A knuckle, suspension system and vehicle
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-11
AI Technical Summary
然而，铸铝材料本身价格昂贵，使得转向节的制造成本大幅提高，而且，为了确保铸铝转向节在复杂工况下的强度和刚度，往往需要增加结构厚度或采用复杂的加强结构，这就导致其体积较大，不利于车辆底盘空间的紧凑布局
[0015]本申请采用高抗拉强度的铸铁材料制成转向节，通过在转向节本体上开设第一减重凹槽、在第一连接臂上开设第二减重凹槽、在转向节本体与减震器安装座之间设计成通孔结构等结构设计，在不影响转向节整体结构强度的前提下，有效降低了重量，对实现车辆整体轻量化、提升燃油经济性起到关键作用，和有效降低了体积，为底盘其他部件节省了宝贵空间，有利于车辆底盘的紧凑化设计；并且通过在转向节本体的位于第一减重凹槽的周围处设计第一加强筋、在第一连接臂上位于减震器安装座与转向节本体之间处设计第二加强筋、在第一连接臂上位于转向节本体与转向机安装座之间处设计第三加强筋等结构设计，可以有效增加转向节的强度，确保在轻量化设计的同时，本申请转向节依然能够满足高承载要求。因此，本申请的转向节具有重量轻、体积小、成本低、承载能力强的优点。
Smart Images
Figure CN224617779U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of automotive parts, specifically to a steering knuckle, a suspension system, and a vehicle. Background Technology
[0002] With the development of electric vehicles, the increased battery capacity and richer configurations have led to a continuous rise in the overall weight of electric vehicles. As a key component of the automotive chassis suspension system, the steering knuckle bears the important functions of supporting the vehicle's weight and transmitting steering and braking forces. With the continued increase in the weight of electric vehicles, the load-bearing requirements for the steering knuckle are also increasing. Traditional cast iron, due to its strength and toughness, has long been used in the manufacture of steering knuckles, with mature technology and relatively low cost. However, the tensile strength of traditional cast iron is limited. To meet the increasing load-bearing requirements, the steering knuckle structure has to be designed to be thicker and heavier, resulting in a large size and weight. This not only increases the overall weight of the vehicle and reduces fuel economy but also negatively impacts the vehicle's handling performance. Because cast aluminum has a lower density, using cast aluminum to manufacture steering knuckles can reduce their weight, thereby alleviating the overall load on the vehicle to some extent. However, the high price of cast aluminum material significantly increases the manufacturing cost of the steering knuckle. Moreover, in order to ensure the strength and rigidity of the cast aluminum steering knuckle under complex working conditions, it is often necessary to increase the structural thickness or adopt a complex reinforcement structure, which results in a large size and is not conducive to the compact layout of the vehicle chassis space. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address at least one aspect of the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a steering knuckle, a suspension system, and a vehicle.
[0004] In a first aspect, this application provides a steering knuckle, including a steering knuckle body, a rocker arm ball joint mounting seat, a shock absorber mounting seat, a first connecting arm, a second connecting arm, a steering gear mounting seat, a first brake caliper mounting seat, and a second brake caliper mounting seat; a bearing hole penetrating its thickness is formed in the upper region of the steering knuckle body, the inner diameter of the bearing hole matching the outer diameter of the bearing on the vehicle's drive shaft; multiple mounting holes penetrating its thickness are formed in the upper region of the steering knuckle body around the bearing hole, the distribution of the multiple mounting holes on the steering knuckle body matching the distribution of the multiple mounting holes on the bearing; the region of the outer side of the rocker arm ball joint mounting seat facing the steering knuckle body is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first side of the steering knuckle body; a first weight-reducing groove is formed in the region of the first side of the steering knuckle body above the connection point with the rocker arm ball joint mounting seat and below the bearing hole, and a first weight-reducing groove is fixedly connected around the first weight-reducing groove on the first side of the steering knuckle body. The steering knuckle body has several first reinforcing ribs; the shock absorber mounting base is located above one side of the first side of the steering knuckle body; the outer side of the first connecting arm is an arc-shaped structure bent away from the bearing hole; the first end of the first connecting arm and the first end of the second connecting arm are respectively fixedly connected to two opposite points on the outer side wall of the shock absorber mounting base; the middle area of the first connecting arm and the second end of the second connecting arm are respectively fixedly connected to two opposite points on the upper part of the steering knuckle body, so that the bottom of the shock absorber mounting base, the inner side of the first connecting arm, the inner side of the second connecting arm and the top of the steering knuckle body form a through-hole structure; the steering gear mounting base is fixedly connected to the second end of the first connecting arm; the first brake caliper mounting base and the second brake caliper mounting base are respectively disposed opposite to each other on the side of the steering knuckle body away from the steering gear mounting base; the first brake caliper mounting base is fixedly connected to the side of the bottom of the steering knuckle body; and the second brake caliper mounting base is fixedly connected to the outer side of the second connecting arm through the third connecting arm.
