Vehicle suspension linkage device, vehicle suspension system, and work vehicle having said system

Abstract

To avoid a possibility that undesired movement of a link element is considered by mistake in measurement of axle's movement to be measured by a sensor.SOLUTION: A vehicle suspension link device includes: a link element 12 having first and second connection portions 13A, 13B for respectively connecting the link element to a vehicle support structure and a vehicle axle; and a sensor element 20 for detecting movement of the link element. The sensor element is attached to the link element at an attachment point 22. The attachment point is located on a linear virtual axis A connecting the first connection portion with the second connection portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of vehicle suspension links. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle suspension link device including a link element and a sensor element for detecting movement of the link element. Further, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle suspension system including the suspension link device and an angle sensor to which the sensor element is connected. Further, the present disclosure relates to a work vehicle including the vehicle suspension system.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle suspension link device typically includes a link element having first and second connection portions for connecting the link element to a vehicle support structure and a vehicle axle, respectively. The vehicle support structure is specifically a chassis (vehicle body) or a car body (vehicle frame). In a vehicle suspension system, the link element is also called a "panel link", which acts to prevent or suppress the movement of the axle in a direction other than a vertical or substantially vertical plane. Specifically, the link element usually extends across the front-rear direction of the vehicle and contributes to preventing or preventing the wheels attached to the axle from moving laterally (left and right) or longitudinally with respect to the vehicle support structure.

[0003] In the present disclosure, the terms "front", "rear", "lateral", "side", "upper", and "lower" may be understood as being relative to the direction in which the vehicle on which the suspension link device is installed travels.

[0004] The link element may be associated with a sensor for detecting and measuring the movement of the axle. Specifically, the sensor is for measuring the movement of the axle in a certain direction, particularly vertically. In some situations, specifically if the vehicle is a work vehicle such as a tractor that travels on uneven ground and may be subjected to strong stresses, the link element may move undesirably, which may negatively affect the accuracy of the sensor's measurements. Also, the suspension link system may be intentionally installed to allow some "undesirable movement". For example, in a work vehicle, the axle may be connected to a swing arm that has a pivot point around a lateral axis. As the swing arm rotates, the axle rotates around the pivot point, causing the link element to move in three dimensions. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] This disclosure aims to avoid, or at least significantly limit, the risk of undesirable movement of link elements being incorrectly considered when measuring the movement of an axle that a sensor intends to measure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the present invention is A vehicle suspension linkage device, A link element having first and second connecting portions, wherein the first and second connecting portions are for connecting the link element to a vehicle support structure and a vehicle axle, respectively. Includes a sensor element for detecting the movement of a link element, The sensor element is attached to the link element at the mounting point, and the mounting point is located on a linear virtual axis connecting the first connection part and the second connection part. death, The link element has an arc shape. , to provide a vehicle suspension linkage device.

[0007] When a link element is attached to both the vehicle support structure and the vehicle axle, undesirable movement of the link element may include rotational movement around a virtual axis connecting the first and second connection points. However, since the mounting point of the sensor element is located on the virtual axis, the mounting point does not move even if the link element moves around the virtual axis. Therefore, such undesirable movement does not affect the sensor element and is not considered in measurements by the sensor to which the sensor element is configured. Furthermore, the present invention is A vehicle suspension linkage device, A link element having first and second connecting portions, wherein the first and second connecting portions are for connecting the link element to a vehicle support structure and a vehicle axle, respectively. Includes a sensor element for detecting the movement of a link element, The sensor element is attached to the link element at the mounting point, and the mounting point is located on a linear virtual axis connecting the first connection part and the second connection part. The sensor element is connected to the link element via a third spherical bearing. The mounting point of the sensor element is located at the center of the third spherical bearing, providing a vehicle suspension linkage device.

[0008] The mounting point is optionally located between the first and second connection points.

[0009] Optionally, the sensor element is a transmitting sensor element, which moves by the movement of a link element and is connected to a receiving sensor element, and is configured to transmit the movement of the transmitting sensor element to the receiving sensor element.

[0010] Optionally, the vehicle suspension linkage system includes a bracket fixed to the link element. The mounting point is located on the bracket.

[0011] Optionally, the link element has an arched shape.

[0012] Optionally, the link element is configured to be connected to the vehicle support structure and the vehicle axle via first and second spherical bearings, respectively. The centers of the first and second spherical bearings define the first and second connecting portions, respectively.

[0013]

[0014] Also, the present invention is a vehicle suspension system, the vehicle suspension according to the present invention link device, and an angle sensor for detecting the movement of the link element, and includes a system. The sensor element is connected to the angle sensor, providing a system.

