Suspension device

Abstract

A suspension device (10) comprises: a damper tube (40) that has the inside filled with oil; a piston (33) that partitions the inside of the damper tube (40) into two chambers and generates damping force by moving in the axis direction; a spring (34) that, when the piston (33) is displaced in one direction, adds biasing force so as to bring the same back to the original position; an adjustment mechanism (50) that is capable of compressing the spring (34) and that adjusts the length of the spring (34) to an arbitrary defined length; and a reservoir (15) that reserves excessive oil. The adjustment mechanism (50) includes: a pump unit (60) for sending the oil; and a jack (70) to which the oil is fed from the reservoir (15) by the pump unit (60) and which compresses the spring (34). The reservoir (15) and the pump unit (60) are integrally provided to the damper tube (40).

Description

suspension system

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension system.

[0002] For example, in a saddle-ride type vehicle, a suspension system is installed between the wheels and the vehicle body to attenuate vibrations received from the road surface. JP-A-2003-144996 discloses a conventional suspension system.

[0003] The suspension system shown in Patent Document 1 includes a damper tube filled with oil, a spring that applies a biasing force to return the piston to its original position when it is displaced, a pump unit that can compress the spring, and a reservoir that stores excess oil.

[0004] By adjusting the amount of compression of the spring, it is possible to adjust the height of the seat on which the occupant sits and the riding comfort.

[0005] Patent No. 6873355

[0006] Generally, saddle-ride type vehicles are equipped with many devices and parts in a limited space, and if the suspension device can be made smaller, it is preferable because it increases the degree of freedom in installing other devices.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a compact suspension system.

[0008] As a result of extensive research, the inventors discovered that the suspension system can be made smaller by integrating the reservoir and pump unit into the damper tube. The present invention was completed based on this discovery.

[0009] The present disclosure will be described below.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a suspension device comprising: a damper tube filled with oil; a piston that divides the inside of the damper tube into two chambers and generates a damping force by moving axially; a spring that applies a biasing force to return the piston to its original position when it is displaced in one direction; an adjustment mechanism that can compress the spring and adjust the length of the spring to any length; and a reservoir in which excess oil is stored, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a pump unit for sending oil, and a jack that causes the pump unit to flow oil from the reservoir and compress the spring, and the reservoir and the pump unit are integrally provided on the damper tube.

[0011] According to the present invention, a compact suspension device can be provided.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a suspension according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the suspension shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the suspension shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the suspension shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a state in which a reservoir and a pump unit have been removed from the cap member shown in Fig. 1.

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, left and right refer to the left and right relative to the occupant of the saddle-ride type vehicle, and front and rear refer to the front and rear relative to the traveling direction of the saddle-ride type vehicle. In the drawings, Fr indicates the front, Rr indicates the rear, Le indicates the left as seen from the occupant, Ri indicates the right as seen from the occupant, Up indicates the top, and Dn indicates the bottom. The embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0014] <Example> See Figure 1. The suspension system 10 is a rear cushion mounted on, for example, a two-wheeled vehicle such as a saddle-ride type vehicle. Hereinafter, the suspension system 10 may also be referred to as the rear cushion 10. The rear cushion 10 is used with a lower end connection portion 11 provided at the lower end connected to the rear wheel and an upper end connection portion 12 provided at the upper end connected to the vehicle body.

[0015] Referring to Fig. 2, the rear cushion 10 mainly comprises a damping unit 30 that damps vibration energy input from the road surface, an adjustment mechanism 50 that can adjust the height of the vehicle body and / or the ride comfort, and a reservoir 15 through which excess oil in the damping unit 30 and the adjustment mechanism 50 is drained.

[0016] The damping unit 30, the adjustment mechanism 50, and the reservoir 15 are connected to each other by a flow path 16 through which oil can pass.

[0017] The rear cushion 10 further includes a solenoid valve 17 that opens and closes a flow path 16 through which oil passes from the adjustment mechanism 50 to the reservoir 15, a pilot valve 18 that allows oil to flow when the flow path 16 through which oil passes from the adjustment mechanism 50 to the reservoir 15 is closed, and a check valve 19 that allows oil to flow in one direction from the reservoir 15 to the pump unit 60.