[0005] Preferably, a second weight-reducing groove is provided on the inner side of the middle region of the first connecting arm.
[0006] Preferably, a plurality of second reinforcing ribs extending along the extension direction of the first connecting arm are fixedly connected to the top ridge surface located between the shock absorber mounting seat and the steering knuckle body.
[0007] Preferably, a plurality of third reinforcing ribs extending along the extension direction of the first connecting arm are fixedly connected to the side of the first connecting arm facing the ball joint mounting seat between the steering knuckle body and the steering gear mounting seat.
[0008] Preferably, a reinforcing arm is fixedly connected between the steering knuckle body and the side of the first connecting arm located between the steering knuckle body and the steering gear mounting seat, away from the ball joint mounting seat of the control arm.
[0009] Preferably, the shock absorber mounting base has an opening extending along the extension direction of the shock absorber mounting base on the side opposite to the steering knuckle body. Connecting ears are fixedly connected to both sides of the opening on the side opposite to the steering knuckle body, and connecting holes are correspondingly opened on the two connecting ears. Several fourth reinforcing ribs are fixedly connected to the connection between the connecting ears and the side of the shock absorber mounting base.
[0010] Preferably, the steering knuckle body, the rocker arm ball joint mounting seat, the shock absorber mounting seat, the first connecting arm, the second connecting arm, the steering gear mounting seat, the first brake caliper mounting seat, and the second brake caliper mounting seat are integrally formed.
[0011] Preferably, the steering knuckle is made of cast iron with a tensile strength greater than or equal to 550 MPa.
[0012] Secondly, this application provides a suspension system including any of the steering knuckles described above.
[0013] Thirdly, this application provides a vehicle including the suspension system described above.
[0014] The steering knuckle, suspension system, and vehicle of this utility model have the following beneficial effects:
[0015] This application uses a high-tensile-strength cast iron material to make the steering knuckle. Through structural designs such as creating a first weight-reducing groove on the steering knuckle body, a second weight-reducing groove on the first connecting arm, and a through-hole structure between the steering knuckle body and the shock absorber mounting base, the weight is effectively reduced without affecting the overall structural strength of the steering knuckle. This plays a key role in achieving overall vehicle lightweighting and improving fuel economy, and also effectively reduces the volume, saving valuable space for other chassis components and facilitating a more compact chassis design. Furthermore, by designing a first reinforcing rib around the first weight-reducing groove on the steering knuckle body, a second reinforcing rib on the first connecting arm between the shock absorber mounting base and the steering knuckle body, and a third reinforcing rib on the first connecting arm between the steering knuckle body and the steering gear mounting base, the strength of the steering knuckle is effectively increased, ensuring that the steering knuckle still meets high load-bearing requirements while achieving lightweight design. Therefore, the steering knuckle of this application has the advantages of being lightweight, small in size, low in cost, and having a high load-bearing capacity. Attached Figure Description
[0016] To better understand the above and other objects, features, advantages, and functions of this utility model, reference can be made to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that the drawings are intended to schematically illustrate preferred embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the scope of this utility model in any way; the parts in the drawings are not drawn to scale.
