Patent Description:
There has been proposed a technique for allowing a user to adjust a damping force of a variable damping force damper (damping device) in a suspension apparatus (suspension apparatus) of a vehicle provided with the damper which can change its own damping force variably.

For example, a vehicle height adjusting apparatus of a saddle riding type vehicle has been disclosed in PTL <NUM>. The vehicle height adjusting apparatus of the saddle riding type vehicle is provided with a hydraulic jack in a cushion unit of a suspension and changes a length of the cushion unit by increasing/decreasing oil pressure inside the hydraulic jack to adjust a height of the vehicle. In the vehicle height adjusting apparatus of the saddle riding type vehicle, a vehicle height adjusting means for increasing/decreasing the oil pressure inside the hydraulic jack has a plurality of operating sections so that the oil pressure inside the hydraulic jack is increased/decreased by a predetermined amount each time by an operation on each of the operating sections. The following description has been made in the PTL <NUM>. That is, for example, an adjuster for adjusting an extension-side damping force of the damper is integrally provided on a rear side of an upper end portion of the cushion unit, and, for example, an adjuster for adjusting a compression-side damping force of the damper is integrally provided in a lower end portion of the cushion unit.

PTL <NUM> shows a vehicle absorber system according to the preamble of claims <NUM> and <NUM> that can change the magnitude of a damping force for relative movement between a spring top and a spring lower.

In order to improve a degree of freedom for setting of the suspension, it is desirable that an adjustable range of the damping force of the damping device (damper) is large.

An object of the present invention is to provide a suspension apparatus etc. which can increase an adjustable range of a damping force of a damping device.

According to the present invention which has been completed for achievement of the foregoing object, there is provided a suspension apparatus including: a damping device which damps an extension-direction force increasing a relative displacement between a vehicle body and a wheel and which damps a compression-direction force decreasing the relative displacement; an operating section which is operated in order to set an extension occasion adjustment value for adjusting an extension occasion damping force when a change velocity of the relative displacement is positive, a compression occasion adjustment value for adjusting a compression occasion damping force when the change velocity is negative, and a zero occasion adjustment value for adjusting a zero occasion damping force when the change velocity is zero; and a determination section which determines a target value of the extension occasion damping force, a target value of the compression occasion damping force and a target value of the zero occasion damping force; wherein: the determination section uses a base damping force determined based on the change velocity and the extension occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force, uses the base damping force, the compression occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force, and uses the base damping force and the zero occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

Here, to determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force, the determination section may use the base damping force and the extension occasion adjustment value when the change velocity is equal to or higher than an extension occasion predetermined velocity which is set in advance, and may use the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value when the change velocity is lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity.

In addition, to determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force, the determination section may use the base damping force and the compression occasion adjustment value when the change velocity is equal to or lower than a compression occasion predetermined velocity which is set in advance, and may use the base damping force, the compression occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value when the change velocity is higher than the compression occasion predetermined speed.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a suspension apparatus including: a damping device which damps an extension-direction force increasing a relative displacement between a vehicle body and a wheel and which damps a compression-direction force decreasing the relative displacement; an operating section which is operated in order to set an extension occasion adjustment value for adjusting an extension occasion damping force when a change velocity of the relative displacement is positive, and a compression occasion adjustment value for adjusting a compression occasion damping force when the change velocity is negative; a first determination section which determines a target value of the extension occasion damping force and a target value of the compression occasion damping force; and a second determination section which determines a target value of a zero occasion damping force when the change velocity is zero; wherein: the first determination section uses a base damping force determined based on the change velocity, or the base damping force and the extension occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force, and uses the base damping force, or the base damping force and the compression occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force; and the second determination section uses the base damping force, or the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

Here, the first determination section may use the base damping force and the extension occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force, and use the base damping force and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force, in a case where an adjustment direction of the extension occasion adjustment value and an adjustment direction of the compression occasion adjustment value are different.

In addition, the second determination section may use the base damping force in a case where an adjustment direction of the extension occasion adjustment value and an adjustment direction of the compression occasion adjustment value are different.

In addition, to determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force in a case where an adjustment direction of the extension occasion adjustment value and an adjustment direction of the compression occasion adjustment value are the same, the first determination section may use the base damping force and the extension occasion adjustment value when the change velocity is equal to or higher than an extension occasion predetermined velocity which is set in advance, and use the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value when the change velocity is lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity.

In addition, to determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force in a case where an adjustment direction of the extension occasion adjustment value and an adjustment direction of the compression occasion adjustment value are the same, the first determination section may use the base damping force and the compression occasion adjustment value when the change velocity is equal to or lower than a compression occasion predetermined velocity which is set in advance, and use the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value when the change velocity is higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity.

In addition, the second determination section may use the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value in a case where an adjustment direction of the extension occasion adjustment value and an adjustment direction of the compression occasion adjustment value are the same.

In addition, the first determination section may use the base damping force to determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force and the target value of the compression occasion damping force in a case where the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value are zero.

In addition, the second determination section may use the base damping force to determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force in a case where the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value are zero.

In addition, the second determination section may use the base damping force in a case where the extension occasion adjustment value or the compression occasion adjustment value is zero and the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value are not the same in value.

In addition, there may be provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded therein, the program making a computer implement: a function of acquiring an extension occasion adjustment value, a compression occasion adjustment value and a zero occasion adjustment value in a damping device which damps an extension-direction force increasing a relative displacement between a vehicle body and a wheel and which damps a compression-direction force decreasing the relative displacement, the extension occasion adjustment value serving for adjusting an extension occasion damping force when a change velocity of the relative displacement is positive, the compression occasion adjustment value serving for adjusting a compression occasion damping force when the change velocity is negative, the zero occasion adjustment value serving for adjusting a zero occasion damping force when the change velocity is zero; and a function of determining a target value of the extension occasion damping force, a target value of the compression occasion damping force, and a target value of the zero occasion damping force; wherein: the determining function uses a base damping force determined based on the change velocity and the extension occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force, uses the base damping force, the compression occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force, and uses the base damping force and the zero occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

In addition, there may be provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded therein, the program making a computer implement: a function of acquiring an extension occasion adjustment value and a compression occasion adjustment value in a damping device which damps an extension-direction force increasing a relative displacement between a vehicle body and a wheel and which damps a compression-direction force decreasing the relative displacement, the extension occasion adjustment value serving for adjusting an extension occasion damping force when a change velocity of the relative displacement is positive, the compression occasion adjustment value serving for adjusting a compression occasion damping force when the change velocity is negative; a first determination function of determining a target value of the extension occasion damping force and a target value of the compression occasion damping force; and a second determination function of determining a target value of a zero occasion damping force when the change velocity is zero; wherein: the first determination function uses a base damping force determined based on the change velocity, or the base damping force and the extension occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force, and uses the base damping force, or the base damping force and the compression occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force; and the second determination function uses the base damping force, or the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a suspension apparatus etc. which can increase an adjustable range of a damping force of a damping device.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a view showing a schematic configuration of a motorcycle <NUM> according to a first configuration example.

The motorcycle <NUM> is provided with a front wheel <NUM>, a rear wheel <NUM>, and a vehicle body <NUM>. The front wheel <NUM> is a wheel on a front side. The rear wheel <NUM> is a wheel on a rear side. The vehicle body <NUM> has a vehicle body frame <NUM>, handle <NUM>, brake levers <NUM>, a seat <NUM>, etc. The vehicle body frame <NUM> forms a frame of the motorcycle <NUM>.

In addition, the motorcycle <NUM> has front wheel-side suspensions <NUM> coupling the front wheel <NUM> and the vehicle body <NUM> to each other. In addition, the motorcycle <NUM> is provided with two brackets <NUM> which retain the suspension <NUM> disposed on a left side of the front wheel <NUM> and the suspension <NUM> disposed on a right side of the front wheel <NUM>, and a shaft <NUM> which is disposed between the two brackets <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> is supported on the vehicle body frame <NUM> rotatably. Each suspension <NUM> is provided with a suspension spring (not shown) absorbing shock applied from a road surface etc. to the front wheel <NUM>, and a damping device 21d damping vibration of the suspension spring.

