Vehicle suspension structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle suspension structure which enables improvement of attachment rigidity of a brake caliper and inhibits displacement of the brake caliper to prevent occurrence of abnormal noise during braking.SOLUTION: A torsion beam type vehicle suspension structure 100 includes: a hub carrier 106 holding a hub 104 supporting a wheel; a brake caliper 110 which contacts with the outer side of the hub carrier 106 in a vehicle width direction; and an axle bracket 116 which is fixed to the inner side of the hub carrier 106 in the vehicle width direction and sandwiches the hub carrier 106 with the hub 104. The axle bracket 116 spreads to a position where the axle bracket 116 overlaps with the brake caliper 110 through the hub carrier 106. The vehicle suspension structure 100 further includes caliper fastening bolts 122A, 122B which jointly fasten the hub carrier 106 and the brake caliper 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a torsion beam type suspension has been used as a rear wheel suspension device. The torsion beam type suspension connects a pair of trailing arms arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction with a torsion beam extending in the vehicle width direction (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] On the other hand, a disc brake obtains braking force by sandwiching a disk called a disk rotor or a brake disk that rotates with the wheel between brake pads from both sides. The operation of the brake pad is controlled by a part called a brake caliper. According to Patent Document 1, a notch is provided in a dust cover that protects the disk rotor from flying stones and water to avoid interference with the brake caliper. Thereby, Patent Document 1 realizes a disc brake that is easy to apply to a torsion beam type suspension.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When disc brakes are applied to a torsion beam suspension, the brake caliper is mounted to the rear end of the trailing arm via a predetermined component. However, as the size of the disc brake increases, the position of the brake caliper becomes further away from the axle. As a result, the mounting rigidity of the brake caliper decreases, and the braking load transmitted from the wheel during braking with the brake pads may cause the brake caliper to tilt towards the brake disc or produce abnormal noises.

[0006] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle suspension structure that improves the mounting rigidity of the brake caliper, prevents displacement of the brake caliper during braking, and prevents the generation of abnormal noise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a torsion beam type vehicle suspension structure in which a pair of trailing arms extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are connected by a torsion beam extending in the width direction of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle suspension structure comprises a hub carrier that holds a hub supporting a wheel, the hub carrier being fixed to the rear end of each of the pair of trailing arms, a brake caliper in contact with the outside of the hub carrier in the width direction of the vehicle, and an axle bracket fixed to the inside of the hub carrier in the width direction of the vehicle and sandwiching the hub carrier together with the hub, wherein the axle bracket extends to a position where it overlaps with the brake caliper across the hub carrier, and the vehicle suspension structure further comprises one or more fasteners for fastening the axle bracket, hub carrier and brake caliper together. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle suspension structure that improves the mounting rigidity of the brake caliper, prevents displacement of the brake caliper during braking, and prevents the generation of abnormal noise. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the vehicle suspension structure according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle suspension structure. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing only the hub carrier and axle bracket, with other elements omitted from the illustration. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a side view of the hub carrier and axle bracket as seen from the vehicle width direction. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a side view of a modified axle bracket, seen from the vehicle width direction. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention is a torsion beam type vehicle suspension structure in which a pair of trailing arms extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are connected by a torsion beam extending in the width direction of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle suspension structure comprises a hub carrier that holds a hub supporting a wheel, the hub carrier being fixed to the rear end of each of the pair of trailing arms, a brake caliper in contact with the outside of the hub carrier in the width direction of the vehicle, and an axle bracket fixed to the inside of the hub carrier in the width direction of the vehicle and sandwiching the hub carrier together with the hub, wherein the axle bracket extends to a position overlapping the brake caliper across the hub carrier, and the vehicle suspension structure further comprises one or more fasteners for fastening the axle bracket, hub carrier and brake caliper together.

[0011] According to the present invention, the axle bracket has a shape that extends to a position where it overlaps with the brake caliper, separated by the hub carrier, so that the axle bracket, hub carrier, and brake caliper can be fastened together with a fastener. In other words, the brake caliper is fastened not only to the hub carrier but also to the axle bracket.

[0012] This configuration significantly improves the mounting rigidity of the brake caliper, preventing it from displacing and tipping towards the brake disc due to the load and reaction force during braking. Furthermore, since the brake caliper controls the brake pads that clamp the brake disc from both sides, the absence of brake caliper displacement improves the contact accuracy between the brake pads and the brake disc. This prevents the generation of abnormal noises caused by uneven contact between the brake pads and the brake disc.

