Suspension arm and suspension device comprising the same

Abstract

To provide a suspension arm which can prevent air from remaining inside a mounting part of a shock absorber and prevent water, mud, pebbles and the like from remaining inside the mounting part, when the suspension arm is subjected to hot-dip coating. and a suspension device.SOLUTION: One end part of a suspension arm is connected to a support part of a wheel and the other end part thereof is connected to a vehicle body. The suspension arm is formed in a hollow shape which has a plate-like upper member having a mounting part for a shock absorber and a plate-like lower member. The mounting part for the shock absorber has: a first plate-like portion protruding toward an upper side of the vehicle body; a second plate-like portion provided on a position opposing to the first plate-like portion; and a third plate-like portion connecting the first plate-like portion to an end portion of the second plate-like portion. A plurality of through-holes are formed in an inside part surrounded by the mounting part of the upper member for the shock absorber. A suspension device comprises the suspension arm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension arm for an automobile and a suspension device including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a structure capable of discharging water or muddy water that has entered inside a shock absorber bracket to the outside of the bracket through a water drainage separation part or notch when water or muddy water enters the inside of the shock absorber bracket.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the invention according to Patent Document 1, a water drainage hole is provided in the vertical wall part of the bracket for the shock absorber. When an input is applied to the shock absorber, a large load is applied to the bracket. If a through hole is provided in the vertical wall part of the bracket, concerns arise regarding the long-term durability and strength of the bracket.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a suspension arm and a suspension device in which air is less likely to remain inside the mounting part of the shock absorber when the suspension arm is immersed in paint without providing a through hole in the mounting part (bracket) for the shock absorber, and water, mud, small stones, etc. are less likely to remain inside the mounting part when they enter the inside of the mounting part of the shock absorber.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A suspension arm having one end connected to a wheel support portion and the other end connected to a vehicle body, the suspension arm having a hollow shape including a plate-shaped upper member having a mounting portion for a shock absorber and a plate-shaped lower member, the mounting portion of the shock absorber having a first plate-shaped portion protruding upward from the vehicle body, a second plate-shaped portion provided at a position facing the first plate-shaped portion, and a third plate-shaped portion connecting ends of the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion, and the above problems are solved by a suspension arm in which a plurality of through holes are provided in an inner portion surrounded by the mounting portion of the shock absorber of the upper member.

[0007] The above problems are solved by a suspension device including the suspension arm.

[0008] In the suspension arm, a plurality of through holes are provided inside the mounting portion of the shock absorber. Through the through holes, water or the like that has entered the inside of the mounting portion of the shock absorber is discharged. When the suspension arm is immersed in paint, air is discharged through the through holes, so that it is difficult for air to remain in the mounting portion of the shock absorber. The through holes are provided in a surrounded portion of the mounting portion of the shock absorber. There is no need to take measures such as increasing the plate thickness of the mounting portion of the shock absorber in order to improve the strength and durability of the mounting portion of the shock absorber due to the provision of the through holes.

[0009] In the suspension arm, at least one of the plurality of through holes may be provided at a connection portion between the first plate-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion, or at a connection portion between the second plate-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion.

[0010] In the suspension arm, it is preferable that through holes are provided at a connection portion between the first plate-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion and at a connection portion between the second plate-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion, respectively.

[0011] In the suspension arm, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which another through hole having a diameter larger than that of the through hole provided in the connecting portion between the first plate-like portion and the third plate-like portion or in the connecting portion between the second plate-like portion and the third plate-like portion is provided. By providing the other through hole, small stones and mud that have entered the inside of the mounting portion of the shock absorber can be more easily discharged from the other through hole, and the suspension arm can be lightened.

