Suspension joint structure

Abstract

A suspension joint structure includes: a lower arm having one end fastened to a vehicle body; an auxiliary steering knuckle having a support column thereon; a fastening unit configured to connect one end of the lower arm and a lower end of the auxiliary steering knuckle to each other; a suspension fastened to the auxiliary steering knuckle and rotating independently of the auxiliary steering knuckle to steer a wheel; a steering input component connected to the auxiliary steering knuckle and configured to apply a steering force to the suspension when steering; and a rotation transmitting unit arranged between the suspension and the steering input component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a suspension joint structure, and to a suspension joint structure configured so that each wheel can perform independent steering in response to a user's steering input signal by providing a joint structure of a suspension, a lower arm, and a steering input unit of the suspension. Background Art

[0002] A suspension is provided at a location where wheels are mounted in a vehicle to eliminate vibrations generated between the wheels and the road surface.

[0003] Various types of suspensions have been proposed, and a suspension suitable for each vehicle type is selected for application.

[0004] exist Figure 1 An example of a conventional suspension joint structure adapted for a MacPherson suspension is shown in FIG.

[0005] The McPherson suspension includes a steering knuckle 11 , a shock absorber 12 , a lower arm 13 , and a stabilizer 14 . The shock absorber 12 is provided at the upper portion of the steering knuckle to absorb vibration, the lower arm 13 is connected to the lower portion of the steering knuckle 11 , and the stabilizer 14 is connected to the lower portion of the steering knuckle 11 or the lower portion of the shock absorber 12 .

[0006] The steering knuckle 11 includes a wheel mounting member to which a wheel W is mounted at the center of the steering knuckle 11 , a shock absorber connecting member connected to the shock absorber 12 at the upper portion of the steering knuckle 11 , and a lower arm connecting member connected to the lower arm 13 at the lower portion of the steering knuckle 11 .

[0007] However, in the case of the above structure with the MacPherson suspension, if an operating force is applied to the knuckle at the time of steering, there is a structural limitation in that the steering force can be applied to the wheel only when the knuckle and the auxiliary knuckle rotate simultaneously.

[0008] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the application and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art in this country. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present application aims to solve the above problems. The purpose of the present application is to provide an auxiliary steering knuckle fastened to the lower arm, and to provide a suspension joint structure having a suspension (including a RevoKnuckle type) located at the center axis of the auxiliary steering knuckle to perform independent rotation.

[0010] Furthermore, another object of the present application is to provide a technology for a fastening structure corresponding to a vertical gap of a suspension through a rotation transmitting unit located between a steering input member and the suspension.

[0011] The purpose of this application is not limited to the above purpose, and other purposes of this application not mentioned can be understood through the following description and can be more clearly understood through the exemplary embodiments of this application. In addition, the purpose of this application can be achieved through the claims and their combinations.

[0012] A suspension joint structure for achieving the aforementioned object of the present application includes the following configuration.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the suspension coupling structure includes: a lower arm having one end fastened to a vehicle body; an auxiliary steering knuckle having a support thereon; a fastening unit configured to connect one end of the lower arm and a lower end of the auxiliary steering knuckle to each other; a suspension fastened to the auxiliary steering knuckle and rotating independently of the auxiliary steering knuckle to assist steering of the wheels; a steering input component connected to the auxiliary steering knuckle and configured to apply steering force to the suspension during steering; and a rotation transfer unit arranged between the suspension and the steering input component.

[0014] The fastening unit consists of a universal joint.

[0015] The suspension coupling structure includes an upper hole located at an upper end of the auxiliary steering knuckle so that the upper end of the suspension is inserted into the upper hole; and a lower hole located at a lower end of the auxiliary steering knuckle so that the lower end of the suspension is inserted into the lower hole, wherein the suspension is configured to rotate relative to the upper hole and the lower hole.

[0016] The fastening unit further includes a yoke located at the lower arm, a ball stud fastened to the auxiliary steering knuckle, and a cross shaft located on the yoke and the ball stud such that the yoke and the ball stud have mutually different central axes.

[0017] The rotation transmitting unit further includes a spline rod formed on a central axis of the steering input member, and an inlet located at the suspension and configured such that the spline rod is drawn into the inlet.

