JP2001114127A - Steering knuckle structure for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering knuckle structure for an automobile in order to acquire the rigidity and lightweight. SOLUTION: In a steering knuckle 10, which is formed with a knuckle body 11 supporting a wheel rotatably through a bearing, a strut mounting arm 12 projecting upward from the knuckle body while being connected to an end of a strut, and a lower arm mounting arm 14 projecting downward from the knuckle body 11 while being connected to the top of a lower arm through a king pin together, a hollow part 20 is provided to open in the extending direction of the strut mounting arm 12 on the middle in longitudinal direction of a surface 12A of the strut mounting arm 12 on the outer side of an automobile body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steering knuckle structure for an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A front suspension of an automobile is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 11-208501, and as shown in FIG. 5, a front end of a lower arm 1 whose base end is swingably connected to a lower portion of a vehicle body. The steering knuckle 10 is formed by the lower end of the strut 2 whose upper end is connected to the vehicle body.
Are rotatably supported about a kingpin axis, and the wheel 3 is rotatably supported by a steering knuckle 10 via a bearing (not shown).

[0003] The steering knuckle 10 is configured to turn around a kingpin shaft and turn in conjunction with the operation of a steering wheel via a tie rod 4 of a steering device.

As shown in a perspective view in FIG. 6, the steering knuckle 10 includes a knuckle body 11 having a bearing box storage portion 11a for rotatably supporting the axle of the wheel 3 via bearings. A strut mounting arm 12 that projects upward and curves inwardly to the vehicle body and has an upper end to which the lower end of the strut 2 is connected, and a tie rod 4 that projects forward from the knuckle body 11 and has a distal end via a pivot (not shown). A knuckle arm 13 to which the distal end is connected, a lower arm mounting arm 14 projecting downward from the knuckle body 11 and coupled to the distal end of the lower arm 1 via a kingpin, and a strut mounting arm 1
2 and a brake caliper mounting arm 15 that protrudes rearward and mounts a brake caliper (not shown).

[0005]

The steering knuckle 10 thus configured supports the vehicle body through a connecting member such as the strut 2 and the like, and receives a repeated impact load from the wheels 3 as the vehicle travels. Therefore, in general, they are integrally formed by casting which has high rigidity and excellent mass productivity.

However, the steering knuckle 10, which is integrally formed by casting, has a large weight, which affects running performance, steering operability, and the like, and there is a concern that fuel consumption may be reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a steering knuckle structure for an automobile, which secures rigidity and reduces weight.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering knuckle structure for an automobile, wherein the wheel is rotatably connected to the other end of a connecting member having one end connected to a vehicle body. In the supporting steering knuckle, the steering knuckle is formed integrally with a knuckle main body that rotatably supports a wheel via a bearing, and an arm that projects from the knuckle main body and is coupled to the connecting member. A hollow portion that opens along the direction in which the arm extends is recessed at a substantially middle portion in the width direction of the arm on a surface of the arm that faces the vehicle body width direction.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the lightening of the steering knuckle can be achieved by forming the hollow portion at the widthwise intermediate portion of the arm formed on the steering knuckle, and the alongside the hollow portion. Thickness is secured on both sides to secure the rigidity of the arm, and a lightweight and excellent steering knuckle with rigidity is obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the steering knuckle structure for an automobile according to the first aspect, further comprising a connecting portion bridged between the opposed first and second portions of the opening of the lightening portion. It is characterized by having.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the opposed first and second portions of the lightening portion are connected by the connecting portion, so that the first and second portions of the lightening portion come into contact with and separate from each other. ,
The so-called opening deformation and torsional deformation are prevented, and the rigidity of the arm is further secured.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the steering knuckle structure for an automobile according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a flange portion continuously projecting along the opening of the lightening portion. The steering knuckle structure for an automobile according to claim 1 or 2.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the flange portion is formed so as to protrude continuously along the opening of the lightening portion, the rigidity around the opening is improved and the rigidity of the steering knuckle is secured. You.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the steering knuckle structure for an automobile according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a water drain hole is formed from the lower end of the hollow portion to the vicinity of the lower end of the arm or the outer surface of the knuckle body. It is characterized by having been done.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, water droplets, dust, and the like that have entered the hollow portion formed in the arm are discharged to the outside through the drain hole, and rusting of the hollow portion is avoided or suppressed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steering knuckle structure for an automobile, wherein a lower arm having a base end swingably connected to a vehicle body and a strut having an upper end connected to a vehicle body are wheels. A steering knuckle rotatably supporting the steering knuckle, a knuckle body rotatably supporting a wheel via a bearing, a strut mounting arm projecting upward from the knuckle body and coupled to a lower end of the strut,
A lower arm mounting arm projecting downward from the knuckle body and coupled to a distal end of the lower arm via a kingpin is integrally formed, and the strut mounting arm is attached to a strut mounting arm at an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the vehicle outer surface of the strut mounting arm. It is characterized in that a hollow portion that opens along the direction in which the arm extends is recessed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the weight of the steering knuckle can be reduced by forming a hollow portion along the extending direction of the strut mounting arm on the outer surface of the vehicle body of the strut mounting arm formed on the steering knuckle. As a result, the thickness of the front side portion and the rear side portion of the lightening portion in the vehicle width direction is ensured, and the rigidity of the strut mounting arm is ensured because it is formed along the extending direction of the strut mounting arm. As a result, a steering knuckle that is lightweight and has excellent rigidity and strength can be obtained.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a steering knuckle structure for an automobile according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. For the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to FIG. 5 in FIG. 1 to omit detailed description of the portions, and different portions will be mainly described.

