Clip for leaf spring

Abstract

To provide a clip for a leaf spring for reducing noise.SOLUTION: The clip for the leaf spring includes a fixing part fixed to at least one of a plurality of laminated leaf springs in the leaf spring, and a lateral displacement regulating part extended in the same direction from both parts of the fixing part and arranged close to the side of the leaf spring. The fixing portion is provided for inserting a fastener to be fixed to the leaf spring, and at least one of the fixing portion to which the fastener is fixed and the leaf spring to be fixed has a hole configured such that the fixing portion is relatively movable in a direction toward the lateral displacement restricting portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a clip for a leaf spring. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a suspension device that suspends a vehicle axle from a frame has been proposed that includes a leaf spring, which is made up of multiple overlapping leaf springs. The leaf spring is supported by a clip, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. This clip is composed of a U-shaped frame body that straddles the leaf spring from above and is fixed to the parent leaf spring, and a connector that connects the lower ends of the frame bodies across the width directly below the lowest child leaf spring at the position where the frame body is fixed. The clip and the parent leaf spring are fixed with rivets. The use of such a clip prevents the child leaf spring from shifting laterally relative to the parent leaf spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-182701 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, leaf springs (sub-leaf springs) that are not directly fixed to the leaf spring clips may come into contact with the clips as the vehicle is used, generating noise in the surrounding area.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a clip for a leaf spring that reduces noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following aspects or application examples.

[0007] The clip for leaf springs in this application example comprises a fixing portion that is fixed to at least one of a plurality of stacked leaf springs in the leaf spring, and a lateral displacement control portion that extends in the same direction from both portions of the fixing portion and is positioned close to the side of the leaf spring, the fixing portion being provided for inserting a fastener that is fixed to the leaf spring, and at least one of the fixing portion to which the fastener is fixed and the leaf spring to be fixed has a hole that is configured to allow the fixing portion to move relatively in a direction toward the lateral displacement control portion.

[0008] According to this application example, even if leaf spring 621 (sub-leaf spring) that is not directly fixed to clip 65 comes into contact with lateral displacement restriction portion 652 of clip 65, clip 65 can move relatively in either direction in the vehicle width direction so as to escape from leaf spring 621. Therefore, clip 65 of this embodiment can reduce an overload on lateral displacement restriction portion 652 by leaf spring 621. Therefore, it is possible to provide a leaf spring clip that reduces noise. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the vehicle with some of the configuration omitted. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rear portion of the suspension device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the leaf spring clip and its surroundings. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the leaf spring of FIG. 3 taken along line IV-IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Next, one embodiment of a configuration according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 as appropriate.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a side view omitting some of the configuration of vehicle 1. In the following description, the lower side of Fig. 1 is the front of vehicle 1 and the opposite side is the rear, the right side of Fig. 1 is the bottom of vehicle 1 and the opposite side is the top. Furthermore, the front side of the paper in Fig. 1 is the left side of vehicle 1 and the opposite side is the right side.

[0012] The vehicle 1 of this embodiment is exemplified by a four-wheeled electric vehicle such as a truck (an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), etc.). The vehicle 1 may also be a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the vehicle 1 is not limited to a truck and may be a passenger car or the like.

[0013] The vehicle 1 includes a chassis frame 2, a power supply system 3, a drive system 4, and drive wheels 5. The chassis frame 2 is a ladder frame and includes a pair of left and right side members 21 and a cross member (some components are not shown). The side members 21 extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle 1 (vehicle length direction D1) and are arranged parallel to each other. The cross member extends in the left-and-right direction of the vehicle 1 (vehicle width direction D2) and connects the pair of left and right side members 21. The chassis frame 2 supports a cab (not shown), the power supply system 3, the drive system 4, and other heavy objects.

[0014] The cab is a structure including a driver's seat (not shown), and is provided on the upper front side of the chassis frame 2. The power supply system 3 includes a battery 31 and an inverter (not shown) connected to the output of the battery 31. The vehicle 1 in Fig. 1 includes the battery 31 in front of the electric motor 41 in the vehicle length direction D1.

[0015] The drive system 4 includes an electric motor 41, a transmission 42 (power transmission section), a propeller shaft 43, and a differential 44. The electric motor 41 includes a motor. The electric motor 41 receives AC power from the battery 31 via an inverter, and generates the driving force required for the vehicle 1 to travel.

[0016] The transmission 42 includes a plurality of gears and functions as a reducer that reduces the rotational driving force supplied from the electric motor 41. The transmission 42 changes the speed (reduces) the driving force transmitted from the electric motor 41 inside, and transmits the reduced driving force to the differential 44 via the propeller shaft 43.

