Camber angle adjustment device for strut-type suspension and strut-type suspension device

Abstract

The present invention provides a camber angle adjustment device for a strut-type suspension and a strut-type suspension system equipped therewith, which can reliably maintain the camber angle. [Solution] A camber angle adjustment device comprising: a strut portion having a pair of plate-shaped bracket portions to which a hub knuckle is connected; a guide plate disposed inside the bracket portion and mounted on the hub knuckle, having a pair of clamping portions and pressing portions, and whose inclination can be changed; a cylindrical nut rotatably supported in the bracket portion; and a plate-shaped camber adjustment shim fixed between the pressing portion of the guide plate and the seating surface portion of the cylindrical nut, wherein the camber angle is adjusted by changing the inclination of the guide plate and the hub knuckle according to the number of camber adjustment shims fixed between the guide plate and the cylindrical nut.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a camber angle adjusting device and a strut type suspension device for a vehicle strut type suspension.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a vehicle strut type suspension device having a mechanism capable of adjusting the camber angle. As a method for adjusting the camber angle, for example, there is a method of replacing one of the upper and lower two bolts that fix the knuckle and the strut with a bolt provided with an eccentric cam. By rotating the bolt provided with the eccentric cam, the relative mounting position between the knuckle and the strut can be adjusted to adjust the camber angle. Also, by making either one of the two mounting holes at the lower part of the strut where the bolt is attached into a long hole in the lateral direction and making the fixing position of the bolt variable along the long hole, the relative mounting position between the knuckle and the strut can be adjusted to enable adjustment of the camber angle (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of the above camber angle adjustment method, the mounting position is fixed by the frictional force due to fastening the bolt or nut, and the adjusted camber angle is maintained. Therefore, due to loosening of the bolt or the like or the impact during running, the direction or position of the bolt may shift and the camber angle may change.

[0005] <s Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a camber angle adjustment device for a strut-type suspension and a strut-type suspension device equipped with the same, which can reliably maintain the camber angle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The means to solve the above problems are as follows:

[0007] (1) A camber angle adjustment device for a strut-type suspension, A strut portion having a pair of plate-shaped bracket portions to which a hub knuckle is connected, each bracket portion having a first hole and a second hole into which knuckle fixing bolts are fastened, A guide plate positioned inside the bracket portion and attached to the hub knuckle, The bracket portion has holes through which the knuckle fixing bolts pass at positions corresponding to the first and second holes, and a pair of plate-shaped clamping portions that sandwich the hub knuckle from both sides, It has a flat pressing portion located between one end of the pair of clamping portions, which is fixed by fastening a camber adjustment bolt, A guide plate whose tilt relative to the strut portion changes when moved around one of the knuckle fixing bolts, A cylindrical nut rotatably supported by the bracket at a position opposite the pressing portion of the guide plate, wherein the camber adjustment bolt is fastened to the cylindrical nut with a seating surface on its side that is a plane along the axial direction of the cylindrical nut facing the direction of the pressing portion, The tightening force of the camber adjustment bolt secures a plate-shaped camber adjustment shim between the pressing portion of the guide plate and the seating portion of the cylindrical nut, A camber angle adjustment device comprising the above, characterized in that the camber angle is adjusted by changing the inclination of the guide plate and the hub knuckle according to the number of camber adjustment shims fixed between the guide plate and the cylindrical nut.

[0008] (2) The camber angle adjustment device according to (1) above, characterized in that the hole through which the camber adjustment bolt passes in the pressing portion is an elongated hole extending in the direction connecting the two holes through which the knuckle fixing bolts of the clamping portion pass, and the position in which the camber adjustment bolt is fastened in the elongated hole moves depending on the inclination of the guide plate.

[0009] (3) The camber angle adjustment device according to (1) above, characterized in that the pressing portion of the guide plate is located on the end opposite to the side through which the one knuckle fixing bolt passes.

