Suspension spring seat

Abstract

A suspension spring seat (1) is provided with: a cylindrical fixing part (2) which is fixed to the outer periphery of an outer shell (10); a tapered part (3) which is continuous with an end part of the fixing part (2) and has an inner diameter that increases toward an anti-fixing part side; a spring seat part (4) which has an annular shape and supports one end of a suspension spring (S); a cylindrical connection part (5) which has a cylindrical shape, and has one end that is continuous with the outer periphery of the tapered part (3), and the other end that is continuous with the inner periphery of the spring seat part (4) so as to connect the tapered part (3) and the spring seat part (4), the connection part (5) having an inner diameter that varies such that an inner diameter D1 of the end part on the fixing part side is equal to or less than an outer diameter d of the fixing part (2) and an inner diameter DL of the end part on the anti-fixing part side is greater than the outer diameter d of the fixing part (2); and an adhesion prevention part (6) that, when two suspension spring seats (1, 1) are stacked by inserting, into the connection part (5) of one of the two suspension spring seats (1, 1), the fixing part (2) of the other suspension spring seat (1), prevents adhesion between the one suspension spring seat (1) and the other suspension spring seat (1).

Description

Suspension spring receiver

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension spring receiver.

[0002] The suspension spring receiver is, for example, mounted on the outer periphery of an outer shell in a shock absorber and supports one end of a suspension spring disposed on the outer periphery of the shock absorber. A shock absorber provided with such a suspension spring receiver includes an upper spring receiver that supports the other end of the suspension spring at the tip of a piston rod that can move axially in and out of the outer shell. When installed between the vehicle body and the wheel in a vehicle, the vehicle body can be elastically supported by a suspension spring interposed between the upper spring receiver and the suspension spring receiver, and the vibration of the vehicle body can be suppressed by the damping force generated during expansion and contraction.

[0003] Such a suspension spring receiver used in a shock absorber, as disclosed in, for example, JP2005-188532A, includes a cylindrical fixing portion, a tapered portion that is continuous with an end of the fixing portion and has an inner diameter that expands toward the non-fixing portion side, a spring receiving portion that is annular and supports one end of the suspension spring, and a cylindrical connecting portion that is cylindrical and has one end connected to the tapered portion and the other end connected to the spring receiving portion to connect the tapered portion and the spring receiving portion. It is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer shell by press-fitting the inner periphery of the fixing portion onto the outer periphery of the outer shell, and supports the lower end of the suspension spring with the spring receiving portion.

[0004] JP2005-188532A

[0005] To attach such a configured suspension spring receiver to a shock absorber, insert the outer shell into the fixing portion from the spring receiving portion side of the suspension spring receiver, and deeply penetrate the outer shell into the suspension spring receiver until the fixing portion faces the press-fitting site on the outer periphery of the outer shell.

[0006] To automate such processing, the suspension spring receiver can be grasped by a processing robot and the outer shell can be inserted into the suspension spring receiver. However, if a large number of suspension spring receivers are placed separately flat, the work space will be large. Therefore, a method is conceivable in which a large number of suspension spring receivers are overlapped while being fitted onto the outer periphery of a rod-shaped jig, and only the uppermost suspension spring receiver among the stacked suspension spring receivers is grasped by the processing robot, moved to the outer shell, and assembled to the outer shell.

[0007] However, as shown in Figure 10, when multiple suspension spring supports 101 are fitted and stacked on the outer circumference of the jig 120, if the fixing portion 102 of the lower suspension spring support 101 is inserted into the connecting portion 103 of the upper suspension spring support 101 to stack the multiple suspension spring supports 101, the outer circumference of the upper end of the fixing portion 102 fits tightly into the inner circumference of the connecting portion 103, causing them to adhere closely to each other and fixing adjacent suspension spring supports 101, 101 to each other. Consequently, even if a processing robot attempts to grasp and lift only the uppermost suspension spring support 101 from the stacked suspension spring support group, the lower suspension spring supports 101 fixed to this uppermost suspension spring support 101 are also lifted together, creating a problem where it is not possible to pick up the suspension spring supports 101 one by one. This makes it difficult to automatically assemble the suspension spring supports 101 onto the outer shell.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a suspension spring support that can automate the assembly process of the shock absorber to the outer shell.

