Suspension system

Abstract

A suspension system and a vehicle. The suspension system comprises a plurality of first suspension devices for fixedly connecting a power train of the vehicle to a load-bearing device of the vehicle, and further comprises an auxiliary suspension device. The auxiliary suspension device comprises a first connecting mechanism and a second connecting mechanism, which are respectively configured to connect to the power train and the load-bearing device. The first connecting mechanism comprises a ball joint, and the second connecting mechanism comprises a first cavity. The ball joint is movably arranged in the first cavity; the first cavity is configured to form a limiting space for limiting movement of the ball joint in a plurality of directions, and the first cavity is provided with a constricted structure to prevent the ball joint from disengaging. The outer surface of the ball joint and / or the surface of the first cavity are made of elastic material. The present application can be applied to intelligent or new energy vehicles, and can prevent failure of suspension points in the suspension system under extreme operating conditions, without introducing additional noise, vibration, and assembly problems.

Description

Suspension system

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411017969.X, filed on July 26, 2024, and entitled “Suspension system”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of vehicles, and more particularly, to a suspension system. BACKGROUND

[0003] The powertrain, as the power source of the vehicle, will bring vibration and noise to the vehicle while providing power for the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle also needs to isolate the vibration of the powertrain from the road excitation. The suspension system containing multiple suspension devices (also known as suspension points) can be used to fix the powertrain to the carrier device such as the subframe of the vehicle to reduce and control the transmission of vibration.

[0004] For new energy vehicles such as electric vehicles, the motor is an important part of the powertrain. Compared with the internal combustion engine, the motor has smaller vibration excitation but larger torque. Therefore, compared with traditional fuel vehicles, new energy vehicles have lower requirements for the vibration isolation capability of the suspension system, but have higher requirements for the torsional resistance and limiting capability of the suspension system.

[0005] The powertrain of the traditional fuel vehicle often adopts a three-point suspension, a four-point suspension, or other arrangement modes. On the one hand, the above arrangement modes are limited by the vehicle body structure, and the suspension points in the suspension system are often unevenly stressed, and there is a situation of suspension point failure under extreme working conditions. On the other hand, due to the difference in the requirements of new energy vehicles and traditional fuel vehicles for the suspension system, the use of the traditional suspension arrangement mode on new energy vehicles will exacerbate the situation of suspension point failure under extreme working conditions. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a suspension system, which can effectively avoid the failure of the suspension points in the suspension system under extreme working conditions without introducing additional noise, vibration, harshness (NVH) problems and assembly problems.

[0007] In a first aspect, a suspension system (10) is provided. The suspension system (10) comprises a plurality of first suspension devices for fixedly connecting a power assembly of a vehicle and a carrier device of the vehicle; the suspension system (10) further comprises an auxiliary suspension device (20) for connecting the power assembly and the carrier device. The auxiliary suspension device (20) comprises a first connecting mechanism (100) for connecting with a first device and a second connecting mechanism (200) for connecting with a second device; the first device comprises one of the power assembly and the carrier device, and the second device comprises the other of the power assembly and the carrier device. The first connecting mechanism (100) comprises a ball head (110), and the second connecting mechanism (200) comprises a first cavity (210); the ball head (110) is movably arranged in the first cavity (210), the first cavity (210) forms a limiting space for limiting movement of the ball head (110) in multiple directions, and the first cavity (210) is provided with a taper structure to limit the ball head (110) from escaping from the limiting space. An outer surface of the ball head (110) and / or a surface of the first cavity (210) are made of an elastic material.

[0008] In the present application, the ball head is movably arranged in the first cavity, and under normal working conditions, the relative displacement between the power assembly and the carrier device of the vehicle is small, and the ball head and the cavity can not be in contact. Since the ball head and the cavity are not in contact, even if there is relative displacement between the power assembly and the carrier device of the vehicle in multiple directions, the auxiliary suspension in the suspension system will not introduce new NVH problems, and will not introduce new assembly problems for the suspension system due to over-positioning and other factors. Under extreme working conditions, the relative displacement between the power assembly and the carrier device is large, and the ball head and the cavity will be in contact. On the one hand, the elastic material at the contact point between the two can play a damping role; on the other hand, since the cavity can limit the ball head in multiple directions, it can avoid the case that the power assembly and the carrier device of the vehicle have excessive relative displacement in multiple directions, and can also share the stress of the suspension points in the suspension system to avoid failure of the suspension points.

[0009] Therefore, by providing an auxiliary suspension in the suspension system, the failure of the suspension points in the suspension system under extreme working conditions can be prevented without introducing additional NVH problems and assembly problems.

[0010] In addition, since the limiting space formed by the cavity limits the ball head in multiple directions, the arrangement of the first connecting mechanism and the second connecting mechanism does not need to be limited to a specific direction, so that the first and second connecting mechanisms in the auxiliary suspension can be more flexibly arranged on the power assembly and the carrier device of the vehicle, so that the auxiliary suspension device and the suspension system can have better universality.

[0011] In some possible implementation manners, the first connecting mechanism (100) can further include a first base (120) and a first connecting piece (130). The first connecting piece (130) can be used to connect the ball head (110) and the first base (120), and the first connecting mechanism (100) can be used to connect with the first device through the first base (120).

[0012] In the present application, when the ball head, the first base and the first connecting piece are independent parts, on the one hand, the part cost generated during maintenance can be reduced; on the other hand, the relative distance between the ball head and the first base can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the first connecting piece, which is beneficial to adapt to different vehicle models and can improve the universality of the ball head and the first base.

