Suspension system

Abstract

To achieve space-saving and cost reduction.SOLUTION: A suspension device includes: an inner member 11 attached to a vehicle body B; an outer member 12 which is provided on the outside YO beyond the inner member in a vehicle width direction Y to support an axle A; and a first elastic member 13 for connecting the inner member and the outer member to each other in the vehicle width direction. The first elastic member includes an elastic plate 31 for generating elastic force and attenuation force at the time of elastic deformation, and a rigid plate 32 which is more rigid than the elastic plate, and the elastic plate and the rigid plate are laminated in the vehicle width direction. In the suspension device, the elastic plate, the rigid plate, the inner member and the outer member respectively are mutually opposed in the vehicle width direction, whereas a first attachment surface 26 and a second attachment surface 27 to which the first elastic member is attached are curved so as to form a curve protruding toward the inside YI in the vehicle width direction in a vertical direction Z view. Further, in the vertical direction view, respective curvature centers of the elastic plate, the rigid plate, the first attachment surface, and the second attachment surface are positioned outside the vehicle width direction beyond an equatorial part CL of a tire T mounted to the axle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a suspension device including a coil spring, a shock absorber, and the like has been known, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2012-503570 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional suspension devices described above have a problem in that they take up a lot of space in small vehicles such as golf carts and buggies, making it difficult to ensure sufficient interior space.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a suspension device that can save space and reduce costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the suspension device of the present invention comprises an inner member attached to a vehicle body, an outer member provided outboard of the inner member in the vehicle width direction and supporting an axle, and a first elastic member connecting the inner member and the outer member to each other in the vehicle width direction, the first elastic member comprises an elastic plate that generates an elastic force and a damping force when elastically deformed, and a hard plate that is harder than the elastic plate, and the elastic plate and the hard plate are laminated in the vehicle width direction, the elastic plate, the hard plate, and the inner member and the outer member respectively have first and second mounting surfaces that face each other in the vehicle width direction and to which the first elastic member is attached, and are curved so as to present a protruding curve toward the inside in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the top and bottom direction, and the centers of curvature of the elastic plate, the hard plate, the first mounting surface, and the second mounting surface are located outboard in the vehicle width direction from the equator of a tire mounted to the axle when viewed from the top and bottom direction.

[0007] The first elastic member that connects the first mounting surface of the inner member and the second mounting surface of the outer member to each other is composed of an elastic plate and a hard plate stacked in the vehicle width direction, and when viewed from the top-bottom direction, the elastic plate, the hard plate, the first mounting surface, and the second mounting surface are curved to present a protruding curve toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and each center of curvature is located outside the equator of the tire in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when an external force in the front-rear direction or the vehicle width direction is applied to the vehicle, the elastic plate undergoes shear deformation in the front-rear direction around the center of curvature when viewed from the top-bottom direction, and the outer member can rotate in the front-rear direction together with the axle around the center of curvature relative to the inner member. As a result, even if the conventional link mechanism is eliminated, when the above-mentioned external force is applied to the vehicle, it is possible to, for example, tilt the tires in the toe-in direction to stabilize the posture of the vehicle body. Because the first elastic member is equipped with an elastic plate, even if conventional coil springs and shock absorbers are eliminated, elastic force and damping force can be generated by shearing the elastic plate in the vertical direction in response to a vertical input load. Since the first elastic member is configured by laminating an elastic plate and a hard plate in the vehicle width direction, the rigidity of the suspension device in the vehicle width direction can be ensured. As a result, the conventional link mechanism, coil spring, and shock absorber can be eliminated while maintaining rigidity in the vehicle width direction, thereby saving space and reducing costs.

[0008] The first elastic members may be provided in a pair, one above and one below, and provided at each position on either side of the axle in the vertical direction, and the elastic plate, the hard plate, the first mounting surface, and the second mounting surface may extend inward in the vehicle width direction as they move away from the axle in the vertical direction in a cross-sectional view along the vertical and vehicle width directions.

