Vehicle height adjustment device

Abstract

A vehicle height adjustment device (20) comprises: a moving member (60) that is provided between an inner cylinder (40) and an outer cylinder (50) and that is capable of adjusting the position of a movable spring holder (30) by moving in an axial direction; a jack chamber (21) that is formed between the inner cylinder (40) and the outer cylinder (50) and that can be filled with oil serving as a drive force for the moving member (60); and a lid (80) that is joined to the inner cylinder (40) and / or the outer cylinder (50) and that covers the jack chamber (21).

Description

Vehicle height adjustment device

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle height adjusting device that uses oil as a power source.

[0002] A shock absorber that absorbs shock and a compression coil spring (elastic body) that applies force to the shock absorber in a direction to restore the shock absorber's length when the shock absorber is shortened by the impact are provided between the vehicle body and the wheels. Some shock absorbers are equipped with a vehicle height adjustment device that can adjust the vehicle height by adjusting the axial position of a spring bearing that supports the end of the compression coil spring. Prior art related to a vehicle height adjustment device is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The vehicle height adjusting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a moving member that is in contact with a spring bearing and is movable in the axial direction of the shock absorber. The moving member is driven by oil, which is hydraulic fluid filled in a jack chamber.

[0004] The jack chamber is made up of a first member and a second member. The first member is a cylindrical member provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder of the shock absorber.

[0005] The second member is integrally formed with an annular portion that fits onto the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the first member, and an outer cylindrical portion that extends downward from the annular portion and surrounds a part of the inner cylindrical portion. The space enclosed by the cylindrical first member and the annular portion and outer cylindrical portion of the second member forms the jack chamber.

[0006] Patent No. 5936125

[0007] The second member in which the annular portion and the outer cylindrical portion are integrated can be manufactured by cutting an aluminum material, for example, but there is room for improvement in terms of manufacturing costs.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle height adjusting device that can be manufactured at reduced cost.

[0009] As a result of extensive research, the inventors have found that it is possible to provide a vehicle height adjusting device that can be manufactured at low cost, which includes a moving member that is disposed between the inner and outer cylinders and that can adjust the position of the movable spring bearing by moving in the axial direction, a jack chamber that is formed between the inner and outer cylinders and can be filled with oil that serves as a drive source for the moving member, and a cover that is joined to both the end face of the inner and outer cylinders and closes the jack chamber. The present invention was completed based on these findings.

[0010] First, a vehicle height adjustment device for a shock absorber is provided, comprising: a movable spring bearing capable of supporting an elastic body that applies force to the shock absorber in a direction that extends the overall length of the shock absorber and that is movable in the axial direction of the shock absorber; an inner tube arranged coaxially with the shock absorber; an outer tube arranged on the outer periphery of the inner tube; a movable member arranged between the inner tube and the outer tube that is capable of adjusting the position of the movable spring bearing by moving in the axial direction; a jack chamber formed between the inner tube and the outer tube that can be filled with oil that serves as a driving source for the movable member; and a lid joined to at least one of the inner tube or the outer tube and that closes the jack chamber.

[0011] Secondly, preferably, the vehicle height adjustment device described in the first aspect is provided with a tubular member joined to the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube, and a communication hole formed in the outer tube so as to enable communication between the inside of the tubular member and the jack chamber.

[0012] Thirdly, preferably, in the vehicle height adjusting device according to the second aspect, the tubular member is connectable to a hose connected to an external hydraulic source.

[0013] Fourthly, in the vehicle height adjusting device according to the first aspect, the cover is preferably a plate material.

[0014] Fifth, in the vehicle height adjusting device according to the fourth aspect, the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are preferably made of iron.

[0015] Sixth, in the vehicle height adjusting device according to the fifth aspect, the inner cylinder, the outer cylinder, and the lid are preferably joined together by welding.

[0016] Seventh, preferably, in the vehicle height adjusting device according to the first aspect, the moving member has an inner protruding portion that protrudes radially inward beyond an inner guide surface that is guided by the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder.