[0012] The suspension arm includes a reinforcing member disposed between the upper member and the lower member. The reinforcing member has a pair of side wall portions extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, a pair of plate-like first receiving portions extending from one end portion of the side wall portions and contacting the back surface of the upper member, and a plate-like second receiving portion extending from the other end portion of the side wall portions and contacting the back surface of the lower member. It is preferable that the shape is as described above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, when dip-painting the suspension arm without providing a through hole in the mounting portion (bracket) of the shock absorber, air is less likely to remain inside the mounting portion of the shock absorber, and when water, mud, muddy water, etc. enter the inside of the bracket, it is possible to provide a suspension arm in which water, etc. is less likely to remain inside the bracket, and a suspension device including the same.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the suspension arm and the suspension device of the present invention will be described. The following embodiments are merely limited examples of the embodiments of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

[0016] The suspension arm 2 of the present embodiment is a component constituting the suspension device 9 shown in FIG. 1, and is the lower arm 2 of the double wishbone type suspension device 9. The suspension device 9 includes an upper arm 1, a lower arm 2, a wheel support portion 3, a shock absorber 4, a coil spring 5 mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the shock absorber 4, and a restricting portion 6 that restricts excessive swinging of the suspension arm 2.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower arm 2 is configured by overlapping the side edges of the plate-shaped upper member 21 and the side edges of the plate-shaped lower member 22, and fixing the overlapped portion by welding. The lower arm 2 has a hollow shape. The side edge of the upper member 21 or the side edge of the lower member 22 has a shape in which the end of the metal plate is bent upward or downward with respect to the vehicle body. Similarly to the lower arm 2, the upper arm 1 is configured by fixing the overlapped portion of the side edge of the plate-shaped upper member 11 and the side edge of the plate-shaped lower member 12 by welding. The upper arm may be composed only of the upper member and may have an open cross-sectional shape with an open bottom surface.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, at one end of the lower arm 2, a mounting member 23 for the wheel support portion 3 is fixed. At the other end of the lower arm 2, a mounting portion 24 for the vehicle body is provided. Similarly, the upper arm 1 has a mounting portion 13 for the wheel support portion 3 and a mounting portion 14 for the vehicle body. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower arm 2 is substantially triangular in plan view and bottom view. The lower arm 2 includes a first arm portion 25 and a second arm portion 26 that extend between the mounting portion 23 for the wheel support portion 3 and the mounting portion 24 for the vehicle body. A wide portion 27 having a predetermined area is disposed in the middle of the lower arm 2. The wide portion 27 has a larger width than the width of the first arm portion 25 or the width of the second arm portion 26. In the wide portion 27, a mounting portion 41 (bracket) for pivotally supporting the end portion of the shock absorber 4 is provided as a mounting portion of the shock absorber 4. The above-described first arm portion 25 and second arm portion 26 are shaped such that a hollow arm projects toward the other end in plan view and bottom view, and are shaped to have a smaller width than the above-described wide portion 27, and are in communication with the hollow wide portion 27.

[0019] The above-described mounting portion 24 for the vehicle body is composed of a hollow cylindrical member arranged such that its axial direction substantially coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. A rubber bush is built into the inside of the cylindrical member. By inserting the vehicle body side shaft into the rubber bush, the lower arm 2 is supported by the vehicle body in a state where it can swing in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. The cylindrical member is fixed to the end portions of the first arm portion 25 and the second arm portion 26 by welding.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, at one end of the lower arm 2, a mounting member 23 for the wheel support portion 3 is fixed. The mounting member 23 is composed of a ball joint having a case for receiving a ball, a ball slidably housed in the case, and a rod connected to the ball. At one end of the lower arm 2, a plurality of through holes for fixing the ball joint are provided. The ball joint may be fixed to the lower arm by welding. As a known structure such as press-fitting into burring may be adopted for fixing the ball joint.