In addition, the motorcycle <NUM> has a rear wheel-side suspension <NUM> coupling the rear wheel <NUM> and the vehicle body <NUM> to each other. The suspension <NUM> is provided with a suspension spring <NUM> absorbing shock applied from the road surface etc. to the rear wheel <NUM>, and a damping device 22d damping vibration of the suspension spring <NUM>.

In the following description, the damping device 21d and the damping device 22d may be generically referred to as "damping device <NUM>".

In addition, the front wheel-side suspension <NUM> and the rear wheel-side suspension <NUM> may be generically referred to as "suspension". In addition, the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM> may be generically referred to as "wheel".

<FIG> is a view showing a schematic configuration of the damping device <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device <NUM>.

The motorcycle <NUM> is provided with the control device <NUM> controlling damping forces of the damping device 21d and the damping device 22d. Output signals from a stroke sensor <NUM> detecting an extension/compression amount of the suspension <NUM>, and a stroke sensor <NUM> detecting an extension/compression amount of the suspension <NUM> are inputted to the control device <NUM>. In the following description, the stroke sensor <NUM> and the stroke sensor <NUM> may be generically referred to as "stroke sensor <NUM>".

In addition, the motorcycle <NUM> is provided with a user interface <NUM> as an example of an operating section which can be operated by a user (the user interface <NUM> will be hereinafter referred to as "UI <NUM>"). For example, the UI <NUM> can be illustrated to be disposed adjacently to the handle <NUM> or a tachometer (speed meter) <NUM>. The UI <NUM> is configured to be able to accept an adjustment value of the damping force of the damping device <NUM>. The UI <NUM> outputs an adjustment value set by the user to the control device <NUM>.

A suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the present invention is an apparatus having the suspension (the suspension <NUM> and the suspension <NUM>), the stroke sensor <NUM>, the UI <NUM>, and the control device <NUM>.

The damping device <NUM> is provided with a cylinder <NUM> filled with working oil, a piston <NUM> received movably inside the cylinder <NUM>, and a piston rod <NUM> retaining the piston <NUM>. One side (upper side in <FIG>) end portion 210a of the cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the vehicle body <NUM>. The piston rod <NUM> retains the piston <NUM> at its one side end portion, and has the other side (lower side in <FIG>) end portion 222a coupled to the wheel. Incidentally, the damping device in the present invention is not limited to such a form. The damping device in the present invention may have a configuration in which the other side end portion of the cylinder <NUM> is coupled to the wheel, and the other side end portion of the piston rod <NUM> retains the piston <NUM> while the one side end portion of the piston rod <NUM> is coupled to the vehicle body <NUM>.

In the damping device <NUM>, a compression stroke is performed in order to move the piston <NUM> toward the vehicle body <NUM> side (the upper side in <FIG>) to thereby reduce the entire length of the damping device <NUM>, and an extension stroke is performed in order to move the piston <NUM> toward the wheel side (the lower side in <FIG>) to thereby increase the entire length of the damping device <NUM>.

By the piston <NUM> received inside the cylinder <NUM>, the cylinder <NUM> is internally sectioned into a compression-side oil chamber <NUM> and an extension-side oil chamber <NUM>. Pressure of the working oil in the compression-side oil chamber 211increases in the compression stroke. Pressure of the working oil in the extension-side oil chamber <NUM> increases in the extension stroke.

The damping device <NUM> has a first oil path <NUM> which is connected to the oil chamber <NUM> inside the cylinder <NUM>, and a second oil path <NUM> which is connected to the oil chamber <NUM> inside the cylinder <NUM>. In addition, the damping device <NUM> has a third oil path <NUM> which is provided between the first oil path <NUM> and the second oil path <NUM>, and a damping force control valve <NUM> which is provided in the third oil path <NUM>. In addition, the damping device <NUM> has a first branch path <NUM> which connects the first oil path <NUM> and one end portion of the third oil path <NUM> to each other, and a second branch path <NUM> which connects the first oil path <NUM> and the other end portion of the third oil path <NUM> to each other. In addition, the damping device <NUM> has a third branch path <NUM> which connects the second oil path <NUM> and the one end portion of the third oil path <NUM> to each other, and a fourth branch path <NUM> which connects the second oil path <NUM> and the other end portion of the third oil path <NUM> to each other.

In addition, the damping device <NUM> has a first check valve <NUM> which is provided in the first branch path <NUM> and which allows the working oil to move from the first oil path <NUM> toward the third oil path <NUM> and prohibits the working oil from moving from the third oil path <NUM> toward the first oil path <NUM>. In addition, the damping device <NUM> has a second check valve <NUM> which is provided in the second branch path <NUM> and which allows the working oil to move from the third oil path <NUM> toward the first oil path <NUM> and prohibits the working oil from moving from the first oil path <NUM> toward the third oil path <NUM>.

In addition, the damping device <NUM> has a third check valve <NUM> which is provided in the third branch path <NUM> and which allows the working oil to move from the second oil path <NUM> toward the third oil path <NUM> and prohibits the working oil from moving from the third oil path <NUM> toward the second oil path <NUM>. In addition, the damping device <NUM> has a fourth check valve <NUM> which is provided in the fourth branch path <NUM> and which allows the working oil to move from the third oil path <NUM> toward the second oil path <NUM> and prohibits the working oil from moving from the second oil path <NUM> toward the third oil path <NUM>.

In addition, the damping device <NUM> has a reservoir <NUM> and a reservoir passage <NUM>. The reservoir <NUM> has a function for storing the working oil and supplying/discharging the working oil. The reservoir passage <NUM> connects the reservoir <NUM> and the other end portion of the third oil path <NUM> to each other.

The damping force control valve <NUM> has a solenoid. By control of an amount of a current conducted to the solenoid, pressure of the working oil passing through the valve can be controlled. The damping force control valve <NUM> according to the present configuration example increases the pressure of the working oil passing through the valve as the amount of the current fed to the solenoid increases. The amount of the current conducted to the solenoid is controlled by the control device <NUM>. When oil pressure of one of the oil chamber <NUM> and the oil chamber <NUM> of the cylinder <NUM> becomes higher than releasing pressure, the damping force control valve <NUM> allows the working oil to flow into the other oil chamber. That is, when the oil pressure of the oil chamber <NUM> becomes higher than the releasing pressure, the damping force control valve <NUM> allows the working oil to flow into the oil chamber <NUM>. Thus, the damping force control valve <NUM> changes a damping force (compression-side damping force) generated when the damping device <NUM> is in the compression stroke. In addition, when the oil pressure of the oil chamber <NUM> becomes higher than the releasing pressure, the damping force control valve <NUM> allows the working oil to flow into the oil chamber <NUM>. Thus, the damping force control valve <NUM> changes a damping force (extension-side damping force) generated when the damping device <NUM> is in the extension stroke.

More specifically, when the piston <NUM> moves toward the oil chamber <NUM>, the oil pressure of the oil chamber <NUM> increases. The working oil inside the oil chamber <NUM> moves toward the damping force control valve <NUM> through the first oil path <NUM> and the first branch path <NUM>. The pressure of the working oil passing through the damping force control valve <NUM> is adjusted by valve pressure of the damping force control valve <NUM>. Thus, the compression-side damping force is adjusted. The working oil passing through the damping force control valve <NUM> flows into the oil chamber <NUM> through the fourth branch path <NUM> and the second oil path <NUM>.

On the other hand, when the piston <NUM> moves toward the oil chamber <NUM>, the oil pressure of the oil chamber <NUM> increases. The working oil inside the oil chamber <NUM> moves toward the damping force control valve <NUM> through the second oil path <NUM> and the third branch path <NUM>. The pressure of the working oil passing through the damping force control valve <NUM> is adjusted by the valve pressure of the damping force control valve <NUM>. Thus, the extension-side damping force is adjusted. The working oil passing through the damping force control valve <NUM> flows into the oil chamber <NUM> through the second branch path <NUM> and the first oil path <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> is an arithmetic and logic circuit including a CPU, an ROM, an RAM, a backup RAM, etc..