[0009] Since a pair of first elastic members, one above and one below, are provided at positions sandwiching the axle in the vertical direction, camber rigidity can be ensured. The elastic plate, the hard plate, the first mounting surface, and the second mounting surface extend inward in the vehicle width direction as they move away from the axle side in the up-down direction in the cross-sectional view. Therefore, it becomes easier to set the height position of the roll center in terms of geometry higher, and the amount of roll during cornering can be easily adjusted. Furthermore, when a vertical external force is applied to the vehicle, in the cross-sectional view, the elastic plate undergoes vertical shear deformation around the intersection of straight lines that pass through the center of each of the pair of first elastic members and extend in a direction perpendicular to the elastic plate and the hard plate, while the outer member rotates vertically together with the axle around the intersection relative to the inner member, making it easy to adjust the camber rigidity.

[0010] The device may further include a second elastic member that is sandwiched between the inner member and the outer member in the vertical direction.

[0011] Since it is equipped with a second elastic member that is sandwiched vertically between the inner member and the outer member, even if the conventional coil spring is eliminated, an elastic force can be reliably generated by elastically deforming the elastic plate and the second elastic member in response to an input load in the vertical direction. Furthermore, if the second elastic member generates not only an elastic force but also a damping force when elastically deformed, even if conventional shock absorbers are eliminated, a damping force can be reliably generated by elastically deforming the elastic plate and the second elastic member in response to an input load in the vertical direction.

[0012] The inner member may be provided with a restricting member that restricts rearward movement of the outer member beyond a certain amount.

[0013] Since the inner member is provided with a restricting member that restricts rearward movement of the outer member beyond a certain amount, it is possible to prevent the outer member from being excessively displaced rearward together with the axle relative to the inner member when the tire goes over a protrusion during running or when braking. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve space saving and cost reduction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a view of a suspension device shown as an embodiment, as viewed from the outside in a vehicle width direction. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a suspension device will be described with reference to FIGS. The suspension device 1 includes an inner member 11, an outer member 12, a first elastic member 13, a second elastic member 14, and a restricting member 15. The suspension device 1 is mounted on a small vehicle such as a golf cart or a buggy. When vibration is input to the suspension device 1, the inner member 11 and the outer member 12 undergo relative displacement while elastically deforming the first elastic member 13 and the second elastic member 14. It is to be noted that the second elastic member 14 and the restricting member 15 do not necessarily have to be provided.

[0017] The inner member 11 is formed in a plate shape and is attached to the vehicle body B with its front and back surfaces facing the vehicle width direction Y. The inner member 11 is formed with an insertion hole 11a into which the axle A is inserted so as to penetrate in the vehicle width direction Y. The insertion hole 11a is provided in the center of the front and back surfaces of the inner member 11.

[0018] An axle A and a tire T mounted on the axle A are shown diagrammatically in FIGS. Hereinafter, in the suspension device 1, the side of the tire T along the vehicle width direction Y is referred to as the outer side YO of the vehicle width direction Y, and the opposite side of the tire T along the vehicle width direction Y is referred to as the inner side YI of the vehicle width direction Y.

[0019] The inner member 11 is provided with a first wall portion 22 and a second wall portion 23 . The first wall portion 22 protrudes from the rear end portion of the inner member 11 toward the outside YO in the vehicle width direction Y. The front and back surfaces of the first wall portion 22 face in the front-rear direction X. The second wall portion 23 protrudes from an upper end portion of the inner member 11 toward the outside YO in the vehicle width direction Y. The front and back surfaces of the second wall portion 23 face the up-down direction Z. The second wall portion 23 is provided in the center of the upper end portion of the inner member 11 in the front-rear direction X, and is located above the first wall portion 22.

[0020] The outer member 12 is provided on the outer side YO of the inner member 11 in the vehicle width direction Y. The outer member 12 is formed in a plate shape, with the front and back surfaces facing the vehicle width direction Y. The outer member 12 faces the inner member 11 in the vehicle width direction Y. The outer member 12 is located forward of the front surface of the first wall portion 22 and on the outer side YO in the vehicle width direction Y. The outer member 12 is formed with a support hole 12a that penetrates in the vehicle width direction Y and supports the axle A. The support hole 12a is disposed coaxially with the insertion hole 11a of the inner member 11. The inner diameter of the support hole 12a is smaller than the inner diameter of the insertion hole 11a.

