Air spring temporary holding structure

Abstract

This air spring temporary holding structure of an air suspension for a vehicle includes an air spring (3), and a temporary holding mechanism (1) for temporarily holding the air spring (3). One end (3L) of the air spring (3) is directly or indirectly connected to a ladder frame (2) of a vehicle, and another end (3L) is directly or indirectly connected to a suspension link (5) which moves vertically with respect to the ladder frame (2), along with a wheel. The temporary holding mechanism (1) is provided between the ladder frame (2) and one end (3U) of the air spring (3), or between the suspension link (5) and the other end (3L) of the air spring (3).

Description

Air spring temporary holding structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a temporary holding structure for an air spring of an air suspension for a vehicle.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an axle-mounted suspension having an air spring provided within a wheel well, a lower radius rod located within the wheel well and having one end fixed to an air suspension base, an upper radius rod located within the wheel well and arranged above the lower radius rod and approximately parallel to the lower radius rod, and having one end fixed to the air suspension base, a lateral rod located below the floor of the vehicle body and lower than the upper radius rod, arranged along the left-right direction of the vehicle, and having one end fixed to the air suspension base, and a shock absorber located within the wheel well and having a base fixed to the air suspension base.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-58237

[0004] Air springs expand when air is introduced into them and contract when air is expelled. During the vehicle assembly process, air is not introduced into the air springs, so they are usually in a contracted state. After the air springs are installed, during the process of lowering the vehicle to the floor by placing the wheels on the ground (i.e., supporting the sprung weight with the suspension), no external force acts on the compressed air springs, and the air springs are not stably supported. Therefore, during this process, there is a risk that the air springs may fall off or become misaligned from their correct installation position.

[0005] Furthermore, during the assembly process of a vehicle having a ladder frame structure, the ladder frame is sometimes turned upside down, and suspension components, including air springs, are assembled to the inverted ladder frame. Hereinafter, this assembly method and assembly process will also be referred to as "inverted assembly." After inverted assembly, the ladder frame is rotated to return to its normal position, and then other components, such as the cabin and wheels, are assembled. When rotating the ladder frame to return it to its normal position, the air springs are particularly susceptible to falling off or becoming misaligned.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent air springs from falling off or becoming misaligned during the vehicle assembly process.

[0007] An air spring temporary retention structure for a vehicle air suspension according to one aspect of the present invention includes an air spring and a temporary retention mechanism that temporarily retains the air spring. One end of the air spring is connected directly or indirectly to a ladder frame of the vehicle, and the other end of the air spring is connected directly or indirectly to a suspension link that moves up and down relative to the ladder frame together with the wheel. The temporary retention mechanism is provided between the ladder frame and one end of the air spring, or between the suspension link and the other end of the air spring.

[0008] The above-described air spring temporary holding structure can prevent the air spring from falling off or becoming displaced during the vehicle assembly process.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ladder frame equipped with a temporary holding structure according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the temporary holding structure of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an air spring and an intermediate member of the temporary holding structure of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the air spring and the intermediate member. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the air spring and the intermediate member in the first half of a temporary holding process. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the air spring and the intermediate member in the second half of a temporary holding process. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 5 showing a first stage of the temporary holding process. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 5 showing a second stage of the temporary holding process. FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6 showing a third stage of the temporary holding process. FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6 showing a fourth stage of the temporary holding process. FIG. 8A is a schematic side view of the temporary holding structure according to an embodiment. FIG. 8B is a schematic side view of a modified temporary holding structure. FIG. 8C is a schematic side view of a modified temporary holding structure. Fig. 8D is a schematic side view of a modified temporary holding structure. Fig. 9A is a schematic side view of a modified temporary holding structure. Fig. 9B is a schematic side view of a modified temporary holding structure. Fig. 9C is a schematic side view of a modified temporary holding structure. Fig. 9D is a schematic side view of a modified temporary holding structure.

