CN113910846A - Trailer hitch and towing device - Google Patents
Trailer hitch and towing device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN113910846A CN113910846A CN202110626335.4A CN202110626335A CN113910846A CN 113910846 A CN113910846 A CN 113910846A CN 202110626335 A CN202110626335 A CN 202110626335A CN 113910846 A CN113910846 A CN 113910846A
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- China
- Prior art keywords
- width direction
- vehicle width
- vehicle
- support member
- ball joint
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
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- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 49
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 12
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005242 forging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/48—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting
- B60D1/485—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting mounted by means of transversal members attached to the frame of a vehicle
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/24—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions
- B60D1/243—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for protection in case of crash, collision, impact, or the like
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/01—Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
- B60D1/06—Ball-and-socket hitches, e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/48—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices characterised by the mounting
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/20—Floors or bottom sub-units
- B62D25/209—Arrangements for the mounting of vehicle hitches
Abstract
The present invention provides a traction device, comprising: a pair of left and right rear side frames (2) disposed on the left and right sides across a center line (CL1) extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (1) through the center in the vehicle width direction, and extending in the front-rear direction; a rod-shaped member (20) that is attached to the rear end portions of a pair of left and right rear side frames (2) and extends in the vehicle width direction; a support member (30) fixed to the vicinity of the center portion of the rod-shaped member (20) in the vehicle width direction; and an arm member (40) that is supported by the support member (30) and that is provided with a ball joint (44) at an end portion. The arm member (40) is provided such that the ball joint (44) is located at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support member (30).
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a trailer hitch for towing mounted on a rear end portion of a vehicle and a towing device.
Background
As such an apparatus, the following apparatus has been known: a rod-shaped member is disposed between left and right fixing plates attached to rear end surfaces of left and right rear side frames, and a ball joint is supported via a connecting arm extending rearward from the rod-shaped member. Such a device is described in patent document 1, for example. In the device described in patent document 1, a fixed bracket is supported on an upper portion of a front surface of a fixed plate so as to be swingable in a front-rear direction, so that a trailer hitch is swung forward by an impact load at the time of a rear collision.
However, in the device described in patent document 1, the amount of forward movement of the trailer hitch during a rear end collision tends to increase, and there is a possibility that the vehicle may be excessively damaged.
Documents of the prior art
Patent document
Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2015-214202 (JP 2015-214202A).
Disclosure of Invention
A traction device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a pair of left and right rear side frames disposed on left and right sides with a center line extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle through a vehicle width direction center, and extending in the front-rear direction, respectively; a rod-shaped member attached to rear end portions of a pair of right and left rear side frames and extending in a vehicle width direction; a support member fixed to the vicinity of a center portion in the vehicle width direction of the rod-like member; and an arm member supported by the support member and provided with a ball joint at an end portion thereof. The arm member is provided such that the ball joint is located at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support member.
A traction device according to another aspect of the present invention includes: an electric component disposed in a housing section of a rear portion of a vehicle; a support member disposed behind the electrical component; and an arm member supported by the support member and provided with a ball joint at an end portion thereof. The support member is provided at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to a center line extending in the vehicle front-rear direction through the vehicle width direction center, and the arm member is provided at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support member.
A trailer hitch according to still another aspect of the present invention includes: a rod-shaped member attached to rear end portions of a pair of left and right rear side frames extending in a front-rear direction and extending in a vehicle width direction; a support member fixed to the vicinity of a center portion in the vehicle width direction of the rod-like member; and an arm member supported by the support member and provided with a ball joint at an end portion thereof. The arm member is provided such that the ball joint is located at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support member.
Drawings
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention are further clarified by the following description of the embodiments in relation to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a bottom view schematically showing the configuration of a rear portion of a vehicle to which a trailer hitch according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached.
Fig. 2 is a rear view schematically showing the configuration of the rear portion of a vehicle to which a trailer hitch according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached.
Fig. 3 is a side view of a reinforcing member constituting a rod for a jack according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member constituting a jack rod according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the trailer hitch of the embodiment of the present invention viewed obliquely from the rear.
Fig. 6 is a top view of a trailer hitch of an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the vehicle showing an example of the operation at the time of a rear-end collision, and shows a state before the rear-end collision occurs.
Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the vehicle showing an example of the operation at the time of a rear end collision, and shows a state in which a rear end collision is occurring.
