Front axle connecting structure and vehicle having same

Abstract

A front axle connecting structure and a vehicle having same. The front axle connecting structure comprises an axle tube (10), kingpin connecting structures (20), and pressing plates (30); the kingpin connecting structures (20) are separated from the axle tube (10); protruding portions (11) are formed on end surfaces of the axle tube (10); each kingpin connecting structure (20) and each pressing plate (30) are respectively located on two sides of the corresponding protruding portion (11), a first adjusting structure (41) is formed on the side of the protruding portion (11) towards the pressing plate (30), a second adjusting structure (42) is formed on the side of the pressing plate (30) towards the protruding portion (11), one of the first adjusting structure (41) and the second adjusting structure (42) is a raised portion, and the other one is a recessed portion; each kingpin connecting structure (20) is connected to the corresponding pressing plate (30) by means of locking devices (50), such that the kingpin connecting structure (20) and the pressing plate (30) have a first state of clamping the protruding portion (11), and have a second state in which the kingpin connecting structure (20) can rotate relative to the axle tube (10); the kingpin connecting structures (20) rotate relative to the axle tube (10), so that different raised portions correspond to the respective recessed portions, and thus the kingpin connecting structures (20) and the axle tube (10) have different connecting postures.

Description

Front axle connection structure and vehicle having the same Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of automobile structures, and in particular to a front axle connection structure and a vehicle having the same. Background Art

[0002] Since the launch of the first hard-core off-road vehicle model, the appearance, interior, four-wheel drive technology and power system of hard-core off-road vehicles have made great progress, but the independent front axle system as the core of the chassis has not had any fundamental improvement.

[0003] Over the past 25 years, global sales of hardcore off-road vehicles have exceeded 30 million, and consumer demand for customization and modification of these vehicles is growing. The most common customization method used by OEMs, modification shops, and tuning companies is to increase vehicle height, enhance maneuverability, and enhance the overall appearance of the vehicle by increasing tire size and replacing or enhancing the suspension system. However, raising the vehicle's chassis also brings the following issues that significantly affect the driving experience and seriously threaten the safety of occupants:

[0004] 1. After the vehicle chassis is raised, the conventional angle between the front drive shaft and the front axle bridge package increases due to the change in the installation position of the independent front axle. This causes the U-shaped joint of the drive shaft to vibrate, thereby damaging the U-shaped joint and seals, greatly increasing the probability of abnormal damage to the drive shaft. At the same time, the distortion of these components during vehicle operation produces obvious chassis resonance;

[0005] 2. After the vehicle chassis is raised, the independent front axle's mounting position changes, and the caster angles of the front axle's clevises on both sides of the front axle decrease simultaneously. As a result, when the vehicle is driving straight, the front wheels will shimmy, the steering wheel will wobble, and the automatic self-centering ability after turning will be weakened. The driver will lose road feel and have no confidence in vehicle control even when driving on regular roads.

[0006] 3. Vehicle deviation or even left-right swerving caused by tire enlargement or wear, left-right imbalance of the suspension system, and other factors. Although adjusting the castor angle of one side's clevis can fundamentally solve the problem of vehicle deviation, all independent front axles currently have the clevis welded to the axle tube before leaving the factory, so the castor angle cannot be adjusted separately.

[0007] To alleviate the vehicle deviation symptoms described in 3 above, technicians often adjust the wheelbase on one side by changing the length of the chassis control arm. However, this method not only fails to fundamentally solve the deviation problem, but also, because the different wheelbases on both sides no longer form the perfect rectangle the vehicle was designed for when it left the factory, it causes the vehicle to twist when cornering. During driving, the tires on both sides also move in a serpentine manner due to the inconsistent wheelbases, giving the driver the impression of a loose and unstructured chassis.

[0008] The fundamental reason these issues remain unresolved is a structural flaw common to all currently available independent front axles: the inability to independently adjust the castor angle on either side of the vehicle, or the angle between the clevis and the drive shaft. This leaves consumers with the resulting handling issues and significant safety hazards. All OEMs, tuning shops, and other tuning shops can do is expend significant labor and time on continuous vehicle adjustments, with minimal success, leading to low customer satisfaction.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] In order to solve the above four problems at the same time, the present application provides a front axle connection structure and a vehicle having the same, which can ensure the supporting strength while more conveniently adjusting the vehicle's kingpin castor angle and the angle between the kingpin connection structure and the drive shaft independently.