[0015] Optionally, the sensor element is a sensor rod and is connected to the angle sensor by a connecting rod, and the angle sensor is configured to measure the angular movement of the connecting rod.

[0016] Also, the present invention is a work vehicle, a vehicle support structure, a vehicle axle, and the vehicle suspension system according to the present invention, and includes a work vehicle. The link element is connected to the vehicle support structure at a first connection portion and to the vehicle axle at a second connection portion, providing a work vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] <\ Each aspect of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like elements.

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a vehicle suspension system including a vehicle suspension link device of the present invention.

[0019] [Figure 2] It is a front view of the vehicle suspension system of FIG. 1.

[0020] [Figure 3] It is a front view of the vehicle suspension link device according to the present invention.

[0021] [Figure 4]Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the IV-IV line.

[0022] [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the VV line.

[0023] [Figure 6A] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the suspension linkage device along line IV-IV, illustrating the link elements in their normal vertical position.

[0024] [Figure 6B] This is a cross-sectional view of a suspension linkage device similar to Figure 6A, showing the link elements in an undesirable, tilted position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Next, embodiments of a vehicle suspension linkage device according to aspects of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. While the device will be described with reference to specific examples, it should be understood that these examples can be modified and altered without exceeding the general scope defined by the claims. As a result, the above description and drawings should be considered as illustrative rather than restrictive. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, but they illustrate exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. The illustrated exemplary embodiments are for illustrative purposes only.

[0026] The embodiments of this disclosure are adapted to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples of which are shown as examples in the drawings and described in detail. However, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the embodiments of this disclosure to the specific embodiments described. Rather, the intent of this disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the scope of the claims.

[0027] Furthermore, the language used herein has been selected primarily for comprehension and teaching purposes, and not to define the subject matter of the invention or to define the scope of the invention. Therefore, the content of this disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not to limit the scope of the disclosure as described in the claims.

[0028] The singular forms “one” and “the” include, unless otherwise specified, plural subjects when used in the claims of this disclosure and appendix. The term “or” is generally used in the sense of including “and / or” when used in the claims of this disclosure and appendix, unless otherwise specified.

[0029] Throughout the description, including the claims, the terms “comprising one,” “including one,” and “having one” should be understood to be synonymous with “comprising one or more,” “including one or more,” and “having one or more,” unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, any range described in the description, including the claims, should be understood to include its extreme value, unless otherwise indicated. The specific values ​​of the elements described should be understood to be within acceptable manufacturing or industrial tolerances known to those skilled in the art, and any use of the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and “generally” should be understood to mean within such acceptable tolerances.

[0030] Figures 1 and 2 show a vehicle suspension system 1 including an axle 2. The axle 2 extends generally in the lateral direction T of the vehicle. Mounting bases 2A and 2B for attaching wheels are provided at the lateral ends of the axle 2. Specifically, the axle may be an axle for steering the wheels. The suspension system includes suspension dampers 3A and 3B, such as hydraulic cylinders. The suspension dampers 3A and 3B are connected to the axle 2 at their respective ends 3A' and 3B', and their respective ends 3A'' and 3B'' are configured to be connected to a vehicle support structure 4 (shown by dashed lines), such as a chassis (vehicle body) or a vehicle frame. The axle is fixed to a longitudinal swing arm 5 in the vehicle.

[0031] The vehicle suspension system includes a suspension link device 10, which includes a link element 12 oriented generally in the vehicle lateral direction T. The first end 12A of the link element 12 is configured to connect to a vehicle support structure. 12 The second end 12B is connected to the axle 2 via a bracket 14. In this example, two brackets 14 are provided, and the end 12B is sandwiched between them.

[0032] In particular, as shown in Figure 3, end 12A has a connecting portion 13A for connection to a vehicle support structure. Similarly, end 12B has a connecting portion 13B for connection to axle 2. Here, the "connecting portion" can also be called the "connecting part," which refers to a position in the link element that enables the link element to be connected to either the vehicle support structure or the axle. The aforementioned parts may each have geometric centers 13A' and 13B'.

[0033] In this example, the link element 12 is configured to connect to the vehicle support structure 4 via a first spherical bearing 14A. The first connecting portion 13A has a hole in the first end 12A of the link element 12, and a spherical passage for the spherical ball portion 15A is provided in the hole. The spherical ball portion 15A of the spherical bearing 14A is provided with protruding rod portions 14A' and 14A'', which protrude forward and backward from the spherical ball portion, respectively. Specifically, the protruding rod portions may be the ends of rods provided in the through holes of the ball portion 15A. The protruding rod portions 14A' and 14A'' are for connection to the support bracket of the vehicle support structure.