[0013] In some possible implementation manners, the ball head (110) can include a through hole arranged in the first direction, and the first connecting piece (130) is arranged through the through hole and connected with the first base (120).

[0014] In the present application, by arranging the through hole on the ball head, on the one hand, the ball head and the first base can be fixedly connected through the first connecting piece, and on the other hand, the weight of the auxiliary suspension device can be reduced.

[0015] In some possible implementation manners, the second connecting mechanism (200) includes a rubber pad (360, 460, 560) and a ball sleeve (340, 440, 540), an inner wall of the rubber pad (360, 460, 560) constitutes a first cavity (210), and an inner wall of the ball sleeve (340, 440, 540) constitutes a second cavity for arranging the rubber pad (360, 460, 560).

[0016] In the present application, by arranging the rubber pad in the cavity of the ball sleeve, the rubber or other elastic material can be arranged on the outer surface of the ball head, and the effect of the auxiliary suspension can be avoided due to the aging of the rubber or other elastic material from the surface of the ball head.

[0017] In some possible implementation manners, the second connecting mechanism (200) further includes a second base (420, 520) and a second connecting piece (430, 530), the second connecting mechanism (200) is used to connect with the second device through the second base (420, 520), and the ball sleeve (440, 540) includes a mounting portion (441, 541), and the second connecting piece (430, 530) is used to connect the mounting portion (441, 541) and the second base (420, 520).

[0018] The mounting portion of the ball sleeve can be understood as, when the second connecting mechanism is fixedly connected with the second device at one end close to the second device, a part of a plurality of parts constituting the ball sleeve that can keep relative static with the second device.

[0019] In the application, when the second connecting mechanism is provided with the base, a ball sleeve with a thinner wall thickness can be used, and the weight of the auxiliary suspension can be reduced. Moreover, when the mounting portion of the ball sleeve, the second base and the second connecting piece are independent parts, on the one hand, the cost of parts to be replaced during maintenance can be reduced; on the other hand, the relative distance between the ball sleeve and the second base can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the second connecting piece, which is beneficial to adapt to different vehicle models and improve the universality of the parts.

[0020] In some possible implementation manners, the ball sleeve (540) further includes a limiting portion (542), the limiting portion (542) is provided with a closed structure at an end away from the mounting portion (541), and the mounting portion (541) and the limiting portion (542) jointly form the second cavity; and the second connecting mechanism (200) further includes a third connecting piece for connecting the mounting portion (541) and the limiting portion (542).

[0021] In the application, when the ball sleeve is provided with the limiting portion, the mounting and maintenance of the ball head can be realized by disassembling the limiting portion of the ball sleeve, and other components of the second connecting mechanism do not need to be disassembled, which is beneficial to simplify the mounting and maintenance of the auxiliary suspension. In addition, when the ball sleeve is provided with the limiting portion, the second base occupies less space on the second device, and the second connecting mechanism can be fixedly arranged on the second device, which can be applied to a use scenario in which the arrangement space on the second device is small.

[0022] In some possible implementation manners, the limiting portion (542) includes a first flange plate at an end close to the mounting portion (541), the mounting portion (541) includes a second flange plate at an end close to the limiting portion (542), and the third connecting piece fixedly connects the first flange plate and the second flange plate.

[0023] In the application, the limiting portion and the mounting portion of the ball sleeve are fixedly connected through the flange plates, the strength of the ball sleeve can be ensured, the limiting portion of the ball sleeve can be prevented from separating from the mounting portion of the ball sleeve under extreme working conditions, and the first suspension device can be prevented from failing under extreme working conditions due to the failure of the auxiliary suspension.

[0024] In some possible implementation manners, the mounting portion (441, 442) is provided with a closed structure at an end away from the second base (420), and the second cavity is formed by the mounting portions (441, 442).

[0025] In the application, the cavity of the ball sleeve is formed by the mounting portions, that is, the ball sleeve can be formed by the mounting portions, and the limiting portion does not need to be arranged. When the second connecting mechanism is fixedly connected with the second device, the mounting portion of the ball sleeve can remain relatively stationary with the second device, and a structure / mechanism for fixedly connecting different mounting portions of the ball sleeve does not need to be arranged in the auxiliary suspension, so that the lateral space of the ball sleeve can be saved, and the arrangement of the auxiliary suspension can be facilitated when the lateral space of the ball sleeve is limited.

[0026] In some possible implementation manners, the ball sleeve (340) is provided with a bolt hole, and the ball sleeve (340) is connected to the second device by a bolt.

[0027] In the embodiments of the present application, when the ball sleeve has a bolt hole for bolt connection with the load bearing device of the power assembly / vehicle, the wall thickness between the cavity of the ball sleeve and the outer surface of the ball sleeve will be large, and the ball sleeve made of a non-metal material can have high strength, which is beneficial to the ball sleeve made of a non-metal material, and reduces the weight of the auxiliary suspension.

[0028] In some possible implementation manners, the rubber pad (360, 460, 560) is vulcanization connected with the ball sleeve (340, 440, 540).

[0029] In the present application, by vulcanization connecting the rubber pad with the ball sleeve, the rubber pad can be prevented from being detached from the ball sleeve due to vibration and other factors, rigid contact between the ball head and the ball sleeve can be avoided, and the service life of the auxiliary suspension and the suspension system can be prolonged.

[0030] In some possible implementation manners, when the ball head (110) is centrally arranged in the first cavity (210), the one-side gap between the ball head (110) and the first cavity (210) in the second direction is greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 6 mm.

