Automotive suspension structure

Abstract

To provide a suspension structure of an automobile which can shorten a distance between first and second boll joints.SOLUTION: A suspension structure of an automobile includes a wheel support 10 having a lower link support part 11, a first lower link 30a connected to the lower link support part 11 through a first lower ball joint 40a, and a second lower link 30b connected to the lower link support part 11 through a second lower ball joint 40b, wherein the lower link support part 11 has a first storage part 12 for storing a first ball part 41a of the first lower ball joint 40a, and a second storage part 13 which is adjacent to the first storage part 12 and stores a second ball part 41b of the second lower ball joint 40b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension structure for an automobile.

Background Art

[0002] A double wishbone type front suspension includes a lower arm in the form of a lateral link and a lower arm in the form of a tension link or a compression link as lower arms connected to the wheel support of the front wheel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The outer ends of these two lower arms on the outside of the vehicle body are each connected to the wheel support by two ball joints (see, for example, paragraph

[0007] , FIGS. 10, and FIG. 12 of Patent Document 1).

[0003] Here, if the span between the two ball joints is large, the caster trail when the front wheel is steered is significantly reduced, and the poor return of the steering wheel becomes remarkable. Therefore, it is desirable to bring the two ball joints closer to each other (see, for example, paragraphs

[0008] to

[0010] of Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above prior art, a collar is fitted into the opening of the wheel support, the stud bolt of the ball joint is inserted through the collar, and a nut is tightened on the threaded portion of the stud bolt to attach the ball joint to the wheel support (see, for example, paragraphs

[0037] to

[0039] and FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1).

[0006] Therefore, mounting parts such as collars and nuts used to attach one ball joint are in close proximity to the other ball joint on the main surface of the wheel support. Thus, considering the possibility that the mounting parts of one ball joint may interfere with the other ball joint, and that fastening tools such as wrenches may interfere with the other ball joint or its mounting parts when attaching one ball joint, the conventional technology described above has a problem in that there is a limit to how much the distance between the two ball joints can be shortened.

[0007] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an automobile suspension structure that can shorten the distance between the first and second ball joints. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention solves the above problem by providing a first housing portion and a second housing portion adjacent to the first housing portion in the lower link support portion of the wheel support, and housing the first and second ball portions of the first and second ball joints in the first and second housing portions, respectively. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, since the ball joint is connected by housing the ball portion of the lower link support portion of the wheel support, there is no need to place mounting parts such as nuts on the main surface of the wheel support, and the distance between ball joints can be shortened. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a single-line diagram showing a double wishbone suspension structure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of a connection structure between the wheel support and the first and second lower links in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part III of Figure 2. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the connection structure between the wheel support and the first and second lower links in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of a connection structure between the wheel support and the first and second lower links in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] <<First Embodiment>> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a single-line diagram showing a double wishbone suspension structure 1A. Figure 1(A) is a single-line diagram of the right front wheel of the suspension structure 1A viewed from the front, and Figure 1(B) is a single-line diagram of the suspension structure 1A viewed from above. Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the connection structure between the wheel support 10 and the first and second lower links 30a and 30b in the first embodiment. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part III of Figure 2.

[0012] In this embodiment, a double wishbone suspension structure 1A is provided as an example. However, the suspension structure 1A according to the present invention is not limited to a double wishbone structure, and may also be a strut type structure. When the suspension structure 1A is a strut type structure, the upper link 20 described later is omitted.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1(A), this suspension structure 1A is a structure relating to a suspension device suspended between the front wheel 60 and the vehicle body 70. This suspension structure 1A includes a wheel support (steering knuckle) 10, an upper link 20, a shock absorber 23, a coil spring 24, a first lower link (first lower arm) 30a, a second lower link (second lower arm) 30b, and a suspension cross member (subframe) 50.

[0014] In this embodiment, the wheel support 10 is connected to the wheel of the front wheel 60. An upper link 20 is connected to the upper part of the wheel support 10 via an upper ball joint 21. As shown in Figure 1(B), this upper link 20 has an A-shape. Also, as shown in Figure 1(A), this upper link 20 is pivotably attached to the vehicle body 70 via an upper bush 22.

