Angle-adjustable automotive accessory connecting arm

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of automobile parts, especially relates to a kind of angle-adjustable automobile parts connecting arm, including main body, connecting assembly, ball head assembly and adjusting assembly, and one end of connecting assembly is connected with main body, and ball head assembly is connected with the other end of main body by adjusting assembly;Adjusting assembly includes: fixed seat, swing seat, driving part, angle feedback part and locking part;Fixed seat is connected with the end of main body;Swing seat is set up in the side of fixed seat away from main body, ball head assembly is set up on swing seat, swing bracket is set up on swing seat, and one end of swing bracket away from swing seat is rotatably connected with fixed seat;Angle feedback part includes scale section and indicating part, indicating part can move along with swing bracket and cooperate with scale section to realize reading;Locking part can lock or unlock swing bracket in current position;Compared with prior art, the connecting arm of the utility model can realize intuitive, accurate adjustment of angle, and has reliable locking capacity, effectively improves the stability of adjustment efficiency and positioning parameter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automotive parts technology, and in particular relates to an adjustable angle automotive parts connecting arm. Background Technology

[0002] Connecting arms are used in automobiles when installing components or connecting and supporting multiple components. For example, the connecting arm that connects the suspension to the wheel is also called a control arm. As a guiding and force-transmitting component of the suspension system, the performance of the connecting arm directly affects the vehicle's handling stability and ride comfort.

[0003] To adjust positioning parameters such as front wheel camber angle and track width, adjustable automotive control arm assemblies have emerged in the prior art. A typical design includes a control arm body, a ball joint assembly, an adjusting shim, and positioning components. One end of the control arm body has a mounting groove, within which the ball joint assembly is housed. A mounting plate is mounted on the ball joint assembly, and the mounting plate is fitted into the mounting groove. This technology achieves camber angle adjustment by placing an adjusting shim with an inclined surface between the ball joint assembly and the control arm. The inclined surface is brought into contact with the inner wall of the mounting plate or mounting groove, causing the ball joint assembly to tilt at a corresponding angle.

[0004] However, this technology, which adjusts the angle of the ball joint assembly by setting shims of different heights, has obvious drawbacks: the adjustment requires multiple disassemblies to replace shims of different thicknesses for debugging, which is cumbersome, increases the labor intensity and time cost of workers, and the shims are easy to be lost during long-term use.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, patent document CN222432002U discloses an automotive swing arm assembly, comprising a swing arm body, a connecting assembly, a ball joint assembly, and an adjusting assembly. The adjusting assembly includes an adjusting rod, a fixed plate fixedly connected to the swing arm body, and an adjusting plate rotatably connected to the fixed plate. The ball joint assembly is fixedly connected to the adjusting plate. A mounting groove is provided on the side of the adjusting plate away from the fixed plate, and a fixed block is slidably connected within the mounting groove. The adjusting rod includes a first rod body and a second rod body. The first rod body is sleeved on the second rod body and threadedly connected to the second rod body. The first rod body is rotatably connected to a mounting seat on the fixed plate, and the second rod body is hinged to the fixed block. This automotive swing arm assembly, when adjusting the angle of the ball joint assembly, changes the length of the adjusting rod by rotating the first rod body. This change in the length of the adjusting rod effectively adjusts the angle between the ball joint and the swing arm body, eliminating the need for repeated adjustments.

[0006] However, in this patent document, when adjusting the angle of the adjustment plate, there is no direct angle feedback, which has the defect of "blind adjustment". It is necessary to rely entirely on the external four-wheel alignment machine to repeatedly measure and try and fail, resulting in low adjustment efficiency. Moreover, the angle is maintained by the self-locking of the threaded pair of the adjustment rod. Under the continuous vibration of the vehicle, the threaded pair is at risk of loosening, which leads to inaccurate positioning parameters. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an adjustable angle connecting arm for automotive parts that can achieve intuitive and precise angle adjustment, reliable locking, and convenient operation. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned technical problems by providing an adjustable angle automotive accessory connecting arm. This connecting arm enables intuitive and precise angle adjustment and has reliable locking capability, effectively improving adjustment efficiency and the stability of positioning parameters.