A strut mounting arm 12 that projects upward from the knuckle body 11 of the steering knuckle 10 and that is curved inwardly of the vehicle body supports the vehicle body via the strut, and repeatedly travels from the road surface as the vehicle travels. Since an impact load is input, it is relatively thick and has a substantially rectangular cross section.

A coupling hole 12 for coupling with a lower end of the strut is provided at an intermediate portion and near an upper end of the strut mounting arm 12.
a is formed so as to penetrate in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and a hollow portion 20 opening in a front-rear direction intermediate portion of the strut mounting arm 12 at a substantially middle portion in the width direction of the strut mounting arm 12 on the outer surface 12A of the vehicle body. Has been established.

The lightening portion 20 includes the bearing box 11
a from the vicinity of the knuckle body 11 where the
2a is formed along the extending direction of the strut mounting arm 12 to an intermediate position, and the bottom portion 21 of the lightening portion 20 is curved inward as it moves upward from the lower end 20b,
The upper end 20c of the lightening portion 10 is opened on the inner side surface of the knuckle mounting arm 12 between the coupling holes 12a.

Further, the lower end of the lightening portion 20 descends as it moves forward from the lower end 20b of the bottom portion 21, that is, the front end of the knuckle body 11 or the lower end of the strut mounting arm 12 inclines so as to fall forward. A water draining hole 20d is formed in the front surface of the device.

According to the steering knuckle 10 formed as described above, the weight is reduced by the hollow portion 20 formed in the strut mounting arm 12, while the front portion 12 of the hollow portion 20 of the strut mounting arm 12 is reduced.
Since the thickness in the vehicle body width direction of B and the rear portion 12C is formed substantially over the entire length along the direction in which the strut mounting arm 12 extends, sufficient rigidity is ensured. As a result, the strut mounting arm 12 is attached to the upper end of the strut mounting arm 12 via the strut or the strut mounting arm 12 via the knuckle body 11.
Sufficient rigidity is secured against a vertical load from the wheel acting from the lower end and a lateral force during turning, that is, a bending force due to a load from the axle direction and a torsion due to the resultant force.

Similarly, sufficient rigidity is secured against twisting of the strut mounting arm 12 during steering. Further, from the lower end of the lightening portion 20 to the vicinity of the lower end of the strut mounting arm 12 to the outer surface of the knuckle body 11 Water droplets, dust, etc., which have entered the recessed lightening portion 20 are discharged to the outside by the water draining hole 20d drilled in communication with the hole, and rusting of the lightening portion 20 is avoided or suppressed. . (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. For convenience of description, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to those in FIG. 1 to omit a detailed description of the portions, and different portions will be mainly described.

In this embodiment, the strut mounting arm 1
In the vicinity of the opening of the lightening portion 20 recessed in 2,
The front portion 12B and the rear portion 12C are integrally connected by a connecting portion 24 provided in a bridge shape between the front edge portion 22 and the rear edge portion 23 facing each other.