[0015] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), a first lower link 30a is connected to the lower part of the wheel support 10 via a first lower ball joint 40a. As shown in Figure 1(B), this first lower link 30a is a lower link with a lateral link configuration and has an I-shape. Also, as shown in Figure 1(A), this first lower link 30a is pivotably attached to the suspension cross member 50 via a first lower bush 35a. The suspension cross member 50 is connected to the lower end of the front side frame 71 of the vehicle body 70. The first lower ball joint 40a in this embodiment corresponds to an example of the "first ball joint" in the present invention.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1(A), the lower end of the shock absorber 23 is connected to the first lower link 30a. The upper end of the shock absorber 23 is connected to the vehicle body 70 via a suspension tower, and the shock absorber 23 is stretched between the vehicle body 70 and the first lower link 30a. A coil spring 24 is also arranged around the shock absorber 23.

[0017] At the lower part of the wheel support 10, a second lower link 30b is connected via a second lower ball joint 40b. As shown in FIG. 1(B), this second lower link 30b is a lower link having a tension link configuration provided on the vehicle front side with respect to the first lower link 30a, and has an I shape. The second lower link 30b intersects the axle tie rod 80 in a plan view. Further, as shown in FIG. 1(A), this second lower link 30b is swingably attached to the suspension cross member 50 via a second lower bush 35b. The second lower ball joint 40b in the present embodiment corresponds to an example of the "second ball joint" in the present invention. Note that the second lower link 30b in the present embodiment has a tension link configuration, but is not limited thereto, and the second lower link 30b may be a lower link having a compression link configuration provided on the vehicle rear side with respect to the first lower link 30a.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the above-described first and second lower ball joints 40a and 40b are connected to a lower link support portion 11 of the wheel support 10. A first accommodation portion 12 and a second accommodation portion 13 are formed in the lower link support portion 11.

[0019] The first accommodation portion 12 in the present embodiment is a bottomed hole formed in the upper surface 11a of the lower link support portion 11. As shown in FIG. 3, this first accommodation portion 12 includes an accommodation chamber 121 that accommodates a first spherical portion 41a (described later) of the first lower ball joint 40a, and an upper end opening 122 located at the upper end of the accommodation chamber 121.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first lower ball joint 40a has a first spherical portion 41a, a ball seat 42a, a housing 43a, a first stud portion 44a, a nut 45a, and a dust cover 46a.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the first spherical portion 41a is a spherical metal member. This first spherical portion 41a is rotatably disposed inside the accommodation chamber 121. A ball sheet 42a is disposed around the first spherical portion 41a. This ball sheet 42a is a resin sheet made of, for example, nylon or the like, and covers the surface of the first spherical portion 41a. Although not particularly shown, a lubricating material such as grease is interposed between the first spherical portion 41a and the ball sheet 42a.

[0022] The first spherical portion 41a and the ball sheet 42a are accommodated in a housing 43a. This housing 43a is a box-shaped metal member. The housing 43a is press-fitted and held inside the accommodation chamber 121 by being pressed from above by a roll caulking portion 123 disposed at the peripheral edge of the upper end opening 122 of the first accommodation portion 12. The dashed-dotted line in FIG. 3 indicates the roll caulking portion 123 before being caulked.

[0023] A first stud portion 44a extends upward from the first spherical portion 41a, and this first stud portion 44a protrudes from the first accommodation portion 12 toward the upper surface 11a side. This first stud portion 44a is a rod-shaped metal member integrally formed with the first spherical portion 41a and can move in conjunction with the first spherical portion 41a.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, this first stud portion 44a is inserted through a through-hole 31a formed in the first lower link 30a. In the present embodiment, the portion of the first stud portion 44a that fits into the through-hole 31a has a tapered shape, and the through-hole 31a also has a corresponding tapered shape.