[0021] The first elastic member 13 connects the inner member 11 and the outer member 12 to each other in the vehicle width direction Y. The first elastic member 13 includes an elastic plate 31 that generates an elastic force and a damping force when elastically deformed, and a hard plate 32 that is harder than the elastic plate 31, and is configured by stacking the elastic plate 31 and the hard plate 32 in the vehicle width direction Y. A plurality of elastic plates 31 and a plurality of hard plates 32 are provided, and are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction Y. The elastic plates 31 are arranged in a substantially unloaded state in the vertical direction Z when the suspension device 1 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0022] The front and back surfaces of the elastic plate 31 and the hard plate 32 face the vehicle width direction Y. The elastic plate 31 is formed of, for example, a rubber material or a synthetic resin material, and the hard plate 32 is formed of, for example, a metal material or a synthetic resin material having a higher hardness than the material forming the elastic plate 31.

[0023] The elastic plate 31, the hard plate 32, the inner member 11, and the outer member 12 each have a first mounting surface 26 and a second mounting surface 27 which face each other in the vehicle width direction Y and to which the first elastic member 13 is attached, and are curved so as to present a protruding curve toward the inside YI of the vehicle width direction Y, as shown in Figure 2, when viewed from the vertical direction Z.

[0024] Here, the inner member 11 is formed with a rectangular parallelepiped inner protrusion 11b that protrudes toward the outer side YO in the vehicle width direction Y and extends in the front-rear direction X, and a first mounting surface 26 is formed on the surface of the inner protrusion 11b facing the outer side YO in the vehicle width direction Y. The inner protrusion 11b and the first mounting surface 26 are formed over the entire length of the inner member 11 in the front-rear direction X. As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of upper and lower inner protrusions 11b and first mounting surfaces 26 are provided, and are provided at positions sandwiching the axle A in the up-down direction Z. The pair of upper and lower inner protrusions 11b and first mounting surfaces 26 are provided at the same distance from the axle A in the up-down direction Z.

[0025] Further, the outer member 12 is formed with a rectangular parallelepiped outer protrusion 12b that protrudes toward the inner side YI of the vehicle width direction Y and extends in the front-rear direction X, and a second mounting surface 27 is formed on the surface of the outer protrusion 12b facing the inner side YI of the vehicle width direction Y. The outer protrusion 12b and the second mounting surface 27 are formed over the entire length of the outer member 12 in the front-rear direction X. The outer protrusion 12b and the second mounting surface 27 are provided in pairs at upper and lower positions, and are provided at positions sandwiching the axle A in the vertical direction Z. The pair of upper and lower outer protrusions 12b and the second mounting surface 27 are provided at the same distance from the axle A in the vertical direction Z. As shown in FIG. 2, at least the center portion of the second mounting surface 27 in the front-rear direction X is located on the inner side YI of the vehicle width direction Y than both ends of the first mounting surface 26 in the front-rear direction X.

[0026] The size of the outer protrusion 12b in the vehicle width direction Y decreases with increasing distance from the center along the front-rear direction X. Both end faces of the outer protrusion 12b in the front-rear direction X are flat surfaces extending in the up-down direction Z and the vehicle width direction Y. The size of the rear end face of the outer protrusion 12b in the vehicle width direction Y is larger than the size of the front end face of the outer protrusion 12b in the vehicle width direction Y. The rear end face of the outer protrusion 12b is located forward of the front surface of the first wall portion 22 and faces the front-rear direction X. The upper end face of the outer protrusion 12b is a flat surface extending in the front-rear direction X and the vehicle width direction Y. Of the pair of upper and lower outer protrusions 12b, the upper end face of the outer protrusion 12b located above is located below the lower surface of the second wall portion 23 and faces the lower surface in the up-down direction Z.

[0027] Here, the regulating member 15 is provided on the inner member 11 and regulates the rearward movement of the outer member 12 beyond a certain amount. The regulating member 15 is formed of, for example, a rubber material or a synthetic resin material, and is provided on the front surface of the first wall portion 22. The regulating member 15 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the up-down direction Z. The regulating member 15 faces the rear end surface of the outer protrusion 12b in the front-rear direction X. As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of regulating members 15 are provided, one above the other. The regulating members 15 face each other in the front-rear direction X over the entire length of the rear end surface of the outer protrusion 12b in the up-down direction Z.

