housing

Abstract

To provide a housing that ensures high versatility in relation to vehicle specifications. [Solution] The housing 5 used in the high-mount double wishbone suspension system comprises a housing body 15 that supports the drive shaft 37, a connecting arm 16 made of a separate component from the housing body 15 and to which the upper arm 8 is connected at its tip, and a fixing mechanism 50 for fixing the connecting arm 16 to the housing body 15. The fixing mechanism 50 can fix the connecting arm 16 to the housing body 15 at multiple fixing positions that have different lengths from the housing body 15 to the tip of the connecting arm 16.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing used in a high-mount double wishbone suspension device.

Background Art

[0002] A double wishbone suspension device has a basic structure in which an upper arm and a lower arm are connected to a housing (knuckle) that supports an axle. Further, in a high-mount double wishbone suspension device, the upper arm is connected to the housing above the wheel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Therefore, the housing used in the high-mount double wishbone suspension device has a long arm that extends upward from the housing body above the tire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a high-mount double wishbone suspension device, it is necessary to change the length of the arm extending from the housing body according to the specifications of the vehicle. For example, the arm of the housing used in an SUV with a high vehicle height is set to be relatively longer than the arm of the housing used in a vehicle with a standard vehicle height. Therefore, even for housings used in the same vehicle type, it is necessary to develop multiple types of housings according to the specifications of the vehicle.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a housing that can ensure high versatility with respect to vehicle specifications.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A housing according to one aspect of the present invention is a housing used in a high-mounted double wishbone suspension system, comprising: a housing body for supporting an axle; a connecting arm made of a separate component from the housing body, to which an upper arm is connected at its tip; and a fixing mechanism for fixing the connecting arm to the housing, wherein the fixing mechanism can fix the connecting arm to the housing body at a plurality of fixing positions that vary the length from the housing body to the tip of the connecting arm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the housing of the present invention, high versatility with respect to vehicle specifications can be ensured. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Rear view of the high-mounted double wishbone suspension system set to the first ride height. [Figure 2] Rear view of the high-mounted double wishbone suspension system set to the second vehicle height. [Figure 3] Rear view showing the housing after disassembly. [Figure 4] Side view showing the housing disassembled and viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 5] Rear view showing the housing with the connecting arm set to a first length. [Figure 6] Side view showing the housing with the connecting arm set to a first length, viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 7] Rear view showing the housing with a varied inclination angle of the first length connecting arm. [Figure 8] Side view showing the housing disassembled and viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 9] Rear view showing the housing with the connecting arm set to the second length. [Figure 10]Side view showing the housing with the connection arm set to the second length, viewed from the inner side in the vehicle width direction [Figure 11] Rear view showing the housing with the inclination angle of the connection arm of the second length changed

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings relate to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a rear view of a high-mount double wishbone type suspension device set to the first vehicle height.

[0010] The suspension device 1A shown in FIG. 1 is a high-mount double wishbone type suspension device. This suspension device 1A is applied to a vehicle, for example, in which the vehicle height is set to the first vehicle height which is the standard vehicle height.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the suspension device 1A includes a housing (knuckle) 5, a wheel hub unit 6, a lower arm 7, an upper arm 8, a hydraulic damper 9, and a suspension spring 10.

[0012] The housing 5 includes a housing body 15 and a connection arm 16.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing body 15 has a bearing insertion hole 20, a first ball joint mounting hole 21, and a second ball joint mounting hole 22.

[0014] The bearing insertion hole 20 is formed by a cylindrical hole penetrating the housing body 15 in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] The first ball joint mounting hole 21 is formed by a hole penetrating the housing body 15 in the vertical direction at the lower end of the housing body 15.

[0016] The second ball joint mounting hole 22 is provided, for example, in a protrusion 23 that protrudes rearward from the lower part of the housing body 15. The second ball joint mounting hole 22 is constituted by a hole that penetrates the protrusion 23 in the vertical direction.