[0008] In view of this, the present invention provides an adjustable angle automotive accessory connecting arm, including a main body, a connecting component, a ball joint assembly, and an adjusting component. The connecting component is connected to one end of the main body, and the ball joint assembly is connected to the other end of the main body through the adjusting component. The adjusting component includes: A mounting base is connected to the end of the main body; A swing seat is located on the side of the fixed seat away from the main body. A ball head assembly is located on the swing seat. A swing frame is located on the swing seat. The end of the swing frame away from the swing seat is rotatably connected to the fixed seat. The driving component enables the swing frame to swing around the rotation connection point as the fulcrum; Angle feedback device, which includes a scale segment and an indicator. The scale segment is set on a fixed base and is an arc segment with the swing center of the swing frame as the center. The indicator is set on the swing base or swing frame and can follow the movement of the swing frame and cooperate with the scale segment to realize the reading. The locking mechanism can lock or unlock the swing frame in its current position.

[0009] In this technical solution, the connecting assembly is used to install the connecting arm to the vehicle subframe or body, the ball joint assembly is used to connect the steering knuckle of the wheel, the drive component realizes stepless adjustment of the swing seat angle, thereby realizing the adjustment of the wheel positioning parameters, the angle feedback component solves the "blind adjustment" problem and improves accuracy, and the independent locking component significantly improves the locking reliability.

[0010] In the above technical solution, the fixed base is further provided with an installation groove, one end of the swing frame enters the installation groove and is rotatably connected to the fixed base, and a connecting groove communicating with the installation groove is provided on one side of the scale segment. The connecting groove is an arc-shaped groove with the same center as the scale segment. The swing frame is provided with a through hole opposite to the position of the connecting groove, and the locking member passes through the connecting groove and the through hole.

[0011] In the above technical solution, the locking component further includes a locking screw and a locking nut. The fixed end of the locking screw contacts one side of the outer wall of the fixed seat, and the connecting end of the locking nut extends to the other side of the fixed seat after passing through the connecting groove and the through hole. The locking nut is threadedly connected to the locking screw.

[0012] In the above technical solution, the mounting groove is further provided in the middle of the fixed base, and scale segments are provided on the two opposite side walls of the fixed base. A connecting groove is provided on one side of each scale segment. There are two indicators, which are respectively opposite to the positions of the two scale segments.

[0013] In the above technical solution, the driving component further includes a mounting bracket, a connecting screw, and a driving sleeve. The mounting bracket is set on the side wall of the swing frame. One end of the connecting screw is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket. The driving sleeve is rotatably connected to the fixed base. The end of the driving sleeve near the connecting screw is provided with a driving screw hole. The other end of the connecting screw is threadedly connected to the driving screw hole.

[0014] In the above technical solution, a force-applying block is further provided at the end of the drive sleeve away from the connecting screw.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: 1. By setting a scale segment centered on the pivot point and a moving indicator, the operator can directly read the real-time deflection angle of the ball joint assembly relative to the main body. This transforms the adjustment process from a "black box" operation that relies on repeated measurements and trial and error using external equipment into a visible and controllable "white box" operation, significantly improving adjustment efficiency and setting accuracy while reducing reliance on operator experience.

[0016] 2. Through the design of separate threaded pairs of independent locking and driving components, the locking component can apply a strong direct mechanical locking force to the swing frame, effectively resisting continuous vibration and impact during vehicle operation. This fundamentally solves the risk of easy loosening due to relying solely on the self-locking of the drive threaded pair, ensuring the long-term stability of wheel alignment parameters and driving safety.

[0017] 3. The overall layout is reasonable, integrating the driving, feedback, and locking functions into a compact module. Rigid connections are used between components, and high-strength materials are used in the manufacturing process, ensuring the structural integrity and overall rigidity of the connecting arm under complex loads. This achieves convenient adjustment while ensuring the product's service life and reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the adjustment component in the first direction of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the adjustment component in the second direction of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the adjustment component in this utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the cross-section structure in the AA direction.

