Toe-in adjusting rod and suspension assembly with same

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of suspension systems, in particular to a toe-in adjusting rod and a suspension assembly with the toe-in adjusting rod, the toe-in adjusting rod comprises a toe-in rod, the toe-in rod comprises a toe-in rod body, one end of the toe-in rod body is provided with a first connecting mechanism, and the other end of the toe-in rod body is provided with a second connecting mechanism; the first connecting mechanism comprises a connecting ring arranged on the toe-in rod body; a first assembly hole is formed in the connecting ring; the second connecting mechanism comprises two assembly plates which are distributed on the toe-in rod body at an interval; at least one second assembling hole is formed in each assembling plate; the toe-in adjusting rod disclosed by the invention has a simpler structure, and the production difficulty of the toe-in adjusting rod is reduced; meanwhile, the weight of the toe-in adjusting rod can be reduced due to the fact that the toe-in adjusting rod is made of aluminum alloy; meanwhile, the toe-in adjusting rod disclosed by the invention is of a shifting fork structure, so that the toe-in adjusting rod disclosed by the invention can be applied in a small space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of suspension systems, in particular to a toe-in adjusting rod and a suspension assembly having the toe-in adjusting rod. Background Art

[0002] At present, most of the structures that play the role of toe adjustment in the market are rear upper control arms or rear lower control arms. Their main structure is welded by stamping parts and press-fit sleeves. Compared with aluminum alloy material structures, in addition to the disadvantage of heavy weight, their manufacturing process is unstable and the welding deformation is large, which ultimately affects the assembly efficiency of the whole vehicle and the probability of rework.

[0003] In addition, my country's economy and automobile industry have developed rapidly in recent years, and domestic automobile competition has become increasingly fierce.

[0004] As people's perception of automobile quality, quality and performance requirements continue to increase, lightweight materials and optimized structural designs have become the focus of the industry.

[0005] The toe-in adjustment rod connects the subframe and the steering knuckle and adjusts the toe-in. As an important structural part of the vehicle chassis, it not only bears important performance indicators, but also needs to meet the space requirements of the vehicle layout.

[0006] The traditional rear suspension toe-adjusting rod adopts sheet metal stamping parts and realizes a "basin" shaped structure through welding process. As vehicles become larger and larger, especially with the recent rise of new energy vehicles, the weight of the whole vehicle is generally much greater than that of traditional fuel vehicles due to the weight of the battery.

[0007] The increase in vehicle weight has resulted in higher strength performance indicators for chassis structural components. In order to meet performance requirements, the volume and weight of structural components are also increasing, making it impossible to provide sufficient space for battery layout.

[0008] In addition, the existing toe-in adjustment rod is generally a two-stage structure.

[0009] For example, patent: 201410223659.3 - the disclosed content of a toe-in adjustment rod of an automobile.

[0010] Although the traditional two-stage toe-adjustment rod can adjust the inclination angle, the overall structure is relatively complex. At the same time, because it is a segmented structure, its own strength is insufficient.

[0011] In addition, there are many existing toe-adjusting rod modules and many assembly processes.

[0012] Therefore, in order to improve or solve at least one of the above problems, it is necessary to optimize the design of the existing toe-in adjustment rod. Summary of the invention

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide an integrated toe-adjusting rod structure.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0015] A toe-adjusting rod comprises a toe-adjusting rod, wherein the toe-adjusting rod comprises a toe-adjusting rod body, wherein one end of the toe-adjusting rod body is provided with a first connecting mechanism, and the other end of the toe-adjusting rod body is provided with a second connecting mechanism;

[0016] The first connecting mechanism comprises a connecting ring arranged on the front toe rod body; the connecting ring has a first assembly hole;

[0017] The second connection mechanism comprises two assembly plates which are spaced apart and distributed on the front toe rod body; each assembly plate is provided with at least one second assembly hole.

[0018] An inner side surface of an assembly plate is precision-machined to form an assembly reference surface.

[0019] An adjustment mechanism is arranged on a mounting plate; the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment threaded tube inserted into the corresponding second mounting hole.

[0020] The adjusting threaded tube comprises a tube body, and a limiting ring plate is arranged at the end of the tube body; the vertical cross section of the adjusting threaded tube is T-shaped.

[0021] The second assembly hole where the adjusting threaded tube is installed is provided with thread fastening glue.

[0022] The front toe rod body is provided with a reinforcing mechanism, and the reinforcing mechanism comprises a reinforcing plate, and the reinforcing plate is connected to the front toe rod body in a detachable connection manner.