[0013] The axle bracket described above may have one or more arms that radiate outward from the center of rotation of the hub, each of which is fastened together with one or more fasteners.

[0014] The axle bracket extends, via its arm portion, to a position where it overlaps with the brake caliper, which is located away from the hub's center of rotation (axle). This allows the brake caliper to be fastened not only to the hub carrier but also to the axle bracket. This improves the mounting rigidity of the brake caliper.

[0015] The above-mentioned one or more arm portions may be two in number, and the axle bracket may further have a connecting portion that connects the two arm portions. This connecting portion may connect the two arm portions in such a way that it connects the fasteners described above.

[0016] The hub carrier has a circular through-hole that holds the hub with the axle at its center, and the connecting portion may spread out to fill the space between the two arms, and the connecting portion should reach at least half the length from the center of rotation of the hub to the tips of the two arms.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the rigidity of the arm portions can be improved by the connecting portion that connects the two arm portions. The mounting rigidity of the brake caliper fastened to the axle bracket together with the two arm portions with improved rigidity is further improved. That is, the brake caliper fastened to the two arm portions at two locations does not exhibit behaviors such as displacement in a scattered manner, and the contact accuracy between the brake pad and the brake disk is further improved.

[0018] The above axle bracket may further have ribs provided so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction over a predetermined length on at least one of the one or more arm portions.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the arm portion provided with the rib is reinforced, the rigidity of the arm portion can be improved, and the displacement and generation of abnormal noise of the brake caliper can be more perfectly prevented.

Embodiment

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vehicle suspension structure according to the present invention. In FIG. 1 and all other drawings, the vehicle front-rear direction is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left and right in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the vehicle up-down direction is indicated by arrows U (upward) and D (downward), respectively.

[0022] The vehicle suspension structure 100 shown in Figure 1 is a torsion beam type vehicle suspension structure that includes a pair of trailing arms extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the pair of trailing arms are connected by a torsion beam (not shown) extending in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0023] Figure 1 shows the rear end of the right-side trailing arm 102 of a pair of trailing arms, viewed from a direction approximately parallel to the vehicle width. That is, the front side of Figure 1 is the left side of the vehicle, and the back side is the right side of the vehicle. Since the structures of the left and right trailing arms are symmetrical, the configuration of this embodiment applied to the right-side trailing arm 102 will be described below.

[0024] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle suspension structure 100 shown in Figure 1. The vehicle suspension structure 100 includes a hub carrier 106 that holds a hub 104 that supports a wheel (not shown).

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hub carrier 106 is a panel-shaped member erected to divide the inner and outer sides in the vehicle width direction, and has a circular through hole 106A formed therein. The hub carrier 106 has substantially L-shaped fixing walls 106B and 106C provided at intervals in the front and rear, and is fixed to the rear end of the trailing arm 102 by these walls.

[0026] The hub 104 has a hub bearing 108, and the hub bearing 108 is held in a circular through hole 106A of the hub carrier 106, so that the hub 104 is rotatably mounted on the outside of the hub carrier 106 in the vehicle width direction (right side of the vehicle in Figure 2).

[0027] The vehicle suspension structure 100 includes a brake caliper 110 that contacts the outer side of the hub carrier 106 in the vehicle width direction. In Figure 2, an exploded view, the brake caliper 110 is shown in a separated state, not in contact with the hub carrier 106, for illustrative purposes. However, referring to Figure 1, it can be seen that the brake caliper 110 is in contact with the outer side of the hub carrier 106 in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] The brake caliper 110 in Figure 2 controls its brake pads 110A and applies braking by clamping the brake disc 112, which rotates with the wheel, with the brake pads 110A when the driver presses the brake pedal, thereby bringing it to a stop.

[0029] The vehicle suspension structure 100 includes a brake dust cover 114 that protects the brake disc 112, which rotates with the wheel, from flying stones, water, and other elements. The brake dust cover 114 is interposed between the hub 104 and the hub carrier 106. The brake dust cover 114 has a disc-shaped cutout 114A to avoid interference with the brake caliper 110, and a circular hole 114B through which the hub bearing 108 passes.

