Steering knuckle

Abstract

The utility model relates to a steering knuckle which comprises a main body part used for supporting an axle, a shaft hole formed in the extending direction (X) of the axle is formed in the main body part, the periphery of the main body part is provided with a bowl hole defined by a convex wall, and the shaft hole is located in the center of the bowl hole. At least two bolt holes are formed in a spacing part between the convex walls and the shaft hole, and the periphery of each bolt hole is transited to the corresponding convex wall through a gentle curved surface. According to the utility model, the convex wall with the bowl hole structure is arranged at the periphery of the main body part, so that the light weight is facilitated, and meanwhile, the bolt hole and the mounting flange surface can be effectively reinforced; and secondly, the peripheries of the bolt holes are transited to the corresponding convex walls through the gentle curved surfaces, so that loads transmitted to the convex walls by the bolt holes and the mounting flange surfaces are more uniform, and the stress problem of the bolt holes corresponding to the shaft hole is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive steering drive mechanisms, specifically to a steering knuckle. Background Technology

[0002] The steering knuckle is one of the main components of a car's steering axle, integrating and connecting various control arms, wheel hubs, drive shafts, brake calipers, and positioning calipers. Currently, steering knuckles are used in MacPherson strut suspension systems and double wishbone suspension systems, among which the double wishbone suspension system has significant advantages. The double wishbone suspension system has strong lateral rigidity and anti-roll capability, making it easier to handle during driving.

[0003] For example Figure 1 Taking the steering knuckle 1' used in a double wishbone suspension system as an example, the upper arm 11' of the steering knuckle 1' is relatively long and gooseneck-shaped. The upper arm 11' is connected to the shock absorber 3' through the upper control arm 2'. The shaft hole of the steering knuckle 1' is connected to the car wheel hub 4', and the lower arm 12' of the steering knuckle is connected to the lower control arm 5'. The operation of connecting the shaft hole of the steering knuckle 1' to the car wheel hub 4' is generally as follows: bolts are used to connect the bearing flange face and the steering knuckle together through the bolt holes. Therefore, two problems are likely to be encountered during driving. First, because the load of the bearing on the car wheel hub 4' is transferred to the entire steering knuckle body through the bolt holes and the mounting flange face, the three bolt holes and the mounting flange face are subjected to large forces. Second, the upper arm 11' of the steering knuckle is relatively long, and the overall structure is relatively large, resulting in a large overall weight. When the steering knuckle is too heavy, it can easily lead to an excessive unsprung mass, affecting the handling and comfort of the entire vehicle.

[0004] Therefore, to address the second issue mentioned above, numerous existing patents have outlined lightweight steering knuckle structures. For example, Chinese utility model patent ZL202022251674.2 (publication number CN213138914U), entitled "A Lightweight Steering Knuckle Structure and Automobile," discloses such a steering knuckle. This knuckle is made of forged aluminum, reducing weight compared to forged steel. The upper arm of the steering knuckle includes two upper arm side plates, forming a groove in the middle for further weight reduction. However, the upper arm of a double wishbone steering knuckle is gooseneck-shaped and relatively long. Especially during lane changes and turns, the upper arm bears a significant load, requiring high strength and rigidity. Simply reducing material or weight to achieve steering knuckle lightweighting will inevitably affect the knuckle's strength, thus impacting vehicle safety. Furthermore, improvements are needed to address the issue of reducing the stress on the steering knuckle's bolt holes. Utility Model Content

[0005] The first technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a knuckle to effectively reduce the stress problem of the bolt hole corresponding to the shaft hole.

[0006] The second technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to provide a knuckle which can improve the load bearing capacity under the premise of satisfying light weight.

[0007] The technical scheme adopted by the utility model to solve the first technical problem is as follows:

[0008] The main body part is used for supporting the axle and is provided with a shaft hole opened along the extension direction X of the axle;

[0009] The main body part is surrounded by the convex wall to form a bowl cavity, the shaft hole is located in the center of the bowl cavity, and at least two bolt holes are opened on the interval part between the convex wall and the shaft hole, and the periphery of each bolt hole is respectively connected to the corresponding convex wall through a gentle curved surface.

[0010] In order to improve the structural strength, as a preferred, the bolt hole is provided with three, the bolt hole is provided with three, which are the first bolt hole, the second bolt hole and the third bolt hole, wherein the first bolt hole is located in the direction orthogonal to the extension direction X of the axle, that is, away from the upper side of the axle, the second bolt hole is located in the direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the axle, that is, away from the lower side of the axle, and the third bolt hole is located in the left and right direction Y of the vehicle knuckle.