[0024] The markings in the diagram are as follows: 1. Main body; 2. Connecting assembly; 3. Ball head assembly; 4. Adjusting assembly; 5. Fixing base; 501. Mounting slot; 6. Swing seat; 7. Swing frame; 8. Driving component; 801. Mounting bracket; 802. Connecting screw; 803. Driving sleeve; 804. Force application block; 901. Scale segment; 902. Indicator; 10. Locking component; 1001. Locking screw; 1002. Locking nut; 11. Connecting slot. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. For ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following drawings denote similar items, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it need not be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0027] This embodiment provides an adjustable-angle automotive accessory connecting arm, mainly used in automotive suspension systems, such as as a lower control arm.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 The connecting arm includes a main body 1, a connecting component 2, a ball joint assembly 3, and an adjusting component 4. The adjusting component 4 is the core component for adjusting the angle of the ball joint assembly 3. Please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 2-4 The adjustment component 4 includes a fixed base 5, a swing base 6, a drive component 8, an angle feedback component, and a locking component 10; The main body 1, as the main load-bearing structure of the connecting arm, is usually made of high-strength steel plate by stamping or cast from materials such as aluminum alloy and cast iron. It has sufficient bending and torsional stiffness. The shape of the main body 1 can be designed according to the specific vehicle layout requirements. The connecting assembly 2 is located at one end of the main body 1 and is used to mount the entire connecting arm to the subframe or body of the vehicle. The connecting assembly 2 typically includes one or more mounting bushings, with an outer metal sleeve and an inner rubber elastomer. A metal spindle may also be press-fitted inside the rubber elastomer. The function of the rubber bushing is to provide the necessary elasticity, buffer and absorb vibrations and impacts from the road surface, and guide the movement trajectory of the wheel with controlled deformation. The connecting assembly 2 and the main body 1 are usually fixed by press-fitting, welding or bolting. The ball joint assembly 3 is connected to the other end of the main body 1 through the adjusting assembly 4. The ball joint assembly 3 is a standard automotive part, mainly including a ball pin, ball seat, dust cover, etc. The tail of the ball pin has threads for connecting and locking with the steering knuckle of the wheel. The ball joint assembly 3 allows the steering knuckle to move with multiple degrees of freedom relative to the connecting arm within a certain angle range to meet the needs of wheel steering and bouncing. The ball joint assembly 3 and the swing seat 6 in the adjusting assembly 4 are usually fixedly connected by bolts. Please see Figure 1The fixing seat 5 is fixedly connected to the end of the main body 1. In this embodiment, the fixing seat 5 is preferably forged from 40Cr or 42CrMo alloy steel to ensure its strength and wear resistance. The fixing seat 5 is welded to the main body 1 to form a whole. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 2 and Figure 3 A mounting groove 501 is provided in the middle of the fixed base 5 to accommodate the end of the swing frame 7. The mounting groove 501 penetrates at least one side of the fixed base 5. The attached figure shows the case where the mounting groove 501 penetrates three consecutive side walls of the fixed base 5. The swing seat 6 is located outside the fixed seat 5 (i.e., the side away from the main body 1). The swing seat 6 is associated with the fixed seat 5 through the swing frame 7. The swing seat 6 can be made of a similar material to the fixed seat 5. The ball head assembly 3 is fixed to the swing seat 6 by bolts. The swing frame 7 is generally L-shaped or other suitable shape. One end of the swing frame 7 is fixedly connected to the swing base 6 (e.g., by welding or bolting), and the other end extends into the mounting groove 501 of the fixed base 5. It is rotatably connected to the fixed base 5 through a hinge pin or a rotating shaft. The mounting groove 501 has pin holes on two opposite side walls for mounting the hinge pin or rotating shaft. The hinge point is the fulcrum of the entire swing part. This junction point is defined as point O. The driving component 8 is used to drive the swing frame 7 to swing around point O. In this embodiment, the driving component 8 includes a mounting bracket 801, a connecting screw 802, a driving sleeve 803, and a force application block 804. Please see Figure 2 and Figure 5 The mounting bracket 801 is welded or bolted to the side wall of the swing frame 7; one end of the connecting screw 802 is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket 801 through a sliding bearing or a simple open hole. The connection point between the connecting screw 802 and the mounting bracket 801 allows the connecting screw 802 to move axially