[0031] In the present application, by limiting the gap between the ball head and the first cavity, on the one hand, the movable range of the ball head in the first cavity can be ensured under normal working conditions, so as to avoid introducing additional NVH problems and assembly problems; on the other hand, the relative displacement between the power assembly and the load bearing device of the vehicle can be avoided under extreme working conditions.

[0032] In a second aspect, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle can include the suspension system in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an arrangement of a suspension system;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of an auxiliary suspension device provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0035] FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a connecting mechanism 100 provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0036] FIG. 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a connecting mechanism 200 provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of another connecting mechanism 200 provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0038] Fig. 6 is a structural schematic diagram of another connecting mechanism 200 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of relative position relationships between several ball heads 110 and cavities 210 provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] By arranging a suspension system between the power assembly and the load-carrying device (such as a frame, a subframe, etc.) of the vehicle, the transmission of vibration between the power assembly and the load-carrying device can be effectively reduced and controlled, which is beneficial to guarantee the normal work of the power assembly.

[0042] According to the number of suspension points used, the suspension system can be divided into three-point suspension, four-point suspension, five-point suspension, etc. When arranged, the appropriate number of suspension points can be selected according to the weight, appearance size, mounting method, etc. of the power assembly. Among them, the three-point suspension has the advantages of simple structure, small space occupation and no interference, etc., and is widely used in the arrangement of the power assembly.

[0043] Exemplarily, according to the layout of each suspension point in the suspension system, the three-point suspension can include three-point support type suspension, three-point pendulum type suspension, etc. For example, when the three-point pendulum type suspension is used, in order to guarantee good decoupling, stress and NVH performance, the elastic center of 1-2 suspension points needs to be higher than the center of mass of the power assembly when arranging each suspension point.

[0044] For new energy vehicles such as electric vehicles, the motor is an important part of the power assembly of the vehicle. Compared with the internal combustion engine, the motor has the following characteristics: 1. smaller vibration excitation but larger torque; 2. maximum torque appears in the low speed range; 3. torque output response is fast, and the characteristics of sudden acceleration impact are significant. Therefore, the new energy vehicle has lower requirements for the vibration isolation capacity of the suspension system than the traditional fuel vehicle, but the requirements for the torsional resistance and limiting capacity of the suspension system will be much higher than those of the traditional fuel vehicle.

[0045] The arrangement of the suspension system of the new energy vehicle will be exemplarily described below with reference to Fig. 1.

[0046] In one embodiment, taking a project of modifying a power assembly of a traditional fuel vehicle into a power assembly containing a motor (such as including a motor and a reduction box) as an example, when designing a suspension system of such a new energy vehicle, a three-point suspension scheme of the original power assembly can be referred to, and suspension 1 to 3 can be used to set the power assembly on a load-bearing device such as a subframe, as shown in (a) of FIG. 1. Since there are differences in the requirements of new energy vehicles and traditional fuel vehicles on the suspension system, in order to avoid failure of the suspension points in extreme working conditions, new suspensions can be added to the suspension system. For example, a pull rod type suspension 4 (referred to as pull rod 4) can be added on the basis of suspensions 1 to 3, as shown in (b) of FIG. 1. For another example, suspension 5 can be added on the basis of suspensions 1 to 3, so as to adjust the three-point suspension to a four-point suspension, as shown in (c) of FIG. 1.

[0047] In another embodiment, even if the new energy vehicle is not modified from a traditional fuel vehicle, since the new energy vehicle has higher requirements on the torsion resistance and limiting capacity of the suspension system, using the traditional three-point suspension can not avoid the failure of part of the suspension points in extreme working conditions. For example, when the arrangement space of the power assembly is limited, using the three-point suspension can cause the stress of the suspension system to be relatively concentrated, which can easily lead to the failure of part or even all of the suspension points in extreme working conditions; in order to solve this problem, the pull rod 4 or the suspension 5 can be added to the suspension system, as shown in (b) and (c) of FIG. 1.

[0048] However, in actual implementation, adding the pull rod 4 or the suspension 5 can cause assembly difficulties and introduce new NVH problems.

[0049] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide an auxiliary suspension device and a suspension system, which can prevent the suspension points in the suspension system from failing in extreme working conditions without introducing additional NVH problems and assembly problems.

[0050] Exemplarily, FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a suspension system provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] The suspension system 10 can include a first suspension device; the first suspension device can be used to fixedly connect the power assembly to the load bearing device (such as a vehicle frame, a subframe, etc.) of the vehicle. The plurality of first suspension devices in the suspension system 10 can have similar structures, or can have different structures. For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 2, taking a three-point suspension as an example, the suspension system 10 can include a suspension A, a suspension B, and a suspension C; the suspension A can be the same as or similar to the suspension 1 in FIG. 1, the suspension B can be the same as or similar to the suspension 2, the suspension C can be the same as or similar to the suspension 3, or the suspension C can be a pull rod type suspension. For another example, the specific forms of the suspensions A to C can be determined according to the layout of the suspension points in the suspension system 10. The suspensions A, B, and C can all correspond to the first suspension device in the suspension system 10.

[0052] In order to prevent the suspension points (such as one or more of the suspensions A to C) in the suspension system 10 from failing under extreme working conditions, the suspension system 10 can further include an auxiliary suspension device 20 (which can also be referred to as an auxiliary limiting device 20 or an auxiliary suspension 20). The two ends of the auxiliary suspension 20 can be connected to the power assembly and the load bearing device of the vehicle, respectively.