[0023] The toe rod body, the connecting ring and the assembly plate are integrally formed; the toe rod is made of aluminum alloy material.

[0024] A suspension assembly includes a subframe and a steering knuckle, wherein the subframe is connected to the steering knuckle via the toe-adjusting rod; the steering knuckle is provided with a steering knuckle bushing; the toe-adjusting rod is provided with an adjusting bushing; the toe-adjusting rod is connected to the steering knuckle via a mounting bolt passing through the steering knuckle bushing; the toe-adjusting rod is connected to the subframe via an eccentric bolt passing through the adjusting bushing.

[0025] The sub-frame is connected to the toe-adjusting rod through a mounting mechanism; the mounting mechanism comprises a mounting frame arranged on the sub-frame, the mounting frame is connected to the toe-adjusting rod through an eccentric bolt; the mounting frame is U-shaped in horizontal projection.

[0026] The mounting frame is provided with a mounting reference surface; the mounting reference surface and the mounting reference surface on the mounting plate are located on the same side of the toe-in adjusting rod.

[0027] The advantages of the present invention are:

[0028] The invention discloses a toe-in adjusting rod and a suspension assembly having the toe-in adjusting rod.

[0029] The toe-in adjusting rod disclosed by the present invention has a simpler structure, which reduces the production difficulty of the toe-in adjusting rod; and at the same time, by being made of aluminum alloy material, the weight of the toe-in adjusting rod can be reduced.

[0030] Meanwhile, the toe-in adjusting rod disclosed in the present invention is a shift fork structure, so that the toe-in adjusting rod disclosed in the present invention can be used in a small space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The following is a brief description of the contents expressed in the drawings of the present invention and the symbols in the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention when used in a suspension assembly.

[0034] Figure 3 It is a partial enlarged view of the present invention when used in a suspension assembly.

[0035] The marks in the above figure are:

[0036] 1—steering knuckle; 2—toe-adjusting rod, 3—subframe; 4—mounting bolt, 5—eccentric bolt; 6—steering knuckle bushing; 11—adjusting bushing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The specific implementation of the present invention will be further explained in detail below by describing the optimal embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] A toe-adjusting rod 2 comprises a toe-adjusting rod, wherein the toe-adjusting rod comprises a toe-adjusting rod body 21, wherein a first connecting mechanism is provided at one end of the toe-adjusting rod body 21, and a second connecting mechanism is provided at the other end; the toe-adjusting rod 2 disclosed in the present invention is a fork structure, so that the toe-adjusting rod 2 disclosed in the present invention can be used in a small space.

[0039] The toe-in adjustment rod 2 disclosed in the present invention is mainly applicable to a multi-link suspension system.

[0040] The toe-in adjustment rod 2 disclosed in the present invention mainly comprises a toe-in rod, which acts as a connecting rod and is mainly used for connecting the steering knuckle 1 and the subframe 3 .

[0041] In addition, the toe rod described in the present invention includes a toe rod body 21, which is the main structure of the toe adjustment rod 2. In the present invention, the toe rod body 21 is provided with a first connecting mechanism at one end and a second connecting mechanism at the other end; in the present invention, the first connecting mechanism is used for connection with the subframe 3, and the second connecting mechanism is used for connection between the toe adjustment rod 2 and the steering knuckle 1.

[0042] In the present invention, the first connecting mechanism includes a connecting ring 22 arranged on the front toe rod body 21; the connecting ring 22 has a first assembly hole 221; the connecting ring 22 acts as a connecting piece, which is subsequently used to adjust the installation of the bushing 7 on the front toe adjustment rod 2, and is subsequently connected to the subframe 3 through the eccentric bolt 5; at the same time, in the present invention, the second connecting mechanism includes two assembly plates 23 spaced apart on the front toe rod body 21; each assembly plate 23 is provided with at least one second assembly hole 231; in the present invention, the front toe rod body 21 and the two assembly plates 23 are used in combination, so that the present invention forms a fork structure; it is convenient to be arranged on both sides of the steering knuckle 1, so as to facilitate the subsequent connection of the steering knuckle 1 and the front toe adjustment rod 2 through the installation bolts 4.

[0043] Furthermore, in the present invention, an inner side surface of an assembly plate 23 is finely processed into an assembly reference surface; when used later, it cooperates with the installation reference surface on the mounting frame 31; ensures that the toe-adjusting rod 2 is in the designed position when installed; and ensures the consistency between the designed position and the actual installation position.