[0021] The upper arm 1 is configured in the same manner as the lower arm 2. At one end of the upper arm 1, a mounting member 13 for the wheel support portion 3 is fixed. The mounting member 13 is composed of a ball joint having a case for receiving a ball, a ball slidably housed in the case, and a rod connected to the ball, as shown in FIG. 1. At one end of the upper arm 1, a plurality of through holes for fixing the ball joint are provided. The rod portion of the ball joint protrudes downward in the lower arm. The difference is that the rod portion of the ball joint protrudes upward in the upper arm. Similarly to the above, as a known structure such as press-fitting into burring may be adopted for fixing the ball joint. Also, the direction in which the rod of the ball joint protrudes may be reversed from the above.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper arm 1 is different in that a portion corresponding to the wide portion of the lower arm 2 serves as a space for passing the shock absorber 4 and the coil spring 5 covering it. The space is arranged between the first arm portion and the second arm portion of the upper arm 1. The first arm portion is arranged closer to the front of the vehicle body, and the second arm portion is arranged closer to the rear of the vehicle body.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel support portion 3 has a mounting portion 31 of the ball joint extending inward in the vehicle width direction and a connecting portion 32 connecting the upper and lower mounting portions 31. A support portion for supporting the wheel is arranged in the middle of the connecting portion 32. Examples of the wheel support portion include parts such as a hub.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, for the ball joint on the lower arm side, the rod protrudes downward from the vehicle body. The tip of the rod is connected to the upper surface portion of the attachment portion 31 of the ball joint. For the ball joint on the upper arm side, the rod protrudes upward from the vehicle body. The rod is connected to the lower surface portion of the attachment portion 31 of the ball joint. As described above, the direction in which the rod of the ball joint protrudes may be reversed from the above.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the contact portion 212 provided at the rear of the vehicle body of the upper member 21 constituting the lower arm 2 is a portion where the restricting portion 6 that restricts excessive swinging of the lower arm 2 abuts. The contact portion 212 is provided at the base portion of the second arm portion 26.

[0026] In the suspension device 9 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the restricting portion 6 is composed of a cushioning material 61 made of a rubber material fixed to the side frame of the vehicle body and an attachment portion 62 for fixing the cushioning material 61. The attachment portion 62 is fixed to the side frame 63 of the vehicle body, and the cushioning material 61 is arranged so as to be located above the upper member 21 constituting the lower arm 2. As shown in FIG. 1, when the lower arm 2 of the suspension device 9 is not swinging, the cushioning material 61 and the upper member 21 are in a separated state from each other. When the lower arm 2 swings excessively, the upper member 21 and the cushioning material 61 come into contact, preventing the suspension device including the lower arm 2 from swinging excessively and interfering with other members.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, a mounting portion 41 (bracket) for fixing the lower end portion of the shock absorber 4 is provided in the widened portion 27 of the upper member 21 that constitutes the lower arm 2. The mounting portion 41 is provided approximately in the middle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The mounting portion 41 has a shape including a first plate-shaped portion 411 protruding upward toward the vehicle body, a second plate-shaped portion 412 provided at a position facing the first plate-shaped portion 411, and a third plate-shaped portion 413 connecting the ends of the first plate-shaped portion 411 and the second plate-shaped portion 412.

[0028] The first plate-shaped portion 411 is arranged on the front side of the vehicle body and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The second plate-shaped portion 412 is arranged on the rear side of the vehicle body and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The wheel-side end of the second plate-shaped portion 412 has a bent portion 414 bent toward the rear of the vehicle body. The third plate-shaped portion 413 connects the end of the first plate-shaped portion 411 and the end of the second plate-shaped portion and is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The connection portion between the end of the first plate-shaped portion 411 and the end of the third plate-shaped portion is substantially arc-shaped. Similarly, the connection portion between the end of the second plate-shaped portion 412 and the end of the third plate-shaped portion is also substantially arc-shaped.

