JP2001260625A - Stabilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid rapid attitude change during turning of a vehicle without sacrificing a suspension stroke of the vehicle. SOLUTION: A viscous coupling 30 is interposed between torsion bars 22, 23 divided into two parts, namely right and left parts. A switchable clutch mechanism 40 is interposed between an outer rotor 32 of the viscous coupling 30 and the right torsion bar 23 interlocking an inner rotor 31. In a connection state of the clutch mechanism 40, torsions of the torsion bars 22, 23 suppress rolling during turning of the vehicle. In a disconnection state of the clutch mechanism 40, sufficient suspension stroke during extremely low speed running such as off load running is secured, and rolling or rolling return is moderated at turning of the vehicle during medium or high speed running such as on load running.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stabilizer having torsion bars connected at both ends to left and right suspension arms of a vehicle to suppress rolling during turning of the vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, even in a cross-country 4WD vehicle or the like, it is possible to suppress rolling during turning of a vehicle during on-road driving and obtain good steering stability without increasing the spring constant of a suspension spring and the damping force of a damper. Some vehicles have a stabilizer consisting of a torsion bar between the left and right suspension arms.

[0003] In such a vehicle, an attempt to obtain a high stabilizer effect during on-road running results in a shortage of suspension stroke in off-road running such as cross-country driving. For this reason, a high effect cannot be given to the stabilizer.

In order to achieve both a high stabilizer effect during on-road running and a suspension stroke during off-road running, there are vehicles capable of controlling the stabilizer function on / off. The ON / OFF control of the stabilizer function is arbitrarily performed by the driver.

[0005]

However, even in a vehicle in which the stabilizer function can be turned on / off as described above, it is possible for the vehicle to run on road with the stabilizer function turned off due to a driver's operation error or the like. There is. In consideration of such a situation, it is necessary to increase the spring constant of the suspension spring and the damping force of the damper.

That is, assuming that the stabilizer function is turned on during on-road running, a soft suspension setting in which the spring constant of the suspension spring and the damping force of the damper are reduced is applied to achieve the off-road running. Suspension stroke can be secured. However, in such a suspension setting, when the vehicle travels on road with the stabilizer function in the off state, rolling and rolling back when turning the vehicle occur rapidly. Therefore, assuming that the on-road running is performed with the stabilizer function turned off, the suspension setting cannot be set so that the spring constant of the suspension spring and the damping force of the damper are reduced.
The spring constant and damping force need to be increased accordingly.
As a result, it is difficult to secure a suspension stroke during off-road driving.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer capable of avoiding a sudden change in attitude during turning of a vehicle without sacrificing the suspension stroke of the vehicle, for example, when the stabilizer capable of on / off control of the stabilizer function is turned off. It is an object.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer which comprises a torsion bar having both ends connected to left and right suspension arms of a vehicle, respectively, and which suppresses rolling during turning of the vehicle. A viscous coupling is interposed between each torsion bar while being bisected to the left and right, and the viscous coupling is rotated inward integrally with one of the right and left torsion bars to rotate integrally. Body and
An outer rotating body that is provided so as to be relatively rotatable around the same axis as the inner rotating body, and that rotates integrally with the other of the left and right torsion bars, and is provided between the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body. A working chamber filled with a viscous fluid, a plurality of inner plates provided in the working chamber at predetermined intervals in an axial direction, connected to the inner rotating body and integrally rotating, and an inner plate in the working chamber. An outer plate that is provided between the plates alternately with the inner plate at a predetermined interval in the axial direction and that is connected to the outer rotating body and integrally rotates with the outer plate, wherein the inner plate is provided in the working chamber. And a stabilizer that generates shear resistance of the viscous fluid with the relative rotation of the outer plate.

Either between the outer rotating body of the viscous coupling and one torsion bar interlocking the inner rotating body, or between the inner rotating body and the other torsion bar interlocking the outer rotating body. Preferably, a clutch means that can be connected and disconnected is interposed.