[0009] To solve the aforementioned problems, the suspension spring support of the present invention is a suspension spring support that is mounted on the outer circumference of the outer shell of a shock absorber and supports a suspension spring arranged on the outer circumference of the shock absorber, and comprises: a cylindrical fixing portion that is fitted and fixed to the outer circumference of the outer shell; a tapered portion connected to the end of the fixing portion and whose inner diameter widens toward the opposite side of the fixing portion; an annular spring support portion that supports one end of the suspension spring; a cylindrical connecting portion, one end of which is connected to the outer circumference of the tapered portion and the other end of which is connected to the inner circumference of the spring support portion, connecting the tapered portion and the spring support portion, and whose inner diameter changes such that the inner diameter of the end on the fixing portion side is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the fixing portion and the inner diameter of the end on the opposite side of the fixing portion is greater than the outer diameter of the fixing portion; and an anti-sticking portion that prevents one suspension spring support from sticking to the other suspension spring support when stacking suspension spring supports by inserting the fixing portion of the other suspension spring support into the connecting portion of one of the two suspension spring supports.

[0010] With this configuration of suspension spring supports, when stacking multiple suspension spring supports, the anti-sticking part prevents the upper suspension spring support from sticking to the lower suspension spring support. Therefore, when a robot arm grasps the outer circumference of the uppermost suspension spring support and moves the suspension spring support upward, only the uppermost suspension spring support can be easily detached from the group of suspension spring supports stacked below.

[0011] Figure 1 is a side view of a shock absorber with a suspension spring support attached according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the suspension spring support attached to the shock absorber according to one embodiment. Figure 3 is a side view of the suspension spring support according to one embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a plurality of suspension spring supports fitted and stacked on the outer circumference of a jig. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the suspension spring support of the first modified example of one embodiment. Figure 6(a) is a plan view of the suspension spring support of the second modified example of one embodiment. Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the suspension spring support of the second modified example of one embodiment. Figure 7(a) is a plan view of the suspension spring support of the third modified example of one embodiment. Figure 7(b) is a plan view of the suspension spring support of the fourth modified example of one embodiment. Figure 8(a) is a plan view of the suspension spring support of the fifth modified example of one embodiment. Figure 8(b) is a bottom view of the suspension spring support of the fifth modified example of one embodiment. Figure 9(a) is a bottom view of a suspension spring support in a sixth modified example of one embodiment. Figure 9(b) is a bottom view of a suspension spring support in a seventh modified example of one embodiment. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional suspension spring support in a stacked state.

[0012] The present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the figures. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the suspension spring support 1 is mounted on the outer circumference of the outer shell 10 of the shock absorber D and supports the lower end in Figure 1 of the suspension spring S which is positioned on the outer circumference of the shock absorber D.

[0013] The suspension spring support 1 and the shock absorber D to which the suspension spring support 1 is applied will be described in detail. First, the shock absorber D comprises a cylindrical outer shell 10, a piston rod 11 inserted into the outer shell 10 so as to be movable in the axial direction (up and down in Figure 1), a suspension spring support 1 mounted on the outer circumference of the outer shell 10, and an upper suspension spring support 12 mounted on the upper end of the piston rod 11 in Figure 1. In addition, it comprises, for example, a cylinder (not shown) housed in the outer shell 10, a piston connected to the piston rod 11 and inserted into the cylinder to divide the inside of the cylinder into an extension chamber and a compression chamber, a reservoir formed between the cylinder and the outer shell 10, and a valve case provided at the lower end of the cylinder to separate the compression chamber and the reservoir. The extension chamber and the compression chamber are filled with a liquid such as hydraulic oil, and the reservoir is filled with a liquid and a gas. The liquid used in the shock absorber D may be other than hydraulic oil, such as water or an aqueous solution.

[0014] Furthermore, the piston (not shown) is provided with a passage connecting the extension chamber and the compression chamber, and a damping valve that provides resistance to the flow of liquid passing through the passage. The valve case is provided with a discharge passage and an intake passage connecting the compression chamber and the reservoir, a compression damping valve that provides resistance to the flow of liquid from the compression chamber to the reservoir in the discharge passage, and a check valve that allows only the flow of liquid from the reservoir to the compression chamber in the intake passage.

[0015] The shock absorber D, configured in this way, generates a damping force that prevents expansion and contraction by applying resistance to the liquid flow through a damping valve or a compression-side damping valve during extension operation. The configuration of the shock absorber D described above is just one example, and the design can be arbitrarily modified as long as it can generate a damping force when the piston rod 11 moves in and out of the outer shell 10 and expands and contracts.

