Steering structure and sleigh car front suspension system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of sleigh cars, in particular to a steering structure which comprises a steering knuckle body, the steering knuckle body is of a structure formed by connecting two opposite C-shaped structures into a whole, the middle of the steering knuckle body is thick and big, the upper end and the lower end of the steering knuckle body are narrow and small, the top of the steering knuckle body is used for being connected with an upper rocker arm combination, and a convex hinge plate is arranged on the outer side face of the middle of the steering knuckle body. A transverse rib connected with the left C-shaped structure and the right C-shaped structure is integrally formed on the inner side of the middle of the steering knuckle body, and the transverse rib is used for being connected with a lower rocker arm combination. A front suspension system of a sleigh car comprises an upper rocker arm combination, a lower rocker arm combination and a steering pull rod which are symmetrical, the upper rocker arm combination, the lower rocker arm combination and the steering pull rod which are arranged on the same side are installed on a steering structure, and the other ends of the upper rocker arm combination and the lower rocker arm combination are both rotationally connected to a frame of the sleigh car. The end, away from the steering structure, of the steering pull rod is hinged to a steering column of the sleigh car. According to the scheme, the strength of the steering knuckle body is improved, so that the bearing capacity of the sleigh car is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sled technology, specifically to a steering structure and a sled front suspension system. Background Technology

[0002] In existing bobsleighs, steering is achieved by controlling the steering column, which in turn rotates the steering knuckle (also called the steering connector, steering joint, or steering body) on the front suspension system. This ultimately drives the tires or skis connected to the steering connector to steer, thus turning the entire bobsleigh. The steering connector not only assists in steering but also, along with the tires / skis, provides support for the entire front suspension system.

[0003] The existing bobsleigh steering knuckle is C-shaped. The upper rocker arm assembly of the front suspension system is hinged to the upper end of the steering knuckle via an upper rocker arm ball joint. An inner hinge plate is located on the inner side of the steering knuckle, in the middle of the steering knuckle. The lower rocker arm assembly is hinged to the inner hinge plate via a lower rocker arm ball joint. An outer hinge plate is located on the outer side of the middle of the steering knuckle, and the outer hinge plate is hinged to a steering tie rod for controlling the direction of the bobsleigh via a ball joint. The steering tie rod is located between the upper and lower rocker arm assemblies. This C-shaped steering knuckle is the standard practice for bobsleighs currently on the market, and it is also the technology recorded in the bobsleigh and its double rocker arm front suspension system in patent publication number CN205396390U.

[0004] However, with the increasing size and load-bearing requirements of sleds, the strength of existing steering knuckles needs to be improved. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a steering structure to improve the strength of the steering knuckle, thereby increasing the load-bearing capacity of the sled.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A steering structure includes a steering knuckle body, which is constructed as two opposing C-shaped structures connected as one piece. The steering knuckle body is thick in the middle and narrow at the top and bottom ends. The top of the steering knuckle body is used to connect the upper rocker arm assembly. The outer side of the middle part of the steering knuckle body is provided with an outwardly protruding hinge plate, which is used to connect with the steering tie rod. The inner side of the middle part of the steering knuckle body is integrally formed with a transverse rib connecting the left and right C-shaped structures, which is used to connect the lower rocker arm assembly.

[0008] The principle and advantages of this design are as follows: This design breaks away from the conventional single C-shaped structure and adopts two opposing and interconnected C-shaped structures, which greatly enhances the strength of the steering structure, thereby increasing the load-bearing capacity of the sled. The addition of transverse ribs further improves the overall strength of the steering structure.

[0009] Preferably, as an improvement, the C-shaped structure connecting the outwardly protruding hinge plate on the steering knuckle body is thicker, and the side connecting the outwardly protruding hinge plate itself is subjected to greater force, and the thickness of this side helps to further enhance the strength of the steering structure.

[0010] Preferably, as an improvement, the large area on the steering knuckle body extends from the position where the connecting outwardly protruding hinge plate is located to the bottom of the steering knuckle body. This large area is provided with process holes. The presence of process holes can reduce or even avoid problems such as porosity and shrinkage caused by the metal casting process of the steering knuckle body.

[0011] Preferably, as an improvement, the outer end face of the middle part of the steering knuckle body is provided with a reinforcing rib, which is connected to the left and right C-shaped structures of the steering knuckle body. The horizontal rib extends from the outer end face of the C-shaped structure to the inner end face of the C-shaped structure, so that the reinforcing rib is used to increase strength without affecting the installation of the lower rocker arm assembly on the horizontal rib.