[0011] The present application provides a front axle connection structure, including a bridge tube, a kingpin connection structure located at an end of the bridge tube and used to connect a kingpin, and a pressure plate, the kingpin connection structure being separately arranged from the bridge tube, and a protrusion extending away from the axis of the bridge tube being formed on one end of the bridge tube facing the kingpin connection structure, the kingpin connection structure and the pressure plate being respectively located on either side of the protrusion, a first adjustment structure being formed on the side of the protrusion facing the pressure plate, and a second adjustment structure being formed on the side of the pressure plate facing the protrusion, one of the first adjustment structure and the second adjustment structure being a protrusion, and the other of the first adjustment structure and the second adjustment structure being a recessed portion, the kingpin connection structure being coupled to the pressure plate via a locking device so that the kingpin connection structure and the pressure plate form a first state in which the protrusion is clamped, and a second state in which the kingpin connection structure can rotate relative to the bridge tube, the kingpin connection structure being rotated relative to the bridge tube so that different protrusions correspond to recessed portions, and different protrusions correspond to recessed portions, so that the kingpin connection structure and the bridge tube have different coupling postures.

[0012] Furthermore, the pressure plate is annular and is sleeved on the bridge tube. The pressure plate is located on a side of the protruding portion away from the kingpin connection structure.

[0013] Furthermore, when the kingpin connection structure and the pressure plate are in the second state, the whole formed by the kingpin connection structure, the pressure plate and the locking device can move relative to the bridge tube along the axial direction of the bridge tube.

[0014] Furthermore, the protruding portion is a flange on the end face of the bridge tube.

[0015] Furthermore, a accommodating ring is formed on the side of the main pin connection structure facing the bridge tube, and the accommodating ring extends from the main pin connection structure toward the side where the bridge tube is located to form an accommodating cavity inside the accommodating ring. When the main pin connection structure and the pressure plate are in the first state, the protruding portion is located in the accommodating cavity.

[0016] Furthermore, a reinforcement tube extending toward the side where the bridge tube is located is provided on the kingpin connection structure. When the kingpin connection structure is combined with the bridge tube, the reinforcement tube extends into the bridge tube.

[0017] Furthermore, the locking device is a bolt, a first connecting hole is formed on the kingpin connecting structure, a second connecting hole is formed on the pressure plate, and the bolt is connected between the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole.

[0018] Furthermore, a through hole is formed on the protruding portion, the bolt passes through the through hole and is connected between the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole, and the through hole is an arc-shaped strip hole.

[0019] Furthermore, the first adjustment structure and the second adjustment structure are gear teeth or splines.

[0020] The present application also provides a vehicle comprising the above-mentioned front axle connection structure.

[0021] In summary, in the present application, this embodiment can enable the kingpin connection structure to have different engagement positions with the bridge tube by providing the raised portion and the recessed portion. The kingpin connection structure and the bridge tube are fixed together by a locking device to ensure that the kingpin connection structure and the bridge tube will not separate and to ensure the engagement of the raised portion and the recessed portion, which can always keep the kingpin connection structure and the bridge tube fixedly connected at the kingpin caster angle. Therefore, the front axle connection structure can easily and independently adjust the kingpin caster angle on both sides of the vehicle and the angle between the kingpin connection structure and the drive shaft while ensuring the supporting strength; at the same time, the positions of the mounting points of all components on the bridge tube still maintain the original angles, and will not introduce variables that affect the chassis wheelbase, steering accuracy, and suspension height.

[0022] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the following specifically cites a preferred embodiment and describes it in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other relevant drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0024] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the axle-side structure of the front axle connection structure provided in the first embodiment of the present application.

[0025] FIG2 is a schematic diagram showing the exploded structure of the front axle connection structure in FIG1 .

[0026] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of the bridge tube end portion in FIG1 .

