JP2005153578A - Suspension supporting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a steering system to be separated from vibration generated at a power unit or wheels and the like, restrict a protrusion of the steering system into a vehicle compartment when a vehicle shows a collision at its front part and further enable some component parts of the power unit system to be repaired or maintained independently from the wheels and the like. <P>SOLUTION: A suspension supporting frame 1 and a steering wheel fixing frame 2 are separated in a forward or rearward direction and laterally installed and at the same time portions near both ends of these frames 1, 2 are connected by suspension member fixing portions 3, 4, thereby transmittance of vibration or noise from the power unit or wheels at suspension units to the steering wheel can be effectively restricted, frames 1, 2, 3 and 4 can be formed into square-shaped rigid structures. A strength of each of the frames themselves is satisfactory to be less and a light weight formation and a cost reduction can be attained because a requisite minimum sectional area is assured in response to each of the required characteristics. In addition, it is possible to complement a lateral bending rigidity of each of the frames applying a substantial influence against a running performance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a suspension support structure including a suspension support frame on which a vertically mounted power unit is mounted and which is horizontally mounted and has a suspension member mounting portion and a steering member mounting portion.

  Generally, in a vehicle equipped with a vertically mounted power unit, the suspension support frame extends in the width direction of the vehicle and is horizontally mounted. In addition to supporting the suspension, it is often configured to attach a power unit such as an engine or a steering gear box. Has been. In other words, the suspension arm and suspension support frame are arranged in a straight line on the center of the tire so that the lateral force input from the tire and wheels can be ideally shared during turning while traveling, and the steering gear is mounted on the suspension support frame. A structure that integrates box mounting and power unit support is adopted. Such a structure has an advantage that both high support rigidity and simplification of shape can be achieved because the tire lateral force can be received as the axial force of the suspension support frame.

  However, since the installation of the main parts around the front is centralized in a single member called the suspension support frame, the vibration from the power unit and the vibration from around the foot propagate directly to the steering wheel through the steering gear box. The driver was uncomfortable. In the unlikely event of a frontal collision, the steering gear box also moved backwards in conjunction with the backward movement of the power unit, causing the steering column to protrude into the room. In addition, when it becomes necessary to maintain the transmission, which is a component of the power unit, it is also necessary to remove a set of parts related to the suspension attached to the suspension support frame. An attempt to solve these problems with a single member would increase the size, resulting in increased costs and weight.

Therefore, a suspension support structure that has been separated into a power supply support and a suspension support frame that handles suspension support and a steering mounting frame has been proposed (see Non-Patent Document 1 below).
“Structural Survey Series” J-245 Toyota Mark 2 JZX110, 115, GX110, 115 series, page 102 (March 2001, published by Automotive Research Center Co., Ltd.)

  As shown in FIG. 5, the non-patent document 1 discloses a suspension support member (support frame) having a suspension member attachment point (attachment portion) such as an engine mount portion and a suspension lower arm, and a steering gear box. A steering mounting member (mounting frame) having a mounting portion such as the above is separated. With such a configuration, vibration from the power unit and vibration from the undercarriage are suppressed from being directly transmitted to the steering wheel through the steering gear box, and the driver is not uncomfortable. In the unlikely event of a frontal collision, the steering system, which is separated from the power unit, is also prevented from protruding into the room, and the power unit system can be maintained independently of the suspension-related parts.

  However, in such a separate and independent type suspension support frame, there is no particular relationship between the suspension support member and the steering mounting member, and the rigidity as the frame is insufficient, and the rigidity of each frame is ensured. For this reason, it was necessary to increase the wall thickness or adopt a special reinforcing structure, which still caused an increase in weight. In addition, there is no configuration that can ideally bear the lateral force input from the tires and wheels.

  Therefore, the present invention solves these problems of the conventional suspension support structure, isolates the steering system from vibrations of the power unit and the suspension, suppresses protrusion into the room during a frontal collision, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a suspension support structure capable of maintaining power unit parts independently of each other and ensuring high rigidity of the frame even with the minimum necessary cross-sectional area.

  For this reason, the present invention provides a suspension support structure including a suspension support frame having a suspension member mounting portion and a steering member mounting portion that are horizontally mounted by placing a vertically mounted power unit. The frame is divided and horizontally mounted, and the vicinity of both ends of these frames is connected by a suspension member mounting portion. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the steering mounting frame is disposed rearward of the suspension support frame. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the steering mounting frame is fixed to a suspension support frame with a bolt or the like and is mounted. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the steering mounting frame is formed in a substantially linear shape in a plan view and is fitted to a U-shaped suspension support frame including the suspension member mounting portion. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the lateral force from the front wheel transmitted to the front wheel drive shaft can be transferred to the suspension support frame via the suspension member mounting portion. Means.