[0017] Eighth, in the vehicle height adjusting device according to the first aspect, the cylinder of the shock absorber and the inner cylinder are preferably integrally molded from the same material.

[0018] Ninth, preferably, in the vehicle height adjusting device according to the first aspect, the inner tube and the lid are integrally molded from the same material, and the outer tube is joined to the lid.

[0019] Tenth, preferably, in the vehicle height adjusting device according to the first aspect, the outer tube and the lid are integrally molded from the same material, and the inner tube is joined to the lid.

[0020] 11. A vehicle height adjustment device for a shock absorber is provided, comprising: a movable spring bearing capable of supporting an elastic body that applies force to the shock absorber in a direction that extends the overall length of the shock absorber and that is movable in the axial direction of the shock absorber; an inner tube arranged coaxially with the shock absorber; an outer tube arranged on the outer periphery of the inner tube; a movable member that is arranged between the inner tube and the outer tube and that is capable of adjusting the position of the movable spring bearing by moving in the axial direction; a jack chamber formed between the inner tube and the outer tube and that can be filled with oil that serves as a driving source for the movable member; and a lid that closes the jack chamber, having a fitting portion that is pressed into and fitted between the inner tube and the outer tube, and the lid being fixed to the inner tube and the outer tube only by the fitting portion.

[0021] According to the present disclosure, a vehicle height adjusting device can be provided with reduced manufacturing costs.

[0022] It is a figure explaining a shock absorber provided with the vehicle height control device of Example 1. It is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle height control device shown in Figure 1. It is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle height control device of Example 2. It is a figure explaining fitting of a cover of the vehicle height control device of Example 3.

[0023] Examples 1 to 3 will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The direction in which a movable spring bearing (described later) moves away from the compression coil spring is referred to as "up," and the direction in which the movable spring bearing moves closer to the compression coil is referred to as "down." In the drawings, "Up" indicates "up," and "Dn" indicates "down."

[0024] <Example 1> Referring to Figure 1, a hydraulic shock absorber 10 is shown that is provided between the body and wheel of a motorcycle or the like. The hydraulic shock absorber 10 includes a shock absorber body 12 (shock absorber) that generates a damping force to absorb impact, and a compression coil spring 11 (elastic body) that applies force to the shock absorber body 12 in a direction to restore the length of the shock absorber body 12 that has been shortened by impact.

[0025] (Shock absorber body) The shock absorber body 12 includes a cylindrical cylinder 13 filled with oil, a piston 14 that can move inside the cylinder 13, and a rod 15 to which the piston 14 is fixed and part of which protrudes downward from the cylinder 13. Note that a well-known shock absorber that can generate a damping force can be used instead of the shock absorber body 12.

[0026] At the top of the cylinder 13, there are provided a cylinder lid 17 that covers the opening at the upper end of the cylinder 13, and a vehicle body side fixing member 16 that is fixed to the cylinder lid 17 and can fix the shock absorber main body 12 to the vehicle body.

[0027] An axle-side fixing member 18 capable of fixing the hydraulic shock absorber 10 to the axle is provided at the lower end 15b of the rod 15. The axle-side fixing member 18 has a lower spring bearing portion 19 capable of supporting the lower end 11b of the compression coil spring 11. The hydraulic shock absorber 10 may be oriented in either an inverted or upright position.

[0028] (Inner Cylinder / Outer Cylinder) Referring to Figure 2, a vehicle height adjusting device 20 that can be attached to the shock absorber body 12 of the hydraulic shock absorber 10 is shown. The vehicle height adjusting device 20 includes an inner cylinder 40 having an inner circumferential surface 41 that contacts the outer circumferential surface 13a of the cylinder 13, and an outer cylinder 50 that surrounds the inner cylinder 40. The inner cylinder 40 and the outer cylinder 50 are arranged concentrically with the axis AX of the shock absorber body 12. The outer cylinder 50 is longer than the inner cylinder 40. The inner cylinder 40 and the outer cylinder 50 are made of a metal such as iron.

