JP2005247030A - Steering rack mounting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steering rack mounting structure to be constituted light and inexpensive while preventing damages of parts due to road surface interference. <P>SOLUTION: Steering rack mounting bracket members 18, 18 to support a steering rack member 22 so as to lay it out by putting it to the front of a position of an axis 11a of a front wheel 11 project their front end edges 18h, 18h to the front of a vehicle further than a front end part 22a of the steering rack member 22. These front end edges 18h, 18h form a first interference part by the road surface interference by making contact with irregularities of the road surface, a curbstone, etc. in advancing at first and, for example, the other parts of the steering gear 20 such as the steering rack member 22, etc. are protected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a steering rack mount structure that is used in a steering device that steers front wheels of a vehicle and mainly attaches a steering rack member to a vehicle body.

  Conventionally, a steering rack mount structure as shown in FIGS. 12 to 13 is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  First, in terms of configuration, in this conventional steering rack mount structure, in the engine room 2 of the vehicle 1, the steering rack member 4 of the steering device 3 that steers the front wheels 11, 11 of the vehicle 1 is provided with the transmission 5. Between the rear wall portion 5 a and the rear mount member 6, the rear mount member 6 is mounted on the subframe 8 positioned below the bracket member 7.

  Next, the operation of this conventional steering rack mount structure will be described.

  In the conventional steering rack mount structure configured as described above, the position of the steering rack member 4 of the steering device 3 is configured to be mounted on the subframe 8.

  For this reason, the position of the steering rack member 4 can be moved downward and forward of the vehicle as compared with the prior art. Therefore, the steering efficiency and the steering feeling can be improved.

Moreover, since the position of the dash lower panel 9 can be moved toward the front of the vehicle from the position indicated by the one-dot chain line in the drawing to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line, the space in the passenger compartment 10 can be expanded.
JP-A-5-22169 (FIGS. 1 and 2 paragraphs 0013 to 0021)

  In the conventional steering rack mount structure, a certain distance L is provided behind the axle 11a of the front wheel 11.

  On the other hand, in recent years, a structure in which the steering rack member 4 is laid out on the front side of the axle 11a of the front wheel 11 has been proposed in consideration of the space efficiency in the engine room 2 and the cutting angle of the front wheel 11.

  However, if the steering rack member 4 is laid out on the front side of the axle 11a in this way, the steering rack member 4 becomes a first interference component due to road surface interference (road surface irregularities, curbstones, etc.) during forward movement, and therefore is damaged. There was a fear.

  In order to prevent such damage, it is necessary to set a separate protection member in front of the steering rack member 4 in the vehicle. For this reason, there was a possibility that the manufacturing cost would increase and the weight would increase.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a steering rack mount structure that can be constructed at a light weight and at a low cost while preventing damage to parts due to road surface interference.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and in the invention according to claim 1, a steering rack mount bracket for mounting a steering rack member of a steering device for turning a front wheel of a vehicle on a vehicle body of the vehicle. A steering rack mount structure having a member, wherein the steering rack mount bracket member extends from the vehicle body side mounting position toward the front of the vehicle, and a front end edge projects from the front end of the steering rack member toward the front of the vehicle. A steering rack mount structure is provided which has a projecting portion and supports the steering rack member so that the steering rack member is laid out ahead of the axle position of the front wheel.

  Moreover, what is described in Claim 2 is characterized by the steering rack mount structure according to Claim 1 in which the projecting direction of the projecting portion is directed in front of the vehicle and downward.

  Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, a pair of left and right are provided so that the steering rack mount bracket member supports the steering rack member at positions separated in the left and right vehicle width directions. The steering rack mount structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a connecting member for connecting the protruding portions of the pair of steering rack mount bracket members.

  Further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the connecting member is a plate-like air guide member that is inclined upward from the front to the rear of the vehicle. The steering according to any one of the first to third aspects. Features a rack mount structure.

  Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rigidity of the protruding portion is set to be lower than the rigidity of the steering rack mounting bracket member from the steering rack mounting portion to the rear side of the vehicle. The steering rack mount structure according to any one of 4 is characterized.

  Further, a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized by the steering rack mount structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein a front hook portion for traction is formed on the projecting portion.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the vehicle body side mounting position of the steering rack mount bracket member is a front cross portion of a suspension member member soft-mounted on the vehicle body. The steering rack mount structure according to one aspect is characterized.