[0016] Furthermore, a coil spring S is interposed between the suspension spring support 1 and the upper suspension spring support 12. When the shock absorber D is interposed between the vehicle body and the wheels, the suspension spring S is compressed, generating an elastic force that elastically supports the vehicle body. The shock absorber D generates a damping force that hinders the relative movement of the piston rod 11 with respect to the outer shell 10 during the expansion and contraction operation of the piston rod 11, which moves axially relative to the outer shell 10. When the vehicle body vibrates due to input from the road surface while the vehicle is running, the shock absorber D generates a damping force that reduces the vibration of the vehicle body.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the suspension spring support 1 includes a cylindrical fixing portion 2 that is fitted and fixed to the outer circumference of the outer shell 10, an annular tapered portion 3 that is connected to the lower end of the fixing portion 2 in Figure 2 and whose inner diameter widens toward the opposite side of the fixing portion, an annular spring support portion 4 that supports the lower end in Figure 1 which is one end of the suspension spring S, a cylindrical connecting portion 5 whose upper end in Figure 2 is connected to the tapered portion 3 and whose lower end in Figure 2 is connected to the spring support portion 4, and an anti-sticking portion 6.

[0018] The fixing portion 2 is cylindrical and is fixed to the outer circumference of the outer shell 10 by press-fitting into the press-fit portion 10b of the press-fit projection 10a provided in the middle portion of the outer shell 10. The tapered portion 3 is annular and is tapered in diameter, continuing from the end of the fixing portion 2 which is the lower end in Figure 2, with the inner diameter becoming larger towards the lower side in Figure 2, which is opposite the fixing portion.

[0019] The spring support portion 4 is connected to the lower end in Figure 2 of the cylindrical connecting portion 5 that connects the tapered portion 3 and the spring support portion 4, and extends radially in a flange-like manner from the lower end of the connecting portion 5 to support the lower end in Figure 1 of the suspension spring S.

[0020] The connecting portion 5 is cylindrical and connects the lower end of the tapered portion 3 in Figure 2 to the inner circumference of the spring receiving portion 4. More specifically, the connecting portion 5 comprises a cylindrical portion 5a that extends downward in Figure 2, connected to the lower end of the tapered portion 3 in Figure 2, and a curved portion 5b that curves outward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 5a in Figure 2 and expands in diameter. The inner diameter changes such that the inner diameter D1 at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 5a, which is the end on the fixing portion side, is less than or equal to the outer diameter d of the fixing portion 2, and the inner diameter DL at the lower end of the curved portion 5b, which is the end on the opposite side of the fixing portion, is greater than the outer diameter d of the fixing portion 2. In this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 5a of the connecting portion 5 gradually expands in diameter as it moves downward in Figure 2, and its inner circumference is a tapered surface.

[0021] In this embodiment, the anti-sticking portion 6 is formed by an enlarged diameter portion that extends around the entire circumference of the upper end in Figure 2, which is the non-tapered end of the fixing portion 2. The maximum outer diameter D3 of the anti-sticking portion 6 is larger than the inner diameter D1 of the upper end in Figure 2, which is the fixing portion side end of the connecting portion 5, and smaller than the inner diameter DL of the lower end in Figure 2, which is the non-fixing portion side end. In this embodiment, the maximum outer diameter D3 of the anti-sticking portion 6 is larger than the inner diameter D2 of the curved portion 5b and smaller than the inner diameter DL of the lower end of the curved portion 5b, which is the non-fixing portion side end of the connecting portion 5.

[0022] As described above, the suspension spring support 1 configured in this way is fixed to the outer shell 10 by press-fitting the fixing portion 2 onto the outer circumference of the outer shell 10. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the outer shell 10 has six press-fit protrusions 10a that are provided in the middle portion and bulge outwards at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each press-fit protrusion 10a is provided along the longitudinal direction of the outer shell 10 and has a press-fit portion 10b that is press-fitted onto the inner circumference of the fixing portion 2 of the suspension spring support 1, and a protruding portion 10c that protrudes outwards from below the press-fit portion 10b. The diameter of the circle in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the press-fit portion 10b at each press-fit projection 10a is larger than the outer diameter of the upper and lower parts of the outer shell 10, and is larger than the inner diameter of the fixing portion 2 by the amount of press-fit allowance. When the outer shell 10 is inserted into the suspension spring receiver 1 and the fixing portion 2 is brought into contact with the press-fit portion 10b, the fixing portion 2 elastically deforms and expands in diameter, tightening the press-fit portion 10b firmly, so that the suspension spring receiver 1 is fixed to the outer circumference of the outer shell 10. In this embodiment, the suspension spring support 1 has an enlarged diameter portion at the upper end of the fixing portion 2 in Figure 2, which serves as the anti-sticking portion 6. The total axial length of the fixing portion 2 is set to be greater than or equal to the sum of the axial length of the anti-sticking portion 6 and the axial length of the press-fit portion 10b (vertical length in Figure 2), so that the length of axial contact between the fixing portion 2 and the press-fit portion 10b in the outer shell 10 is the same as the axial length of the press-fit portion 10b (vertical length in Figure 2). Thus, the contact length between the fixing portion 2 and the press-fit portion 10b is ensured. Therefore, even if the anti-sticking portion 6 is provided on the fixing portion 2, a decrease in the fixing strength between the suspension spring support 1 and the outer shell 10 can be prevented.