[0027] FIG4 is a schematic diagram showing the axial side structure of the kingpin connection structure in FIG1 .

[0028] FIG5 is a schematic diagram showing the axial side structure of the kingpin connection structure in FIG4 from another perspective.

[0029] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of the pressure plate in FIG1 .

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, and not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the description of the present invention without inventive effort are intended to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "disposed," "installed," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; and direct or indirect connections through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms based on the specific circumstances.

[0033] The directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or are the directions or positional relationships in which the inventive product is usually placed when in use. They are only for the convenience and simplification of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operate in a specific direction. Therefore, they should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are merely used to distinguish between elements of similar nature and do not indicate or imply relative importance or a particular order.

[0035] In addition, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion that may include elements other than the listed elements and may also include additional elements not specifically listed.

[0036] The present application provides a front axle connection structure and a vehicle having the same. The front axle connection structure can ensure support strength while easily and independently adjusting the vehicle's kingpin castor angle and the angle between the kingpin connection structure and the drive shaft.

[0037] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the axle-side structure of a front axle connection structure provided by a first embodiment of the present application, FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the front axle connection structure in FIG1 , FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the end of the bridge tube in FIG1 , FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the axle-side structure of the kingpin connection structure in FIG1 , FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the axle-side structure of the kingpin connection structure in FIG4 from another perspective, and FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pressure plate in FIG1 . As shown in FIG1 to FIG6 , the front axle connection structure provided by the embodiment of the present application includes a bridge tube 10 for a half-axle to pass through, a kingpin connection structure 20 located at the end of the bridge tube 10 and used to connect the kingpin, and a pressure plate 30. The kingpin connection structure 20 is provided separately from the bridge tube 10. A protrusion 11 extending away from the axis of the bridge tube 10 is formed on one end of the bridge tube 10 facing the kingpin connection structure 20. The kingpin connection structure 20 and the pressure plate 30 are respectively located on both sides of the protrusion 11. A first adjustment structure 41 is formed on the side of the protrusion 11 facing the pressure plate 30. A second adjustment structure 42 is formed on the side facing the protruding portion 11. One of the first adjustment structure 41 and the second adjustment structure 42 is a raised portion, and the other of the first adjustment structure 41 and the second adjustment structure 42 is a recessed portion. The kingpin connecting structure 20 is coupled to the pressure plate 30 via a locking device 50, so that the kingpin connecting structure 20 and the pressure plate 30 have a first state and a second state. In the first state, the kingpin connecting structure 20 and the pressure plate 30 press the protruding portion 11 from both sides, integrating the kingpin connecting structure 20 with the bridge tube 10. In other words, in the first state, the kingpin connecting structure 20 is connected to the bridge tube 10. In the second state, the kingpin connecting structure 20 and the pressure plate 30 can rotate relative to the protruding portion 11 about the axis of the bridge tube 10 so that different protrusions correspond to different recesses. In other words, in the second state, the kingpin connecting structure 20 can rotate relative to the bridge tube 10. The combination of different protrusions and recesses enables the kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 to have different connection postures.

[0038] In this embodiment, the kingpin connection structure 20, such as a clevis, is separated from the side axle tube 10, and the kingpin connection structure 20 and the pressure plate 30 are detachably connected to the axle tube 10 via a locking device 50. When the kingpin caster angle needs to be adjusted, the locking device 50 is loosened to place the kingpin connection structure 20 and the pressure plate 30 in the second state, and the kingpin connection structure 20 is rotated about the axis of the axle tube 10 to a suitable angle. The kingpin connection structure 20 and the pressure plate 30 are then re-clamped to the two sides of the protruding portion 11 using the locking device 50, so that the corresponding protrusions extend into the corresponding recesses, thereby completing the fixation of the kingpin connection structure 20 to the axle tube 10. This changes the installation angle of the kingpin connection structure 20 relative to the axle tube 10, thereby changing the angle of the installation point and adjusting the kingpin caster angle.