A front wheel-side stroke signal sf in which an extension/compression amount of the suspension <NUM> detected by the stroke sensor <NUM> has been converted into an output signal, and a rear wheel-side stoke signal sr in which an extension/compression amount of the suspension <NUM> detected by the stroke sensor <NUM> has been converted into an output signal are inputted to the control device <NUM>. In addition thereto, a signal etc. from the UI <NUM> corresponding to an adjustment value A set by the user is inputted to the control device <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> controls an amount of a current fed to each of the solenoids of the damping force control valves <NUM> to thereby control a corresponding damping force. As described above, the damping force control valve <NUM> increases the pressure of the working oil passing through the valve as the amount of the current fed to the solenoid increases. Therefore, to increase the damping force, the control device <NUM> increases the amount of the current fed to the solenoid of the damping force control valve <NUM>. To decrease the damping force, the control device <NUM> decreases the amount of the current fed to the solenoid of the damping force control valve <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> is provided with a calculation section <NUM> which calculates stroke velocities Vpf and Vpr as change velocities of strokes detected by the stroke sensor <NUM>. In addition, the control device <NUM> is provided with a setting section <NUM> which sets target currents Itf and Itr fed to the solenoids of the damping force control valves <NUM>, based on the stroke velocities Vpf and Vpr calculated by the calculation section <NUM>, etc. In addition, the control device <NUM> is provided with a drive section <NUM> which drives the damping force control valves <NUM>. The control device <NUM> determines target values of the damping forces of the suspension based on the stroke velocities Vpf and Vpr, etc. At the same time, the control device <NUM> sets the target currents Itf and Itr which should be used to control the releasing pressures of the damping force control valves <NUM> so that the damping forces can reach at the target values (target damping forces), and controls the drive section <NUM> to feed the target currents Itf and Itr to the solenoids.

The calculation section <NUM> differentiates an output value from the stroke sensor <NUM> to thereby calculate the front wheel-side stroke velocity Vpf. In addition, the calculation section <NUM> differentiates an output value from the stroke sensor <NUM> to thereby calculate the rear wheel-side stroke velocity Vpr. The stroke velocity Vpf and the stroke velocity Vpr may be generically referred to as "stroke velocity Vp".

The drive section <NUM> is provided with transistors (Field Effect Transistors: FETs) as switching elements, which are, for example, connected between a positive electrode side line of a power supply and coils of the solenoids of the damping force control valves <NUM> respectively. The drive section <NUM> drives gates of the transistors to enable the transistors to perform a switching operation to thereby control drive of the damping force control valves <NUM>.

More specifically, the drive section <NUM> enables the transistors to perform the switching operation so that target currents fed to the damping force control valves <NUM> can be the target currents Itf and Itr set by the setting section <NUM>. That is, the drive section <NUM> enables a corresponding one of the transistors to perform the switching operation so that the target current fed to the damping force control valve <NUM> of the damping device 21d can be the target current Itf set by the setting section <NUM>. In addition, the drive section <NUM> enables a corresponding one of the transistors to perform the switching operation so that the target current fed to the damping force control valve <NUM> of the damping device 22d can be the target current Itr set by the setting section <NUM>.

Details of the setting section <NUM> will be described below.

The setting section <NUM> sets the front wheel-side target current Itf fed to the solenoid of the damping force control valve <NUM> of the damping device 21d, based on the stroke velocity Vpf calculated by the calculation section <NUM>, etc. In addition, the setting section <NUM> sets the rear wheel-side target current Itr fed to the solenoid of the damping force control valve <NUM> of the damping device 22d, based on the stroke velocity Vpr calculated by the calculation section <NUM>, etc. Incidentally, a technique of setting the target current Itf by the setting section <NUM> and a technique of setting the target current Itr by the setting section <NUM> are similar or the same. In the following description, the target current Itf and the target current Itr may be generically referred to as "target current It".

The setting section <NUM> has a reference setting section <NUM> and an adjustment section <NUM>. The reference setting section <NUM> sets a reference current Ib as a reference in setting the target current It. The adjustment section <NUM> sets an adjustment current Ia for adjusting the damping force based on the adjustment value A.

In addition, the setting section <NUM> has a target setting section <NUM>. The target setting section <NUM> adds the reference current Ib set by the reference setting section <NUM> and the adjustment current Ia set by the adjustment section <NUM> to thereby finally set the target current It.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a control map showing an example of the relation between the reference current Ib and the stroke velocity Vp.

The reference setting section <NUM> calculates the reference current Ib corresponding to the stroke velocity Vp (the stroke velocity Vpf or the stroke velocity Vpr). The reference setting section <NUM> substrates the stroke velocity Vp into the control map illustrated in <FIG> to thereby calculate the reference current Ib. The control map shows the relation between the reference current Ib and the stroke velocity Vp, and has been, for example, created based on a rule of thumb and stored in an ROM in advance. The reference setting section <NUM> sets the reference current Ib. In other words, this means that the reference setting section <NUM> sets a base damping force corresponding to the stroke velocity Vp.

Assume that the stroke velocity Vp is a velocity of the suspension in a compression direction in the control map illustrated in <FIG>. In this case, setting is performed as follows. That is, when the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than a first predetermined velocity V1, the amount of the current increases as the stroke velocity Vp decreases. When the stroke velocity Vp is lower than the first predetermined velocity V1, the amount of the current is constant. In addition, assume that the stroke velocity Vp is a velocity of the suspension in an extension direction. In this case, setting is performed as follows. That is, when the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than a second predetermined velocity V2, the amount of the current increases as the stroke velocity Vp increases. When the stroke velocity Vp is higher than the second predetermined velocity V2, the amount of the current is constant. Incidentally, the reference setting section <NUM> may change over from one to another among control maps showing the relation between the reference current Ib and the stroke velocity Vp in accordance with a vehicle speed which is a movement speed of the motorcycle <NUM>, and use the changed control map.

As shown in <FIG>, the adjustment section <NUM> has an adjustment amount determining section <NUM> and a calculation section <NUM>. The adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines an adjustment amount B based on the adjustment value A set by the user through the UI <NUM>. The calculation section <NUM> calculates an adjustment current Ia based on the adjustment amount B determined by the adjustment amount determining section <NUM>. The adjustment section <NUM> sets the adjustment current Ia. In other words, this means that the adjustment section <NUM> sets an adjustment damping force based on the adjustment value A.

<FIG> is a view showing an example of an adjustment value A setting screen displayed on a display section <NUM> of the UI <NUM>.

The UI <NUM> has the display section <NUM> constituted by a touch panel etc. The UI <NUM> may have a function of displaying, on the display section <NUM>, information from the control device <NUM>, e.g. a distance the motorcycle <NUM> has travelled, etc..

The setting screen shown in <FIG> is a transition screen, for example, from a normal screen displayed on a normal travelling occasion (e.g. a screen on which the travelling distance etc. is displayed). When, for example, a button displayed on the normal screen or a press button (not shown) provided in the circumference of the display section <NUM> of the UI <NUM> is pressed, the screen can be shifted to the setting screen shown in <FIG>.

The UI <NUM> has a configuration in which an extension occasion adjustment value for adjusting an extension-side damping force of the damping device <NUM>, i.e. an extension occasion damping force when the stroke velocity Vp is positive, and a compression occasion adjustment value for adjusting a compression-side damping force of the damping device <NUM>, i.e. a compression occasion damping force when the stroke velocity Vp is negative can be set. In addition, the UI <NUM> has a configuration in which a zero occasion adjustment value for adjusting a zero occasion damping force when the stroke velocity Vp which is zero (<NUM>), that is, neither on the extension side nor on the compression side of the damping device <NUM> can be set. That is, the UI <NUM> functions as the example of the operating section operated by the user in order to set three adjustment values, i.e. the extension occasion adjustment value, the compression occasion adjustment value, and the zero occasion adjustment value. In the following description, the extension occasion adjustment value may be referred to as "At"; the compression occasion adjustment value, "Ac"; and the zero occasion adjustment value, "A0".

In addition, the UI <NUM> has a configuration in which an adjustment value for adjusting the damping force of the damping device 21d on the front wheel side and an adjustment value for adjusting the damping force of the damping device 22d on the rear wheel side can be set, as shown in <FIG>. Incidentally, the screen shown in <FIG> is a screen for setting both the adjustment values for the damping device 21d and the damping device 22d. However, the screen for setting the adjustment value for the damping device 21d and the screen for setting the adjustment value for the damping device 22d may be provided as separate screens.

<FIG> is a graph showing an example of the relation between the stroke velocity Vp and the adjustment amount B.