[0034] The second connecting portion (part) 13B is the same as the first connecting portion 13A. The second end 12B of the link element has a hole, and a spherical passage for the spherical ball portion 15B of the second spherical bearing 14B is provided in this hole. The spherical ball portion 15B is provided with protruding rod portions 14B' and 14B'', as shown best in Figure 5, which protrude forward and backward from the spherical ball portion, respectively. In this case, the protruding rod portion 14B’ , 14B’’ This is the end of a rod that is provided and fixed to the fixing part 14C located in the through hole of the spherical part 15B.

[0035] In this example, the centers 13A' and 13B' of the connecting portions 13A and 13B, respectively, are the centers of the spherical paths of the spherical bearings 14A and 14B, respectively.

[0036] The protruding rods 14B' and 14B'' are for connecting to a support bracket 14 fixed to the axle 2. More specifically, these rods are configured to be removably fixed to the bracket, for example, by engaging with holes in the bracket and being secured by fixing pins or the like. In this example, as best shown in Figure 1, the end 12B of the link element 12 is sandwiched between the upper parts of two similar brackets 14, the lower parts of which are fixed to the axle 2. The protruding rods 14B' and 14B'' engage with holes in the upper parts of the brackets.

[0037] Similarly, the protruding rod portions 14A' and 14A'' in the first connecting portion 13A may engage with a bracket (not shown) fixed to the vehicle support structure 4, similar to the bracket 14.

[0038] The vehicle suspension linkage device of this embodiment includes a sensor element 20 for detecting the movement of the link element 12. The sensor element 20 is attached to a mounting point 22 of the link element 12. As best shown in Figure 3, the mounting point 22 is located on a virtual axis A connecting the first connection portion 13A and the second connection portion 13B. In this example, the virtual axis A passes through the geometric centers 13A' and 13B' of the connection portions 13A and 13B, respectively. The mounting point 22 is also located between the first connection portion 13A and the second connection portion 13B. In this example, the mounting point 22 is located in the central part of the link element 12.

[0039] As best shown in Figure 4, the mounting point 22 is located on a bracket 24 fixed to the link element 12. In this example, the bracket 24 is positioned such that the mounting point 22 is located on the central plane CP of the link element 22, perpendicular to the front-rear direction FB. That is, when the thickness e of the link element 12 is measured in the direction FB, the mounting point 22 is located at half the thickness e. The bracket 24 may be formed from a metal sheet. The metal sheet is fixed to the surface of the link element 12 (in this case, the rear surface) and is bent or shaped so that the mounting point is located on the surface CP, straddling the upper edge of the link element.

[0040] In this case, the centers 13A' and 13B' of the connecting portions 13A and 13B, respectively, are located on the same plane CP. The plane CP does not have to be the central plane defining half of the thickness e, but may be any other plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction on which the connecting portions and mounting points 22 of the link elements are located.

[0041] The sensor element 20 may be fixed to the bracket 24 by any preferred means, in particular by means that allow for removable fastening, such as bolts. The bracket 24 may be fixed to the link element 12 by any preferred means, such as bolts or rivets.

[0042] In this example, the mounting point 22 of the sensor element 20 is located at the center of the third spherical bearing 26. The third spherical bearing 26 includes a spherical portion 27. This spherical portion 27 is fixedly connected to the sensor element 20 and is movable along a spherical path 28 that is fixed to the bracket 24 by bolts 29 or the like.

[0043] In this example, the sensor element 20 is a transmitting sensor element that moves in response to the movement of the link element 12 and transmits that movement to the receiving sensor element 30. The receiving sensor element 30 measures the movement.

[0044] In this example, the sensor element 20 is a sensor rod, with its first end 20A attached to the link element 12 at the mounting point 22, and its second end 20B connected to the receiving sensor element 30. In this example, the receiving sensor element 30 is an angle sensor, and the sensor element 20 is connected to it by a connecting rod 32.

[0045] The sensor element 20, formed by the sensor rod, extends generally within a generally vertical plane, and when the link element 12 moves vertically, the connecting rod 32 rotates. The angle sensor measures the angle of the rotation, and consequently the magnitude of the vertical movement of the link element 12.

[0046] In this example, the link element 12 has an arched shape, and its indentation is oriented upwards.

[0047] As best shown in Figure 6A, the link element 12 is normally in a vertical position, and the plane CP is parallel to the vertical direction V. However, the link element may undergo undesirable movement, and as shown in Figure 6B, it may rotate, causing the plane CP to tilt relative to the vertical direction V. Such undesirable movement may be an oscillation around a virtual axis A. However, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the mounting point 22 of the sensor element 20 remains on the same horizontal line L despite such oscillation. Therefore, the undesirable movement is not incorrectly accounted for in the sensor's measurements, and the sensor can accurately measure the movement of the link element that should be considered (vertical movement in this example).

