JP2003205722A - Car-height adjuster and automobile using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily adjust the height of an automobile at low cost by using an existing shock absorber as it is. <P>SOLUTION: The existing shock absorber 8 in an already used state installed in the automobile is made to pass through a coil spring 9 and a cylindrical cylinder 11, the lower end of the coil spring is received by a lower sheet 12, the cylinder 11 is interposed between the coil spring 9 and an upper mount 13, and the tip of a piston 14 of the cylinder 11 is made to abut on the upper end of the coil spring 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle height adjusting device and a vehicle using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art The following shock absorbers are known for use in automobile suspensions.

As shown in FIG. 7, a general shock absorber 51 comprises an upper mount 52 for holding a coil spring 54, a lower seat 53, and a damper portion 55.

The coil spring 54 has a natural frequency, and if the natural frequency matches the cycle of unevenness of the road surface or the natural vibration of the vehicle body, the vehicle body will not stop shaking during running, and the shaking will increase and the vehicle will operate. This will reduce the tropism and riding comfort. Therefore, the unnecessary movement is absorbed by the hydraulic pressure in the damper portion 55 of the shock absorber 51.

However, in this shock absorber 51, the vehicle height of the automobile cannot be adjusted only by damping the coil spring 54 described above.

As shown in FIG. 8, a shock absorber 61 for adjusting a vehicle height includes an upper mount 62 for holding a coil spring 64 and a lower seat 63.
And a damper portion 65, a female screw 66 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the damper portion 65.

The lower seat 63 is screwed to the female screw 66 of the tamper portion 65, and the lock nut 67 is screwed to the lower side of the lower seat 63, and the lower seat is provided along the female screw 66. By raising and lowering 63 and the lock nut 67, the vehicle height of the automobile is adjusted.

However, in the case of the shock absorber 61, once the setting is made by the lock nut 67, the vehicle height cannot be adjusted at any time according to the road surface condition and the like.

As shown in FIG. 9, a so-called air suspension 71 using an airbag 72 is known as a device for raising and lowering the vehicle height of an automobile at any time. According to the air suspension 71, the user can easily and quickly adjust the height of the automobile, but due to the structure using the airbag 72,
The inconvenience that the vehicle tends to break down and that the riding comfort is generally flexible, and that the riding comfort is likely to be uncomfortable when the vehicle is equipped with the air suspension 71 to a certain height or is lowered from the standard vehicle height. is there. And, as described above, the air suspension 71 has a problem that the price is high although it is easy to break down.

In recent years, as shown in FIG. 10, an air cylinder 81 has been known as a device for adjusting the vehicle height at any time. However, the same problem as that of the air bag 72 is encountered. is there.

In addition to the above, in the case of the above-described vehicle height adjusting shock absorber 61, the air suspension using the air bag 72 or the air cylinder 81, the shock absorber 61, which is originally installed, is to be replaced. Therefore, there is a problem in that the mounting work is troublesome and the labor cost is high, and the air suspension itself is expensive as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle height adjusting device and a vehicle using the same, which can basically use the shock absorber that was originally installed as it is.

A vehicle height adjusting device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a coil spring and a cylinder having a piston for receiving one end of the coil spring.

A vehicle according to a second aspect is a vehicle including a wishbone type suspension having the vehicle height adjusting device according to the first aspect, in which a base of a cylinder is fixed to a lower side of a frame and a lower end of a spring is provided. Is received by the lower arm of the suspension, and the upper end of the spring is in contact with the tip of the piston of the cylinder.

A vehicle height adjusting device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a vehicle height adjusting device in which a shock absorber is inserted through a coil spring and a cylindrical cylinder, and a lower end of the spring is attached to a tamper portion of the shock absorber. The seat receives the cylinder, and the cylinder is interposed between the upper mount of the shock absorber and the spring, and the tip of the piston of the cylinder is in contact with the upper end of the spring.

A vehicle according to a fourth aspect has the vehicle height adjusting device according to the third aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle having a torsion bar type suspension, wherein one end of a vehicle height adjusting arm is fixed to an end of the torsion bar and the other end of the vehicle height adjusting arm is fixed. The tip of a piston rod of a cylinder attached to the end of the frame of an automobile is connected via a pin.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle according to the second or third aspect.
The compressor, the reserve tank for storing the compressed air from the compressor, and the amount of compressed air flowing from the reserve tank into the cylinder of the vehicle height adjusting device for the vehicle according to claim 4 or 5. And a pressure regulator for adjusting.

The vehicle height adjusting cylinder according to claim 7 is
A main body of a double pipe structure composed of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, an end plate provided at one end of the main body with a circular hole in the center, and inserted between the inner and outer cylinders of the main body, and the insertion side thereof. A cylindrical piston whose end width corresponds to the interval between the inner and outer cylinders, and a cylinder chamber is formed by the insertion side end of the piston, the inner and outer cylinders of the main body, and the end plate. is there.