[0029] (Moveable Spring Bearing) The upper end 11a of the compression coil spring 11 is supported by the movable spring bearing 30. The movable spring bearing 30 is provided on the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 50 and is movable in a direction along the axis AX of the shock absorber body 12 (hereinafter referred to as the axial direction). By adjusting the position of the movable spring bearing 30 in the axial direction, the overall length of the hydraulic shock absorber 10 can be changed, and the vehicle height can be adjusted.

[0030] In detail, the movable spring bearing 30 is a single member integrally formed from a tubular portion 31 having an inner peripheral surface 32 guided by the outer peripheral surface 52 of the outer tube 50, an annular outer annular portion 33 extending radially outward from the upper end 31a of the tubular portion 31 about the axis AX, a tubular large diameter portion 34 extending upward from the radially outer edge of the outer annular portion 33 and having a larger diameter than the tubular portion 31, and an annular inner annular portion 35 extending radially inward from the lower end 31b of the tubular portion 31 about the axis AX.

[0031] The outer annular portion 33 can support the upper end 11 a of the compression coil spring 11 via an annular plate material. A seal member 24 is provided between the large diameter portion 34 and the outer tube 50 to close the gap between the outer tube 50 and the cylindrical portion 31.

[0032] (Moving Member) A moving member 60 that can adjust the position of the movable spring bearing 30 by moving in the axial direction is provided between the inner cylinder 40 and the outer cylinder 50. The moving member 60 is a substantially cylindrical member that is disposed concentrically with the axis AX of the shock absorber.

[0033] In detail, the movable member 60 is a single member integrally formed with a base 61 having an inner guide surface 62 that is guided by the outer peripheral surface 42 of the inner tube 40, a lower end portion 70 located below the base 61, and an upper end portion 65 located above the base 61.

[0034] (Base) In addition to the inner guide surface 62, the base 61 has outer guide surfaces 63, 63 that are guided by the inner circumferential surface 51 of the outer cylinder 50. The outer guide surfaces 63, 63 are provided on both ends of the base 61 in the axial direction.

[0035] (Upper End Portion) A sealing member 25 is attached to the upper end portion 65 to seal the gap between the moving member 60 and the inner cylinder 40 and the gap between the moving member 60 and the outer cylinder 50 .

[0036] (Lower end portion) The lower end portion 70 of the movable member 60 has an inner peripheral support surface 71 that supports the inner peripheral surface 32 of the tubular portion 31 of the movable spring bearing 30, and an annular tip support surface 72 that supports the inner annular portion 35 of the movable spring bearing 30.

[0037] Furthermore, the lower end portion 70 has an outer cylinder contact surface 73 that can come into contact with the lower end surface 54 of the outer cylinder 50. When the outer cylinder contact surface 73 is in contact with the lower end surface 54 of the outer cylinder 50, the moving member 60 is positioned at the uppermost position within its movement range.

[0038] (Inner protrusion) The lower end portion 70 has an annular inner protrusion 75 that protrudes radially inward beyond the inner guide surface 62. The inner protrusion 75 axially overlaps the lower end surface 45 of the inner cylinder 40. The inner circumferential surface 75a of the inner protrusion 75 contacts the outer circumferential surface 13a of the cylinder 13. The axial position at which the inner protrusion 75 is provided can be changed as appropriate.

[0039] The lower end portion 70 is provided with a seal member 26 that seals the gap between the lower end portion 70 and the inner annular portion 35 and the gap between the outer peripheral surface 13 a of the cylinder 13 and the lower end portion 70 .

[0040] (Jack Chamber) The space surrounded by the inner cylinder 40, the outer cylinder 50, and the seal member 25 provided on the moving member 60 becomes the jack chamber 21 which can be filled with oil that serves as a drive source for the moving member 60.

[0041] (Lid) The jack chamber 21 is closed by a lid 80. The lid 80 is, for example, an annular iron plate. The lower surface 81 of the lid 80 has an inner cylinder joint 82 joined to the upper end surface 43 of the inner cylinder 40 and an outer cylinder joint 83 joined to the upper end surface 53 of the outer cylinder 50. For example, welding (particularly resistance welding) can be used as a joining method.