  Further, according to the present invention, the steering rack mount bracket member is fastened to be rigidly connected to the front cross portion of the suspension member member soft-mounted on the vehicle body at the vehicle body side mounting position of the steering rack mount bracket member. The steering rack mount structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the steering rack member is driven by a by-wire system.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the steering rack mount bracket member that supports the steering rack member so that the steering rack member is laid out with respect to the axle position of the front wheel is provided. The front end edge of the steering rack member protrudes forward from the front end portion of the steering rack member.

  For this reason, the front end edge of the steering rack mount bracket member first comes into contact with road surface irregularities, curbstones, etc. when moving forward, and becomes a first interference component due to road surface interference. For example, a steering device such as a steering rack member Other parts are protected.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to separately set a protective member, and it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost and an increase in weight, and prevent damage to parts due to road surface interference.

  Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the projecting direction of the projecting portion is directed to the front of the vehicle and downward, for example, when the vehicle is lifted, the projecting portion enters the lower side of the vehicle. The steering rack member is protected from the object that has been removed.

  Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, the connecting member is provided by connecting between the protruding portions of the steering rack mount bracket member provided as a pair of left and right.

  For this reason, the attachment rigidity which attaches the steering rack member of the said steering rack mount bracket member can be improved.

  In addition, since the object that has entered between the steering rack mount bracket members interferes with the connecting member earlier than the steering rack member, the protection performance of the steering rack member is further improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the plate-like air guide member of the connecting member is inclined upward from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

  For this reason, for example, the air flow in the engine room can be increased by the air guide function of the air guide member to improve the cooling performance.

  Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the rigidity of the projecting portion is set to be lower than the rigidity of the steering rack member mounting portion of the steering rack mount bracket member from the rear side of the vehicle.

  For this reason, the impact force at the time of road surface interference is absorbed by the projecting portion.

  Since the occupant can recognize the road surface interference of the projecting portion by a collision sound or vibration, the occupant has good detectability and can more reliably protect the steering rack member.

  Further, in the present invention, since the front hook portion for towing is formed on the projecting portion, the steering rack mount bracket member can be used as a towing hook.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the steering rack mount bracket member is attached to a front cross portion of a suspension member member that is soft-mounted on the vehicle body.

  For this reason, the input to the steering rack member and the input to the projecting portion are alleviated at the portion soft-mounted on the vehicle body.

  Further, according to the present invention, the steering rack member can be steered even if the steering rack member is driven by a by-wire system and is not mechanically connected to the handle.

  Therefore, at the vehicle body side mounting position of the steering rack mount bracket member, it can be fastened so as to be rigidly connected to the front cross portion of the suspension member member soft-mounted on the vehicle body.

  For this reason, the interposition part required for soft mounting is unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced, and the increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  1 to 11 show a steering rack mount structure of the best mode for carrying out the present invention.

  The same or equivalent parts as those in the conventional example will be described with the same reference numerals.

  First, in terms of configuration, in the steering rack mount structure of the best mode, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the suspension member member 13 is mounted on the vehicle body 1 of the vehicle via a plurality of mount portions 12 and 12. , Soft mounted.

  The suspension member member 13 has a front cross portion 14 and a rear cross portion 15 extending in the vehicle width direction so as to be integrated with each other at the front and rear positions, and left and right front suspension devices 17 and 17. The left and right member portions 16, 16 that support the are connected in a ladder shape.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the front cross portion 14 and the rear cross portion 15 are respectively provided with front and rear engine mount portions 14b and 15b.

  Among these, the front cross portion 14 has vehicle body side mounting positions 14a and 14a for rigidly joining the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 near the left and right edges.

  At the vehicle body side mounting positions 14a and 14a, the upper and lower mounting pieces 18a and 18b of the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 are fastened by bolt members 19 and 19 to be rigidly joined. Yes.

  Further, the left and right front wheels 11 and 11 suspended by the left and right suspension devices 13 and 13 are configured to be steered by a steering device 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the steering device 20 causes the tie rod members 21 and 21 to protrude and retract in the vehicle width direction from a steering rack member 22 that meshes with a pinion member 25 at the tip of a column shaft 24 extending from a handle 23. The knuckle arm members 26, 26 provided on the front wheels 11, 11 are mainly configured to be steered by turning them around a king pin (not shown) as a turning center. .