[0028] When viewed from the up-down direction Z, the centers of curvature of the elastic plate 31, the hard plate 32, the first mounting surface 26, and the second mounting surface 27 are located on the outer side YO in the vehicle width direction Y from the equator portion CL of the tire T. The centers of curvature are located rearward of the axle A. The position of the centers of curvature in the front-rear direction X relative to the axle A may be changed as appropriate. As shown in Fig. 2, in a cross-sectional view along the front-rear direction X and the vehicle width direction Y, the distance in the vehicle width direction Y between the first mounting surface 26 and the second mounting surface 27 is equal over the entire length in the front-rear direction X.

[0029] A pair of first elastic members 13 are provided, one above and one below, at each position sandwiching the axle A in the vertical direction Z. The first mounting surfaces 26 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the inner member 11, respectively, and the second mounting surfaces 27 are provided at both ends of the outer member 12 in the vertical direction Z.

[0030] 3, in a cross-sectional view along the vertical direction Z and the vehicle width direction Y, the elastic plate 31, the hard plate 32, the first mounting surface 26, and the second mounting surface 27 extend toward the inner side YI in the vehicle width direction Y as they move away from the axle A side in the vertical direction Z. As a result, in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG 3, the intersection of each straight line L that passes through the center of each of the pair of first elastic members 13 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the elastic plate 31 and the hard plate 32 is located on the inner side YI in the vehicle width direction Y than the inner member 11.

[0031] The second elastic member 14 is sandwiched in the vertical direction Z between the inner member 11 and the outer member 12. The second elastic member 14 connects the inner member 11 and the outer member 12 to each other in the vertical direction Z. The second elastic member 14 is supported by being sandwiched in the vertical direction Z between the lower surface of the second wall portion 23 and the upper end surface of the upper outer protrusion 12b of the pair of upper and lower outer protrusions 12b. The second elastic member 14 is compressively deformed in the vertical direction Z when the suspension device 1 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0032] The second elastic member 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the up-down direction Z. The second elastic member 14 is formed of, for example, a rubber material, a synthetic resin material, etc. The second elastic member 14 generates an elastic force and a damping force when elastically deformed. 2, the second elastic member 14 and the axle A are located at the same position in the front-rear direction X. The central axes of the second elastic member 14 and the axle A intersect with each other by design. The second elastic member 14 is provided at the center of the upper end surface of the upper outer protrusion 12b out of the pair of upper and lower outer protrusions 12b.

[0033] As described above, in the suspension device 1 of this embodiment, the first elastic member 13 connecting the first mounting surface 26 of the inner member 11 and the second mounting surface 27 of the outer member 12 to each other is formed by stacking an elastic plate 31 and a hard plate 32 in the vehicle width direction Y, and when viewed from the up-down direction Z, the elastic plate 31, the hard plate 32, the first mounting surface 26 and the second mounting surface 27 are curved so as to present a protruding curve toward the inside YI of the vehicle width direction Y, and each center of curvature is located on the outside YO in the vehicle width direction Y of the equator CL of the tire T.

[0034] Therefore, when an external force in the front-rear direction X or the vehicle width direction Y is applied to the vehicle, the elastic plate 31 undergoes shear deformation in the front-rear direction X about the center of curvature as viewed from the up-down direction Z, and the outer member 12 can rotate in the front-rear direction X about the center of curvature together with the axle A relative to the inner member 11. As a result, even if the conventional link mechanism is eliminated, when the above-mentioned external force is applied to the vehicle, it is possible to stabilize the posture of the vehicle body by tilting the tire T in the toe-in direction, for example, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 2.

[0035] Since the first elastic member 13 is equipped with an elastic plate 31, even if conventional coil springs and shock absorbers are eliminated, elastic force and damping force can be generated by shearing the elastic plate 31 in the vertical direction Z in response to an input load in the vertical direction Z. Since the first elastic member 13 is configured by laminating the elastic plate 31 and the hard plate 32 in the vehicle width direction Y, the rigidity of the suspension device 1 in the vehicle width direction Y can be ensured. As a result, while ensuring rigidity in the vehicle width direction Y, the conventional link mechanism, coil spring, and shock absorber can be eliminated, thereby saving space and reducing costs.