[0030] (Axle bracket arm) As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle suspension structure 100 includes an axle bracket 116 fixed to the inside of the hub carrier 106 in the vehicle width direction. The axle bracket 116 is fixed to the hub carrier 106 by four hub fixing bolts 117A, 117B, 117C, and 117D that reach the hub 104 located on the outside of the hub carrier 106 in the vehicle width direction. In this way, the axle bracket 116 sandwiches the hub carrier 106 between itself and the hub 104. The presence of the axle bracket 116 improves the fixing rigidity of the hub 104 compared to when the hub 104 is simply fixed to the hub carrier 106.

[0031] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing only the hub carrier 106 and axle bracket 116 from Figure 1, with other elements omitted. As shown in Figure 3, the hub carrier 106 has a circular through-hole 106A that holds the hub 104 by rotatably supporting the hub bearing 108 around the axle 120, which is shown by a dashed line along the vehicle width direction. Note that, for example, in a 2WD vehicle, the through-hole 106A is not necessarily required, and in that case, the axle bracket 116 does not need to have a hole that matches the through-hole 106A.

[0032] Figure 4 is a side view of the hub carrier 106 and axle bracket 116 from Figure 3, viewed from the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 4, the axle bracket 116 has two arms 116A and 116B that radiate outwards from the rotation center (axle 120) of the hub 104. As shown in Figure 4, the arms 116A and 116B reach the outer edge of the hub carrier 106 and have a shape that follows that outer edge. This is to improve rigidity as much as possible.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, these arms 116A and 116B extend the axle bracket 116 to a position where it overlaps with the brake caliper 110, separated by the hub carrier 106. This shape of the axle bracket 116 is the most distinctive feature of this embodiment.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle suspension structure 100 further includes caliper fastening bolts 122A and 122B. The caliper fastening bolts 122A and 122B are positioned at the ends of the arms 116A and 116B of the axle bracket 116, respectively, and fasten the axle bracket 116, the hub carrier 106, and the brake caliper 110 together. The axle bracket 116 already has the hub carrier 106 sandwiched between it and the hub 104, but according to this embodiment, the axle bracket 116 also sandwiches the hub carrier 106 between it and the brake caliper 110 by its arms 116A and 116B. In this way, the brake caliper 110 is fastened together with the caliper fastening bolts 122A and 122B at a position further from the axle 120 (Figure 3) than the four hub fixing bolts 117A, 117B, 117C, and 117D that fix the hub 104.

[0035] In this embodiment, as already mentioned, the axle bracket 116 has a distinctive shape in which the arms 116A and 116B of the axle bracket 116 extend to a position that overlaps with the brake caliper 110, which is located away from the axle 120. As a result, the brake caliper 110 is fastened not only to the hub carrier 106 but also to the axle bracket 116 by caliper fastening bolts 122A and 122B.

[0036] This configuration significantly improves the mounting rigidity of the brake caliper 110, preventing it from being displaced and tipping towards the brake disc 112 due to the load and reaction force during braking. Furthermore, since the brake caliper 110 controls the brake pads 110A that brake by clamping the brake disc 112 from both sides, the absence of displacement of the brake caliper 110 improves the contact accuracy between the brake pads 110A and the brake disc 112. This prevents the generation of abnormal noises caused by uneven contact between the brake pads 110A and the brake disc 112.

[0037] In this embodiment, the axle bracket 116 has two arms 116A and 116B, but the number can be any number of arms, as long as it is one or more. Also, the vehicle suspension structure 100 in this embodiment has a total of six fastening points using four hub fixing bolts 117A, 117B, 117C, and 117D and two caliper fastening bolts 122A and 122B, but the number of such fastening points can be increased if the layout is feasible. This will further improve the mounting rigidity of the brake caliper 110 and is expected to further reduce the humming noise.

[0038] If the axle bracket 116 were not designed to have distinctive shapes like the arms 116A and 116B, and the brake caliper 110 were supported solely by the hub carrier 106, the mounting rigidity of the brake caliper 110 would be significantly reduced compared to this embodiment. As a result, during braking, the braking load from the wheel would displace the brake caliper 110, causing it to tilt towards the brake disc 112, increasing the likelihood of an abnormal noise known as "moan noise."

