TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to: a suspension control device which controls a damping force of a suspension; and a suspension device.

BACKGROUND ART

Suspension devices capable of controlling a damping force have been known. For example, Patent Literatures 1 and 2 each disclose a suspension device which controls a damping force in accordance with steering torque.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2010-116073 (Publication Date: May 27, 2010)

[Patent Literature 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukaihei, No. H1-141113 (Publication Date: Jun. 2, 1989)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the suspension control device, it is preferable to appropriately control a damping force of a suspension in accordance with a road surface condition.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a suspension control device and a suspension device each capable of appropriately controlling a damping force of a suspension in accordance with a road surface condition.

Solution to Problem

In order to attain the above object, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a suspension control device for controlling a damping force of a suspension, including: a road surface determining section configured to determine a road surface state; and a control variable calculating section configured to calculate, in accordance with a result of the determination by the road surface determining section, a steering-based desired control variable which is to be referred to in controlling the damping force of the suspension, the road surface determining section including a threshold setting section configured to set a threshold for determining the road surface state, the control variable calculating section including: a desired control variable calculating section configured to calculate a desired control variable which is to be referred to in calculating the steering-based desired control variable; a multiplying section configured to multiply a value of the desired control variable by a coefficient in accordance with the result of the determination by the road surface determining section; and a selecting section configured to select the steering-based desired control variable from among a plurality of candidates including the desired control variable multiplied by the coefficient, the desired control variable calculating section calculating the desired control variable with reference to a steering torque signal indicative of a steering torque which is applied to a steering member used by a driver for steering.

In order to attain the above object, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to a suspension device including: a suspension; and a control section configured to control a damping force of the suspension, the control section including: a road surface determining section including a threshold setting section configured to set a threshold for determining a road surface state, the road surface determining section being configured to determine a road surface condition with reference to the threshold set by the threshold setting section and a wheel speed signal indicative of wheel speeds; and a control variable calculating section configured to calculate, in accordance with a result of the determination by the road surface determining section, a steering-based desired control variable which is to be calculated in controlling the damping force of the suspension, the control variable calculating section including: a desired control variable calculating section configured to calculate a desired control variable which is to be referred to in calculating the steering-based desired control variable; a multiplying section configured to multiply a value of the desired control variable by a coefficient in accordance with the result of the determination by the road surface determining section; and a selecting section configured to select the steering-based desired control variable from among a plurality of candidates including the desired control variable multiplied by the coefficient, the desired control variable calculating section calculating the desired control variable with reference to a steering torque signal indicative of a steering torque which is applied to a steering member used by a driver for steering.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to a suspension control device and a suspension device in accordance with the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control damping force of a suspension in accordance with a road surface condition.