[0029] Through holes are respectively provided in the first plate-shaped portion 411 and the second plate-shaped portion 412. A shaft for pivotally supporting the lower end portion of the shock absorber 4 is inserted and fixed in the through holes. The portion provided with the through holes has a higher shape than the portion not provided with the through holes in terms of the size of the protruding mounting portion 41. As shown in FIG. 5, convex portions 415 protruding downward toward the vehicle body are provided at the lower edges of the first plate-shaped portion 411 and the second plate-shaped portion 412. The upper member 21 is provided with a recess 211 for receiving the convex portion 415. The recess 211 is a substantially rectangular recess extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The recess 211 functions as a space to prevent the lower end portion of the shock absorber 4 from interfering with the upper member 21. The mounting portion 41 and the upper member 21 are welded along the extending direction of the first plate-shaped portion 411, the second plate-shaped portion 412, and the third plate-shaped portion 413 and fixed to each other.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of through holes 8 are provided in a portion surrounded by the mounting portion 41 of the shock absorber 4 of the upper member 21. Each of the through holes is circular. At least one of the plurality of through holes 8 may be provided inside the connection portion between the first plate-like portion 411 and the third plate-like portion 413, or inside the connection portion between the second plate-like portion 412 and the third plate-like portion 413. The through hole 8 provided in the connection portion between the first plate-like portion 411 and the third plate-like portion 413, or the connection portion between the second plate-like portion 412 and the third plate-like portion 413 is referred to as a first through hole 81. In the suspension arm 2 of the present embodiment, in addition to the first through hole 81, another through hole 8 is provided in a region surrounded by the mounting portion 41. This through hole is referred to as a second through hole 82. The numbers of the through holes 8, the first through hole 81, and the second through hole 82 are not particularly limited.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 9, when dip-painting the suspension arm 2, the suspension arm 2 is immersed in a liquid paint by hanging the hanger 100 on the mounting portion 24 of the vehicle body located on the front side or the rear side of the vehicle body. At this time, the position of the suspension arm 2 is inclined so that the straight line connecting the hanger 100 and the center of gravity of the suspension arm 2 coincides with the vertical direction. In FIG. 9, the center of gravity is indicated by a black circle. In this posture, the above-described first plate-like portion 411, second plate-like portion 412, and third plate-like portion 413 are also in an obliquely inclined posture. The third plate-like portion 413 is provided on the side where the mounting portion 24 for the vehicle body is provided. As shown in FIG. 9, when the hanger 100 is hung on the mounting portion 24 on the rear side of the vehicle body and the suspension arm 2 is immersed in the liquid paint, air remains inside the connection portion between the second plate-like portion 412 and the third plate-like portion 413. Although not shown, when the hanger 100 is hung on the mounting portion 24 on the front side of the vehicle body and the suspension arm 2 is immersed in the liquid paint, air remains inside the connection portion between the first plate-like portion 411 and the third plate-like portion 413.

[0032] In the suspension arm 2 of the present embodiment, a plurality of through holes 8 are provided in a portion surrounded by the mounting portion 41. When the suspension arm 2 is immersed in a liquid paint as shown in FIG. 9, air flows out of the suspension arm 2 through the plurality of through holes 8 and through the inside of the suspension arm 2. This can reduce the possibility of painting defects due to air remaining inside the mounting portion 41.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that first through holes 81 are provided at the connection portion between the first plate-like portion 411 and the third plate-like portion 413, and at the connection portion between the second plate-like portion 412 and the third plate-like portion 413, respectively. When the hanger 100 is hung on any of the mounting portions 24 on the front side of the vehicle body and the mounting portions 24 on the rear side of the vehicle body, as shown in FIG. 9, the first through hole 81 is at the highest position in the region surrounded by the mounting portion 41, and air from the first through holes 81 can flow more surely out of the suspension arm 2 through the inside of the suspension arm 2. When the first through hole 81 is provided only on one of the front side and the rear side of the vehicle body, the hanger 100 may be hung on the corresponding mounting portion 24.

[0034] Not only air but also water and mud that have entered the inside of the mounting portion 41 are discharged out of the suspension arm 2 through the first through hole 81 and the inside of the suspension arm 2. In addition, the suspension arm 2 is provided with through holes that communicate the inside and outside of the suspension arm at the connection portion between the mounting portion 24 for the vehicle body and the first arm or the second arm, etc. Air and the like are discharged out of the suspension arm 2 through this through hole. In the suspension arm 2 of the present embodiment, as described above, in addition to the first through hole 81, another second through hole 82 is provided in the region surrounded by the mounting portion 41. The second through hole 82 is provided at a position closer to the wheel mounting portion 41 than the first through hole 81.

[0035] The second through-hole 82 is configured to have a larger hole diameter than the first through-hole 81. Therefore, by providing the second through-hole 82, it becomes easier for paint, water, mud, small stones, etc. that have entered the attachment portion 411 to be discharged through the second through-hole 82. In the suspension arm 2, two second through-holes 82 are provided along the extending direction of the first plate-shaped portion 411.