[0018] The damping unit 30 includes a damper tube 40 filled with oil, a rod 32 whose tip is inserted into the damper tube 40 and which is movable along the axis CL1 (see Figure 1), a piston 33 provided at the tip of the rod 32 and which generates a damping force by moving together with the rod 32, and a spring 34 which applies a biasing force to return the piston 33 downward when the piston 33 moves toward the upper end of the damper tube 40.

[0019] 3, the damper tube 40 has a cylindrical cylinder 41 whose outer periphery is surrounded by the spring 34, and a cap member 42 that closes the lower end of the cylinder 41 and supports the adjustment mechanism 50 and the reservoir 15. The upper end of the cylinder 41 is closed by an end cover (not shown).

[0020] The upper end of the cylinder 41 is surrounded by a bottomed cylindrical member 21. The bottomed cylindrical member 21 is provided slidably relative to the damper tube 40 and supports the rod 32 (see FIG. 2).

[0021] The upper end of the cylinder 41 of the damper tube 40 may be covered by a cap member 42. In this case, the lower end of the cylinder 41 is covered by the other end cover. In other words, one end of the cylinder 41 is covered by the cap member 42, and at least a part of the adjustment mechanism 50 and the reservoir 15 are supported by this cap member 42. The other end of the cylinder 41 is covered by the other end cover through which the rod 32 (see FIG. 2) passes.

[0022] 4 and 5, the cap member 42 is integrally formed with a first portion 42a that closes one end of the cylinder 41 and a second portion 42b that protrudes from the first portion 42a in the radial direction of the cylinder 41.

[0023] A part of the flow path 16 is formed in a groove shape in the part of the second part 42b that connects the reservoir 15 and the adjustment mechanism 50.

[0024] See Figure 6. The second portion 42b has cylindrical recesses 42c and 42d, each of which has a concave shape. Female threads are formed on the inner circumferential surfaces of the recesses 42c and 42d. These female-threaded portions can be referred to as rotational positioning portions 42e and 42f, which determine the positions of the adjustment mechanism 50 and the reservoir 15 (see Figure 3), respectively.

[0025] 5. The lengths from the axis CL1 of the cylinder 41 to the recesses 42c and 42d are the same. The recesses 42c and 42d have the same inner diameter, or the inner diameter of the recess 42d to which the reservoir 15 is attached is larger than the inner diameter of the recess 42c to which the adjustment mechanism 50 is attached.

[0026] 3, the spring 34 is formed of a compression coil spring, the lower end of which biases the cap member 42 downward, and the upper end of which biases the bottomed tubular member 21 upward.

[0027] 2, the adjustment mechanism 50 includes a pump unit 60 capable of pumping oil, and a jack 70 that compresses the spring 34 by receiving oil from the pump unit 60.

[0028] The pump unit 60 has a control unit 62 that supplies electricity based on information from outside, a drive unit 63 that is operated by this control unit 62, and a pump 64 that pumps oil when this drive unit 63 is operated.

[0029] 3, the pump unit 60 has a cylindrical pump unit housing 65 that is fastened to the recess 42c. The axis CL2 of the pump unit housing 65 extends substantially parallel to the axis CL1 of the cylinder 41. The pump 64, the drive unit 63, and the control unit 62 are housed in the pump unit housing 65 in this order, starting from the portion closest to the cap member 42.

[0030] The control unit 62 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM in which programs executed by the CPU and various data are stored, and a RAM used as a working memory for the CPU.

[0031] See Figure 2. The control unit 62 receives electrical signals from, for example, a height sensor 23 that detects the compression amount of the spring 34, a vehicle speed sensor 24 that detects the vehicle speed of the motorcycle, and an operation switch 25 that can be operated by the rider. Based on information from the height sensor 23, vehicle speed sensor 24, and operation switch 25, the control unit 62 energizes the drive unit 63, the solenoid valve 17, etc.

[0032] In addition to these sensors, information from other necessary sensors can be input to the control unit 62 as an electrical signal.

