A vehicle suspension system for a unitized axle, method of assembly

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of vehicle suspension technology, specifically relating to a vehicle suspension system and assembly method suitable for solid axles. The invention includes a fixing device symmetrically installed at clamping positions at both ends of a solid axle; the fixing device is equipped with a frame connection device for connecting to the vehicle frame and a support assembly for supporting the vehicle frame; the fixing device includes an upper connector, a lower connector, a front connector, and a rear connector; when the fixing device is installed on the solid axle, the upper and lower connectors, and the front and rear connectors, are connected by adjusting rods. The fixing device of this invention, with its adjustable width and height via adjusting rods, solves the problem in the prior art where each axle needs to be matched to a specific vehicle suspension system and requires customized modification of the axle, effectively saving assembly time, improving assembly efficiency, and ensuring the installation stability of the axle and suspension system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of vehicle suspension technology, specifically relating to a vehicle suspension system and assembly method suitable for integral axles. Background Technology

[0002] A vehicle suspension system is a force-transmitting support structure between the vehicle body and the wheels. It supports the vehicle body, buffers the impact force transmitted from uneven road surfaces to the frame or body, and dampens the resulting vibrations to improve the passenger experience and ensure that the car can drive smoothly.

[0003] Solid axle vehicle suspension systems allow the wheels to be as perpendicular to the ground as possible, providing strong grip. However, existing solid axle vehicle suspension systems typically use rigid bodies or leaf springs to connect the axle to the frame, which has the following disadvantages:

[0004] (1) When the vehicle passes over uneven road surfaces, the suspension, which is connected by a rigid body, causes the whole vehicle to shake and vibrate, making the vehicle difficult to control, affecting the comfort of the driver and passengers, and also causing premature damage to vehicle parts.

[0005] (2) The suspension is connected by leaf springs. The leaf springs are heavy, which increases the weight of the whole vehicle, occupies a lot of space, affects the layout of the whole vehicle, and causes a lot of vibration and noise.

[0006] (3) In the prior art, when the vehicle suspension system is installed with the axle, the axle needs to be customized to ensure the stability of both. For example, connecting seats and brackets are welded on the axle, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. The axle is easily damaged during the welding process. At the same time, the vehicle suspension system needs to be designed specifically for axles of different heights and structures, which results in higher vehicle production costs and the vehicle suspension system is not widely applicable. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as large vehicle vibration, poor driver and passenger comfort, easy damage to vehicle parts, high noise, and the need for customized modification of the axle. It provides a vehicle suspension system and assembly method with smaller footprint and wide applicability suitable for integral axles.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: a vehicle suspension system suitable for integral axles, including fixing devices symmetrically installed at the clamping positions at both ends of the integral axle; the fixing devices are equipped with a frame connecting device for connecting with the frame and a support component for supporting the frame.

[0009] The fastening device includes an upper connector, a lower connector, a front connector, and a rear connector; when the fastening device is installed on an integral axle, the upper connector and the lower connector, as well as the front connector and the rear connector, are connected by adjusting rods.

[0010] Furthermore, the adjusting rod includes at least two vertical adjusting rods for connecting the upper connecting member and the lower connecting member, and at least two horizontal adjusting rods for connecting the front connecting member and the rear connecting member; the horizontal adjusting rods and the vertical adjusting rods are arranged alternately.

[0011] Furthermore, the upper connector, lower connector, front connector, and rear connector are all provided with multiple through holes for the adjustment rod to pass through. The vertical adjustment rod passes through the through hole of the upper connector, the vertical assembly groove on the axle clamping position, and the through hole of the lower connector in sequence.

[0012] Furthermore, the adjusting rod is a long screw.

[0013] Furthermore, a first connecting seat is installed on the plate surface of one of the rear connecting members away from the axle, and a second connecting seat is installed on the plate surface of the other rear connecting member away from the axle; a shock absorber is installed on both the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat; a lateral thrust rod is also installed on the first connecting seat, and one end of the lateral thrust rod away from the second connecting seat is connected to the vehicle frame.

[0014] Furthermore, the support assembly includes a spring spindle mounted on the upper connector and a helical spring sleeved on the spring spindle; the helical spring has a flexible limiting post inside, and the flexible limiting post is fixedly connected to the upper end face of the spring spindle.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper and lower connectors are provided with limiting grooves on their end faces corresponding to the axle. When the upper and lower connectors are installed with the axle, the mounting bosses on the upper and lower end faces of the axle are engaged in the limiting grooves.

[0016] Furthermore, the frame connection device includes a docking support frame fixedly mounted on the two fixed connection devices and a mating joint rotatably mounted on the docking support frame.

