Vehicle height adjustment member

Abstract

To provide a vehicle height adjustment member which is capable of performing height adjustment of vehicle height simply and conveniently without performing part replacement by using an existing suspension.SOLUTION: A vehicle height adjustment member 1 comprises a strut mount part 20 which stores an upper support 6 which is stored inside in such a condition that a strut stopper 7 of a shock absorber 8 penetrates into a piston rod 81 and a screw hole part 32a in bolt position for attaching to a vehicle body and comprises a base plate part 30 which is fixed to the strut mount part 20, a plate part 40 which blocks a crown opening 3c provided on a crown 3b of an upper support storage convex part 3 of the vehicle body 2 and a bolt part 50 for attaching to the vehicle body which threadably engages with the screw hole part 32a and fixes the base plate part 30 to the vehicle body 2 and adjusts the vehicle height of the vehicle body 2 of a motor car by mounting to the suspension.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a height adjusting member that is attached to a suspension of an automobile to adjust the height of the vehicle body. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a suspension attached to a vehicle body of an automobile, for example, a strut-type suspension as shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 is known. Fig. 10 is a side view showing a typical structure of a conventional suspension attached to a vehicle body. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the conventional suspension structure shown in Fig. 10.

[0003] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the suspension includes a strut 100 and an upper support 200.

[0004] The strut 100 is a component that forms the main body of a strut suspension. The strut 100 includes a shock absorber 110, a coil spring 120, and a pair of spring seats 130.

[0005] Shock absorber 110 has a function of damping the expansion and contraction vibration of coil spring 120. Shock absorber 110 specifically includes a piston rod 111, a cylinder 112, and a piston 113. Furthermore, piston rod 111 is joined to the upper end of piston 113 which is slidably fitted inside cylinder 112. Spring seats 130 are respectively disposed on the upper part of cylinder 112 and the lower part of piston 113. Spring seat 130 on the cylinder 112 side supports the upper end of coil spring 120, and spring seat 130 on the piston 113 side supports the lower end of coil spring 120.

[0006] The upper support 200 has a function of absorbing vibrations transmitted from the strut 100. An upper support accommodating protrusion 102 for accommodating the upper support 200 is provided on the vehicle body, and this allows the suspension to be attached to the vehicle body 101. A piston rod 111 is inserted into an opening 103 of the upper support accommodating protrusion 102. A strut stopper 140 is provided with the piston rod 111 inserted therethrough so as to close the opening 103 of the upper support accommodating protrusion 102. A threaded portion 141 is formed on the upper end of the piston rod 111.

[0007] In conventional suspensions with such a structure, it is difficult to adjust the vehicle height as needed. Therefore, if it is desired to adjust the vehicle height, it is necessary to replace the existing shock absorber 110 with a part that allows the vehicle height to be adjusted. An example of such a part is an air suspension that allows the vehicle height to be adjusted by air pressure using an airbag, air cylinder, or the like. However, air suspensions are expensive, and the installation work is time-consuming and labor costs are incurred. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-175578 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a height adjustment member that enables easy adjustment of vehicle height using an existing suspension without replacing parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a height adjusting member for adjusting the height of a vehicle body by attaching it to a suspension of an automobile having a shock absorber, the vehicle body being provided with an upper support accommodating protrusion capable of accommodating an upper support provided at an upper end of the shock absorber, the strut mount portion accommodating the upper support provided inside in a state where a strut stopper of the shock absorber penetrates a piston rod in place of the upper support accommodating protrusion, and a strut mount portion for accommodating the upper support provided inside in a state where an opening of the upper support accommodating protrusion is closed, the strut mount portion accommodating the upper support provided inside in place of the upper support accommodating protrusion The vehicle body mounting bolt portion is characterized in that it comprises a base plate portion fixed to the trut mount portion and having a screw hole portion at a position corresponding to a top opening provided at the top of the upper support accommodating convex portion, which is a bolt position for mounting to the vehicle body; a plate portion that blocks the top opening from the direction opposite to the base plate portion that blocks the opening and has a through hole at a position corresponding to the top opening; and a vehicle body mounting bolt portion that screws into the screw hole portion of the base plate portion while passing through the through hole of the plate portion and the top opening of the upper support accommodating convex portion, thereby fixing the base plate portion to the vehicle body.