[0018] The steering input component includes at least one mounting component secured to the auxiliary steering knuckle.

[0019] One end of the auxiliary steering knuckle includes a fastener configured at a position corresponding to the at least one mounting component.

[0020] The steering input member is located at the upper end of the auxiliary steering knuckle parallel to the strut.

[0021] The suspension joint structure further includes a fixing member at an upper end of the auxiliary steering knuckle, into which the steering input member can be inserted.

[0022] The fixing member is fastened by a clamping bolt and is configured to fix the steering input member and the auxiliary knuckle.

[0023] The present application can achieve the following effects through the exemplary embodiments and the configuration, combination, and usage relationships described below.

[0024] The present application provides a suspension that is independent of the auxiliary steering knuckle rotation, thereby providing a high degree of freedom of the suspension.

[0025] Furthermore, the present application provides structural stability capable of absorbing vertical motion applied to the suspension through the steering input member and the rotation transfer unit located on the suspension.

[0026] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms as used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various boats and ships, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from energy sources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a vehicle having both gasoline power and electric power.

[0027]

[0011] The above-mentioned features and other features of the present application are discussed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above-mentioned and other features of the present application will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, which are given hereinafter by way of illustration only and are therefore non-limiting to the present application, wherein:

[0029] Figure 1 A diagram showing the joint relationship of a MacPherson strut suspension according to the prior art.

[0030] Figure 2 A perspective view showing a suspension joint structure as an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B and Figure 3C A diagram illustrating degrees of freedom of movement of a fastening unit of a suspension joint structure as an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 4 An enlarged view showing a fastening unit of a suspension joint structure as an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0033] Figure 5A perspective view showing a suspension engagement structure including a steering actuator as an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 6A and Figure 6B An enlarged view of a rotation transfer unit as an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0035] Figure 7A 、 Figure 7B 、 Figure 8A and Figure 8B A diagram showing a fastening relationship between a steering input member and a mounting member as an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0036] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and they show various preferred features that illustrate the basic principles of the present application in a somewhat simplified manner. The specific design features of the present application as disclosed herein (including, for example, specific dimensions, directions, positions, and shapes) will be determined in part by the specific target application and use environment.

[0037] In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present application throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments of the present application can be modified in various forms, and the scope of the present application should not be interpreted as being limited to the following exemplary embodiments. The current exemplary embodiments are provided to more fully describe the present application to those skilled in the art.

[0039] Furthermore, terms such as “...steering knuckle”, “...unit” and “...component” described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware.

[0040] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in describing the exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] The present application relates to a suspension joint structure configured such that a suspension 100 is located within an auxiliary steering knuckle 200 so as to be able to rotate independently of the auxiliary steering knuckle 200. Here, the suspension 100 may include a McPherson strut or a RevoKnuckle. The RevoKnuckle is well known in the art as a variation of the McPherson strut suspension design to improve the shortcomings of the aforementioned McPherson strut suspension (e.g., https: / / link.springer.com / article / 10.1007 / BF03225151).

[0042] In addition, the suspension joint structure according to the present application includes a structure fastened to each wheel and can be steered independently, and the corresponding wheels of the vehicle on which the suspension joint structure is installed can be configured as an outer wheel with a steering angle of 60 degrees and an inner wheel with a steering angle of 90 degrees.

[0043] Figure 2 A perspective view showing a suspension joint structure as an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0044] The suspension joint structure of the present application is composed of a lower arm 300, which is fastened to the vehicle body or frame and is located in the width direction of the vehicle, and an auxiliary knuckle 200, which is configured to be located at one end of the lower arm 300 and at the lower end of a strut 500. The strut 500, which is located at the upper end of the auxiliary knuckle 200, is used as a concept including a shock absorber.

[0045] The suspension joint structure includes a suspension 100 located in a recessed space of the auxiliary knuckle 200 and having ends fastened to the insides of both extended ends of the auxiliary knuckle 200 , and one surface of the suspension 100 includes a wheel mounting portion 150 to which a wheel is mounted.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the suspension 100 includes an upper end and a lower end to be fastened between the upper hole 210 and the lower hole 220 of the auxiliary steering knuckle 200. The suspension 100 is configured to rotate using the upper end and the lower end as a central axis, and has the same rotation axis as the central axis connecting the upper hole 210 and the lower hole 220 of the auxiliary steering knuckle 200.