[0053] Exemplarily, the auxiliary suspension 20 can include a connecting mechanism 100 and a connecting mechanism 200, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2. The connecting mechanism 100 can be used to connect with a first device; the connecting mechanism 200 can be used to connect with a second device. Among them, the first device can be one of the power assembly and the load bearing device of the vehicle; the second device can be the other one of the power assembly and the load bearing device of the vehicle.

[0054] As shown in (b) of FIG. 2, the connecting mechanism 100 can include a ball head 110, and the connecting mechanism 200 can include a first cavity 210. The ball head 110 is movably arranged in the first cavity 210; the first cavity 210 can adopt a tapered structure to limit the ball head 110 from coming out of the limiting space. The first cavity 210 can constitute a limiting space for the ball head 110 to limit the movement of the ball head 110 in multiple directions.

[0055] In order to reduce the impact generated when the connecting mechanisms 100 and 200 are in contact, the outer surface of the ball head 110 and / or the surface of the cavity 210 can be made of an elastic material. For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2, the inner wall of the cavity 210 can be made of an elastic material; when the ball head 110 is in contact with the cavity 210, the presence of the elastic material can absorb part of the vibration.

[0056] Suppose that the suspension system 10 adopts a three-point suspension (such as a three-point pendulum suspension, a three-point centroid suspension, etc.) to fix the power assembly to the load-bearing device of the vehicle; suppose that the connecting mechanism 100 is connected to the power assembly, and the connecting mechanism 200 is connected to the load-bearing device of the vehicle. Taking the transmission process of the vibration generated by the power assembly as an example, the working mode of the suspension system 10 is introduced.

[0057] When the motor is working, the vibration generated by the motor will be transmitted to the load-bearing device of the vehicle through the suspension points, and then cause the vibration of the vehicle body. The suspension points in the suspension system 10 can reduce and control the transmission of the vibration.

[0058] Under normal working conditions, the vibration generated by the motor is small, or the torque output by the motor is small; accordingly, the relative displacement of the power assembly relative to the load-bearing device of the vehicle is small. In this scenario, the vibration / displacement of the ball head 110 is relatively small, and the outer surface of the ball head 110 does not contact the inner wall surface of the cavity 210; that is, the ball head 110 can still move freely within the limiting space. For the suspension system 10, the vibration generated by the power assembly can only be transmitted to the load-bearing device of the vehicle through the suspension points (such as the suspensions A to C) in the suspension system 10, and cannot be transmitted to the load-bearing device of the vehicle through the auxiliary suspension 20.

[0059] Under extreme working conditions, the vibration generated by the motor is large, or the torque output by the motor is large; accordingly, the relative displacement of the power assembly relative to the load-bearing device of the vehicle is large. In this scenario, the vibration / displacement of the ball head 110 is relatively large, and the ball head 110 will contact the cavity 210; that is, the cavity 210 will limit the movement of the ball head 110. For the suspension system 10, the vibration generated by the power assembly can not only be transmitted to the load-bearing device of the vehicle through the suspension points in the suspension system 10, but also be transmitted to the load-bearing device of the vehicle through the contact point between the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 of the auxiliary suspension 20. On the one hand, the elastic material at the contact point of the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 can play a role in vibration reduction; on the other hand, the auxiliary suspension 20 can share the stress of the suspension points (such as the suspensions A to C), avoiding the failure of the suspension points in the suspension system 10 under extreme working conditions.

[0060] The above introduces the path of the vibration transmitted from the motor assembly to the load-bearing device of the vehicle. For external excitations such as road excitation, the load-bearing device of the vehicle can transmit to the motor assembly.

[0061] Similarly, in normal working conditions, the displacement amplitude of the connecting mechanism 200 is small, the cavity 210 does not contact the ball head 110, and the vibration can be transmitted to the cavity 210 by the bearing device of the vehicle, and cannot be transmitted to the ball head 110. In extreme working conditions, the displacement amplitude of the connecting mechanism 200 is large, the cavity 210 will contact the ball head 110, and the vibration can be transmitted to the cavity 210 by the bearing device of the vehicle, and then transmitted to the ball head 110.

[0062] In the embodiment of the application, the ball head 110 is movably arranged in the cavity 210, and in normal working conditions, the ball head 110 can not contact the cavity 210. Because the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 do not contact, even if there is relative displacement between the power assembly and the bearing device of the vehicle in multiple directions due to factors such as vibration and large torque output, the auxiliary suspension 20 in the suspension system 10 will not introduce new NVH problems, nor will it introduce new installation problems for the suspension system 10 due to factors such as over-positioning. In extreme working conditions, the ball head 110 will contact the cavity 210. On the one hand, the elastic material at the contact point between the two can play a damping role; on the other hand, because the cavity 210 can limit the ball head 110 in multiple directions, it can avoid excessive displacement of the power assembly relative to the bearing device of the vehicle in multiple directions, and can also share the stress of the suspension points in the suspension system, avoiding the failure of the suspension points.

[0063] Therefore, by arranging the auxiliary suspension 20 in the suspension system 10, the suspension points in the suspension system 10 can be prevented from failing in extreme working conditions without introducing additional NVH problems and assembly problems.

[0064] In addition, because the limiting space formed by the cavity 210 limits the ball head 110 in multiple directions, the arrangement of the connecting mechanism 100 and the connecting mechanism 200 does not need to be limited to a specific direction, so that the connecting mechanism 100 and the connecting mechanism 200 in the auxiliary suspension 20 can be more flexibly arranged in the power assembly and the bearing device of the vehicle, improving the universality of the auxiliary suspension 20 and the suspension system 10.