[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first side of a steering knuckle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;
[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second side of a steering knuckle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0020] 1. Steering knuckle body; 11. Bearing hole; 12. Mounting hole; 13. Assembly hole; 14. First weight-reducing groove; 15. First reinforcing rib; 2. Swing arm ball joint mounting seat; 21. Fifth reinforcing rib; 3. Shock absorber mounting seat; 31. Opening; 32. Connecting lug; 33. Fourth reinforcing rib; 4. First connecting arm; 41. Second weight-reducing groove; 42. Second reinforcing rib; 43. Third reinforcing rib; 44. Sixth reinforcing rib; 5. Second connecting arm; 6. Steering gear mounting seat; 71. First brake caliper mounting seat; 72. Second brake caliper mounting seat; 721. Third connecting arm; 8. Through hole; 9. Reinforcing arm. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, including various details of the embodiments to aid understanding, and should be considered merely exemplary. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Similarly, for clarity and brevity, descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted in the following description.
[0022] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein signify open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "one embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc., may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.
[0023] To at least partially address one or more of the aforementioned problems and other potential issues, embodiments of this disclosure propose a steering knuckle, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a steering knuckle body 1, a rocker arm ball joint mounting seat 2, a shock absorber mounting seat 3, a first connecting arm 4, a second connecting arm 5, a steering gear mounting seat 6, a first brake caliper mounting seat 71, and a second brake caliper mounting seat 72.
[0024] The upper region of the steering knuckle body 1 has a bearing hole 11 extending through its thickness. The inner diameter of the bearing hole 11 matches the outer diameter of the bearing on the vehicle's drive shaft. The bearing hole 11 is used to install the bearing. Multiple mounting holes 12 extending through the thickness are provided around the bearing hole 11 in the upper region of the steering knuckle body 1. The mounting holes 12 are preferably countersunk holes extending from the first side to the second side of the steering knuckle body 1. The distribution of the multiple mounting holes 12 on the steering knuckle body 1 matches the distribution of the multiple mounting holes on the bearing. The bearing is installed in the bearing hole 11 through the multiple mounting holes 12 on the steering knuckle body 1. A rocker arm ball joint mounting seat 2 is used to install the rocker arm ball joint. The outer side of the rocker arm ball joint mounting seat 2 facing the steering knuckle body 1 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first side of the steering knuckle body 1. Preferably, a number of fifth reinforcing ribs 21 are fixedly connected to the bottom of the first side of the steering knuckle body 1 and the outer side of the rocker arm ball joint mounting seat 2 facing the steering knuckle body 1. A first weight-reducing groove 14 is formed on the first side of the steering knuckle body 1, above the connection point with the ball joint mount 2 and below the bearing hole 11. The first weight-reducing groove 14 is preferably formed by a plurality of curved surfaces recessed towards the first side of the steering knuckle body 1, with a smooth transition between adjacent curved surfaces. A plurality of first reinforcing ribs 15 are fixedly connected around the first weight-reducing groove 14 on the first side of the steering knuckle body 1. The first reinforcing ribs 15 extend along a curve, and the plurality of first reinforcing ribs 15 are arranged in parallel or intersecting directions.
[0025] The shock absorber mounting base 3 is used to install the shock absorber. The shock absorber mounting base 3 is located above one side of the first side of the steering knuckle body 1. The side of the shock absorber mounting base 3 facing away from the steering knuckle body 1 has an opening 31 extending along the extension direction of the shock absorber mounting base 3. Connecting ears 32 are fixedly connected to both sides of the opening 31 on the side of the shock absorber mounting base 3 facing away from the steering knuckle body 1. The two connecting ears 32 have corresponding connecting holes. The two connecting holes are used to install fasteners to realize the connection between the shock absorber and the shock absorber mounting base 3. Preferably, a number of fourth reinforcing ribs 33 are fixedly connected at the connection between the connecting ears 32 and the side of the shock absorber mounting base 3.