[0044] Furthermore, in the present invention, an adjustment mechanism is provided on an assembly plate 23; the adjustment mechanism is an extrusion fixing mechanism, which is mainly used to limit the end of the steering knuckle bushing 6 in the steering knuckle 1 to avoid movement of the steering knuckle bushing 6 in the assembly hole of the steering knuckle 1; and ensure the stability and accuracy of the connection between the steering knuckle 1 and the toe adjustment rod 2.

[0045] Specifically, the adjustment mechanism described in the present invention includes an adjustment threaded tube 24 inserted into the corresponding second assembly hole 231; the adjustment threaded tube 24 is an internal hollow pipe structure, which is convenient for the subsequent installation of the bolt 4. At the same time, the end of the adjustment threaded tube 24 is pressed against the end of the steering knuckle bushing 6, and cooperates with the assembly plate 23 on the other side to limit the positions of the two ends of the steering knuckle bushing 6.

[0046] In the present invention, the toe adjustment rod 2 includes two assembly plates 23. In order to ensure the consistency of the toe adjustment rod 2 being installed at the designed calibration position, the present invention requires that the adjustment mechanism is only set on one assembly plate 23, and the assembly reference surface is set on the inner side of the other end assembly plate 23.

[0047] Furthermore, in the present invention, the adjusting threaded tube 24 includes a tube body, and a limiting ring plate is provided at the end of the tube body; the vertical cross-section of the adjusting threaded tube 24 is T-shaped; in the present invention, the tube body is a columnar structure, and when used later, it is threadedly connected in the second assembly hole 231; the second assembly hole 231 is provided with an internal thread; and the limiting ring plate plays a good end limiting role to avoid the transitional insertion of the adjusting threaded tube 24; at the same time, the limiting ring plate here can be designed to be a polygonal structure, which is convenient for the operator to control the rotation of the adjusting threaded tube 24. Of course, a groove can also be provided on the limiting ring plate to facilitate the use of tools to rotate the adjusting threaded tube 24.

[0048] Furthermore, in the present invention, a thread fastening glue is provided in the second assembly hole 231 in which the adjusting threaded tube 24 is installed; the thread fastening glue has a good sealing effect and acts as an adhesive, which facilitates the stability of the connection between the adjusting threaded tube 24 and the second assembly hole 231.

[0049] Furthermore, in the present invention, a reinforcing mechanism is provided on the toe rod body 21, and the reinforcing mechanism includes a reinforcing plate 25. The present invention ensures the structural strength of the toe rod body 21 by setting the reinforcing plate 25. In addition, in the present invention, the reinforcing plate 25 is a rectangular plate structure, which is attached to the lower end surface of the toe rod body 21 during subsequent use. The essential purpose is to ensure the structural strength of the toe adjustment rod 2.

[0050] In addition, in the present invention, the reinforcing plate 25 is connected to the toe rod body 21 in a detachable connection manner; the detachable connection manner here can be selected by snap-on connection or by bolt 251 connection, and the specific selection can be made according to needs; at the same time, the threaded hole on the toe rod body 21 can also serve as an assembly process hole to facilitate the assembly operation of the toe adjustment rod 2.

[0051] Furthermore, in the present invention, the toe rod body 21, the connecting ring 22 and the assembly plate 23 are integrally formed; such a configuration ensures the integrity of the toe adjustment rod 2. In addition, in the present invention, the toe rod is made of aluminum alloy material; such a configuration not only ensures the strength of the toe adjustment rod 2, but also reduces the weight of the toe adjustment rod 2 to a certain extent.

[0052] A suspension assembly comprises a subframe 3 and a steering knuckle 1, wherein the subframe 3 is connected to the steering knuckle 1 through the toe-adjusting rod 2; a knuckle bushing 6 is provided on the steering knuckle 1; an adjusting bushing 7 is provided on the toe-adjusting rod 2; the toe-adjusting rod 2 is connected to the steering knuckle 1 through a mounting bolt 4 passing through the knuckle bushing 6; the toe-adjusting rod 2 is connected to the subframe 3 through an eccentric bolt 5 passing through the adjusting bushing 7; the suspension assembly disclosed in the present invention is mainly a multi-link suspension structure, in which the knuckle bushing 6 is embedded in the steering knuckle 1, and the adjusting bushing 7 is embedded in the toe-adjusting rod 2; one end of the toe-adjusting rod 2 is connected to the steering knuckle 1 through the mounting bolt 4, and the other end is connected to the subframe 3 through the eccentric bolt 5. The eccentric bolt 5 is provided so that, in subsequent use, the relative interval between the subframe 3 and the steering knuckle 1 can be changed by rotating the eccentric bolt 5, thereby realizing wheel inclination adjustment.