As shown in <FIG>, the UI <NUM> has a configuration in which each of At, Ac and A0 can be set at values in seven levels in a direction increasing the damping force and values in seven levels in a direction decreasing the damping force.

As shown in <FIG>, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines At as the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than an extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt which is set in advance. In addition, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines Ac as the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than a compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc which is set in advance. In addition, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines A0 as the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>.

In addition, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value as the adjustment amount B in a velocity region in which the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM> but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt. The value changes linearly between A0 and At in the velocity region. That is, a value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the following expression (<NUM>) is determined as the adjustment amount B. That is, in the case where the stroke velocity Vp is positive, At is determined as the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt, and a value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the following expression (<NUM>) is determined as the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM> but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt. Thus, setting can be performed with a higher degree of freedom than a background-art adjustment method performed by turning an adjuster or an adjustment method not providing any zero occasion adjustment value.

In addition, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value as the adjustment amount B in a velocity region in which the stroke velocity Vp is higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc but lower than <NUM>. The value changes linearly between Ac and A0 in the velocity region. That is, a value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the following expression (<NUM>) is determined as the adjustment amount B. That is, in the case where the stroke velocity Vp is negative, Ac is determined as the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc, and a value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the following expression (<NUM>) is determined as the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp exceeds the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc. Thus, setting can be performed with a higher degree of freedom than the background-art adjustment method performed by turning the adjuster or the adjustment method not providing any zero occasion adjustment value.

Incidentally, a case where an absolute value of Vpt and an absolute value of Vpc are the same can be illustrated. In addition, a case where Vpt is <NUM> (m/s) can be illustrated.

The calculation section <NUM> multiplies the adjustment amount B determined by the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> by a current amount Ip which is set in advance, to thereby calculate an adjustment current Ia (Ia = BxIp).

The target setting section <NUM> sets a value obtained by adding the reference current Ib set by the reference setting section <NUM> and the adjustment current Ia set by the adjustment section <NUM>, as a target current It (It = Ib+Ia).

Next, a sequence of a target current setting process performed by the setting section <NUM> will be described by use of a flow chart.

<FIG> is the flow chart showing the sequence of the target current setting process performed by the setting section <NUM>.

The setting section <NUM> repeatedly performs the target current setting process every predetermined period of time (e.g. every millisecond).

The setting section <NUM> sets a reference current Ib (step (which may be hereinafter referred to as "S") <NUM>). This is a process in which the reference setting section <NUM> acquires a stroke velocity Vp calculated by the calculation section <NUM>, and calculates the reference current Ib based on the acquired stroke velocity Vp and, for example, the control map shown in <FIG>.

The setting section <NUM> acquires At, Ac and A0 (S701). This is a process in which the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> acquires At, Ac and A0 set by the user through the UI <NUM>.

The setting section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM> or not (S702). This is a process in which the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> of the adjustment section <NUM> acquires the stroke velocity Vp calculated by the calculation section <NUM>, and determines whether the acquired stroke velocity Vp is <NUM> or not. When the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM> (Yes in S702), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines A0 as an adjustment amount B (S703).

On the other hand, when the stroke velocity Vp is not <NUM> (No in S702), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is positive or not (S704). When the stroke velocity Vp is positive (Yes in S704), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than an extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt or not (S705). When the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (Yes in S705), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines At as the adjustment amount B (S706). On the other hand, when the stroke velocity Vp is not equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (No in S705), the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM> but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt so that the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the aforementioned expression (<NUM>), as the adjustment amount B (S707).

When the stroke velocity Vp is not positive (No in S704), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than a compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc or not (S708). When the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (Yes in S708), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines Ac as the adjustment amount B (S709). When the stroke velocity Vp is not equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (No in S708), the stroke velocity Vp is higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc but lower than <NUM> so that the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the aforementioned expression (<NUM>), as the adjustment amount B (S710).

After determining the adjustment amount B in S703, S706, S707, S709 or S710, the setting section <NUM> sets an adjustment current Ia (S711). This is a process in which the calculation section <NUM> sets a value obtained by multiplying the adjustment amount B determined in S703, S706, S707, S709 or S710 by a current amount Ip which is set in advance, as the adjustment current Ia (= B×Ip).

Then, the setting section <NUM> sets a target current It (S712). This is a process in which the target setting section <NUM> sets a value obtained by adding the reference current Ib set in S700 and the adjustment current Ia set in S711, as the target current It (It = Ib+Ia).

When the setting section <NUM> performs the target current setting process to set the target current It as described above, the control device <NUM> controls a damping force of the damping device <NUM> by the following method (a control method according to the first configuration example).

That is, provided is the method for controlling the damping force of the damping device <NUM> which damps an extension-direction force increasing a relative displacement between the vehicle body <NUM> and the wheel and which damps a compression-direction force decreasing the relative displacement, the method being characterized in that:.

That is, the control device <NUM> acquires At, Ac and A0 set by the user through the UI <NUM> in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The control device <NUM> calculates the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force, in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In addition, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM>, in the step <NUM> or the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Then, the control device <NUM> sets the adjustment current Ia when the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM>, in the step <NUM>. In addition, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is lower than <NUM>, in the step <NUM> or the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Then, the control device <NUM> sets the adjustment current Ia when the stroke velocity Vp is lower than <NUM>, in the step <NUM>. In addition, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>, in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Then, the control device <NUM> sets the adjustment current Ia when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>, in the step <NUM>. The control device <NUM> sets the value obtained by adding the reference current Ib and the adjustment current Ia, as the target current It in S712. In this manner, the control device <NUM> determines the target value of the extension occasion damping force, the target value of the compression occasion damping force and the target value of the zero occasion damping force based on the base damping force, At, Ac and A0.

Here, in the case where the change velocity is positive, the target value of the extension occasion damping force when the change velocity is equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity which is set in advance may be set as a value obtained by adding the base damping force and an extension occasion adjustment damping force determined based on the extension occasion adjustment value, and the target value of the extension occasion damping force when the change velocity is lower than the extension occasion predetermine velocity may be set as a value obtained by adding the base damping force and an extension occasion adjustment damping force determined based on the extension occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value. That is, in the case where the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM>, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt, as At in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>. On the other hand, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM> but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt, as the value calculated by use of the expression (<NUM>), i.e. the value calculated based on At and A0, in the step <NUM>. The control device <NUM> sets the adjustment current Ia in the step <NUM>, and sets the value obtained by adding the reference current Ib and the adjustment current Ia as the target current It in the step <NUM>. In this manner, the control device <NUM> determines the target value of the extension occasion damping force based on the base damping force and At or At and A0.

In addition, in the case where the change velocity is negative, the target value of the compression occasion damping force when the change velocity is equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermine velocity which is set in advance may be set as a value obtained by adding the base damping force and a compression occasion adjustment damping force determined based on the compression occasion adjustment value, and the target value of the compression occasion damping force when the change velocity exceeds the compression occasion predetermine velocity may be set as a value obtained by adding the base damping force and a compression occasion adjustment damping force determined based on the compression occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value.

That is, in the case where the stroke velocity Vp is lower than <NUM>, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc, as Ac in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>. On the other hand, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is lower than <NUM> but higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc, as the value calculated by use of the expression (<NUM>), i.e. the value calculated based on Ac and A0, in the step <NUM>. The control device <NUM> sets the adjustment current Ia in the step <NUM>, and sets the value obtained by adding the reference current Ib and the adjustment current Ia as the target current It in S712. In this manner, the control device <NUM> determines the target value of the compression occasion damping force based on the base damping force and Ac or Ac and A0.

As described above, the setting section <NUM> of the control device <NUM> adds the reference current Ib and the adjustment current Ia set based on At, Ac or A0, to thereby set the target current It. In the aforementioned manner, the damping force control valve <NUM> according to the present configuration example controls the pressure of the working oil passing through the valve, in accordance with the amount of the current fed to the solenoid. The control device <NUM> controls the amount of the current fed to the solenoid of the damping force control valve <NUM> to thereby control the damping force of the damping device <NUM>. In other words, the control device <NUM> controls the amount of the current fed to the solenoid of the damping force control valve <NUM> so that the damping force of the damping device <NUM> can be a desired damping force. Accordingly, the control device <NUM> serves as an example of a determination section which determines the target value of the extension occasion damping force, the target value of the compression occasion damping force and the target value of the zero occasion damping force, based on the base damping force generated due to the reference current Ib set based on the stroke velocity Vp, and At, Ac or A0.