[0039] In other words, this embodiment, through the provision of raised and recessed portions, enables the kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 to have different engagement positions. The kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 are fixed together by a locking device 50 to ensure that the kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 will not separate, ensuring the engagement of the raised and recessed portions. This allows the kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 to always maintain a fixed connection at the kingpin caster angle. Therefore, while ensuring support strength, the front axle connection structure can easily and independently adjust the kingpin caster angle on both sides of the vehicle and the angle between the kingpin connection structure 20 and the drive shaft. At the same time, the mounting points of all components on the bridge tube 10 remain at their original angles, without introducing variables that affect the chassis wheelbase, steering accuracy, or suspension height.

[0040] Continuing with reference to Figures 1 and 2 , in this embodiment, the pressure plate 30 is annular and is mounted on the bridge tube 10 (to facilitate the exploded view in Figure 2 , the pressure plate 30 is shown separated from the bridge tube 10). The pressure plate 30 is located on the side of the protrusion 11 that is away from the kingpin connection structure 20. When the pressure plate 30 is not connected to the kingpin connection structure 20 via the locking device 50 , the pressure plate 30 can move on the bridge tube 10 along the axis of the bridge tube 10. During the manufacturing stage of the bridge tube 10, the pressure plate 30 can be directly mounted on the bridge tube 10, and then the protrusion 11 can be fixed to the end face of the bridge tube 10 to complete the assembly of the bridge tube 10.

[0041] When the kingpin connection structure 20 and the pressure plate 30 are in the second state, the assembly formed by the kingpin connection structure 20, the pressure plate 30, and the locking device 50 can be moved relative to the bridge tube 10 along the axis of the bridge tube 10. This allows the relative position of the kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 to be adjusted after the protrusion and the recess are disengaged. This arrangement allows the front axle connection structure to be adjusted without having to remove the kingpin connection structure 20 from the bridge tube 10.

[0042] 1 and 2 , in this embodiment, the protruding portion 11 is a flange on the end surface of the bridge tube 10 , that is, the protruding portion 11 is in the shape of a circular ring.

[0043] Continuing with reference to Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, an accommodating ring 21 is formed on the side of the kingpin connection structure 20 facing the bridge tube 10. The accommodating ring 21 extends from the kingpin connection structure 20 toward the side where the bridge tube 10 is located to form an accommodating cavity inside the accommodating ring 21. When the kingpin connection structure 20 and the pressure plate 30 are in the first state, the protruding portion 11 is located in the accommodating cavity.

[0044] A reinforcing tube 22 is also provided on the kingpin connection structure 20, extending toward the side where the bridge tube 10 is located. When the kingpin connection structure 20 is combined with the bridge tube 10, the reinforcing tube 22 extends into the bridge tube 10 to strengthen the connection strength between the kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 bracket in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the bridge tube 10.

[0045] In this embodiment, the locking device 50 can be a bolt. A first connecting hole 23 is formed in the kingpin connecting structure 20, and a second connecting hole 31 is formed in the pressure plate 30. The bolt is connected between the first connecting hole 23 and the second connecting hole 31 to lock the kingpin connecting structure 20 and the pressure plate 30, and to sandwich the protrusion 11 between the kingpin connecting structure 20 and the pressure plate 30.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, threads are formed in the second connecting hole 31. After the bolt passes through the first connecting hole 23, it is threadedly engaged with the second connecting hole 31. The provision of threads in the second connecting hole 31 eliminates the need to reserve space for the nut assembly between the side of the pressure plate 30 away from the kingpin connection structure 20 and other components of the bridge tube 10, thereby reducing the impact on other components.

[0047] It is understandable that in other embodiments, the bolts may also cooperate with the nuts to complete the connection between the kingpin connection structure 20 and the pressure plate 30 .

[0048] 2 and 3 , in this embodiment, a through hole 111 is formed on the protruding portion 11, through which a bolt passes to connect between the first connecting hole 23 and the second connecting hole 31. To facilitate adjustment of the relative position between the pressing plate 30 and the protruding portion 11, the through hole 111 is an arc-shaped strip hole.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, both the first adjustment structure 41 and the second adjustment structure 42 are gear teeth. Specifically, the protrusions can be the gear teeth themselves, while the recessed portion is formed between the two gear teeth. The meshing of the multiple gear teeth secures the position between the bridge tube 10 and the kingpin connection structure 20. The extension line of each gear tooth passes through the axis of the bridge tube 10.