[0017] The connecting arm 16 extends from the upper part of the housing body 15 to a position reaching above the tire 101. The connecting arm 16 has a mounting hole 25 at its tip.

[0018] The wheel hub unit 6 has a bearing 30 and a wheel hub 31.

[0019] The bearing 30 is fixed to the housing body 15 in a state of being inserted through the bearing insertion hole 20.

[0020] The wheel hub 31 is rotatably supported by the housing body 15 via the bearing 30. The wheel hub 31 has a shaft support cylinder 35 and a flange 36.

[0021] [[ID=2,0]]The shaft support cylinder 35 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The shaft support cylinder 35 is spline-coupled to the tip of a drive shaft 37, which is an axle. Thereby, the tip of the drive shaft 37 is rotatably supported by the housing body 15 via the wheel hub unit 6.

[0022] The flange 36 is provided on the outer periphery of the shaft support cylinder 35. The flange 36 has a plurality of bolt insertion holes 36a for connecting the brake disk and the wheel of the tire 101 by fastening.

[0023] The base end portion of the lower arm 7 is swingably supported with respect to the vehicle body 100 via a bracket 40. Also, the tip of the lower arm 7 is connected to the first ball joint mounting hole 21 via a ball joint 41.

[0024] The base end of the upper arm 8 is pivotably supported on the vehicle body 100 via a bracket 45. The tip of the upper arm 8 is connected to the mounting hole 25 of the connecting arm 16 via a ball joint 46.

[0025] The upper end of the hydraulic damper 9 is connected to the vehicle body 100 via a strut mount (not shown). The lower end of the hydraulic damper 9 is connected to the middle of the lower arm 7 via a rubber bush joint 47. A suspension spring 10 is held on the outer circumference of the hydraulic damper 9.

[0026] Furthermore, a tie rod 48 extending from a steering mechanism (not shown) is connected to the second ball joint mounting hole 22 of the housing body 15 via a ball joint 49.

[0027] By the way, when applying a high-mounted double wishbone suspension system configured in this way to a vehicle with a different ride height, for example, it is necessary to change the length of the connecting arm 16 extending from the housing body 15. For example, Figure 2 shows a suspension system 1B that is applied to an SUV vehicle with a second ride height set higher than the first ride height. In such a suspension system 1B, the length of the connecting arm 16 needs to be set to be longer than the length of the connecting arm 16 in suspension system 1A.

[0028] In order to standardize the housing 5 across vehicles with different specifications, the housing body 15 and the connecting arm 16 are made of separate components, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this case, it is preferable that the housing body 15 and the connecting arm 16 are made of different materials. For example, the housing body 15 is made of a forged product using an aluminum alloy. The connecting arm 16 is made of a molded product using sheet metal, for example.

[0029] Furthermore, the housing 5 has a fixing mechanism 50 for fixing the connecting arm 16 to the housing body 15. This fixing mechanism 50 allows the connecting arm 16 to be adjusted to different multi-stage extension lengths (for example, two stages) relative to the housing body 15.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fixing mechanism 50 includes an arm support portion 51 and a pair of front and rear brackets, a first bracket 52 and a second bracket 53. This fixing mechanism 50 allows the connecting arm 16 to be fixed to the housing body 15 by fastening with a first bolt 55 and a second bolt 56, and a first nut 57 and a second nut 58.

[0031] Here, for example, as shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, the outer diameter d11 at the base end of the shaft of the first bolt 55 is set to be larger than the outer diameter d10 at the tip end of the shaft of the first bolt 55. Furthermore, a cam 55a is provided in the middle of the shaft of the first bolt 55. This cam 55a has, for example, an eccentric cylindrical shape with respect to the shaft of the first bolt 55. The outer diameter d12 of the cam 55a is set to be approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter d11 at the base end of the shaft of the first bolt 55. The outer diameter d13 of the shaft of the second bolt 56 is set to be the same diameter as the outer diameter d10 at the tip end of the shaft of the first bolt 55 throughout its entire length.

