JP2001330072A - Spring seat structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide spring seat structure being simple structure that the generation of noise is effectively prevented by suppressing unintentional movement of the end part of the spring at a transfer part, not to say nothing of a seating part. SOLUTION: The spring seat structure is featured that constitution is effected that a claw part 5 is erected at a seat flange 3 at a portion which the end part of the coil spring 6 seats and the end part of the coil spring 6 is energized to the opposite side and the transfer part of the coil spring 6 is prevented from contact with a spring seat 2. The seating part of the coil spring 6 is reliably pressed against the spring seat 2 by the claw part 5 and effects no unintentional movement in the radial direction during buffering operation. Regarding even the transfer part of the coil spring 6 situated on the opposite side thereto, since a given clearance δis always reliably ensured between the spring seat 2 and the coil spring, no noise due to contact is generated, whereby a high quality feeling is maintained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a suspension strut spring seat structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a suspension used in a wheel suspension device of a vehicle such as an automobile, for example, a suspension in which a coil spring is stretched between inner and outer cylinders such as a hydraulic damper is often used. FIG. 7 shows a typical example of such a suspension. As shown in FIG. 7A, a lower end of a coil spring 16 whose upper end is supported by an inner cylinder such as a hydraulic damper at an upper part other than the illustration is fixed to a spring seat 12 fixed to the outer periphery of the hydraulic damper outer cylinder 11.
Supported by and mounted on the seat flange 13 to form a suspension device.

Normally, the design clearance between the spring guide tube portion 14 of the spring seat 12 and the inner diameter of the coil spring 16 is set slightly larger in consideration of the variation in design error between these two members. For this reason, as a result of assembling the coil spring 16 to the spring seat 12 which is usually performed by eye measurement, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2B, a transition portion (left side in the drawing) of the coil spring 16 is disposed closer to the spring guide tube portion 14 of the spring seat 12 than a seating portion (right side in the drawing) at the end of the coil spring 16. Even if it is properly assembled, the displacement of the coil spring 16 is also caused by the repetition of the running.
2 and the point P
In such a case, abnormal noise is generated due to the contact, and there is a possibility that the quality is reduced.

[0004] Under such circumstances, various techniques have been proposed for preventing abnormal noise due to contact between a transition portion of a coil spring and a spring seat. FIG. 8 shows an example of such a configuration, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-105476. In brief, the first curved surface portion 32 having a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of the coil spring 24 having the minimum wire diameter is provided at a predetermined position of the lower spring seat 20.
And a second curved surface portion 34 having a radius of curvature slightly larger than the radius of the coil spring 24 having the maximum wire diameter, and two positioning portions 30 (in the circumferential direction) are formed. Is set smaller than the inner diameter dimension of. With these configurations, the coil spring 2
Since the end turn 24A of No. 4 is reliably positioned in a point contact state, generation of abnormal noise is prevented.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional spring seat structure, the noise generated when the coil spring, that is, the seating portion moves outward in the radial direction at the time of buffer compression of the coil spring is point contact positioning. Although it has become possible to reduce it by means, the design accuracy is required, such as forming curved surfaces with different curvatures, it takes time and effort to manufacture, and the coil spring end winding part is floating. In this state, there is a possibility that the end turn portion may move outward in the radial direction. Therefore, the clearance δ secured on the transition portion side of the coil spring shown in FIG. , The base portion 28 at the transition portion side
There is a possibility that abnormal noise may occur due to contact with the outer periphery of the horn.

Accordingly, the present invention solves such a problem of the conventional spring seat structure, and suppresses unintended movement of a spring end in a transition portion as well as a seat portion, thereby effectively generating abnormal noise. It is an object of the present invention to provide a spring seat structure having a simple structure capable of preventing the spring seat.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a spring seat structure for a suspension strut in which a claw is provided upright on a part of the outer periphery of a portion where the end of the coil spring is seated. The end is regulated to the opposite side so that the transition portion of the coil spring does not contact the spring seat. Further, the present invention provides a spring seat structure of a suspension strut in which a coil spring interposed on the outer periphery of a shock absorber is arranged between upper and lower spring seats, wherein a lower end of the coil spring of the lower spring seat is seated. A claw that abuts on an outer peripheral surface of the coil spring is provided upright, and an inner peripheral side of the coil spring and the lower spring seat are separated from each other at a symmetric position of the coil spring in contact with the claw. And Further, the present invention has a spring seat in each of the inner and outer cylinders of the damper, is formed by sandwiching a coil spring between the two sheets, and a guide cylinder portion of the coil spring is provided inside the coil spring in a coil spring seating portion of the lower spring seat. In the suspension strut having a spring seat structure, an outer diameter of a guide cylinder portion of the coil spring is smaller than an inner diameter of a lowermost periphery of the coil spring, and the guide portion guides the coil spring of the seating portion to a spring seat portion where the seating portion of the coil spring contacts. A claw portion is provided to be attached to the cylindrical portion. Further, the invention is characterized in that the claw portion has a flexible structure. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the claw portion is erected in a V-shape which regulates the displacement of the coil spring in the cross-sectional left and right direction, and the claw portion erected on a seat flange is used for the coil spring. The seating section is securely pressed against the spring guide cylinder so that it does not move unintentionally in the radial direction during the cushioning operation, and the transition part of the coil spring on the opposite side is also between the spring guide cylinder and the spring guide cylinder. Since a predetermined clearance is always ensured, no abnormal noise occurs due to contact, and a high quality feeling is maintained.