[0065] The working mode of the suspension system 10 and the auxiliary suspension 20 is exemplarily described above in combination with FIG. 2, and the connecting mechanism 100 and the connecting mechanism 200 of the auxiliary suspension 20 are exemplarily described below in combination with FIGS. 3-6.

[0066] In addition to the ball head 110, the connecting mechanism 100 can also include a base 120, and the connecting mechanism 100 is connected with the first device through the base 120. For example, the base 120 can be fixedly arranged on the power assembly or the bearing device of the vehicle by fasteners such as bolts.

[0067] Exemplarily, the connecting mechanism 100 can also include a connecting piece 130 for connecting the ball head 110 and the base 120.

[0068] In one embodiment, the ball head 110, the base 120 and the connecting member 130 can be three independent parts.

[0069] In the embodiments of the present application, when the ball head 110, the base 120 and the connecting member 130 are independent parts, on the one hand, the part cost generated during maintenance can be reduced; on the other hand, the relative position between the ball head 110 and the base 120 can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the connecting member 130, which is beneficial to adapt to different vehicle models and improve the universality of the parts.

[0070] In yet another embodiment, the ball head 110 can be provided with a through hole in the first direction, and the connecting member 130 can be arranged through the through hole and connected with the base 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting member 130 can be a bolt; the bolt can be fixed to the ball head seat of the base 120 through the through hole of the ball head 110.

[0071] In the embodiments of the present application, by arranging the through hole on the ball head 110, the weight of the connecting mechanism 100 can be reduced.

[0072] For example, in order to reduce the weight of the connecting mechanism 100 and ensure the strength of the connecting mechanism 100, the plurality of constituent parts of the connecting mechanism 100 can be coupled as one part. For example, the ball head 110 and the connecting member 130 can be coupled as one part, which can be a connecting rod provided with a ball head at one end. For another example, the connecting member 130 and the base 120 can be coupled as one part. For yet another example, the base 120, the connecting member 130 and the ball head 110 can be coupled as one part, and the three can correspond to different parts / structures of the part.

[0073] In some embodiments, assuming that the main body part of the ball head 110 in FIG. 3 is made of a non-elastic material, when the surface of the cavity 210 is also made of a non-metal material, the main body part of the ball head 110 shown in FIG. 3 can be wrapped with rubber to reduce the impact generated when the ball head 110 contacts the cavity 210 and to improve the service life of the ball head 110 and the cavity 210.

[0074] The structure of the connecting mechanism 100 is exemplarily described above in combination with FIG. 3, and the structure of the connecting mechanism 200 is exemplarily described below in combination with FIGS. 4-6.

[0075] Exemplarily, the connecting mechanism 200 can comprise a ball sleeve (340, 440, 540), and can further comprise a rubber pad (360, 460, 560). For example, the ball sleeve (340, 440, 540) can be provided with a cavity, and the rubber pad (360, 460, 560) can be arranged in the cavity of the ball sleeve (340, 440, 540), and the cavity 210 can be formed by the inner wall of the rubber pad (360, 460, 560); in this case, the surface of the cavity 210 is formed of an elastic material, and the outer surface of the ball head 110 can be formed of a non-elastic material. For another example, when the surface of the cavity 210 is formed of a non-elastic material, the connecting mechanism 200 can not be provided with the rubber pad (360, 460, 560), and the cavity 210 can be formed by the inner surface of the ball sleeve (340, 440, 540); in this case, the outer surface of the ball head 110 should be formed of an elastic material.

[0076] In order to facilitate the installation and maintenance of the ball head 110, the ball sleeve (340, 440, 540) can be formed of multiple parts; the cavity of the ball sleeve (340, 440, 540) can be formed by the multiple parts, for example, the multiple parts forming the ball sleeve can comprise installation parts and / or limiting parts.

[0077] In one embodiment, the ball sleeve can be formed of only multiple installation parts. The installation part of the ball sleeve can be understood as the part of the multiple parts forming the ball sleeve that can remain relatively stationary with the second device when the connecting mechanism 200 is fixedly connected to the second device at one end close to the second device.

[0078] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the ball sleeve 340 can comprise installation parts 341 and 342; the installation parts 341 and 342 can be respectively provided with concave structures 3411 and 3421. When the installation parts 341 and 342 are enclosed in the direction of the arrow as shown in FIG. 4, the concave structures 3411 and 3421 can be enclosed to form the cavity of the ball sleeve 340; the rubber pad 360 can be arranged in the cavity. For another example, as shown in FIG. 5, the ball sleeve 440 can be formed by the installation parts 441 and 442. The installation parts 341, 342, 441, and 442 can form a tapered structure of the ball sleeve 210 at one end close to the connecting mechanism 100; after the multiple installation parts are enclosed, the tapered structure can limit the ball head 110 from being pulled out of the cavity.

[0079] In the embodiments of the present application, when the ball sleeve is formed of only installation parts, by arranging the connecting structure between the connecting mechanism 200 and the second device, it can be unnecessary to arrange a fixing mechanism, a locking mechanism, or the like for fixing different installation parts; accordingly, less space can be occupied on the side of the ball sleeve, and the ball sleeve can be applicable to use scenarios where the space on the side of the ball sleeve is less.

[0080] In yet another embodiment, the ball sleeve can include a mounting portion and a limiting portion. The limiting portion of the ball sleeve can be understood as a portion of the ball sleeve that can function as a limiting portion and cannot maintain relative static with the second device when disconnected from the mounting portion.