Fig. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion of the vehicle showing an example of the operation at the time of a rear end collision, and shows a state after the rear end collision has occurred.
Detailed Description
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 7C. Fig. 1 and 2 are a bottom view (a view from below) and a rear view (a view from behind) schematically showing a structure of a rear portion of a vehicle 1 to which a trailer hitch according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached, respectively. For convenience, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of the vehicle 1 are defined as shown in the drawing, and the configurations of the respective portions will be described according to the definitions. The front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction correspond to the longitudinal direction, the vehicle width direction, and the height direction of the vehicle 1, respectively.
The vehicle 1 is a vehicle (for example, an electric vehicle) having a travel motor as a travel drive source, and has a battery that stores electric power supplied to the travel motor and a control unit that controls the supply of electric power from the battery to the travel motor. It should be noted that the vehicle 1 may be a hybrid vehicle having a travel motor and an engine as travel drive sources or a vehicle having only an engine as a travel drive source.
The vehicle 1 has a vehicle body frame 1a constituting a vehicle body. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, a pair of left and right rear side frames 2 are provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction via a center line CL1 extending in the front-rear direction through the center in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1 at the bottom of the vehicle body frame 1 a. The rear side frame 2 has a hollow substantially rectangular cross section, and the rear end surface thereof is located at the rear end of the vehicle body frame 1 a. The cross members 3 extending in the left-right direction are joined to the bottom surfaces of the left and right rear side frames 2, respectively. The rear side frames 2 and the cross member 3 are each formed of a material having high rigidity, and constitute a framework of the vehicle body frame 1 a.
The chassis 4 is provided between the left and right rear side frames 2 so as to bulge downward from the rear side frames 2. A substantially plate-shaped rear panel 5 is disposed behind the chassis 4. The rear panel 5 extends in the vertical and horizontal directions so as to cover the rear end surfaces of the left and right rear side frames 2.
A substantially box-shaped housing portion 6 surrounded by a case (fig. 7A) is provided inside the chassis 4. The housing portion 6 houses electrical components (electrical components for driving travel) such as a battery for driving the travel motor, a cooling fan, and a control unit. The storage portion 6 is provided behind the rear seat and below a trunk of the rear part of the vehicle, for example. The bottom surface of the housing portion 6 is positioned above the cross member 3 (fig. 7A), the left and right side surfaces are positioned inward to the left and right of the rear side frame 2, and the rear surface is positioned forward of the rear end surface of the rear side frame 2 and rearward of the cross member 3.
A reinforcing member 7 configured as a jack rod to which a jack is to be brought into contact is provided along a center line CL1 on the bottom surface of the chassis 4. Fig. 3 and 4 are a side view and a perspective view, respectively, showing the structure of the reinforcing member 7. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the reinforcing member 7 is a band-shaped plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction with a predetermined width in the left-right direction. A plurality of ribs having an uneven shape are provided to extend in the front-rear direction on the reinforcing member 7. The front end portion of the reinforcing member 7 and the left-right direction center portion of the cross member 3 are joined by welding or the like, and the rear end portion is bent upward. The upper surface of the reinforcement member 7 and the front surface of the rear end portion of the reinforcement member 7 are joined to the bottom surface of the chassis 4 and the rear surface of the rear panel 5 by welding or the like.
As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the reinforcing member 7 has a bracket 8 extending in the front-rear direction along a center line CL1 at a rear end portion thereof. The bracket 8 is formed in a curved shape in which the rod-like member is curved in a convex shape downward, and a front end portion of the bracket 8 is joined to a bottom surface of the reinforcing member 7 and a rear end portion thereof is joined to a lower end portion of a rear surface of the reinforcing member 7. The bottom of the bracket 8 constitutes a lifting point when the vehicle 1 is lifted by a jack.
As shown in fig. 4, a reinforcement 9 for reinforcement is provided on the upper surface of the cross member 3 in the left-right direction so as to intersect with the center line CL 1. This increases the thickness of the cross member 3, and improves the rigidity of the cross member 3. Therefore, when the impact load F acts on the rear end portion of the reinforcing member 7 in the forward direction as shown in fig. 3, the forward displacement of the front end portion of the reinforcing member 7 can be suppressed.