A vehicle height adjusting cylinder according to claim 8 is
A cylindrical cylinder is a main body of a double pipe structure consisting of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, end plates provided at both ends of the main body with a circular hole in the center, and a ring formed on one end plate. A cylindrical piston that is inserted between the inner and outer cylinders of the main body through the shaped hole, and the width of the insertion side end corresponds to the interval between the inner and outer cylinders, and the insertion side end of the piston and the main body A cylinder chamber is formed by the inner and outer cylinders and the end plate.

In the present invention other than the sixth aspect, air or oil is introduced into the cylinder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the overall structure of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle height adjusting device will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a compressor 2, a reserve tank 3 in which air from the compressor 2 is stored, and an interior of the vehicle. Pressure regulator 4 having a valve mechanism whose opening degree is changed by operating the switch 10 in
And a cylinder 5 in which the amount of compressed air flowing in is adjusted by the pressure adjuster 4. The cylinder 5 is
It is used in each embodiment described later.

It should be noted that the pressure regulator 4 may be provided only one for the entire automobile 1, two for the front wheels and two for the rear wheels, or for each of the four wheels.

(Embodiment 1)

As shown in FIG. 2, in the vehicle height adjusting device 7 of this embodiment, a shock absorber 8 is inserted through a coil spring 9 and a cylindrical cylinder 11, and the lower end of the coil spring 9 is a tamper for the shock absorber 8. The lower seat 12 attached to the portion 8a receives the cylinder 11, the cylinder 11 is interposed between the upper mount 13 of the shock absorber 8 and the coil spring 9, and the tip of the piston 14 of the cylinder 11 is brought into contact with the upper end of the coil spring 9. ing.

A female screw (not shown) is formed on the upper end of the rod 8b of the shock absorber 8, and the rod 8b
The upper end of the rod 8b is projected through the central hole (not shown) of the upper mount 13 to the upper side of the upper mount 13, and the nut 15 is screwed into the protruding portion 8c. To the upper mount 13
Is installed.

An upper seat 16 is screwed onto the rod 8b between the upper mount 13 and the cylinder 11. However, the upper seat 16 may be omitted depending on the specifications of the shock absorber. In this embodiment, the vehicle seat height adjustment range is adjusted by the coil spring 9 and the cylinder 11 by rotating the upper seat 16 and moving its upper and lower positions.

In the figure, 10 is an upper mount 13.
Shows the mounting bolts.

The cylindrical cylinder 11 includes an inner cylinder 17 and an outer cylinder 1.
A main body 19 having a double tube structure composed of 8 and end plates 22 provided at both ends of the main body 19 and having a circular hole 21 formed in the center
A / 22B and a ring-shaped hole 20 formed in one end plate 22B are inserted between the inner and outer cylinders 17 and 18 of the main body portion 19, and the width of the insertion side end portion 14a is the same as the inner and outer cylinders 17 and
A cylindrical piston 14 corresponding to the space between 18 is provided, and the cylinder chamber 23 is formed by the insertion side end portion 14a of the piston 14, the inner and outer cylinders 17 and 18 of the main body portion 19, and the end plate 22A. An inlet / outlet 24 for compressed air from the compressor 2 is formed at the upper end of the outer cylinder 18.

In the end plate 22B, the ring-shaped hole 20 is formed concentrically with the circular hole 21 at the center.

A step portion 25 is provided on the peripheral edge of the tip of the piston 14, and the upper end of the coil spring 9 is brought into contact with the step portion 25 so that the upper end of the coil spring 9 is moved to the piston 1.
4 It is designed to be received at the tip.

The insertion side end portion 14a of the piston 14 is formed in a flange shape, and O-rings 26 are attached to both sides thereof. The flange shape insertion side end portion 14a is a cylinder when the piston 14 descends. It comes into contact with the end plate 22B of 11 to play a role of limiting the lowering of the piston 14.

Reference numeral 27 in the drawing denotes a bracket for mounting the shock absorber 8.

Next, the mechanism of vehicle height adjustment by the vehicle height adjusting device of the present embodiment will be described. When the compressed air pressure from the compressor 2 is set to the standard via the pressure regulator 4, the vehicle height is adjusted. Has a standard height. When the air pressure falls below the standard, the piston 14 of the cylinder 11 rises and the coil spring 9 extends, and the vehicle height accordingly falls.

On the other hand, when the air pressure is higher than the standard, the piston 14 of the cylinder 11 descends, the coil spring 9 contracts, and the vehicle height increases accordingly.