[0039] (Axle bracket connection point) As shown in Figure 4, the axle bracket 116 further has a connecting portion 116C that extends to fill the space between the two arms 116A and 116B. The arms 116A and 116B have a length L1 from the center of rotation of the hub 104 (axle 120) to their tips, as indicated by the arrow L1 shown in the figure representing arm 116B. Arrow L1 corresponds to the centerline of arm 116B, which lies on a straight line extending from axle 120 toward the center of the caliper fastening bolt 122B (see Figure 1).

[0040] On the other hand, the connecting portion 116C reaches at least half the length L1 relative to the rotation center (axle 120) of the hub 104. That is, the length L2 in Figure 4 is more than half the length L1.

[0041] With this configuration, the rigidity of the arms 116A and 116B can be improved by the connecting part 116C that connects the two arms 116A and 116B. The mounting rigidity of the brake caliper 110, which is fastened to the axle bracket 116 together with the two arms 116A and 116B with improved rigidity, is further improved. In other words, the brake caliper 110, which is fastened to the two arms 116A and 116B at two points, does not exhibit behavior such as displacing independently, and the contact accuracy between the brake pad 110A and the brake disc 112 is further improved.

[0042] (Variation of the connection part of the axle bracket) Figure 5 is a side view of a modified axle bracket of Figure 4, viewed from the vehicle width direction. Elements in Figure 5 that are the same as those in Figure 4 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations are omitted. The axle bracket 119 in Figure 5 has two arms 119A and 119B, similar to those of the axle bracket 116 in Figure 4.

[0043] However, the axle bracket 119 in Figure 5 has an arm portion 119C that connects the two arm portions 119A and 119B. Unlike the connecting portion 116C in Figure 4, which spreads out to fill the space between the two arm portions 116A and 116B, this arm portion 119C is inserted between the tips of the arm portions 119A and 119B and does not extend into the inner region 119D. In other words, the arm portion 119C connects the two arm portions 119A and 119B so as to connect the caliper fastening bolts 122A and 122B (Figure 1). The rigidity of the arm portions 119A and 119B can also be improved by such a connecting portion 119C.

[0044] (Axle bracket ribs) As shown in Figure 3, the axle bracket 116 further has a rib 124 provided on the arm portion 116A so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction over a predetermined length. The rib 124 is positioned to avoid interference with surrounding parts (not shown).

[0045] The rib 124 reinforces the arm 116A, improving its rigidity and more effectively preventing displacement of the brake caliper 110 and the generation of abnormal noises.

[0046] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0047] This invention can be used in vehicle suspension structures. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100 ... Vehicle suspension structure 102 ... Trailing arm 104...hub 106... Hub carrier 106A...Through hole 108... Hub bearing 110 ... Brake caliper 110A ... Brake pads 112 ... Brake disc 114...Brake dust cover 116, 119... Axle bracket 116A, 116B, 119A, 119B...Arm 116C, 119C...connection part 117A, 117B, 117C, 117D... Hub fixing bolts 120 ... axle 122A, 122B... Caliper fastening bolts 124... Ribs

Claims

1. In a torsion beam type vehicle suspension structure in which a pair of trailing arms extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are connected by a torsion beam extending in the width direction of the vehicle, the vehicle suspension structure is: A hub carrier for holding a hub that supports a wheel, the hub carrier being fixed to the rear end of each of the pair of trailing arms, A brake caliper that contacts the outer side of the hub carrier in the vehicle width direction, The hub carrier is fixed to the inside in the vehicle width direction and includes an axle bracket that sandwiches the hub carrier together with the hub, The axle bracket extends to a position where it overlaps with the brake caliper, separated by the hub carrier. The vehicle suspension structure is further characterized by comprising one or more fasteners for fastening together the axle bracket, the hub carrier, and the brake caliper.

2. The axle bracket is characterized by having one or more arms that radiate outward from the rotation center of the hub, each of which is fastened together with each of the one or more fasteners, as described in claim 1 for a vehicle suspension structure.

3. There are two of the aforementioned one or more arms, The vehicle suspension structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the axle bracket further has a connecting portion that connects the two arm portions.

4. The vehicle suspension structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting portion connects the two arm portions so as to connect the fasteners.

5. The connecting portion extends to fill the space between the two arm portions, The vehicle suspension structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the connecting portion reaches at least half the length from the rotation center of the hub to the tips of the two arm portions.

6. The axle bracket further has a rib provided on at least one of the one or more arms that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction over a predetermined length, as described in claim 2.

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