[0081] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the ball sleeve 540 can include a mounting portion 541 and a limiting portion 542, which can enclose a cavity of the ball sleeve 540; the connecting mechanism 200 can further include a connecting member for connecting the mounting portion 541 and the limiting portion 542. The limiting portion 542 can be provided with a tapered structure at an end away from the mounting portion 541 to prevent the ball head 110 from being removed from the limiting space. The limiting portion 542 can have a through hole to facilitate the installation and maintenance of the ball head 110. Assuming that the structure of the connecting mechanism 100 is as shown in FIG. 3, the bolt 130 can be arranged through the through hole of the limiting portion 542, and the two ends of the bolt 130 can be respectively located on the two sides of the limiting portion 542.

[0082] The mounting portion and the limiting portion can be locked by a locking mechanism, or can be fixedly connected by welding, riveting, fasteners, etc. For example, the mounting portion 541 and the limiting portion 542 can be respectively provided with a flange at an end where they are in contact with each other, as shown in FIG. 6; the connecting mechanism 200 can further include a connecting member (such as a bolt or other fastener) for fixedly connecting the two flanges, so that the mounting portion 541 and the limiting portion 542 enclose the limiting space.

[0083] In the embodiments of the present application, in the case where the ball sleeve is provided with a limiting portion, the installation and maintenance of the ball head 110 can be achieved by disassembling the limiting portion of the ball sleeve, without the need to disassemble other components of the connecting mechanism 200, which is conducive to simplifying the installation and maintenance of the auxiliary suspension 20.

[0084] The structure of the ball sleeve is exemplarily described above in combination with FIGS. 4-6. The connection manner of the connecting mechanism 200 and the second device is exemplarily described below in combination with FIGS. 4-6.

[0085] Exemplarily, the connecting mechanism 200 can be connected to the load-bearing mechanism of the power assembly / vehicle through different components in different setting manners.

[0086] In one embodiment, the connecting mechanism 200 can be connected to the second device through a ball sleeve. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the ball sleeve 340 can be provided with bolt holes at its mounting portions 341 and 342, respectively; and the connecting mechanism 200 can be connected to the power assembly or the load bearing device of the vehicle through the bolt holes of the ball sleeve 340 by means of bolts. For another example, taking the mounting portion 341 as an example, when the mounting portion 341 is provided with a bolt hole, the outer surface of the mounting portion 341 opposite to the concave structure 3411 and the concave structure 3411 will have a large wall thickness due to the need of avoiding the concave structure 3411; when the mounting portion 341 is made of metal material, the strength of the mounting portion 341 will have a large degree of redundancy; in order to reduce the weight of the auxiliary suspension 20, the mounting portions 341 and 342 can be made of high-strength plastic.

[0087] In the embodiments of the present application, when the ball sleeve 340 has a bolt hole for bolt connection with the load bearing device of the power assembly / vehicle, the wall thickness between the cavity of the ball sleeve 340 and the outer surface of the ball sleeve 340 will be large, and the ball sleeve 340 can have high strength even if it is made of non-metal material, which is conducive to making the ball sleeve from non-metal material and reducing the weight of the auxiliary suspension.

[0088] In another embodiment, the connecting mechanism 200 can include a base, and the connecting mechanism 200 can be connected to the second device through the base; and the connecting mechanism 200 can further include a connecting member for connecting the base and the mounting portion of the ball sleeve. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the ball sleeve 440 can be enclosed by the mounting portions 441 and 442; accordingly, the connecting mechanism 200 can include a plurality of bases, i.e., the base 421 and the base 422; the base 421 can be connected to the mounting portion 441 through the connecting member 431, and the base 422 can be connected to the mounting portion 442 through the connecting member 432. For another example, as shown in FIG. 6, the connecting mechanism 200 can include a base 520; and the mounting portion 541 of the ball sleeve 540 can be connected to the base 520 through the connecting member 530.

[0089] In the embodiments of the present application, when the connecting mechanism 200 is provided with a base, a ball sleeve with a thin wall thickness can be used, and the weight of the auxiliary suspension can be reduced. In addition, when the ball sleeve is provided with a limiting portion, the base of the connecting mechanism 200 can occupy less space on the second device, and can be suitable for use in a use scenario where the space arranged on the second device is less.

[0090] In some possible implementation manners, in order to reduce the weight of the connecting mechanism 200 and guarantee the strength of the connecting mechanism 200, a plurality of components of the connecting mechanism 200 can be coupled as one part. For example, the mounting portion (441, 442, 541) of the ball sleeve and the connecting piece (431, 432, 530) can be coupled as one part, which can be a connecting rod provided with a ball shoe at one end, and the mounting portion and the connecting piece of the ball sleeve can correspond to different portions of the connecting rod. For another example, the connecting piece (431, 432, 530) and the base (421, 422, 520) can be coupled as one part. For another example, the mounting portion (441, 442, 541), the connecting piece (431, 432, 530), and the base (421, 422, 520) can be coupled as one part.

[0091] The connecting manner of the connecting mechanism 200 and the second device is exemplarily described above in combination with FIGS. 4 to 6. It is assumed below that the rubber pad (360, 460, 560) is arranged in the cavity of the ball sleeve (340, 440, 540), and the arrangement manner of the rubber pad is exemplarily described below in combination with FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0092] Similarly to the ball sleeve, the rubber pad arranged in the cavity of the ball sleeve can include a plurality of portions; that is, the elastic surface of the cavity 210 can be constituted by a plurality of rubber pads.