[0036] Since a pair of first elastic members 13, one above and one below, are provided at positions sandwiching the axle A in the vertical direction Z, it is possible to ensure camber rigidity.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, when viewed in a cross-sectional view along the vertical direction Z and the vehicle width direction Y, the elastic plate 31, the hard plate 32, the first mounting surface 26, and the second mounting surface 27 extend toward the inner side YI in the vehicle width direction Y as they move away from the axle A side in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, it becomes easier to set the height position of the roll center in terms of geometry higher, and the amount of roll during cornering can be easily adjusted. Furthermore, when an external force in the vertical direction Z is applied to the vehicle, in a cross-sectional view as shown in Figure 3, the elastic plate 31 shears in the vertical direction Z around the intersection of each straight line L that passes through the center of each of the pair of first elastic members 13 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the elastic plate 31 and the hard plate 32, while the outer member 12 rotates in the vertical direction Z together with the axle A relative to the inner member 11 around the intersection, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 3, making it possible to easily adjust the camber rigidity.

[0038] Since it is equipped with the second elastic member 14 sandwiched between the inner member 11 and the outer member 12 in the vertical direction Z, even if the conventional coil spring is eliminated, an elastic force can be reliably generated by elastically deforming the elastic plate 31 and the second elastic member 14 in response to an input load in the vertical direction Z. Since the second elastic member 14 generates not only an elastic force but also a damping force when elastically deformed, even if conventional shock absorbers are eliminated, a damping force can be reliably generated by elastically deforming the elastic plate 31 and the second elastic member 14 in response to an input load in the vertical direction Z.

[0039] The inner member 11 is provided with a restricting member 15 that restricts the rearward movement of the outer member 12 beyond a certain amount, so that the outer member 12 can be prevented from being excessively displaced rearward together with the axle A relative to the inner member 11 when the tire T goes over a protrusion during running or when braking.

[0040] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0041] For example, the first elastic member 13, the first mounting surface 26, and the second mounting surface 27 may be provided one by one. The elastic plate 31, the hard plate 32, the first mounting surface 26, and the second mounting surface 27 may extend straight in the vertical direction Z in a cross-sectional view along the vertical direction Z and the vehicle width direction Y. The second elastic member 14 may be formed from a material that does not generate a damping force when elastically deformed.

[0042] In addition, within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, it is possible to replace the components in the above-described embodiments with well-known components as appropriate, and the above-described embodiments and variations may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Suspension device 11 Inner member 12 Outer member 13 First elastic member 14 Second elastic member 15 Regulatory components 26 First mounting surface 27 Second mounting surface 31 Elastic plate 32 Hard plate A-axle B. Body CL equator T Tire X Anteroposterior direction Y Vehicle width direction Z Up and Down Direction

Claims

1. An inner member that is attached to the vehicle body; an outer member provided outwardly of the inner member in a vehicle width direction and supporting an axle; a first elastic member connecting the inner member and the outer member to each other in a vehicle width direction, The first elastic member includes an elastic plate that generates an elastic force and a damping force when elastically deformed, and a hard plate that is harder than the elastic plate, and the elastic plate and the hard plate are laminated in the vehicle width direction, a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface, which face each other in the vehicle width direction and to which the first elastic member is attached, of each of the elastic plate, the hard plate, the inner member, and the outer member are curved so as to present a protruding curve toward the inside in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the top-bottom direction, a center of curvature of each of the elastic plate, the hard plate, the first mounting surface, and the second mounting surface is located outside in a vehicle width direction from an equator portion of a tire mounted on the axle, when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

2. The first elastic members are provided in a pair, one above the other, and are provided at positions sandwiching the axle in the vertical direction, 2. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic plate, the hard plate, the first mounting surface, and the second mounting surface extend inward in the vehicle width direction as they move away from the axle side in the vertical direction in a cross-sectional view along the vertical direction and the vehicle width direction.

3. 3. The suspension device according to claim 1, further comprising a second elastic member vertically sandwiched between the inner member and the outer member.

4. 4. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the inner member is provided with a restricting member that restricts rearward movement of the outer member beyond a certain amount.

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