FIG. 3 shows a modified example of the cylinder 11, in which a cylinder 28 is provided with a main body portion 33 having a double pipe structure composed of an inner cylinder 31 and an outer cylinder 32, and one end of the main body portion 33. The end plate 35 having a circular hole 34 formed in the center is inserted between the inner and outer cylinders 31 and 32 of the main body 33, and the width of the insertion side end 36a corresponds to the space between the inner and outer cylinders 31 and 32. And a cylindrical piston 36
6, the insertion-side end portion 36a and the inner and outer cylinders 31 and 32 of the main body portion 33
And the end plate 35 form a cylinder chamber 37.

In this embodiment, the circular hole 34 of the end plate 35 is
The diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner cylinder 31, and the end plate 35 is fixed to the upper ends of the inner and outer cylinders 31 and 32 by a cap bolt 38.

The piston 36 includes an L-shaped insertion portion 36A inserted between the inner and outer cylinders 31 and 32 and a cap bolt 39.
And a spring receiving portion 36B fixed to the lower end surface of the insertion portion 36A. Also, the insertion part 3
A stroke-regulating step portion 41 is formed from the lower end to the upper end portion of the inner surface of 6A, while the piston 36 is formed at the lower end of the inner cylinder 31 so as to project to the outside of the inner cylinder 31.
A ring-shaped stopper 42 that comes into contact with the stroke-regulating step portion 41 is attached via a cap bolt 43.

When the piston 36 descends, the stroke-regulating step portion 41 of the piston 36 abuts on the ring-shaped stopper 42, and the piston 36 moves.
When the piston 36 rises, the flange portion 44 of the L-shaped insertion portion 36A of the piston 36 comes into contact with the lower end of the outer cylinder 32 and the rise of the piston 36 is regulated.

A compressed air outlet / inlet 45 is provided in the end plate 35, and an air vent nipple 46 for allowing oil to flow into the cylinder 28 is provided near the upper end of the outer cylinder 32.

Reference numeral 47 in the drawing denotes an O-ring.

When the vehicle height adjusting device of this embodiment is incorporated in a vehicle suspension, the shock absorber already installed is removed and the coil spring is removed.
The cylindrical cylinders 11 and 28 for the shock absorber
After passing through the coil spring 9 shortened by the length of the cylindrical cylinders 11 and 28, the shock absorber may be attached to the suspension again.

As the coil spring 9 described above, a dedicated one may be used, or a coil spring prepared by cutting an existing coil spring may be used.

(Embodiment 2)

The vehicle height adjusting device of this embodiment is for an automobile provided with a wishbone type suspension. As shown in FIG. 4, a base portion 92a of a cylinder 92 is fixed to a lower side of a frame 91 of the automobile. The lower end of the coil spring 93 is received by the lower arm 94 of the suspension, and the upper end of the coil spring 93 is in contact with the tip of the piston 95 of the cylinder 92.

The base 92a of the cylinder 92 is fixed to a downward recess 91a formed on the lower surface of the frame 91.

The lower end of the coil spring 93 has an upward recess 94 formed on the upper surface of the lower arm 94.
It is received in a.

The cylinder 92 has a structure in which the center hole of the cylindrical cylinder 11 in the first embodiment described above is not provided, and has a cylindrical main body portion 96 having a compressed air inlet / outlet 99, and upper and lower ends of the main body portion 96. It is composed of circular end plates 97A and 97B provided on the base plate and the substantially hollow cylindrical piston 95.

The end plate 97B has a ring-shaped hole 98 in which the peripheral wall 95a of the piston 95 slides.
A cylinder chamber 90 is formed above the piston 95.

However, also in this embodiment, the cylindrical cylinders 11 and 28 of the first embodiment may be used.

The vehicle height adjustment mechanism of this embodiment is as follows.
Similar to the above-described first embodiment, the vehicle height can be arbitrarily adjusted by the compressed air having a predetermined pressure flowing into the cylinder 92.

(Embodiment 3)

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, this embodiment is a vehicle height adjusting device for an automobile having a torsion bar type suspension, in which one end of the vehicle height adjusting arm 102 is provided at the end of the torsion bar 101. Is fixed, and the tip of the piston rod 105 of the cylinder 104 attached to the end portion 103a of the frame 103 of the automobile is connected to the other end of the vehicle height adjusting arm 102 via a pin 108.

The frame 103 is composed of a main frame 103b extending in the front-rear direction of the automobile and end frames 103a and 103c of the main frame 103b, and the main frame 1 in the middle of the end frames 103a and 103c.
A projecting portion 103d is formed on the outer surface of 03b,
The protrusion 103d and the end frames 103a and 103
The torsion bar 101 is rotatably supported by the outer end of c. Also, the torsion bar 101
The tire 10 through the suspension arm 106.
7 are suspended.

The base 104a of the cylinder 104 is rotatably supported by the end frame 103d.