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, several embodiments of an air spring temporary holding structure for a vehicle air suspension will be described. In the drawings, FR and RR indicate the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, respectively, LH and RH indicate the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle, and UP and DN indicate the top and bottom in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, respectively. All of these directions are based on the vehicle body in its normal position. In the following description, components having the same functions as those already described will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0011] 1 to 7D, a temporary holding structure according to this embodiment relates to an air spring 3 of an air suspension. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle according to this embodiment has a ladder frame 2. An air suspension system including the air spring 3 is mounted on the ladder frame 2.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the air spring 3 is held between the ladder frame 2 and the suspension link 5. High-pressure air generated by the air suspension compressor 4 is supplied to the air spring 3 directly or via an air tank. The air spring 3 has a diaphragm made of, for example, rubber, and expands when air is introduced into the diaphragm, and contracts when air is discharged from the diaphragm to the outside. The air spring 3 has a protective cover 3a made of resin to protect the diaphragm. The protective cover 3a has a bellows structure so that it can follow the expansion and contraction of the diaphragm.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, one end (upper end) 3U (see Figures 3 and 4) of the air spring 3 is connected to the ladder frame 2. The other end (lower end) 3L (see Figures 3 and 4) of the air spring 3 is connected to a suspension link 5. The suspension link 5 moves up and down relative to the ladder frame 2, following the movement of a wheel (not shown). The suspension link 5 is, for example, a suspension lower arm. The air spring 3 contracts in accordance with the up and down movement of the suspension link 5.

[0014] 1 and 2 show the relative positions of the ladder frame 2, air springs 3, and suspension links 5 when the wheels are in contact with the ground and the vehicle is lowered to the floor, i.e., when the sprung weight is supported by the suspension. At this time, the air springs 3 are in a compressed state, but are sandwiched from above and below between the ladder frame 2 above and the suspension link 5 below, and a compressive force acts on the air springs 3. As a result, the air springs 3 are stably held in their correct mounting positions. Air springs 3 and temporary holding mechanisms 1, which will be described later, are provided for all wheels. The air springs 3 and temporary holding mechanisms 1 for the left front wheel, right front wheel, and right rear wheel are not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 to 7D, the temporary holding mechanism 1 includes a temporary holding pin 6 and a temporary holding maintaining pin 7 formed at one end 3U of the air spring 3 (the end on the ladder frame 2 side), and an engagement slot 9 formed in an intermediate member 8 fixed to the ladder frame 2. The head of the temporary holding pin 6 has a larger outer diameter than the shaft, giving the temporary holding pin 6 a so-called mushroom shape. On the other hand, the temporary holding maintaining pin 7 has a constant outer diameter from the base end to the tip. The height of the temporary holding maintaining pin 7 is approximately equal to the height of the shaft of the temporary holding pin 6.

[0016] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a pin insertion portion (pin insertion hole) 9A is formed at one end of the engagement elongated hole 9. A pin retention portion (pin retention slit) 9B is formed at the other end of the engagement elongated hole 9. The pin insertion portion 9A and the pin retention portion 9B are connected to each other. The pin insertion portion 9A has a width (size) that allows the head of the temporary retention pin 6 to pass through. The pin retention portion 9B has a width that does not allow the head of the temporary retention pin 6 to pass through. The air spring 3 is temporarily held to the ladder frame 2 via the intermediate member 8 by the engagement between the temporary retention pin 6 and the engagement elongated hole 9.

[0017] 6, the temporary holding pin 7 is inserted into the pin insertion portion 9A with the temporary holding pin 6 engaged with the pin holding portion 9B of the engagement slot 9. The temporary holding pin 6 and the temporary holding pin 7 are positioned at one end and the other end of the engagement slot 9, respectively, thereby maintaining the engagement of the temporary holding pin 6 with the pin holding portion 9B.