[0017] Furthermore, the docking support frame is a V-shaped frame; the top of the V-shaped frame is rotatably connected to the docking joint, and the two open ends of the V-shaped frame are respectively fixedly installed with the two fixing devices.

[0018] An assembly method for a vehicle suspension system suitable for a solid axle includes the following steps:

[0019] A1. Clamp the upper and lower end faces of the axle; set the upper and lower connecting parts on the upper and lower end faces of the axle clamping position, and fix the upper and lower connecting parts by passing an adjusting rod through them;

[0020] A2. Clamp the front and rear ends of the axle; set the front and rear connectors on the front and rear ends of the axle clamping position and abut against the end faces of the upper and lower connectors, and fix the front and rear connectors with an adjusting rod;

[0021] A3. Install the support components, vibration dampers, lateral thrust rods, and connectors;

[0022] A4. Install the frame connection device and the lateral stabilizer; fix the frame connection device on the two front connectors and rotatably install the lateral stabilizer on the frame connection device.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the vehicle suspension system of the present invention applicable to integral axles are:

[0024] 1. The vehicle suspension system and axle of the present invention are installed via a fixing device. The upper and lower connecting parts, and the front and rear connecting parts, are connected by adjusting rods. Different lengths of adjusting rods are used to accommodate axles of different shapes, sizes, and heights. This solves the problem in the prior art where each axle requires a specific vehicle suspension system for matching and necessitates customized modifications. The upper, lower, front, and rear connecting parts are fixed to the outside of the axle via adjusting rods, without damaging the original axle structure or causing unnecessary damage. This eliminates the need for customized axle modifications, saving on vehicle production costs. Furthermore, the installation of the axle and suspension system only requires tightening multiple long screws, making installation quick and efficient. This effectively saves assembly time, improves assembly efficiency, and ensures the stability of the axle and suspension system installation.

[0025] 2. The chassis docking device of the present invention adopts a V-shaped frame, which ensures the installation stability of the chassis docking device and the axle. The lateral stabilizer bar is installed on the V-shaped frame through the clamp, eliminating the need to weld the corresponding connecting seat on the axle, making installation convenient and quick.

[0026] 3. Compared to rigid suspension systems in existing technologies, this invention uses a coil spring as the elastic body, which effectively reduces the vibration and impact of uneven road surfaces on the vehicle, improves passenger comfort, and enhances vehicle handling and component durability. Furthermore, compared to leaf spring suspensions, it effectively reduces the overall vehicle weight and the space occupied by the suspension.

[0027] 4. The vehicle suspension system assembly method of the present invention can first fix the frame connecting device, the first connecting seat, the second connecting seat and the corresponding connecting parts of the fixing device, and then assemble the support components, lateral stabilizing devices, etc., which is convenient for installation and the assembly process does not interfere with each other. Moreover, the components are connected by screws, which is convenient for subsequent mechanical automated operation installation. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of the vehicle suspension system of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a top-view installation diagram of the vehicle suspension system and axle of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is the book Figure 2 The main view;

[0032] Figure 4 It is a downward-view installation diagram of the vehicle suspension system and axle.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the axle structure in an embodiment of the invention;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing device of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 7 This is an installation diagram of the fixing device and the first connecting seat of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 8 This is a partial installation structure diagram of the support component and fixing device of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of the assembly method of the present invention.

[0038] In the diagram: 1. Axle; 11. Clamping position; 12. Vertical assembly slot; 13. Assembly boss; 2. Fixing device; 21. Upper connector; 22. Lower connector; 23. Front connector; 24. Rear connector; 25. Limiting groove; 3. Frame connection device; 31. Docking support frame; 32. Docking joint; 4. Support assembly; 41. Spring spindle; 42. Coil spring; 43. Flexible limiting post; 51. First connecting seat; 52. Second connecting seat; 6. Shock absorber; 7. Lateral thrust rod; 8. Lateral stabilizing device. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, illustrating only the basic structure of the invention, and therefore only show the components relevant to the invention.

[0040] The descriptions of "up," "down," "front," and "back" in this embodiment are for illustrative purposes only. Figure 2 Based on the reference, with the forward direction of the rear axle 1 following the vehicle's movement as the front and the reverse direction as the rear, the lower end surface of the axle 1 near the bottom is considered the bottom, and the upper end surface of the axle 1 is considered the top.