[0023] When the suspension spring support 1 is brought closer to the outer shell 10 from above with the spring support portion 4 facing downwards, and the outer shell 10 is inserted into the suspension spring support 1, eventually the inner circumference of the fixing portion 2 of the suspension spring support 1 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the press-fit portion 10b of the press-fit projection 10a of the outer shell 10, and the protruding portion 10c of the press-fit projection 10a of the outer shell 10 is inserted into the inner circumference of the tapered portion 3, causing the inner circumference of the tapered portion 3 to contact each protruding portion 10c. In this way, when the outer shell 10 is inserted into the suspension spring support 1 and the tapered portion 3 comes into contact with each protruding portion 10c, the movement of the suspension spring support 1 relative to the outer shell 10 in the downward direction in Figure 1 is restricted by each protruding portion 10c, and even if the shock absorber D contracts and the elastic force of the suspension spring S increases, there is no need to worry that the suspension spring support 1 will move downward relative to the outer shell 10 in Figure 1. Therefore, even without welding the fixing part 2 to the outer circumference of the outer shell 10, the load of the suspension spring S can be supported by the protruding part 10c of the outer shell 10. Thus, by simply press-fitting the suspension spring support 1 into the outer shell 10, the axial movement of the suspension spring support 1 relative to the outer shell 10 can be restricted, preventing the suspension spring support 1 from falling off the outer shell 10. The number of press-fit projections 10a with protruding parts 10c can be arbitrarily changed as long as they can support the load acting on the suspension spring support 1.

[0024] As the suspension spring support 1 is brought closer to the outer shell 10 from above and the outer shell 10 is inserted into the suspension spring support 1, the fixing part 2 is pressed into the press-fit part 10b and fixedly attached to the outer shell 10.

[0025] To automate the process of attaching the suspension spring support 1 to the outer circumference of the outer shell 10, as shown in Figure 4, a number of suspension spring support 1 are fitted onto the outer circumference of a cylindrical jig 20 and stacked. The stacked suspension spring support 1 are then grasped one by one by a robot arm and removed from above the jig 20. The suspension spring support 1 removed from the jig 20 is then positioned above the outer shell 10 by the robot arm, and then lowered and attached to the outer circumference of the outer shell 10.

[0026] When multiple suspension spring supports 1 are stacked and arranged, the fixing portion 2 of the lower suspension spring support 1 is inserted inside the connecting portion 5 of the upper suspension spring support 1. However, the upper end of the fixing portion 2 of the lower suspension spring support 1 in Figure 4 is widened to form an enlarged portion which serves as an anti-sticking portion 6. Therefore, only the outer edge of the anti-sticking portion 6 abuts against the inner circumference of the curved portion 5b of the connecting portion 5, preventing the outer circumference of the fixing portion 2 from making surface contact with the inner surface of the connecting portion 5 and becoming tightly fitted.

[0027] Therefore, even if a large number of suspension spring supports 1 are fitted onto the outer circumference of the jig 20 and stacked, the suspension spring supports 1 are prevented from sticking to each other. If a robot arm (not shown) grips the outer circumference of the uppermost suspension spring support 1 and moves it upward, only the uppermost suspension spring support 1 can be easily detached from the group of suspension spring supports 1 stacked below. The anti-sticking part 6 only needs to prevent the suspension spring supports 1 from sticking to each other. In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part 5a in the connection part 5 is a tapered surface that widens on the spring support part 4 side. Therefore, even if the anti-sticking part 6 of the lower suspension spring support 1 abuts against the inner circumference of the cylindrical part 5a in the connection part 5 of the upper suspension spring support 1, the suspension spring supports 1, 1 can be prevented from sticking to each other.