[0010] (4) The camber adjustment shim is The hole through which the camber adjustment bolt passes has a U-shaped shim hole that is open on one side, The camber angle adjustment device according to (1) above, characterized in that it is inserted into or removed between the pressing portion and the seating surface portion from the open side of the shim hole.

[0011] (5) The camber angle adjustment device according to (4) above, characterized in that the camber adjustment shim has a hole for gripping when attaching or detaching it at the end of the camber adjustment shim opposite to the side of the shim hole that is open.

[0012] (6) The camber angle adjustment device according to (4) above, characterized in that the camber adjustment shim is inserted into or removed from above the bracket portion.

[0013] (7) The camber angle adjustment device according to (1) above, characterized in that one of the knuckle fixing bolts is passed through the second hole of the strut portion, and the first hole of the strut portion is an elongated hole that widens along an arc centered on the second hole.

[0014] (8) The pressing portion of the guide plate and the seating surface portion of the cylindrical nut are rectangular, and the outer shape of the camber adjustment shim is shaped along the shape of the pressing portion, characterized in that the camber angle adjustment device according to (1) above.

[0015] (9) The camber adjustment bolts are arranged in two rows and fastened in the direction in which the pair of bracket portions are arranged, and the pressing portion, the cylindrical nut, and the camber adjustment shim have holes for inserting the two camber adjustment bolts, characterized in that the camber angle adjustment device according to (1) above.

[0016] (10) A washer having a shape along the shape of the pressing portion is provided between the seating surface of the camber adjustment bolt and the pressing portion of the guide plate, characterized in that the camber angle adjustment device according to (1) above.

[0017] (11) A strut type suspension device including the camber angle adjustment device according to any one of (1) to (10) above.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present application, it is possible to provide a camber angle adjustment device for a strut type suspension that can reliably hold the camber angle, and a strut type suspension device including the same.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the configuration of a strut type suspension device including a camber angle adjustment device for a strut type suspension. [Figure 2] It is an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism portion of the camber angle adjustment device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] It is an exploded view showing the configuration of each component of the strut type suspension device of the embodiment. [Figure 4]A diagram showing the configuration of a camber adjustment shim, where a) is the camber adjustment shim shown in the embodiment and b) is the camber adjustment shim of the modification. [Figure 5] A diagram explaining the changes before and after camber angle adjustment. [Figure 6] An enlarged view near the camber adjustment bolt and pin nut, and a diagram schematically showing the changes before and after inserting the camber adjustment shim.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] The camber angle adjustment device for the strut-type suspension of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a strut-type suspension system 100 including the camber angle adjustment device 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "camber angle adjustment device 1") of this embodiment. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the adjustment mechanism portion of the camber angle adjustment device 1 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the configuration of each component of the strut-type suspension system 100 including the camber angle adjustment device 1 of this embodiment. The camber angle adjustment device 1 of this embodiment is a device that can adjust the camber angle, which is the angle of the tire when the vehicle is viewed from the front (or rear). The camber angle is called negative camber when the tire is tilted toward the vehicle body, and positive camber when it is tilted toward the outside of the vehicle body. In this application, adjusting the camber angle to tilt toward the vehicle body is sometimes referred to as adjusting to the negative side, and adjusting it to tilt toward the outside of the vehicle body is sometimes referred to as adjusting to the positive side. The camber angle adjustment device 1 of this embodiment can be applied to either the front or rear suspension of the vehicle. In Figures 1 to 3, for the sake of brevity, only the parts related to the camber angle adjustment mechanism are shown, and other parts are omitted. Furthermore, the structure of the strut-type suspension device 1 shown is an example, and any strut-type suspension device of an appropriate shape and structure may be used as long as the camber angle adjustment mechanism of this embodiment can be applied. Also, in Figures 1 to 3, the rotation axis direction of the hub unit 50a of the hub knuckle 50 is in the vehicle width direction and is perpendicular to the vehicle width direction, and the bolt heads of the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 face the vehicle forward direction.

