are supported by the slider 104, the vehicle height setting position of the actuating element can be changed by moving the slider 104 from the outside of the vehicle height adjuster 44 by an operation member described later.

Next, the operation mechanism of the slider 104 used as the adjusting member will be described. An elongated hole 116 is formed in the slider 104 in the vertical direction, and the eccentric cam shaft 11 as a second shaft that constitutes an operation member is provided in the elongated hole 116.
The front end portion 120 of 8 is fitted. The tip 120 of the eccentric cam shaft 118 is displaced from the main body 119 of the eccentric cam shaft 118, and therefore, when the eccentric cam shaft 118 is rotated, the tip 120 moves vertically in FIG. However, along with this, the slider 104 also moves vertically.

An operation knob 122 (see FIG. 3) capable of changing the vehicle height setting position is fixed to the outer end of the eccentric cam shaft 118 by a pin 124, and the operation knob is exposed to the side surface of the vehicle body frame. The slider 1 is rotated by rotating the operation knob 122.
04 can be moved within the casing 76. Recesses 126 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the casing 76 side of the operation knob 122. The recesses 126 formed at the predetermined intervals together with the ball 128 constitute a moderation mechanism for setting the position of the operation knob 122.

That is, a hole 130 is formed in the casing 76, a spring 132 is arranged in the hole 130, and the ball 1
28 is pressed toward the operation knob 122. Therefore, the ball 12 urged by the spring 132
The operation knob 122 can be intermittently rotated by fitting the eight into the recesses 126 formed at predetermined intervals.

First, the operation knob 122 is set at an appropriate position, and the passenger rides on the motorcycle. When a passenger gets on a motorcycle,
The rear arm 64 swings according to the weight of the occupant, and the rotating arm 88 rotates. When the rotating arm 88 rotates, the permanent magnet 98 moves, causing the magnetic sensors 108, 11 to move.
Close to any 0.

When the permanent magnet 98 approaches the magnetic sensor 108, a drive signal for the motor 34 is sent from the magnetic sensor 108 to the controller 50, and the vehicle height increases. On the contrary, when the permanent magnet 98 approaches the magnetic sensor 110, the controller 50 causes the controller 50 to exhaust the exhaust valve. The operation signal of 52 is sent and the vehicle height decreases. Therefore, the vehicle height is controlled to the constant height set by the operation knob 122 even if the mounted load of the motorcycle changes.

If the vehicle height initially set does not match the physique of the occupant, the vehicle height setting position can be changed as described above. Therefore, the occupant can rotate the operation knob 122 while the passenger is in the vehicle. The optimum vehicle height can be determined by bringing the magnetic sensor 108 or the magnetic sensor 110 close to the permanent magnet 98. Therefore, the occupant can change the vehicle height to obtain the optimal leg attachment according to his / her physique, and also increase the vehicle height on off-road to prevent contact with road protrusions. On the road, however, the vehicle height can be changed to an optimum vehicle height according to the terrain such as lowering the vehicle height to make it easier to ride. This makes it easier for a passenger to get into the vehicle, improves maneuverability, and expands the area in which the vehicle can travel.

Once the optimum vehicle height position is set in this way, the scale of the operation dial is read at that position, and the optimum vehicle height is automatically set if the scale of the operation dial is set thereafter.
The vehicle height is changed by rotating the operating knob 122 of the operating member from the outside of the vehicle height adjuster fixed to the vehicle frame side, and the magnetic sensor 108 in the vehicle height adjuster via the slider 104 of the adjusting member. , 110 is simply moved, so no special tool is required, and the operation is simple, easy, and quick. Further, since the operation knob 122 of the operation member is exposed to the side surface of the body frame, it is possible to change the vehicle height of the motorcycle while traveling.

Further, in the embodiment, the permanent magnet 98 and the magnetic sensor 108,
Although the position is detected by the combination with 110, the position may be detected by the combination of the shield plate as the operation element and the photoelectric sensor as the response element.

〔The invention's effect〕

The invention which solves the above-mentioned problems of the present invention is not yet known. Therefore, the solution to this novel problem and the solution to the above-mentioned problems of the prior art is an effect peculiar to the present invention.

That is, the vehicle height adjustment operation can be performed easily, easily, and quickly without using any special tool, and moreover, while the passenger straddles the motorcycle and puts his / her weight on the wheel, or as it is. In this posture, the vehicle height adjustment operation can be performed while confirming the change of the vehicle height. Therefore, the vehicle height can be accurately adjusted to a desired vehicle height, and further, it can be performed during traveling.

Further, since it is possible to adjust the turning range of the operation knob within the range of 180 degrees from the maximum to the minimum range, by adding a scale to the operation knob, the vehicle height once adjusted according to the instruction of the scale can be easily adjusted. It is possible to reproduce. In addition, by mounting a mounting portion on the upper surface of the rear arm near the pivotal axis of the rear arm to the vehicle body frame and connecting the lower end of the connecting rod to the mounting portion, the vertical movement stroke of the rear arm is made small and the vehicle height is increased. Since it can be transmitted to the actuating element of the detector, the connecting link between the actuating element and the rear arm can be made smaller and the operating range thereof can be made smaller, and the vehicle height detector and the connecting link can be made smaller and lighter. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a schematic view of a vehicle height adjusting mechanism of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a vehicle height adjuster in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an IV in FIG. -IV sectional view, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the slider of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is VI in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a section VI. 10 ... Shock absorber, 30 ... Air spring air chamber, 44 ... Vehicle height adjuster (vehicle height detector), 66 ... Pivot shaft of rear arm to body frame, 68 ... Connecting rod, 72 ... ... Attachment part provided on the upper surface of the rear arm, 78 ... first shaft, 84 ... actuating lever, 98 ... actuating element, 104 ... adjusting member, 110 ... responding element, 118 ... second axis, 122 ... … Operation pick.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle height detector fixed to a vehicle body frame. The vehicle height detector detects a degree of sinking of a wheel with respect to a vehicle body, and a control device controls a solenoid valve or the like in response to the detection signal. Then, air is supplied to and discharged from the air spring of the shock absorber, whereby the shock absorber is expanded and contracted to adjust the vehicle height, and the operating member of the vehicle height detector and the rear arm are connected via a connecting rod. When the rear arm is connected, the actuating element and the responding element of the vehicle height detector are relatively displaced in response to a change in the position of the rear arm with respect to the vehicle body frame. In a vehicle height adjusting device for a motorcycle that takes out as an output signal from a response element and performs the above control, the vehicle height detector fixed to a body frame has a vehicle height adjuster, and the adjuster detects the vehicle height. Inside the casing of the vessel Then, the actuating element is connected to one end of a first shaft rotatably supported by the casing, the actuating member is fixed to the other end of the first shaft protruding from the casing, and a connecting rod is attached to the actuating member. A rear arm is connected through the casing, and an adjusting member driven by one end of a second shaft rotatably supported by the casing is movably provided in the casing, and the adjusting member is provided with a pair of the response elements. The operation knob is connected to the other end of the second shaft projecting from the casing, the operation knob is exposed to the side surface of the body frame, and the mounting portion is projected on the rear arm close to the pivot axis of the rear arm to the body frame. A vehicle height adjusting device for a motorcycle, wherein the mounting portion is connected to an end portion of the connecting rod.