  Among these, the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 for attaching the steering rack member 22 to the vehicle body via the suspension member member 13 are located at a position where the steering rack member 22 is separated in the left and right vehicle width directions. A pair of left and right are provided so as to support, and projecting portions 18c and 18c extending from the vehicle body side mounting positions 14a and 14a toward the front of the vehicle are integrally formed.

  The projecting direction of the projecting portion 18c is directed in front of the vehicle and downward.

  Further, a thick portion 18d is provided between the projecting portion 18c and the upper and lower attachment pieces 18a and 18b.

  In the thick portion 18d, as shown in FIG. 2, a rack insertion hole 18g for inserting and supporting the steering rack member 22 is inserted in the vehicle width direction in the vicinity of the upper reinforcing flange portion 18e. An opening is formed.

  Accordingly, the projecting portion 18c has a front end edge 18h projecting forward of the front end portion 22a of the steering rack member 22, and the steering rack member 22 is positioned from the position of the axle 11a of the front wheel 11. Is also supported to be laid out in advance.

  Further, the protruding portions 18c and 18c of the pair of steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 are connected by a connecting bar member 27 and an air guide member 28 as connecting members.

  Of these, the connecting bar member 27 is attached to the left and right ends of the round bar-shaped bar main body 27a by abutting and fixing to the opposing inner surfaces of the projecting portions 18c, 18c, 27b is provided integrally and is mainly configured.

  The air guide member 28 has a plate shape that is inclined upward from the front to the rear of the vehicle, and connects the upper end surfaces of the left and right protruding portions 18c and 18c. , It is bridged and fixed.

  Further, in this embodiment, hook openings 29 and 29 as front hook portions for traction penetrate the projecting portions 18c and 18c of the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 respectively in the vehicle width direction. It is formed to do.

  Further, the thickness in the vehicle width direction of the projecting portion 18c is formed to be thinner than the thickness in the vehicle width direction of the thick portion 18d, and the rigidity of the projecting portion 18c is set to the steering rack mount bracket member 18. Among these, the rigidity is set to be lower than the rigidity of the thick portion 18d located on the rear side of the vehicle from the rack insertion hole 18g where the steering rack member 22 is mounted.

  Next, the operation of the steering rack mount structure of this embodiment will be described.

  Steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 for supporting the steering rack member 22 so that the steering rack member 22 protrudes from the axle position 11a of the front wheel 11 and lays it out are front end edges 18h of the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18, 18h projects from the front end of the steering rack member 22 in front of the vehicle.

  For this reason, the front end edges 18h and 18h of the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 are first brought into contact with road surface irregularities, curbs, etc. when moving forward to become a first interference component due to road surface interference. Other parts of the steering device 20 such as the rack member 22 are protected.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to separately set a protective member, and it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost and an increase in weight, and prevent damage to parts due to road surface interference.

  Further, since the projecting direction of the projecting portion 18c is directed in front of the vehicle 1 and downward, for example, when the vehicle 1 is lifted, from an object that has entered the lower side of the vehicle 1, The steering rack member 22 is protected.

  Further, the connecting bar member 27 and the air guide member 28 are provided so as to connect the protruding portions 18c and 18c of the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 provided as a pair of left and right.

  For this reason, the mounting rigidity for attaching the steering rack member 22 of the steering rack mount bracket members 18, 18 can be improved.

  Further, since an object that has entered between the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 interferes with the connecting bar member 27 and the air guide member 28 before the steering rack member 22, the steering rack member The protection performance of the member 22 is further improved.

  The plate-like air guide member 28 is inclined upward from the front to the rear of the vehicle.

  For this reason, the air guide function of the air guide member 28 can increase the air flow in the engine room 2 and improve the cooling performance, for example.

  Further, the rigidity of the protruding portion 18c is lower than the rigidity on the rear side of the vehicle from the thick portion 18d where the rack insertion hole 18g, which is the steering rack mounting portion of the steering rack mount bracket members 18, 18, is formed. It is set to be.

  Therefore, when the road surface is interfered by the relatively thin and easily deformed protruding portion 18c, the protruding impact portion 18c is first deformed and the impact force of the interference is absorbed.

  Since the occupant can recognize the road surface interference of the protruding portion 18c by a collision sound or vibration, the detectability is good.

  Therefore, when the vehicle is recognized by these collision sounds or vibrations, the vehicle 1 can be advanced to avoid damage, and the steering rack member 22 can be protected more reliably.