[0021] The strut-type suspension device 100 of this embodiment includes a camber angle adjustment device 1 and a hub knuckle 50. The hub knuckle 50 consists of a knuckle connected to the strut section 2 and the lower arm, and a wheel hub 50a to which the wheel is attached. In this embodiment, the hub knuckle 50 can be any structure that is normally found in vehicles with a strut-type suspension. As shown in Figure 3, the hub knuckle 50 has an upper mounting hole 50b and a lower mounting hole 50c for fixing to the strut section 2.

[0022] Next, the camber angle adjustment device 1 of this embodiment includes a strut section 2, knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8, knuckle fixing nuts 10 and 12, a guide plate 14, a camber adjustment bolt 16, a pin nut 18, camber adjustment shims 20 (201, 202, 203), washers 22, and the like.

[0023] The strut portion 2 is a strut, which is a cylindrical member that houses a damper. In this embodiment, the strut portion 2 is the lower part of the strut, and as an example, it is the lower case of the strut. The damper and spring are supported in this lower case, which is the strut portion 2. The strut portion 2 is coupled to the hub knuckle 50. The strut portion 2 has a bracket portion 2a for connecting to the hub knuckle 50. The bracket portion 2a is a pair (two) of plate-shaped members formed to protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the strut portion 2. The pair of bracket portions 2a each have holes at corresponding upper and lower positions on both sides through which knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 are passed and fastened. In this embodiment, the upper hole is an elongated hole 2b (first hole), and the lower hole is a normal circular hole 2c (second hole). As will be explained in more detail later, the camber angle is adjusted by changing the tilt (angle relative to the strut) of the hub knuckle 50 as it rotates slightly around the knuckle fixing bolt 8 in the lower hole 2c. Therefore, the elongated hole 2b should be a hole that widens in the direction along the arc trajectory of the upper mounting hole 50b (and knuckle fixing bolt 6) of the hub knuckle 50, centered on hole 2c (and lower mounting hole 50c). In this embodiment, the elongated hole 2b is an elongated hole that is slightly upward from the horizontal. The shape of the elongated hole 2b may be any shape as long as it can properly fix the knuckle fixing bolt 6. It may be an arc-shaped elongated hole that matches the range of movement of the knuckle fixing bolt 6, or it may be a circular hole or a straight elongated hole that is widened to a extent that the knuckle fixing bolt 6 can move along the above arc and a seating surface is secured so that it can be fastened.

[0024] Recesses are formed around the elongated holes 2b and 2c. The flange portions of the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 fit into these recesses. The knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 are fastened by the frictional force between the surface of the recess and the seating surface of the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8. Recesses may also be formed on the knuckle fixing nuts 10 and 12. Note that recesses are not necessary if the area around the elongated holes 2b and 2c is a flat surface capable of securing the seating surfaces of the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 and the knuckle fixing nuts 10 and 12.

[0025] The strut portion 2 further has a pin nut support hole 2d and a recess 2e around the upper part of the bracket portion 2a. The pin nut support hole 2d rotatably supports the pin nut 18 at a position opposite to the pressing portion 14d of the guide plate 14. The pin nut support hole 2d is a hole that matches the outer diameter of the cylindrical pin nut 18. In this embodiment, the pin nut support hole 2d is formed on the upper part of both bracket portions 2a and on the cylindrical side of the strut portion 2. The axial direction of the pin nut support holes 2d on both sides is parallel to the axial direction of the elongated holes 2b and holes 2c formed in the pair of bracket portions 2a. Note that the pin nut support hole 2d does not necessarily have to be formed in the bracket portion 2a. Depending on the structure of the strut portion 2, it may be formed in a corresponding position other than the bracket portion 2a. Next, the recess 2e is formed so that the tip of the camber adjustment bolt 16 does not interfere with the circumferential surface of the strut portion 2. The recess 2e is shaped to prevent contact with the strut portion 2 even when the camber angle is adjusted to the most negative side (without the camber adjustment shim 20) and the tip of the camber adjustment bolt 16 is closest to it. In this embodiment, the recess 2e is not through, but it may be through. Note that if the camber adjustment bolt 16 does not interfere with the strut portion 2, the recess 2e may be omitted.