[0025] A thread 441 is formed at the tip (upper end portion) of the first stud portion 44a. A nut 45a is fastened to this thread 441. Thereby, the first stud portion 44a is fastened to the first lower link 30a.

[0026] The dust cover 46a is provided around the first stud portion 44a and is interposed between the lower link support portion 11 and the first lower link 30a. This dust cover 46a is a cover member made of resin or the like, and prevents foreign matter from entering around the first spherical portion 41a.

[0027] The second housing portion 13 is a bottomed hole formed in the lower surface 11b of the lower link support portion 11. This second housing portion 13 is formed adjacent to the first housing portion 12 on the lower link support portion 11, and at least a part of the second housing portion 13 overlaps with at least a part of the first housing portion in a plan view. As a result, in this embodiment, at least a part of the first spherical portion 41a of the first lower ball joint 40a and at least a part of the second spherical portion 41b (described later) of the second lower ball joint 40b overlap in a plan view (when viewed from above).

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the second housing section 13 includes a housing chamber 131 for housing the second ball portion 41b of the second lower ball joint 40b, and a lower end opening 134 located at the lower end of the housing chamber 131.

[0029] The second lower ball joint 40b is installed upside down relative to the first lower ball joint 40a. This second lower ball joint 40b includes a second ball portion 41b, a ball seat 42b, a housing 43b, a second stud portion 44b, a nut 45b, and a dust cover 46b.

[0030] The second sphere 41b is a spherical metal member similar to the first sphere 41a. This second sphere 41b is rotatably arranged inside the housing chamber 131. A ball seat 42b is arranged around this second sphere 41b. This ball seat 42b is also a resin sheet similar to the ball seat 42a, although it is not particularly limited, and covers the surface of the second sphere 41b. Although not specifically shown, a lubricating material such as grease is interposed between the second sphere 41b and the ball seat 42b.

[0031] The second ball portion 41b and the ball seat 42b are housed in the housing 43b. This housing 43b is a box-shaped metal member similar to the housing 43a. The housing 43b is pressed into and held inside the housing chamber 131 by being pressed from below by a roll crimping portion 133 located on the periphery of the lower end opening 134 of the second housing portion 13. The dashed line in Figure 3 shows the roll crimping portion 133 before crimping.

[0032] A second stud portion 44b extends downward from the second sphere portion 41b, and this second stud portion 44b protrudes from the second housing portion 13 toward the lower surface 11b. This second stud portion 44b is a rod-shaped metal member integrally formed with the second sphere portion 41b and can move in conjunction with the second sphere portion 41b.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the second stud portion 44b is inserted through a through hole 31b formed in the second lower link 30b. In this embodiment, the portion of the second stud portion 44b that fits into the through hole 31b has a tapered shape, and the through hole 31b also has a corresponding tapered shape.

[0034] A screw thread 441 is formed at the tip (lower end) of the second stud portion 44b. A nut 45b is fastened to this screw thread 441. In this way, the second stud portion 44b is fastened to the second lower link 30b.

[0035] The dust cover 46b is provided around the second stud portion 44b and is interposed between the lower link support portion 11 and the second lower link 30b. This dust cover 46b is a cover member made of resin or the like, and prevents foreign matter from entering around the second spherical portion 41b.

[0036] In the suspension structure 1A of this embodiment as described above, the first and second ball portions 41a and 41b of the first and second lower ball joints 40a and 40b are connected by housing them in the first and second housing portions 12 and 13 of the lower link support portion 11, respectively. Therefore, there is no need to place mounting parts such as nuts on the upper and lower surfaces 11a and 11b of the lower link support portion 11, and the distance between the first and second lower ball joints 40a and 40b can be shortened.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first housing portion 12 and the second housing portion 13 are provided on different main surfaces of the lower link support portion 11, thereby arranging the first and second lower ball joints 40a and 40b alternately. This eliminates the need to consider interference between the first and second lower ball joints 40a and 40b, and thus allows for a reduction in the distance between the first and second lower ball joints 40a and 40b.