  According to the present invention, in a suspension support structure including a suspension support frame that is mounted horizontally and has a suspension member mounting portion and a steering member mounting portion mounted on a vertical power unit, the suspension support frame and the steering mounting frame are moved back and forth. The frame is divided and horizontally mounted, and the vicinity of both ends of these frames are connected by the suspension member mounting portions, so that the power unit, the suspension support portion and the steering mounting portion are separated, and the steering from around the power unit, the suspension, etc. The frame can be configured as a solid rectangular structure while effectively suppressing vibration and noise transmission to the wheel, ensuring the minimum cross-sectional area required for each required characteristic. So Strength of frame itself be small, it is possible to weight and cost reduction. In addition, the lateral bending rigidity of the frame that greatly affects running performance can be complemented.

  In addition, when the steering mounting frame is arranged at the rear of the suspension support frame, the bending angle due to the joint connection of the steering column or the like can be increased, so that in the unlikely event of the steering gear box dropping off in the event of a frontal collision, The steering column does not protrude into the vehicle compartment, but rather is pulled down and is safe. Further, when the steering mounting frame is fixed to the suspension support frame with bolts or the like and mounted, the separate mounting is possible, and the power unit or the suspension system can be independently mounted without removing the steering system parts. In addition to allowing parts to be removed for maintenance and inspection, in the event of a frontal collision, the steering mounting frame from the suspension support frame using the power unit's backward movement can be separated by the bolt fastening part, or the steering gear box can be moved backward. Dropout can be facilitated.

  Furthermore, when the steering mounting frame is formed in a substantially straight shape in plan view and is mounted on a U-shaped suspension support frame including the suspension member mounting portion, separate mounting is possible. In addition, maintenance and inspection of the independent power unit system and the steering system is easy, the suspension support frame is made into a solid structure, and it is easy to separate at the bolt fastening part at the time of collision. Can be simplified by constructing a substantially linear shape. In addition, when the lateral force from the front wheel transmitted to the front wheel drive shaft can be transferred to the suspension support frame via the suspension member mounting portion, the lateral force from the front wheel is applied by the suspension member mounting portion having high rigidity. Can be reliably received as a drag and distributed to each frame portion.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show one embodiment of the suspension support structure of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suspension support structure equipped with a suspension member and a steering member, and FIG. 2 shows only a frame. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of each of a steering mounting frame and a suspension support frame. As shown in FIG. 2, the basic configuration of the present invention is a suspension support structure including a suspension support frame having a suspension member mounting portion and a steering member mounting portion that are horizontally mounted with a vertically mounted power unit. The support frame 1 and the steering attachment frame 2 are divided horizontally and horizontally mounted, and both ends of these frames are connected by suspension member attachment portions 3 and 4.

  Examples will be described in detail below. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suspension support structure of the present invention in which only the frame is shown. Suspension support frame 1 placed horizontally on the front side of the vehicle body, steering attachment frame 2 placed horizontally on the rear side of the vehicle body, and left and right suspension member attachments arranged by connecting the vicinity of both ends. The parts 3 and 4 constitute a suspension support structure. Preferably, the left and right connecting rods 5 and 6 are provided between the suspension support frame 1 and the steering mounting frame 2 so as to be disposed forward and backward from the vehicle body center.

  The suspension support frame 1 has left and right power unit mount mounting portions 7 and 8 formed above the center portion, and vehicle body mounting portions 9 and 10 are formed at both ends. The steering attachment frame 2 is formed with a steering member attachment portion including an attachment hole 27 and the like on the rear side, and vehicle body attachment portions 11 and 12 are formed at both ends. In the illustrated example, the suspension support frame 1 is integrally formed in a U-shape in plan view including the suspension member mounting portions 3 and 4, and the steering mounting frame 2 is formed in a substantially straight shape in plan view. A steering mounting frame 2 is mounted on the suspension support frame 1 by bolt fastening or the like. The part indicated by reference numeral 20 is a separable part.

  4A and 4B are longitudinal sectional views of the steering mounting frame 2 and the suspension support frame 1, respectively, and FIG. 4C is a longitudinal sectional view of a frame integrated with these components (X in FIG. 2). 4A, the state in which the outfitting portion 20 is configured as a bolt hole is clearly understood. When the suspension support frame 1 whose internal structure is shown in FIG. 4 (B) and the steering mounting frame 2 of FIG. 4 (A) are fitted and fixed together, a related configuration as shown in FIG. 4 (C) is obtained. .