[0028] In addition, although the anti-sticking portion 6 is described above as an enlarged diameter portion formed by enlarging the upper end of the fixing portion 2, as shown in the first modified example anti-sticking portion 61 in Figure 5, the portion of the fixing portion 2 other than the upper end which is the non-tapered side end may be made to bulge outwards, so that the outer diameter D3 is larger than the inner diameter D1 of the upper end in Figure 5 which is the end of the connecting portion 5 on the fixing portion side, and smaller than the inner diameter DL of the lower end in Figure 5 which is the end on the non-fixing portion side. When the anti-sticking portion 6 is provided in the middle of the fixing portion 2 in the axial direction, instead of at the upper end in Figure 5 which is the opposite tapered end of the fixing portion 2, when stacking multiple suspension spring supports 1, the outer diameter D3 of the anti-sticking portion 6 should be set such that the anti-sticking portion 6 of the lower suspension spring support 1 abuts against the inner circumference of the connection portion 5 of the upper suspension spring support 1, while the outer circumference of the upper end of the fixing portion 2 of the lower suspension spring support 1 does not come into contact with the inner circumference of the connection portion 5 of the upper suspension spring support 1.

[0029] Furthermore, when the anti-sticking portion 6 is an enlarged diameter portion provided on the fixing portion 2, it may be formed in an annular shape in the circumferential direction, but it may also be formed by projections 62a that protrude outward from the outer circumference of the upper end of the fixing portion 2, as shown in the second modified example anti-sticking portion 62 in Figure 6. Note that the diameter D4 of the circumscribed circle C1 that contacts the tip of each projection 62a is larger in diameter than the inner diameter D1 on the fixing portion side of the connecting portion 5 and smaller in diameter than the inner diameter DL on the non-fixing portion side. Even if the anti-sticking portion 62 is provided on the suspension spring receiver 1 in this way, when multiple suspension spring receivers 1 are stacked, each projection 62a on the lower suspension spring receiver 1 intermittently contacts the inner circumference of the connecting portion 5 of the upper suspension spring receiver 1, so that the contact area between the suspension spring receivers 1, 1 is small and the suspension spring receivers 1, 1 do not stick together.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the protrusions 62a are provided at three or more locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction from the fixing part 2. When multiple suspension spring supports 1 are stacked, the suspension spring supports 1 are supported at three points, so that the upper suspension spring supports 1 are stably supported by the lower suspension spring supports 1. In order to stably support the suspension spring supports 1, it is preferable that the protrusions 62a be provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. However, when stacking the suspension spring supports 1, the suspension spring supports 1 are fitted onto the outer circumference of the jig 20, so it is possible to prevent the suspension spring supports 1 from being stacked at an angle, and therefore the protrusions 62a may be provided at unequal intervals.

[0031] As described above, the anti-sticking portion 62 is composed of three protrusions 62a. However, as in the suspension spring support 1 equipped with the third modified anti-sticking portion 62 shown in Figure 7(a) and the fourth modified anti-sticking portion 62 shown in Figure 7(b), it may be formed by one protrusion 62a that protrudes outward from more than half the circumference of the outer circumference of the upper end of the fixing portion 2, or by two protrusions 62a that protrude outward from the outer circumference of the upper end of the fixing portion 2 and whose total circumferential length at the tip is more than half the circumference of the outer circumference of the fixing portion 2. The diameter D4 of the circumscribed circle C1 that contacts the outer circumference which becomes the tip of the protrusion 62a is larger in diameter than the inner diameter D1 on the fixing portion side of the connecting portion 5 and smaller in diameter than the inner diameter DL on the non-fixing portion side. Even with the projections 62a provided in this way, when multiple suspension spring supports 1 are stacked, the projections 62a abut against a part of the inner circumference of the connection portion 5 of the upper suspension spring support 1, thus reducing the contact area between the suspension spring supports 1, 1 and preventing them from sticking together. Furthermore, when the anti-sticking portion 62 is composed of one or two projections 62a, if the total circumferential length of the outer circumference of the tip of the projection 62a is set to be more than half the circumference of the outer circumference of the fixing portion 2, the upper suspension spring support 1 can be stably supported by the lower suspension spring support 1.