[0010]

In the stabilizer according to the present invention, when the left and right torsion bars start to rotate in the opposite directions according to the movement of the left and right suspension arms of the vehicle during the turning of the vehicle, the respective torsion bars are respectively applied to the viscous coupling. Relative rotation occurs between the interlocking inner rotator and outer rotator.

When the relative speed of rotation of the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body is high, that is, for example, during middle-high speed running such as on-road running, in the working chamber, the inner plate and the outer plate cause relative rotation, and the inner plate and the outer plate are rotated. Shear resistance of viscous fluid occurs between outer plates. Due to the shear resistance of the viscous fluid, the relative rotation of the inner plate and the outer plate is suppressed, and the relative rotation of the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body is suppressed. As a result, the rotation speed of each of the left and right torsion bars is suppressed, and rolling and rolling return during turning of the vehicle become gentle.

On the other hand, when the relative rotation speed of the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body is low, that is, at the time of extremely low speed running such as off-road running, the relative rotation difference between the inner plate and the outer plate is small in the working chamber. The shear resistance of the viscous fluid generated between the inner plate and the outer plate is also small. Therefore, the relative rotation between the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body is hardly suppressed. This allows
Sufficient suspension stroke is secured.

Further, in the stabilizer according to the present invention, when the vehicle turns, the left and right torsion bars start rotating in opposite directions according to the movement of the left and right suspension arms of the vehicle. At this time, in a state where the clutch means is connected,
In the viscous coupling, the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body rotate in conjunction with each other via the clutch means, and do not generate relative rotation. Therefore, the rolling at the time of turning the vehicle is suppressed by the torsion bar torsion without viscous coupling functioning.

When the left and right torsion bars start to rotate in the opposite direction during the turning of the vehicle, and the clutch means is disconnected, the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body respectively associated with the respective torsion bars in the viscous coupling. Causes relative rotation between the bodies.

When the speed of relative rotation between the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body is high, that is, for example, during medium-high speed running such as on-road running, in the working chamber, the inner plate and the outer plate cause relative rotation, and the inner plate and the outer plate are rotated. Shear resistance of viscous fluid occurs between outer plates. Due to the shear resistance of the viscous fluid, the relative rotation of the inner plate and the outer plate is suppressed, and the relative rotation of the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body is suppressed. Thereby, the torsional speed of each of the left and right torsion bars is suppressed, and rolling and rolling return during turning of the vehicle become gentle.

On the other hand, when the relative rotation speed of the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body is low, that is, at the time of extremely low speed running such as off-road running, the relative rotation difference between the inner plate and the outer plate is small in the working chamber. The shear resistance of the viscous fluid generated between the inner plate and the outer plate is also small. Therefore, the relative rotation between the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body is hardly suppressed. This allows
Sufficient suspension stroke is secured.

As described above, according to the present invention, the problem of the conventional type does not arise due to the effect of the viscous coupling even when the vehicle runs on road with the stabilizer function in the off state. In addition, due to the effect of the viscous coupling, the stabilizer according to the present invention can function sufficiently only for on-road use or for off-road use.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a suspension of a vehicle to which a stabilizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the stabilizer of FIG.

In these figures, the stabilizer 20
The left and right suspension arms 10 of the vehicle
The torsion bars 22 and 23 are connected respectively to suppress rolling during vehicle turning.

The torsion bars 22 and 23 are divided into two right and left parts in FIG. Between each torsion bar 22, 23,
A viscous coupling 30 is interposed.

The viscous coupling 30 includes a working chamber 33.
As the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 rotate relative to each other, shear resistance of the viscous fluid is generated between the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35, and the rotation speed of the inner rotating body 31 and the outer rotating body 32 is suppressed.

The inner rotating body 31 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the right torsion bar 23 (hereinafter referred to as "right torsion bar 23") in FIG. Linked to the bar 23.

The outer rotating body 32 is provided to be rotatable around the same axis as the inner rotating body 31 via the inner rotating body 31 and a seal 36. The outer rotating body 32 has a through hole 32
2 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the torsion bar 22 on the left side in FIG. 2 (hereinafter referred to as “left torsion bar 22”) by a spline or the like, and is linked to the left torsion bar 22.