and swing slightly, but constrains the relative rotation between the connecting screw 802 and that point; the rotation of the drive sleeve 803 is converted into the axial movement of the connecting screw 802 relative to the drive sleeve 803 through the threaded pair. Since the connecting screw 802 cannot rotate relative to the mounting bracket 801, the axial movement of the connecting screw 802 is realized. Since the movement trajectory of the mounting bracket 801 following the swing frame 7 is an arc, the slight swing of the connection point between the connecting screw 802 and the mounting bracket 801 can compensate for the radial displacement of the connecting screw 802 relative to the mounting bracket 801 during the adjustment process. A mounting part is provided on one side wall of the fixed base 5. The drive sleeve 803 is mounted on the mounting part through a pair of rolling bearings or sliding bushings, so that the drive sleeve 803 can rotate freely around its own axis but cannot move axially. One end of the drive sleeve 803 is machined with a drive screw hole, and the other end of the connecting screw 802 is screwed into the drive screw hole. The force block 804 is fixedly connected to the outer end of the drive sleeve 803. The force block 804 can be made into an external hexagonal head. When the force block 804 is rotated with a wrench, the drive sleeve 803 rotates accordingly. Since the axial movement of the connecting screw 802 is constrained by the mounting bracket 801 (it can only translate), according to the principle of thread transmission, the rotation of the drive sleeve 803 will be converted into the axial linear movement of the connecting screw 802. When the connecting screw 802 extends, it pushes the swing bracket 7 to swing outward. When the connecting screw 802 retracts, it pulls the swing bracket 7 to swing inward, thereby realizing the continuous stepless adjustment of the angle of the ball head assembly 3. Angle feedback elements are used to provide real-time angle readings; please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 2-4 The angle feedback component includes a scale segment 901 and an indicator 902. The scale segment 901 is directly engraved or fixed to the two outer walls of the fixed base 5 in the form of a label. The key point is that the scale segment 901 is an arc with the swing fulcrum O as the center. There are two indicators 902, which are fixed to the two sides of the swing base 6 or the swing frame 7 respectively, corresponding to the scale segment 901 on both sides. The indicator 902 can be a sharp pointer. When the swing frame 7 swings, the indicator 902 moves with the swing frame 7 and moves on the scale segment 901, directly indicating the current deflection angle value. This allows the operator to accurately control the adjustment amount. Locking element 10 is used to reliably lock the device after the angle adjustment is completed. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 2-4 A connecting groove 11 communicating with the mounting groove 501 is provided on the fixed base 5 and located inside the scale segment 901. The connecting groove 11 is also an arc groove centered at point O. A through hole (not shown in the figure) is provided on the swing frame 7 at the position corresponding to the connecting groove 11. The locking component 10 includes a locking screw 1001 and a locking nut 1002. The head of the locking screw 1001 abuts against one side of the outer wall of the fixed base 5, and the rod passes through the connecting groove 11 and the through hole on the swing frame 7 in sequence. The locking nut 1002 is tightened to the locking screw 1001 on the other side of the fixed seat 5. When locking is required, the locking nut 1002 is tightened, and the clamping force of the locking screw 1001 and the locking nut 1002 presses the swing frame 7 tightly onto the fixed seat 5, making it unable to rotate. When the angle needs to be adjusted, the locking nut 1002 must be loosened first, so that the swing frame 7 can swing freely. By setting the locking mechanism on both sides, the balance and stability of the locking force are ensured. When it is necessary to adjust wheel alignment parameters (such as camber angle): First, use a wrench to loosen the locking nuts 1002 on both sides so that the swing frame 7 is in a swingable state; Then, according to the target angle value, observe the position of the indicator 902 on the scale segment 901, and use another wrench to rotate the force block 804 at the end of the drive sleeve 803. The rotation of the drive sleeve 803 is converted into the axial movement of the connecting screw 802 through the threaded pair, thereby pushing or pulling the swing frame 7 to swing around point O. During the swinging process, observe the scale indicated by indicator 902 in real time. When the target angle is reached, stop rotating the force application block 804. Finally, use a wrench to tighten the locking nuts 1002 on both sides. The clamping force of the locking screw 1001 and the locking nuts 1002 will firmly lock the swing frame 7 onto the fixed base 5, thus completing the angle adjustment and locking.

