Air suspension device for vehicle

Abstract

To solve a problem that in a conventional air suspension device there is a risk that a foreign matter would enter an internal space of a bellows-like cover during traveling of a vehicle.SOLUTION: An air suspension device includes a hollow shock absorbing body 1 capable of expanding and contracting in a vertical direction of a vehicle, a hollow pressure bag 2 capable of expanding and contracting, and a pipe 3 for communicating the insides of the shock absorbing body 1 and the pressure bag 2 with each other, and the insides of the shock absorbing body 1, the pressure bag 2, and the pipe 3 are formed into a sealed space to prevent intrusion of a foreign matter during traveling of the vehicle and intrusion of water during flooding.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air suspension device used in a vehicle suspension system. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional air suspension device for a vehicle is described, for example, in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes an air suspension device installed between the wheels and the body of a vehicle. This air suspension device includes a shock absorber, an air spring installed on the outer periphery of the shock absorber, an expandable bellows-like cover that covers the outside of the air spring, and a retaining member that secures the bellows-like cover.

[0003] In the air suspension device described above, the retaining member has a notch formed therein. This notch prevents interference with the mounting portion when the retaining member is assembled, and functions as a flow opening that allows air to flow between inside and outside as the accordion-shaped cover expands and contracts when the device is in operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-034871 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional air suspension devices described above, the internal space of the accordion-shaped cover is open to the atmosphere by the cutouts, which means that foreign matter such as water, sand, pebbles, asphalt pitch, tar, etc. may enter the internal space of the accordion-shaped cover through the cutouts while the vehicle is traveling, and there is also a risk of water entering the internal space if the vehicle is submerged in water.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to provide an air suspension device for a vehicle that can prevent the intrusion of foreign objects while the vehicle is traveling and the intrusion of water when the vehicle is submerged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle air suspension device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a hollow cushion that can expand and contract in the vertical direction of the vehicle, a hollow pressure bag that can be inflated and contracted, and piping that connects the insides of the cushion and the pressure bag to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] By adopting the above-described configuration, the vehicle suspension device of the present invention forms an airtight space in which the interiors of the shock absorber, pressure bag, and piping are interconnected, thereby preventing the intrusion of foreign objects while the vehicle is moving and water when the vehicle is flooded, while maintaining the original shock absorbing function. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a main part of a first embodiment of an air suspension device. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the air suspension device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged view of the pressure bag in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a pressure bag. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing the left and right states of an air suspension device according to a third embodiment before and after assembly. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the air suspension device shown in FIG. 5, as seen from outside the vehicle. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing the left and right states of an air suspension device according to a fourth embodiment before and after assembly. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a side view of the air suspension device shown in FIG. 7 as seen from outside the vehicle. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing the left and right states of an air suspension device according to a fifth embodiment before and after assembly. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of the air suspension device shown in FIG. 9 as seen from outside the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First Embodiment The air suspension device, the main parts of which are shown in Figure 1, is arranged between the body and wheels of a vehicle, and basically comprises a hollow buffer body 1 that can expand and contract in the vertical direction of the vehicle, a hollow pressure bag 2 that can expand and contract, and piping 3 that connects the insides of the buffer body 1 and the pressure bag 2 to each other.

[0011] The buffer 1 is mainly composed of a bellows-shaped pressure case 1A. The material of the pressure case 1A is not limited, but it is made of resin, for example. The material of the pressure bag 2 is also not limited, but in the illustrated example, it is a balloon-shaped piece made of synthetic rubber, for example. The piping 3 is made of resin or metal, for example, and one end of the piping 3 is airtightly connected to the pressure case 1A of the buffer 1, and the other end is airtightly connected to the pressure bag 2.

[0012] In an air suspension device with the above configuration, the interiors of the pressure case 1A of the shock absorber 1, the pressure bag 2, and the piping 3 are interconnected to form sealed spaces, and as the load changes, the volumes of the pressure case of the shock absorber 1 and the pressure bag 2 change inversely proportionally, thereby absorbing the load.

[0013] In this way, the air suspension device described above can effectively maintain its original shock-absorbing function while preventing the intrusion of foreign matter such as water, sand, pebbles, asphalt pitch, and tar when the vehicle is moving, and can also prevent the intrusion of water when the vehicle is submerged in water.

[0014] 2 to 10 are diagrams illustrating second to fifth embodiments of the vehicle air suspension device according to the present invention. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0015] Second Embodiment The air suspension device shown in Figures 2 and 3 is configured around side members M1 and suspension members M2 that form the frame of the vehicle. That is, as shown particularly in the right diagram of Figure 2, the air suspension device includes a retaining body H that is located below the side member M1 and toward the outside of the vehicle (toward the right in Figure 2), and a link mechanism L that is interposed between the suspension member M2 and the retaining body H, and the link mechanism L is connected to the axle A of the wheel W.