[0011] Correspondingly, the convex wall is also composed of the first convex wall corresponding to the first bolt hole and the second bolt hole, the second convex wall corresponding to the second bolt hole and the third bolt hole, and the third convex wall corresponding to the third bolt hole and the first bolt hole.

[0012] As described above, the bolt connects the bearing and the knuckle together through the bolt hole, the load on the bearing is transmitted to the whole knuckle body through the bolt hole and the mounting flange, so the three bolt holes and the mounting flange are under great stress, the application sets the convex wall between the corresponding two bolt holes to form a bowl cavity structure, so as to improve the strength of the bolt hole and the mounting flange, and also make the force transmitted by each bolt hole and the mounting flange to the knuckle more uniform.

[0013] In order to enable the structure of the convex wall to bear the corresponding load, as preferred, the first convex wall and the second convex wall are provided with a first recessed part recessed in the X negative direction, and the third convex wall is provided with a convex part convex in the X positive direction. Wherein, the third convex wall is provided with a connecting part for installing a steering drag link, the steering drag link drives the steering knuckle to rotate as a whole, forming a large torsion, and the height of the third convex wall is increased by means of the convex part to improve the load bearing capacity thereof; the first convex wall and the second convex wall are subjected to smaller stress, and the height thereof is reduced by the first recessed part, which can not only reduce the weight of the steering knuckle as a whole, but also is beneficial to the forging forming.

[0014] In order to solve the second technical problem, as preferred, the main body part is provided with an upper arm in the positive direction of the direction Z orthogonal to the extension direction X of the axle, and the first convex wall and the third convex wall respectively extend upward to the upper arm to constitute a first reinforcing rib and a second reinforcing rib for reinforcing the strength of the upper arm. Wherein, the upper arm as a whole is in a thin and narrow goose neck shape, and is subjected to a larger load in the working conditions such as turning or changing lanes, and the first convex wall and the third convex wall respectively extend upward along the upper arm to form the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib, which increases the bending strength and rigidity of the upper arm in the Z direction, thereby realizing a higher load bearing capacity.

[0015] Further, the spacing D between the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib gradually increases from top to bottom along the Z direction. Wherein, the gradually increasing spacing D between the first reinforcing rib and the second reinforcing rib guarantees the load bearing capacity of the upper arm as a whole, and also improves the connecting strength of the upper arm and the main body part.

[0016] Further, the width W1 of the upper arm together with the first reinforcing rib and the width W2 of the upper arm together with the second reinforcing rib both gradually increase from top to bottom along the Z direction. Wherein, the gradually increasing W1 and W2 can further improve the strength of the upper arm, and the upper arm can have better load bearing capacity when subjected to the load in the Z direction.

[0017] In order to realize weight reduction, as preferred, the upper arm is provided with a groove for weight reduction, and the opening end of the groove is in the same direction as the opening direction of the bowl hole. Wherein, the groove is recessed in the Z negative direction in the upper arm, and the setting of the groove reduces the weight of the steering knuckle as a whole, thereby being beneficial to the lightweight design, and to a certain extent, can improve the comfort and maneuverability of the automobile.

[0018] In order to compensate for the influence of the groove on the strength of the upper arm, as preferred, a reinforcing rib is arranged in the groove. Wherein, the setting of the groove may not be sufficient for the load bearing capacity of the upper arm, and therefore, the strength of the upper arm can be improved by arranging the reinforcing rib in the groove; secondly, the upper part of the groove is solid, and the depth of the groove gradually decreases from bottom to top along the Z direction, which guarantees the strength and improves the supporting effect.

[0019] In order to further reduce weight, as preferred, the main body part is provided with a lower arm extending downward along the Z direction, the lower arm is provided with a lower connecting part connected with the lower control arm, and a fourth groove is formed in the region of the lower arm along the X negative direction except the lower connecting part, and the bottom of the fourth groove is provided with a weight reduction hole. Wherein, the lower connecting part of the lower arm is the part for mounting the lower control arm, thus cannot be designed as a concave structure, and the fourth groove is formed in the region of the lower arm along the X negative direction except the lower connecting part, and the bottom of the fourth groove is provided with a weight reduction hole for reducing weight, and the fourth groove and the weight reduction hole play a "double" weight reduction role, which can better reduce the weight of the lower arm and is beneficial to the lightweight design of the whole steering knuckle, and improves the comfort and handling of the vehicle.