[0011] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that a fitting convex portion that fits into the top opening is provided on the side of the plate portion that abuts against the upper-support accommodating convex portion.

[0012] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that an axis of the vehicle body mounting bolt portion is not coaxial with an axis of the piston rod.

[0013] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the screw hole portion of the base plate portion is provided so as to be received in the upper support receiving protrusion.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the base plate portion has a groove portion at a position facing the piston rod so as not to come into contact with the piston rod. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, by preventing the upper support provided at the upper end of the shock absorber from being accommodated in the upper support accommodating protrusion provided on the vehicle body, the vehicle height can be easily increased without replacing the existing shock absorber.

[0016] That is, the height-adjustable member of the present invention includes a strut mount portion capable of accommodating an upper support instead of an upper-support accommodating convex portion. The height-adjustable member of the present invention also includes a base plate portion provided to close the opening of the upper-support accommodating convex portion, and a plate portion provided to close the top opening of the upper-support accommodating convex portion, and these base plate portion and plate portion are fastened and fixed to the upper-support accommodating convex portion by a vehicle body mounting bolt portion. The strut mount portion accommodating the upper support is fixed to the base plate portion, so that the vehicle height of the vehicle body can be easily increased while using an existing shock absorber. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of a suspension structure in which a vehicle height adjustable member according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle body; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle height adjusting member shown in FIG. 1 taken along line AA. [Diagram 3] 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a vehicle height adjusting member according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an upper support housing protrusion provided on a vehicle body. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5(a) is a perspective view showing a strut stopper of a shock absorber from above, and FIG. 5(b) is a perspective view showing the strut stopper from below. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a vehicle height adjusting member according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view showing a strut mount portion of a height adjusting member according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above, and FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view showing the strut mount portion as viewed from below. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is a perspective view showing a base plate portion of a vehicle height adjusting member according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above, and FIG. 8(b) is a perspective view showing the base plate portion as viewed from below. [Figure 9] FIG. 9(a) is a perspective view showing a plate portion of a vehicle height adjusting member according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above, and FIG. 9(b) is a perspective view showing the plate portion as viewed from below. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a side view that diagrammatically illustrates the structure of a conventional suspension attached to a vehicle body. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of the conventional suspension structure shown in FIG. 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] A vehicle height adjusting member according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the height adjustable member 1 of this embodiment is attached to a suspension of an automobile to adjust the height of a vehicle body 2. The height adjustable member 1 of this embodiment can be suitably applied to a vehicle body 2 provided with an upper support housing protrusion 3. Fig. 1 is a side view that typically shows the structure of a suspension in which the height adjustable member 1 of this embodiment is attached to the vehicle body 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the height adjustable member 1 shown in Fig. 1 taken along the line AA. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part that typically shows the height adjustable member of this embodiment.

[0019] The upper support accommodating protrusion 3 has a space capable of accommodating an upper support (described in detail later), and may have, for example, a side wall 3a, a top 3b, a top opening 3c provided in the top 3b, an opening 3d provided on the underside of the vehicle body 2, a flange 3e provided on the periphery of the opening 3d, and a fitting hole 3f provided in the flange 3e, as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view that typically shows the upper support accommodating protrusion 3 provided on the vehicle body 2.

[0020] The suspension is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a strut suspension. In the following, a case where a strut suspension is used will be described as an example. The strut suspension includes a strut 5, an upper support 6, and a strut stopper 7, as shown in, for example, Figs. 1 to 3.

[0021] The strut 5 constitutes the main body of the strut suspension. The strut 5 includes at least a shock absorber 8, a coil spring 9, an upper spring seat 10, and a lower spring seat 11.

[0022] The shock absorber 8 has a function of damping the expansion and contraction vibration of the coil spring 9. For example, a twin-tube gas-filled shock absorber can be used as the shock absorber 8. The shock absorber 8 of this embodiment includes at least a piston rod 81, a cylinder 82, and a piston 83. The piston rod 81 is joined to the upper end of the piston 83 which is slidably fitted inside the cylinder 82. The piston rod 81 also passes through an upper support through-hole 62 provided in the center of the upper support 6 and protrudes from the upper support 6.