[0016] In the above air suspension device, a buffer 1 is placed inside a retaining body H, and a pressure bag 2 is housed in a hollow side member M1. The buffer 1 and the pressure bag 2 are connected by a pipe 3 arranged on the outside of the vehicle (the right side in Figure 2) of the side member M1 and the retaining body H.

[0017] The side member M1 in the illustrated example is a long hollow member with a rectangular cross section. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, the pressure bag 2 has a fixed portion 2A that is fixed to the inner surface of the side member M1, and a movable portion 2B that is held by the fixed portion 2A and is capable of expanding and contracting. In a more preferred embodiment, the pressure bag 2 can employ a configuration in which the movable portion 2B of the pressure bag 2 expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction of the side member M1.

[0018] The fixed portion 2A of the pressure bag 2 is, for example, a cylindrical member made of metal or resin, and is fixed to the inner surface of the side member M1 by an appropriate method with its axis aligned with the longitudinal direction of the side member M1. The movable portion 2B of the pressure bag 2 in the illustrated example is made of, for example, rubber, and may be configured such that dome-shaped bags are airtightly connected to both ends of the fixed portion 2A, or such that balloon-shaped bags are inserted into the fixed portion 2A and protrude from both ends of the fixed portion 2A.

[0019] As a result, the movable part 2B of the pressure bag 2 expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction of the side member M1, and it is also effective to provide guides 4, 4 at both ends of the fixed part 2A to guide the expansion and contraction movement of the movable part 2B, as shown in Figure 3.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the pressure bag 2. The pressure bag 2 shown in FIG. 4 has a fixed portion 2A and a movable portion 2B, similar to the one shown in FIG. 3, with the movable portion 2B being a bellows. This pressure bag 2, like the pressure bag shown in FIG. 3, is housed inside the side member M1 and fixed by the fixed portion 2A, with the movable portion 2B expanding and contracting in the longitudinal direction of the side member M1. In this way, with a configuration in which a bellows is used for the movable portion 2B, the directionality of the expansion and contraction movement is stable, so the guide 4 shown in FIG. 3 may be used, or may be eliminated.

[0021] The air suspension device having the above configuration can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment, and in addition, by providing the pressure bag 2 inside the side member M1, damage due to chipping can be prevented.

[0022] Furthermore, even when the above-described air suspension device is placed near a heat source such as the engine exhaust passage, the side member M1 has a heat-shielding effect, so the pressure bag 2 can be thermally protected without using a separate part such as a heat shield.

[0023] Furthermore, even if the vehicle becomes stuck in the desert or the like, the air suspension device described above can prevent situations in advance in which the inflation and deflation action of the pressure bag 2 is hindered or damaged by sand, and since there is no need to increase the strength of the pressure bag 2 components more than necessary, weight and costs can be reduced.

[0024] Furthermore, the air suspension device described above employs a pressure bag 2 having a fixed portion 2A and a movable portion 2B, so that it can be easily and reliably attached to the side member M1.

[0025] Furthermore, although the above air suspension device may simply be configured to house the inflatable / deflated pressure bag 2 within the side member M1, by employing a pressure bag 2 having a fixed portion 2A and a movable portion 2B that inflates and contracts in the longitudinal direction of the side member, it is possible to avoid contact between the movable portion 2B and the inner surface of the side member M1, prevent damage to the movable portion 2B, and maintain good inflation and deflation operation over a long period of time.

[0026] <Third embodiment> 5 and 6 has the same basic configuration as the second embodiment, with the side member M1 having an opening 5 through which the pressure bag 2 can pass, and the pressure bag 2 having a lid member 6 that closes the opening 5. The side member M1 in the illustrated example is a long, hollow member with a rectangular cross section, and the opening 5 is formed on the surface facing outward from the vehicle in the vehicle width direction (the surface on the left side in FIG. 5).

[0027] 3 and 4, the pressure bag 2 is a unit consisting of a fixed part (2A) and a movable part (2B), with a cover member 6 fixed integrally to the fixed part (2A) and a connection part 2C for a pipe 3 penetrating the cover member 6. The cover member 6 is a metal plate member, and is fixed to a side member M1 by means of bolts and nuts, welding, or the like to form a part of the side member M1.