[0050] In other embodiments, the first adjustment structure 41 and the second adjustment structure 42 may also be splines.

[0051] In summary, in the present application, this embodiment enables the kingpin connection structure 20 to have different engagement positions with the bridge tube 10 by providing the raised portion and the recessed portion. The kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 are fixed together by the locking device 50 to ensure that the kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 will not separate and to ensure the engagement of the raised portion and the recessed portion. This allows the kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 to always maintain a fixed connection at the kingpin caster angle. Therefore, while ensuring the support strength, the front axle connection structure can very conveniently independently adjust the kingpin caster angle on both sides of the vehicle and the angle between the kingpin connection structure 20 and the drive shaft; at the same time, the positions of all component mounting points on the bridge tube 10 still maintain their original angles, without introducing variables that affect the chassis wheelbase, steering accuracy, and suspension height.

[0052] The present invention also provides a vehicle, including the above-mentioned front axle connection structure. For other technical features of the vehicle, please refer to the prior art and will not be repeated here.

[0053] Furthermore, both sides of the front axle connection structure can be set as a structure in which the kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 are separated, and the above structure is used to adjust the kingpin caster angle. Alternatively, a structure in which the kingpin connection structure 20 and the bridge tube 10 are separated can be set on one side, and the above structure is used to adjust the kingpin caster angle.

[0054] It should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same and similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0055] The foregoing description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be readily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed herein are intended to be encompassed within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A front axle connection structure, characterized in that: The invention comprises a bridge tube, a kingpin connection structure located at an end of the bridge tube and used for connecting a kingpin, and a pressure plate, wherein the kingpin connection structure is separately arranged from the bridge tube, and a protrusion extending in an axial direction away from the bridge tube is formed on one end of the bridge tube facing the kingpin connection structure, the kingpin connection structure and the pressure plate are respectively located on both sides of the protrusion, a first adjustment structure is formed on the side of the protrusion facing the pressure plate, and a second adjustment structure is formed on the side of the pressure plate facing the protrusion, one of the first adjustment structure and the second adjustment structure is a protrusion, and the other of the first adjustment structure and the second adjustment structure is a recessed portion, the kingpin connection structure is combined with the pressure plate through a locking device, so that the kingpin connection structure and the pressure plate form a first state in which the protrusion is clamped, and a second state in which the kingpin connection structure can rotate relative to the bridge tube, the kingpin connection structure rotates relative to the bridge tube so that different protrusions correspond to recessed portions, and different protrusions correspond to recessed portions, so that the kingpin connection structure and the bridge tube have different combination postures.

2. The front axle connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure plate is annular and sleeved on the bridge tube. The pressure plate is located on a side of the protruding portion away from the kingpin connection structure.

3. The front axle connection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the kingpin connection structure and the pressure plate are in the second state, the whole formed by the kingpin connection structure, the pressure plate and the locking device can move relative to the bridge tube along the axial direction of the bridge tube.

4. The front axle connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protruding portion is a flange on the end surface of the bridge pipe.

5. The front axle connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A accommodating ring is formed on a side of the main pin connection structure facing the bridge tube, and the accommodating ring extends from the main pin connection structure to the side where the bridge tube is located to form an accommodating cavity inside the accommodating ring. When the main pin connection structure and the pressure plate are in a first state, the protruding portion is located in the accommodating cavity.

6. The front axle connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A reinforcement tube extending toward the side where the bridge tube is located is arranged on the kingpin connection structure. When the kingpin connection structure is combined with the bridge tube, the reinforcement tube extends into the bridge tube.

7. The front axle connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking device is a bolt, a first connecting hole is formed on the kingpin connecting structure, a second connecting hole is formed on the pressure plate, and the bolt is connected between the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole.

8. The front axle connection structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: A through hole is formed on the protruding portion, the bolt passes through the through hole and is connected between the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole, and the through hole is an arc-shaped strip hole.

9. The front axle connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first adjustment structure and the second adjustment structure are gear teeth or splines.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: The front axle connection structure comprises the front axle connection structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images