  As shown in FIG. 1 with reference to FIG. 2, a steering gear box 13 as a steering member is attached to the attachment hole 27 on the rear side surface of the steering attachment frame 2. A rack is accommodated in the steering gear box 13 so as to be axially movable in the width direction of the vehicle body, and a pinion gear at the tip of a shaft connected to a steering column (not shown) by a joint is orthogonally engaged with the rack. The rack is pivoted by the rotation of the pinion gear, and the left and right tie rods 14 and 15 are pushed and pulled to steer the front wheels 18 and 19 through knuckle arms attached to the wheels.

  Suspension members such as the lower arms 23 and 24 of the left and right coil springs 21 and 22 (see FIG. 3 for the left lower arm) are provided on the suspension member mounting portions 3 and 4 that connect the suspension support frame 1 and the steering mounting frame 2. Supported. The suspension member is firmly supported by the square-shaped strong structure constituted by the suspension support frame 1, the steering attachment frame 2, and the suspension member attachment portions 3 and 4. Such a structure can exhibit the same performance as that in which two effective members are disposed between the left and right side frames.

  FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a suspension support structure equipped with a suspension member and a steering member. Therefore, the upper side of the drawing is the front side of the vehicle body, and the right side of the drawing is the left side of the vehicle body. As understood from the bottom view, the lateral force from the front wheels 18 and 19 transmitted to the front wheel drive shafts 25 and 26 can be transferred to the suspension support frame 1 via the suspension member mounting portions 3 and 4. The suspension member mounting portions 3 and 4 having a high rigidity supported by a rectangular solid structure composed of the suspension support frame 1, the steering mounting frame 2, and the suspension member mounting portions 3 and 4 It is possible to reliably receive the lateral force from 18 and 19 as a drag and distribute it to the frame portions 1 and 2. In the figure, the state in which the left and right lower arms 23 and 24 constituting the suspension member are fixed to the suspension member mounting portions 3 and 4 is clearly shown.

  Each embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, within the scope of the present invention, the shape and type of the vertically mounted power unit, the shape of the suspension support frame (the U-shape in plan view in which the suspension member mounting portion is integrated) In addition, the suspension support frame and the steering mounting frame may be formed in a substantially linear shape and connected by a suspension member mounting portion), the type, the shape of the steering mounting frame, the type, and the frame. Mounting form of the steering member to the wheel (in addition to screwing into the mounting hole, a fixing form using an appropriate fixing tool can be adopted), the shape of the suspension member mounting portion (as in the embodiment, substantially straight in plan view) Shape, U-shape in side view, and other suitable shapes can be adopted), type, steering mounting frame suspension Outfitting form for lifting frame (fixed by bolts or the like) can be suitably selected for such pass form of the suspension support frame of the lateral force from the front wheels (as via the suspension member mounting portion and the like).

1 is a perspective view of a suspension support structure equipped with a suspension member and a steering member according to one embodiment of the suspension support structure of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suspension support structure of the present invention in which only the frame is shown. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the steering mounting frame and the suspension support frame. It is a whole perspective view which shows the prior art example of a suspension support structure.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Suspension support frame 2 Steering attachment frame 3 Left suspension member attachment part (connection part)
4 Right suspension member mounting part (connecting part)
5 left connecting rod 6 right connecting rod 7 left power unit / mount mounting portion 8 right power unit / mount mounting portion 9 vehicle body mounting portion 10 vehicle body mounting portion 11 vehicle body mounting portion 12 vehicle body mounting portion 13 steering gear box (steering member)
14 Left tie rod 15 Right tie rod 16 Left knuckle arm 17 Right knuckle arm 18 Left front wheel 19 Right front wheel 20 Fitting (separable, bolt hole, etc.)
21 Left coil spring (suspension member)
22 Right coil spring (suspension member)
23 Left lower arm (suspension member)
24 Right lower arm (suspension member)
25 Front left wheel drive shaft 26 Right front wheel drive shaft 27 Mounting hole

Claims (5)

In a suspension support structure including a suspension support frame having a suspension member mounting portion and a steering member mounting portion that are horizontally mounted with a vertical power unit mounted thereon, the suspension support frame and the steering mounting frame are divided horizontally and horizontally mounted. In addition, a suspension support structure characterized in that the vicinity of both ends of these frames are connected by a suspension member mounting portion. The suspension support structure according to claim 1, wherein the steering mounting frame is disposed rearward of the suspension support frame. The suspension support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the steering attachment frame is fixed to the suspension support frame with a bolt or the like and is mounted. 4. The suspension according to claim 3, wherein the steering mounting frame is formed in a substantially linear shape in a plan view and is mounted on a U-shaped suspension support frame including the suspension member mounting portion. Support structure. The suspension support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a lateral force from a front wheel transmitted to a front wheel drive shaft can be transferred to a suspension support frame via the suspension member mounting portion.

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