ASLAN, Daniel (Hundhamravägen 60, Norsborg, S-145 69, SE)
| Claims 1. Device (1 ) for operating a suspension level system (2) in a motor vehicle (3), wherein said device (1 ) comprises a first manually operated switch (4) arranged to be in communication with said suspension level system (2) for operating the same, wherein said first manually operated switch (4) is arranged to be mechanically operable in a plurality of positions, each position selecting a function among a plurality of functions provided by said suspension level system (2), wherein the device (1 ) further comprising a second manually operated switch (5) arranged to be in communication with said suspension level system (2) for controlling said selected function provided by said suspension level system (2), where said first manually operated switch (4) is a rotatable knob (44) having a plurality of predetermined discrete positions for selecting a function, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n - that said second manually operated switch (5) comprises two buttons (55, 55') for controlling said selected function, and - that said rotatable knob (44) is in the shape of an annular ring surrounding said one or more buttons (55, 55'), which when being rotated into a predetermined discrete position admit selection of a function, wherein identification of the selected function is done by means of a plurality of symbols arranged adjacent to the associated positions of the first manually operated switch 4 2. Device (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said first manually operated switch (4) further comprises controlling means for controlling said selected function provided by said suspension level system (2). 3. Device (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first manually operated switch (4) is mechanically operable in: - a first degree of freedom for selecting a function, and - a second degree of freedom for controlling said selected function. 4. Device (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said two buttons (55, 55') are push buttons arranged to control different functions provided by said suspension level system (2) depending on the time said push buttons are pressed down. 5. Device (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -4, wherein controlling said selected function (F) involves: raise/lower front (21 ) suspension, raise/lower rear (22) suspension, raise/lower front (21 ) and rear (22) suspension, raise/lower tag axle (23), increase/decrease load transfer, set to drive level, activate/deactivate exhausted bellows (24), set memory, and activate/deactivate memory setting. 6. Device (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -5, further comprising a plurality of symbols (7) corresponding to a function provided by said suspension level system (2), wherein each symbol (7) is arranged adjacent to an associated position for identifying a selected function. 7. Device (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -6, wherein said device (1 ) is mounted on a panel (8) in a cabin of said motor vehicle (3). 8. Device (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -7, wherein said device (1 ) is arranged to be detachably mounted on said panel (8), and is further arranged to be used outside said cabin for operating said suspension level system (2). 9. Device (1 ) according to any of claims 1 -8, wherein said device (1 ) is arranged to be in communication with said suspension level system (2) by means of wired or wireless communication. 10. Motor vehicle (3) comprising at least one device (1 ) for operating a suspension level system (2) according to any of claims 1 -9. 11. System comprising a suspension level system (2) for a motor vehicle (3) and at least one device (1 ) for operating the suspension level system (2) according to any of claims 1 -9. |
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a device for operating a suspension level system in a motor vehicle, or more particularly to a device according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a motor vehicle and a system provided with such a device for operating a suspension level system.
Background of the Invention Suspension level systems are commonly used in heavy motor vehicles, such as trucks, for controlling the height level of the suspension system, e.g. when loading or unloading cargo. The suspension level system can also be used for controlling load transfer, raising/lowering tag axle of the vehicle, etc. Hence, the suspension level system provides a number of functions related to height, load and drive configuration of the suspension of the heavy motor vehicle.
Usually, the suspension level system is operated by means of separate buttons arbitrarily mounted on a panel in a cabin of a motor vehicle. Each button corresponds to a function of the suspension level system, and hence a large number of buttons are arranged on the panel. Eight buttons on the panel for operating the suspension level system is not unusual, and the buttons are placed where free space can be found on the panel.
Document WO2008/083775 discloses an operating and display system for level control of a vehicle. The system comprises at least one multifunctional operating unit, integrated into the vehicle, having a manual operating unit and an optical display unit for controlling the vehicle. Further, the system also comprises a portable remote control unit having a second manual operating unit and a second display unit, wherein the portable remote control unit function as a redundant unit to the multifunctional operating unit for controlling the level control system. Summary of the Invention
An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution to the problem of operating a suspension level system in a motor vehicle. It is another object of the invention to provide a device for operating a suspension level system which is com- pact and simple to handle when operating the suspension level system.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned objects are achieved by a device for operating a suspension level system in a motor vehicle. The device comprises a first manually operated switch arranged to be in communication with said suspension level system for operating the same. Furthermore, the first manually operated switch is arranged to be mechanically operable in a plurality of positions, each position selecting a function among a plurality of functions provided by the suspension level system.