[0020] In order to improve the local strength, as preferred, the weight reduction hole comprises a first weight reduction hole and a second weight reduction hole arranged at intervals, the second weight reduction hole is closer to the third bolt hole than the first weight reduction hole, and the second weight reduction hole is provided with a fourth reinforcing rib in the circumferential direction. Wherein, compared with one weight reduction hole, two weight reduction holes can effectively make the whole steering knuckle lightweight, but the position of the second weight reduction hole is close to the position of the third bolt hole, which is special: because the third convex wall at the position needs to be provided with a connecting part for arranging the transverse pull rod, thus the load is large, therefore, by arranging the fourth reinforcing rib in the circumferential direction of the second weight reduction hole, the wall thickness around the second weight reduction hole can be increased, so as to improve the strength around the second weight reduction hole, so as to ensure the rigidity of the whole lower arm.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the advantages that:

[0022] 1、The periphery of the main body part is surrounded by a convex wall to form a bowl hole, which can effectively reduce the weight of the main body part, that is, the lightweight design is realized;

[0023] 2、The structure strength of the bolt hole and the mounting flange face can be effectively strengthened by means of the convex wall structure of the bowl hole, so as to resist the high strength stress transmitted by the bearing and reduce the influence of the weakening of the strength caused by the lightweight design;

[0024] 3、Finally, in addition to the reinforcing effect of the convex wall, the periphery of each bolt hole is also respectively transitioned to the corresponding convex wall through a gentle curved surface, so that the load transmitted from the bolt hole and the mounting flange face to the convex wall is more uniform, and the stress problem of the shaft hole corresponding to the bolt hole is further effectively reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a schematic view of the assembly of the traditional steering knuckle and the double wishbone suspension system;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic view of the three-dimensional structure of the embodiment of the utility model.

[0027] Figure 3 is another direction of the three-dimensional structure schematic view of the embodiment of the utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 is the front view of the embodiment of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 5 is still another direction of the three-dimensional structure schematic view of the embodiment of the utility model.

[0030] In the drawing: 1, main body part;11, shaft hole;12, bolt hole;121, first bolt hole;122, second bolt hole;123, third bolt hole;2, upper arm;21, first reinforcing rib;22, second reinforcing rib;3, lower arm;31, lower connecting part;32, fourth groove;4, groove;41, first groove;42, second groove;43, third groove;5, lightening hole;51, first lightening hole;52, second lightening hole;521, fourth reinforcing rib;6, convex wall;61, first convex wall;62, second convex wall;63, third convex wall;631, convex part;7, reinforcing rib;71, first reinforcing rib;72, second reinforcing rib;73, third reinforcing rib;731, second concave part;8, curved surface;9, first concave part. Specific implementation

[0031] The utility model will be further described in detail below in combination with the embodiment of the drawings.

[0032] As Figures 2 to 5 shown, it is the best embodiment of the utility model. The knuckle includes the main body part 1 for supporting the axle, the main body part 1 is provided with the shaft hole 11 along the extension direction X of axle opening, the periphery of main body part 1 has the bowl hole formed by the surrounding of convex wall 6, the shaft hole 11 is located in the central part of bowl hole, and three bolt holes 12 are opened on the interval part between convex wall 6 and shaft hole 11, and the periphery of each bolt hole 12 is respectively transitioned to the corresponding convex wall 6 through the gentle curved surface 8.

[0033] The connecting mode of the shaft hole 11 of knuckle and the automobile wheel hub is that the bolt is arranged on the bolt hole 12 to connect together, and at this time, the load on bearing is transmitted to the whole knuckle through bolt hole 12 and mounting flange face, and the stress on bolt hole 12 and mounting flange face is larger. Figure 4The bolt holes 12 in the embodiment are provided with three, respectively, the first bolt hole 121 is located in the direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the axle, that is, the upper side away from the axle (also known as: the positive direction side of the Z axis), the second bolt hole 122 is located in the direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the axle, that is, the lower side away from the axle (also known as: the negative direction side of the Z axis), and the third bolt hole 123 is orthogonal to the direction Y along the extension direction X of the axle and the direction Z of the upper side, that is, the left and right directions of the steering knuckle for vehicles; correspondingly, the convex wall 6 is also composed of the first convex wall 61 corresponding to the first bolt hole 121 and the second bolt hole 122, the second convex wall 62 corresponding to the second bolt hole 122 and the third bolt hole 123, and the third convex wall 63 corresponding to the third bolt hole 123 and the first bolt hole 121. By providing the convex wall 6 between the two bolt holes 12, a bowl-shaped structure can be formed, and the strength of the bolt hole 12 and the mounting flange surface structure is improved, and the force transmitted by the bolt hole 12 and the mounting flange surface to the steering knuckle is more uniform.