[0047] In addition, the suspension engagement structure includes a steering input component 600 that is configured to be fastened to the suspension 100 so as to apply a steering force in response to a user's steering input. In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the steering input component 600 may be composed of a steering motor that is configured to receive an electrical signal for changing the steering angle of the suspension 100. The steering input component 600 may be configured to be fastened independently to the auxiliary steering knuckle 200 in a state parallel to the support column 500. In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the suspension engagement structure is configured such that the support column 500 is fastened to the lower end of the auxiliary steering knuckle 200, and the steering input component 600 is located at a position corresponding to the upper hole 210 of the auxiliary steering knuckle 200.

[0048] As an exemplary embodiment, if the steering input member 600 is composed of a steering motor, the upper end 110 of the suspension 100 and the steering motor are fixed to each other, and the steering motor may be configured to rotate the suspension 100 in response to a user's steering input.

[0049] The steering input component 600 and the suspension 100 are configured to be fastened within the auxiliary steering knuckle 200. In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the suspension joint structure is configured such that the steering input component 600 and the suspension 100 are fastened to each other via a rotation transmission unit 610 to transmit the rotational force of the steering input component 600 to the suspension 100. The rotation transmission unit 610 according to the present application may be composed of a spline rod 620 configured as the rotation center axis of the steering input component 600 and an inlet 111 located at one end of the suspension 100 to allow the spline rod 620 to be inserted. The inlet 111 may be located at the upper end 110 of the suspension 100.

[0050] The spline rod 620 is configured to be inserted into the inlet 111 of the suspension 100 and is configured so that the inlet 111 of the suspension 100 and the spline rod 620 can move in the longitudinal direction in response to vibrations in the height direction generated in the vehicle body. Therefore, even when vibrations are applied in the longitudinal direction of the spline rod 620, the spline rod 620 is configured to maintain the tightening state of the steering input member 600 in response to the vertical movement of the suspension 100, and is configured so that the rotational force of the steering input member 600 is applied to the suspension 100.

[0051] Since the inlet 111 is configured to penetrate the upper end 110 and the spline rod 620 is configured to occupy at least a portion of the inlet 111, the spline rod 620 can be configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the inlet 111. Therefore, the spline rod 620 can move along the inside of the inlet 111 in response to the height-direction vibration of the vehicle.

[0052] Since one end of the lower arm and the lower end of the auxiliary knuckle 200 are coupled to each other via the fastening unit 400, the fastening unit 400 is configured to prevent rotation about the central axis in the height direction of the auxiliary knuckle 200 and absorb the forward and backward and left and right movements applied from the wheels. Therefore, the suspension 100 can rotate within the auxiliary knuckle 200 independently of the auxiliary knuckle 200, and the auxiliary knuckle 200 can remain fixed to the lower arm 300 and the support column 500.

[0053] The fastening unit 400 is composed of a universal joint to restrict the rotational force of the auxiliary knuckle 200 and is configured to absorb shock applied from wheels in the front-rear direction and the width direction of the vehicle.

[0054] The fastening unit 400 is disposed adjacent to the lower hole 220 of the auxiliary knuckle 200 into which the lower end 120 of the suspension 100 is inserted. In an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the suspension joint structure is configured to further include a clamping bolt or a lock nut that integrally fixes the auxiliary knuckle 200 and the ball stud 430 after the ball stud 430 of the fastening unit 400 is inserted into the auxiliary knuckle 200.

[0055] Figure 3A 、 Figure 3B 、 Figure 3C and Figure 4 The fastening unit 400 fastened to the lower arm 300 is shown, and the degrees of freedom of movement corresponding to movement in three directions are shown.

[0056] The fastening unit 400 is composed of a yoke 410 located at one end of the lower arm 300 and a ball stud 430 fastened to the auxiliary steering knuckle 200. The fastening unit 400 includes a cross shaft 420 configured so that the central axes of the yoke 410 and the ball stud 430 are mutually aligned. The ball stud 430 is configured to be fixed to the auxiliary steering knuckle 200 via a clamping bolt or a lock nut. Therefore, the auxiliary steering knuckle 200 is configured to be fixed to the ball stud 430 at the lower end and the support column 500 at the upper end.

