BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and optional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a view of a vehicle control system as a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view of a vehicle employing the vehicle control system;
FIG. 3 is view of a braking system as a portion of the vehicle control system;
FIG. 4 is a view of a body-height adjusting device as another portion of the vehicle control system;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart representing a body-height adjusting program stored by a body-height adjusting ECU (electronic control unit) as a portion of the body-height adjusting device;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing a portion of the body-height adjusting program represented by the flow chart of FIG. 5, i.e., a routine of judging about a need to perform a body-height-adjusting-cooperative brake control;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart representing another portion of the body-height adjusting program represented by the flow chart of FIG. 5, i.e., a routine of selecting operation-force-lowering target wheels;
FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are views for explaining a front-rear force caused by adjusting of a body height(s);
FIG. 9 is a view for explaining exemplary manners in which operation-force-lowering target wheels are selected in a front-wheel drive-force transmission state of the vehicle;
FIG. 10 is a view for explaining exemplary manners in which operation-force-lowering target wheels are selected in a four-wheel drive-force transmission state of the vehicle;
FIG. 11 is a flow chart representing a brake control program stored by a brake ECU as another portion of the vehicle control system;
FIG. 12 is a flow chart representing a portion of the brake control program represented by the flow chart of FIG. 11, i.e., a brake-operation-force lowering control;
FIG. 13 is a flow chart representing another portion of the brake control program represented by the flow chart of FIG. 11, i.e., a brake-operation-force increasing control;
FIG. 14A is a table representing a relationship between body height H and wheel base L that corresponds to a front-wheel-side suspension provided for front wheels of the vehicle employing the vehicle control system;
FIG. 14B is a table representing a relationship between body height H and wheel base L that corresponds to a rear-wheel-side suspension provided for rear wheels of the vehicle employing the vehicle control system;
FIG. 15 is a flow chart representing a portion of another body-height adjusting program that may be stored, in place of the body-height adjusting program of FIG. 5, by the body-height adjusting ECU, i.e., a routine of selecting operation-force-lowering target wheels;
FIG. 16 is a flow chart representing a portion of another brake control program that may be stored, in place of the brake control program of FIG. 11, by the brake ECU, i.e., a brake-operation-force lowering control; and
FIG. 17 is an illustrative view for explaining two operation states of each hydraulic brake under the brake-operation-force lowering control of FIG. 16.
Patent Application
20070192002
