Suspension device

Abstract

To prevent the unwilling lowering of a vehicle height.SOLUTION: The suspension 100 suspends the wheel 230 with respect to the basic structural member 220 constituting the vehicle, and includes the lift device 110 that changes the vehicle height of the vehicle by changing the distance between the wheel 230 and the basic structural member 220, and the first limit member 121 that is directly or indirectly fixed to the basic structural member 220 and limits the vehicle height of the vehicle so as not to fall below the first limit height by coming into surface contact with one of the components constituting the suspension 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension system that can change the height of a vehicle body relative to a road surface. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for restricting the wheel stroke by arranging a stopper on the shock absorber and restricting the stroke of the shock absorber.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a technique for restricting the wheel stroke by arranging a stopper between the suspension arm and the vehicle body and restricting the stroke of the suspension arm relative to the vehicle body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-143145 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-119709 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional suspension systems regulate wheel stroke while a vehicle is running. However, the present inventor has developed a lifting device that can significantly lower the vehicle height when the vehicle is stopped to improve convenience for passengers getting in and out of the vehicle and for loading and unloading luggage. When such a lifting device is incorporated into a suspension system, lowering the vehicle height can cause interference between the suspension system and the vehicle body, potentially causing unintended damage to the suspension system.

[0006] The present invention has been made based on the inventor's findings, and provides a suspension device that can prevent unintended damage caused by lowering the vehicle height using a lifting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a suspension device that suspends wheels from basic structural members that constitute a vehicle, and is equipped with a lifting device that changes the vehicle height by changing the distance between the wheels and the basic structural member, and a first limiting member that is fixed directly or indirectly to the basic structural member and comes into surface contact with one of the components that constitute the suspension device, thereby limiting the vehicle height to not be below a first limit height. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent unintended damage to the suspension system caused by lowering the vehicle height using the lifting device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a suspension system together with its basic structural members. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the first restrictor member together with the bearing stand, crank, and push rod. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a third limiting member disposed within the shock absorber. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing Example 1 of the state of the suspension device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing Example 2 of the state of the suspension device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing Example 3 of the state of the suspension device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a suspension system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are presented as examples for the purpose of explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For example, the shapes, structures, materials, components, relative positional relationships, connection states, numerical values, mathematical formulas, the content of each step in a method, and the order of each step shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and may include content not described below. Furthermore, while geometric expressions such as parallel and orthogonal may be used, these expressions do not imply mathematical rigor and include substantially permissible errors, deviations, and the like. Furthermore, expressions such as simultaneous and identical also include substantially permissible ranges.

[0011] The drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, or adjustment of proportions is appropriately made for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in the drawings represent Cartesian coordinates arbitrarily set for the purpose of explaining the drawings. In other words, the Z-axis is not necessarily an axis along the vertical direction, and the X-axis and Y-axis are not necessarily located within a horizontal plane.

[0012] In addition, in the following, multiple inventions may be collectively described as one embodiment, and some of the contents described below may be described as optional components related to the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a suspension system 100 together with a basic structural member 220. The basic structural member 220 is shown in a see-through state. The suspension system 100 suspends wheels from the basic structural member 220 that constitutes a vehicle, and is a device for absorbing shocks from the road surface and improving the ride comfort and handling stability of the vehicle. FIG. 1 shows a double-wishbone suspension system 100, but the type of suspension system 100 is not limited thereto. Examples include a strut type and a multi-link type in addition to the double-wishbone type. The suspension system 100 includes a lifting device 110 and a first limiting member 121. In this embodiment, the suspension system 100 includes a second limiting member 122 and a third limiting member 123. In this embodiment, a steering device 300 is attached to the inside of the suspension system 100 for independently steering the wheels 230.

[0014] The lifting device 110 is a device that, in principle, changes the vehicle height of the vehicle when the vehicle is stopped by changing the distance between the wheels 230 and the basic structural member 220. For example, the lifting device 110 can lower the vehicle when the vehicle is stopped to a height that is out of the wheel stroke when the vehicle is moving, improving the convenience of passengers getting on and off and facilitating the loading and unloading of luggage. The lifting device 110 is attached between the suspension device 100 that suspends the wheels 230 and the basic structural member 220 to which the suspension device 100 is attached. The lifting device 110 can change the height position of the basic structural member 220 relative to the wheels 230, i.e., the vehicle height, by changing at least one of the position, posture, and structure of the suspension device 100 relative to the basic structural member 220.