[0033] The drive unit 63 is configured by, for example, a conventionally known electric motor.

[0034] The pump 64 is, for example, a conventionally known oil pump.

[0035] The jack 70 has a jack housing 71 filled with oil sent from the pump 64, and a jack body 72 that compresses the spring 34 against the spring force of the spring 34 when oil is sent to the jack housing 71.

[0036] 3, the reservoir 15 is formed, for example, by a bladder. The reservoir 15 has a generally cylindrical reservoir housing 15a fastened to the recess 42d. An axis CL3 of the reservoir housing 15a extends generally parallel to the axis CL1 of the cylinder 41.

[0037] Also see Figure 5. The diameter D1 of the pump unit housing 65 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the recess 42c. The diameter D2 of the reservoir housing 15a is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the recess 42d. The diameter D1 of the pump unit housing 65 is approximately the same as or smaller than the diameter D2 of the reservoir housing 15a.

[0038] The suspension system 10 described above will be summarized below.

[0039] Referring to Figure 2, first, the suspension system 10 includes a damper tube 40 filled with oil, a piston 33 that divides the inside of the damper tube 40 into two chambers and generates a damping force by moving in the axial direction, a spring 34 that applies a biasing force to return the piston 33 to its original position when it is displaced in one direction, an adjustment mechanism 50 that can compress the spring 34 and adjust the length of the spring 34 to any length, and a reservoir 15 that stores excess oil.

[0040] The adjustment mechanism 50 includes a pump unit 60 for pumping oil, and a jack 70 that causes oil to flow from the reservoir 15 by the pump unit 60 and compresses the spring 34 .

[0041] 1, the reservoir 15 and the pump unit 60 are integrally provided on the damper tube 40.

[0042] By integrating the reservoir 15 and the pump unit 60 into the damper tube 40, it is possible to share the reservoir 15 between the pump unit 60 and the damper tube 40. This allows the suspension 10 to be made more compact than if a separate reservoir were provided for the pump unit 60.

[0043] Secondly, in the first suspension system 10 , the damper tube 40 has a cylinder 41 formed of a substantially cylindrical body, and a cap member 42 that closes one end of the cylinder 41 .

[0044] See Figure 5. Additionally, the cap member 42 forms a part of the flow path 16 that connects the reservoir 15, the jack 70 (see Figure 2), and the pump unit 60 and through which oil can pass. By using the cap member 42 to form part of the flow path 16, it is no longer necessary to use a hose for oil flow. This allows the suspension system 10 to be made smaller by the space required to arrange the hose, and also contributes to a reduction in the number of parts.

[0045] Third, in the second suspension 10, the cap member 42 has a first portion 42a that closes one end of the cylinder 41 and a second portion 42b that protrudes from the first portion 42a in the radial direction of the cylinder 41. The portion of the flow path 16 that connects the reservoir 15 and the pump unit 60 is formed in a groove shape in the second portion 42b. By forming the flow path 16 in a groove shape, the weight of the cap member 42 can be reduced, and the weight of the entire suspension 10 can also be reduced.

[0046] See Figure 3. Fourth, in any of the first to third suspension systems 10, the reservoir 15 includes a reservoir housing 15a that is long along the axial direction of the cylinder 41, and the pump unit 60 includes a pump unit housing 65 that is long along the axial direction of the cylinder 41. Within this pump unit housing 65, a drive unit 63 as a drive source and a pump 64 that is driven by the drive unit 63 to send oil are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. The reservoir 15 and the pump unit 60 are arranged side by side in the radial direction of the cylinder 41. This allows the reservoir 15 and the pump unit 60 to be arranged more compactly.

[0047] See Figure 5. Fifth, in a fourth suspension system 10, the diameter D1 of the pump unit housing 65 is equal to or smaller than the diameter D2 of the reservoir housing 15a. Conventionally, the reservoir 15 has been disposed on the periphery of the damper tube 40. By making the diameter of the pump unit housing 65 equal to or smaller than the diameter of the reservoir housing 15a, the pump unit housing 65 can be disposed inside a circle whose radius is from the axis CL1 of the damper tube 40 to the outer surface of the reservoir housing 15a. This allows the suspension system 10 to be made even more compact.