[0042] The inner cylinder joint portion 82 and the outer cylinder joint portion 83 are slightly recessed from the lower surface 81. The upper end surface 43 of the inner cylinder 40 and the upper end surface 53 of the outer cylinder 50 are at the same position relative to the axial direction. The lower end surface 54 of the outer cylinder 50 is located below the upper end surface 43 of the inner cylinder 40.

[0043] (Cylindrical Member / Communicating Hole) A cylindrical member 90 having an internal flow path 91 through which oil flows is joined (e.g., resistance welded) to the outer peripheral surface 52 of the outer cylinder 50. The cylindrical member 90 is obtained, for example, by cutting a metal hexagonal bar. The cylindrical member 90 can be connected to a hose 22 (see FIG. 1) connected to an electric pump P (see FIG. 1) that is an external hydraulic source. A communicating hole 55 is formed in the outer cylinder 50, which allows communication between the interior of the cylindrical member 90 and the jack chamber 21. Note that the hydraulic source is not limited to the electric pump P, as long as it generates hydraulic pressure.

[0044] (Fixing of Vehicle Height Adjusting Device) The top surface 85 of the lid 80 is placed on the cylinder lid 17. The lid 80 and the cylinder lid 17 can be fixed together by screwing together a male screw 87 and a female screw 88, for example.

[0045] <Modification of Example 1> In Example 1, the three components, the inner tube 40, the outer tube 50, and the lid 80, are welded together. However, for example, the inner tube 40 and the lid 80 may be a single component formed continuously from the same material (an inner tube with a lid (not shown)), and the outer tube 50 may be welded to the inner tube with a lid. In this case, the inner tube 40 and the lid 80 may be integrally formed by forging or deep drawing. Alternatively, the outer tube 50 and the lid 80 may be a single component formed continuously from the same material (an outer tube with a lid (not shown)), and the inner tube 40 may be welded to the outer tube with a lid. In this case, the outer tube 50 and the lid 80 may be integrally formed by forging or deep drawing. That is, the lid 80 may be joined to at least one of the inner tube 40 or the outer tube 50.

[0046] <Embodiment 2> See Fig. 3. Components common to the vehicle height control device 10 of embodiment 1 (see Fig. 2) are denoted by the same reference numerals as in embodiment 1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In a vehicle height control device 20A of embodiment 2, an inner cylinder portion 40A corresponding to the inner cylinder 40 of embodiment 1 and a cylinder portion 13A corresponding to the cylinder 13 of embodiment 1 constitute an integrated cylinder member 29 integrally formed from the same material (e.g., iron).

[0047] Within the integrated tube member 29, the portion where the inner tube portion 40A is provided is thicker than other portions, but for example, the entire integrated tube member 29 may be of uniform thickness and no inner protrusion portion 75 may be provided.

[0048] <Example 3> See Figure 4. Components common to the vehicle height control device 10 of Example 1 (see Figure 2) are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Example 1, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In a vehicle height control device 20B of Example 3, the lower surface 81 of a lid 80B has an annular fitting portion 89 that is press-fitted into an annular opening 99 between the upper end portion 44 of the inner tube 40 and the upper end portion 56 of the outer tube 50. The upper end surface 43 of the inner tube 40 and the upper end surface 53 of the outer tube 50 are not joined to the lid 80. In other words, the lid 80 is fixed to the inner tube 40 and the outer tube 50 only by the fitting portion 89 of the lid 80B.

[0049] (First Effect) See Figure 2. The vehicle height adjusting device 20 is capable of supporting the compression coil spring 11 (elastic body) that applies force to the shock absorber body 12 in a direction that extends the entire length of the shock absorber body 12, and is equipped with a movable spring bearing 30 that is movable in the axial direction of the shock absorber body 12, an inner cylinder 40 that is disposed on the outer periphery of the shock absorber body 12 so as to be coaxial with the shock absorber body 12 along the axis AX, and an outer cylinder 50 that is disposed on the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 40 so as to be coaxial with the shock absorber body 12 along the axis AX.

