Suspension link structure

Abstract

The present application relates to a coupling structure of a suspension, which can include a lower arm having one end portion engaged with a vehicle body; a sub-knuckle in which a strut is located; a RevoKnuckle engaged with the sub-knuckle, rotating independently of the sub-knuckle, and configured to steer a wheel; a steering input portion fixed to the vehicle body and configured to apply a steering force to the RevoKnuckle during steering; and a rotation transmission unit engaged with the RevoKnuckle and the steering input portion, and having a length that varies in response to wheel rebound of the vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling structure of a suspension. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coupling structure of a suspension including a rotation transmission unit formed of a RevoKnuckle, a lower arm of a suspension, and a steering input portion, and configured to allow a steering driving force to be applied from the steering input portion to the RevoKnuckle, and configured to absorb displacement generated according to wheel rebound. BACKGROUND

[0002] A suspension for damping a vibration generated between a wheel and a road surface is provided in a portion of a vehicle in which a wheel is provided.

[0003] Suspensions include various types of suspensions, and a suspension suitable for the type of each vehicle is selected and applied.

[0004] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a McPherson suspension. The McPherson suspension includes a knuckle 11, a shock absorber 12 provided in an upper portion of the knuckle 11 to absorb a vibration, a lower arm 13 connected to a lower portion of the knuckle 11, and a stabilizer 14 connected to the lower portion of the knuckle 11 or a lower portion of the shock absorber 12. Figure 1 The knuckle 11 includes a wheel mounting portion in which a wheel W is provided in a central portion of the wheel mounting portion, a shock absorber connector connected to the shock absorber 12 above an upper portion of the knuckle 11, and a lower arm connector connected to the lower arm 13 below a lower portion of the knuckle 11.

[0005] However, in the case of the above-described structure, when a steering force is applied to the knuckle 11 during steering, there is a structural limitation in that the steering force is applied to the wheel only when the knuckle 11 rotates simultaneously with an auxiliary knuckle.

[0006] The information included in this Background section of the present invention is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present invention, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes prior art for the present invention.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] Aspects of the present invention relate to providing an auxiliary knuckle engaged with a lower arm, and providing a RevoKnuckle located on a central axis of the auxiliary knuckle and performing independent rotation.

[0009] ​Further, in another aspect, aspects of the present application provide a suspension technology configured to respond to displacement of a vehicle in a vertical direction and a width direction according to wheel rebound through a rotation transmission unit located between a steering input portion and a RevoKnuckle.

[0010] The objects of the present application are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and the present application can be understood by the following description without other objects being mentioned, and will be clearly understood by the embodiments of the present application. Further, the objects of the present application can be achieved by the means described in the appended claims and combinations thereof.

[0011] The coupling structure of the suspension for achieving the objects of the present application includes the following configuration.

[0012] The coupling structure of the suspension includes a lower arm having one end portion engaged with a vehicle body, a helper knuckle in which a strut is located, a RevoKnuckle engaged with the helper knuckle, rotated independently of the helper knuckle, and configured to steer a wheel, a steering input portion fixed to the vehicle body and configured to apply a steering force to the RevoKnuckle during steering, and a rotation transmission unit engaged with the RevoKnuckle and the steering input portion and having a length that changes in response to wheel rebound of the vehicle.

[0013] Further, the rotation transmission unit can include a first rod engaged with an output end portion of the steering input portion, a second rod configured to pass through the helper knuckle to be engaged with the RevoKnuckle, and a variable rod located between the first rod and the second rod and engaged to the first rod and the second rod.

[0014] Further, the variable rod can be configured to be rotatable in a first direction based on one end portion of the variable rod engaged with the first rod.

[0015] Further, the variable rod can be configured to be rotatable in a second direction based on the other end portion of the variable rod engaged with the second rod.

[0016] Further, the first direction can be different from the second direction thereof.

[0017] Further, the variable rod can include a first variable rod engaged with the first rod, and a second variable rod including an insertion groove to allow the first variable rod to be inserted into the insertion groove, and engageable with the second rod.

[0018] Further, the coupling structure of the suspension can further include at least one protrusion located outside the first variable rod, and a recess formed in the insertion groove of the second rod to allow the at least one protrusion to be inserted into the recess.

[0019] Further, the first variable link can be configured to vary in length along the insertion groove of the second variable link when an external force is applied between the steering input portion and the RevoKnuckle.