[0018] The intermediate member 8 is formed by welding two press-formed plates together. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7D , a cylindrical protrusion 10 that protrudes toward the air spring 3 is formed at the center of one of the plates of the intermediate member 8. The cylindrical protrusion 10 functions to position the air spring 3. The engagement elongated hole 9 extends along an arc centered on the central axis X of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical protrusion 10. In addition, a flange 8F that extends outward is formed at the periphery of the other plate of the intermediate member 8. Bolt holes 8H for fixing the intermediate member 8 to the ladder frame 2 are formed in the flange 8F at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The intermediate member 8 may also be formed from a single plate.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, one end 3U of the air spring 3 is formed with a recess 11. The recess 11 has an inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion 10. The fit between the cylindrical protrusion 10 and the recess 11 positions the air spring 3 in the correct mounting position.

[0020] <Temporary Holding Process> The temporary holding process for the air spring 3 when inverted assembly is performed will be described with reference to Figures 7A to 7D. In Figures 7A to 7D, the ladder frame 2 is in an inverted position, so the bottom in the figures indicates the top in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. Note that the temporary holding process when inverted assembly is not performed is the same as when the vertical positional relationship between the elements and the vertical orientation of the elements are reversed in the following description, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] As shown in Figure 7A, an intermediate member 8 is fixed to the ladder frame 2 at the mounting position of the air spring 3. A cylindrical protrusion 10 formed on the intermediate member 8 protrudes upward. In the first stage of the temporary holding process, the air spring 3 is first turned upside down so that the recess 11 formed on one end 3U of the air spring 3 faces the cylindrical protrusion 10 in the vertical direction.

[0022] In the second stage of the temporary holding process, as shown in Fig. 7B, the cylindrical protrusion 10 is inserted into the recess 11, while the temporary holding pin 6 is inserted into the pin insertion portion 9A of the engagement slot 9. At this stage, as also shown in Fig. 5, the temporary holding maintaining pin 7 is not inserted into the engagement slot 9, so the cylindrical protrusion 10 and the recess 11 do not fit together completely.

[0023] In the third stage of the temporary holding process, as shown in Figure 7C, the air spring 3 is rotated around the central axis X of the cylindrical protrusion 10 (see arrow R in Figure 7C), and the temporary holding pin 6 is moved to the pin holding portion 9B of the engagement slot 9. As a result, the head of the temporary holding pin 6 engages with the pin holding portion 9B, and the temporary holding maintaining pin 7 faces the pin insertion portion 9A of the engagement slot 9 from above and below.

[0024] 7D and 6, in the fourth stage of the temporary holding process, the temporary holding pin 6 and the temporary holding maintaining pin 7 are positioned at one end and the other end of the engagement slot 9, respectively, and the cylindrical protrusion 10 and the recess 11 are completely fitted together. This completes the temporary holding process of the air spring 3.

[0025] After the temporary holding process of the air spring 3, the suspension parts including the suspension link 5, the hub carrier, the hub, the compressor 4, the piping 12, etc. are assembled to the ladder frame 2 in the inverted assembly.

[0026] As described above, during the vehicle assembly process, air is not introduced into the air spring 3, so the air spring 3 is in a compressed state. After the air spring 3 is assembled, during the process up to the stage where the wheels are placed on the ground and the vehicle is lowered to the floor (i.e., the sprung weight is supported by the suspension) (hereinafter referred to as Process A), no external force acts on the air spring 3 in the compressive direction. That is, while the suspension components, including the suspension link 5, are lowered to their lowest positions due to their own weight, the air spring 3 is in a compressed state, which creates a gap between one end 3U of the air spring 3 and the intermediate member 8, or between the other end 3L of the air spring 3 and the suspension link 5. Therefore, during Process A, there is a risk that the air spring may fall off or become displaced from its correct installation position.

[0027] Furthermore, when performing inverted assembly, the ladder frame 2 is rotated to return to the normal position after inverted assembly, but even at this time the air springs 3 are still in a compressed state and are not firmly supported. Therefore, when rotating the ladder frame to return to the normal position, the air springs 3 are likely to fall off or become misaligned.

[0028] The effects of the air spring temporary holding structure according to the above embodiment will be described.