[0032] The anti-sticking portion 62, which is composed of projections 62a, is formed by partially enlarging the upper end of the fixing portion 2. However, it may also be formed by projections 62a provided by bulging outwards toward the outer circumference of a portion of the fixing portion 2 at the same height other than the upper end which is the opposite tapered end. When the anti-sticking portion 62 is provided in the middle of the fixing portion 2 in the axial direction instead of at the upper end in Figure 6 which is the opposite tapered end of the fixing portion 2, when stacking multiple suspension spring receivers 1, the diameter D4 of the circumscribed circle that contacts the tip of each projection 62a should be set so that the projection 62a of the anti-sticking portion 62 of the lower suspension spring receiver 1 contacts the inner circumference of the connection portion 5 of the upper suspension spring receiver 1, and the outer circumference of the upper end of the fixing portion 2 of the lower suspension spring receiver 1 does not contact the inner circumference of the connection portion 5 of the upper suspension spring receiver 1.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in the fifth modified example in Figure 8, the anti-sticking portion 63 may not be provided on the fixing portion 2, but rather formed as a convex portion 63a that protrudes inward from a portion of the inner circumference of the connecting portion 5 at the same height. The diameter D5 of the inscribed circle C2 that contacts the tip of each convex portion 63a is smaller than the outer diameter d of the anti-tapered end of the fixing portion 2. When a number of suspension spring receivers 1 are stacked and laminated, the fixing portion 2 of the lower suspension spring receiver 1 is inserted inside the connecting portion 5 of the upper suspension spring receiver 1. However, since the multiple convex portions 63a of the upper suspension spring receiver 1 rest on the upper end of the fixing portion 2 of the lower suspension spring receiver 1 that has entered into the inner circumference of the connecting portion 5 of the upper suspension spring receiver 1, it is prevented that the inner circumference of the connecting portion 5 and the outer circumference of the fixing portion 2 will fit tightly together and adhere to each other, thereby preventing the suspension spring receivers 1 from sticking together. Therefore, even if a large number of suspension spring supports 1 are fitted onto the outer circumference of the jig 20 and stacked, the suspension spring supports 1 will not stick to each other. As a result, if a robot arm (not shown) grips the outer circumference of the uppermost suspension spring support 1 and moves it upward, only the uppermost suspension spring support 1 can be easily detached from the group of suspension spring supports 1 stacked below. When the connection part 5 is provided with a sticking prevention part 63 in this way, when inserting the outer shell 10 into the suspension spring support 1, the number and position of the protrusions 63a should be determined according to the number and position of the protrusions 10b, so that the protrusions 63a can pass between the protrusions 10b, 10b of the outer shell 10.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the protrusions 63a are provided at three or more locations spaced apart in the circumferential direction from the connecting portion 5. When multiple suspension spring supports 1 are stacked, the suspension spring supports 1 are supported at three points, so that the upper suspension spring supports 1 are stably supported by the lower suspension spring supports 1. In order to stably support the suspension spring supports 1, it is preferable that the protrusions 63a be provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. However, when stacking the suspension spring supports 1, the suspension spring supports 1 are fitted onto the outer circumference of the jig 20, so it is possible to prevent the suspension spring supports 1 from being stacked at an angle, and therefore the protrusions 63a may be provided at unequal intervals.

[0035] As described above, the anti-sticking portion 63 is composed of three protrusions 63a. However, as in the suspension spring support 1 equipped with the anti-sticking portion 63 of the sixth modified example shown in Figure 9(a) and the anti-sticking portion 63 of the seventh modified example shown in Figure 9(b), it may also be formed by a single protrusion 63a that protrudes toward the inner circumference from more than half the circumference of the inner circumference of the fixing portion 2 midway along the axial direction, or by two protrusions 63a that protrude toward the inner circumference from the inner circumference of the fixing portion 2 midway along the axial direction, with the sum of the circumferential lengths of the tips being more than half the circumference of the inner circumference of the fixing portion 2. The diameter D5 of the inscribed circle C2 that contacts the tip of the protrusion 63a is smaller than the outer diameter d of the anti-tapered end of the fixing portion 2. Even with the convex portion 63a provided in this way, the convex portion 63a of the upper suspension spring support 1 rests on the upper end of the fixing portion 2 of the lower suspension spring support 1, which is inserted into the inner circumference of the connecting portion 5 of the upper suspension spring support 1. This prevents the inner circumference of the connecting portion 5 and the outer circumference of the fixing portion 2 from fitting tightly together and becoming tightly attached, thereby preventing the suspension spring supports 1 from becoming stuck to each other. Furthermore, when the anti-sticking portion 63 is composed of one or two convex portions 63a, if the total circumferential length of the inner circumference portions that form the tips of the convex portions 63a is set to be at least half the length of the inner circumference of the fixing portion 2, the upper suspension spring support 1 can be stably supported by the lower suspension spring support 1.