[0053] Furthermore, in the present invention, the sub-frame 3 is connected to the toe-adjusting rod 2 via a mounting mechanism; the arrangement of the mounting mechanism plays a good bridging role, facilitating the connection between the toe-adjusting rod 2 and the sub-frame 3 .

[0054] In addition, the mounting mechanism in the present invention includes a mounting frame 31 disposed on the sub-frame 3 , the mounting frame 31 is disposed perpendicular to the sub-frame 3 , and the mounting frame 31 is equivalent to a mounting bracket, which facilitates the installation of the toe-adjusting rod 2 on the sub-frame 3 .

[0055] In addition, in the present invention, the mounting frame 31 is connected to the toe adjustment rod 2 via an eccentric bolt 5; in subsequent use, the relative interval between the sub-frame 3 and the steering knuckle 1 can be changed by rotating the eccentric bolt 5, thereby achieving wheel inclination adjustment.

[0056] In addition, the horizontal projection of the mounting frame 31 in the present invention is U-shaped; such a configuration allows an opening to be formed on the side of the mounting frame 31 close to the toe adjustment rod 2, facilitating the up and down and forward and backward swinging of the toe adjustment rod 2, thereby avoiding interference between the toe adjustment rod 2 and the mounting frame 31.

[0057] Furthermore, in the present invention, a mounting frame 31 is provided with a mounting reference surface; the mounting reference surface and the assembly reference surface on the assembly plate 23 are located on the same side of the toe-adjusting rod 2; in the present invention, the mounting reference surface and the assembly reference surface are used in coordination to ensure the consistency of the toe-adjusting rod 2 being installed at the designed calibration position.

[0058] specific:

[0059] The present invention discloses a toe-in adjustment rod 2; the toe-in adjustment rod 2 disclosed by the present invention can improve the convenience of assembly during module subassembly, reduce assembly procedures, reduce production investment, and improve connection reliability; and provide sufficient space for battery arrangement, thereby achieving the purpose of lightweight while satisfying structural strength and arrangement space.

[0060] The toe-in adjustment rod 2 disclosed in the present invention is mainly made of aluminum alloy material. Under the premise of the same structure, it can reduce the product weight, optimize the weight of the whole vehicle, and improve the economy of the household vehicle.

[0061] An adjusting threaded tube 24 is added to the connection position between the toe-adjusting rod 2 and the steering knuckle bushing 6, thereby increasing the reliability of the connection structure.

[0062] Optimize cross-section design, save layout space, solve the problem of limited layout space for surrounding components, and improve the space layout of the entire vehicle.

[0063] The product structure is designed to be centrally symmetrical, so that left and right parts can be used interchangeably.

[0064] The toe-in adjustment rod 2 disclosed in the present invention solves the problems of large space for traditional rear suspension arrangement, tolerance affected by welding deformation of the toe-in adjustment structure, and heavy weight.

[0065] Currently, most of the toe-adjusting rods 2 that play the role of toe adjustment in the market are rear upper control arms or rear lower control arms, and their main structures are welded by stamping parts and press-fit sleeves. Compared with aluminum alloy material structures, in addition to the disadvantage of being heavier, their manufacturing process is unstable and the welding deformation is large, which ultimately affects the assembly of the entire vehicle.

[0066] The present invention adopts a new type of aluminum alloy material to firstly solve the problem of reducing the weight of the product body; secondly, by optimizing the cross-sectional design, the layout space is saved and the problem of small layout space for peripheral parts is solved.

[0067] Its structure includes an integrally formed toe rod body 21, and an inwardly recessed structure is provided at the middle portion of the outer side of the toe rod body 21 to provide a mounting position for the steering knuckle 1. A threaded tube is added to the mounting position to match the steering knuckle bushing 6. A mounting position connected to the subframe 3 is provided on the toe rod body 21, and the middle portion is slightly bent backward to form a micro-arc structure. At the same time, a sheet metal reinforcement plate 25 is added on the basis of the arc structure to meet strength fatigue requirements.