[0026] The knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 are bolts that fix the strut portion 2 and the hub knuckle 50. The two can be fixed together by passing the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 through the elongated holes 2b and 2c of the bracket portion 2a, and the upper mounting holes 50b and lower mounting holes 50c, respectively, and fastening them with the knuckle fixing nuts 10 and 12.

[0027] The guide plate 14 is a member that guides and supports the hub knuckle 50 to a predetermined adjustment position relative to the strut portion 2. Depending on the position of the guide plate 14, the inclination of the hub knuckle 50 also changes, allowing the camber angle to be adjusted. The guide plate 14 is positioned inside the bracket portion 2a and is mounted on the hub knuckle 50. In this embodiment, the guide plate 14 has a C-shape when viewed from the axial direction of the strut 2. The guide plate 14 has a pair of clamping portions 14a, a pressing portion 14d, and a connecting portion 14f. First, the clamping portions 14a are a pair of opposing plates that sandwich the hub knuckle 50 between them. The pressing portion 14d and the connecting portion 14f are located between the pair of clamping portions 14a and connect the clamping portions 14a on both sides. The pressing portion 14d is located on the side opposite to the side through which the lower knuckle fixing bolt 8 passes (the upper end side) of the clamping portion 14a. The pressing portion 14d is the part that serves as a seating surface that contacts the seating surface 18a of the pin nut 18 and the camber adjustment shim 20. The pressing portion 14d is planar and can make close contact with the seating surface 18a of the pin nut 18 and the camber adjustment shim 20. The pressing portion 14d is rectangular, which allows for a larger contact area between the seating surfaces. The pressing portion 14d has two holes 14e that are aligned in the direction of the pair of bracket portions 2a, and the camber adjustment bolt 16 is inserted and fastened into them. The fastening force fixes the camber adjustment shim 20 between the pressing portion 14d and the pin nut 18. The pair of clamping portions 14a each have holes 14b and 14c formed on both sides for passing the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8. These holes 14b and 14c are located in positions corresponding to the upper mounting hole 50b and lower mounting hole 50c of the hub knuckle 50. The guide plate 14 is mounted so as to sandwich the upper mounting hole 50b and lower mounting hole 50c of the hub knuckle 50 with a pair of clamping parts 14a, and in this state is positioned inside the pair of bracket parts 2a of the strut part 2. The guide plate 14 is then fixed by knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 and two camber adjustment bolts 16.

[0028] The two holes 14e in the pressing portion 14e of the guide plate 14 are elongated holes that extend vertically along the direction in which the holes 14b and 14c through which the two knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 pass are aligned. In this embodiment, the direction in which 14e extends is generally along the axial direction of the strut portion 2. As will be described later, the camber angle can be adjusted by moving the guide plate 14 around one of the knuckle fixing bolts 8 to change the relative inclination (angle) of the guide plate 14 and the hub knuckle 50 with respect to the strut portion 2. At that time, the orientation of the camber adjustment bolt 16 changes around the pin nut 18 as an axis according to the inclination of the guide plate 14, so it is necessary to be able to move the fastening position of the camber adjustment bolt 16 vertically. Therefore, by having the two holes 14e be elongated holes along the direction of movement of the fastening position of the camber adjustment bolt 16, the fastening position can be moved along the direction of the elongated holes.

[0029] The camber adjustment bolt 16 fastens to the pin nut 18, thereby fixing the guide plate 14 to the strut portion 2. The camber adjustment bolt 16 is inserted and fastened in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8, from the hub knuckle 50 side toward the strut 2 side. If a camber adjustment shim 20 is placed between the pin nut 18 and the guide plate 14, the camber adjustment shim 20 is also fixed together. The camber adjustment bolt 16 can be fixed by passing it through the washer 22, the guide plate 14 (hole 14e), and the camber adjustment shim 20, and then tightening it toward the pin nut 18. The camber adjustment bolt 16 can be of the required length depending on the camber angle adjustment range that can be made possible by the camber angle adjustment device 1. In this embodiment, two camber adjustment bolts 16 are fastened side by side in the direction in which the pair of bracket portions 2a are aligned (i.e., in the axial direction of the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8).