According to the present embodiment, the front portion 12B and the rear portion 12C are integrally connected by the connecting portion 24, and the front edge portion 22 and the rear edge portion 23 of the lightening portion 20 when an external force is applied. Are prevented from being deformed toward and away from each other, that is, so-called opening deformation and twisting deformation, and the rigidity of the strut mounting arm 12 is further improved in addition to the first embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 showing a cross section taken along line II of FIG. Note that, for convenience of description, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to those in FIG. 2 to omit detailed description of the portions,
The different parts will be mainly described.

The present embodiment is characterized in that a flange portion 25 continuously projecting along the opening of the lightening portion 20 is formed.

According to the present embodiment, since the flange portion 25 is formed along the inner periphery of the opening of the lightening portion 20, the rigidity around the lightening portion 20 is further increased in addition to the second embodiment. As a result, the rigidity of the strut mounting arm 12 increases, and the rigidity of the steering knuckle is further secured.

The flange portion 25 may be formed continuously over the entire periphery of the opening of the lightening portion 20, or may be formed only on the main portion without being continuous over the entire periphery of the opening based on required rigidity. it can. Further, it is possible to simplify the structure by omitting the connecting portion 24 on demand.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, such as the shape of the lightening portion 20 and the arrangement of a plurality of connecting portions 24, and can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0033]

According to the above-described steering knuckle structure for an automobile according to the present invention, the hollow portion is recessed at the intermediate portion in the width direction of the arm, so that the weight of the steering knuckle can be reduced and the hollow portion is reduced. The thickness of both sides of the arm is sufficiently ensured, the rigidity of the arm is secured, and a lightweight steering knuckle with excellent rigidity can be obtained.

Further, the first portion and the second
The portions are connected by the connecting portion or a flange portion continuously projecting along the opening of the lightening portion is formed, so that the rigidity of the arm and, consequently, the entire steering knuckle can be increased.

Further, by forming a drain hole communicating from the lower end of the lightening portion to the lower end of the arm or the outer surface of the knuckle body, water droplets, dust and the like that have entered the lightening portion are discharged to the outside from the water draining hole. Thus, rusting of the lightening portion is avoided or suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first view of a steering knuckle structure according to the present invention.
It is a perspective view of a steering knuckle which shows the outline of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a second view of the steering knuckle structure according to the present invention;
It is a perspective view of a steering knuckle which shows the outline of an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a third view of the steering knuckle structure according to the present invention;
It is a perspective view of a steering knuckle which shows the outline of an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 explains an outline of a conventional steering knuckle.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an outline of a conventional steering knuckle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Steering knuckle 11 Knuckle main body 11a Bearing box 12 Strut mounting arm (arm) 12A Vehicle outer surface 12B Front part (first part) 12C Rear part (second part) 14 Lower arm mounting arm 20 Lightening part 20b Lower end 20c Upper end 20d Drain hole 21 Bottom 22 Front edge 23 Rear edge 24 Connection 25 Flange

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A steering knuckle coupled to the other end of a connecting member having one end coupled to a vehicle body and rotatably supporting a wheel, wherein the steering knuckle supports a wheel rotatably via a bearing. And an arm protruding from the knuckle body and coupled to the connecting member is integrally formed, and the arm extends substantially at a middle portion in the width direction of the arm on a surface of the arm facing the vehicle width direction. A steering knuckle structure for an automobile, wherein a lightening portion that opens in a direction is recessed. 2. The steering knuckle structure for an automobile according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting portion that is bridged between a first portion and a second portion of the opening of the lightening portion that face each other. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flange portion continuously projecting along an opening of the lightening portion.
Or a steering knuckle structure for an automobile according to 2. 4. A steering knuckle structure for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein a drain hole is formed from the lower end of the hollow portion to communicate with the vicinity of the lower end of the arm or the outer surface of the knuckle body. . 5. A steering knuckle having a lower end pivotally coupled to a vehicle body and a strut having an upper end coupled to a vehicle body to rotatably support a wheel, wherein the steering knuckle includes a bearing. A knuckle body that rotatably supports the wheels, a strut mounting arm that projects upward from the knuckle body and is connected to the lower end of the strut, and a lower arm that projects downward from the knuckle body and is connected to the tip of the lower arm via a kingpin The strut mounting arm is integrally formed with the strut mounting arm, and a hollow portion that opens along the extending direction of the strut mounting arm is recessed at an intermediate portion of the strut mounting arm in the front-rear direction on the vehicle outer surface. A steering knuckle structure for an automobile.