Compressor intake tube connection structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a compressor intake tube connection structure (S) of an air suspension for a vehicle, said structure comprising a compressor (1), an intake tube (2), an air spring (4), a protective cover (7), and a breather duct (8). The air spring (4) comprises an air chamber (10) surrounded by a diaphragm (9). The protective cover (7) is attached to the air spring (4) so as to surround the diaphragm (9), and forms an internal space (12) between itself and the air spring (4). One end (8L) of the breather duct (8) is connected to the protective cover (7). The compressor (1) generates high-pressure air to be supplied to the air chamber (10). One end (2L) of the intake tube (2) is connected to an intake port of the compressor (1), the other end (2U) is connected to the breather duct (8), and air in the breather duct (8) is supplied to the intake port of the compressor (1).

Description

Compressor intake tube connection structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a compressor intake tube connection structure for a vehicle air suspension.

[0002] An air suspension system adjusts the vehicle height and spring characteristics by adjusting the amount and pressure of air in the air springs. The air suspension system is equipped with a compressor that takes in air from the outside and pressurizes it. The pressurized air is used to adjust the amount and pressure of air in the air springs. Patent Document 1 discloses related technology.

[0003] Patent No. 6338995

[0004] In addition to air springs and a compressor, air suspension systems often include an air tank, intake and exhaust valves, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, etc. If the air taken in by the compressor from the outside contains a large amount of foreign matter such as sand and dust, or water (hereinafter referred to as "foreign matter"), these can accumulate in the system and cause system malfunctions.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a compressor intake tube connection structure for a vehicle air suspension that is simple in structure and can suppress the ingestion of foreign matter and the like.

[0006] A compressor intake tube connection structure for a vehicle air suspension according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor, an intake tube, an air spring, a protective cover, and a breather duct. The air spring includes an air chamber surrounded by a diaphragm. The protective cover is attached to the air spring so as to surround the diaphragm, forming an internal space between the air spring and the protective cover. One end of the breather duct is connected to the protective cover. The compressor generates high-pressure air that is supplied to the air chamber. The intake tube has one end connected to an intake port of the compressor and the other end connected to the breather duct, and supplies air in the breather duct to the intake port of the compressor.

[0007] According to the above compressor intake tube connection structure, it is possible to suppress the intake of foreign matter and the like with a simple structure.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a ladder frame equipped with a connection structure according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the left rear wheel. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the connection structure according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air spring. Fig. 5 is a side view of the vicinity of the left rear wheel. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a breather duct and a compressor.

[0009] A compressor intake tube connection structure S according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, FR and RR indicate the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, respectively, LH and RH indicate the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle, and UP and DN indicate the upper and lower directions, respectively. In the following description, the left and right sides in the width direction of the vehicle, and the front, front side, rear, and rear sides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the "left side," "right side," "front," "front side," "rear," and "rear side," respectively. Furthermore, components having the same functions as those already described will be designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the connection structure S of this embodiment includes a compressor 1 for a vehicle air suspension. The compressor 1 is fixed to a ladder frame 3 behind the left rear wheel. The compressor 1 may be a well-known type, such as a scroll compressor or a vane compressor. An intake tube 2 for introducing air into the compressor 1 is connected to the compressor 1. A metal pipe 5 is also connected to the compressor 1. The metal pipe 5 is fixed to the ladder frame 3 and connected to an air spring 4 for the left rear wheel. Although not shown, the compressor 1 is also connected to three other metal pipes 5 (for the left front wheel, right front wheel, and right rear wheel) and another metal pipe 5 connected to an air tank (not shown). These metal pipes 5 are also fixed to the ladder frame 3. An exhaust tube 6 for discharging air from the compressor 1 is also connected to the compressor 1. The intake tube 2 and the exhaust tube 6 are, for example, flexible rubber tubes.