As shown in fig. 3, a recess 7a is provided over the entire length in the left-right direction on the bottom surface of the central portion in the front-rear direction of the reinforcing member 7. The recessed portion 7a functions as a weak portion of the reinforcing member 7. Since the front end portion of the reinforcing member 7 is restrained by the cross member 3, when an impact load F (compressive load) acts on the rear end portion of the reinforcing member 7 in the forward direction, the reinforcing member 7 bends, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in fig. 3, and bends upward (in the direction of arrow a) with the front end portion as a fulcrum, deforming into a substantially L-shape.
As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the trailer hitch 100 is detachably attached to the rear end surfaces of the left and right rear side frames 2. The trailer hitch 100 is a coupling device, also referred to as a coupler, provided for the vehicle 1 to tow a trailer or the like. The trailer hitch 100 and the rear side frame 2 and the like together constitute the towing apparatus of the present embodiment. The following describes the structure of the trailer hitch 100.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the entire configuration of the trailer hitch 100 when the trailer hitch 100 is viewed obliquely from the rear. As shown in fig. 5, the trailer hitch 100 includes a pair of left and right mounting portions 10 mounted on the rear end surfaces of the rear side frames 2, a connecting rod 20 having both end portions connected to the left and right mounting portions 10 and extending in the left-right direction, a support bracket 30 provided at a position slightly shifted to the right (by a predetermined length to the right) from the left-right direction center portion of the connecting rod 20, and a connecting arm 40 supported by the support bracket 30.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the trailer hitch 100 viewed from above. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the mounting portion 10 includes a mounting plate 11 that is substantially rectangular in rear view and extends in the vertical direction so as to face the rear end surface of the rear side frame 2, a front plate 12 that is joined to the vertical center portion of the front surface of the mounting plate 11 and extends in the horizontal direction and is substantially rectangular in plan view, and a rear plate 13 that is joined to the rear surface of the mounting plate 11 and extends in the vertical direction and is substantially rectangular in side view. The mounting portion 10 further includes a reinforcing orthogonal plate 14 orthogonally joined to the front surface of the mounting plate 11 and the upper surface of the front plate 12, and a reinforcing orthogonal plate 15 orthogonally joined to the rear surface of the mounting plate 11 and the right and left outer side surfaces of the rear plate 13. As shown in fig. 5, the orthogonal plate 15 extends on the same horizontal plane as the front plate 12. As shown in fig. 6, the orthogonal plate 14 extends on the same vertical plane as the rear plate 13.
The bolts 11a are inserted forward through the through holes into the mounting plate 11. The bolts 11a are screwed into screw holes, not shown, provided in the rear end portions of the rear side frames 2, and the mounting plates 11 are thereby fixed to the rear side frames 2. Screw holes to which the bolts 11a are screwed can be provided in the rear panel 5 fixed to the rear side frame 2. The mounting plate 11 can also be fixed to the rear side frame 2 via the rear panel 5 by screwing a nut to the bolt 11a penetrating the rear panel 5.
In a state where the mounting plate 11 is attached to the rear side frame 2, the front plate 12 is inserted into the rear side frame 2 from an opening of a rear end surface of the rear side frame 2. A nut is welded to the upper surface of the front plate 12, and a bolt penetrating the bottom wall of the rear side frame 2 is screwed to the nut. The mounting portion 10 is thereby firmly fixed to both the bottom surface and the rear surface of the rear side frame 2. In fig. 5, the plate 12a is disposed facing the bottom wall of the rear side frame 2, and the mounting portion 10 is fixed between the front plate 12 and the plate 12a with the bottom wall of the rear side frame 2 interposed therebetween.
The connecting rod 20 includes a pair of right and left inclined portions 21 located on the right and left outer sides and extending obliquely rearward from the right and left outer sides to the inner side, and a horizontal portion 22 located at the right and left center and extending continuously to the inclined portions 21 and extending in the right and left direction. Flange portions 23 having the same shape as the rear plate 13 are provided at both left and right end portions of the connecting rod 20. A plurality of through holes are formed in the rear plate 13 and the flange portion 23, respectively, and the flange portion 23 is fastened to the rear plate 13 by screwing bolts 23a and nuts 23b that penetrate the through holes.