[0032] The arm support portion 51 is provided on the upper part of the housing body 15. As shown in Figure 4, the arm support portion 51 has a substantially rectangular shape in side view. As a result, the arm support portion 51 has a first bracket support surface 51a and a second bracket support surface 51b on its front and rear surfaces. These first bracket support surface 51a and second bracket support surface 51b are arranged to be parallel to each other.

[0033] Furthermore, the arm support portion 51 has a pair of upper and lower bolt insertion holes 60 and a second bolt insertion hole 61.

[0034] The first bolt insertion hole 60 and the second bolt insertion hole 61 are through holes that penetrate the arm support portion 51 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, from the first bracket support surface 51a to the second bracket support surface 51b. These first bolt insertion holes 60 and the second bolt insertion holes 61 are arranged to be parallel to each other.

[0035] Here, the inner diameter d1 of the first bolt insertion hole 60 is formed to be larger in diameter than the inner diameter d2 of the second bolt insertion hole 61. Specifically, the inner diameter d1 of the first bolt insertion hole 60 is set to be approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter d12 of the cam 55a of the first bolt 55. Also, the inner diameter d2 of the second bolt insertion hole 61 is set to be approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter d13 of the shaft portion of the second bolt 56.

[0036] The first bracket 52 is provided on the lower front side of the connecting arm 16. This first bracket 52 has a flat plate shape that can abut against the first bracket support surface 51a. The first bracket 52 has a third bolt insertion hole 70, a fourth bolt insertion hole 71, and a fifth bolt insertion hole 72. The third to fifth bolt insertion holes 70 to 72 are arranged linearly along the vertical direction of the first bracket 52.

[0037] Here, the distance between the centers of the third bolt insertion hole 70 and the fourth bolt insertion hole 71, and the distance between the centers of the fourth bolt insertion hole 71 and the fifth bolt insertion hole 72 are set to be equal to the distance between the centers of the first bolt insertion hole 60 and the second bolt insertion hole 61. In addition, the inner diameters d3 to d5 of the third to fifth bolt insertion holes 70 to 72 are all set to be approximately the same diameter as the inner diameter d2 of the second bolt insertion hole 61.

[0038] The second bracket 53 is provided on the lower rear side of the connecting arm 16. This second bracket 53 has a flat plate shape that can abut against the second bracket support surface 51b. The second bracket 53 has a sixth bolt insertion hole 73, a seventh bolt insertion hole 74, and an eighth bolt insertion hole 75. The sixth to eighth bolt insertion holes 73 to 75 are arranged linearly along the vertical direction of the second bracket 53.

[0039] Here, the distance between the centers of the sixth bolt insertion hole 73 and the seventh bolt insertion hole 74, and the distance between the centers of the seventh bolt insertion hole 74 and the eighth bolt insertion hole 75 are set to be equal to the distance between the centers of the first bolt insertion hole 60 and the second bolt insertion hole 61. Also, the sixth to eighth bolt insertion holes 73 to 75 are positioned opposite the third to fifth bolt insertion holes 70 to 72, respectively. Furthermore, the inner diameters d6 and d7 of the sixth bolt insertion hole 73 and the seventh bolt insertion hole 74 are set to be approximately the same diameter as the inner diameter d1 of the first bolt insertion hole 60. In addition, the inner diameter d8 of the eighth bolt insertion hole 75 is set to be approximately the same diameter as the inner diameter d2 of the second bolt insertion hole 61.

[0040] When the housing 5 is used on a vehicle with the ride height set to the first ride height, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the connecting arm 16 is positioned relative to the housing body 15 so that the third bolt insertion hole 70 and the sixth bolt insertion hole 73 connect to the first bolt insertion hole 60. Furthermore, the connecting arm 16 is positioned relative to the housing body 15 so that the fourth bolt insertion hole 71 and the seventh bolt insertion hole 74 connect to the second bolt insertion hole 61.