[0057] If movement in the front-to-rear direction applied from the wheel occurs, the fastening unit 400 is configured to absorb shock by causing the connected components to rotate relative to the center axis of the cross shaft 420 fastened to the ball stud 430, and if left-to-right movement applied from the wheel occurs, the fastening unit 400 is configured to absorb shock by causing the connected components to rotate relative to the center axis of the cross shaft 420 fastened to the lower arm 300.

[0058] More preferably, if the wheel moves forward and backward, the fastening unit 400 is configured to allow the ball stud 430 to rotate relative to the central axis of the cross shaft 420 formed in the vehicle width direction, thereby absorbing the wheel movement. Furthermore, if the wheel moves in the width direction, the fastening unit 400 is configured to allow the ball stud 430 to rotate relative to the central axis of the cross shaft 420 formed in the vehicle longitudinal direction, thereby absorbing the movement.

[0059] In summary, the fastening unit 400 is configured to have two rotation axes with respect to the cross axis 420 and is configured so that the front-rear motion and the left-right motion applied from the wheels are absorbed by the respective different rotation axes.

[0060] However, the auxiliary knuckle 200 fastened to the ball stud 430 is configured to maintain a fixed state, thereby maintaining a state in which the degree of freedom of rotation of the auxiliary knuckle 200 using the ball stud 430 as a center axis is limited.

[0061] Figure 5 The configuration of the steering motor fastened to the upper end 110 of the suspension 100 as the steering input member 600 is shown. Figure 6A and Figure 6B A cross-sectional view showing the steering input member 600 and the suspension 100 fastened by the rotation transfer unit 610 is shown.

[0062] The steering motor is configured to be integrally connected to the upper end 110 of the suspension 100 and is configured to directly transmit the rotational force of the steering motor to the suspension 100. The steering motor controls the rotational force through a controller that receives a user's steering input, and the suspension 100 is configured to rotate so that a steering angle is applied to the wheels.

[0063] The central axis of the steering motor may be formed by a spline rod 620, and one end of the suspension 100 includes an inlet 111 for inserting the spline rod 620 into the suspension 100. The inlet 111 is configured to penetrate the upper end 110, and the spline rod 620 is configured to occupy at least a portion of the inlet 111.

[0064] Therefore, when the spline rod 620 is rotated by the controller, the suspension 100 is configured to rotate as a whole, and even when a gap or vibration is generated in the longitudinal direction in which the suspension 100 and the steering input component 600 are fastened to each other, the spline rod 620 is configured to move vertically relative to the inlet 111 to absorb the vibration.

[0065] Figure 7A and Figure 7B A configuration of a steering input member fastened to an auxiliary knuckle 200 is shown as an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0066] The steering input component 600, which is fastened and located at the upper portion of the auxiliary knuckle 200, includes the suspension 100, which is fastened and located between the upper hole 210 and the lower hole 220 of the auxiliary knuckle 200. The central axis of the steering input component 600 is inserted into and located in the inlet 111 of the suspension 100. More specifically, the steering input component is configured such that the central axis of the steering input component 600 and the inlet 111 of the suspension 100 are positioned relative to the upper hole 210 of the auxiliary knuckle 200.

[0067] The suspension 100 is configured to have a rotational degree of freedom relative to the interior of the auxiliary knuckle 200, and the steering input member is configured to be fastened to the auxiliary knuckle 200 to apply a rotational force to the suspension 100. Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the spline rod 620 is configured to be inserted into an inlet located at the upper end 110 of the suspension 100 .

[0068] The cover member of the steering input component 600 includes a mounting member 630 fastened to the auxiliary knuckle 200. In the exemplary embodiment of the present application, the mounting member 630 includes a bolt hole, and the auxiliary knuckle 200 is configured to include a fastener 230 corresponding to the mounting member 630. The mounting member 630 and the fastener 230 can be configured to be fixed to each other by a single bolt. More specifically, the number of mounting members 630 and the number of fasteners 230 can vary depending on the size of the steering input component 600 or the shape of the auxiliary knuckle 200.