[0048] See Figure 3. Sixth, in any one of the second to fifth suspension systems 10, the pump unit 60 includes a pump unit housing 65 that is long along the axial direction of the cylinder 41.

[0049] 6, the pump unit housing 65 is inserted into a recess 42c formed in the cap member 42. A rotation positioning portion 42e for determining the position of the pump unit housing 65 is formed in the recess 42c.

[0050] See Figure 3. Seventh, in any of the second to sixth suspension systems 10, the pump unit 60 has a pump unit housing 65 that is long along the axial direction of the cylinder 41, a drive unit 63 as a drive source, a pump 64 that is driven by the drive unit 63 to send oil, and a control unit 62 that outputs a signal to control the drive unit. Within the pump unit housing 65, the pump 64, drive unit 63, and control unit 62 are arranged in this order from the position closest to the cap member 42.

[0051] Although the suspension system 10 according to the present invention has been described using the rear cushion of a motorcycle as an example, it can also be used for a front fork. Furthermore, the saddle-ride type vehicle can be a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle other than a two-wheeled vehicle, as long as the rider straddles it.

[0052] As long as the functions and effects of the present invention are exhibited, the present invention is not limited to the examples.

[0053] The suspension system of the present invention is suitable for use in a rear cushion of a motorcycle.

[0054] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Rear cushion (suspension device) 15...Reservoir, 15a...Reservoir housing 16...Flow path 33...Piston 34...Spring 40...Damper tube 41...Cylinder 42...Cap member, 42a...First part, 42b...Second part, 42c...Recess, 42e...Rotation positioning part 50...Adjustment mechanism 60...Pump unit 62...Control part 63...Drive part 64...Pump 65...Pump unit housing 70...Jack D1...Diameter of pump unit housing 65 D2...Diameter of reservoir housing 15a

Claims

1. A suspension system comprising: a damper tube filled with oil; a piston that divides the inside of the damper tube into two chambers and generates a damping force by moving in an axial direction; a spring that applies a biasing force to return the piston to its original position when it is displaced in one direction; an adjustment mechanism that can compress the spring and adjust the length of the spring to any desired length; and a reservoir in which excess oil is stored, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a pump unit for sending oil, and a jack that causes oil to flow from the reservoir by the pump unit to compress the spring, and the reservoir and the pump unit are integrally provided on the damper tube.

2. A suspension device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damper tube comprises a cylinder formed of a generally cylindrical body and a cap member closing one end of the cylinder, and the cap member defines a part of a flow path connecting the reservoir, the jack and the pump unit and through which oil can pass.

3. A suspension device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cap member has a first portion that closes one end of the cylinder and a second portion that protrudes from the first portion in the radial direction of the cylinder, and the portion of the flow path that connects the reservoir and the pump unit is formed in the shape of a groove in the second portion.

4. A suspension system as described in claim 1, wherein the reservoir includes a reservoir housing that is long along the axial direction of the cylinder, the pump unit includes a pump unit housing that is long along the axial direction of the cylinder, and within this pump unit housing, a drive unit as a drive source and a pump that pumps oil when driven by the drive unit are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction, and the reservoir and pump unit are arranged side by side in the radial direction of the cylinder.

5. A suspension according to claim 4, wherein the diameter of said pump unit housing is equal to or smaller than the diameter of said reservoir housing.

6. A suspension device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pump unit includes a pump unit housing that is long along the axial direction of the cylinder, the pump unit housing is inserted into a recess formed in the cap member, and a rotational positioning portion that determines the position of the pump unit housing is formed in the recess.

7. A suspension device as described in claim 2, wherein the pump unit comprises a pump unit housing that is long along the axial direction of the cylinder, a drive unit as a drive source, a pump that is driven by the drive unit to send oil, and a control unit that outputs a signal to control the drive unit, and the pump, drive unit, and control unit are arranged in this order within the pump unit housing from the portion closest to the cap member.