The working chamber 33 is provided in a space surrounded by the inner peripheral surface of the outer rotating body 32 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner rotating body 31.
A viscous fluid having a required viscosity such as silicone oil is sealed in the working chamber 33.

A plurality of inner plates 34 are provided in the working chamber 33 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction (the horizontal direction in FIG. 2). Each inner plate 34 has an inner rotating body 31 inserted into a through hole 34a formed substantially at the center thereof, and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the inner rotating body 31 so as to rotate integrally with the inner rotating body 31. I do.

A plurality of outer plates 35 are provided between the inner plates 34 in the working chamber 33 alternately with the inner plates 34 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 2). Each outer plate 35 has an outer rim fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the outer rotator 32 in a state where the inner rotator 31 is loosely inserted into a through hole 35a formed substantially in the center. 32 and rotates together.

Each of the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 has a slit (not shown) opened at the outer edge thereof. The slits are radiated from the plates 34, 35 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the plates 34, 35. Many are provided along the direction. Each slit shears the viscous fluid in the working chamber 33 to generate resistance when the respective plates 34 and 35 rotate relative to each other.

A clutch mechanism 40 that can be connected and disconnected is interposed between the outer rotating body 32 and the right torsion bar 23 that links the inner rotating body 31. The clutch mechanism 40 is manually switched by an occupant of a vehicle, for example, to a connected state during medium-high speed running such as on-road running, and to a disconnected state during extremely low speed running such as off-road running (mogul running in cross-country).

That is, the clutch mechanism 40 has a pair of friction clutches 41, 42, a movable member 43 for engaging or disengaging the friction clutches 41, 42, and a driving member 44.
One of the pair of friction clutches 41, 42 is fixed to the right side surface of the outer rotating body 32 in FIG. Friction clutch 4
The other 42 of the movable members 43 is fixed to a position on the left side of the movable member 43 in FIG. The movable member 43 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the right torsion bar 23 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the right torsion bar 23 and immovable in the rotation direction.

The driving member 44 can be moved in the left and right direction in FIG. 2 by the action of an electromagnet (not shown) whose applied voltage is controlled on / off by, for example, a switch (not shown) which can be manually switched. The movable member 43 is moved left and right in FIG. That is, the driving member 44
Is moved to the left in FIG. 2 along the axial direction of the right torsion bar 23, for example, in a state where a voltage is applied to the electromagnet, and the movable member 43 is moved to the left in FIG. Combine. The driving member 44 is moved rightward in FIG. 2 along the axial direction of the right torsion bar 23, for example, in a state where no voltage is applied to the electromagnet, and moves the movable member 43 rightward in FIG.
42 are separated.

The clutch mechanism 40 may be arranged so as to be interposed between the inner rotating body 31 of the viscous coupling 30 and the left torsion bar 22 which interlocks the outer rotating body 32.

The operation of the present embodiment will be described. During middle-high speed running such as on-road running, the clutch mechanism 40 is switched to a connected state by an occupant of the vehicle. When the vehicle is in a turning state with the clutch mechanism 40 connected, the left and right torsion bars 22 and 23 start to rotate in opposite directions according to the movement of the left and right suspension arms 10 of the vehicle. Rotating body 3
The first and outer rotating bodies 32 rotate in conjunction with each other via the clutch mechanism 40 and the right torsion bar 23, and do not generate relative rotation. Therefore, the torsion bars 22 and 23 prevent the viscous coupling 30 from functioning, thereby suppressing rolling during turning of the vehicle.