As described above, the suspension apparatus <NUM> is provided with the damping device <NUM> which damps the extension-direction force increasing the relative displacement between the vehicle body <NUM> and the wheel and which damps the compression-direction force decreasing the relative displacement. In addition, the suspension apparatus <NUM> is provided with the UI <NUM> as the example of the operating section which is operated in order to set the extension occasion adjustment value for adjusting the extension occasion damping force when the stroke velocity Vp as the change velocity of the relative displacement is positive, the compression occasion adjustment value for adjusting the compression occasion damping force when the stroke velocity Vp is negative, and the zero occasion adjustment value for adjusting the zero occasion damping force when the stroke velocity Vp is zero (<NUM>). In addition, the suspension apparatus <NUM> is provided with the control device <NUM> as the example of the determination section which determines the target value of the extension occasion damping force (extension occasion target current It), the target value of the compression occasion damping force (compression occasion target current It), and the target value of the zero occasion damping force (zero occasion target current It) based on the base damping force determined based on the stroke velocity Vp, and the extension occasion adjustment value, the compression occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value set through the UI <NUM>.

When the stroke velocity Vp is positive and equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (<NUM><Vpt≤Vp), the control device <NUM> adds the value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by At to the reference current Ib, and sets the resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×At). Thus, the control device <NUM> sets that target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force and At, to thereby determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force.

In addition, when the stroke velocity Vp is positive and lower than extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (<NUM><Vp<Vpt), the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B by use of At, A0 and the expression (<NUM>), adds the value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by the adjustment amount B to the reference current Ib, and sets the resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×B). Thus, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force, At and A0, to thereby determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force.

In addition, when the stroke velocity Vp is zero, the control device <NUM> adds the value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by A0 to the reference current Ib, and sets the resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×A0). Thus, the control device <NUM> sets that target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force and A0, to thereby determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

In addition, when the stroke velocity Vp is negative and higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (Vpc<Vp<<NUM>), the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B by use of Ac, A0 and the expression (<NUM>), adds the value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by the adjustment amount B to the reference current Ib, and sets the resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×B). Thus, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force, Ac and A0, to thereby determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force.

In addition, when the stroke velocity Vp is negative and equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (Vp≤Vpc<<NUM>), the control device <NUM> adds the value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by Ac to the reference current Ib, and sets the resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×Ac). Thus, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force and Ac, to thereby determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force.

The suspension apparatus <NUM> configured in the aforementioned manner has a configuration in which the zero occasion damping force when the stroke velocity Vp is zero (<NUM>) can be also adjusted by the user in addition to the extension occasion damping force and the compression occasion damping force. Therefore, the adjustable range of the damping force is larger than in a configuration in which only the extension occasion damping force and the compression occasion damping force can be adjusted. In addition, since the zero occasion damping force can be also adjusted, the damping force can be adjusted also in a region where the stroke velocity Vp is higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt, which is a region where the damping force is difficult to be adjusted in the configuration in which only the extension occasion damping force and the compression occasion damping force can be adjusted. Thus, the degree of freedom for setting of the front wheel-side suspension <NUM> and the rear wheel-side suspension <NUM> can be improved. Accordingly, the front wheel-side suspension <NUM> and the rear wheel-side suspension <NUM> can be set in match with user's needs more finely than in the configuration in which only the extension occasion damping force and the compression occasion damping force can be adjusted.

In addition, according to the suspension apparatus <NUM>, the user can adjust the damping force through the UI <NUM> disposed adjacently to the handle <NUM>. Therefore, the user who has straddled to sit on the seat <NUM> of the motorcycle <NUM> can adjust the damping force. In addition, the user can adjust the damping force, for example, without using any tool.

The aforementioned process performed by the control device <NUM> can be carried out by software and hardware resources cooperating with each other. In this case, a CPU inside a control computer provided in the control device <NUM> executes a program for implementing the respective functions of the control device <NUM> to thereby implement the respective functions. For example, a recording medium having the program recorded therein is provided to the control device <NUM>, and the CPU of the control device <NUM> reads the program stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program per se read from the recording medium implements the function of the aforementioned configuration example. Thus, the program per se and the recording medium having the program recorded therein constitute the present invention. For example, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card or an ROM can be exemplified as the recording medium for supplying such a program.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording medium <NUM> according to the first configuration example.

As shown in <FIG>, the recording medium <NUM> according to the first configuration example stores a program P1. The program P1 includes an Ib setting function <NUM> of setting a reference current Ib, an Ia setting function <NUM> of setting an adjustment current Ia for adjusting a damping force based on an adjustment value A, and an It setting function <NUM> of setting a target current It.

The Ia setting function <NUM> has an adjustment amount determination function <NUM> of determining an adjustment amount B, and an Ia calculation function <NUM> of calculating the adjustment current Ia based on the adjustment amount B.

The Ib setting function <NUM> is a module implementing the function of the reference setting section <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The Ia setting function <NUM> is a module implementing the function of the adjustment section <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The It setting function <NUM> is a module implementing the function of the target setting section <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The adjustment amount determination function <NUM> is a module implementing the function of the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The Ia calculation function <NUM> is a module implementing the function of the calculation section <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

As described above, the recording medium <NUM> according to the first configuration example is a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded therein, the program making a computer implement: a function of acquiring an extension occasion adjustment value, a compression occasion adjustment value and a zero occasion adjustment value in a damping device <NUM> which damps an extension-direction force increasing a relative displacement between a vehicle body <NUM> and a wheel and which damps a compression-direction force decreasing the relative displacement, the extension occasion adjustment value serving for adjusting an extension occasion damping force when a change velocity of the relative displacement is positive, the compression occasion adjustment value serving for adjusting a compression occasion damping force when the change velocity is negative, the zero occasion adjustment value serving for adjusting a zero occasion damping force when the change velocity is zero; and a function of determining a target value of the extension occasion damping force, a target value of the compression occasion damping force and a target value of the zero occasion damping force based on a base damping force determined based on the change velocity, and the extension occasion adjustment value, the compression occasion adjustment value or the zero occasion adjustment value.

Incidentally, after the program read from the recording medium <NUM> is written into an internal memory of the control computer provided in the control device <NUM>, the CPU etc. may perform a portion or the whole of an actual process based on an instruction of the program so that the aforementioned function of the first configuration example can be realized by the process.

In addition, the program of the software implementing the function of the first configuration example may be distributed through a network to be thereby stored in a recording means such as a hard disk or an ROM of the control device <NUM> or a recording medium such as a CD-RW or a CD-R. In use, the CPU of the control device <NUM> may read and execute the program stored in the recording means or the recording medium.

<FIG> is a view showing a schematic configuration of a motorcycle <NUM> according to a second configuration example.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device <NUM> according to the second configuration example.

In the motorcycle <NUM> according to the second configuration example, a constituent corresponding to the UI <NUM> and a constituent corresponding to the adjustment section <NUM> are different from those in the motorcycle <NUM> according to the first configuration example. The different points from the motorcycle <NUM> according to the first configuration example will be described below. Of the motorcycle <NUM> according to the second configuration example, constituents having the same shapes and functions as those of the motorcycle <NUM> according to the first configuration example will be referred to by the same signs correspondingly and respectively, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the motorcycle <NUM> according to the second configuration example is provided with a control device <NUM> which controls each of damping forces of a damping device 21d and a damping device 22d, and a UI <NUM> which can be operated by a user. A suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the second configuration example is an apparatus having a suspension (a suspension <NUM> and a suspension <NUM>), a stroke sensor <NUM>, the UI <NUM>, and the control device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the control device <NUM> according to the second configuration example is provided with a calculation section <NUM>, a setting section <NUM>, and a drive section <NUM>.

The setting section <NUM> has a reference setting section <NUM>, an adjustment section <NUM>, and a target setting section <NUM>. The reference setting section <NUM> sets a reference current Ib as a reference in setting a target current It. The adjustment section <NUM> sets an adjustment current Ia for adjusting a damping force based on an adjustment value A. The target setting section <NUM> adds the reference current Ib and the adjustment current Ia to thereby finally set the target current It.