[0069] As described above, the steering input member 600 is fixed so that the central axis is located at a position corresponding to the upper hole 210 of the auxiliary knuckle 200 , and the steering input member 600 and the suspension 100 are configured to be fastened to each other through the rotation transfer unit 610 at a position corresponding to the upper hole 210 .

[0070] Figure 8A and Figure 8B A configuration of a steering input member 600 fastened to an upper end of the auxiliary knuckle 200 is shown as another exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0071] As another exemplary embodiment of the present application, the steering input member 600 may be positioned to be fastened to the fixing member 700 formed on the upper end of the auxiliary knuckle 200 , and the fixing member 700 may be configured to be disposed around the periphery of the steering input member 600 .

[0072] The fixing member 700 can be configured to substantially correspond to the cover shape of the steering input member 600 and can include grooves formed in the direction in which the steering input member 600 is inserted. Therefore, the clamping bolt 710 is tightened perpendicularly through the grooves, and the distance between the grooves is determined according to the amount of rotation of the clamping bolt 710. This allows the fixing member 700 to restrict movement of the steering input member 600 by the rotational force of the clamping bolt 710. As described above, the steering input member 600 is configured to be fixed to the upper end of the auxiliary steering knuckle 200 by the tightening force of the fixing member 700, and is therefore configured so that rotational force can be applied to the suspension 100.

[0073] The above detailed description illustrates the present application. In addition, the foregoing content shows and describes exemplary embodiments of the present application, and the present application can be used in various other combinations, variations and environments. That is, within the scope of the present application concept disclosed in this specification, the scope equivalent to the disclosed content, and / or the technology or knowledge in the art, the present application can be changed or modified. The exemplary embodiments described describe the best way to implement the technical spirit of the present application, and various changes required in the specific application fields and uses of the present application can also be made. Therefore, the foregoing detailed description of the present application is not intended to limit the present application to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. In addition, the appended claims should be interpreted as including other exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A suspension joint structure comprising: a lower arm having one end secured to the vehicle body; an auxiliary steering knuckle having a support column thereon; a fastening unit configured to connect one end of the lower arm and a lower end of the auxiliary knuckle to each other; a suspension secured to the auxiliary steering knuckle and rotating independently of the auxiliary steering knuckle to assist in steering the wheels; a steering input member connected to the auxiliary steering knuckle and configured to apply a steering force to the suspension during steering; as well as a rotation transmission unit arranged between the suspension and the steering input member, wherein the steering input component comprises at least one mounting component fastened to the auxiliary steering knuckle, The auxiliary steering knuckle includes a fastener at one end thereof, and the fastener is arranged to correspond to the at least one mounting component.

2. The suspension joint structure according to claim 1, wherein: The fastening unit includes a universal joint.

3. The suspension joint structure according to claim 1, wherein: The auxiliary steering knuckle comprises: an upper hole at the upper end of the auxiliary steering knuckle, such that the upper end of the suspension extends through the upper hole; and A lower hole is formed at the lower end of the auxiliary steering knuckle, so that the lower end of the suspension extends through the lower hole. Wherein, the suspension is configured to rotate relative to the upper hole and the lower hole.

4. The suspension joint structure according to claim 1, wherein: The fastening unit comprises: a universal joint fork disposed on the lower arm; a ball stud secured to the auxiliary steering knuckle; and A cross shaft is arranged on the yoke and the ball stud so that the yoke and the ball stud have mutually different central axes.

5. The suspension joint structure according to claim 1, wherein: The rotation transmitting unit includes a spline rod arranged at a central axis of the steering input member, and Wherein, the suspension includes an inlet configured such that the spline rod can be seated therein.

6. The suspension joint structure according to claim 1, wherein: The steering input member is arranged at an upper end of the auxiliary knuckle in parallel with the strut. 7 . The suspension joint structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a fixing member at an upper end of the auxiliary knuckle, the steering input member being fitted into the fixing member.

8. The suspension joint structure according to claim 7, wherein: The fixing member includes a groove portion defined in a direction of inserting the steering input member, and The steering input member and the auxiliary knuckle are connected to each other by a clamping bolt fastened between the groove portions.

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