[0041] like Figures 1-8 The present invention illustrates a specific embodiment of a vehicle suspension system applicable to an integral axle 1, comprising a fixing device 2 symmetrically mounted on clamping positions 11 at both ends of the integral axle 1; a frame connecting device 3 for connecting to the frame and a support assembly 4 for supporting the frame are mounted on the fixing device 2; the fixing device 2 includes an upper connector 21, a lower connector 22, a front connector 23, and a rear connector 24; the frame connecting device 3 is fixedly mounted to the front connector 23, and the support assembly 4 is mounted on the upper connector 21; when the fixing device 2 is mounted on the integral axle 1, the upper connector 21 and the lower connector 22, and the front connector 23 and the rear connector 24 are connected by adjusting rods.

[0042] The vehicle suspension system and axle 1 of this invention are installed via a fastening device 2. The upper connecting member 21 and lower connecting member 22, and the front connecting member 23 and rear connecting member 24 in the fastening device 2 are connected by adjusting rods. By selecting adjusting rods of different lengths, it is suitable for installing axles 1 of different shapes, sizes, and heights. This solves the problem in the prior art where each axle 1 needs to be matched to a specific vehicle suspension system and requires customized modification of the axle 1. It avoids unnecessary damage to the axle 1, saves production costs, and, when installing the axle 1 and vehicle suspension system, only requires tightening multiple long screws, making installation relatively quick. This effectively saves assembly time, improves assembly efficiency, and ensures the installation stability of the axle 1 and suspension system. It should be noted that the adjusting rod in this embodiment can be a long screw; any rod-shaped component that can adjust the height or width according to the size and height of the axle 1 is acceptable, and no absolute limitation is made here.

[0043] In this embodiment, the adjusting rods include at least two vertical adjusting rods for connecting the upper connecting member 21 and the lower connecting member 22, and at least two horizontal adjusting rods for connecting the front connecting member 23 and the rear connecting member 24, which are arranged alternately. The alternating arrangement of the vertical and horizontal adjusting rods can effectively ensure the stability of the fixing device 2 and prevent the quadrilateral structure composed of the upper connecting member 21, the lower connecting member 22, the front connecting member 23, and the rear connecting member 24 from tilting.

[0044] As an example

[0045] The upper connector 21, lower connector 22, front connector 23, and rear connector 24 all have multiple through holes for the insertion of adjusting rods. The vertical adjusting rod connecting the upper connector 21 and the lower connector 22 passes sequentially through the through hole of the upper connector, the vertical mounting groove 12 on the axle clamping position 11, and the through hole of the lower connector. That is, when the suspension system of this embodiment is assembled with the axle 1, the vertical adjusting rod connecting the upper connector 21 and the lower connector 22 is installed in the mounting groove on the axle clamping position 11, as detailed in the following figure. Figure 6 and Figure 7 On the one hand, it ensures a tight connection between the vertical adjustment rod and the axle 1. On the other hand, the vertical adjustment rod in the vertical assembly slot 12 limits the position of the adjustment rod and the axle 1, preventing the axle 1 from being loosely installed with the suspension system due to changes in the position of the adjustment rod and the axle 1 caused by external vibrations during long-term use of the vehicle.

[0046] In this embodiment, a first connecting seat 51 is installed on the plate surface of one rear connector 24 away from the axle 1, and a second connecting seat 52 is installed on the plate surface of the other rear connector 24 away from the axle 1. A shock absorber 6 is installed on both the first connecting seat 51 and the second connecting seat 52. A lateral thrust rod 7 is also installed on the first connecting seat 52, with one end of the lateral thrust rod 7 away from the second connecting seat 52 connected to the vehicle frame. Installing both the shock absorber 6 and the lateral thrust rod 7 on the connecting seats of the rear connectors 24 ensures both installation space and prevents interference between the two components.

[0047] like Figure 2 and Figure 8 As shown, the support assembly 4 includes a spring spindle 41 mounted on the upper connector 21 and a coil spring 42 sleeved on the spring spindle 41; the coil spring 42 has a flexible limiting post 43 inside, which is fixedly connected to the upper end face of the spring spindle 41. In this embodiment, the flexible limiting post is made of rubber. Compared with the rigid body connection suspension in the prior art, the use of the coil spring 42 as an elastic body in this invention effectively reduces the vibration impact of uneven road surfaces on the vehicle, improves the comfort of passengers, and improves the vehicle handling and the durability of components. Compared with the leaf spring suspension, it effectively reduces the overall vehicle weight and the space occupied by the suspension. To further reduce the overall vehicle weight, at least one weight reduction hole is provided on both the upper connector 21 and the lower connector 22; in this embodiment, there is one weight reduction hole.