[0020] Further, the coupling structure of the suspension can further include a lubricating layer in a region where the first variable link and the second variable link are adjacent to each other.

[0021] Further, the variable link can be configured to vary in length in response to the center portion of the wheel varying according to a trajectory of wheel rebound.

[0022] Other aspects and exemplary embodiments of the present application are discussed below.

[0023] It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terminology used herein generally includes a motor vehicle, such as a passenger automobile, including sport utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, passenger cars, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various boats and ships, an aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fueled by resources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more sources of power. For example, a vehicle that has both a gasoline power source and an electric power source is a hybrid vehicle.

[0024] The above and other features of the present application are discussed below.

[0025] The method and apparatus of the present application have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or more readily understood from the following detailed description of the application, as well as the appended claims, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a coupling relationship of a RevoKnuckle according to the related art;

[0027] Figure 2 is a front view exemplarily illustrating a coupling structure of a suspension according to a plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0028] Figure 3 is an operational view illustrating the coupling structure of the suspension in a wheel rebound state according to a plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present application;

[0029] Figure 4 is a configuration view illustrating a rotation transmission unit of the coupling structure of the suspension according to a plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present application; and

[0030] Figure 5is a side sectional view of a rotation transmission unit of a coupling structure of a suspension according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0031] It is to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various example features illustrative of the basic principles of the application. Specific design features (e.g., including specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes) of the application as herein described can be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

[0032] In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the application will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the application is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the application is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments, which can be included within the spirit and scope of the application as defined by the appended claims.

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in 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 construed as being limited to the following embodiments. These embodiments are provided merely to fully convey the present application to those skilled in the art.

[0035] The terms "...knuckle", "...unit", "...part", and the like used herein mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and can be implemented by hardware or a combination of hardware.

[0036] Further, in the present disclosure, the terms first, second, and the like are assigned to the components to distinguish the components, but the terms are not limited to the order in the following description.

[0037] Further, in the exemplary embodiments, the term "wheel rebound" can be used as a meaning including all states in which a center portion of a wheel is changed due to application of an external force or the like.

[0038] Further, the coupling structure of the suspension according to the exemplary embodiments of the present application refers to one suspension that is engaged with each wheel, and in the case where a vehicle has a plurality of wheels, the coupling structure of the suspension can be provided to steer each wheel independently.

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in the description with reference to the drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] The present application relates to a coupling structure of a suspension in which a RevoKnuckle 100 is located in an auxiliary knuckle 200 and configured to rotate independently with respect to the auxiliary knuckle 200.

[0041] Further, the coupling structure of a suspension according to the plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present application includes a structure engaged with each wheel to be configured to steer independently. Accordingly, the wheel to which the corresponding coupling structure of a suspension is mounted can be configured to have a steering angle of 60 degrees for an outer ring and a steering angle of 90 degrees for an inner ring.

[0042] Figure 2 is an example of a perspective view illustrating a coupling structure of a suspension according to the plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0043] The present application includes a lower arm 300 engaged with a vehicle body 800 or a frame and located in a width direction of a vehicle, and an auxiliary knuckle 200 configured to be located at an end portion of the lower arm 300. A strut 500 located at an upper end portion of the auxiliary knuckle 200 serves as a concept including a shock absorber.

[0044] Since the RevoKnuckle 100 is included in a recessed space of the auxiliary knuckle 200 and an end portion of the RevoKnuckle 100 is engaged in two extended end portions of the auxiliary knuckle 200, one surface of the RevoKnuckle 100 includes a wheel mounting portion 130 in which a wheel is mounted.

[0045] In the plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present application, the RevoKnuckle 100 includes an upper end portion and a lower end portion engaged between an upper end hole 210 and a lower end hole 220 of the auxiliary knuckle 200. The RevoKnuckle 100 rotates about a central axis of the upper end hole 210 and the lower end hole 220. Accordingly, the RevoKnuckle 100 has a rotation axis which is the same as a central axis connecting the upper end hole 210 of the auxiliary knuckle 200 to the lower end hole 220 thereof.