[0030] The pin nut 18 is a cylindrical nut for fastening the camber adjustment bolt 16. The pin nut 18 is rotatably supported at both ends in the pin nut support hole 2d of the bracket portion 2a, in a position facing the pressing portion 14e of the guide plate 14. The pin nut 18 has a seating surface 18a, which is a flat surface along the axial direction on a part of its side. The seating surface 18a has two screw holes along the axial direction, into which the camber adjustment bolt 16 is inserted and fastened. The pin nut 18 can rotate within the pin nut support hole 2d to change the orientation (of the seating surface 18a), and the camber adjustment bolt 16 can be fastened with the seating surface 18a facing the direction of the pressing portion 14e. The rectangular shape of the seating surface 18a ensures a larger seating surface and allows for stable contact with the pressing portion 14d of the guide plate 14 and the camber adjustment shim 20. As shown in Figure 5 and other figures, in this embodiment the screw holes in the seating surface 18a are through-holes, but they do not necessarily have to be through-holes.

[0031] The camber adjustment shim 20 is a plate-shaped member used to adjust the camber angle. The camber adjustment shim 20 is fixed between the pressing portion 14d of the guide plate 14 and the seating surface 18a of the pin nut 18 by the fastening force of the camber adjustment bolt 16. In this embodiment, the camber adjustment shim 20 can be used by inserting it between the guide plate 14 and the pin nut 18. When the camber adjustment shim 20 is inserted and fixed, the guide plate 14 tilts outward along with the hub knuckle 50 around the lower knuckle fixing bolt 8 compared to the state before insertion, and the camber angle can be changed to the positive side. By increasing the number of camber adjustment shims 20 inserted, the camber angle can be changed to the more positive side. On the other hand, by removing and fixing the inserted camber adjustment shims 20, the camber angle can be changed to the negative side. In Figure 3, three camber adjustment shims 201, 202, and 203 are shown as an example, but the number is not particularly limited.

[0032] The camber adjustment shim 20 will be further described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the camber adjustment shim, where a) is the camber adjustment shim 20 shown in this embodiment, and b) is a modified camber adjustment shim 20'. The camber adjustment shim 20 may have two shim holes 20a and a hole for insertion and removal 20b. The two shim holes 20a are holes for passing the camber adjustment bolt 16 through. The shim holes 20a in this embodiment are U-shaped holes with the insertion side open. Because the shim holes 20a are U-shaped, the camber adjustment shim 20 can be inserted or removed from above the bracket portion 2a and the axis of the camber adjustment bolt 16 by simply loosening the camber adjustment bolt 16 without removing it from the pin nut 18, making it easy to insert and remove. Note that the shim holes 20a' may be of a closed type as shown in Figure 4b). In this case, a larger contact area can be secured with the pin nut 18, the guide plate 14, and the other camber adjustment shims 20'. For example, this is suitable when higher durability and strength are required, or when the frequency of camber angle adjustment is low. The outer shape of the camber adjustment shims 20 and 20' (excluding the shim hole portions 20a and 20a') is, as a whole, a shape that follows the pressing portion 14d of the guide plate 14 (rectangular in this embodiment), thereby securing a larger seating surface area.

[0033] The attachment / detachment hole 20b is a hole for gripping the camber adjustment shim 20 with tweezers or pliers. In the case of the camber adjustment shim 20 shown in Figure 4a) of this embodiment, when it is attached to the camber adjustment bolt 16, it can be easily removed by passing the tip of tweezers or similar tools through the attachment / detachment hole 20b. When the shim is attached, the attachment / detachment hole 20b should be located higher than the upper end of the adjacent guide plate 14 or washer 22. In this embodiment, as an example, the attachment / detachment hole 20 is located on the protrusion at the upper end of the camber adjustment shim 20. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the upper center of the guide plate 14 or washer 22 may be recessed to avoid the position of the attachment / detachment hole 20b, thereby allowing access to the attachment / detachment hole 20b when the camber adjustment shim 20 is attached. Note that the attachment / detachment hole 20b is not necessarily required.