[0050] A moving member 60 that can adjust the position of the movable spring bearing 30 by moving axially is provided between the inner cylinder 40 and the outer cylinder 50. Furthermore, a jack chamber 21 that can be filled with oil that serves as a drive source for the moving member 60 is formed between the inner cylinder 40 and the outer cylinder 50. The jack chamber 21 is joined to both the end face of the inner cylinder 40 and the end face of the outer cylinder 50. It is closed by a lid 80.

[0051] That is, the jack chamber 21 is composed of the inner cylinder 40, the outer cylinder 50, and the lid 80. The jack chamber 21 has a simple structure that can be constructed simply by preparing two cylindrical members and the lid 80 and joining the inner cylinder 40, the outer cylinder 50, and the lid 80 together, and the vehicle height control device 20 can be provided with reduced manufacturing costs.

[0052] In addition, compared to manufacturing by cutting aluminum material, the lengths of the inner cylinder 40 and the outer cylinder 50 can be set longer. Therefore, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs while ensuring the movable distance of the movable member 60. By changing the lengths of the inner cylinder 40 and the outer cylinder 50, the movable distance of the movable member 60 can also be changed, making it highly versatile.

[0053] (Second Effect) The vehicle height control device 20 includes a tubular member 90 joined to the outer peripheral surface 52 of the outer tube 50, and a communication hole 55 formed in the outer tube 50 to allow communication between the interior of the tubular member 90 and the jack chamber 21. The simple configuration in which the communication hole 55 is formed in the outer tube 50 and the interior of the jack chamber 21 is joined to the tubular member 90 via the communication hole 55 reduces manufacturing costs. By joining the four components, the inner tube 40, the outer tube 50, the lid 80, and the tubular member 90, together, the labor and material costs required for cutting aluminum material can be reduced.

[0054] (Third Effect) Please refer to Fig. 1. The cylindrical member 90 can be connected to the hose 22 (see Fig. 1) connected to the electric pump P (see Fig. 1), which is an external hydraulic power source.

[0055] (Fourth Effect) The shape of the lid 80 can be changed as needed, but in the first embodiment, the lid 80 is made of a plate material. By using a plate material, the thickness of the lid 80 can be reduced, and the lengths of the inner cylinder 40 and the outer cylinder 50 can be increased. As a result, the movable distance of the movable member 60 can also be increased. Since plate materials are usually manufactured by press working, manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0056] (Fifth Effect) The materials for the inner tube 40 and the outer tube 50 can be selected as appropriate, but in Example 1, they are made of iron. The materials for the inner tube 40 and the outer tube 50 can be selected as appropriate, but by using iron, the inner tube 40 and the outer tube 50 have a predetermined strength and are easy to weld, reducing manufacturing costs. In addition, using general iron pipe material reduces manufacturing costs. Jack chambers of various lengths can be formed by cutting the iron pipe material to any length, improving versatility.

[0057] (Sixth Effect) The joining method for the inner cylinder 40, the outer cylinder 50, and the lid 80 can be selected as appropriate (for example, by a known technique such as adhesive), but in Example 1, they are joined by resistance welding. This makes it easy to join these members together. The iron cylinder member 90 is also joined to the outer cylinder 50 by resistance welding.

[0058] (Seventh Effect) The moving member 60 has an inner protrusion 75 that protrudes radially inward beyond the inner guide surface 62 that is guided by the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 40. The inner protrusion 75 and the lower end surface 45 of the inner cylinder 40 overlap each other in the axial direction. By providing the inner protrusion 75, the lower end surface 45 of the inner cylinder 40 and the inner protrusion 75 of the moving member 60 can come into contact when assembling the moving member 60 to the inner cylinder 40. This makes it possible to prevent the moving member 60 from falling off the inner cylinder 40.

[0059] (Eighth Advantage) See Figure 3. The cylinder 13A of the shock absorber body 12 and the inner cylinder 40A are integrally formed by being continuously made of the same material. This reduces the number of parts and cuts down on manufacturing costs.

[0060] (Ninth Effect) The inner cylinder 40 and the lid 80 may be integrally molded from the same material, and the outer cylinder 50 may be joined to the lid 80. This reduces the number of parts.