Also, at extremely low speed running such as off-road running,
The clutch mechanism 40 is switched to a disconnected state by an occupant of the vehicle. When the vehicle is turned while the clutch mechanism 40 is disconnected, the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 rotate relative to each other in the working chamber 33 of the viscous coupling 30, but the rotation speed at this time is off-road. Since the traveling is extremely low due to the extremely low speed traveling, the shear resistance of the viscous fluid generated between the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 is also extremely small. Therefore, the force of suppressing the relative rotation of the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 due to the shear resistance of the viscous fluid is extremely small, and the relative rotation of the inner rotating body 31 and the outer rotating body 32 is hardly suppressed. This allows the torsion bars 22 and 23 to rotate in opposite directions, and secures a sufficient suspension stroke.

Further, when the vehicle is traveling at a medium or high speed such as on-road traveling,
When the vehicle is turned while the clutch mechanism 40 is disengaged without being switched to the connected state due to an occupant error or the like, in the viscous coupling 30, the inner rotating bodies interlocked with the torsion bars 22 and 23, respectively. 3
A relative rotation occurs between the first and outer rotating bodies 32. On this occasion,
In the working chamber 33, the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 rotate relative to each other, and shear resistance of the viscous fluid occurs between the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35. Due to the shear resistance of the viscous fluid, the relative rotation of the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 is suppressed, and the relative rotation of the inner rotating body 31 and the outer rotating body 32 is suppressed. As a result, the rotation speed of each of the torsion bars 22 and 23 is suppressed, and rolling and rolling return during turning of the vehicle become gentle.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of a stabilizer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The stabilizer 50 of the present embodiment does not include the clutch mechanism 40 (see FIG. 2). Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. When the vehicle turns, the left and right torsion bars 22 and 23 start to rotate in reverse according to the movement of the left and right suspension arms 10 of the vehicle. In the viscous coupling 30, the inner rotating bodies interlocked with the respective torsion bars 22 and 23, respectively. 3
A relative rotation occurs between the first and outer rotating bodies 32.

When the relative rotation speed of the inner rotating body 31 and the outer rotating body 32 is high, that is, for example, during middle-high speed running such as on-road running, the relative rotation of the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 And a shear resistance of the viscous fluid is generated between the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35. Due to the shear resistance of the viscous fluid, the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35
Are suppressed, and the relative rotation of the inner rotating body 31 and the outer rotating body 32 is suppressed. As a result, the rotational speeds of the left and right torsion bars 22 and 23 are suppressed, and rolling and rolling back during turning of the vehicle become gentle.

On the other hand, the inner rotating body 31 and the outer rotating body 32
When the relative rotation speed of the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 is small, that is, for example, during extremely low-speed traveling such as off-road traveling, in the working chamber 33, the relative rotational difference between the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 is small. The shear resistance of the viscous fluid generated at the time is also small. Therefore, the relative rotation between the inner rotating body 31 and the outer rotating body 32 is hardly suppressed. Thereby, a sufficient suspension stroke is secured.

As described above, according to each of the above embodiments, the torsion bars 22 and 23 having both ends 21 connected to the left and right suspension arms 10 of the vehicle are divided into right and left parts. A viscous coupling 30 is interposed between 23. The viscous coupling 30 suppresses the rotation speed of the left and right torsion bars 22 and 23 by the shear resistance of the viscous fluid generated by the relative rotation of the inner plate 34 and the outer plate 35 in the working chamber 33. Therefore, rolling and rolling return during turning of the vehicle can be moderated. As a result, a sudden change in the attitude of the vehicle can be avoided.

According to the first embodiment, the outer rotating body 32 of the viscous coupling 30 and the inner rotating body 31
A clutch mechanism 40 that can be connected and disconnected is interposed between the right-handed torsion bar 23 and the right-handed torsion bar 23. Therefore, in a state where the clutch mechanism 40 is connected, each of the torsion bars 2 can be used without operating the viscous coupling 30.
Rolling during turning of the vehicle can be suppressed by the twists 2 and 23. On the other hand, when the clutch mechanism 40 is disengaged, a sufficient suspension stroke can be ensured in extremely low-speed running such as off-road running, and rolling and rolling return during vehicle turning in medium-high speed running such as on-road running. Can be calm. As a result, a sudden change in the attitude of the vehicle can be avoided.