[0034] In addition, three convex walls 6 are provided in the embodiment, and the loads received by each convex wall 6 are different. The main reason is that the third convex wall 63 is provided with a connecting part for installing a steering rod, the steering rod drives the steering knuckle to rotate as a whole, forming a large torsion force, so the carrying capacity of this part needs to be improved; the stress on the first convex wall 61 and the second convex wall 62 is relatively small compared with the third convex wall 63. Figure 4 The first convex wall 61 and the second convex wall 62 are provided with a first recess 9 recessed in the negative direction X, and the third convex wall 63 is provided with a convex part 631 convex in the positive direction X. The third convex wall 63 is locally raised by means of the convex part 631 to improve the carrying capacity of this part to high stress, and the first convex wall 61 and the second convex wall 62 are lowered in height, which can not only reduce the weight of the steering knuckle as a whole, but also be beneficial to forging forming.

[0035] In addition, the upper arm 2 of the double wishbone type knuckle is goose neck shaped, and the overall length is relatively long, thereby causing the overall weight to be relatively large. When the knuckle is too heavy, the unsprung mass is prone to be large, which affects the handling and comfort of the vehicle. In order to realize the lightweight design of the knuckle, the upper arm 2 is provided with a groove 4 for weight reduction, and the opening end of the groove 4 is in the same direction as the opening direction of the bowl. The provision of the groove 4 in the upper arm 2 reduces the overall weight of the knuckle, thereby facilitating the lightweight design. At the same time, the provision of the groove 4 may cause the strength and rigidity of the upper arm 2 to be insufficient in resisting stress load. The provision of the reinforcing ribs 7 in the groove 4 can increase the bending strength and rigidity of the upper arm 2 in the Z direction. The number of the reinforcing ribs 7 can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the groove 4. In the embodiment, the groove 4 is provided with the first reinforcing rib 71, the second reinforcing rib 72 and the third reinforcing rib 73 which are spaced apart from each other in the Z direction. The groove 4 is sequentially divided into the first groove 41, the second groove 42 and the third groove 43. Each reinforcing rib 7 is formed by a forging process. In the embodiment, the height of the first reinforcing rib 71 is 1 / 3 of the depth of the second groove 42, the height of the second reinforcing rib 72 is 1 / 2 of the depth of the third groove 43, and the third reinforcing rib 73 is provided with a second recess 731, and the depth of the second recess 731 is 1 mm. When the height of the first reinforcing rib 71 is less than 1 / 3 of the depth of the second groove 42, and the height of the second reinforcing rib 72 is less than 1 / 2 of the depth of the third groove 43, the first reinforcing rib 71 and the second reinforcing rib 72 do not obviously improve the load bearing capacity of the upper arm 2. When the height of the first reinforcing rib 71 is greater than 1 / 3 of the depth of the second groove 42, and the height of the second reinforcing rib 72 is greater than 1 / 2 of the depth of the third groove 43, the forging difficulty of the first reinforcing rib 71 and the second reinforcing rib 72 is relatively large. The third reinforcing rib 73 is recessed inward by 1 mm, and the main reason is that the stress at this position is relatively low. The inward recessing can reduce the weight of the knuckle on the basis of meeting the load bearing capacity, and also facilitates the forging forming.

[0036] In addition, the load borne by the upper arm 2 is large under the working conditions such as lane changing and turning. In order to further compensate for the influence of weight reduction on the strength of the upper arm 2, the first convex wall 61 and the third convex wall 63 of the embodiment respectively extend upward to the upper arm 2 to form the first reinforcing rib 21 and the second reinforcing rib 22 which reinforce the strength of the upper arm 2. The first reinforcing rib 21 and the second reinforcing rib 22 increase the bending strength and rigidity of the upper arm 2 in the Z direction. The width W1 of the upper arm 2 together with the first reinforcing rib 21 and the width W2 of the upper arm 2 together with the second reinforcing rib 22 increase from top to bottom in the Z direction, thereby further improving the strength of the upper arm 2. In addition, the spacing D of the first reinforcing rib 21 and the second reinforcing rib 22 also gradually increases from top to bottom in the Z direction, which can not only ensure the connection strength of the upper arm 2 and the main body 1, but also improve the overall load bearing capacity of the upper arm 2.