[0046] Further, the present application includes a steering input portion 600 fixed to the vehicle body 800 and configured to be engaged with the RevoKnuckle 100 to allow a steering force to be applied in response to a user's steering input. In various exemplary embodiments of the present application, the steering input portion 600 can be formed of a steering motor configured to receive an electronic signal to change a steering angle of the RevoKnuckle 100. In a state parallel to the strut 500, the steering input portion 600 can be configured to be coupled to each of the auxiliary knuckles 200. In various exemplary embodiments of the present application, it is configured such that the strut 500 is engaged with a lower end portion of the auxiliary knuckle 200, and a rotational force of the steering input portion 600 is applied to the RevoKnuckle 100 through a rotation transmission unit 700 located between the upper end hole 210 of the auxiliary knuckle 200 and the steering input portion 600.

[0047] An end portion of the lower arm 300 and a lower end portion of the auxiliary knuckle 200 are configured to be coupled through the engagement unit 400. The engagement unit 400 is configured to prevent rotation about a central axis in a height direction of the auxiliary knuckle 200, and is configured to absorb forward and backward movement and left and right movement applied from the wheel. Accordingly, the RevoKnuckle 100 can be independently rotated in the auxiliary knuckle 200, so that the auxiliary knuckle 200 can be maintained in a state fixed to the lower arm 300 and the strut 500.

[0048] The engagement unit 400 is configured at a position adjacent to the lower end hole 220 of the auxiliary knuckle 200 into which the lower end portion of the RevoKnuckle 100 is inserted. In various exemplary embodiments of the present application, a U-joint can be used as the engagement unit 400.

[0049] The rotation transmission unit 700 is included between the RevoKnuckle 100 and the steering input portion 600 and is configured to be engaged with the upper end portion of the RevoKnuckle 100. The rotation transmission unit 700 includes a first rod 710 configured to be engaged with a drive shaft of the steering input portion 600, a second rod 730 configured to pass through the upper end hole 210 of the auxiliary knuckle 200 to be engaged with the upper end portion of the RevoKnuckle 100, and a variable rod 720 connected to the first rod 710 and the second rod 730.

[0050] In a state where the vehicle is stopped or in a driving state where wheel hop does not exist, the rotation transmission unit 700 is configured such that the driving shaft of the steering input portion 600 is positioned coaxially with the rotation axis of the RevoKnuckle 100. In addition, the first lever 710 is configured to transmit the rotational force of the driving shaft of the steering input portion 600 to the variable lever 720 and the second lever 730 to allow steering input of the RevoKnuckle 100 to be possible.

[0051] The variable lever 720 is formed of a first variable lever 721 and a second variable lever 723 which are variable in the length direction of the rotation transmission unit 700. The first variable lever 721 is configured to be inserted into the second variable lever 723 in response to a change in the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel according to wheel hop.

[0052] In addition, the variable lever 720 is configured to rotate on a predetermined plane with reference to the one end portion of the variable lever 720 which is engaged with the first lever 710. In addition, the other end portion of the variable lever 720 is engaged with the second lever 730, and the variable lever 720 is configured to rotate on another plane based on the other end portion of the variable lever 720.

[0053] That is, the variable lever 720 is configured such that a rotational degree of freedom is applied to both end portions of the variable lever 720 based on the one end portion engaged with the first lever 710 and the other end portion engaged with the second lever 730. In the plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present application, the variable lever 720 is configured to rotate in a first direction based on the end portion of the first lever 710 and is configured to rotate in a second direction based on the end portion of the second lever 730. In addition, the variable lever 720 can be formed as one rigid body which is configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction thereof. Thereby, the length of the variable lever 720, the rotation angle of the one end portion of the variable lever 720 based on the first lever 710, and the rotation angle of the upper end portion of the variable lever 720 based on the second lever 730 are configured to be interlocked with each other.

[0054] As described above, when wheel hop occurs, the variable lever 720 is configured to respond to a change in the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel by a change in the longitudinal direction of the rotation transmission unit 700 and a rotational change in the first direction and the second direction thereof.

[0055] Figure 3 The motion of the coupling structure of the suspension when a change in the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel according to generation of wheel hop is applied is shown according to the plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present application.

[0056] When wheel hop occurs, the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel is moved downward from a position E based on its height direction to a position E-a due to the change in the trajectory applied to the center portion of the wheel in the height direction and the width direction, the coupling structure of the suspension is configured. In addition, when wheel hop occurs, the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel is not simply moved downward, but is configured to move along the trajectory of the lower arm 300. That is, the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel is rotated and moved in the clockwise direction based on the illustrated drawing. Therefore, when wheel hop occurs, the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel is moved downward in the height direction, and at the same time, is moved inward in its width direction.