[0023] The coil spring 9 is wound around the outer periphery of the shock absorber 8 between an upper spring seat 10 and a lower spring seat 11. The coil spring 9 is supported by the upper spring seat 10 and the lower spring seat 11, as described below.

[0024] The upper spring seat 10 is disposed above the cylinder 82. The upper spring seat 10 is formed in a cup shape that opens downward, and receives the upper end of the coil spring 120. The lower spring seat 11 is disposed below the piston 83. The lower spring seat 11 is formed in a cup shape that opens upward, and receives the lower end of the coil spring 120.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the upper support 6 includes at least an elastic body 61 made of anti-vibration rubber or the like. An upper support through-hole 62 is provided in the elastic body 61, and a piston rod 81 of the shock absorber 8 protrudes from the upper support through-hole 62. Furthermore, a first nut 12 is screwed into the piston rod 81, whereby the upper support 6 is fastened and fixed to the shock absorber 8 at the piston rod 81. The elastic body 61 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include those made of a material such as natural rubber. The upper support 6 is located between the vehicle height adjustable member 1 of this embodiment and the shock absorber 8, and is sandwiched between the vehicle body 2 and the shock absorber 8 by the weight of the vehicle body 2.

[0026] The strut stopper 7 has the function of preventing the upper support 6 from falling off the vehicle body 2 in the rebound direction, i.e., when the shock absorber 8 is displaced downward. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the strut stopper 7 comprises a bottom 71, a strut stopper opening 72 provided in the center of the bottom, an inclined surface 73, a flange portion 74, and a stopper rubber 75 attached in an annular shape to the outer periphery of the flange portion 74. Figure 5(a) is a perspective view showing the strut stopper 7 of the shock absorber 8 from the top side, and Figure 5(b) is a perspective view showing the strut stopper 7 from the bottom side.

[0027] The bottom portion 71, the inclined surface 73 and the flange portion 74 are integrally formed from, for example, a metal material. The stopper rubber 75 is made of an elastic body such as, for example, natural rubber.

[0028] A piston rod 81 of a shock absorber 8 protruding from the upper support 6 passes through and protrudes into the strut stopper opening 72. A second nut 13 is screwed onto the piston rod 81, whereby the strut stopper 7 is fastened and fixed to the shock absorber 8 at the piston rod 81.

[0029] Next, a description will be given of the vehicle height adjustable member 1 of this embodiment. The vehicle height adjustable member 1 of this embodiment includes at least a strut mount portion 20, a base plate portion 30, a plate portion 40, and a bolt portion 50 for mounting to the vehicle body.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3, 6, 7(a) and 7(b), the strut mount portion 20 includes a strut mount base portion 21, a strut mount opening 22 provided in the center of the strut mount base portion 21, and a housing portion 23 that protrudes from the underside of the strut mount base portion 21 so as to surround the strut mount opening 22. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view that typically shows the height adjustment member 1 attached to the vehicle body. Also, Figure 7(a) is a perspective view showing the strut mount portion 20 of the height adjustment member 1 from the top side, and Figure 7(b) is a perspective view showing the strut mount portion 20 from the bottom side.

[0031] The strut mount base 21 has a substantially pentagonal shape in a plan view. The corners of the strut mount base 21 are rounded. The corners of the strut mount base 21 are provided with a strut mount through hole 21a. The strut mount through hole 21a is used for fixing to the base plate 30 (details will be described later). As shown in FIG. 7(a), the upper surface of the strut mount base 21 is provided with an annular step 21b. The step 21b is formed so as to be lower in height than the other parts with respect to the upper surface. The step 21b is provided on the periphery of the strut mount opening 22. The strut stopper 7 is placed on the center of the strut mount base 21 from its upper surface side, and a bottom 71 of the strut stopper 7 is exposed from the strut mount opening 22 toward the lower surface side of the strut mount base 21. Additionally, annular stopper rubber 75 of strut stopper 7 engages with step portion 21b, preventing strut stopper 7 from falling off from strut mount opening 22 of strut mount base portion 21. Furthermore, as stopper rubber 75 engages with step portion 21b, strut stopper 7 is elastically supported by strut mount portion 20. Note that the shape of strut mount base portion 21 in a plan view is not limited to a pentagonal shape and can be changed as appropriate and necessary. Furthermore, the number of strut mount through holes 21a is not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate and necessary.