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An adjustable-angle automotive accessory connecting arm, comprising a main body (1), a connecting assembly (2), a ball joint assembly (3), and an adjusting assembly (4), wherein the connecting assembly (2) is connected to one end of the main body (1), and the ball joint assembly (3) is connected to the other end of the main body (1) via the adjusting assembly (4); characterized in that, The adjustment component (4) includes: A fixing seat (5) is connected to the end of the main body (1); A swing seat (6) is provided on the side of the fixed seat (5) away from the main body (1). The ball head assembly (3) is provided on the swing seat (6). A swing frame (7) is provided on the swing seat (6). The end of the swing frame (7) away from the swing seat (6) is rotatably connected to the fixed seat (5). The driving component (8) can drive the swing frame (7) to swing around the rotation connection point as the fulcrum; An angle feedback device, comprising a scale segment (901) and an indicator (902), wherein the scale segment (901) is disposed on the fixed base (5) and is an arc segment centered on the swing center of the swing frame (7); the indicator (902) is disposed on the swing base (6) or the swing frame (7) and can follow the movement of the swing frame (7) and cooperate with the scale segment (901) to achieve reading; Locking element (10) can lock or unlock the swing frame (7) in the current position.

2. The adjustable angle automotive component connecting arm according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed base (5) is provided with an installation groove (501). One end of the swing frame (7) enters the installation groove (501) and is rotatably connected to the fixed base (5). A connecting groove (11) communicating with the installation groove (501) is provided on one side of the scale segment (901). The connecting groove (11) is an arc-shaped groove with the same center as the scale segment (901). The swing frame (7) is provided with a through hole opposite to the position of the connecting groove (11). The locking member (10) passes through the connecting groove (11) and the through hole.

3. The adjustable angle automotive component connecting arm according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking component (10) includes a locking screw (1001) and a locking nut (1002). The fixed end of the locking screw (1001) contacts one side of the outer wall of the fixed seat (5). The connecting end of the locking nut (1002) passes through the connecting groove (11) and the through hole and extends to the other side of the fixed seat (5). The locking nut (1002) is threadedly connected to the locking screw (1001).

4. The adjustable angle automotive component connecting arm according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The mounting groove (501) is located in the middle of the fixed base (5). The fixed base (5) has scale segments (901) on its two opposite side walls. The connecting groove (11) is located on one side of each of the two scale segments (901). There are two indicators (902) and they are respectively opposite to the two scale segments (901).

5. The adjustable angle automotive component connecting arm according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving component (8) includes a mounting bracket (801), a connecting screw (802), and a driving sleeve (803). The mounting bracket (801) is disposed on the side wall of the swing frame (7). One end of the connecting screw (802) is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket (801). The driving sleeve (803) is rotatably connected to the fixed base (5). The end of the driving sleeve (803) near the connecting screw (802) is provided with a driving screw hole. The other end of the connecting screw (802) is threadedly connected to the driving screw hole.

6. The adjustable angle automotive component connecting arm according to claim 5, characterized in that: A force-applying block (804) is provided at the end of the drive sleeve (803) away from the connecting screw (802).

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