[0048] As another embodiment

[0049] Both the upper connecting member 21 and the lower connecting member 22 have limiting grooves 25 on their end faces corresponding to the axle 1. When the upper connecting member 21 and the lower connecting member 22 are installed with the axle 1, the mounting bosses 13 on the upper and lower end faces of the axle 1 are engaged in the limiting grooves 25. Figure 6 As shown, the limiting groove 25 can effectively prevent the upper connector 21, the lower connector 22 and the axle 1 from deviating in position, and further ensure the stability of the fixing device 2 and the axle 1.

[0050] In this embodiment, both the upper connector 21 and the lower connector 22 are provided with clearance grooves to facilitate installation with the axle 1, thereby avoiding interference between the upper connector 21, the lower connector 22 and the axle 1 during installation. At the same time, the installation positions of the upper connector 21, the lower connector and the axle 1 can be accurately and quickly positioned, improving assembly efficiency.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 3 The frame connection device 3 shown includes a docking support frame 31 fixedly mounted on two connecting devices 2 and a mating joint 32 rotatably mounted on the docking support frame 31. The docking support frame 31 is a V-shaped frame; the top end of the V-shaped frame is rotatably connected to the mating joint 32, and the two open ends of the V-shaped frame are fixedly mounted to the two connecting devices 2 respectively. The frame docking device of the present invention uses a V-shaped frame, which ensures the installation stability of the frame docking device and the axle 1, and the lateral stabilizer bar is mounted on the V-shaped frame through a clamp, eliminating the need to weld a corresponding connecting seat on the axle 1, making installation convenient and quick.

[0052] The assembly method of the above-mentioned vehicle suspension system and axle 1 is as follows: Figure 9 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0053] A1. Fix the frame connecting device 3 to the two front connecting parts 23; install the frame connecting device 3 before installing the axle 1 and the entire suspension system; fix the frame connecting device 3 to the front connecting parts 23 of the two sets of fixing devices 2; the docking support frame 31 of the frame connecting device 3 is a V-shaped frame; the docking joint 32 is rotatably installed on the top of the V-shaped frame, and the two open ends of the V-shaped frame are fixed to the two front connecting parts 23 by screws, which is convenient and reliable for installation.

[0054] A2. Clamp the upper and lower end faces of the axle 1; set the upper connector 21 and the lower connector 22 on the upper and lower end faces of the clamping position 11 of the axle 1 respectively, and fix the upper connector 21 and the lower connector 22 by passing an adjusting rod through them.

[0055] A3. Clamp the front and rear ends of the axle 1; set the front connector 23 and the rear connector 24 on the front and rear ends of the clamping position 11 of the axle 1 respectively and abut against the end faces of the upper connector 21 and the lower connector 22, and fix the front connector 23 and the rear connector 24 by passing an adjusting rod through them.

[0056] A3. Install the support assembly 4, the vibration damper 6, and the transverse thrust rod 7; install the support assembly 4 on the upper end face of the upper connector 21; and install the vibration damper 6 and the transverse thrust rod 7 on the rear connector 24; it should be further noted that in this embodiment, there is no restriction on the installation order of the support assembly 4, the vibration damper 6, and the transverse thrust rod 7, and different installation orders will not affect the convenience of assembly and normal use.

[0057] A5. Install the lateral stabilizer 8 and the connector 32; rotatably install the lateral stabilizer 8 on the docking support frame 31 of the frame connecting device 3, and rotatably install the connector 32 on the top of the docking support frame 31.

[0058] There are at least two vertical adjusting rods for clamping the upper connector 21 and the lower connector 22, and at least two horizontal adjusting rods for clamping the front connector 23 and the rear connector 24. In this embodiment, there are four vertical adjusting rods, two on each of the front and rear end faces of the axle, and eight horizontal adjusting rods, four on each of the upper and lower end faces of the axle. The vertical adjusting rods on the front and rear end faces are staggered with the horizontal adjusting rods on the upper and lower end faces.

[0059] The frame connecting device 3 and the two front connecting parts 23 are first fixedly installed, and then the front connecting parts 23 and the rear connecting parts 24 clamp the front and rear ends of the axle 1. The two open ends of the V-shaped frame of the frame connecting device 3 and the two front connecting parts 23 are first fixedly installed, and then the front connecting parts 23 and the rear connecting parts 24 are fixed with long screws to achieve the clamping of the front connecting parts 23 and the rear connecting parts 24 to the front and rear ends of the axle 1. In this embodiment, the two open ends of the V-shaped frame and the two front connecting parts 23 are fixed by welding. Installing the frame connecting device 3 and the two front connecting parts 23 as a whole allows the frame connecting device 3 and the front connecting parts 23 to be fixedly installed externally first, which increases the positioning accuracy of the frame connecting device 3 and the two front connecting parts 23.