[0029] (1) In the temporary holding structure according to the above embodiment, one end 3U of the air spring 3 is indirectly connected to the ladder frame 2 of the vehicle, and the other end 3L of the air spring 3 is directly connected to the suspension link 5, which moves up and down relative to the ladder frame 2 together with the vehicle wheel. Furthermore, a temporary holding mechanism 1 that temporarily holds the air spring 3 is provided between the ladder frame 2 and the one end 3U of the air spring 3. This prevents the air spring 3 from falling off or shifting out of position when the suspension link 5 is lowered by its own weight during the vehicle assembly process. In particular, when performing inverted assembly, this prevents the air spring 3 from falling off or shifting out of position when the ladder frame 2 is rotated from the inverted position to the normal position.

[0030] (2) The temporary holding mechanism 1 includes a temporary holding pin 6 having a head formed at one end 3U of the air spring 3, and an elongated engagement hole 9 formed in an intermediate member 8 fixed to the ladder frame 2 and engaging with the temporary holding pin 6. One end of the elongated engagement hole 9 is formed with a pin insertion portion 9A having a width that allows the head of the temporary holding pin 6 to pass through. The other end of the elongated engagement hole 9 is formed with a pin holding portion 9B that communicates with the pin insertion portion 9A and has a width that does not allow the head of the temporary holding pin 6 to pass through. Therefore, the temporary holding pin 6 can be inserted from the pin insertion portion 9A into the elongated engagement hole 9, and with the head of the temporary holding pin 6 positioned within the elongated engagement hole 9, by sliding the temporary holding pin 6 along the elongated engagement hole 9 to the pin holding portion 9B, the temporary holding pin 6 can be engaged with the elongated engagement hole 9. The temporary holding mechanism 1 allows the air spring 3 to be temporarily held with a simple structure and easy operation.

[0031] (3) A temporary holding pin 7 is provided at one end 3U of the air spring 3. The temporary holding pin 7 is inserted into the pin insertion portion 9A with the temporary holding pin 6 engaged with the pin holding portion 9B of the engagement slot 9. Therefore, even if the temporary holding pin 6 attempts to move from the pin holding portion 9B to the pin insertion portion 9A, the temporary holding pin 7 interferes with the inner peripheral edge of the pin insertion portion 9A, thereby restricting the movement. This maintains the engagement of the temporary holding pin 6 with the pin holding portion 9B, making it possible to more reliably maintain the temporary holding of the air spring 3 during the vehicle assembly process.

[0032] (4) In the temporary retention structure according to the above embodiment, the cylindrical protrusion 10 is formed on the intermediate member 8. The recess 11, having an inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion 10, is formed on the one end 3U of the air spring 3. The engagement slot 9 extends along an arc centered on the central axis X of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion 10. According to this temporary retention structure, the engagement between the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the recess 11 restricts the one end 3U of the air spring 3 from moving relative to the intermediate member 8 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion 10. In other words, the movement of the temporary retention pin 6 to disengage from the pin retainer 9B is limited to rotation of the one end 3U of the air spring 3 around the central axis X. Such rotation is unlikely to occur during the vehicle assembly process. Therefore, the temporary retention structure according to the above embodiment more reliably maintains the temporary retention of the air spring 3, thereby more reliably preventing the air spring 3 from falling off or shifting position during the vehicle assembly process. Furthermore, according to the temporary holding structure, the recess 11 formed at one end 3U of the air spring 3 has an inner surface that fits with the outer surface of the cylindrical protrusion 10, making it easier to position the air spring 3 when assembling it.

[0033] <Modifications> In the above embodiment, the air spring 3 is indirectly connected to the ladder frame 2 via the intermediate member 8. However, the air spring 3 may be directly connected to the ladder frame 2 without providing the intermediate member 8. In one modification, one end 3U of the air spring 3 may be directly connected to the ladder frame 2. "Directly connected" means that the connected objects are connected in direct contact with each other, and "indirectly connected" means that the connected objects are connected via another member. In another modification, the engagement elongated hole 9 may be formed in the ladder frame 2. In yet another modification, the cylindrical protrusion 10 may be formed in the ladder frame 2. These modifications can achieve the same effects as those of the above (1) to (4).