[0012] This utility model also provides a front suspension system for a sled, including a symmetrical upper rocker arm assembly, a symmetrical lower rocker arm assembly, and a symmetrical steering tie rod. The upper rocker arm assembly, lower rocker arm assembly, and steering tie rod on the same side are mounted on the steering structure on the corresponding side. The upper rocker arm assembly and lower rocker arm assembly are rotatably connected to the sled frame at the end away from the steering structure. The end of the steering tie rod away from the steering structure is hinged to the steering column of the sled.

[0013] Preferably, as an improvement, two mounting seats are fixed on the vehicle frame, and the steering column is rotatably connected to the mounting seats. One mounting seat corresponds to the top section of the steering column, and the other mounting seat corresponds to the bottom section of the steering column. The steering tie rod is connected to a section of the steering column between the two mounting seats, so that the strength of the steering column is better when steering is controlled by the steering tie rod, which helps to improve the reliability of the front suspension system.

[0014] Preferably, as an improvement, the bottom section of the steering column is fixed with a limiting plate, the limiting plate having a V-shaped structure, the two ends of the V-shape of the limiting plate being able to abut against the vehicle frame to limit the steering angle of the steering column.

[0015] Preferably, as an improvement, the steering column has a bent structure to increase its strength. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing the connection of the lower rocker arm assembly, the upper rocker arm assembly, and the steering tie rod.

[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure after mirror construction.

[0019] Figure 4 is Figure 1 the front view of

[0020] Figure 5 is Figure 2 the front view of

[0021] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the second embodiment of the present utility model (where only the partial structure of the frame is shown).

[0022] Figure 7 is Figure 6 the left view of

[0023] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the second embodiment of the present utility model showing only the steering column, flat plate, limit plate and steering structure.

[0024] Figure 9 is Figure 8 the three-dimensional structure diagram after rotating a certain angle. Specific implementation manners

[0025] The following is a further detailed description through specific implementation manners:

[0026] The reference numerals in the drawings of the specification include: steering knuckle body 10, reinforcing rib 11, transverse rib 12, outward convex hinge plate 13, process hole 14, lower rocker arm assembly 20, upper rocker arm assembly 30, steering tie rod 40, steering column 50, mounting seat 51, limit plate 52, frame 100, flat plate 101.

[0027] Embodiment 1

[0028] Basically as shown in the appendix Figures 1 to 5 shown.

[0029] A steering structure includes a steering knuckle body 10. The steering knuckle body 10 has a structure formed by connecting two facing C-shaped structures into one body. The middle part of the steering knuckle body 10 is thick and the upper and lower ends are narrow. Parallel reinforcing ribs 11 and transverse ribs 12 are provided between the two facing C-shaped structures of the steering knuckle body 10. The cooperation of the reinforcing ribs 11, transverse ribs 12 and the two C-shaped structures makes the whole steering structure look like a "mu" character from the side.

[0030] Among them, the reinforcing rib 11 is located above the transverse rib 12. The reinforcing rib 11 is connected to the outer end faces of the left and right C-shaped structures, and the width of the transverse rib 12 extends from the outer end faces of the left and right C-shaped structures to the inner end faces, that is, the width of the transverse rib 12 is much larger than the width of the reinforcing rib 11, so as to ensure that the reinforcing rib 11 can play a reinforcing role without affecting the connection of the lower rocker arm assembly 20 on the transverse rib 12.

[0031] The top of the knuckle body 10 is used to connect the upper rocker arm assembly 30.

[0032] On the outer side of the middle part of the knuckle body 10, there is an outward convex hinge plate 13, and the outward convex hinge plate 13 is used to connect with the steering tie rod 40.

[0033] The C-shaped structure connecting the outward convex hinge plate 13 on the knuckle body 10 is thicker, and the side connecting the outward convex hinge plate 13 itself is subjected to greater force. The thickness of this side helps to further enhance the strength of the steering structure.

[0034] The thick area on the knuckle body 10 extends from the position connecting the outward convex hinge plate 13 to the bottom of the knuckle body 10. There are process holes 14 on this thick area. The existence of the process holes 14 can reduce or even avoid problems such as air holes and shrinkage holes brought about when the knuckle body 10 is formed by metal casting. The number of process holes 14 in this embodiment is 2.

[0035] The steering structure in this embodiment is integrally formed by casting process.

[0036] When adopting this embodiment, a steering structure similar to the "eye" - shaped structure is designed, making the whole steering structure more solid and having higher overall strength, which helps to increase the bearing capacity of the sled.