[0060] The assembly method of the vehicle suspension system of the present invention first fixes the axle 1 to the fixed assembly via the fastening device 2, and then assembles the support component 4, shock absorber 6, lateral stabilizing device 8, etc., so that the assembly process does not interfere with each other, and the components are connected by screws, which facilitates the later mechanical automated operation and installation.

[0061] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Obvious variations or modifications derived from the spirit of the invention are still within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle suspension system suitable for integral axles, characterized in that: It includes a fastening device (2) symmetrically installed on the clamping positions (11) at both ends of the integral axle (1); the fastening device (2) is equipped with a frame connection device (3) for connecting with the frame and a support assembly (4) for supporting the frame. The fastening device (2) includes an upper connector (21), a lower connector (22), a front connector (23), and a rear connector (24); when the fastening device (2) is installed on the integral axle (1), the upper connector (21) and the lower connector (22), and the front connector (23) and the rear connector (24) are connected by adjusting rods; the adjusting rods are long screws; The adjusting rod includes at least two vertical adjusting rods for connecting the upper connecting member (21) and the lower connecting member (22) and at least two horizontal adjusting rods for connecting the front connecting member (23) and the rear connecting member (24); the horizontal adjusting rods and the vertical adjusting rods are arranged alternately. The upper connector (21), lower connector (22), front connector (23) and rear connector (24) are each provided with multiple through holes for inserting the adjusting rod. The vertical adjusting rod passes through the through hole of the upper connector, the vertical mounting groove (12) on the axle clamping position (11) and the through hole of the lower connector in sequence. The upper connector (21) and the lower connector (22) are provided with limiting grooves (25) on the end faces corresponding to the integral axle (1). When the upper connector (21) and the lower connector (22) are installed with the integral axle (1), the mounting bosses (13) on the upper and lower end faces of the integral axle (1) are engaged in the limiting grooves (25).

2. A vehicle suspension system suitable for integral axles according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first connecting seat (51) is installed on the plate surface of one of the rear connecting parts (24) away from the integral axle (1), and a second connecting seat (52) is installed on the plate surface of the other rear connecting part (24) away from the integral axle (1); a shock absorber (6) is installed on both the first connecting seat (51) and the second connecting seat (52); a lateral thrust rod (7) is also installed on the second connecting seat (52), and one end of the lateral thrust rod (7) away from the second connecting seat (52) is connected to the vehicle frame.

3. A vehicle suspension system suitable for integral axles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support assembly (4) includes a spring spindle (41) mounted on the upper connector (21) and a helical spring (42) sleeved on the spring spindle (41); the helical spring (42) is provided with a flexible limiting post (43), and the flexible limiting post (43) is fixedly connected to the upper end face of the spring spindle (41).

4. A vehicle suspension system suitable for integral axles according to claim 3, characterized in that: The frame connection device (3) includes a docking support frame (31) fixedly installed on the two fixed connection devices (2) and a docking joint (32) rotatably installed on the docking support frame (31); a lateral stabilizing device (8) is rotatably installed on the docking support frame (31).

5. A vehicle suspension system suitable for integral axles according to claim 4, characterized in that: The docking support frame (31) is a V-shaped frame; the top of the V-shaped frame is rotatably connected to the docking joint (32), and the two open ends of the V-shaped frame are respectively fixedly installed with the two fixing devices (2).

6. An assembly method for a vehicle suspension system suitable for a solid axle, based on claim 5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: A1. Securely install the frame connecting device (3) to the two front connecting parts (23); A2. Clamp the upper and lower end faces of the integral axle (1); set the upper connector (21) and the lower connector (22) on the upper and lower end faces of the clamping position (11) of the integral axle (1), and fix the upper connector (21) and the lower connector (22) by passing an adjusting rod through them; A3. Clamp the front and rear ends of the integral axle (1); set the front connector (23) and the rear connector (24) on the front and rear ends of the clamping position (11) of the integral axle (1) and abut against the end faces of the upper connector (21) and the lower connector (22); and fix the front connector (23) and the rear connector (24) by passing an adjusting rod through them. A4. Install the support assembly (4), the shock absorber (6), and the lateral thrust bar (7); A5. Install the lateral stabilizer (8) and the connector (32); rotate the lateral stabilizer (8) onto the docking support frame (31) of the frame connection device (3), and rotate the connector (32) onto the top of the docking support frame (31).

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