[0034] In this specification, the term "connected" means a connection in which the vertical positional relationship between the connected objects is fixed. For example, "one end 3U of the air spring 3 is connected to the ladder frame 2" means that the vertical positional relationship between the one end 3U and the ladder frame 2 is fixed. Therefore, when the one end 3U of the air spring 3 is connected to the ladder frame 2, the position of the one end 3U of the air spring 3 relative to the ladder frame 2 does not change with the vertical movement of the suspension link 5 relative to the ladder frame 2. Similarly, when the other end 3L of the air spring 3 is connected to the suspension link 5, the position of the other end 3L of the air spring 3 relative to the suspension link 5 does not change with the vertical movement of the suspension link 5 relative to the ladder frame 2.

[0035] Furthermore, the arrangement of the cylindrical protrusions 10 and recesses 11, and the arrangement of the temporary holding pins 6, temporary holding maintaining pins 7, and elongated engaging holes 9 are not limited to those shown in the above embodiment. For example, in the modified example shown in Fig. 8B, the arrangement of the cylindrical protrusions 10 and recesses 11 is reversed from that of the above embodiment (Fig. 8A). That is, the cylindrical protrusions 10 are formed on one end 3U of the air spring 3, and the recesses 11 are formed on the ladder frame 2 or the intermediate member 8 fixed to the ladder frame 2. The arrangement of the temporary holding pins 6, temporary holding maintaining pins 7, and elongated engaging holes 9 is the same as that of the above embodiment (Fig. 8A).

[0036] In the modified example shown in Fig. 8C, the arrangement of the temporary holding pins 6, temporary holding maintaining pins 7, and elongated engaging holes 9 is reversed from that of the modified example shown in Fig. 8B. That is, the temporary holding pins 6 and temporary holding maintaining pins 7 are formed on the ladder frame 2 or an intermediate member 8 fixed to the ladder frame 2, and the elongated engaging holes 9 are formed on one end 3U of the air spring 3. The arrangement of the cylindrical protrusions 10 and recesses 11 is the same as that of the modified example shown in Fig. 8B.

[0037] In the modified example shown in Fig. 8D, the arrangement of the cylindrical protrusion 10 and recess 11 is reversed from that of the modified example shown in Fig. 8C. That is, the cylindrical protrusion 10 is formed on the ladder frame 2 or the intermediate member 8 fixed to the ladder frame 2, and the recess 11 is formed on one end 3U of the air spring 3. The arrangement of the temporary holding pin 6, temporary holding maintaining pin 7, and elongated engagement hole 9 is the same as that of the modified example shown in Fig. 8C.

[0038] In the modified example shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, the temporary holding mechanism 1 is provided between the suspension link 5 and the other end 3L of the air spring 3.

[0039] The modified example shown in Figure 9A corresponds to the temporary holding mechanism 1 of the above embodiment (Figure 8A) being provided between the suspension link 5 and the other end 3L of the air spring 3, with the vertical positional relationship between the elements and the vertical orientation of the elements reversed. That is, a temporary holding pin 6 and a temporary holding maintaining pin 7 are formed at the other end 3L of the air spring 3, and an elongated engagement hole 9 is formed in the suspension link 5 or an intermediate member 8 fixed to the suspension link 5. In addition, a cylindrical protrusion 10 is formed on the suspension link 5 or the intermediate member 8, and a recess 11 is formed at the other end 3L of the air spring 3.

[0040] In the modified example shown in Figure 9B, the arrangement of the cylindrical protrusion 10 and recess 11 is reversed from that of the modified example shown in Figure 9A. That is, the cylindrical protrusion 10 is formed on the other end 3L of the air spring 3, and the recess 11 is formed on the suspension link 5 or the intermediate member 8 fixed to the suspension link 5. The arrangement of the temporary holding pin 6, temporary holding maintaining pin 7, and elongated engagement hole 9 is the same as that of the modified example shown in Figure 9A.