[0038] In this embodiment, the first lower link 30a is connected to the lower link support 11 at its upper surface 11a, and the second lower link 30b is connected to the lower link support 11 at its lower surface 11b, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The first lower link 30a may be connected to the lower link support 11 at its lower surface 11b, and the second lower link 30b may be connected to the lower link support 11 at its upper surface 11a.

[0039] Furthermore, although the storage chambers 121 and 131 of the first and second storage sections 12 and 13 were both bottomed holes formed in the lower link support section 11, the design is not limited to this. As shown in the modified example in Figure 4, the storage chambers 121 and 131 of the first and second storage sections 12 and 13 may be through-holes, and one end of the storage chambers 121 and 131 may be closed with lid members 125 and 135.

[0040] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the connection structure between the wheel support 10 and the first and second lower links 30a and 30b in the first embodiment. In this modified example, the housing chamber 121 is a through-hole that penetrates the upper and lower surfaces 11a and 11b of the lower link support portion 11, and the lower end opening 124 of the through-hole is closed by a cover member 125. The cover member 125 is, for example, a metal plate separate from the wheel support 10 and is fixed to the lower end opening 124 by roll riveting or the like.

[0041] On the other hand, the storage chamber 131 is also a through-hole that penetrates the upper and lower surfaces 11a and 11b of the lower link support portion 11, and the upper end opening 132 of the through-hole is closed by a cover member 135. The cover member 135 is, for example, a metal plate separate from the wheel support 10 and is fixed to the upper end opening 132 by roll crimping or the like.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in this modified example, the portions that fit into the through holes 31a and 31b of the first and second stud portions 44a and 44b, and the through holes 31a and 31b themselves, do not have a tapered shape and may have a constant diameter in the longitudinal direction.

[0043] <<Second Embodiment>> Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing an example of the connection structure between the wheel support 10 and the first and second lower links 30a and 30b in the second embodiment.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the suspension structure 1B of this embodiment differs from the suspension structure 1A of the first embodiment in that the protruding portion 14 formed on the upper surface 11a of the lower link support portion 11 has first and second housing portions 12 and 13 formed on it. However, the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Below, only the differences between the vehicle body structure of the suspension structure 1B in the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described, and components that are the same as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0045] In this embodiment, the lower link support portion 11 of the wheel support 10 includes a projection 14 that protrudes upward from the flat surface 15. Therefore, the upper surface 11a of the lower link support portion 11 includes the flat surface 15 and the convex surface 16 which is the main surface of the projection 14.

[0046] The convex surface 16 includes a first surface 17 located on the front side, a second surface 18 located on the rear side, and a top surface 19 interposed between the first and second surfaces 17 and 18.

[0047] The first surface 17 is interposed between the rear flat surface 15 and the top surface 19, and is a plane that slopes upward as it approaches the front. On the other hand, the second surface 18 is interposed between the front flat surface 15 and the top surface 19, and is a plane that slopes downward as it approaches the front.

[0048] In this embodiment, the second surface 18 has a relative angle θ1 with respect to the first surface 17. This relative angle θ1 is the angle between a straight line PL1 that is substantially parallel to the first surface 17 and a straight line PL2 that is substantially parallel to the second surface 18, in the cross-section shown in Figure 5.

[0049] Because the first and second surfaces 17 and 18 are inclined such that they have a relative angle θ1 with respect to each other, in this embodiment the first and second surfaces 17 and 18 are inclined so that they gradually approach each other as they move upward. In this embodiment the first and second surfaces 17 and 18 are planar, but are not limited to this and may include curved surfaces.

[0050] The first housing section 12 is formed on the first surface 17. Therefore, the upper end opening 122 of the first housing section 12 is formed on the same plane as the first surface 17 and is substantially parallel to the first surface 17. On the other hand, the second housing section 13 is formed on the second surface 18. Therefore, the upper end opening 132 of the second housing section 13 is formed on the same plane as the second surface 18 and is substantially parallel to the second surface 18.

[0051] Furthermore, the top surface 19 in this embodiment is a plane substantially parallel to the flat surface 15. This top surface 19 may be inclined with respect to the flat surface 15, or the top surface 19 may be omitted, and the first and second surfaces 17 and 18 may be directly connected.