[0037] Embodiment Two

[0038] Combined Figures 6 to 9 , this Embodiment Two provides a front suspension system for a sled, including a vehicle frame 100, a steering column 50 rotatably connected to the vehicle frame 100, symmetric upper rocker arm assemblies 30, symmetric lower rocker arm assemblies 20, symmetric steering tie rods 40, and the symmetric steering structure.

[0039] The upper rocker arm assembly 30, the lower rocker arm assembly 20, and the steering tie rod 40 on the same side are connected to the corresponding side of the steering structure by ball hinge connections. The ends of the upper rocker arm assembly 30 and the lower rocker arm assembly 20 far from the steering structure (that is, the ends facing the center line of the sled) are both hinged to the vehicle frame 100. Specifically: the upper rocker arm assembly 30 is ball - hinged to the top of the steering structure, and the lower rocker arm assembly 20 is ball - hinged to the transverse rib 12 of the steering structure.

[0040] The steering tie rod 40 is connected to the outward convex hinge plate 13 of the steering tie rod 40 by ball hinge connection. The upper rocker arm assembly 30, the steering tie rod 40, and the lower rocker arm assembly 20 are arranged in sequence from top to bottom.

[0041] The end of the steering tie rod 40 far from the steering structure (that is, the end facing the center line of the sled) is rotatably connected to the steering column 50.

[0042] Two mounting seats 51 are fixed on the frame 100. The steering column 50 has a bent structure and is rotatably connected to the two mounting seats 51. One mounting seat 51 corresponds to the top section of the steering column 50, and the other mounting seat 51 corresponds to the bottom section of the steering column 50. The steering tie rod 40 is connected to a section of the steering column 50 between the two mounting seats 51, so that the steering column 50 has better strength when steering is controlled by the steering tie rod 40, which helps to improve the reliability of the front suspension system.

[0043] A limit plate 52 is fixed to the bottom section of the steering column 50, and a flat plate 101 is fixed on the frame 100. The limit plate 52 has a V-shaped structure, and the two ends of the V-shape of the limit plate 52 can abut against the flat plate 101 on the frame 100 to limit the steering angle of the steering column 50.

[0044] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of this utility model. Commonly known technical solutions and / or characteristics are not described in detail here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the technical solution of this utility model. These modifications and improvements should also be considered within the scope of protection of this utility model, and will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of this utility model or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A steering structure, comprising a steering knuckle body, characterized in that: The steering knuckle body is constructed as two opposing C-shaped structures connected as one piece. The middle part of the steering knuckle body is thick and the top and bottom ends are narrow. The top of the steering knuckle body is used to connect the upper rocker arm assembly. The outer side of the middle part of the steering knuckle body is provided with an outwardly protruding hinge plate, which is used to connect with the steering tie rod. The inner side of the middle part of the steering knuckle body is integrally formed with a horizontal rib connecting the left and right C-shaped structures, which is used to connect the lower rocker arm assembly.

2. The steering structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The C-shaped structure connecting the outwardly protruding hinge plate on the steering knuckle body is larger.

3. A steering structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The large area on the steering knuckle extends from the location where the outwardly protruding hinge plate is connected to the bottom of the steering knuckle, and process holes are provided on this large area.

4. A steering structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer end face of the middle part of the steering knuckle body is provided with a reinforcing rib. The reinforcing rib is connected to the left and right C-shaped structures of the steering knuckle body. The horizontal rib extends from the outer end face of the C-shaped structure to the inner end face of the C-shaped structure, so that the reinforcing rib is used to increase strength without affecting the installation of the lower rocker arm assembly on the horizontal rib.

5. A front suspension system for a sled, comprising a symmetrical upper rocker arm assembly, a symmetrical lower rocker arm assembly, and symmetrical steering tie rods, characterized in that: The upper rocker arm assembly, the lower rocker arm assembly, and the steering tie rod on the same side are mounted on the steering structure as described in any one of claims 1-4 on the corresponding side. The upper rocker arm assembly and the lower rocker arm assembly are rotatably connected to the frame of the sled at the end away from the steering structure. The end of the steering tie rod away from the steering structure is hinged to the steering column of the sled.

6. A sled front suspension system according to claim 5, characterized in that: Two mounting seats are fixed on the vehicle frame. The steering column is rotatably connected to the mounting seats. One mounting seat corresponds to the top section of the steering column, and the other mounting seat corresponds to the bottom section of the steering column. The steering tie rod is connected to a section of the steering column between the two mounting seats.

7. A sled front suspension system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bottom section of the steering column is fixed with a limiting plate. The limiting plate has a V-shaped structure, and the two ends of the V-shape of the limiting plate can abut against the vehicle frame to limit the steering angle of the steering column.

8. A sled front suspension system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The directional post has a bent structure to increase its strength.

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