[0034] The thickness of the camber adjustment shim 20 is not particularly limited and can be set to an appropriate thickness. For example, a thickness of about 0.1 mm allows for very small camber angle adjustments. Alternatively, camber adjustment shims 20 of different thicknesses can be combined and used so that the adjustment angle differs depending on the shim used.

[0035] Washer 22 is a washer positioned between the guide plate 14 and the seating surface of the camber adjustment bolt 16. Washer 22 is a one-piece washer with two holes corresponding to the two camber adjustment bolts 16. Washer 22 is shaped to conform to the shape and dimensions of the pressing portion 14d of the guide plate 14, and in this embodiment, it is rectangular in shape. This is preferable because it allows for a larger seating surface area. Alternatively, a standard ring-shaped washer may be used by passing it through each camber adjustment bolt 16.

[0036] Next, with reference to Figures 5 and 6, the method for adjusting the camber angle in the camber angle adjustment device 1 (strut-type suspension device 1) of this embodiment will be explained. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the change before and after camber angle adjustment. Figure 5a) shows the state in the camber angle adjustment device 1 with no camber adjustment shims 20 inserted, and b) shows the state with multiple camber adjustment shims 20 inserted. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the area around the camber adjustment bolt 16 and pin nut 18, schematically showing the state before and after inserting the camber adjustment shims 20. Both Figures 5 and 6 are views from the head side (vehicle front side) in the axial direction of the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8. Also, the orientation (angle) and position of each part are examples and may vary depending on the shape, structure, and arrangement of each part. For example, the angle and position of the guide plate 14 when inserted will differ depending on the thickness of the camber adjustment shim 20 used.

[0037] First, in the state shown in Figure 5a), no camber adjustment shims 20 are positioned. In the camber angle adjustment device 1 with the structure illustrated in Figure 5, this state a) is the state in which the angle of the hub knuckle 50 is tilted most towards the vehicle body. In other words, it is the most negative adjustment position within the adjustable range of the camber angle of this camber angle adjustment device 1. To adjust the camber angle to the positive side from this state, first loosen the camber adjustment bolt 16 and the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 (knuckle fixing nuts 10 and 12). Then, tilt the guide plate 14 outward towards the vehicle body with the lower knuckle fixing bolt 8 as the axis, creating a gap between the pressing portion 14d of the guide plate 14 and the seating surface 18a of the pin nut 18. Insert the camber adjustment shims 20 into that gap. Depending on the camber angle to be adjusted, an appropriate number of camber adjustment shims 20 can be inserted. Then, the camber adjustment bolt 16 is tightened again to bring the pressing portion 14d and the camber adjustment shim 20 into close contact, and the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 (knuckle fixing nuts 10 and 12) are also tightened. As a result, the guide plate 14 and the hub knuckle 50 tilt outward by the amount of the inserted camber adjustment shim 20, and the camber angle is adjusted to the positive side.

[0038] In this case, as shown in Figure 5b), the guide plate 14 tilts outward by the thickness t of the adjustment shim, which changes the angle of the camber adjustment bolt 16, and the pin nut 18 rotates to a position corresponding to this change in angle. This movement will be explained in detail based on Figure 6. Figure 6a) shows the state where no camber adjustment shims 20 are placed, and the camber angle is at its most negative adjustment position. To adjust the camber angle to the positive side, as described above, the camber adjustment bolt 16 and the knuckle fixing bolts 6 and 8 (knuckle fixing nuts 10 and 12) are loosened, and the guide plate 14 is tilted outward. This changes the inclination (angle) of the pressing portion 14d of the guide plate 14, and the orientation of the camber adjustment bolt 16 changes accordingly. The pin nut 18 rotates within the pin nut support hole 2d, and therefore rotates according to the orientation of the camber adjustment bolt 16. In the example in Figure 6, the screw hole of the pin nut 18 and the camber adjustment bolt 16, which are oriented diagonally in a), rotate clockwise in b), changing to a horizontal position. In this case, the fastening position of the camber adjustment bolt 16 is lower relative to the guide plate 14. As mentioned above, the two holes 14e in the guide plate 14 are elongated holes, so even if the fastening position of the camber adjustment bolt 16 is lowered, it can still be fastened to the corresponding position in the hole 14e.