[0008]

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a spring seat structure according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a main part of a lower end portion of a coil spring, and FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof.
According to the present invention, in a spring seat structure of a suspension strut in which a coil spring 6 is stretched between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder of a damper, a claw portion 5 is erected on a seat flange 3 where an end of the coil spring 6 is seated. The end of the coil spring 6 is urged in the opposite direction (in the direction of the strut axis) so that the displaced portion of the coil spring 6 does not contact the spring seat 2.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower end of a coil spring 6 whose upper end is supported by an inner cylinder such as a damper (hydraulic damper or pneumatic damper) at an upper part (not shown) as shown in FIG. The part is supported and mounted on a seat flange 3 of a spring seat 2 fixed to the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 1 to constitute a suspension device. The spring seat 2 includes an axial spring guide tube portion 4 fixed to the damper outer tube 1 and a helical seat flange 3 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The part 4 is mounted with a predetermined clearance δ.

The lower end of the coil spring 6 supported by the seat flange 3 is provided at a seating portion (right side in the drawing, end winding portion) which is seated over a predetermined distance on the circumference, as shown by a chain line in FIG. The projection is formed integrally with the flange 3 so as to be surely held by the claw portion 5 formed by bending, and the seating portion of the coil spring 6 is pressed against the spring guide tube portion 4 and at the same time, the coil on the opposite side. The displaced portion (the effective winding portion on the left side of the drawing) of the spring 6 also does not contact the spring guide tube portion 4 (clearance δ is reliably ensured), and moves unintentionally in the radial direction during the cushioning operation of the coil spring 6. It is configured not to be. In addition, the claw portion 5 may be configured by fixing a separate body (also as a material) from the seat flange 3 to the seat flange 3 (this configuration is the same in each embodiment described below). is there). The claw 5 preferably has an elastic element. That is, the claw 5 itself is configured to have elasticity.

With this configuration, the seat at the lower end of the coil spring 6 is reliably pressed against the spring guide tube 4 of the spring seat 2 by the claw 5 and is not intended in the radial direction during the cushioning operation. Since there is no movement, no abnormal noise is generated. The opposite side of the transition portion of the coil spring 6 also
Since a predetermined clearance δ is always ensured between the spring guide tube portion 4 and the spring guide tube portion 4, there is no occurrence of abnormal noise due to contact, so that high quality is maintained. Moreover, the end of the coil spring 6 is always effectively urged to the opposite side by appropriately responding to the size of the wire diameter by the elasticity of the claw 5 itself, and the transition portion of the coil spring 6 is (Clearance δ is reliably ensured).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention. According to the present embodiment, a flexible deformation portion (spring-like portion) 5 as an elastic element directed inward to a part of the claw portion 5 erected from the seat flange 3, preferably to an intermediate portion.
A is formed. With such a configuration, the seating portion at the lower end portion of the coil spring 6 is always effectively pressed against the spring guide tube portion 4 appropriately in accordance with the wire diameter of the coil spring 6 mounted on the seat flange 3. In addition to preventing unintended movement, the transition portion of the coil spring 6 on the opposite side is isolated from the spring guide cylinder 4, thereby preventing generation of abnormal noise.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a pair of flexible deformable portions 5B and 5C extend from the upper portion of the claw portion 5 erected from the seat flange 3 toward both sides in the circumferential direction. With such a configuration, the seating portion at the lower end of the coil spring 6 can always be effectively positioned at two positions in accordance with the wire diameter of the coil spring 6 mounted on the seat flange 3 appropriately. It is possible to prevent unintended movement by pressing against the guide cylinder 4 and to isolate the displaced portion of the coil spring 6 on the opposite side from the spring guide cylinder 4, thereby preventing generation of abnormal noise.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a main part of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the claw portion 5 erected from the seat flange 3 is formed of an elastic element wound in an arc shape. With such a configuration,
When the large-diameter coil spring 6-1 is mounted, the claw portion 5 is deformed like 5 ′ and the large-diameter coil spring 6
When the small-diameter coil spring 6-2 is mounted, the claw portion 5 is restored and the small-diameter coil spring 6 is restored. The lower end of the coil spring 6 is effectively pressed against the spring guide cylinder 4 to suppress unintended movement, so that a holding force appropriately corresponding to the wire diameter of the coil spring 6 is generated, and the coil is always effectively used. The lower end of the spring 6 is pressed against the spring guide cylinder 4 to prevent unintended movement, and the opposite side of the coil spring 6 is separated from the spring guide cylinder 4 to prevent noise. can do.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a main part of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the claw portion 5 standing upright from the seat flange 3 is formed upright in a V shape (a predetermined inclination angle θ). With such a configuration, regardless of the wire diameter of the coil spring 6 mounted and supported on the V-shaped claw portion 5 having a predetermined inclination angle (the applicable wire diameter range is considerably expanded), the bottom portion is formed. Although the size of the gap between them is different, the seating portion is reliably pressed against the spring guide tube portion 4 by the pinching effect of the V-shaped claw portion 5 to suppress unintended movement, and the coil spring on the opposite side The transition portion 6 is isolated from the spring guide tube portion 4 to prevent generation of abnormal noise.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the shape of the damper, the shape of the damper, and the like are within the spirit of the present invention.
Type, shape of coil spring, type, shape of spring seat including seat flange and spring guide tube, type and related configuration with damper, shape and number of claw, shape of claw in case of separate member and The material, the shape, type, and the like of the flexible deformable portion as the elastic element can be appropriately selected.