  Furthermore, since the towing hook opening 29 is formed in the projecting portion 18c, the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 can be used as a towing hook.

  Steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 are attached to the front cross portion 14 of the suspension member member 13 soft-mounted on the vehicle body.

  For this reason, the input to the steering rack member 22 and the input to the projecting portions 18c and 18c are alleviated at the portion soft-mounted on the vehicle body 1.

  Accordingly, the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 are rigidly joined to the front cross portion 14 of the suspension member member 13 soft-mounted on the vehicle body at the portion where the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 are mounted at the vehicle body side mounting positions 14a and 14a. Can be concluded.

  Therefore, the mounting rigidity of the steering device 20 can be improved and the operability can be improved.

  6 and 7 show the steering rack mount structure of Example 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the configuration of the steering rack mount structure according to the first embodiment will be described. In this steering rack mount structure, the steering rack mount bracket members 118 and 118 are located above the vehicle body side mounting positions 14a and 14a of the front cross portion 14, respectively. The lower mounting pieces 118a and 118b are fastened by the bolt members 19 and 19 to be rigidly joined.

  Further, a thick portion 118d is provided between the protruding portion 18c of the steering rack mount bracket member 118 and the upper and lower mounting pieces 118a and 118b.

  In the thick wall portion 118d, as shown in FIG. 7, the steering rack member 22 is inserted and supported approximately in the middle in the vertical direction between the upper reinforcing flange portion 118e and the lower reinforcing flange portion 118f. A rack insertion hole 118g is formed so as to penetrate in the vehicle width direction.

  Other configurations and operational effects are the same as or equivalent to those of the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  8 and 9 show the steering rack mount structure of the embodiment 2 of the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the configuration of the steering rack mount structure according to the second embodiment will be described. In this steering rack mount structure, the pinion member 25 that meshes with the steering rack member 22 is driven to rotate ahead of the steering rack member 22 in the vehicle. An electric motor 31 of the by-wire system 30 is provided.

  The electric motor 31 is driven to rotate by using electric power supplied from the battery 32 in accordance with a control signal from a control unit (not shown), thereby rotating the front wheel 11 in accordance with steering of the steering wheel. It is configured to be steerable.

  Next, the operation of the steering rack mount structure of the second embodiment will be described.

  In the steering rack mount structure of the second embodiment configured as described above, the steering rack member 22 is driven by rotating the electric motor 31 of the by-wire system 30 and is not mechanically connected to the handle. Even steering can be performed.

  Accordingly, the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 can be fastened so as to be rigidly connected to the front cross portion 14 of the suspension member member 13 soft-mounted on the vehicle body at the vehicle body side mounting position 14a.

  For this reason, the interposition part required for soft mounting is unnecessary, the number of parts can be reduced, and the increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

  Other configurations and functions and effects are substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment and Example 1, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  10 and 11 show a steering rack mount structure of Example 3 of the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the steering rack mount structure of the third embodiment, the projecting portions 18c and 18c of the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 project the front end edges 18h and 18h more forward than the front end portion 22a of the steering rack member 22. The steering rack member 22 is supported so as to be laid out behind the position of the axle 11 a of the front wheel 11.

  Then, the steering device causes the tie rod members 121 and 121 to protrude and retract in the vehicle width direction from the steering rack member 22 that meshes with the pinion member 25 at the tip of the column shaft 24 that extends from the handle 23, so that the front wheels 11 and 11 The knuckle arm members 126, 126, etc. provided on the main body are mainly configured so as to be steered by turning them around a king pin (not shown) as a turning center.

  Next, the operation of the steering rack mount structure of the third embodiment will be described.

  In the third embodiment, the steering rack mount bracket members 18, 18 supported by the steering rack member 22 laid out at the rear of the vehicle with respect to the axle position 11a of the front wheel 11 are supported by the steering rack mount bracket member 18, The 18 front end edges 18 h and 18 h are projected from the front end 22 a of the steering rack member 22 in front of the vehicle.

  For this reason, the front end edges 18h and 18h of the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 are first brought into contact with road surface irregularities, curbs, etc. when moving forward to become a first interference component due to road surface interference. Other parts of the steering device such as the rack member 22 are protected.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to separately set a protective member, and it is possible to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost and an increase in weight, and prevent damage to parts due to road surface interference.