[0039] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, regardless of the presence or absence of the camber adjustment shims 20 or their total thickness (number of shims used), each part can maintain a state of close contact surface to surface. Specifically, the contact surfaces of the camber adjustment bolt 16, the washer 22, the pressing portion 14d of the guide plate 14, the camber adjustment shim 20, and the seating portion 18a of the pin nut 18 are always parallel to each other regardless of the camber angle, ensuring a secure and tight fit. Therefore, the fastening state of the camber adjustment bolt 16 is reliably maintained, and the adjusted camber angle can be held more firmly.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the camber angle can be adjusted by a simple operation of loosening the camber adjustment bolt 16 and inserting or removing the camber adjustment shim 20. As described above, the adjusted camber angle can be firmly maintained. Furthermore, since the camber angle can be managed and adjusted by the number of camber adjustment shims 20, if the number of shims and the camber adjustment angle are known in advance, accurate camber angle adjustment can be performed easily and quickly. In other words, since the camber angle can be managed by the number of camber adjustment shims 20, it is possible to reliably adjust to the camber angle corresponding to the number of shims. For example, if you want to change from a camber angle setting A to a different camber angle setting B and then return to setting A, you can reliably achieve the desired camber angle by returning to the number of camber adjustment shims 20 used in setting A. In other words, the camber angle adjustment device 1 (strut-type suspension device 100) of this embodiment has extremely excellent reproducibility in adjusting the camber angle. On the other hand, conventional methods of adjusting the camber angle by rotating an eccentric cam or by fastening bolts to elongated holes lack reproducibility, making it impossible to return to the exact same state. Furthermore, attempting to return to the same state as closely as possible requires precise adjustment work, making quick adjustments difficult.

[0041] Furthermore, in the case of camber adjustment shims 20 with open shim holes 20, the number of shims to be inserted can be adjusted simply by inserting or removing the camber adjustment shims 20, allowing for quicker and easier adjustment of the camber angle.

[0042] The camber angle adjustment device 1 (strut-type suspension device 100) of this embodiment is suitable because it can be quickly adjusted, for example, when the camber angle needs to be adjusted in a short time, such as for competitive driving, and can reliably maintain the camber angle with the high strength required for competitive driving. Of course, the same advantages can be enjoyed in general use other than competitive driving.

[0043] In this embodiment, although there are two camber adjustment bolts 16, the number is not limited to two; there may be one, three or more, or any number of bolts. The number of holes 14e in the guide plate 14, the shim holes 20a in the camber adjustment shim 20, and the screw holes in the pin nut 18 can also be formed to match the number of bolts.

[0044] Furthermore, although this embodiment describes how the camber adjustment bolt 16 is fixed by passing it from the hub knuckle 50 side toward the strut portion 2, it is not limited to this. For example, a stud bolt may be placed on the pin nut 18 side as the camber adjustment bolt. In this case, the stud bolt can be fastened with a nut on the pressing portion 14d side of the guide plate 14. Also, if space can be secured between the pin nut 18 and the strut portion 2, a bolt may be passed through from the rear of the pin nut 18 and fastened with a nut in the same manner.