[0011] The connection structure S also includes an air spring 4, a protective cover 7, and a breather duct 8. The air spring 4 is a spring that replaces the coil spring found in a typical suspension. As shown in FIG. 4 , the air spring 4 includes an upper end 4A, a lower end 4B, and a diaphragm 9 disposed therebetween. The upper edge of the diaphragm 9 is airtightly attached to the upper end 4A, and the lower edge of the diaphragm 9 is airtightly attached to the lower end 4B. The diaphragm 9 is made of, for example, rubber and includes an air chamber 10 therein. High-pressure air generated by the compressor 1 is supplied to the air chamber 10 directly or via an air tank (not shown). The upper end 4A is provided with a port 4P for supplying high-pressure air into the air chamber 10. The port 4P is connected to the compressor 1 via a metal pipe 5.

[0012] The air spring 4 is arranged so as to be sandwiched from above and below between the vehicle body members, including the ladder frame 3, and a suspension component 11 that moves up and down relative to the vehicle body members. Therefore, by increasing the internal pressure of the air chamber 10 and increasing the height of the air spring 4, the vehicle height (or the height of the ladder frame 3 from the ground) can be increased. Alternatively, by decreasing the internal pressure of the air chamber 10 and decreasing the height of the air spring 4, the vehicle height (or the height of the ladder frame 3 from the ground) can be decreased. Furthermore, the spring characteristics of the air spring 4 can be changed by changing the internal pressure of the air chamber 10. When the vehicle is running, the air spring 4 constantly expands and contracts to absorb vibrations and shocks from the road surface. The suspension component 11 is, for example, a lower arm that moves up and down relative to the vehicle body members along with the wheels.

[0013] Air springs 4 are often disposed near each wheel in locations susceptible to foreign objects while the vehicle is in motion. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4 , the air springs 4 are provided with protective covers 7 to protect the diaphragms 9 from foreign objects while the vehicle is in motion. The protective covers 7 are attached to the air springs 4 so as to surround the diaphragms 9, more specifically, so as to cover the diaphragms 9 from the radially outer side. The upper edge of the protective covers 7 is airtightly attached to the upper end 4A of the air springs 4, and the lower edge of the protective covers 7 is airtightly attached to the lower end 4B of the air springs 4. The protective covers 7 have a bellows structure so that they can expand and contract in response to the expansion and contraction of the air springs 4 when adjusting the vehicle height or while the vehicle is in motion. The protective covers 7 are made of, for example, resin.

[0014] An internal space 12 is formed between the air spring 4 and the protective cover 7. The internal space 12 prevents contact wear between the air spring 4 and the protective cover 7, thereby improving their durability. The internal space 12 is defined between the outer surface of the air spring 4 and the inner surface of the protective cover 7. The volume of the internal space 12 changes according to the expansion and contraction of the air spring 4 (or the increase or decrease in height).

[0015] The breather duct 8 supplies air from the outside to the internal space 12 or discharges air from the internal space 12 to the outside in accordance with changes in the volume of the internal space 12. As shown in Figure 3, one end (lower end) 8L of the breather duct 8 is connected to a connection port 7O at the top of the protective cover 7. As shown in Figure 3, the connection port 7O is provided at the upper edge of the protective cover 7, i.e., near the connection portion between the protective cover 7 and the upper end 4A of the air spring 4.

[0016] The other end (upper end) 8U of the breather duct 8 opens at a position inside the vehicle that is less susceptible to the influence of foreign matter, etc. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5 , a resin inner cover 13 is provided inside the wheel house, and a metal panel 14 that constitutes part of the vehicle body mounted on the ladder frame 3 is provided outside the inner cover 13. The other end (upper end) 8U of the breather duct 8 opens inside the space formed between the inner cover 13 and the metal panel 14.

[0017] That is, the breather duct 8 communicates the relatively clean space inside the vehicle with the interior space 12. Therefore, the space inside the breather duct 8 is filled with clean air that contains less foreign matter than the outside. In Fig. 6, the other end 8U of the breather duct 8 is located on the far side of the page of the inner cover 13. The two-dot chain line in the figure indicates the cross section of the inner cover 13 at a position on the near side of the page of the other end 8U of the breather duct 8. Although not shown, the cross section of the inner cover 13 at the position of the other end 8U of the breather duct 8 is located below the other end 8U.