[0068] The toe-in adjustment rod 2 disclosed in the present invention has good structural rigidity, can optimize the peripheral structural layout, has a simple structure, is light in weight, has strong practicality and good application prospects; and reduces product weight through a simple beam structure, thereby achieving the advantages of cost control and quantity reduction. Specific embodiment:

[0070] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the toe-adjusting rod 2 is connected to the steering knuckle 1 through a second connecting mechanism, and the standard parts are M10×100 bolts (FQ18314100TF61 K) matched with hexagonal flange locking nuts (Q33114T13F36K); after the toe-adjusting rod 24 is pressed into the adjusting bushing 7 in the first assembly hole 221 (the bushing's pressing-off force is required to be greater than 10KN), the subframe 3 assembly 16 uses M14×125 eccentric bolts 5 (FQ140D14125TF61 K) matched with locking nuts (FQ339D14T13F61) and eccentric washers (FQ402D14F61).

[0071] The H arm and the steering knuckle 1 in the suspension assembly are connected through a bridging gasket, and the standard parts are four M10×70 bolts (FQ1841070TF61) with full metal hexagonal flange nuts (FQ33610T13F61).

[0072] The rear upper control arm assembly is connected to the steering knuckle 1. The standard parts are M10×100 bolts (FQ18314100TF61K) and hexagonal flange locking nuts (Q33114T13F36K).

[0073] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the adjusting threaded tube 24 on the toe-adjusting rod 2 is threadedly connected to the toe-adjusting rod 2 body 11, and there is a threaded fastener at the threaded connection portion. By controlling the length of the adjusting threaded tube 24 screwed into the second assembly hole 231 of the toe-adjusting rod 2, the interval between the two second assembly holes 231 on the toe-adjusting rod 2 is changed, the size of the steering knuckle bushing 6 is adapted, and the gap between the toe-adjusting rod 2 and the steering knuckle bushing 6 is eliminated; the material of the toe-adjusting rod 2 is changed from iron to aluminum, and due to space limitations, the strength is relatively weak. It is necessary to use the toe-adjusting rod 2 reinforcement plate 25 installation bolts 4 at the weak position to screw the reinforcement plate 25 to the toe-adjusting rod 2, so as to ensure the lightweight of the toe-adjusting rod 2 while meeting the strength fatigue requirements.

[0074] Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned methods. As long as various non-substantial improvements are made using the method concept and technical solution of the present invention, they are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A toe-in adjustment rod, characterized in that: The invention comprises a front beam rod, wherein the front beam rod comprises a front beam rod body, one end of the front beam rod body is provided with a first connecting mechanism, and the other end of the front beam rod body is provided with a second connecting mechanism; The first connecting mechanism comprises a connecting ring arranged on the front toe rod body; the connecting ring has a first assembly hole; The second connection mechanism comprises two assembly plates which are spaced apart and distributed on the front toe rod body; each assembly plate is provided with at least one second assembly hole.

2. A toe-in adjustment rod according to claim 1, characterized in that: An inner side surface of an assembly plate is precision-machined to form an assembly reference surface.

3. The toe-in adjustment rod according to claim 1, characterized in that: An adjustment mechanism is arranged on a mounting plate; the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment threaded tube inserted into the corresponding second mounting hole.

4. The toe-in adjustment rod according to claim 3, characterized in that: The adjusting threaded tube comprises a tube body, and a limiting ring plate is arranged at the end of the tube body; the vertical cross section of the adjusting threaded tube is T-shaped.

5. The toe-in adjustment rod according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second assembly hole where the adjusting threaded tube is installed is provided with thread fastening glue.

6. The toe-in adjustment rod according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front toe rod body is provided with a reinforcing mechanism, and the reinforcing mechanism comprises a reinforcing plate, and the reinforcing plate is connected to the front toe rod body in a detachable connection manner.

7. A toe-in adjustment rod according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The toe rod body, the connecting ring and the assembly plate are integrally formed; the toe rod is made of aluminum alloy material.

8. A suspension assembly, characterized in that: It comprises a subframe and a steering knuckle, wherein the subframe is connected to the steering knuckle via a toe-adjusting rod as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7; a steering knuckle bushing is provided on the steering knuckle; an adjusting bushing is provided on the toe-adjusting rod; the toe-adjusting rod is connected to the steering knuckle via a mounting bolt passing through the knuckle bushing; the toe-adjusting rod is connected to the subframe via an eccentric bolt passing through the adjusting bushing.

9. A suspension assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The sub-frame is connected to the toe-adjusting rod through a mounting mechanism; the mounting mechanism comprises a mounting frame arranged on the sub-frame, the mounting frame is connected to the toe-adjusting rod through an eccentric bolt; the mounting frame is U-shaped in horizontal projection.

10. A suspension assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The mounting frame is provided with a mounting reference surface; the mounting reference surface and the mounting reference surface on the mounting plate are located on the same side of the toe-in adjusting rod.

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