The support bracket 30 is formed of a pair of left and right plates 31 extending in the vertical direction. As shown in fig. 5, a concave portion 31a corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the lower surface of horizontal portion 22 of connecting rod 20 is formed at the upper end portion of plate 31, and support plate 31 is joined to connecting rod 20 by welding in a state where concave portion 31a is fitted to horizontal portion 22. The left and right plates 31 are bent obliquely inward in the left-right direction by the bent portions 31b, and the interval between the left and right plates 31 becomes narrower downward.
Surfaces (vertical surfaces) of the plates 31 extending in the vertical direction at the lower end portions of the left and right plates 31 extend in parallel with each other, and extend obliquely with respect to the center line CL1, respectively. Specifically, as shown in fig. 6, a center line CL2 passing through the center of the vertical surface of the lower end portions of the left and right plates 31 is inclined by a predetermined correction θ (for example, about 5 ° to 10 °) with respect to a center line CL1 in the front-rear direction.
A connecting arm 40 is disposed between the vertical surfaces of the left and right plates 31. The connecting arm 40 is a substantially cylindrical rod-shaped member extending along the center line CL2, and is formed by casting, forging, or the like. More specifically, the connecting arm 40 includes a horizontal portion 41 extending in the horizontal direction, an inclined portion 42 extending obliquely upward from a rear end portion of the horizontal portion 41, and a vertical portion 43 extending upward from a rear end portion of the inclined portion 42. A substantially spherical ball joint 44 is provided integrally with the connecting arm 40 at the upper end of the vertical portion 43.
The horizontal portion 41 has flat left and right side surfaces, and the flat surfaces are disposed in contact with vertical surfaces of the left and right plates 31. A pair of front and rear through holes are formed in the lower end portions of the left and right plates 31 and the inner horizontal portions 41 thereof, respectively, in a direction orthogonal to the center line CL 2. The bolt 45a is inserted through these through holes from the right, and the distal end portion of the bolt 45a is screwed to the nut 45b, whereby the coupling arm 40 is fixed to the support bracket 30. In a state where the trailer hitch 100 is mounted on the vehicle 1, as shown in fig. 6, the center of the ball joint 44 is located on the center line CL1 of the vehicle 1, and the center of the support bracket 30 is located rightward from the center line CL 1.
The operation of the trailer hitch 100 configured as described above when an impact is applied to the rear portion of the vehicle 1 due to a rear-end collision will be described. Fig. 7A to 7C are cross-sectional views of the rear portion of the vehicle 1, respectively, showing an example of the operation at the time of a rear-end collision. In particular, fig. 7A is a diagram showing a state before a rear collision occurs, fig. 7B is a state in which a rear collision is occurring, and fig. 7C is a state after a rear collision occurs.
As shown in fig. 7A, a case 60 forming the housing portion 6 is disposed above the cross member 3. The case 60 accommodates electrical components 61 such as a battery, a cooling fan, and a control unit. As shown in fig. 7B, at the time of a rear collision, a load F that first acts in the forward direction is input to the rear end portion of the connecting arm 40 that protrudes rearward from the rear panel 5. The link arm 40 is inclined with respect to the center line CL 1. Therefore, the load F can be prevented from being directly transmitted to the reinforcing member 7 via the highly rigid coupling arm 40. The load F acts on the coupling arm 40 as a bending load in the direction of the arrow a in fig. 1 with the support bracket 30 as a fulcrum. In this way, in the initial state of a rear-end collision, the connecting arm 40 is deformed to be deflected with the support bracket 30 as a fulcrum, and the impact at the time of the rear-end collision is absorbed.
When the connecting arm 40 deforms, a load pushing forward acts on the support bracket 30. As the forward load increases, the coupling arm 40 moves forward, and the support bracket 30 pushes forward. Alternatively, when the connecting arm 40 moves, the bolt 45a that fixes the connecting arm 40 to the support bracket 30 is broken, and the direct load is transmitted while absorbing the impact load, so that the support bracket 30 is pushed forward. In either case, when the forward load is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the left-right direction central portion of the connecting rod 20 is pushed forward, and the left-right direction central portion is bent forward while both left and right end portions of the connecting rod 20 are restricted by the rear side frame 2. Thereby, a compressive load acts on the reinforcing member 7 whose tip end portion is regulated. As a result, as shown in fig. 7B, the chassis 4 is crushed, and the reinforcing member 7 is bent and deformed into a mountain fold shape by the concave portion 7 a.