[0015] In this embodiment, the lifting device 110 adjusts the vehicle height by changing the height position of the basic structural member 220 relative to the shock absorber 212. The drive system of the lifting device 110 is not limited, but in this embodiment, the lifting device 110 is equipped with a lifting motor 111 and a lifting mechanism 112 that combines mechanical elements made of rigid bodies. Note that the lifting device 110 may also adjust the vehicle height using fluids such as hydraulic pressure or air pressure.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the first limiting member 121 along with the bearing pedestal 131, the crank 132, and the push rod 133. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the vehicle height is at the first limiting height, and is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the crank 132, cutting the center of the push rod 133. The first limiting member 121 is directly fixed to the basic structural member 220 and is in surface contact with the crank 132, one of the components of the suspension system 100, thereby limiting the vehicle height so that it does not fall below the first limiting height. In this embodiment, the first limiting member 121 is integrally formed with the bearing pedestal 131, which holds a bearing that allows the crank 132 to rotate. The bearing pedestal 131 is one of the components of the suspension system 100 and is fixed to the basic structural member 220 by fastening or the like. Therefore, the first limiting member 121 can be considered to be directly fixed to the basic structural member 220. The first limiting member 121 may be separate from the bearing pedestal 131 and may be fixed to the bearing pedestal 131 by fastening or the like. In this case, the first limiting member 121 is indirectly fixed to the basic structural member 220 via the bearing pedestal 131. The first limiting member 121 may also be fixed directly to the basic structural member 220 without going through a component of the suspension device 100 such as the bearing pedestal 131.

[0017] First limiting member 121 has a contact surface 129 that comes into surface contact with the upper surface of crank 132 when the vehicle height is at the first limit height, and if the vehicle height unintentionally reaches the first limit height, first limiting member 121 comes into surface contact with the upper surface of crank 132 to prevent the vehicle height from becoming less than the first limit height, thereby maintaining the state of suspension device 100 so that suspension device 100 does not deform further. Furthermore, by coming into surface contact with the upper surface of crank 132, stress concentration can be avoided, preventing damage to crank 132. Furthermore, it can also prevent harnesses connected to steering device 300 or lifting device 110 from being pinched by components of suspension device 100 and being cut.

[0018] The second limiting member 122 is fixed directly or indirectly to the basic structural member 220, and is a member that comes into contact with the road surface to limit the vehicle height so that it does not fall below a second limit height that is higher than the first limit height (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, as long as the second limiting member 122 functions normally, the vehicle height will be at the first limit height, and the first limiting member 121 will not come into contact with any of the components of the suspension device 100. The first limiting member 121 functions in situations where the second limiting member 122 does not function, such as when the second limiting member 122 is missing or fallen off, or when the portion that the second limiting member 122 comes into contact with is recessed, and also when the software limiter of the lifting device 110 does not function (see FIG. 5).

[0019] In this embodiment, the second limiting member 122 is a member that displaces integrally with the basic structural member 220 in response to changes in vehicle height caused by the lifting device 110 and changes in vehicle height due to changes in the number of passengers and the weight of cargo. The second limiting member 122 may be attached, for example, within the smallest rectangular parallelepiped area having a surface parallel to the road surface and including the wheels 230, the suspension devices 100 connected to the wheels 230, the lifting device 110, and the basic structural member 220. In this embodiment, the second limiting member 122 is attached to the basic structural member 220 via the suspension devices 100. In detail, the second limiting member 122 is attached directly below the lifting device 110, and is attached to the basic structural member 220 via the lifting device 110 and the suspension devices 100.

[0020] There are no limitations on the material that constitutes the second limiting member 122. For example, the second limiting member 122 may be made of an elastic material, such as rubber or elastomer, that is stretchable in the direction of change in vehicle height. It is desirable that the elastic modulus of the second limiting member 122 or the elastic modulus of the elastic material included in the second limiting member 122 is greater than the elastic modulus of the suspension device 100 as a whole.

[0021] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a third limiting member 123 disposed within shock absorber 212. Third limiting member 123 is a member that limits the distance between components that make up suspension system 100 so that, when the vehicle height is set to a running height that allows the vehicle to travel, the vehicle height does not fall below a third limiting height that is higher than either the first limiting height or the second limiting height. In the present embodiment, third limiting member 123 is disposed within shock absorber 212, and restricts shock absorber 212 so that it does not become shorter than a predetermined length, thereby preventing the vehicle height from falling below the third limiting height.

[0022] Next, the operation of the lifting device 110 will be described. Figure 4 is a diagram showing Example 1 of the state of the suspension device 100. As shown in Figure 4, when the vehicle is stopped, the lifting device 110 is controlled to lower the vehicle height, and the second limiting member 122 abuts against the ground 400, thereby maintaining the vehicle height at the second limit height. This makes it easier for passengers to get in and out of the vehicle and to load and unload luggage.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing Example 2 of the state of the suspension device 100. In a stopped vehicle, the lifting device 110 is controlled to lower the vehicle height to allow passengers to get in and out or to load and unload luggage. Normally, when the vehicle height reaches the second limit height, the control of the lifting device 110 is stopped due to a change in load caused by the second limiting member 122 coming into contact with the ground surface 400. However, if there is a depression in the ground surface 400 as shown in FIG. 5, the control of the lifting device 110 does not stop, and the vehicle height continues to lower until it reaches the first limit height. In this case, the first limiting member 121 comes into surface contact with, for example, a crank 132, which is one of the components of the suspension device 100, to stop deformation of the suspension device 100 and prevent the vehicle height from falling below the first limit height.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing Example 3 of the state of the suspension device 100. When the vehicle is in motion, the vehicle height is set to a position higher than the second limit height by the lifting device 110. Shocks from the road surface and bouncing of the vehicle body while traveling are limited to normal wheel stroke by springs 211, shock absorbers 212, and the like. When the vehicle body vibrates excessively in the vertical direction, third limiting member 123 (see FIG. 3), which functions as a bump stopper, and fourth limiting member 124 (see FIG. 4, etc.), which functions as a rebound stopper, restrict the vertical stroke of the vehicle body.