[0026] The outer surface of the first connecting arm 4 is an arc-shaped structure curved away from the bearing hole 11. Preferably, a sixth reinforcing rib 44 extending along the extension direction of the first connecting arm 4 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the first connecting arm 4. The first end of the first connecting arm 4 and the first end of the second connecting arm 5 are respectively fixedly connected to two opposite locations on the outer wall of the shock absorber mounting base 3. The middle area of the first connecting arm 4 and the second end of the second connecting arm 5 are respectively fixedly connected to the opposite ends of the upper part of the steering knuckle body 1, so that the bottom of the shock absorber mounting base 3, the inner surface of the first connecting arm 4, the inner surface of the second connecting arm 5, and the top of the steering knuckle body 1 form a through hole 8 structure. Preferably, a second weight-reducing groove 41 is provided on the inner surface of the middle area of the first connecting arm 4. The second weight-reducing groove 41 is preferably formed by a number of curved surfaces that are recessed towards the inner side of the first connecting arm 4, and the adjacent curved surfaces are smoothly connected. Multiple second reinforcing ribs 42 extending along the extension direction of the first connecting arm 4 are fixedly connected to the top ridge surface of the first connecting arm 4 located between the shock absorber mounting base 3 and the steering knuckle body 1.
[0027] The steering gear mounting seat 6 is used to install the steering gear, and the steering gear mounting seat 6 is fixedly connected to the second end of the first connecting arm 4; preferably, a plurality of third reinforcing ribs 43 extending along the extension direction of the first connecting arm 4 are fixedly connected on the side of the first connecting arm 4 located between the steering knuckle body 1 and the steering gear mounting seat 6 facing the rocker arm ball joint mounting seat 2, and a reinforcing arm 9 is fixedly connected between the steering knuckle body 1 and the side of the first connecting arm 4 located between the steering knuckle body 1 and the steering gear mounting seat 6 facing away from the rocker arm ball joint mounting seat 2.
[0028] The first brake caliper mounting base 71 and the second brake caliper mounting base 72 are used to install brake calipers. The first brake caliper mounting base 71 and the second brake caliper mounting base 72 are arranged vertically opposite each other and are both located on the side of the steering knuckle body 1 away from the steering gear mounting base 6. The first brake caliper mounting base 71 is fixedly connected to the side of the bottom of the steering knuckle body 1, and the second brake caliper mounting base 72 is fixedly connected to the outer side of the second connecting arm 5 through the third connecting arm 721.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, three mounting holes 12 are provided, preferably arranged in an equilateral triangle around the perimeter of the mounting holes 12. One mounting hole 12 is located at the connection between the steering knuckle body 1 and the second end of the second connecting arm 5 on the steering knuckle body 1, another mounting hole 12 is located at the connection between the steering knuckle body 1 and the middle area of the first connecting arm 4 on the steering knuckle body 1, and the third mounting hole 12 is located on the steering knuckle body 1 near the first brake caliper mounting seat 71. Assembly holes 13 are provided near each mounting hole 12. Multiple assembly holes 13 are used to install mudguards. One assembly hole 13 is located on the second end of the second connecting arm 5, one assembly hole 13 is located on the reinforcing arm 9, and another assembly hole 13 is located on the lower second side surface of the steering knuckle body 1.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the steering knuckle is made of cast iron with a tensile strength greater than or equal to 550 MPa, for example, the steering knuckle is made of cast iron with grade GJS-550-8; the steering knuckle body 1, the rocker arm ball joint mounting seat 2, the shock absorber mounting seat 3, the first connecting arm 4, the second connecting arm 5, the steering gear mounting seat 6, the first brake caliper mounting seat 71, and the second brake caliper mounting seat 72 are integrally formed by a casting process; the holes or grooves on the steering knuckle can all be manufactured by machining processes, for example, the first weight-reducing groove 14 on the steering knuckle body 1, the second weight-reducing groove 41 on the first connecting arm 4, and the through hole 8 structure formed by the shock absorber mounting seat 3, the first connecting arm 4, the second connecting arm 5, and the steering knuckle body 1 are all manufactured by machining processes.
[0031] This application also provides a suspension system including a steering knuckle as described above.
[0032] This application also provides a vehicle including the suspension system described above.
[0033] The various embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical application, or technical improvements to the embodiments in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand this document.