[0032] The accommodation portion 23 accommodates the elastic body 61 of the upper support 6 in place of the upper support accommodation protrusion 3 provided on the vehicle body 2. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the inner surface 23a of the accommodation portion 23 is inclined so that the accommodation portion 23 has a cone shape and abuts against the elastic body 61 of the upper support 6. As a result, the step portion 21b of the strut mount base portion 21 and the inner surface 23a of the accommodation portion 23 are sandwiched between the stopper rubber 75 of the strut stopper 7 and the elastic body 61 of the upper support 6, and the strut mount portion 20 can be fixed to the upper end of the shock absorber 8. The strut mount portion 20 is also elastically supported by the elastic body 61 of the upper support 6.

[0033] 3, 6, 8(a) and 8(b), the base plate portion 30 at least includes a base portion 31 and a protrusion portion 32 provided in the center of the base portion 31. Fig. 8(a) is a perspective view showing the base plate portion 30 of the height adjusting member 1 from the top side, and Fig. 8(b) is a perspective view showing the base plate portion 30 from the bottom side.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the base portion 31 only needs to have a shape and size that closes the opening 3d of the upper support accommodating protrusion 3 in the vehicle body 2 in a plan view. Therefore, the outer peripheral edge portion on the upper surface side of the base portion 31 abuts on the flange portion 3e of the upper support accommodating protrusion 3 of the vehicle body 2 over the entire circumference. In addition, a protrusion 32 that protrudes toward the top portion 3b of the upper support accommodating protrusion 3 is provided on the upper surface side of the base portion 31. Therefore, the protrusion 32 is accommodated in the space of the upper support accommodating protrusion 3 that was intended to accommodate the upper support. In addition, a screw hole portion 32a that enables screwing with the vehicle body mounting bolt portion 50 is provided in the center of the protrusion 32.

[0035] The base portion 31 is provided with base plate through holes 31a at positions corresponding to the four strut mount through holes 21a provided in the strut mount base portion 21. A hexagonal screw bolt (fixing means) 90 penetrates each of the strut mount through holes 21a and the base plate through hole 31a from the upper surface side of the base portion 31, and the hexagonal screw bolt 90 is fastened by being screwed into a third nut (fixing means) 91 from the lower surface side of the strut mount base portion 21. In this way, the strut mount portion 20 is fixed to the base plate portion 30 by the fixing means. The head of the hexagonal screw bolt 90 is embedded in the base plate through hole 31a so as to be flush with the upper surface of the base portion 31 without being exposed. As a result, on the upper surface side of the base portion 31, the outer periphery of the base portion 31 can be closely attached over the entire surface to the flange portion 3e of the upper support housing protrusion 3.

[0036] 8(a), a fitting protrusion 31b is provided on the upper surface of the base portion 31. The fitting protrusion 31b has a shape corresponding to the opening shape of the fitting hole 3f provided in the flange portion 3e of the upper support accommodating protrusion 3. Therefore, when the base plate portion 30 closes the opening 3d of the upper support accommodating protrusion 3, the fitting protrusion 31b can be fitted into the fitting hole 3f. As a result, it is possible to prevent the base plate portion 30 fixed to the vehicle body 2 from being displaced.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 8(b), a groove 31c is provided on the underside of the base portion 31. The groove 31c is disposed on the underside of the base portion 31 at a position facing the piston rod 81 of the shock absorber 8 protruding from the upper support 6. This provides a structure in which the underside of the base portion 31 does not come into contact with the piston rod 81. The axis of the vehicle body mounting bolt portion 50 is not coaxial with the axis of the piston rod 81. Therefore, in the base plate portion 30 as well, the screw hole portion 32a into which the vehicle body mounting bolt portion 50 screws is provided at a position that does not correspond to the groove 31c (see Fig. 2).