With a device for operating a suspension level system according to the invention, all functions provided by the suspension level system can be operated from a single device, which makes the operation of the suspension level system easy. Space on the panel can also be saved since all functions are operable from the one device compared to solutions comprising a plurality of scattered separate operating buttons, or to solutions comprising at least one operating unit and at least one optical display unit. That is, according to the present invention only one device has to be mounted on the panel, which also will result in shorter assembly time when assembling panels comprising a device according to the invention.
Furthermore, the number of communication pins needed for connecting the operating device to the suspension level system is reduced due to the fact that only one set of communication pins is needed according to the present invention compared to one set of communication pins per button for the prior art solution described above. For example, if one set of communication pins equals three pins, and assuming that eight buttons are used for operating the suspension level system and one set of pins per button/operating device is needed for communication with the suspension level system, the number of communication pins needed is reduced from 24 (3x8) to 3 (3x1 ). Hence, the cost for manufacture and service of a device for controlling a suspension level system will be reduced.
According to an embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the invention, the first manually operated switch comprises controlling means for controlling a selected function, and the first manually operated switch is mechanically operable in a first degree of freedom for selecting a function, and a second degree of freedom for controlling said selected function.
According to another embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the invention, the device also comprises a second manually operated switch for controlling a selected function. In an embodiment, the first manually operated switch is a rotatable knob having a plurality of predetermined discrete positions for selecting a function, and the second manually operated switch comprises two push buttons for controlling a selected function. The rotatable knob can be in the shape of an annular ring surrounding the two push buttons.
According to yet another embodiment of the aforementioned aspect of the invention, the device also comprises a plurality of symbols corresponding to functions provided by the suspension level system, where each symbol is arranged adjacent to an associated position for identifying a selected function.
According to another aspect of the invention, the above mentioned objects are achieved by a motor vehicle provided with at least one device for operating a suspension level system described above.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, the above mentioned objects are achieved by a system provided with at least one device for operating the suspension level system described above.
Other advantages and applications of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings
The appended drawings are intended to clarify and explain the present invention, in which:
- Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle comprising a suspension level system;
- Figure 2 schematically shows a system comprising a device for operating a suspension level system according to the invention and a suspension level system;
- Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a device for operating a suspension level system according to the invention;
- Figure 4A shows, in top view, another embodiment of a device for operating a suspension level system according to the invention; and
- Figure 4B shows, in side view, the embodiment in Figure 4A.
Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention
Figure 1 shows schematically an exemplified suspension level system 2 in a motor vehicle 3, such as a truck. The suspension level system 2 consists of a front suspension unit 21 associated with a front wheel pair 31 , a rear suspension unit 22 associated with a rear wheel pair 32 and a tag axle suspension unit 23 associated with a tag axle 33.
In Figure 2 a system comprising a suspension level system 2 and a device 1 for operating the suspension level system according to the invention is shown. Each suspension unit 21 , 22, 23 has at least one bellow 24 and at least one valve 25 connected via a pipe system (not shown) to a pneumatic pressure source system
(not shown), which may comprise a compressor and a pressure tank. The bellows 24 are arranged to output a mechanical force in response to an amount of input air from the pneumatic pressure source system via the valve 25, thereby raising or lowering a chassis element (not shown) in relation to an associated wheel pair or axle (31 , 32, 33), depending on the amount of input air.
The suspension level system 2 also includes a control unit 26 for controlling the suspension units 21 , 22, 23. The control unit 26 is in this case coupled to the suspension units 21 , 22, 23 via a communication bus 27. As shown in Figure 2, the system further comprises a device 1 for operating a suspension level system 2 according to the invention, which is arranged to be in communication with the control unit 26 for operating the suspension level system 2. The communication can e.g. be performed on a communication bus (e.g. on an ECU), or alternatively on a separate signal cable for transmission of communication signals from the device 1 to the control unit 26, and vice versa. The communication can also be performed by means of radio signals in wireless transmissions, which is understood by the skilled person.
Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a device 1 for operating a suspension level system 2 according to the invention. The device 1 has a first manually operated switch 4 in the form of an annular rotatable knob 44 surrounding a second manually operated switch 5 in the form of two push buttons 55, 55 ' . The rotatable knob 44 is arranged to be mechanically operable in a plurality of predetermined discrete positions, where each position corresponds to a function among a plurality of functions provided by the suspension level system 2. Hence, by rotating (R) the knob 44 into a predetermined discrete position a function is selected, and to identify the selected function a plurality of symbols are arranged adjacent to an associated position of the first manually operated switch 4 as shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, symbols are illustrated in the form of icons which can be printed on a sticker surrounding the rotatable knob 44. The symbols can also be arranged on an associated position, e.g. by printing the symbols directly on the first and second manually operated switches 4, 5. The symbols can be in the form of text, colour indications, or icons. Further, the identification of the selected function can also be performed with sound/speech signals (using a speaker element), or a combination of symbols and sound/speech signals.
As mentioned above, the embodiment in Figure 3 also comprises a second manually operated switch 5 having two separate push buttons (an upper 55 and a lower 55 ' push button), where the two push buttons 55, 55 ' are arranged for controlling a selected function provided by the suspension level system 2. The functions F1-F9, which are illustrated by icons in Figure 3, are presented in Table 1 , but it should be understood that the suspension level system 2 may provide more functions than the functions disclosed said Table. The push buttons 55, 55 ' may as an alternative be arranged side by side.
Table 1
Hence, when function F1 is selected (by rotating the knob into the corresponding position) and the upper button 55 is pressed down the tag axle 23 will be raised, and if the lower button 55 ' is pressed down the tag axle 23 will be lowered. Correspondingly, rear suspension 22, front suspension 21 , and front 21 and rear 22 suspension will be raised or lowered when the upper 55 or lower 55 ' buttons is pressed down when functions F4-F6 are selected, respectively; load transfer will be increased or decreased when function F2 is selected and the upper 55 or lower 55 ' button is pressed down; when function F3 is selected and any of the upper 55 or lower 55 ' buttons are pressed down, the suspension level system 2 will be set to drive level and the vehicle 3 will be ready for drive away; while function F7 relates to activation /deactivation of exhausted bellows, which means that all bellows in the suspension level system 2 are emptied and the vehicle will therefore be "seated" in the lowest level of the suspension system 2. This function may be activated or deactivated by pressing down any of the upper 55 or lower 55 ' buttons.
The functions provided by the suspension level system 2 may also relate to memory functions for saving one or more settings of the above mentioned functions F1 -F7 and to activate/deactivate a stored memory setting. In Table 1 , functions F8 and F9 are memory functions. According to one embodiment, a setting of the suspension level system 2 is saved by selecting any of functions F8-F9 and pressing down the upper 55 or lower 55 ' button during a first time interval, and activate/deactivate the saved setting by pressing down the upper 55 or lower 55 ' button during a second time interval, where preferably the first time interval is longer than the second time interval, e.g. 5 and 3 seconds, respectively.
In Figure 4A, another embodiment of a device 1 for operating a suspension level system 2 according to the invention is shown in top view, and in Figure 4B in side view. The first manually operated switch 4 comprises in this embodiment a joystick 44, which can be rotated (R) into a plurality of predetermined discrete positions for selecting a function provided by the suspension level system 2. The joystick 44 is also arranged to be tilted up and down according to the direction of arrows A1 and A2, respectively, for controlling the selected function.
Hence, the first manually operated switch 4 is operable in a first degree of freedom (rotating) for selecting a function, and a second degree of freedom (tilting) for controlling the selected function. When using the device 1 , the joystick 44 is rotated into a position corresponding to a desired function, and then tilted up and down for con- trolling the selected function, e.g. in the same manner as described for the embodiment in Figure 3 where tilting up and down the joystick 44 correspond to pressing down the upper 55 and lower 55 ' buttons, respectively.
The device 1 for operating a suspension level system 2 according to the invention is preferably mounted on a panel in a cabin of a motor vehicle 3. According to an embodiment, the device 1 is detachably mounted on the panel and is further arranged to be used outside of the cabin for operating the suspension level system 2. The communication between the device 1 and the suspension level system 2 may be performed, as mentioned above, by means of wired or wireless communication. A detachably mounted device 1 according to this embodiment can be preferable when the driver or any other person need to operate the suspension level system 2 from the outside of the cabin, e.g. in a loading situation controlling the level of the rear suspension. It should also be noted that the motor vehicle 3 may comprise two or more devices 1 according to the invention, where a first device 1 is fixed mounted on the panel for inside use, while a second device 1 is arranged for outside use.
It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also relates to and incorporates all embodiments within the scope of the appended independent claims.
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