[0057] When the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel is rotated in the clockwise direction due to the trajectory of the lower arm 300, the rotation transmission unit 700 is configured to be elongated in its longitudinal direction, and the variable bar 720 is rotated based on one end portion of the first bar 710 to the inboard side of the vehicle. In addition, the other end portion of the variable bar 720 connected to one end portion of the second bar 730 is moved to tilt the variable bar 720 in the direction away from the vehicle.

[0058] That is, the variable bar 720 is configured to absorb the gap change in its height direction and width direction, which is generated between the steering input portion 600 fixed to the vehicle body 800 and the RevoKnuckle 100 (the RevoKnuckle 100 moves by interlocking with the movement of the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel), allowing continuous steering input to be performed. In the plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present application, the first variable bar 721 is configured to be elongated or compressed in the longitudinal direction with respect to the second variable bar 723 in response to the movement of the center portion of the wheel in its height direction, and the variable bar 720 is configured to be rotated with respect to one end portion of the first bar 710 and one end portion of the second bar 730 in response to the movement of the center portion of the wheel in its width direction.

[0059] In short, in response to the movement of the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel in its height direction, the rotation transmission unit 700 is subjected to elongation or compression in the longitudinal direction, and in response to the movement of the trajectory of the center portion of the wheel in its width direction, the variable bar 720 is coupled to rotate based on its two end portions engaged with the steering input portion 600 and the RevoKnuckle 100.

[0060] Figure 4 The configuration of the rotation transmission unit 700 according to the plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present application is illustrated.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiments of the present application, a first lever 710 is included which is engaged with a lower end portion of the steering input portion 600, and a second lever 730 is provided which is configured to be engaged with the RevoKnuckle 100 and a variable lever 720 which is positioned at a lower end portion of the first lever 710 and at an upper end portion of the second lever 730. The first lever 710 is configured to be engaged with a drive shaft of the steering input portion 600 to rotate in a rotational direction of the drive shaft. Further, the second lever 730 is configured to rotate integrally with the RevoKnuckle 100 due to a rotational force applied from the variable lever 720. That is, the first lever 710 is configured to transmit only a motion which is linked with a rotational force of the steering input portion 600 to the variable lever 720, and the second lever 730 is configured to transmit only a rotational force which is applied to a rotational center axis of the RevoKnuckle 100 among driving forces applied from the variable lever 720.

[0062] The variable lever 720 includes a first variable lever 721 which is engaged with a lower end portion of the first lever 710, and a second variable lever 723 which includes an insertion groove 724 into which at least a portion of the first variable lever 721 is inserted. The first variable lever 721 is configured to be engaged with an end portion of the first lever 710 to allow the variable lever 720 to rotate in a first direction thereof. A lower end portion of the second variable lever 723 is configured to be engaged with an upper end portion of the second lever 730 to allow the variable lever 720 to rotate in a second direction based on the upper end portion of the second lever 730.

[0063] In the exemplary embodiments of the present application, the first direction and the second direction represent motions on a single plane formed based on a height direction of a vehicle, and thus can be the same direction thereof. Further, in another exemplary embodiment of the present application, the first direction and the second direction can be different directions, and the first direction and the second direction are positioned on planes which are perpendicular to each other based on a height direction thereof. At a position where the first lever 710, the variable lever 720, and the second lever 730 are engaged with each other, the first direction and the second direction in which the variable lever 720 rotates are set according to a linkage structure, and thus the rotational directions can be changed according to an application type.

[0064] Figure 5 is a side sectional view taken along the line A-A shown in Figure 4 FIG. 4.

[0065] The illustrated side cross-sectional view illustrates a state in which the first variable bar 721 is engaged with the second variable bar 723, and at least a portion of the first variable bar 721 is inserted and positioned in the insertion groove 724 of the second variable bar 723. In addition, the lubricating layer 726 is configured to be positioned between the first variable bar 721 and the second variable bar 723 to reduce noise and friction generated when the first variable bar 721 moves along the inside of the second variable bar 723 and the insertion groove 724.