[0041] The first bolt 55 is inserted through the sixth bolt insertion hole 73, the first bolt insertion hole 60, and the third bolt insertion hole 70. At this time, the cam 55a is positioned inside the first bolt insertion hole 60. The first nut 57 is then screwed onto the first bolt 55.

[0042] Furthermore, the second bolt 56 is inserted through the seventh bolt insertion hole 74, the second bolt insertion hole 61, and the fourth bolt insertion hole 71. A second nut 58 is then screwed onto the second bolt 56. At this time, a ring-shaped adapter 59 is interposed between the seventh bolt insertion hole 74 and the second bolt 56. This adapter 59 has an outer diameter approximately the same as the inner diameter d1 of the seventh bolt insertion hole 74, and an inner diameter approximately the same as the outer diameter d1 of the second bolt 56. This eliminates any looseness between the second bolt 56 and the second bracket 53.

[0043] The connecting arm 16 is firmly fixed to the housing body 15 by fastening the first bolt 55 to the first nut 57 and the second bolt 56 to the second nut 58 by screwing them together.

[0044] With the connecting arm 16 fixed in this manner, the length of the connecting arm 16 extending from the housing body 15 is set to the first length.

[0045] Here, for example, as shown in Figure 7, the inclination angle of the connecting arm 16 relative to the housing body 15 can be changed using the cam 55a. That is, by rotating the first bolt 55 relative to the first and second brackets 52 and 53, the eccentric position of the cam 55a relative to the first and second brackets 52 and 53 changes. In accordance with this change in the eccentric position of the cam 55a, the inclination angle of the connecting arm 16 relative to the housing body 15 is changed.

[0046] Furthermore, when the housing 5 is used on a vehicle whose ride height is set to a second ride height higher than the first ride height, the connecting arm 16 is positioned relative to the housing body 15 so that the fourth bolt insertion hole 71 and the seventh bolt insertion hole 74 connect to the first bolt insertion hole 60, as shown in Figures 8 to 10. In addition, the connecting arm 16 is positioned relative to the housing body 15 so that the fifth bolt insertion hole 72 and the eighth bolt insertion hole 75 connect to the second bolt insertion hole 61.

[0047] The first bolt 55 is inserted through the seventh bolt insertion hole 74, the first bolt insertion hole 60, and the fourth bolt insertion hole 71. At this time, the cam 55a is positioned inside the first bolt insertion hole 60. The first nut 57 is then screwed onto the first bolt 55.

[0048] Furthermore, the second bolt 56 is inserted through the eighth bolt insertion hole 75, the second bolt insertion hole 61, and the fifth bolt insertion hole 72. Then, the second nut 58 is screwed onto the second bolt 56.

[0049] The connecting arm 16 is firmly fixed to the housing body 15 by fastening the first bolt 55 to the first nut 57 and the second bolt 56 to the second nut 58 by screwing them together.

[0050] With the connecting arm 16 fixed in this manner, the length of the connecting arm 16 extending from the housing body 15 is set to a second length, which is longer than the first length.

[0051] Here, for example, as shown in Figure 11, the inclination angle of the connecting arm 16 relative to the housing body 15 can be changed using the cam 55a. That is, by rotating the first bolt 55 relative to the first and second brackets 52 and 53, the eccentric position of the cam 55a relative to the first and second brackets 52 and 53 changes. In accordance with this change in the eccentric position of the cam 55a, the inclination angle of the connecting arm 16 relative to the housing body 15 is changed.

[0052] According to this embodiment, the housing 5 used in the high-mounted double wishbone suspension system comprises a housing body 15 that supports the drive shaft 37, a connecting arm 16 made of a separate component from the housing body 15 and to which the upper arm 8 is connected at its tip, and a fixing mechanism 50 for fixing the connecting arm 16 to the housing body 15. The fixing mechanism 50 allows the connecting arm 16 to be fixed to the housing body 15 at multiple fixing positions that vary in length from the housing body 15 to the tip of the connecting arm 16. This ensures high versatility with respect to vehicle specifications.