The mechanism for adjusting the vehicle height by the vehicle height adjusting apparatus of this embodiment will be described. When compressed air flows into the cylinder 104 and the air pressure rises, the piston rod 105 extends and the vehicle height adjusting arm 102 moves. The upper end is pushed outward, and along with this, the torsion bar 101
Rotates counterclockwise by a certain angle and the tire 10
7 descends, resulting in an increase in vehicle height.

On the other hand, when compressed air flows out from the cylinder 104 and the air pressure drops, the piston rod 10
When 5 contracts, the upper end of the vehicle height adjusting arm 102 is pulled inward, and accordingly, the torsion bar 101 rotates clockwise by a certain angle and the tire 107 rises.
As a result, the vehicle height decreases.

In FIG. 6, when the tire 107 rises or falls from the standard position, the tire 107 is in a tilted state (chain line state). For example, when the tire 107 is supported by the double wishbone method. Tire 107
Can evenly abut the road surface.

According to the vehicle height adjusting device of the present invention and the vehicle using the same, the vehicle height can be adjusted by using the existing shock absorber as it is without replacing the shock absorber itself as in the prior art. .

Similar to the conventional vehicle height adjustment, the vehicle height can be appropriately changed depending on the road surface condition, the degree of bending of the road, etc. to perform smooth driving, and the air parts such as the bumper spoiler attached to the vehicle body of the vehicle can be installed. In addition to being in contact with the road surface and not being damaged, when the car is parked, the height of the car is minimized and the distance between the road surface and the car body is made extremely narrow so that the jack under the car body cannot be inserted. Theft can also be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a vehicle including a vehicle height adjusting device according to each embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the vehicle height adjusting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the cylindrical cylinder in the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a vehicle height adjusting device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a vehicle height adjusting device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a vertical state of tires by the vehicle height adjusting device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a conventional general shock absorber.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a conventional example of a shock absorber having a vehicle height adjusting function.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing another conventional example of the vehicle height adjusting device.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing still another conventional example of the vehicle height adjusting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

8: Shock absorber 9: Coil spring 11: Cylinder 12: Lower seat 13: Upper mount 14: Piston 17 :: Inner cylinder 18: Outer cylinder 19: Body 21: circular hole 22A / 22B: End plate

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 4, 2002 (2002.4.4)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Claim 4

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0053

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

A base 104a of the cylinder 104 is rotatably supported by the end frame 103a.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fig. 2]

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 5

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 5]

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 6

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 6]

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 9

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 9]

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Fig. 10

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 10]

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle height adjusting device having a coil spring and a cylinder having a piston for receiving one end of the coil spring. 2. A vehicle including a wishbone suspension having the vehicle height adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein a base of a cylinder is fixed to a lower side of a frame, and a lower end of a coil spring is a lower arm of the suspension. A car that has been received and the upper end of the coil spring is in contact with the tip of the piston of the cylinder. 3. A vehicle height adjusting device in which a shock absorber is inserted into a coil spring and a cylindrical cylinder, wherein a lower end of the coil spring is received by a lower seat attached to a tamper part of the shock absorber, and the cylinder is shocked. A vehicle height adjusting device that is interposed between the upper mount of the absorber and the coil spring, and the piston tip of the cylinder is in contact with the upper end of the coil spring. 4. A vehicle having the vehicle height adjusting device according to claim 3. 5. In an automobile having a torsion bar type suspension, one end of a vehicle height adjusting arm is fixed to an end of the torsion bar, and the other end of the vehicle height adjusting arm is attached to an end of a frame of the automobile. A car in which the tip of the piston rod of a cylinder is connected via a pin. 6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising a compressor, a reserve tank for storing compressed air from the compressor, and a pressure adjuster for adjusting the amount of compressed air flowing into the cylinder of the vehicle height adjusting device from the reserve tank. Item 4
Alternatively, the vehicle according to claim 5. 7. A main body of a double pipe structure composed of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, an end plate provided at one end of the main body and having a circular hole in the center, and inserted between the inner and outer cylinders of the main body. And a cylindrical piston in which the width of the insertion side end corresponds to the interval between the inner and outer cylinders, and a cylinder chamber is formed by the insertion side end of the piston, the inner and outer cylinders of the main body, and the end plate. Cylindrical cylinder for vehicle height adjustment. 8. A main body of a double pipe structure composed of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, end plates provided at both ends of the main body with circular holes formed in the center, and a ring formed on one end plate. A cylindrical piston that is inserted between the inner and outer cylinders of the main body through the shaped hole, and the width of the insertion side end corresponds to the interval between the inner and outer cylinders, and the insertion side end of the piston and the main body A cylindrical cylinder for vehicle height adjustment in which a cylinder chamber is formed by the inner and outer cylinders and the end plate.