[0037] Reference Figures 2 to 5, in order to further reduce the weight of the knuckle body and facilitate lightweight design, the main body 1 is provided with a lower arm 3 extending downward along the Z direction, the lower arm 3 is provided with a lower connecting part 31 connected with the lower control arm, the lower connecting part 31 cannot be provided with a concave structure, therefore the area of the lower arm 3 except the lower connecting part 31 is formed with a fourth groove 32 concave along the X negative direction, the bottom of the fourth groove 32 is provided with a weight reduction hole 5 for weight reduction, the fourth groove 32 and the weight reduction hole 5 play a "double" weight reduction role, which can better reduce the weight of the lower arm 3, in order to effectively realize the lightweight of the knuckle, the weight reduction hole 5 in the embodiment is preferably a first weight reduction hole 51 and a second weight reduction hole 52 arranged at intervals, the second weight reduction hole 52 is closer to the third bolt hole 123 than the first weight reduction hole 51, this position is relatively special: because the third convex wall 63 corresponding to this position is provided with a connecting part for the transverse pull rod, so the load is larger, in order to improve the local strength, the embodiment preferably has a fourth reinforcing rib 521 arranged in the X axis negative direction side of the second weight reduction hole 52 in the circumferential direction to increase the wall thickness around the second weight reduction hole 52, thereby meeting the strength requirement.

Claims

1. A knuckle comprising: a main body (1) for supporting an axle, provided with an axle hole (11) opened along an extension direction (X) of the axle; characterized in that a periphery of the main body (1) is surrounded by a convex wall (6) to form a bowl, the axle hole (11) is located in the center of the bowl, and at least two bolt holes (12) are opened on the interval between the convex wall (6) and the axle hole (11), and the periphery of each bolt hole (12) is respectively connected to the corresponding convex wall (6) through a gentle curved surface (8).

2. The knuckle of claim 1, wherein: The bolt holes (12) are provided with three, respectively a first bolt hole (121), a second bolt hole (122) and a third bolt hole (123), wherein the first bolt hole (121) is located in the direction orthogonal to the extension direction (X) of the axle, that is, away from the upper side of the axle, the second bolt hole (122) is located in the direction orthogonal to the extension direction of the axle, that is, away from the lower side of the axle, and the third bolt hole (123) is located in the left-right direction (Y) of the vehicle knuckle. Correspondingly, the convex wall (6) is also composed of a first convex wall (61) corresponding to the first bolt hole (121) and the second bolt hole (122), a second convex wall (62) corresponding to the second bolt hole (122) and the third bolt hole (123), and a third convex wall (63) corresponding to the third bolt hole (123) and the first bolt hole (121).

3. The knuckle of claim 2, wherein: The first convex wall (61) and the second convex wall (62) are provided with a first recess (9) recessed in the opposite direction of the extension direction (X) of the axle, and the third convex wall (63) is provided with a convex part (631) convex in the positive direction of the extension direction (X) of the axle.

4. The knuckle of claim 3, wherein: The main body (1) is provided with an upper arm (2) in the positive direction of the direction (Z) orthogonal to the extension direction (X) of the axle, the first convex wall (61) and the third convex wall (63) are respectively extended upward to the upper arm (2) to form a first reinforcing rib (21) and a second reinforcing rib (22) for reinforcing the strength of the upper arm (2).

5. The knuckle of claim 4, wherein: The interval D between the first reinforcing rib (21) and the second reinforcing rib (22) gradually increases from top to bottom along the direction (Z) orthogonal to the extension direction (X) of the axle.

6. The knuckle according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The width W1 of the upper arm (2) together with the first reinforcing rib (21) and the width W2 of the upper arm (2) together with the second reinforcing rib (22) gradually increase from top to bottom along the direction (Z) orthogonal to the extension direction (X) of the axle.

7. The knuckle of claim 6, wherein: The upper arm (2) is provided with a groove (4) for weight reduction, and the opening end of the groove (4) is in the same direction as the opening direction of the bowl.

8. The knuckle of claim 7, wherein: The groove (4) is provided with a reinforcing rib (7).

9. The knuckle of claim 8, wherein: The main body (1) is provided with a lower arm (3) extending downward along the direction (Z) orthogonal to the extension direction (X) of the axle, the lower arm (3) is provided with a lower connecting part (31) connected with a lower control arm, and the area of the lower arm (3) except the lower connecting part (31) is recessed in the opposite direction of the extension direction (X) of the axle to form a fourth recess (32), and the bottom of the fourth recess (32) is provided with a weight reduction hole (5).

10. The knuckle of claim 9, wherein: The weight-reducing hole (5) comprises a first weight-reducing hole (51) and a second weight-reducing hole (52) arranged at intervals, the second weight-reducing hole (52) being closer to the third bolt hole (123) than the first weight-reducing hole (51), wherein the second weight-reducing hole (52) is circumferentially provided with a fourth reinforcing rib (521).

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