[0045] Furthermore, although the strut portion 2 has been described as a strut lower case in this embodiment, it is not limited to this. The strut portion 2 only needs to have at least the parts that constitute the camber adjustment mechanism of this embodiment (such as the elongated hole 2b, the pin nut support hole 2d, and the bracket portion 2a in which these holes are formed). The strut portion 2 may be a part of the strut, as in this embodiment, or it may be the entire strut. For example, in the case of a strut in which the bracket portion is integrated with the damper portion, the strut portion 2 may be the entire strut.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pin nut 18 is inserted into and supported by the pin nut support hole 2d of the bracket portion 2a, but this is not limited to this, and other support structures are also possible as long as the pin nut 18 is rotatably supported. For example, instead of a support hole, the pin nut 18 may be rotatably supported by a pivot shaft between the bracket portions 2a. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 1. Camber angle adjustment device 2. Strut section 2a Bracket section 6.8 Knuckle fixing bolt 10,12 Knuckle fixing nuts 14 Guide Plate 16 Camber adjustment bolts 18 Pin Nut 20 (201, 202, 203) Camber adjustment shims 22 washers 50 Hub Knuckle 50b Upper mounting hole 50c Lower mounting hole 100-strut type suspension system

Claims

1. A camber angle adjustment device for a strut-type suspension, A strut portion having a pair of plate-shaped bracket portions to which a hub knuckle is connected, each bracket portion having a first hole and a second hole into which knuckle fixing bolts are fastened, A guide plate positioned inside the bracket portion and attached to the hub knuckle, The bracket portion has holes through which the knuckle fixing bolts pass at positions corresponding to the first and second holes, and a pair of plate-shaped clamping portions that sandwich the hub knuckle from both sides, It has a flat pressing portion located between one end of the pair of clamping portions, which is fixed by fastening a camber adjustment bolt, A guide plate whose tilt relative to the strut portion changes when moved around one of the knuckle fixing bolts, A cylindrical nut rotatably supported by the bracket at a position opposite the pressing portion of the guide plate, wherein the camber adjustment bolt is fastened to the cylindrical nut with a seating surface on its side that is a plane along the axial direction of the cylindrical nut facing the direction of the pressing portion, The tightening force of the camber adjustment bolt secures a plate-shaped camber adjustment shim between the pressing portion of the guide plate and the seating portion of the cylindrical nut, A camber angle adjustment device comprising the above, characterized in that the camber angle is adjusted by changing the inclination of the guide plate and the hub knuckle according to the number of camber adjustment shims fixed between the guide plate and the cylindrical nut.

2. The camber angle adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hole through which the camber adjustment bolt passes in the pressing portion is an elongated hole extending in the direction connecting the two holes through which the knuckle fixing bolts of the clamping portion pass, and the position in which the camber adjustment bolt is fastened in the elongated hole moves depending on the inclination of the guide plate.

3. The camber angle adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing portion of the guide plate is located on the end opposite to the side through which the one knuckle fixing bolt passes.

4. The aforementioned camber adjustment shim is The hole through which the camber adjustment bolt passes has a U-shaped shim hole that is open on one side, The camber angle adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is inserted into or removed between the pressing portion and the seating surface portion from the open side of the shim hole.

5. The camber angle adjustment device according to claim 4, characterized in that the camber adjustment shim has a hole for gripping during attachment and detachment at the end opposite to the side of the shim hole that is open.

6. The camber angle adjustment device according to claim 4, characterized in that the camber adjustment shim is inserted into or removed from above the bracket portion.

7. The camber angle adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the knuckle fixing bolts is passed through the second hole in the strut portion, and the first hole in the strut portion is an elongated hole that widens along an arc centered on the second hole.

8. The camber angle adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing portion of the guide plate and the seating surface portion of the cylindrical nut are rectangular in shape, and the outer shape of the camber adjustment shim conforms to the shape of the pressing portion.

9. The camber angle adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that two camber adjustment bolts are fastened side by side in the direction in which the pair of bracket portions are aligned, and the pressing portion, the cylindrical nut, and the camber adjustment shim have holes for inserting the two camber adjustment bolts.

10. The camber angle adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that a washer having a shape conforming to the shape of the pressing portion is provided between the seating surface of the camber adjustment bolt and the pressing portion of the guide plate.

11. A strut-type suspension device comprising a camber angle adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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