[0017] The differential 44 distributes the rotational driving force input from the transmission 42 to the left and right drive wheels 5, which are rear wheels. In other words, the drivetrain 4 changes the rotational driving force of the electric motor 41 to a rotational speed suitable for driving the vehicle 1 via the transmission 42 and the differential 44, and transmits it to the rear axles 45 corresponding to the left and right drive wheels 5, respectively. In this way, the drivetrain 4 rotates the drive wheels 5 via the rear axles 45, causing the vehicle 1 to travel. The differential 44 and the rear axles 45 are connected to a suspension device 6 suspended from the side members 21.

[0018] The suspension device 6 has a leaf spring 62 and brackets 61a, 61b that connect the leaf spring 62 to the side member 21. The brackets 61a and 61b are provided at the front and rear of the side member 21 and are connected to the front and rear ends of the leaf spring 62. As will be described later, the suspension device 6 of this embodiment includes two sets of leaf springs 62a, 62b, but the leaf spring 62b is shown in a simplified form in FIG.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the rear side of the suspension device 6. Fig. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the periphery of a clip 65 of a leaf spring 62.

[0020] The leaf spring 62 is formed by stacking multiple long leaf springs 621 that are curved convexly downward. The suspension device 6 of this embodiment includes two sets of leaf springs 62a, 62b. One of the leaf springs, 62b, is provided as a main spring, and the other leaf spring, 62a, is provided above the leaf spring 62b as an auxiliary spring.

[0021] The leaf springs 621 of each of the leaf springs 62a, 62b are formed shorter as they are disposed downward. Therefore, the leaf springs 62a and 62b are respectively disposed in an inverted trapezoidal shape as a whole in a side view. The leaf springs 621 of the leaf spring 62 are stacked with their positions aligned in the width direction (the vehicle width direction D2 when mounted on the vehicle 1). Each leaf spring 621 has a screw hole penetrating in the plate thickness direction (approximately the vehicle height direction D3) at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction, and is fastened by a linear center bolt (not shown) inserted through this through hole. As a result, the upper leaf spring 62b and the lower leaf spring 62a are also connected to each other in the vertical direction.

[0022] The front and rear ends of a leaf spring 621a that is part of the leaf spring 62b have cylindrical spring eyes 622 that penetrate from left to right. The spring eyes 622 function as bearings. The spring eye 622 at the front end of the leaf spring 62b is rotatably connected to the bracket 61a.

[0023] 2, a spring eye 622 at the rear end of leaf spring 62b is connected to bracket 61b via a shackle 64. One end of shackle 64 is connected to bracket 61b so as to be rotatable about an axis in the vehicle width direction D2. The other end of shackle 64 is connected to spring eye 622 at the rear end of leaf spring 621a so as to be rotatable about an axis in the vehicle width direction D2.

[0024] The leaf spring 62b has a clip 65 that prevents lateral displacement of the plurality of leaf springs 621. The clip 65 is fixed to at least one leaf spring 621b.

[0025] The clip 65 includes a fixed portion 651 fixed to at least one (leaf spring 621b) of the stacked leaf springs 621 in the leaf spring 62 (62b), and a lateral displacement control portion 652 extending in the same direction (upward in this embodiment) from both portions of the fixed portion 651 and positioned adjacent to the side of the leaf spring 621.

[0026] The fixing portion 651 is formed in the shape of an elongated rectangular plate. The fixing portion 651 has an elongated hole 651a at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction, which is elongated in the direction toward the lateral displacement restriction portion 652 (vehicle width direction D2) (see also the enlarged view of portion A in FIG. 3). The elongated hole 651a is formed in an oval shape. The elongated hole 651a is provided for inserting a fastener 653 that fastens to the leaf spring 621.

[0027] Furthermore, the leaf spring 621b fixed to the fixing portion 651 has a screw hole 6211, which is an elongated hole elongated in the width direction (vehicle width direction D2), at approximately the center in the width direction. The screw hole 6211 is formed at a position that approximately overlaps the elongated hole 651a in the plate thickness direction of the leaf spring 621b. In this embodiment, the fastener 653 is an example that is a rivet. As shown in FIG. 4, the screw hole 6211 has a tapered portion 6212 that widens and inclines the inner edge at the opening on the opposite side to the fixing portion 651. When the fixing portion 651 and the leaf spring 621b are fixed, the other end side of the fastener 653 relative to the head is crimped and widened to be accommodated within the tapered portion 6212. As a result, the fixing portion 651 and the leaf spring 621b are fastened together.

[0028] Fastener 653 may be another fastener such as a bolt as long as it can fasten fixed portion 651 and leaf spring 621b together. Also, instead of tapered portion 6212, a recessed portion (counterbore portion) that is recessed in a concave shape may be provided.

[0029] Two lateral displacement restriction portions 652 are formed substantially parallel to each other and extend from both ends of the fixed portion 651. The lateral displacement restriction portions 652 are formed in the shape of long rectangular flat plates, similar to the fixed portion 651. The inner width of the opposing lateral displacement restriction portions 652 is set to be substantially the same as or slightly wider than the width of each leaf spring 621.