As shown in <FIG>, the adjustment section <NUM> has an adjustment amount determining section <NUM> and a calculation section <NUM>. The adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines an adjustment amount B based on the adjustment value A set by the user through the UI <NUM>. The calculation section <NUM> calculates the adjustment current Ia based on the adjustment amount B determined by the adjustment amount determining section <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view showing an example of an adjustment value A setting screen displayed on a display section <NUM> of the UI <NUM> according to the second configuration example.

The UI <NUM> has the display section <NUM> constituted by a touch panel etc..

The UI <NUM> has a configuration through which two adjustment values, i.e. an extension occasion adjustment value for adjusting an extension-side damping force (an extension occasion damping force when a stroke velocity Vp is positive) of a damping device <NUM> and a compression occasion adjustment value for adjusting a compression-side damping force (a compression occasion damping force when the stroke velocity Vp is negative) of the damping device <NUM> can be set. That is, the UI <NUM> functions as an example of an operating section which is operated by the user in order to set the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value.

<FIG> is a graph showing an example of the relation between the stroke velocity Vp and the adjustment amount B when the sign of At and the sign of Ac are different.

<FIG> is a graph showing an example of the relation between the stroke velocity Vp and the adjustment amount B when the sign of At and the sign of Ac are the same.

When the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than an extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines At as the adjustment amount B. When the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than a compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines Ac as the adjustment amount B. In a velocity region where the stroke velocity Vp is higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B as follows.

The adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value as the adjustment amount B in a velocity region where the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM> but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt. The value changes linearly between <NUM> and At in the velocity region. That is, the value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the following expression (<NUM>) is determined as the adjustment amount B.

In addition, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value as the adjustment value B in a velocity region where the stroke velocity Vp is higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc but lower than <NUM>. The value changes linearly between Ac and <NUM> in the velocity region. That is, the value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the following expression (<NUM>) is determined as the adjustment value B. In the case where an adjustment direction of At and an adjustment direction of Ac are different, a target value of a zero occasion damping force is determined in the this manner. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a situation that adjustment is made to reduce a damping force in a stroke velocity region where the user wants to increase the damping force, or adjustment is made to increase a damping force in a stroke velocity region where the user wants to decrease the damping force.

(II) In the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are the same, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>, as the adjustment value B when the value is changed linearly in a range of from At to Ac between the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc and the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt, as shown in <FIG>. That is, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM> (the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM> will be hereinafter also referred to as "B0") based on the following expression (<NUM>). In a case where the adjustment direction of At and the adjustment direction of Ac are the same, the target value of the zero occasion damping force is determined in this manner. Accordingly, it is possible to secure the damping force (adjustment amount B) desired by the user.

The adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value as the adjustment amount B in a velocity region where the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM> but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt. The value changes linearly in a range of from B0 to At in the velocity region. That is, the value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the following expression (<NUM>) is determined as the adjustment amount B.

In addition, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value as the adjustment amount B in a velocity region where the stroke velocity Vp is higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc but lower than <NUM>. The value changes linearly in a range of from Ac to B0 in the velocity region. That is, the value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the following expression (<NUM>) is determined as the adjustment value B.

Incidentally, assume that both At and Ac are <NUM>. In this case, even when the signs of the two adjustment values are regarded as the same or even when the signs of the two adjustment values are regarded as different, the values of the adjustment amounts B are the same.

In addition, in a case where an adjustment value of one of At and Ac is zero, the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is zero may be determined as <NUM> in a similar manner to or the same manner as in the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are different. In the case where one of At and Ac is zero, the target value of the zero occasion damping force is determined in this manner. Accordingly, it is possible to set the extension side and the compression side independently and individually.

Next, a sequence of a target current setting process performed by the setting section <NUM> according to the second configuration example will be described by use of a flow chart.

<FIG> and <FIG> are flow charts showing the sequence of the target current setting process performed by the setting section <NUM> according to the second configuration example.

The setting section <NUM> sets a reference current Ib (S1400). This is a process in which the reference setting section <NUM> acquires a stroke velocity Vp calculated by the calculation section <NUM> and calculates the reference current Ib based on the acquired stroke velocity Vp and, for example, the control map shown in <FIG>.

The setting section <NUM> acquires At and Ac (S1401). This is a process in which the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> acquires At and Ac set by the user through the UI <NUM>.

The setting section <NUM> determines whether the sign of At and the sign of Ac are different or At or Ac is <NUM> or not (S1402). This is a process in which the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> of the adjustment section <NUM> makes the determination based on the signs of the acquired At and Ac.

When the signs of At and Ac are different or At or Ac is <NUM> (Yes in S1402), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM> or not (S1403). This is the same as the process of the aforementioned S702. When the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM> (Yes in S1403), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines an adjustment amount B as <NUM> (S1404).

On the other hand, when the stroke velocity Vp is not <NUM> (No in S1403), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is positive or not (S1405). When the stroke velocity Vp is positive (Yes in S1405), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than an extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt or not (S1406). When the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (Yes in S1406), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines At as the adjustment amount B (S1407). On the other hand, when the stroke velocity Vp is not equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (No in S1406), the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM> but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt so that the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the aforementioned expression (<NUM>) as the adjustment amount B (S1408).

When the stroke velocity Vp is not positive (No in S1405), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than a compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc or not (S1409). When the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (Yes in S1409), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines Ac as the adjustment amount B (S1410). When the stroke velocity Vp is not equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (No in S1409), the stroke velocity Vp is higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc but lower than <NUM> so that the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the aforementioned expression (<NUM>), as the adjustment amount B (S1411).

On the other hand, when the sign of At and the sign of Ac are the same, and both At and Ac are not <NUM> (No in S1402), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM> or not (S1412). When the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM> (Yes in S1412), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B, as B0 calculated by use of the aforementioned expression (<NUM>) (S1413).

When the stroke velocity Vp is not <NUM> (No in S1412), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is positive or not (S1414). When the stroke velocity Vp is positive (Yes in S1414), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt or not (S1415). When the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (Yes in S1415), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines At as the adjustment amount B (S1416). On the other hand, when the stroke velocity Vp is not equal to or higher than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (No in S1415), the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM> but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt so that the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the aforementioned expression (<NUM>), as the adjustment amount B (S1417).

When the stroke velocity Vp is not positive (No in S1414), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines whether the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc or not (S1418). When the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (Yes in S <NUM>), the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines Ac as the adjustment amount B (S1419). When the stroke velocity Vp is not equal to or lower than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (No in S1418), the stroke velocity Vp is higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc but lower than <NUM> so that the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines a value obtained by substituting the stroke velocity Vp into the aforementioned expression (<NUM>), as the adjustment amount B (S1420).

After determining the adjustment amount B in S1404, S1407, S1408, S1410, S1411, S1413, S1416, S1417, S1419 or S1420, the setting section <NUM> sets an adjustment current Ia (S1421). This is a process in which the calculation section <NUM> sets a value obtained by multiplying the adjustment amount B determined in S1404, S1407, S1408, S1410, S1411, S1413, S1416, S1417, S1419 or S1420 by a current amount Ip which is set in advance, as the adjustment current Ia (= B×Ip).

Then, the setting section <NUM> sets a target current It (S1422). This is a process in which the target setting section <NUM> sets a value obtained by adding the reference current Ib set in S1400 and the adjustment current Ia set in S1421, as the target current It (It = Ib+Ia).

When the setting section <NUM> performs the target current setting process to set the target current It as described above, the control device <NUM> controls the damping force of the damping device <NUM> by the following method (a control method according to the second configuration example).