[0018] A filter 8F made of, for example, nonwoven fabric may be attached to the opening at the other end 8U of the breather duct 8. The filter 8F prevents foreign matter and the like from entering the breather duct 8.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the portion of the breather duct 8 on one end 8L connected to the protective cover 7 is formed as a flexible duct 81. The flexible duct 81 has a flexible structure that allows its length and curvature to be easily changed in part or in its entirety. The flexible portion of the flexible duct 81 is made of, for example, rubber and has a bellows shape. On the other hand, the portion of the breather duct on the other end 8U is formed as a non-flexible duct 82 that is more rigid than the flexible duct 81. The non-flexible duct 82 is made of, for example, resin and is fixed to a vehicle body member such as a panel or ladder frame 3 that constitutes a part of the vehicle body. The non-flexible duct 82 does not have the flexible structure of the flexible duct 81. Note that the flexible duct 81 of this embodiment has a resin joint 81J (see FIG. 7 ) in part thereof. The joint 81J is fixed to a vehicle body member such as a panel or ladder frame 3 that constitutes a part of the vehicle body.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 7 , the other end (upper end) 2U of the intake tube 2 is connected to the longitudinal center of the breather duct 8. One end (lower end) 2L of the intake tube 2 is connected to the intake port of the compressor 1. That is, the intake tube 2 communicates between the internal space of the compressor 1 and the space within the breather duct 8. More specifically, the other end 2U is connected to the position of the non-flexible duct 82 closest to the flexible duct 81. The other end 2U is also connected to a portion of the cross section of the breather duct 8 that is located on the upper side in the direction of gravity at the connection position to the breather duct 8. The space within the breather duct 8 is defined by the inner surface of the breather duct 8 from the one end (lower end) 8L to the opening of the other end 8U. The effective flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the breather duct 8 is larger than that of the intake tube 2.

[0021] One end (lower end) 6L of the exhaust tube 6 is connected to the exhaust port of the compressor 1. The other end (upper end) 6U of the exhaust tube 6 is fixed to the outer surface of the other end 8U of the breather duct 8 and opens into the same space as the other end 8U, i.e., the space formed between the inner cover 13 and the metal panel 14. When scavenging the inside of the compressor 1, air is discharged from the exhaust tube 6.

[0022] (1) A connection structure S according to this embodiment includes a compressor 1, an intake tube 2, an air spring 4, a protective cover 7, and a breather duct 8. The air spring 4 includes an air chamber 10 surrounded by a diaphragm 9. The protective cover 7 is attached to the air spring 4 so as to surround the diaphragm 9, forming an internal space 12 between the air spring 4 and the protective cover 7. One end 8L of the breather duct 8 for the internal space 12 is connected to the protective cover 7. The compressor 1 generates high-pressure air that is supplied to the air chamber 10. One end 2L of the intake tube 2 is connected to an intake port of the compressor 1, and the other end 2U is connected to the breather duct 8, and the air in the breather duct 8 is supplied to the intake port of the compressor 1.

[0023] In the connection structure S, the other end 2U of the intake tube 2 is connected to the breather duct 8, so clean air with little foreign matter inside the breather duct 8 is supplied to the intake port of the compressor 1. Therefore, the connection structure S can suppress the introduction of foreign matter into the air suspension system with a simple structure. In particular, in the connection structure S in the above example, the filter 8F is provided at the opening of the other end 8U of the breather duct 8, so that the intrusion of foreign matter into the breather duct 8 is more effectively suppressed. Therefore, the introduction of foreign matter into the air suspension system can be more reliably suppressed.

[0024] (2) On the other hand, fine dust or water may invade the breather duct 8. In this case, the invaded dust tends to accumulate in the portion of the cross section of the breather duct 8 that is lower in the direction of gravity. In addition, the invaded water tends to remain in the portion of the cross section of the breather duct 8 that is lower in the direction of gravity, or to flow along that portion. In the connection structure S, the other end 2U of the intake tube 2 is connected to a portion of the cross section of the breather duct 8 that is upper in the direction of gravity, at the connection position with the breather duct 8. Therefore, even if fine dust or water invades the breather duct 8, the invaded dust or water can be prevented from being inhaled from the other end 2U of the intake tube 2.