The deformation amount of the reinforcing member 7 gradually increases with an increase in the load F. In fig. 7C, the support bracket 30 is pushed forward to the maximum extent, and in this state, the reinforcing member 7 is bent almost completely, contacting the rear end portion of the housing 60 of the housing 6. At this time, the cross member 3 to which the reinforcing member 7 is fixed is deformed by the load F, but the front end portion of the reinforcing member 7 is restricted by the cross member 3, and therefore, the reinforcing member 7 is deformed into a mountain fold shape at the same time. Therefore, the reinforcing member 7 does not intrude into the case 60 and contact the electric component 61, and the electric component 61 is protected. This prevents the electric component 61 from moving from the inside to the outside of the housing portion 6, and reduces damage to the vehicle 1 during a rear-end collision.
The present embodiment can provide the following effects.
(1) The traction device of the present embodiment includes: a pair of left and right rear side frames 2 disposed on the left and right sides with a center line CL1 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1 through the vehicle width direction center interposed therebetween and extending in the front-rear direction, respectively; a connecting rod 20 attached to rear end portions of the pair of left and right rear side frames 2 and extending in the vehicle width direction; a support bracket 30 fixed near the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the connecting rod 20; and a coupling arm 40 supported by the support bracket 30 and provided with a ball joint 44 (fig. 1, 2, and 5) at a rear end portion thereof. The connecting arm 40 is provided such that the ball joint 44 is located at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support bracket 30 (fig. 1 and 6). More specifically, the connecting arm 40 extends obliquely with respect to the center line CL 1.
Thus, in the initial state of a rear collision, the coupling arm 40 is deformed to be deformed forward about the support bracket 30 as a fulcrum by a bending load acting on the rear end portion of the coupling arm 40. The deformation of the connecting arm 40 can absorb the impact at the time of a rear-end collision, and can suppress damage to the rear portion of the vehicle 1 due to the forward displacement of the support bracket 30. As a result, the electric components 61 of the housing 6 disposed at the rear of the vehicle can be protected well, and damage to the rear of the vehicle can be reduced.
(2) The attachment arm 40 is configured such that the ball joint 44 is located on the centerline CL1 (fig. 6). Thus, the vehicle 1 can stably pull an object such as a trailer by the trailer hitch 100.
(3) The traction device further includes a jack reinforcing member 7, which extends in the front-rear direction along the center line CL1, is attached to the bottom surface of the rear end portion of the vehicle 1, and forms a lifting point (fig. 1). The reinforcing member 7 has a weak portion at a central portion in the front-rear direction thereof so as to be bent in a mountain fold shape by a compressive load acting in the front-rear direction (fig. 3). More specifically, the weak portion is formed of a recessed portion 7a (fig. 3) extending in the vehicle width direction on the bottom surface of the reinforcing member 7. As a result, when an impact load at the time of a rear collision acts on the reinforcing member 7 via the support bracket 30, the reinforcing member 7 is deformed into a mountain fold shape. Therefore, the deformation of the reinforcing member 7 can suppress damage to the electric components 61 of the housing 6.
(4) The traction apparatus further includes a cross member 3, and the cross member 3 is bridged between the pair of left and right rear side frames 2 and is coupled to the front end portion of the reinforcing member 7 (fig. 1). This restricts the position of the front end portion of the reinforcement member 7, and therefore, the reinforcement member 7 can be prevented from moving forward in a rear-end collision, and excessive damage to the vehicle 1 can be prevented.
(5) The cross member 3 has a reinforcement 9 (fig. 4) mounted along the upper surface of the cross member 3, extending in the left-right direction. This improves the rigidity of the cross member 3, and can satisfactorily suppress the movement of the front end portion of the reinforcement member 7 in the event of a rear collision.
(6) The vehicle 1 includes a travel motor, and an electric component 61 (fig. 7A) for driving the travel motor is disposed above the cross member 3. In an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, an expensive electric component 61 may be disposed above the cross member 3 as in the present embodiment, but in such a case, damage to the electric component 61 can be favorably suppressed.
(7) The trailer hitch 100 includes: a connecting rod 20 attached to rear end portions of a pair of left and right rear side frames 2 extending in the front-rear direction and extending in the vehicle width direction; a support bracket 30 fixed to a vehicle width direction center portion of the connecting rod 20; and a connecting arm 40 supported by the support bracket 30 and provided with a ball joint 44 at an end thereof (fig. 1, 2, and 5). The connecting arm 40 is provided such that the ball joint 44 is located at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support bracket 30 (fig. 6). Thus, when the trailer hitch 100 is detachably attached to the rear end portion of the vehicle 1, damage to the vehicle 1 can be suppressed by deformation of the trailer hitch 100 during a rear-end collision.