That is, the spring constant of the suspension spring and the damping force of the damper are reduced to provide a soft suspension setting suitable for off-road running. At a very low speed, a sufficient suspension stroke can be secured. In addition, when the vehicle shifts to medium-high speed running such as on-road running with the clutch mechanism 40 disconnected, rolling and rolling return can be moderated by the function of the viscous coupling 30, and the vehicle A sudden change in posture can be avoided.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, the torsion bar having both ends connected to the left and right suspension arms of the vehicle is divided into two right and left parts, and a viscous coupling is provided between each torsion bar. Is interposed. The viscous coupling suppresses the rotational speed of each of the left and right torsion bars by the shear resistance of the viscous fluid generated by the relative rotation of the inner plate and the outer plate in the working chamber. Therefore, rolling and rolling return during turning of the vehicle can be moderated, and abrupt changes in attitude of the vehicle can be avoided. Further, according to the present invention, the torsion bar having both ends connected to the left and right suspension arms of the vehicle is divided into two right and left parts, and a viscous coupling is interposed between the torsion bars. The viscous coupling suppresses the rotational speed of each of the left and right torsion bars by the shear resistance of the viscous fluid generated by the relative rotation of the inner plate and the outer plate in the working chamber. Furthermore, between the outer rotating body of the viscous coupling and one of the torsion bars that interlocks the inner rotating body, or the inner rotating body and one of the other torsion bar that interlocks the outer rotating body, A clutch means that can be connected and disconnected is interposed. Therefore, in the state where the clutch means is connected, rolling during turning of the vehicle can be suppressed by torsion of the torsion bar without functioning the viscous coupling. On the other hand, in a state where the clutch means is disengaged, a sufficient suspension stroke can be ensured during extremely low-speed running such as off-road running, and rolling during vehicle turning during medium-high speed running such as on-road running can be ensured. In addition, the rolling return can be made gentle, and a sudden change in the attitude of the vehicle can be avoided. That is, according to the present invention, even if the vehicle travels on road with the stabilizer function in the off state, the problem of the conventional type does not occur due to the effect of the viscous coupling. Also,
Due to the effect of the viscous coupling, the stabilizer according to the present invention can function sufficiently only for on-road use or for off-road use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view around a suspension of a vehicle to which a stabilizer according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the stabilizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of a stabilizer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Left-right suspension arm 20 Stabilizer 21 Both ends 22 Torsion bar (Left torsion bar) 23 Torsion bar (Right torsion bar) 30 Viscous coupling 31 Inner rotating body 32 Outer rotating body 33 Working chamber 34 Inner plate 35 Outer plate 40 Clutch means ( Clutch mechanism) 41 Friction clutch 42 Friction clutch 43 Movable member 44 Driving member

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A stabilizer comprising both torsion bars connected at both ends to left and right suspension arms of a vehicle to suppress rolling during turning of the vehicle, wherein the torsion bar is divided into right and left parts.
A viscous coupling is interposed between the torsion bars, and the viscous coupling includes an inner rotating body that rotates integrally with one of the left and right torsion bars and the inner rotating body. An outer rotating body that is provided so as to be relatively rotatable about the same axis and rotates integrally with the other of the left and right torsion bars, and is provided between the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body, and encapsulates a viscous fluid. A plurality of working chambers, an inner plate provided in the working chamber at predetermined intervals in the axial direction, connected to the inner rotating body and integrally rotating, and the inner between the inner plates in the working chamber. An outer plate, which is alternately provided with a plurality of plates at predetermined intervals in the axial direction and is connected to the outer rotating body and integrally rotates. In the working chamber, with the relative rotation of said inner plate and said outer plate, stabilizer, characterized in that to produce a shear resistance of the viscous fluid. 2. A torsion bar between the outer rotating body of the viscous coupling and one of the torsion bars interlocking the inner rotating body, or the other torsion bar interlocking the inner rotating body and the outer rotating body. 2. The stabilizer according to claim 1, wherein a clutch means capable of connecting / disconnecting is interposed in any one of them.