[0052] Furthermore, if the first lower ball joint 40a is positioned such that the center line CL1 is approximately perpendicular to the first surface 17, and the second lower ball joint 40b is positioned such that the center line CL2 is approximately perpendicular to the second surface 18, then the relative angle θ2 between the center lines CL1 and CL2 is θ1 (θ1=θ2). Here, the center line CL1 is the central axis of the first stud portion 44a, and the center line CL2 is the central axis of the second stud portion 44b.

[0053] In the suspension structure 1B of the second embodiment described above, there is no need to place mounting parts such as nuts on the upper surface 11a of the lower link support portion 11, and the distance between the first and second lower ball joints 40a and 40b can be shortened.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by forming the first and second housing portions 12 and 13 on the first and second surfaces 17 and 18, respectively, which have a relative angle θ1 with respect to each other on the convex surface 16, it becomes unnecessary to consider interference between the first and second lower ball joints 40a and 40b, thereby shortening the distance between the first and second lower ball joints 40a and 40b.

[0055] In the second embodiment, a convex surface 16 is formed on the upper surface 11a of the lower link support portion 11, but the embodiment is not limited to this. A convex surface 16 may also be formed on the lower surface 11b, and the first and second housing portions 12 and 13 may be formed on the first and second surfaces.

[0056] The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit it. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiments is intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1A…Suspension structure 10... Wheel support 11…Lower link support section 11a…Top surface 11b…Bottom surface 12…First Detention Unit 121... Confinement Chamber 122...Top opening 123... Roll crimping section 124…Bottom opening 125... Lid component 13…Second Detention Unit 131... Confinement Chamber 132...Top opening 133... Roll crimping section 134…Bottom opening 135... Lid component 14...Protrusion 15…Flat surface 16...Convex surface 17...Side 1 18…Second side 19…Top surface 20… Upper Link 21… Upper ball joint 22… Upper bush 23... Shock absorber 24… Coil spring 30a, 30b... First and second lower links 31a, 31b...Through hole 35a, 35b…First and second lower bushings 40a, 40b…First and second lower ball joints 41a, 41b... 1st and 2nd ball sections 42a, 42b... Ball sheet 43a, 43b… Housing 44a, 44b... First and second stud sections 441... Screw thread 45a, 45b... nuts 46a, 46b... Dust cover 50…Suspension cross member (subframe) 60... Front wheel 70... Vehicle body 71…Front side frame 80...Tie rod

Claims

1. A wheel support having a lower link support section, A first lower link connected to the lower link support portion via a first ball joint, The lower link is connected to the lower link support portion via a second ball joint, and comprises a second lower link. The lower link support portion is, A first housing portion that houses the first ball portion of the first ball joint, It has a second housing portion adjacent to the first housing portion, which houses the second ball portion of the second ball joint, The lower link support portion includes a convex surface included in the first main surface, The aforementioned convex surface is Page 1 and, It includes a second surface that forms a relative angle with respect to the first surface, The first housing portion is formed on the first surface, The second housing portion is formed on the second surface, The first ball joint has a first stud portion extending from the first ball portion, The second ball joint has a second stud portion extending from the second ball portion, The first and second stud portions are a suspension structure for an automobile, each protruding from the first and second housing portions toward the first main surface.

2. In the automobile suspension structure described in claim 1, The lower link support portion is, First main surface and, Including a first principal surface and a second principal surface opposite to it. The first ball joint has a first stud portion extending from the first ball portion, The second ball joint has a second stud portion extending from the second ball portion, The first stud portion protrudes from the first housing portion toward the first main surface, The second stud portion is a suspension structure for an automobile that protrudes from the second housing portion toward the second main surface.

3. In the automobile suspension structure described in claim 2, The first and second housing sections are bottomed holes in an automobile suspension structure.

4. In the suspension structure described in claim 2, The first housing and the second housing are through holes with one opening closed by a lid member, respectively, in the suspension structure of an automobile.

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