The present embodiment can be modified into various modes. Several modifications will be described below. In the above embodiment, the trailer hitch 100 is detachably mounted to the rear end surface of the rear side frame 2 by the mounting portion 10, but the trailer hitch 100 may be fixedly provided to the rear end surface of the rear side frame 2. In this case, the connecting rod 20 as a rod-like member may be fixed to the rear end surface of the rear side frame 2 without passing through the mounting portion 10. In the above embodiment, the inclined portion 21 and the horizontal portion 22 are provided in the connecting rod 20, but the rod-shaped member may have any configuration as long as it is attached to the rear end portion of the rear side frame 2 so as to extend in the vehicle width direction.
In the above embodiment, the support bracket 30 is constituted by the pair of left and right plates 31 fixed to the center portion in the left-right direction of the connecting rod 20, but the constitution of the support member is not limited to this. In the above embodiment, the connecting arm 40 is provided to extend obliquely to the center line CL 1. In other words, the connecting arm 40 is provided such that the center line CL2 is linear in a plan view, but the connecting arm 40 as an arm member may be provided such that it is nonlinear (e.g., curved) in a plan view. That is, the configuration of the arm member is not limited to the above as long as the ball joint 44 is provided at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support bracket 30 (support member).
In the above embodiment, the reinforcing member 7 is provided on the bottom surface of the chassis 4 so as to extend in the front-rear direction along the center line CL1, and the recessed portion 7a extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the bottom surface of the reinforcing member 7. That is, the reinforcing member for a jack may have any configuration as long as the reinforcing member has a weakened portion provided at the center portion in the front-rear direction of the reinforcing member so as to be bent in a mountain fold shape by a compressive load acting in the front-rear direction. The weak portion may be formed by a notch, an opening, or the like instead of the recess.
In the above embodiment, the coupling arm 40 is configured to be fixed, but may be configured to be other than fixed. The coupling arm may be detachably attached to the housing by using a lock pin or the like. In the case where the trailer hitch is not used, a foldable coupling arm that accommodates the coupling arm on the front vehicle body side, such as a hinge, may be used.
In the above embodiment, the reinforcing member 9 for reinforcement is provided on the upper surface of the cross member 3 in the left-right direction, but the structure of the cross member reinforcing member is not limited to the above. In the above embodiment, the electric components 61 for driving the travel motor, that is, the power supply unit such as the battery or the control unit for supplying electric power to the travel motor, is disposed above the cross member 3 coupled to the front end portion of the reinforcing member 7 by the housing portion 6.
One or more of the above embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily combined, or modifications may be combined with each other.
The invention can restrain the vehicle from being damaged too much in the rear collision.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure of the following claims.
Claims (10)
1. A traction device is characterized by comprising:
a pair of left and right rear side frames (2) disposed on the left and right sides across a center line (CL1) extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (1) through the center in the vehicle width direction, and extending in the front-rear direction;
a rod-shaped member (20) that is attached to the rear end portions of the pair of left and right rear side frames (2) and extends in the vehicle width direction;
a support member (30) fixed near the center portion in the vehicle width direction of the rod-like member (20), an
An arm member (40) supported by the support member (30) and provided with a ball joint (44) at an end portion thereof,
the arm member (40) is provided such that the ball joint (44) is located at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support member (30).
2. A traction device is characterized by comprising:
an electric component (61) disposed in a storage section (6) at the rear of the vehicle;
a support member (30) disposed behind the electrical component (61); and
an arm member (40) supported by the support member (30) and provided with a ball joint (44) at an end portion thereof,
the support member (30) is provided at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to a center line (CL1) extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (1) through the vehicle width direction center,
the arm member (40) is provided such that the ball joint (44) is located at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support member (30).
3. Traction means according to claim 1 or 2,
the arm member (40) extends obliquely with respect to the center line (CL 1).
4. Traction means according to claim 1 or 2,
the arm member (40) is arranged such that the ball joint (44) is located on the centerline (CL 1).