[0036] As described above, the suspension spring support 1 of this embodiment is a suspension spring support 1 that is mounted on the outer circumference of the outer shell 10 of the shock absorber D and supports the suspension spring S that is arranged on the outer circumference of the shock absorber D, and comprises a cylindrical fixing portion 2 that is fitted and fixed to the outer circumference of the outer shell 10, a tapered portion 3 that is connected to the end of the fixing portion 2 and whose inner diameter widens toward the opposite side of the fixing portion, an annular spring support portion 4 that supports one end of the suspension spring S, and a cylindrical spring support portion 4 that is connected at one end to the outer circumference of the tapered portion 3 and at the other end to the inner circumference of the spring support portion 4. The tapered portion 3 and the spring receiving portion 4 are connected in a cylindrical connecting portion 5, the inner diameter of which changes such that the inner diameter D1 of the end on the fixing portion side is less than or equal to the outer diameter d of the fixing portion 2 and the inner diameter DL of the end on the opposite side of the fixing portion is greater than the outer diameter d of the fixing portion 2, and the fixing portion 6 of the other suspension spring receiving portion 1 is inserted into the connecting portion 5 of one of the two suspension spring receiving portions 1, 1 to prevent the two suspension spring receiving portions 1 from sticking together.

[0037] With the suspension spring support 1 configured in this way, when stacking multiple suspension spring supports 1, the anti-sticking part 6 prevents the upper suspension spring support 1 from sticking to the lower suspension spring support 1. Therefore, when a robot arm (not shown) grips the outer circumference of the uppermost suspension spring support 1 and moves the suspension spring support 1 upward, only the uppermost suspension spring support 1 can be easily detached from the group of suspension spring supports 1 stacked below it.

[0038] As described above, with the suspension spring support 1 of this embodiment, only the uppermost suspension spring support 1 can be easily detached from the numerous suspension spring support 1 groups stacked below it, thus enabling the automation of the assembly process of the shock absorber D to the outer shell 10. Furthermore, with the suspension spring support 1 of this embodiment, the assembly process of the shock absorber D to the outer shell 10 can be automated, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and manufacturing time.

[0039] In this embodiment, the suspension spring support 1 has a connecting portion 5 which includes a cylindrical portion 5a at one end connected to the outer circumference of the tapered portion 3, and a curved portion 5b that curves and widens in diameter from the other end of the cylindrical portion 5a and connects to the inner circumference of the spring support portion 4. When the suspension spring supports 1, 1 are stacked, the anti-sticking portion 6 of one suspension spring support 1 comes into contact with the curved portion 5b of the other suspension spring support 1. With the suspension spring support 1 configured in this way, when stacking multiple suspension spring supports 1, the anti-sticking portion 6 abuts against the curved portion 5b, preventing it from getting stuck in the inner circumference of the connection portion 5 of the anti-sticking portion 6. Furthermore, the lower suspension spring support 1 does not penetrate deeply into the connection portion 5 of the upper suspension spring support 1. This further prevents the upper suspension spring support 1 from sticking to the lower suspension spring support 1, and when a robot arm (not shown) grips the outer circumference of the uppermost suspension spring support 1 and moves the suspension spring support 1 upward, the uppermost suspension spring support 1 can be detached even more easily from the group of suspension spring supports 1 stacked below.

[0040] Furthermore, the anti-sticking portion 6 in the suspension spring support 1 of this embodiment is provided on the fixing portion 2 and is an enlarged diameter portion whose outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter D1 of the fixing portion side end of the connecting portion 5 and smaller than the inner diameter DL of the non-fixing portion side end. With the suspension spring support 1 configured in this way, the suspension spring supports 1, 1 can be prevented from sticking to each other simply by providing an enlarged diameter portion on the fixing portion 2, so the installation of the anti-sticking portion 6 is easy and the cost increase due to processing the anti-sticking portion 6 can be suppressed.

[0041] Furthermore, the enlarged diameter portion constituting the anti-sticking portion 6 in the suspension spring support 1 of this embodiment is formed by enlarging the diameter of the non-tapered end of the fixing portion 2. With the suspension spring support 1 configured in this way, the anti-sticking portion 6 can be formed by a simple process of enlarging the diameter of the non-tapered end of the fixing portion 2, so the suspension spring support 1 can be easily manufactured and the increase in cost due to such processing can be further reduced. In addition, since the anti-sticking portion 6 is provided on the fixing portion 2 that does not interfere with the protruding portion 10b of the outer shell 10, assembly of the suspension spring support 1 to the outer shell 10 becomes easier.