[0025] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present invention may be embodied in another embodiment by arbitrarily combining the components described in this specification or by excluding some of the components. Furthermore, the present invention also includes various modifications that would occur to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention, i.e., the meaning of the wording of the claims.

[0026] For example, the first limiting member 121 may be made of an elastic member and may be in surface contact with one of the components of the suspension device 100 by elastically deforming it. In this case, the shape of the first limiting member 121 is not limited, and may be a cone shape, a dome shape, a semi-cylindrical shape, or the like.

[0027] Furthermore, the first limiting member 121 may be plastically deformed to come into surface contact with one of the components of the suspension device 100. In this case, the shape of the first limiting member 121 is not limited, and may be a cone shape, a dome shape, a semi-cylindrical shape, or the like.

[0028] Furthermore, although the lifting device 110 raises and lowers the vehicle by raising and lowering the shock absorber 212 relative to the basic structural member 220, the components of the suspension system 100 that the lifting device 110 moves up and down are not limited.

[0029] Furthermore, although the case where the first limiting member 121 is in surface contact with the crank 132 has been described, the component of the suspension device 100 with which the first limiting member 121 is in surface contact may be an upper arm (arm), a shock absorber 212, or the like.

[0030] (summary) The first embodiment of the suspension device 100 is a suspension device 100 that suspends a wheel 230 from a basic structural member 220 that constitutes a vehicle, and is equipped with a lifting device 110 that changes the vehicle height by changing the distance between the wheel 230 and the basic structural member 220, and a first limiting member 121 that is fixed directly or indirectly to the basic structural member 220 and comes into surface contact with one of the components that constitute the suspension device 100, thereby limiting the vehicle height so that it does not become less than a first limit height.

[0031] According to the first aspect, it is possible to prevent malfunctions that occur when the vehicle height is unintentionally lowered below the first limit height, such as damage caused by contact between the components of the suspension device 100 and the basic structural member 220, and disconnection of harnesses connected to the lifting device 110 or the steering device 300.

[0032] The suspension system 100 of the second embodiment includes the suspension system 100 of the first embodiment, and the first limiting member 121 is fixed to another one of the components that make up the suspension system 100.

[0033] The suspension device 100 of the third embodiment includes the suspension device 100 of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the first limiting member 121 comes into surface contact with one of the components of the suspension device 100 by elastically deforming.

[0034] The suspension device 100 of the fourth embodiment includes any of the first to third embodiments, and is provided with a second limiting member 122 that is fixed directly or indirectly to the basic structural member 220 and that, by coming into contact with the road surface, limits the vehicle height to a second limiting height that is higher than the first limiting height.

[0035] According to the fourth aspect, the second restricting member 122 functions to restrict the vehicle height normally, and the first restricting member 121 functions as a fail-safe to deal with any malfunction.

[0036] The suspension device 100 of the fifth aspect includes any of the first to fourth aspects, and is provided with a third limiting member 123 that limits the distance between the components that make up the suspension device 100 so that, when the vehicle height is at a running height that allows the vehicle to run, the vehicle height does not fall below a third limiting height that is higher than the first limiting height. [Industrial Applicability]

[0037] The present invention can be used in vehicles equipped with wheels, such as automobiles, buses, trucks, agricultural machinery, construction machinery, and unmanned transport vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 100...suspension device, 110...lifting device, 111...lifting motor, 112...lifting mechanism, 121...first limiting member, 122...second limiting member, 123...third limiting member, 124...fourth limiting member, 129...contact surface, 131...bearing base, 132...crank, 133...push rod, 211...spring, 212...shock absorber, 220...basic structural member, 230...wheel, 300...steering device, 400...ground

Claims

1. A suspension device that suspends wheels from basic structural members that constitute a vehicle, a lifting device that changes the vehicle height of the vehicle by changing the distance between the wheels and the basic structural members; a first limiting member that is directly or indirectly fixed to the basic structural member and that comes into surface contact with one of the components that make up the suspension system to limit the vehicle height of the vehicle so that it does not become less than a first limit height; A suspension device comprising:

2. The first limiting member is It is fixed to another one of the components that make up the suspension system. The suspension system of claim 1 .

3. The first limiting member is The suspension system is brought into surface contact with one of its constituent members by elastic deformation.

3. A suspension system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a second limiting member that is fixed directly or indirectly to the basic structural member and that comes into contact with the road surface to limit the vehicle height so that it does not fall below a second limiting height that is higher than the first limiting height; 3. The suspension system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

5. and a third limiting member that limits the distance between components that make up the suspension system so that the vehicle height does not fall below a third limiting height that is higher than the first limiting height when the vehicle height is set to a running height that allows the vehicle to run.

3. A suspension system according to claim 1 or 2.

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