  Other configurations and operational effects are substantially the same as those of the above-described embodiment and Examples 1 and 2, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The best embodiment and Examples 1 to 3 of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this example, and the present invention is not limited to this example. Design changes that do not depart from the gist are included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment and Examples 1 to 3, the steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18 are disposed on the left and right edges in the front cross portion 14 of the suspension member member 13 in the left and right pair, However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a steering rack mount bracket member 18 is further added to the substantial center of the vehicle width direction to provide three steering rack mount bracket members. If the front end edge 18h of the steering rack mount bracket member 18 protrudes forward of the front end portion 22a of the steering rack member 22, such as by providing the steering rack mount bracket member 18, the steering rack mount bracket member 18 is provided. There are no particular restrictions on the shape, quantity, and material of

  Further, the connecting bar member 27 and the air guide member 28 as the connecting members are provided so as to connect the projecting portions 18c and 18c of the pair of steering rack mount bracket members 18 and 18, particularly, For example, any one of the connecting bar member 27 and the air guide member 28 may be used, and the shape, quantity, and material of the connecting member are not particularly limited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle suspension apparatus and a suspension member member to which a steering apparatus is mounted, illustrating a configuration of the steering rack mount structure according to the best embodiment of the present invention and explaining the overall configuration. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the steering rack mount structure of the embodiment at a position along the line AA in FIG. 1. 1 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a periphery of a suspension device of a vehicle, illustrating a configuration of a main part in a steering rack mount structure of an embodiment. It is sectional drawing along the vehicle front-back direction in the seat position corresponded to a seating state. It is the typical top view which looked at the steering device from the vehicles upper part in the steering rack mount structure of an embodiment. It is the typical top view which looked at the steering device steered by the steering rack mount structure of an embodiment from the vehicles upper part. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a main part in the steering rack mount structure according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view at the position along the line BB in FIG. 6 in the steering rack mount structure of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the steering device viewed from above the vehicle in the steering rack mount structure of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a steered steering device viewed from above the vehicle in the steering rack mount structure of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the steering device as viewed from above the vehicle in the steering rack mount structure of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a steering device that is steered in the steering rack mount structure according to the third embodiment when viewed from above the vehicle. FIG. 7 is a transparent side view of a front portion of a vehicle schematically showing the configuration of a conventional steering rack mount structure. FIG. 6 is a transparent top view of a front portion of a vehicle schematically showing the configuration of a conventional steering rack mount structure.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car body 11 Front wheel 11a Axle 13 Suspension member member 14 Front cross part 14a Car body side mounting position 18, 118 Steering mount bracket member 18c Projecting part 18h Front edge 20 Steering device 22 Steering rack member 22a Front end connecting member 27 Connecting bar member 28 Air guide member 29 Hook opening (front hook)
30 By-wire system 31 Electric motor

Claims (8)

A steering rack mount structure having a steering rack mount bracket member for mounting a steering rack member of a steering device for steering a front wheel of a vehicle on a vehicle body of the vehicle,
The steering rack mount bracket member has a projecting portion that extends from the vehicle body side mounting position toward the front of the vehicle and projects a front end edge to the front of the vehicle from the front end of the steering rack member. The steering rack mount structure is characterized in that it is supported so as to be laid out in front of the axle position of the front wheel.   The steering rack mount structure according to claim 1, wherein the projecting direction of the projecting portion is directed to the front of the vehicle and downward.   A pair of left and right steering rack mount bracket members are provided so as to support the steering rack member at positions spaced apart in the left and right vehicle width directions, and the protrusion of the pair of steering rack mount bracket members is provided. 3. The steering rack mount structure according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting member for connecting the parts.   The steering rack mount structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting member is a plate-like air guide member that is inclined upward from the front to the rear of the vehicle.   The rigidity of the projecting portion is set to be lower than the rigidity of the rear side of the vehicle from the steering rack member mounting portion of the steering rack mount bracket member. Steering rack mount structure as described in the section.   The steering rack mount structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a front hook portion for towing is formed on the projecting portion.   The steering rack mount according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a mounting position of the steering rack mount bracket member on a vehicle body side is a front cross portion of a suspension member member soft-mounted on the vehicle body. Construction.   At the vehicle body side mounting position of the steering rack mount bracket member, the steering rack member is fastened to be rigidly connected to the front cross portion of the suspension member member soft-mounted on the vehicle body, and the steering rack member is driven by a by-wire system. The steering rack mount structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that:

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