[0093] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the rubber pad 360 arranged in the cavity of the ball sleeve 340 can include rubber pads 361 and 362; the inner surfaces 3611 and 3621 of the rubber pads 361 and 362 can constitute the cavity 210. The rubber pad 361 can be arranged in the concave structure 3411 of the mounting portion 341, and the rubber pad 362 can be arranged in the concave structure 3421 of the mounting portion 342. For another example, as shown in FIG. 5, the rubber pad 460 arranged in the cavity of the ball sleeve 440 can include rubber pads 461 and 462; the inner surfaces 4611 and 4621 of the rubber pads 461 and 462 can constitute the cavity 210. Similarly to FIG. 4, the rubber pads 461 and 462 can be arranged in the mounting portions 441 and 442 of the ball sleeve 440, respectively. For another example, as shown in FIG. 6, the rubber pad 560 arranged in the cavity of the ball sleeve 540 can include rubber pads 561 and 562; the inner surfaces 5611 and 5621 of the rubber pads 561 and 562 can constitute the cavity 210. The rubber pads 561 and 562 can be arranged in the mounting portion 541 and the limiting portion 542, respectively.

[0094] Exemplarily, taking FIG. 4 as an example, in order to prevent the rubber pad 360 from slipping out of the ball sleeve 340, the outer surface 3612 of the rubber pad 361 can be fixedly connected with the concave structure 3411, and the outer surface 3622 of the rubber pad 362 can be fixedly connected with the concave structure 3421. For example, the rubber pad 361 can be vulcanization connected with the mounting portion 341 of the ball sleeve 340 in a vulcanization bonding manner.

[0095] In the embodiment of the application, the rubber pad is vulcanization connected with the ball sleeve, which can prevent the rubber pad from slipping out of the ball sleeve due to vibration and other factors, and can avoid rigid contact between the ball head and the ball sleeve.

[0096] In some possible implementation manners, the shape of the ball head 110 can be spherical or ellipsoidal, or part of the outer surface of the ball head 110 can be spherical or ellipsoidal, and another part of the outer surface of the ball head 110 can be planar or smooth curved surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the ball head 130 can have a planar surface matched with the ball head seat and the bolt. In order to ensure that the auxiliary suspension can have good performance in normal working conditions and extreme working conditions, the gap between the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 needs to meet certain requirements. For example, when the ball head 110 is centrally arranged in the cavity 210, in the second direction, the one-side gap between the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 can be within a certain range. The following is exemplarily described in combination with FIG. 7.

[0097] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of relative position relationships of several ball heads 110 and cavities 210 provided in the embodiment of the application.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 7, in (a) and (b) of FIG. 7, the shape of the ball head 110 can be spherical and ellipsoidal respectively, and correspondingly, the shape of the cavity 210 can be spherical and ellipsoidal. In (c) of FIG. 7, the main part of the ball head 110 is spherical and part of the outer surface is planar; in (d) of FIG. 7, the main part of the ball head 110 can be ellipsoidal and part of the outer surface is planar. Correspondingly, the shape of the cavity 210 can be adjusted according to the shape of the ball head 110.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 7, in the direction 1, the one-side gap between the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 can be denoted as gap a and gap b respectively; in the direction 2, the one-side gap between the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 can be denoted as gap c and gap d respectively.

[0100] In one embodiment, taking (a) and (b) in FIG. 7 as an example, when the centers of the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 coincide, it can be considered that the ball head 110 is centrally arranged in the cavity 210.

[0101] In another embodiment, as shown in (a) to (d) of FIG. 7, when the two-side gap between the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 is the same (for example, the gap a is the same as the gap b, and the gap c is the same as the gap d) in a certain direction (for example, direction 1, direction 2), it can be considered that the ball head 110 is centrally arranged in the cavity 210 in the direction. When the ball head 110 is centrally arranged in the cavity 210 in multiple directions that are not parallel to each other, it can be considered that the ball head 110 is centrally arranged in the cavity 210.

[0102] For example, it is assumed that the ball head 110 is centrally arranged in the cavity 210; it is assumed that in a second direction, the one-side gap between the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 is greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 6 mm. For example, as shown in (d) of FIG. 7, when the direction 1 corresponds to the second direction, the gap a and the gap b should be greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 6 mm when the ball head 110 is centrally arranged in the cavity 210; when the direction 2 corresponds to the second direction, the gap c and the gap d should be greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 6 mm when the ball head 110 is centrally arranged in the cavity 210. The second direction can also be other directions, which are not listed one by one.

[0103] When the auxiliary suspension 20 is installed, the ball head 110 can be centrally arranged in the cavity 210, so that the ball head 110 and the cavity 210 can have a larger gap in multiple directions, so that the auxiliary suspension 20 can have a better limiting and anti-pulling effect on the motor in multiple directions.

[0104] In some possible implementations, the ball head 110 can also be eccentrically arranged in the cavity 210.

[0105] The suspension system provided by the embodiments of the present application is exemplarily described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.

[0106] The embodiments of the present application also provide a vehicle, which can include the suspension system in any of the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 7.

[0107] The vehicle involved in the embodiments of the present application can be a vehicle in a broad sense, which can be a vehicle (such as a commercial vehicle, a passenger vehicle, a motorcycle, a flying vehicle, a train, etc.), an industrial vehicle (such as a forklift, a trailer, a tractor, etc.), an engineering vehicle (such as an excavator, a bulldozer, a crane, etc.), an agricultural device (such as a mower, a harvester, etc.), a recreational device, a toy vehicle, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the type of vehicle. For example, the vehicle in the present application can include a pure electric vehicle (pure EV / battery EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a range extended electric vehicle (REEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a new energy vehicle (NEV), etc.