[0041] In the modified example shown in Figure 9C, the arrangement of the temporary holding pin 6, temporary holding maintaining pin 7, and elongated engagement hole 9 is reversed from that of the modified example shown in Figure 9B. That is, the temporary holding pin 6 and temporary holding maintaining pin 7 are formed on the suspension link 5 or an intermediate member 8 fixed to the suspension link 5, and the elongated engagement hole 9 is formed on the other end 3L of the air spring 3. The arrangement of the cylindrical protrusion 10 and recess 11 is the same as that of the modified example shown in Figure 8B.

[0042] In the modified example shown in Figure 9D, the arrangement of the cylindrical protrusion 10 and recess 11 is reversed from that of the modified example shown in Figure 9C. That is, the cylindrical protrusion 10 is formed on the suspension link 5 or the intermediate member 8 fixed to the suspension link 5, and the recess 11 is formed on the other end 3L of the air spring 3. The arrangement of the temporary holding pin 6, temporary holding maintaining pin 7, and elongated engagement hole 9 is the same as that of the modified example shown in Figure 9C.

[0043] In any of the above-described modified examples, the air spring 3 can be temporarily held by the same operation as the temporary holding step in the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the above-described modified examples can achieve the same effects as those in (1) to (4) above. Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment and modified examples include the cylindrical protrusion 10 and recess 11, these may be omitted in other modified examples. Even in such cases, at least the same effects as those in (1) to (3) above can be achieved. Furthermore, while the above-described embodiment and modified examples include the temporary holding maintaining pin 7, this may be omitted in other modified examples. Even in such cases, at least the same effects as those in (1), (2), and (4) above can be achieved.

[0044] The above-described embodiments and modifications are merely examples described to facilitate understanding of the invention. The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications, but also includes various modifications, changes, alternative technologies, etc. that can be easily derived therefrom.

[0045] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and modified examples, the intermediate member 8 is formed from one or two plates, but the structure of the intermediate member, i.e., the member interposed between objects in an indirect connection, is not limited to that exemplified as the intermediate member 8. For example, one end 3U of the air spring 3 may be connected to the ladder frame 2 via a part of the vehicle body fixed on the ladder frame 2. Furthermore, the other end 3L of the air spring 3 may be connected to the suspension link 5 via a rubber or metal spring seat fixed to the suspension link 5.

[0046] 1 Temporary holding mechanism, 2 Ladder frame, 3 Air spring, 3U One end (of air spring), 3L Other end (of air spring), 5 Suspension link, 6 Temporary holding pin, 7 Temporary holding maintaining pin, 8 Intermediate member, 9 Engagement elongated hole, 9A Pin insertion portion, 9B Pin holding portion, 10 Cylindrical convex portion, 11 Concave portion

Claims

1. An air spring temporary holding structure for a vehicle air suspension, comprising: an air spring having one end directly or indirectly connected to a ladder frame of the vehicle, and the other end directly or indirectly connected to a suspension link that moves up and down relative to the ladder frame together with the wheel of the vehicle; and a temporary holding mechanism that is provided between the ladder frame and the one end of the air spring, or between the suspension link and the other end of the air spring, and that temporarily holds the air spring.

2. The air spring temporary retention structure according to claim 1, wherein the temporary retention mechanism is provided between the ladder frame and the one end of the air spring, the temporary retention mechanism comprising a temporary retention pin having a head formed at the one end of the air spring, and an engagement slot formed in the ladder frame or an intermediate member fixed to the ladder frame for engaging with the temporary retention pin, one end of the engagement slot having a pin insertion portion formed with a width that allows the head to pass through, and the other end of the engagement slot having a width that does not allow the head to pass through and communicating with the pin insertion portion.

3. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 2, further comprising a temporary holding maintaining pin at one end of the air spring, which is inserted into the pin insertion portion while the temporary holding pin is engaged with the pin holding portion of the engagement slot.

4. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein a cylindrical protrusion is formed on the ladder frame or the intermediate member, a recess having an inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion is formed at one end of the air spring, and the engaging elongated hole extends along an arc centered on the central axis of the outer peripheral surface.

5. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein a cylindrical protrusion is formed at one end of the air spring, a recess having an inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion is formed in the ladder frame or the intermediate member, and the engaging elongated hole extends along an arc centered on the central axis of the inner peripheral surface.

6. The air spring temporary holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the temporary holding mechanism is provided between the ladder frame and the one end of the air spring, the temporary holding mechanism comprising a temporary holding pin having a head formed on the ladder frame or an intermediate member fixed to the ladder frame, and an elongated engagement hole formed on the one end of the air spring and engaging with the temporary holding pin, one end of the elongated engagement hole being formed with a pin insertion portion having a width that allows the head to pass through, and the other end of the elongated engagement hole being formed with a pin holding portion that communicates with the pin insertion portion and has a width that does not allow the head to pass through.

7. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 6, further comprising a temporary holding maintaining pin on the ladder frame or the intermediate member, the temporary holding maintaining pin being inserted into the pin insertion portion while the temporary holding pin is engaged with the pin holding portion of the engagement slot.

8. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 6 or 7, wherein a cylindrical protrusion is formed on the one end of the air spring, a recess having an inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion is formed on the ladder frame or the intermediate member, and the engaging elongated hole extends along an arc centered on the central axis of the outer peripheral surface.

9. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 6 or 7, wherein a cylindrical protrusion is formed on the ladder frame or the intermediate member, a recess having an inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion is formed at one end of the air spring, and the engaging long hole extends along an arc centered on the central axis of the inner peripheral surface.

10. The air spring temporary retention structure described in claim 1, wherein the temporary retention mechanism is provided between the suspension link and the other end of the air spring, the temporary retention mechanism comprising a temporary retention pin having a head formed on the other end of the air spring, and an engagement slot formed in the suspension link or an intermediate member fixed to the suspension link and engaging with the temporary retention pin, one end of the engagement slot having a pin insertion portion formed with a width that allows the head to pass through, and the other end of the engagement slot having a width that does not allow the head to pass through and communicating with the pin insertion portion.

11. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 10, further comprising a temporary holding maintaining pin at the other end of the air spring, the temporary holding maintaining pin being inserted into the pin insertion portion while the temporary holding pin is engaged with the pin holding portion of the engagement slot.

12. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 10 or 11, wherein a cylindrical protrusion is formed on the suspension link or the intermediate member, a recess having an inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion is formed on the other end of the air spring, and the engaging elongated hole extends along an arc centered on the central axis of the outer peripheral surface.

13. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 10 or 11, wherein a cylindrical protrusion is formed on the other end of the air spring, a recess having an inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion is formed on the suspension link or the intermediate member, and the engaging elongated hole extends along an arc centered on the central axis of the inner peripheral surface.

14. The air spring temporary holding structure described in claim 1, wherein the temporary holding mechanism is provided between the suspension link and the other end of the air spring, and the temporary holding mechanism comprises a temporary holding pin with a head formed on the suspension link or an intermediate member fixed to the suspension link, and an elongated engagement hole formed on the other end of the air spring and engaging with the temporary holding pin, and one end of the elongated engagement hole is formed with a pin insertion portion having a width that allows the head to pass through, and the other end of the elongated engagement hole is formed with a pin holding portion that communicates with the pin insertion portion and has a width that does not allow the head to pass through.

15. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 11, wherein the suspension link or the intermediate member is further provided with a temporary holding maintaining pin that is inserted into the pin insertion portion while the temporary holding pin is engaged with the pin holding portion of the engagement slot.

16. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 14 or 15, wherein a cylindrical protrusion is formed on the other end of the air spring, a recess having an inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion is formed on the suspension link or the intermediate member, and the engaging elongated hole extends along an arc centered on the central axis of the outer peripheral surface.

17. An air spring temporary holding structure as described in claim 14 or 15, wherein a cylindrical protrusion is formed on the suspension link or the intermediate member, a recess having an inner peripheral surface that fits with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical protrusion is formed on the other end of the air spring, and the engaging elongated hole extends along an arc centered on the central axis of the inner peripheral surface.

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