[0030] The tip of the lateral deviation restricting portion 652 is connected by a bolt 655. Therefore, the clip 65 is formed in a substantially rectangular ring shape that surrounds the plurality of leaf springs 621.

[0031] U-bolts 63 are suspended from above at two locations, front and rear, across the center of the leaf springs 62 (62a, 62b) (the front U-bolt 63 is not shown). The rear axle 45 is connected to the lower end of the U-bolt 63. In this way, the suspension device 6 suspends the rear axle 45 and the drive wheels 5 from the side members 21. Therefore, the vehicle body on the side of the side members 21 is elastically supported by the suspension device 6.

[0032] As described above, in this embodiment, a configuration has been described that includes a fixing portion 651 that is fixed to at least one of the plurality of stacked leaf springs 621 in the leaf spring 62, and a lateral displacement restricting portion 652 that extends in the same direction from both portions of the fixing portion 651 and is disposed adjacent to the side of the leaf spring 621. In addition, the fixing portion 651 is provided for inserting a fastener 653 that secures the leaf spring 621, and at least one of the fixing portion 651 to which the fastener 653 is fixed and the leaf spring 621 to which it is fixed has holes (651a, 6211) that are configured to allow the fixing portion 651 to move relatively in a direction toward the lateral displacement restricting portion 652 side.

[0033] Leaf springs 621 (subsidiary leaf springs) that are not directly fixed to clip 65 may move in the width direction relative to other leaf springs 621 as the vehicle 1 is used. In the leaf spring 62 to which clip 65 of this embodiment is applied, even if the leaf spring 621 (subsidiary leaf spring) comes into contact with the lateral displacement restriction portion 652 of the clip 65, the clip 65 can move relative to the leaf spring 621 in either direction in the vehicle width direction D2 in which the clip 65 escapes from the leaf spring 621 within the length of the elongated hole 651a. Therefore, the clip 65 can reduce an overload on the lateral displacement restriction portion 652 by the leaf spring 621. Therefore, noise generated by contact between the clip 65 and the leaf spring 621 can be reduced.

[0034] Although the description of the embodiment of the present invention has been completed above, the aspects of the present invention are not limited to this embodiment.

[0035] For example, in the suspension device 6 of this embodiment, the clip 65 is provided on the lower leaf spring 62a, but the clip 65 may be provided on the upper leaf spring 62b. Also, two or more clips 65 may be provided for one leaf spring 62.

[0036] Furthermore, the number of leaf springs 621 connected to clip 65 via fasteners 653 may be two or more.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the screw hole 6211 is described as an elongated hole by way of example, but it may be a through hole of a shape other than an elongated hole (for example, a round hole) as long as the fastener 653 can be inserted therethrough.

[0038] Furthermore, the fixing portion 651 is provided for inserting a fastener 653 for fixing to the leaf spring 621, and at least one of the fixing portion 651 to which the fastener 653 is fixed and the leaf spring 621 (621b) to which it is fixed has a hole (651, 6211) configured to allow the fixing portion 651 to move relatively in the direction toward the lateral displacement restriction portion 652. For example, as shown in this embodiment, the fixing object leaf spring 621b may have an elongated hole as the screw hole 6211, and the fixing portion 651 may have a round hole instead of the elongated hole 651. Even in this case, the clip 65 can move relative to the leaf spring 621 in either direction of the vehicle width direction D2 within the length of the long hole (screw hole 6211) (for example, relative to the leaf spring 621 that is not the fixed object or relative to the entire leaf spring 62), thereby reducing the overload on the lateral shift control portion 652 by the leaf spring 621 and reducing the generation of noise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 vehicle 2 Chassis frame 3 Power system 4. Drivetrain 5 drive wheels 6. Suspension device 21 Side member 31 Battery 41 Electric motor 42 Transmission 43 Propeller shaft 44 Differential 45 rear axle 61a, 61b bracket 62(62a,62b) Leaf spring 63 U-bolt 64 Shackle 65 clips 621(621a,621b) Leaf spring 622 Spring Eye 651 Fixed part 651a long hole 652 Lateral slip control section 653 Fasteners 6211 Screw hole 6212 Tapered part D1 Vehicle length direction D2 Vehicle width direction D3 Vehicle height direction

Claims

[Claim 1] a fixing portion fixed to at least one of a plurality of stacked leaf springs in the leaf spring; and lateral displacement restriction portions extending in the same direction from both portions of the fixing portion and disposed adjacent to the sides of the leaf spring, The fixing portion is provided for inserting a fastener for fixing to the leaf spring, and at least one of the fixing portion to which the fastener is fixed and the leaf spring to which the fastener is fixed has a hole configured to allow the fixing portion to move relatively in a direction toward the lateral displacement prevention portion. Clips for leaf springs.

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