5. The traction device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
a jack reinforcing member (7) which is provided so as to extend in the front-rear direction along the center line (CL1), is attached to the bottom surface of the rear end portion of the vehicle (1), and forms a lifting point,
the reinforcing member (7) for a jack has a weakened portion (7a) bent in a mountain fold shape by a compressive load acting in the front-rear direction at the front-rear direction center portion thereof.
6. The towing attachment in accordance with claim 5,
the weak portion (7a) is formed of a recessed portion (7a) extending in the vehicle width direction on the bottom surface of the jack reinforcing member (7).
7. The traction device according to claim 5, further comprising: and a cross member (3) that is erected in the vehicle width direction and that is joined to the front end of the jack reinforcing member (7).
8. The towing attachment in accordance with claim 7,
the cross member (3) has a cross member reinforcing member (9), and the cross member reinforcing member (9) is attached along the upper surface of the cross member (3) and extends in the vehicle width direction.
9. The towing attachment in accordance with claim 7,
the vehicle (1) has a travel motor,
an electric power supply unit (61) for driving the travel motor is disposed above the cross member (3).
10. A trailer hitch device is provided with:
a rod-shaped member (20) which is attached to the rear end portions of a pair of left and right rear side frames (2) extending in the front-rear direction and extends in the vehicle width direction;
a support member (30) fixed to the vicinity of the center portion of the rod-shaped member (20) in the vehicle width direction; and
an arm member (40) supported by the support member (30) and provided with a ball joint (44) at an end portion thereof,
the arm member (40) is provided such that the ball joint (44) is located at a position offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support member (30).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2020-116873 | 2020-07-07 | ||
| JP2020116873A JP7369099B2 (en) | 2020-07-07 | 2020-07-07 | Trailer hitches and towing devices |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN113910846A true CN113910846A (en) | 2022-01-11 |
Family
ID=79232802
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202110626335.4A Pending CN113910846A (en) | 2020-07-07 | 2021-06-04 | Trailer hitch and towing device |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP7369099B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN113910846A (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20060049613A1 (en) * | 1999-11-01 | 2006-03-09 | Marvin L Hanson | Multi-fit hitch assembly with selectively positionable mounting flanges |
| US20080279619A1 (en) * | 2007-05-08 | 2008-11-13 | Buddy Miller | Trailer hitch safety device |
| US20110101647A1 (en) * | 2009-11-02 | 2011-05-05 | Williams Jr Thomas M | Towing Apparatus for Vehicles |
| US20120112433A1 (en) * | 2010-11-04 | 2012-05-10 | Williams Jr Thomas M | Adjustable Towing Apparatus for Vehicles |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000142485A (en) | 1998-11-13 | 2000-05-23 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Jack-up point stiffener for automobile |
| JP4099897B2 (en) | 1999-05-06 | 2008-06-11 | 日産自動車株式会社 | Tow hook structure |
| JP2004034773A (en) | 2002-07-01 | 2004-02-05 | Taku Fujishiro | Motorcycle towing appliance |
| JP5095438B2 (en) | 2008-02-14 | 2012-12-12 | 富士重工業株式会社 | Car body rear structure with trailer hitch |
| US20100213687A1 (en) | 2009-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | Patrick Kermit Mcdaniel | Trailer hitch assembly |
| JP5965428B2 (en) | 2014-05-08 | 2016-08-03 | 富士重工業株式会社 | Trailer hitch structure |
| JP2017100692A (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2017-06-08 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Vehicle article support structure |
-
2020
- 2020-07-07 JP JP2020116873A patent/JP7369099B2/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-06-04 CN CN202110626335.4A patent/CN113910846A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20060049613A1 (en) * | 1999-11-01 | 2006-03-09 | Marvin L Hanson | Multi-fit hitch assembly with selectively positionable mounting flanges |
| US20080279619A1 (en) * | 2007-05-08 | 2008-11-13 | Buddy Miller | Trailer hitch safety device |
| US20110101647A1 (en) * | 2009-11-02 | 2011-05-05 | Williams Jr Thomas M | Towing Apparatus for Vehicles |
| US20120112433A1 (en) * | 2010-11-04 | 2012-05-10 | Williams Jr Thomas M | Adjustable Towing Apparatus for Vehicles |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2022014526A (en) | 2022-01-20 |
| JP7369099B2 (en) | 2023-10-25 |
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