[0108] The detailed description and the drawings of the above embodiments are used to exemplarily illustrate the principles of the present application, but cannot be used to limit the scope of the present application, that is, the present application is not limited to the described embodiments.

[0109] Unless otherwise required by context, the term "comprise" and other forms such as "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including" and "includes" are to be construed as open, inclusive meaning, that is, "including, but not limited to". In the description of the specification, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "exemplary embodiments", "example", "specific example" or "some examples" are intended to indicate that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics related to the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. The illustrative representation of the above terms does not necessarily mean the same embodiment or example. In addition, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics can be included in any one or more embodiments or examples in any appropriate manner.

[0110] The terms "first", "second", etc. are used only for the purpose of description and are not to be interpreted in a relative manner unless otherwise indicated or implied. Thus, features defined with "first", "second" can include one or more of the features explicitly or implicitly. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two or more, unless otherwise indicated or implied.

[0111] The orientation words appearing in the description of the embodiments of the present application are the directions shown in the drawings, and are not intended to limit the specific structure in the embodiments of the present application. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that, unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connecting", "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integrally connected; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0112] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "embodiment" means that the specific features, structures or properties described in conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase appears at various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment to other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described in the present application can be combined with other embodiments.

[0113] In the present application, the term "and / or" is only a description of the association relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, the character " / " in the present application generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it.

[0114] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any skilled person in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

[0115] In addition, the use of "based on" means openness and inclusiveness, because the process, step, calculation or other action "based on" one or more of the conditions or values described can be based on additional conditions or beyond the values described in practice.

[0116] As used herein, the terms "about," "substantially," or "approximately" in reference to a particular measurement or value are understood to refer to a value that is within an acceptable range of deviation for that particular measurement or value, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in the field of the disclosure when considered in light of the description of the measurement or value, and the error associated with the measurement or value, i.e., the limitations of the measurement system.

[0117] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative, for example, the division of the modules is only a logical functional division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed.

[0118] The above describes only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed in the present application, which should be covered in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A suspension system (10) characterized by, The suspension system (10) comprises a plurality of first suspension devices for fixedly connecting a power assembly of a vehicle and a load bearing device of the vehicle; The suspension system (10) further comprises an auxiliary suspension device (20) for connecting the power assembly and the load bearing device; The auxiliary suspension device (20) comprises a first connecting mechanism (100) for connecting with a first device and a second connecting mechanism (200) for connecting with a second device, the first device comprising one of the power assembly and the load bearing device, and the second device comprising the other of the power assembly and the load bearing device; The first connecting mechanism (100) comprises a ball head (110), and the second connecting mechanism (200) comprises a first cavity (210); The ball head (110) is movably arranged in the first cavity (210), the first cavity (210) forms a limiting space for limiting movement of the ball head (110) in multiple directions, the first cavity (210) is provided with a taper structure to limit the ball head (110) from escaping from the limiting space, and an outer surface of the ball head (110) and / or a surface of the first cavity (210) are made of an elastic material.

2. The suspension system (10) according to claim 1, wherein The first connecting mechanism (100) further comprises a first base (120) and a first connecting piece (130), the first connecting piece (130) is used for connecting the ball head (110) and the first base (120), and the first connecting mechanism (100) is used for connecting with the first device through the first base (120).

3. The suspension system (10) according to claim 2, wherein The ball head (110) comprises a through hole arranged in a first direction, and the first connecting piece (130) is arranged through the through hole and connected with the first base (120).

4. The suspension system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The second connecting mechanism (200) comprises a rubber pad (360, 460, 560) and a ball sleeve (340, 440, 540), an inner wall of the rubber pad (360, 460, 560) forms the first cavity (210), and an inner wall of the ball sleeve (340, 440, 540) forms a second cavity for arranging the rubber pad (360, 460, 560).

5. The suspension system (10) according to claim 4, wherein The second connecting mechanism (200) further comprises a second base (420, 520) and a second connecting piece (430, 530), and the second connecting mechanism (200) is used for connecting with the second device through the second base (420, 520); The ball sleeve (440, 540) comprises a mounting portion (441, 541), and the second connecting piece (430, 530) is used for connecting the mounting portion (441, 541) and the second base (420, 520).

6. The suspension system (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, the ball sleeve (540) further comprises a limiting portion (542), the limiting portion (542) is provided with the tapering structure at one end away from the mounting portion (541), and the mounting portion (541) and the limiting portion (542) jointly form the second cavity; the second connecting mechanism (200) further comprises a third connecting piece for connecting the mounting portion (541) and the limiting portion (542).

7. The suspension system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, the limiting portion (542) comprises a first flange plate at one end close to the mounting portion (541), the mounting portion (541) comprises a second flange plate at one end close to the limiting portion (542), and the third connecting body is fixedly connected with the first flange plate and the second flange plate.

8. The suspension system (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, the mounting portion (441, 442) is provided with a tapering structure at one end away from the second base (420), and the second cavity is formed by the mounting portions (441, 442).

9. The suspension system (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, the ball sleeve (340) is provided with a bolt hole, and the ball sleeve (340) is connected with the second device by a bolt.

10. The suspension system (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that, the rubber pad (360, 460, 560) is vulcanization connected with the ball sleeve (340, 440, 540).

11. The suspension system (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that, when the ball head (110) is centrally arranged in the first cavity (210), the one-side gap between the ball head (110) and the first cavity (210) in the second direction is greater than or equal to 4 mm and less than or equal to 6 mm.

12. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The suspension system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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