[0061] (Tenth Effect) Furthermore, the outer cylinder 50 and the lid 80 may be integrally molded from the same material, and the inner cylinder 40 may be joined to the lid 80. This reduces the number of parts.

[0062] (Eleventh Effect) See Figure 4. The lower surface 81 of the lid 80B has an annular fitting portion 89 that is press-fitted into an annular opening 99 between the upper end portion 44 of the inner cylinder 40 and the upper end portion 56 of the outer cylinder 50. The upper end surface 43 of the inner cylinder 40 and the upper end surface 53 of the outer cylinder 53 are not joined to the lid 80B. In other words, the lid 80B is fixed to the inner cylinder 40 and the outer cylinder 50 only by the fitting portion 89 of the lid 80B. A vehicle height adjusting device 20B with a simple configuration and reduced manufacturing costs can be provided.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to Examples 1 to 3 as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are achieved.

[0064] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11...Compression coil spring (elastic body) 12...Shock absorber main body (shock absorber) 20...Vehicle height adjusting device 21...Jack chamber 22...Hose 29...Integrated cylindrical member 30...Movable spring holder 40...Inner cylinder 42...Outer peripheral surface of inner cylinder 43...Upper end surface of inner cylinder (end surface of inner cylinder) 50...Outer cylinder 52...Outer peripheral surface of outer cylinder 53...Upper end surface of outer cylinder (end surface of outer cylinder) 60...Moving member 62...Inner guide surface 75...Inner protrusion 80, 80B...Cover 89...Cover fitting portion 90...Cylindrical member

Claims

1. A height adjustment device for a shock absorber comprising: a movable spring bearing capable of supporting an elastic body that applies force to the shock absorber in a direction to extend the overall length of the shock absorber and movable in the axial direction of the shock absorber; an inner tube arranged coaxially with the shock absorber; an outer tube arranged on the outer periphery of the inner tube; a movable member provided between the inner tube and the outer tube and capable of adjusting the position of the movable spring bearing by moving in the axial direction; a jack chamber formed between the inner tube and the outer tube and capable of being filled with oil that serves as a driving source for the movable member; and a lid joined to at least one of the inner tube or the outer tube and covering the jack chamber.

2. A vehicle height adjustment device as described in claim 1, comprising: a tubular member joined to the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube; and a communication hole formed in the outer tube to enable communication between the inside of the tubular member and the jack chamber.

3. The vehicle height adjusting device according to claim 2, wherein the tubular member is connectable to a hose connected to an external hydraulic source.

4. The vehicle height adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a plate material.

5. The vehicle height adjusting device according to claim 4, wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are made of iron.

6. The vehicle height adjusting device according to claim 5, wherein the inner tube, the outer tube and the lid are joined by welding.

7. A vehicle height adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member has an inner protruding portion that protrudes radially inward beyond an inner guide surface that is guided by the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylinder.

8. The vehicle height adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the shock absorber cylinder and the inner tube are integrally molded from the same material.

9. The vehicle height adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the inner tube and the lid are integrally molded from the same material, and the outer tube is joined to the lid.

10. The vehicle height adjustment device according to claim 1, wherein the outer tube and the lid are integrally molded from the same material, and the inner tube is joined to the lid.

11. A height adjustment device for a shock absorber comprising: a movable spring bearing capable of supporting an elastic body that applies a force to the shock absorber in a direction to extend the overall length of the shock absorber and movable in the axial direction of the shock absorber; an inner tube arranged coaxially with the shock absorber; an outer tube arranged on the outer periphery of the inner tube; a movable member provided between the inner tube and the outer tube and capable of adjusting the position of the movable spring bearing by moving in the axial direction; a jack chamber formed between the inner tube and the outer tube and capable of being filled with oil that serves as a driving source for the movable member; and a lid covering the jack chamber, having a fitting portion that is pressed into and fitted between the inner tube and the outer tube, and the lid being fixed to the inner tube and the outer tube only by the fitting portion.

Images