[0038] As shown in Figs. 3, 6, 9(a) and 9(b), the plate portion 40 has a function of closing the top opening 3c of the upper support housing protrusion 3 in the vehicle body 2. The plate portion 40 only needs to have a shape and size that closes the top opening 3c of the upper support housing protrusion 3, and in this embodiment, the plate portion 40 has a circular shape in a plan view. In addition, a plate through hole 41 is provided in the center of the plate portion 40, through which the vehicle body mounting bolt portion 50 passes. Furthermore, a fitting protrusion 42 that is circular in a plan view is provided on the lower surface side of the plate portion 40 (i.e., the side that abuts against the upper support housing protrusion 3). The fitting protrusion 42 fits into the top opening 3c of the upper support housing protrusion 3, thereby preventing the plate portion 40 from being displaced. Note that Fig. 9(a) is a perspective view showing the plate portion 40 of the height adjusting member 1 from the top side, and Fig. 9(b) is a perspective view showing the plate portion 40 from the bottom side.

[0039] As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the vehicle body mounting bolt portion 50 is inserted from the upper surface side of the plate portion 40 and screwed into the screw hole portion 32a of the base plate portion 30. As a result, the base plate portion 30 is fastened and fixed to the vehicle body 2. If the axis of the vehicle body mounting bolt portion 50 is made coaxial with the axis of the piston rod 81, it becomes difficult to make the center axis of the shock absorber 110 parallel to the direction substantially perpendicular to the vehicle body, as in the conventional suspension strut 100 shown in Figs. 10 and 11, and the shock absorber 110 is mounted in an inclined state. However, in this embodiment, as described above, the axis of the vehicle body mounting bolt portion 50 is mounted so as not to be coaxial with the axis of the piston rod 81. As a result, the axis of the vehicle body mounting bolt portion 50 and the axis of the piston rod 81 can be made parallel to the direction substantially perpendicular to the vehicle body 2, and as a result, the shock absorber 8 (or the piston rod 81) can also be mounted so that its center axis is parallel to the direction substantially perpendicular to the vehicle body 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Height adjustment parts 2. Body 3 Upper support housing protrusion 3a side wall 3b top 3c Top opening 3d opening 3e Flange part 3f Fitting hole 5 Strut 6 Upper Support 7 Strut stopper 8. Shock absorber 12 First Nut 13 Second Nut 20 Strut mount 21 Strut mount base 21a Strut mount through hole 21b Step 22 Strut mount opening 23 Storage unit 23a Inside surface 30 Base plate part 31 Base 31a Base plate through hole 31b Fitting protrusion 31c Groove 32 Protrusion 32a Screw hole 40 Plate section 41 Plate Through Hole 42 Fitting protrusion 50 Bolt section for mounting on vehicle body 61 Elastic Body 62 Upper support through hole 71 Bottom 72 Strut stopper opening 73 Slope 74 Flange 75 Stopper rubber 81 Piston rod 90 Hexagonal screw bolt (fixing means) 91 Third nut (fixing means)

Claims

1. A vehicle height adjustment member that is attached to a suspension of an automobile having a shock absorber to adjust the vehicle height of the automobile, the vehicle body includes an upper support housing protrusion capable of housing an upper support provided at an upper end portion of the shock absorber, a strut mount portion that accommodates the upper support, which is provided inside the strut stopper of the shock absorber with the piston rod passing through it, in place of the upper support accommodation protrusion; a base plate portion fixed to the strut mount portion in a state in which the opening of the upper support accommodating protrusion is closed, and the base plate portion has a screw hole portion at a position corresponding to a top opening provided at the top of the upper support accommodating protrusion, the screw hole portion being a bolt position for mounting to a vehicle body; a plate portion that closes the top opening from a direction opposite to the base plate portion that closes the opening and has a through hole at a position corresponding to the top opening; a vehicle body mounting bolt portion that is threaded into the screw hole portion of the base plate portion in a state where the bolt passes through the through hole of the plate portion and the top opening of the upper support accommodating protrusion, thereby fixing the base plate portion to the vehicle body; A vehicle height adjustment member comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle height adjusting member according to claim 1, wherein a fitting protrusion that fits into the top opening is provided on a side of the plate portion that abuts against the upper support accommodating protrusion.

3. 2. The vehicle height adjusting member according to claim 1, wherein an axis of said vehicle body mounting bolt portion is not coaxial with an axis of said piston rod.

4. 2. The vehicle height adjusting member according to claim 1, wherein the screw hole of the base plate portion is provided to be received in the upper support receiving protrusion.

5. 2. The vehicle height adjusting member according to claim 1, wherein the base plate portion is provided with a groove portion at a position facing the piston rod so as not to come into contact with the piston rod.

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