[0066] In addition, at least one protrusion 722 is included on the outside of the first variable bar 721, and a recess 725 is included on the inner surface of the second variable bar 723 at a position corresponding to the at least one protrusion 722. Accordingly, when the first variable bar 721 receives a rotational force from the first bar 710, the configuration is such that the rotational force is applied to the second variable bar 723 through the at least one protrusion 722.

[0067] That is, since the first variable bar 721 can be configured to move along the inside of the second variable bar 723 in the longitudinal direction, and at the same time, a rotational force can be applied based on the central axis of the first variable bar 721, the configuration is such that the rotational force applied to the first variable bar 721 through the at least one protrusion 722 is transmitted to the second variable bar 723.

[0068] According to the above-described embodiments and the combination of the configurations and use relationships to be described below, the present application can achieve the following effects.

[0069] According to various aspects of the present application, the RevoKnuckle that rotates independently of the auxiliary knuckle is included, thus having the effect of providing a suspension with high degrees of freedom.

[0070] In addition, according to various aspects of the present application, there is an effect of providing structural stability that can absorb displacement in the height direction and the width direction in response to the generation of wheel rebound by the rotation transmission unit according to the behavior of the suspension.

[0071] For ease of illustration and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "upwardly," "downwardly," "up," "down," "front," "rear," "rearward," "inwardly," "outwardly," "interior," "exterior," "inner," "outer," "front," and "rear" are used to refer to the position of the features shown in the drawings for the purpose of describing the features of the exemplary embodiments. It will be further understood that the term "connected" or its derivatives refer both to direct and indirect connections.

[0072] The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the application has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the application to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the application and their practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present application, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the application be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A suspension connection structure, comprising: an auxiliary steering knuckle in which the strut is located; a steering knuckle engaged with the auxiliary steering knuckle, rotating independently of the auxiliary steering knuckle, and configured to steer the wheels; a steering input portion fixed to the vehicle body and configured to apply a steering force to the steering knuckle during steering; a rotation transmission unit engaged with the steering knuckle and the steering input portion and having a length that changes in response to wheel bounce of the vehicle; as well as a lower arm engaged with the vehicle body and an end portion of the auxiliary steering knuckle, Among them, one end portion of the lower arm is connected to the lower end portion of the auxiliary steering knuckle through a joint unit, and the joint unit is constructed to prevent rotation in the height direction of the auxiliary steering knuckle around the central axis and is constructed to absorb the front and rear movement and left and right movement applied from the wheel.

2. The coupling structure according to claim 1, wherein: The rotation transmission unit comprises: a first rod engaged with the output end portion of the steering input portion; a second rod configured to pass through the auxiliary steering knuckle to engage with the steering knuckle; and A variable rod is located between the first rod and the second rod and is coupled to the first rod and the second rod.

3. The coupling structure according to claim 2, wherein: The auxiliary steering knuckle includes an upper end hole, and the second rod is aligned to pass through the upper end hole of the auxiliary steering knuckle to engage with the upper end portion of the steering knuckle.

4. The coupling structure according to claim 2, wherein: The variable lever is rotatable in a first direction based on a first end portion of the variable lever engaged with the first lever.

5. The coupling structure according to claim 4, wherein: The variable lever is rotatable in a second direction based on a second end portion of the variable lever engaged with the second lever. The coupling structure according to claim 5 , wherein: The first direction is different from the second direction.

7. The coupling structure according to claim 2, wherein: The variable rod includes: a first variable lever engaged with the first lever; and A second variable lever is slidably engaged to the first variable lever and is engaged with the second lever.

8. The coupling structure according to claim 7, wherein: The second variable rod includes an insertion groove to allow the first variable rod to be inserted into the insertion groove.

9. The coupling structure according to claim 8, further comprising: at least one protrusion located on an outer side of the first variable rod; as well as A recess is formed in the insertion groove of the second variable lever for allowing the at least one protrusion to be inserted into the recess.

10. The coupling structure according to claim 8, wherein: The first variable rod is configured to be variable in length along the insertion groove of the second variable rod when an external force is applied between the steering input portion and the steering knuckle.

11. The coupling structure according to claim 8, further comprising: A lubricating layer is located in a region where the first variable rod and the second variable rod are adjacent to each other.

12. The coupling structure according to claim 2, wherein: The length of the variable rod is variable in response to a change in trajectory of the center portion of the wheel according to a bounce of the wheel.

13. The coupling structure according to claim 1, wherein: The joining unit is a U-shaped joint.

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