[0025] In particular, in the connection structure S in the above example, the effective flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the breather duct 8 is larger than the effective flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the intake tube 2. Therefore, when the intake tube 2 takes in air, the flow velocity of the air flow generated in the breather duct 8 can be kept low. This makes it possible to prevent dust accumulated in the breather duct 8 from being stirred up and sucked into the intake tube 2.

[0026] (3) The air spring 4 expands and contracts during vehicle height adjustment or vehicle travel, and the protective cover 7 expands and contracts accordingly. The upper portion of the air spring 4 is fixed directly or indirectly to a vehicle body member, and the lower portion of the air spring 4 is fixed directly or indirectly to a suspension component 11. The upper portion of the protective cover 7 is attached to the upper portion of the air spring 4, and the lower portion of the protective cover 7 is attached to the lower portion of the air spring 4. Therefore, during vehicle height adjustment or vehicle travel, the lower portion of the protective cover 7 moves more significantly relative to the vehicle body member than the upper portion of the protective cover 7. In the connection structure S, one end 8L of the breather duct 8 is connected to the upper portion of the protective cover 7, and therefore the tensile load and bending moment generated at the connection portion can be reduced compared to when the end 8L is connected to the lower portion of the protective cover 7.

[0027] Furthermore, in the connection structure S, one end 8L of the breather duct 8 is formed as a flexible duct 81, and the other end 8U of the breather duct 8 is formed as a non-flexible duct 82 that is more rigid than the flexible duct 81. Therefore, compared to when the entire breather duct 8 is formed as a non-flexible duct 82, the tensile load and bending moment that occur in the connection portion between the breather duct 8 and the protective cover 7 and in the breather duct 8 itself can be further reduced.

[0028] Furthermore, in the connection structure S, because the other end 2U of the intake tube 2 is connected to the non-flexible duct 82, the tensile load and bending moment generated at the connection between the breather duct 8 and the intake tube 2 are reduced compared to when the intake tube 2 is connected to the flexible duct 81. This reduces the load input to the breather duct 8 and the intake tube 2 caused by the expansion and contraction movement of the air spring 4, making it possible to more stably breathe the internal space 12 via the breather duct 8 and intake air into the compressor 1 via the intake tube 2.

[0029] The above-described embodiments 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, but also includes various modifications, changes, alternative technologies, etc. that can be easily derived therefrom.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the connecting structure S is provided behind the left rear wheel, but the location is not limited to this. Instead of or in addition to being provided behind the left rear wheel, the connecting structure S may be provided in front of the left rear wheel, in front of or behind the left front wheel, in front of or behind the right front wheel, or in front of or behind the right rear wheel.

[0031] S Compressor intake tube connection structure for vehicle air suspension, 1 Compressor, 2 Intake tube, 2L One end (of intake tube), 2U Other end (of intake tube), 4 Air spring, 7 Protective cover, 8 Breather duct, 8L One end (of breather duct), 9 Diaphragm, 10 Air chamber, 12 Internal space, 81 Flexible duct, 82 Non-flexible duct

Claims

1. A compressor intake tube connection structure for a vehicle air suspension, comprising: an air spring having an air chamber surrounded by a diaphragm; a protective cover attached to the air spring so as to surround the diaphragm and forming an internal space between the air spring and the protective cover; a breather duct for the internal space, one end of which is connected to the protective cover; a compressor that generates high-pressure air to be supplied to the air chamber; and an intake tube, one end of which is connected to an intake port of the compressor and the other end of which is connected to the breather duct, for supplying air in the breather duct to the intake port.

2. A compressor intake tube connection structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein the other end of the intake tube is connected to a portion of the breather duct that is on the upper side in the direction of gravity in a cross section at a position where the other end of the intake tube is connected to the breather duct.

3. A compressor intake tube connection structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the breather duct is connected to the upper part of the protective cover, the one end side of the breather duct is formed as a flexible duct, the other end side of the breather duct is formed as a non-flexible duct that is more rigid than the flexible duct, and the other end of the intake tube is connected to the non-flexible duct.

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