[0053] In other words, the fixing mechanism 50 allows the connecting arm 16 to be fixed to the housing body 15 at multiple different fixing positions. This makes it possible to change the length of the connecting arm 16 extending from the housing body 15 according to the vehicle height required for each specification of vehicle, without changing the shape of the housing body 15 or the connecting arm 16.

[0054] In this case, the fixing mechanism 50 of this embodiment employs a configuration that allows the connecting arm 16 to be fixed to the housing body 15 at multiple fixing positions using bolts and nuts. This makes it possible to firmly fix the connecting arm 16 to the housing body 15.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the housing 5 is constructed with the housing body 15 made of forged aluminum and the connecting arm 16 made of sheet metal. This makes it possible to achieve both a lightweight housing body 15 and sufficient strength for the connecting arm 16.

[0056] Furthermore, the housing 5 of this embodiment has a cam 55a that can adjust the inclination of the housing body 15 relative to the connecting arm 16. This allows the camber of the vehicle to be adjusted.

[0057] The invention described in the above embodiments is not limited to those forms, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. For example, the number of bolt insertion holes provided in the first bracket 52 and the second bracket 53 can each be four or more. The fixing mechanism 50 may also be configured such that the arm support portion 51 has three or more bolt insertion holes, and the first bracket 52 and the second bracket 53 each have two bolt insertion holes. Furthermore, the fixing mechanism 50 can also be configured such that the arm support portion 51, the first bracket 52, and the second bracket 53 each have three or more bolt insertion holes. In this case, at least two bolt insertion holes in the arm support portion 51 and at least two bolt insertion holes in the first bracket 52 and the second bracket 53 can be connected, and the connecting arm 16 can be fastened to the housing body 15 using at least two bolts and nuts.

[0058] Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of the multiple constituent elements disclosed.

[0059] For example, if the problem described can be solved and the effects described can be obtained even if some of the constituent elements shown in the above form are removed, then the configuration with the removed constituent elements can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1A ... Suspension system 1B ... Suspension system 5… Housing 6. Wheel hub unit 7… Lower arm 8… Upper Arm 9. Hydraulic damper 10… Suspension springs 15… Housing body 16… Connecting arm 20 ... Bearing insertion hole 21 … First ball joint mounting hole 22 … Second ball joint mounting hole 23 … Protrusion 25… Mounting holes 30… Bearings 31… Wheel hub 35… Shaft support cylinder 36… Flange 36a ... Bolt insertion hole 37… Drive shaft 40… Bracket 41… Ball joint 45… Bracket 46… Ball joint 47… Rubber bushing joint 48… Tie rod 49… Ball joint 50…Fixing mechanism 51 ... Arm support section 51a ... First bracket support surface 51b … Second bracket support surface 52 … First bracket 53 … Second bracket 55… First bolt 55a ... Cam 56… Second bolt 57… First nut 58... Second nut 59… Adapter 60 … First bolt insertion hole 61 … Second bolt insertion hole 70 … Third bolt insertion hole 71 … Fourth bolt insertion hole 72 … Fifth bolt insertion hole 73 … Sixth bolt insertion hole 74 ... Seventh bolt insertion hole 75 … Eighth bolt insertion hole 100 ... Vehicle body 101... Tires

Claims

1. A housing used in a high-mounted double wishbone suspension system, A housing body for supporting the axle, A connecting arm, which is made of a separate component from the housing body and has an upper arm connected to its tip, A fixing mechanism for fixing the connecting arm to the housing, Equipped with, The fixing mechanism is characterized in that the connecting arm can be fixed to the housing body at a plurality of fixing positions that vary the length from the housing body to the tip of the connecting arm.

2. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing mechanism can fix the connecting arm to the housing body at multiple fastening positions.

3. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing body is made of forged aluminum and the connecting arm is made of sheet metal.

4. The housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing mechanism has a cam that can adjust the inclination of the housing body with respect to the connecting arm.

Images