[0028] In a more preferred embodiment of the air suspension device, the buffer 1 is disposed on either the inner or outer side of the side member M1 in the vehicle width direction, and the opening 5 of the side member M1 is formed in the surface on the same side in the vehicle width direction as the buffer 1. For example, in the right-hand view of FIG. 2, the buffer 1 is disposed below the side member M1, closer to the outer side of the vehicle (toward the right in FIG. 2). In this case, the buffer 1 is disposed on the outer side of the side member M1, and the opening 5 of the side member M1 is formed in the surface of the side member M1 on the outer side of the vehicle.

[0029] An air suspension device having the above configuration can achieve the same effects as the above embodiments, and in addition, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 5, the pressure bag 2 and the lid member 6 are integrated together, and as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 5, the pressure bag 2 is housed in the side member M1 through the opening 5, and the lid member 6 is fixed to the side member M1, so assembly work can be carried out quickly and easily.

[0030] Furthermore, the air suspension device described above is easy to work with because the opening 5 is formed in the surface of the side member M1 on the outer side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. That is, with the structure shown in the right diagram of Figure 2, the air suspension device is assembled before the wheel W is attached, and at that time, because there are no obstacles on the outer side of the side member M1, the pressure bag 2 can be easily attached to the side member M11 from the outside of the vehicle.

[0031] Furthermore, in the above-described air suspension device, the buffer body 1 and the opening 5 are uniformly positioned below the side member M1 relative to the side member M1, either on the inside or outside of the vehicle. This eliminates the need for a worker to move back and forth across the side member M1 when connecting the piping 3 to the buffer body 1 and the pressure bag 2, thereby improving workability.

[0032] <Fourth embodiment> 7 and 8 has the same basic configuration as the third embodiment, and the side member M1 has an opening 5 formed in it that extends from its surface on the outer side of the vehicle to its underside. In contrast, the cover member 6 integrated with the pressure bag 2 is a plate member with an L-shaped cross section that has a flange F at its lower end to match the shape of the opening 5.

[0033] In the illustrated air suspension device, a connection portion 2C for connecting a pipe 3 to a pressure bag 2 penetrates the lower surface (bottom wall) of the cover member 6 and the side member M. This air suspension device can also achieve the same effects as the third embodiment.

[0034] Fifth Embodiment 9 and 10 has the same basic configuration as the third embodiment, and the side member M1 has an opening 5 formed in it that extends from its surface on the outer side of the vehicle to its upper and lower surfaces. In contrast, the cover member 6 integrated with the pressure bag 2 is a plate member having upper and lower flanges F, F to match the shape of the opening 5.

[0035] In the illustrated air suspension system, the connection portion 2C for connecting the piping 3 to the pressure bag 2 penetrates the surface of the side member M opposite the opening 5, i.e., the surface on the inside of the vehicle. With this air suspension system, the same effects as in the third embodiment can be obtained.

[0036] As explained in the third to fifth embodiments, the air suspension device can employ various configurations for the opening 5 in the side member M1 and the pressure bag 2 that integrates the cover member 6, allowing for a high degree of freedom in design. However, when the rigidity, weight, and manufacturing costs of the side member M1 are taken into consideration, adopting the configuration of the third embodiment (Fig. 5.6) allows the size of the opening 5 to be kept to a minimum, which is advantageous for ensuring the rigidity of the side member M1 and reducing weight and manufacturing costs.

[0037] The configuration of the vehicle air suspension device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it is of course also possible to combine the configurations of the various embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Buffer 2 pressure bags 2A Fixed part 2B Moving part 3 Piping 5 Opening 6 Lid member M1 side member

Claims

1. a hollow buffer body that is expandable in the vertical direction of the vehicle; an inflatable and deflatable hollow pressure bag; a pressure bag that is provided in the air suspension system for a vehicle and that is connected to the inside of the shock absorber;

2. 2. The vehicle air suspension system of claim 1, wherein said pressure bag is housed within a hollow side member forming a frame of the vehicle.

3. 3. The vehicle air suspension device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure bag comprises a fixed portion that is fixed to the inner surface of the side member, and a movable portion that is held by the fixed portion and is inflatable and deflated.

4. 4. The air suspension device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the movable portion of the pressure bag expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction of the side member.

5. the side member has an opening through which the pressure bag can pass, 3. The air suspension device for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the pressure bag includes a cover member that closes the opening.

6. 6. A vehicle suspension device according to claim 5, wherein the opening of the side member is formed on a surface facing outward from the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

7. the buffer body is disposed on either the vehicle inner side or the vehicle outer side of the side member in the vehicle width direction, 6. A vehicle suspension device according to claim 5, wherein the opening of the side member is formed on a surface on the same side as the buffer body in the vehicle width direction.

Images