[0017]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the spring seat structure of the suspension strut including the shock absorber and the damper, a part of the outer periphery of the portion where the end of the coil spring is seated. The coil spring is positioned so that the end of the coil spring is restricted to the opposite side so that the transition portion of the coil spring does not contact the spring seat. The spring does not move unintentionally in the radial direction during the cushioning operation due to being pressed against the spring seat, and the specified clearance is always ensured between the spring seat and the opposite side of the transition portion of the coil spring. As a result, abnormal noise due to contact does not occur, and a high quality feeling is maintained.

In the case where the claw portion is formed by bending a part of the seat flange, the cost is reduced by improving the simple structure and the yield of the material. Further, when the claw portion is formed separately from the seat flange and fixed to the seat flange by appropriate means, the characteristics and shape of the claw portion can be more finely selected. Furthermore, when the claw portion has a flexible structure, a holding force appropriately corresponding to the size of the wire diameter of the coil spring can be generated, and the lower end portion of the coil spring can always be regulated effectively. The clearance between the transition portion of the coil spring on the side and the spring seat can be ensured to prevent generation of abnormal noise.

In the case where the claw portion is erected in a V-shape which restricts the displacement of the coil spring in the cross-sectional direction, the seating portion of the coil spring is surely secured by the V-shaped claw effect. And the unintended movement is suppressed, and the generation of abnormal noise in the transition portion of the coil spring on the opposite side can be prevented. Thus, according to the present invention,
Provided is a spring seat structure having a simple structure capable of suppressing unintended movement of the spring end in the transition portion as well as the seating portion and effectively preventing generation of abnormal noise.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a main part of a lower end portion of a coil spring, showing a first embodiment of a spring seat structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a main part of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a typical example of a conventional spring seat structure.

FIG. 8 is an improved example of a conventional spring seat structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Damper outer cylinder 2 Spring seat 3 Seat flange 4 Spring guide cylinder part 5 Claw part 5A Flexible deformation part (elastic element) 5B Flexible deformation part (elastic element) 5C Flexible deformation part (elastic element) 6 Coil spring

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shin Matsumoto 1-7-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. F-term (reference) 3D001 AA19 BA02 CA01 DA01 3J048 AA02 BC02 DA01 EA15 3J069 AA69 CC02 DD47

Claims (5)

[Claims] In a spring seat structure of a suspension strut, a claw portion is erected on a part of an outer periphery of a portion where an end of a coil spring is seated to regulate an end of the coil spring to an opposite side, A spring seat structure, wherein a transition portion of a coil spring does not contact a spring seat. 2. In a spring seat structure of a suspension strut in which a coil spring interposed between the upper and lower spring seats is provided between the upper and lower spring seats, a portion of the lower spring seat where a lower end of the coil spring is seated. A claw that abuts on an outer peripheral surface of the coil spring is provided upright, and an inner peripheral side of the coil spring and the lower spring seat are separated from each other at a symmetric position of the coil spring in contact with the claw. And spring seat structure. 3. The damper inner and outer cylinders each have a spring seat, and are formed by sandwiching a coil spring between the two seats. A guide cylinder portion of the coil spring is provided inside the coil spring in a coil spring seating portion of the lower spring seat. In the spring seat structure of the suspension strut having, the outer diameter of the guide cylindrical portion of the coil spring is smaller than the inner diameter of the lowermost circumference of the coil spring,
A spring seat structure wherein a claw portion is provided upright on a spring seat portion with which the seat portion of the coil spring comes in contact with the guide cylinder portion. 4. The spring seat structure according to claim 1, wherein said claw portion has a flexible structure. 5. The spring seat structure according to claim 1, wherein said claw portion is erected in a V-shape for restricting displacement of said coil spring in a cross-sectional left-right direction.