[0042] Furthermore, in the first modified example of this embodiment, the anti-sticking portion 62 may be formed by a projection 62a that protrudes outward from the outer circumference of the upper end of the fixing portion 2, and whose circumscribed circle diameter D4 is larger than the inner diameter D1 on the fixing portion side of the connecting portion 5 and smaller than the inner diameter DL on the non-fixing portion side. With the suspension spring receiver 1 configured in this way, when the suspension spring receivers 1, 1 are stacked together, the projection 62a only intermittently abuts against the inner circumference of the connecting portion 5, so the contact area between the suspension spring receivers 1, 1 is small, and the sticking of the suspension spring receivers 1, 1 can be further prevented. In addition, since the anti-sticking portion 62 is provided on the fixing portion 2 that does not interfere with the protruding portion 10b of the outer shell 10, assembly of the suspension spring receiver 1 to the outer shell 10 becomes easier.

[0043] Furthermore, the anti-sticking portion 63 of the second modification of the present embodiment projects inward from a portion of the inner circumference of the connecting portion 5 at the same height, and is formed by a convex portion 63a whose inner inscribed circle diameter D5 is smaller than the outer diameter d of the tapered portion side end of the fixing portion 2. According to the suspension spring receiver 1 configured as described above, since the processing for pressing from the outer circumference of the connecting portion 5 may be performed when forming the convex portion 63a, the anti-sticking portion 63 can be formed easily and simply, the suspension spring receiver 1 can be easily manufactured, and the increase in cost due to the processing can be further reduced. In addition, when the suspension spring receivers 1, 1 are stacked, the convex portion 63a only intermittently contacts the inner circumference of the connecting portion 5, so the contact area between the suspension spring receivers 1, 1 is small, and the sticking between the suspension spring receivers 1, 1 can be further prevented.

[0044] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail. However, modifications, variations, and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0045] 1... suspension spring receiver, 2... fixing portion, 3... tapered portion, 4... spring receiving portion, 5... connecting portion, 6, 61, 62, 63... anti-sticking portion, 10... outer shell, 62a... protrusion, 63a... convex portion, C1... circumscribed circle of the protrusion, C2... inscribed circle of the convex portion, D... buffer, d... outer diameter in the fixing portion, D1... inner diameter on the fixing portion side in the connecting portion, DL... inner diameter on the anti-fixing portion side in the connecting portion, D3... maximum outer diameter of the anti-sticking portion, D4... diameter of the circumscribed circle of the protrusion, D5... diameter of the inscribed circle of the convex portion, S... suspension spring

Claims

1. A suspension spring support mounted on the outer circumference of an outer shell of a shock absorber and supporting a suspension spring positioned on the outer circumference of the shock absorber, comprising: a cylindrical fixing portion fitted and fixed to the outer circumference of the outer shell; a tapered portion connected to the end of the fixing portion, the inner diameter of which widens toward the side opposite the fixing portion; an annular spring support portion that supports one end of the suspension spring; and a cylindrical connecting portion, one end of which is connected to the outer circumference of the tapered portion and the other end of which is connected to the inner circumference of the spring support portion, connecting the tapered portion and the spring support portion, wherein the inner diameter of the end on the fixing portion side is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the fixing portion, and the inner diameter of the end on the side opposite the fixing portion is greater than the outer diameter of the fixing portion, A suspension spring receiver comprising a fixing prevention part for preventing the two suspension spring receivers from becoming stuck together when the two suspension spring receivers are stacked by inserting the fixing part of the other suspension spring receiver into the connecting part of the other suspension spring receiver.

2. A suspension spring support according to claim 1, wherein the anti-sticking portion is provided on the fixed portion and is an enlarged diameter portion whose outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the end of the connecting portion on the fixed portion side and smaller than the inner diameter of the end on the non-fixed portion side.

3. A suspension spring support according to claim 1, wherein the anti-sticking portion is a projection that protrudes from the outer circumference of the fixing portion toward the outer circumference, and the diameter of the circumscribed circle is larger than the inner diameter on the fixing portion side of the connecting portion and smaller than the inner diameter on the non-fixing portion side.

4. A suspension spring support according to claim 1, wherein the anti-sticking portion is a convex portion that protrudes from the inner circumference of the connecting portion toward the inner circumference side and whose inscribed circle diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the end of the non-tapered portion side of the fixing portion.

5. A suspension spring support according to claim 2, wherein the enlarged diameter portion is formed by enlarging the diameter of the end opposite the tapered portion of the fixed portion.

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