Claims
1. A steering knuckle, characterized in that: It includes a steering knuckle body (1), a rocker arm ball joint mounting seat (2), a shock absorber mounting seat (3), a first connecting arm (4), a second connecting arm (5), a steering gear mounting seat (6), a first brake caliper mounting seat (71), and a second brake caliper mounting seat (72); The upper region of the steering knuckle body (1) is provided with a bearing hole (11) that penetrates its thickness. The inner diameter of the bearing hole (11) matches the outer diameter of the bearing on the drive shaft of the vehicle. The upper region of the steering knuckle body (1) is provided with multiple mounting holes (12) that penetrate its thickness. The distribution of the multiple mounting holes (12) on the steering knuckle body (1) matches the distribution of the multiple mounting holes on the bearing. The area on the outer side of the swing arm ball joint mounting seat (2) facing the steering knuckle body (1) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first side of the steering knuckle body (1); a first weight-reducing groove (14) is provided in the area above the connection between the first side of the steering knuckle body (1) and the area below the bearing hole (11); a number of first reinforcing ribs (15) are fixedly connected around the first weight-reducing groove (14) on the first side of the steering knuckle body (1); The shock absorber mounting base (3) is located above the first side of the steering knuckle body (1); the outer side of the first connecting arm (4) is an arc-shaped structure bent away from the bearing hole (11); the first end of the first connecting arm (4) and the first end of the second connecting arm (5) are respectively fixedly connected to two opposite points on the outer side wall of the shock absorber mounting base (3); the middle area of the first connecting arm (4) and the second end of the second connecting arm (5) are respectively fixedly connected to the opposite two ends on the upper part of the steering knuckle body (1), so that the bottom of the shock absorber mounting base (3), the inner side of the first connecting arm (4), the inner side of the second connecting arm (5) and the top of the steering knuckle body (1) form a through hole (8) structure; the steering gear mounting base (6) is fixedly connected to the second end of the first connecting arm (4); The first brake caliper mounting seat (71) and the second brake caliper mounting seat (72) are respectively disposed on the side of the steering knuckle body (1) away from the steering gear mounting seat (6). The first brake caliper mounting seat (71) is fixedly connected to the side of the bottom of the steering knuckle body (1), and the second brake caliper mounting seat (72) is fixedly connected to the outer side of the second connecting arm (5) through the third connecting arm (721).
2. A steering knuckle according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second weight-reducing groove (41) is provided on the inner side of the middle region of the first connecting arm (4).
3. A steering knuckle according to claim 2, characterized in that: Multiple second reinforcing ribs (42) extending along the extension direction of the first connecting arm (4) are fixedly connected to the top ridge surface of the first connecting arm (4) located between the shock absorber mounting seat (3) and the steering knuckle body (1).
4. A steering knuckle according to claim 3, characterized in that: Multiple third reinforcing ribs (43) extending along the extension direction of the first connecting arm (4) are fixedly connected to the side of the first connecting arm (4) facing the ball joint mounting seat (2) between the steering knuckle body (1) and the steering gear mounting seat (6).
5. A steering knuckle according to claim 4, characterized in that: A reinforcing arm (9) is fixedly connected between the steering knuckle body (1) and the side of the first connecting arm (4) located between the steering knuckle body (1) and the steering gear mounting seat (6) away from the ball joint mounting seat (2).
6. A steering knuckle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shock absorber mounting base (3) has an opening (31) extending along the extension direction of the shock absorber mounting base (3) on the side away from the steering knuckle body (1). Connecting ears (32) are fixedly connected to the two sides of the opening (31) on the side away from the steering knuckle body (1), and connecting holes are provided on the two connecting ears (32). Several fourth reinforcing ribs (33) are fixedly connected to the connection between the connecting ears (32) and the side of the shock absorber mounting base (3).
7. A steering knuckle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steering knuckle body (1), the swing arm ball joint mounting seat (2), the shock absorber mounting seat (3), the first connecting arm (4), the second connecting arm (5), the steering gear mounting seat (6), the first brake caliper mounting seat (71), and the second brake caliper mounting seat (72) are integrally formed.
8. A steering knuckle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steering knuckle is made of cast iron with a tensile strength greater than or equal to 550 MPa.
9. A suspension system, characterized in that: Includes a steering knuckle as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. A vehicle, characterized in that: Including the suspension system described in claim 9.