That is, the control device <NUM> acquires At and Ac set by the user through the UI <NUM> in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The control device <NUM> calculates the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In addition, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM> in the step <NUM> or the step <NUM> shown in <FIG> or in the step <NUM> or the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and sets the adjustment current Ia when the stroke velocity Vp is higher than <NUM> in the step <NUM>. In addition, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is lower than <NUM> in the step <NUM> or the step <NUM> shown in <FIG> or in the step <NUM> or the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and sets the adjustment current Ia when the stroke velocity Vp is lower than <NUM> in the step S1421. In this manner, the control device <NUM> determines the target value of the extension occasion damping force and the target value of the compression occasion damping force based on the base damping force and At or Ac. In addition, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>, as zero in the step S1404 shown in <FIG> , and sets the adjustment current Ia when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>, as zero in the step <NUM>. The control device <NUM> sets the value obtained by adding the reference current Ib and the adjustment current Ia as the target current It, i.e. sets the reference value Ib as the target current It because the adjustment current Ia is zero. In this manner, the control device <NUM> determines the base damping force as the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

Here, in the case where the adjustment direction of the extension occasion adjustment value and the adjustment direction of the compression occasion adjustment value are different, the base damping force may be determined as the target value of the zero occasion damping force. In the case where the adjustment directions are the same, the target value of the zero occasion damping force may be determined based on the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value.

That is, in the case where it is determined that the sign of At and the sign of Ac are different in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>, as zero in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and sets the adjustment current Ia as zero in the step <NUM>. The control device <NUM> sets the reference current Ib as the target current It in the step <NUM>. In this manner, the control device <NUM> determines the base damping force as the target value of the zero occasion damping force in the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are different. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that the sign of At and the sign of Ac are the same in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>, as B0, i.e. as the value determined based on At and Ac, in the step S1413 shown in <FIG>. The control device <NUM> sets the adjustment current Ia when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>, by use of the adjustment amount B in the step <NUM>, and sets the value obtained by adding the reference current Ib and the adjustment current Ia, as the target current It in the step <NUM>. In this manner, the control device <NUM> determines the target value of the zero occasion damping force based on At and Ac in the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are the same.

In addition, when one of the extension occasion adjustment value and the compression occasion adjustment value is zero, the base damping force may be determined as the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

That is, in the case where it is determined that At or Ac is <NUM> in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>, as zero in the step <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and sets the adjustment current Ia as zero in the step <NUM>. The control device <NUM> sets the reference current lb as the target current It in the step <NUM>. In this manner, the control device <NUM> determines the base damping force as the target value of the zero occasion damping force when At or Ac is <NUM>.

As described above, the setting section <NUM> of the control device <NUM> according to the second configuration example adds the reference current Ib set by the reference setting section <NUM> based on the stroke velocity Vp and the adjustment current Ia set by the adjustment section <NUM>, to thereby set the target current It. In the aforementioned manner, each damping force control valve <NUM> controls pressure of working oil passing through the valve in accordance with an amount of a current fed to a corresponding solenoid. The control device <NUM> controls an amount of a current fed to the solenoid of the damping force control valve <NUM>, to thereby control the damping force of the damping device <NUM>. In other words, the control device <NUM> controls the amount of the current fed to the solenoid of the damping force control valve <NUM> so that the damping force of the damping device <NUM> can be a desired damping force. Accordingly, the control device <NUM> is an example of a first determination section which determines the target value of the extension occasion damping force or the target value of the compression occasion damping force based on the base damping force generated due to the reference current Ib set based on the stroke velocity Vp, and At or Ac, in the case where the stroke velocity Vp is not <NUM>. In addition, the control device <NUM> is an example of a second determination section which determines the base damping force generated due to the reference current Ib set based on the stroke velocity Vp, as the target value of the zero occasion damping force, in the in the case where the stroke velocity Vp is not 0case where the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>.

As described above, the suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the second configuration example is provided with the damping device <NUM> which damps an extension-direction force increasing a relative displacement between a vehicle body <NUM> and a wheel and which damps a compression-direction force decreasing the relative displacement. In addition, the suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the second configuration example is provided with the UI <NUM> as the example of the operating section which is operated in order to set an extension occasion adjustment value for adjusting an extension occasion damping force when a stroke velocity Vp as a change velocity of the relative displacement is positive, and a compression occasion adjustment value for adjusting a compression occasion damping force when the stroke velocity Vp is negative. In addition, the suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the second configuration example is provided with the control device <NUM> as an example of a first determination section. In the case where the stroke velocity Vp is not zero, the control device <NUM> as the example of the first determination section determines a target value of the extension occasion damping force (extension occasion target current It) and a target value of the compression occasion damping force (compression occasion target current It) based on a base damping force determined based on the stroke velocity Vp and the extension occasion adjustment value or the compression occasion adjustment value set through the UI <NUM>. In addition, the suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the second configuration example is provided with the control device <NUM> as an example of a second determination section. In the case where the stroke velocity Vp is zero, the control device <NUM> as the example of the second determination section determines the base damping force determined based on the stroke velocity Vp as a target value of a zero occasion damping force (zero occasion target current It) when the stroke velocity Vp is zero.

In either the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are different or the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are the same, the control device <NUM> adds a value obtained by multiplying a current amount Ip which is set in advance by At, to a reference current Ib, and sets a resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×At) when the stroke velocity Vp is positive and equal to or higher than an extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (<NUM><Vpt≤Vp). In this manner, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force and At, to thereby determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force.

In addition, in either the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are different or the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are the same, the control device <NUM> adds a value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by Ac to the reference value Ib, and sets a resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×Ac) when the stroke velocity Vp is negative and equal to or lower than a compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (Vp≤Vpc<<NUM>). In this manner, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force and Ac, to thereby determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force.

In addition, in the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are different and when the stroke velocity Vp is zero, the control device <NUM> sets the reference current Ib as the target current It (It = Ib), to thereby determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force. In this manner, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force, to thereby determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

In addition, in the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are different and when the stroke velocity Vp is positive and lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (<NUM><Vp<Vpt), the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B by use of At and the expression (<NUM>), adds a value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by the adjustment amount B to the reference current lb, and sets a resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×B). In this manner, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force and At, to thereby determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force.

In addition, in the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are different and when the stroke velocity Vp is negative and higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (Vpc<Vp<<NUM>), the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B by use of Ac and the expression (<NUM>), adds a value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by the adjustment amount B to the reference current Ib, and sets a resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×B). In this manner, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force and Ac, to thereby determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force.

In addition, in the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are the same and when the stroke velocity Vp is zero, the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B by use of At, Ac and the expression (<NUM>), adds a value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by the adjustment amount B to the reference current Ib, and sets a resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×B). In this manner, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force, At and Ac, to thereby determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

In addition, in the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are the same and when the stroke velocity Vp is positive and lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt (<NUM><Vp<Vpt), the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B by use of At, Ac, the expression (<NUM>) and the expression (<NUM>), adds a value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by the adjustment amount B to the reference current Ib, and sets a resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×B). In this manner, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force, At and Ac, to thereby determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force.

In addition, in the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac are the same and when the stroke velocity Vp is negative and higher than the compression occasion predetermined velocity Vpc (Vpc<Vp<<NUM>), the control device <NUM> determines the adjustment amount B by use of At, Ac, the expression (<NUM>) and the expression (<NUM>), adds a value obtained by multiplying the current amount Ip which is set in advance by the adjustment amount B to the reference current Ib, and sets a resulting value obtained by the addition as the target current It (It = Ib+Ip×B). In this manner, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force, At and Ac, to thereby determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force.

In addition, in the case where At and Ac are <NUM>, the control device <NUM> sets the reference current Ib as the target current It (It = Ib) regardless of the stroke velocity Vp. In this manner, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force, to thereby determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force, the target value of the compression occasion damping force and the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

In addition, in the case where At or Ac is <NUM> but At and Ac are not the same in value, and when the stroke velocity Vp is zero, the control device <NUM> sets the reference current Ib as the target current It (It = Ib), to thereby determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force. In this manner, the control device <NUM> sets the target current It by use of the reference current Ib which is the base of the base damping force, to thereby determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force.