[0048] The mounting point 22 may be located approximately on the virtual axis A. Ideally, the centers of the three spherical bearings 14A, 14B, and 26, i.e., points 13A', 13B', and 22, are located on the axis. However, even slight deviations may not significantly affect sensor measurements. In particular, devices where the distance from the mounting point to the axis is less than 10%, preferably less than 5% or 2%, of the distance between the connection points can be considered devices where the mounting point lies on the virtual axis.

[0049] The vehicle suspension link device of this disclosure has a fairly compact link element, which is securely connected to the vehicle support and the axle at their respective connection points. On the other hand, the vehicle suspension link device secures a sufficiently large area for mounting the sensor element, making it easy to install the sensor element. The sensor element may be a simple element such as a rod, and there is little possibility of breakage or wear. The bracket 24 facilitates the installation of the link element. The arched shape of the link element 12 can resist deformation, especially buckling. The upward orientation of the arched recess facilitates the installation of the sensor element, and the sensor element can have sufficient length. The spherical bearing prevents large stresses from being applied to the connection point.

[0050] While this disclosure has been described in relation to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of this disclosure.

[0051] This specification and the examples provided are intended to be illustrative of the true scope of the disclosure as set forth by the following claims.

[0052] Furthermore, all of the disclosed system configurations may be replaced, individually or in combination, by methods and / or apparatus, and vice versa.

Claims

1. A vehicle suspension linkage device (10), A link element (12) having first and second connecting portions (13A, 13B), wherein the first and second connecting portions (13A, 13B) are for connecting the link element (12) to a vehicle support structure (4) and a vehicle axle (2), respectively. The system includes a sensor element (20) for detecting the movement of a link element (12), The sensor element is attached to the link element (12) at the mounting point (22), and the mounting point (22) is located on a linear virtual axis (A) connecting the first connection part and the second connection part. The link element (12) is a vehicle suspension link device with an arched shape.

2. A vehicle suspension link device (10), A link element (12) having first and second connecting portions (13A, 13B), wherein the first and second connecting portions (13A, 13B) are for connecting the link element (12) to a vehicle support structure (4) and a vehicle axle (2), respectively. The system includes a sensor element (20) for detecting the movement of a link element (12), The sensor element is attached to the link element (12) at the mounting point (22), and the mounting point (22) is located on a linear virtual axis (A) connecting the first connection part and the second connection part. The sensor element (20) is connected to the link element (12) via a third spherical bearing (26). The mounting point (22) of the sensor element is located in the vehicle suspension linkage device, which is centered on the third spherical bearing.

3. A vehicle suspension link device according to claim 1 or 2, The mounting point (22) is a vehicle suspension link device located between the first connection portion (13A) and the second connection portion (13B).

4. A vehicle suspension link device according to claim 1 or 2, A vehicle suspension linkage device in which a sensor element (20) is a transmitting sensor element, which moves in accordance with the movement of a link element (12), is connected to a receiving sensor element (30), and is configured to transmit the movement of the transmitting sensor element to the receiving sensor element.

5. A vehicle suspension link device according to claim 1 or 2, Includes a bracket (24) fixed to the link element, The aforementioned mounting point is located on the bracket, and is a vehicle suspension link device.

6. A vehicle suspension link device according to claim 2, The link element (12) is a vehicle suspension link device with an arched shape.

7. A vehicle suspension link device according to claim 1 or 2, The link element (12) is configured to connect to the vehicle support structure (4) and the vehicle axle (2) via first and second spherical bearings (14A, 14B), respectively. A vehicle suspension linkage device in which the centers of the first and second spherical bearings define the first and second connecting portions (13A, 13B), respectively.

8. A vehicle suspension system, A vehicle suspension link device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, The system includes an angle sensor (30) for detecting the movement of the link element (12), The sensor element (20) is connected to the angle sensor in the system.

9. The system according to claim 8, The sensor element (20) is a sensor rod, which is connected to the angle sensor (30) by a connecting rod (32). An angle sensor (30) is configured to measure the angular movement of the connecting rod in the system.

10. It is a work vehicle, Vehicle support structure (4) and Vehicle axle (2) and, The vehicle suspension system according to claim 8, A work vehicle in which the link element (12) is connected to a vehicle support structure at a first connection portion (13A) and to a vehicle axle (2) at a second connection portion (13B).

11. A work vehicle according to claim 10, The vehicle axle (2) is generally oriented in the lateral direction of the vehicle, in this work vehicle.

12. A work vehicle according to claim 10, The link element is a Panhard link, for a work vehicle.

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