[0036] The suspension arm 2 of the present embodiment includes a reinforcing member 7 disposed between the upper member 21 and the lower member 22. The reinforcing member 7 has a pair of side wall portions 71 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, a pair of plate-shaped first receiving portions 72 extending from one end portion of the side wall portion 71 and contacting the back surface of the upper member 21, and a plate-shaped second receiving portion 73 extending from the other end portion of the side wall portion 71 and contacting the back surface of the lower member 22. The side wall portion 71 has a notch portion 74 that slopes downward from the second receiving portion 73 toward the first receiving portion 72. The notch portion 74 achieves weight reduction of the reinforcing member.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the first receiving portion 72 of the reinforcing member 7 is shaped to contact from the back surface of the upper member 21 with respect to the joint portion of the first plate-shaped portion 411, the second plate-shaped portion 412, and the upper member 21. The reinforcing member 7 includes a protrusion 75 as shown in FIG. 7. The protrusion 75 is plate-shaped and protrudes from the first receiving portion 72, and is shaped to contact from the back surface of the upper member 21 with respect to the joint portion of the portion beyond the bent portion 414 of the second plate-shaped portion 412 and the upper member 21. The first receiving portion 72 has a recess 76 corresponding to the recess 211 provided in the upper member 21. The recess 76 is provided in the first receiving portion 72 and is shaped to be recessed downward of the vehicle body, and contacts the recess 211 of the upper member 21 from the back surface.

[0038] The reinforcing member 7 and the upper member 21 or the lower member 22 are fixed by welding. In the suspension device 9 of the present embodiment, the contact portion between the edge of the first receiving portion 72 and the upper member 21 and the contact portion of the second receiving portion 73 and the edge of the long hole of the lower member 22 are welded.

[0039] The stress generated in each of E to I when inputting downward to the vehicle body with respect to part B of FIG. 10 and inputting downward to the vehicle body with respect to part C of the same figure was analyzed by CAE. Note that part B is the part where the swing motion regulating part (bump stopper) contacts the suspension arm 2, and part C is the part where the center of the mounting part of the shock absorber is located.

[0040] In the configuration where the reinforcing member 7 is not provided, there is a risk that the peripheries of parts E, F, G, and H will be damaged due to the stress generated in parts E, F, G, and H. When the reinforcing member 7 is provided, the stress generated in parts E, F, G, and H is at a level without problems. When the reinforcing member 7 is provided, the stress generated in part I is about 1 / 5 of that in parts E, F, G, and H, and it can be seen that providing the first through hole 81 or the second through hole 82 inside the mounting part 41 has no significant impact on the strength and durability of the mounting part 41.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0041] 2 Suspension arm 9 Suspension device 3 Wheel support part 4 Shock absorber 41 Mounting part of shock absorber (bracket) 21 Upper member 22 Lower member 411 First plate-like part 412 Second plate-like part 413 Third plate-like part 8 Multiple through holes 7 Reinforcing member 71 Side wall part 72 First receiving part 73 Second receiving part

Claims

1. A suspension arm having one end connected to a wheel support portion and the other end connected to a vehicle body, The suspension arm has a hollow shape having a plate-shaped upper member having a mounting portion for a shock absorber and a plate-shaped lower member, The mounting portion of the shock absorber has a first plate-shaped portion protruding upward from the vehicle body, a second plate-shaped portion provided at a position facing the first plate-shaped portion, and a third plate-shaped portion connecting the ends of the first plate-shaped portion and the second plate-shaped portion. A suspension arm in which a plurality of through holes are provided in an inner portion surrounded by the mounting portion of the shock absorber of the upper member.

2. The suspension arm according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of through holes is provided at a connection portion between the first plate-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion, or a connection portion between the second plate-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion.

3. The suspension arm according to claim 1 or 2, wherein through holes are provided at the connection portion between the first plate-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion and at the connection portion between the second plate-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion, respectively.

4. The suspension arm according to claim 2, wherein another through hole having a larger diameter is provided as compared with the through hole provided at the connection portion between the first plate-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion, or the connection portion between the second plate-shaped portion and the third plate-shaped portion.

5. The suspension arm includes a reinforcing member disposed between the upper member and the lower member, The reinforcing member has a pair of side wall portions extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, a pair of plate-shaped first receiving portions extending from one end of the side wall portion and contacting the back surface of the upper member, and a plate-shaped second receiving portion extending from the other end of the side wall portion and contacting the back surface of the lower member. The suspension arm according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A suspension device including the suspension arm according to claim 1 or 2.

Images