According to the suspension apparatus <NUM> having the aforementioned configuration according to the second configuration example, in the case where the sign of At and the sign of Ac set through the UI <NUM> are different or At or Ac is <NUM>, and when the stroke velocity Vp is <NUM>, the adjustment amount B is <NUM> (S1404). Therefore, in such a case, the adjustment current Ia is zero (<NUM>). Accordingly, the target current It is equivalent to the reference current lb. That is, when the stroke velocity Vp is zero, the base damping force generated due to the reference current Ib determined based on the stroke velocity Vp is the target value of the zero occasion damping force. In other words, the zero occasion damping force is the base damping force generated due to the reference current Ib, and any damping force based on At or Ac set through the UI <NUM> is not taken into consideration. Therefore, according to the suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the second configuration example, for example, the damping force can be suppressed from being adjusted to increase while a value to reduce the damping force is set as At or Ac through UI <NUM>. For example, the damping force is suppressed from being adjusted in a direction of making the damping force larger than the base damping force in a region where the stroke velocity Vp is equal to or higher than zero but lower than the extension occasion predetermined velocity Vpt while a negative value (the value to reduce the damping force) is set as At, as shown in <FIG>. Thus, according to the suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the second configuration example, the damping force can be accurately adjusted to a damping force desired by the user, in comparison with the background-art configuration in which only the extension occasion damping force and the compression occasion damping force can be simply adjusted.

In addition, according to the suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the second configuration example, the user can adjust the damping force through the UI <NUM> disposed adjacently to the handle <NUM>. Therefore, the user who has straddled to sit on the seat of the motorcycle <NUM> can adjust the damping force. In addition, the user can adjust the damping force, for example, without using any tool.

The aforementioned processes performed by the control device <NUM> can be carried out by software and hardware resources cooperating with each other. In this case, a CPU inside a control computer provided in the control device <NUM> executes a program for implementing the respective functions of the control device <NUM> to thereby implement the respective functions. For example, a recording medium having the program recorded therein is provided to the control device <NUM>, and the CPU of the control device <NUM> reads the program stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program per se read from the recording medium implements the function of the aforementioned configuration example. Accordingly, the program per se and the recording medium having the program recorded therein constitute the present invention. For example, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magnetooptical disk, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card or an ROM can be exemplified as the recording medium for supplying such a program.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recording medium <NUM> according to the second configuration example.

As shown in <FIG>, the recording medium <NUM> according to the second configuration example stores a program P2. The program P2 includes an Ib setting function <NUM> of setting a reference current Ib, an Ia setting function <NUM> of setting an adjustment current Ia for adjusting a damping force based on an adjustment value A, and an It setting function <NUM> of setting a target current It.

As described above, the recording medium <NUM> according to the second configuration example is a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded therein, the program making a computer implement: a function of acquiring an extension occasion adjustment value and a compression occasion adjustment value in a damping device <NUM> which damps an extension-direction force increasing a relative displacement between a vehicle body <NUM> and a wheel and which damps a compression-direction force decreasing the relative displacement, the extension occasion adjustment value serving for adjusting an extension occasion damping force when a change velocity of the relative displacement is positive, the compression occasion adjustment value serving for adjusting a compression occasion damping force when the change velocity is negative; a function of determining a target value of the extension occasion damping force and a target value of the compression occasion damping force based on a base damping force determined based on the change velocity and the extension occasion adjustment value or the compression occasion adjustment value when the change velocity is not zero; and a function of determining the base damping force as a target value of a zero occasion damping force when the change velocity is zero, in the case where the change velocity is zero.

Incidentally, after the program read from the recording medium <NUM> is written into an internal memory of the control computer provided in the control device <NUM>, the CPU etc. may perform a portion or the whole of an actual process based on an instruction of the program so that the aforementioned function of the second configuration example can be realized by the process.

In addition, the program of the software implementing the function of the second configuration example may be distributed through a network to be stored in a recording means such as a hard disk or an ROM of the control device <NUM> or a recording medium such as a CD-RW or a CD-R. In use, the CPU of the control device <NUM> may read and execute the program stored in the recording means or the recording medium.

<FIG> is a view showing a schematic configuration of a motorcycle <NUM> according to a third configuration example.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control device <NUM> according to the third configuration example.

In the motorcycle <NUM> according to the third configuration example, a constituent corresponding to the UI <NUM> or the UI <NUM> and a constituent corresponding to the adjustment section <NUM> of the control device <NUM> or the adjustment section <NUM> of the control device <NUM> are different from those in the motorcycle <NUM> according to the first configuration example and the motorcycle <NUM> according to the second configuration example. The different points from the motorcycle <NUM> according to the first configuration example and the motorcycle <NUM> according to the second configuration example will be described below. Of the motorcycle <NUM> according to the third configuration example, constituents having the same shapes and functions as those of the motorcycle <NUM> according to the first configuration example and the motorcycle <NUM> according to the second configuration example will be referred to by the same signs correspondingly and respectively, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the motorcycle <NUM> according to the third configuration example is provided with a control device <NUM> which controls damping forces of a damping device 21d and a damping device 22d, and a UI <NUM> which can be operated by a user. A suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the third configuration example is an apparatus having a suspension (a suspension <NUM> and a suspension <NUM>), a stroke sensor <NUM>, the UI <NUM>, and the control device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the control device <NUM> according to the third configuration example is provided with a calculation section <NUM>, a setting section <NUM>, and a drive section <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the adjustment section <NUM> has an adjustment amount determining section <NUM> and a calculation section <NUM>. The adjustment amount determining section <NUM> determines an adjustment amount B based on the adjustment value A set by a user through the UI <NUM>. The calculation section <NUM> calculates the adjustment current Ia based on the adjustment amount B determined by the adjustment amount determining section <NUM>.

The UI <NUM> includes a function provided by the UI <NUM> according to the first configuration example, which can set three adjustment values A, and a function provided by the UI <NUM> according to the second configuration example, which can set two adjustment values A. In addition, the UI <NUM> according to the third configuration example has a function of performing changeover between the function which can set the three adjustment values A and the function which can set the two adjustment values A, by setting of the user.

Incidentally, the function of performing changeover between the function which can set the three adjustment values A and the function which can set the two adjustment values A, by the setting of the user, may be implemented not by a display section of the UI <NUM> (operating section) but by a changeover switch (not shown). For example, a rocker switch changed over by pressing one end portion and the other end portion can be used as the changeover switch. Specifically, a switch etc. in which the three adjustment values A can be set through the display section when the one end portion is pressed and the two adjustment values A can be set through the display section when the other end portion is pressed can be exemplified. For example, the changeover switch can be illustrated to be disposed adjacently to the UI <NUM> (operating section).

When the function which can set the three adjustment values A is selected, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> according to the third configuration example determines the adjustment amount B by a technique similar to or the same as the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> according to the first configuration example. On the other hand, when the function which can set the two adjustment values A is set, the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> according to the third configuration example determines the adjustment amount B by a technique similar to or the same as the adjustment amount determining section <NUM> according to the second configuration example.

Thus, according to the suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the third configuration example, the user can be prompted to select one from an effect of the suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the first configuration example and an effect of the suspension apparatus <NUM> according to the second configuration example. Thus, when the function which can set the three adjustment values A is selected, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom for setting of the suspension <NUM> and the suspension <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to finely adjust the damping force to one suiting the user's needs, in comparison with the configuration in which only the extension occasion damping force and the compression occasion damping force can be adjusted. In addition, when the function which can set the two adjustment values A is selected, it is possible to accurately adjust the damping force to one desired by the user in comparison with the background-art configuration in which only the extension occasion damping force and the compression occasion damping force can be simply adjusted.

Claim 1:
A suspension apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a damping device (21d, 22d, <NUM>) which damps an extension-direction force increasing a relative displacement between a vehicle body (<NUM>) and a wheel (<NUM>, <NUM>), and which damps a compression-direction force decreasing the relative displacement;
characterized in that the suspension (<NUM>, <NUM>) apparatus further comprises
an operating section (<NUM>, <NUM>) which is operated in order to set an extension occasion adjustment value for adjusting an extension occasion damping force when a change velocity of the relative displacement is positive, a compression occasion adjustment value for adjusting a compression occasion damping force when the change velocity is negative, and a zero occasion adjustment value for adjusting a zero occasion damping force when the change velocity is zero; and
a determination section (<NUM>) which determines a target value of the extension occasion damping force, a target value of the compression occasion damping force and a target value of the zero occasion damping force; wherein:
the determination section (<NUM>)
uses a base damping force determined based on the change velocity and the extension occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force, the extension occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the extension occasion damping force,
uses the base damping force, the compression occasion adjustment value and the zero occasion adjustment value, or the base damping force and the compression occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the compression occasion damping force, and
uses the base damping force and the zero occasion adjustment value to determine the target value of the zero occasion damping force.