JP2006044482A - Suspension device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a suspension device easily and certainly adjusting vehicle height. <P>SOLUTION: The suspension device 2 comprises an outer cylinder 4, an inner cylinder 6, a ring 8, a shock absorber 10, a coil spring 12, a bearing 14, a pillow ball joint 16, a lock nut 18, and a stopper 20. On an inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 4, a female screw 32 is threaded. The inner cylinder 6 is equipped with an oblong member 40. The coil spring energizes the ring 8 upward. On an outer peripheral surface of the ring 8, a male screw 52 is threaded. The ring 8 is equipped with a projecting portion 50. When the inner cylinder 6 rotates, the projecting portion 50 pushes the ring 8 to rotate the ring 8. By rotations of the ring 8, the outer cylinder 4 is hoisted/lowered. By hoisting/lowering of the outer cylinder 4, a vehicle element 30 is hoisted/lowered. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a suspension device for a vehicle. Specifically, the present invention relates to a suspension device having a vehicle height adjustment function.

  A typical suspension system for an automobile includes a coil spring and a shock absorber. The height of the automobile depends on the length of the coil spring and the spring constant. Automakers have selected coil springs so that an appropriate vehicle height can be obtained.

  For drivers who are driving at high speeds and sporty, the standard height of the coil springs is too high. Such a driver reduces the vehicle height by exchanging an existing coil spring with a coil spring having a short free length or exchanging the coil spring together with the shock absorber. With such an adjustment method, the vehicle height cannot be adjusted again unless further replacement is performed. If the vehicle height is low, there is a demerit that the vehicle body rubs against the convex portions present on the road surface when the vehicle travels on a rough road.

  Suspension devices that can adjust the vehicle height according to the driver's preference have been proposed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-71501 (Japanese Patent No. 3045903) discloses a suspension device in which the vehicle height can be adjusted by a screw formed on a piston rod of a shock absorber. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-108721 discloses a suspension device in which the vehicle height can be adjusted by a screw formed on the outer peripheral surface of a shock absorber cylinder. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-82525 discloses a suspension device in which the vehicle height can be adjusted by movement of a tray of a coil spring.

A suspension device has also been proposed in which the vehicle height can be adjusted by the flow of fluid such as air or oil. Such suspension devices are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2001-1730, 2001-121936, 2003-89309, and 2003-146042.
JP-A-7-71501 JP-A-8-108721 JP 2001-82525 A JP 2001-1730 A JP 2001-121936 A JP 2003-89309 A JP 2003-146042 A

  When the vehicle height is adjusted in the suspension devices disclosed in JP-A-7-71501, JP-A-8-108721, and JP-A-2001-82525, the automobile is jacked up and the wheels are removed from the automobile. It is necessary to This work takes time. In practice, frequent adjustment according to the road surface condition is impossible. Once the vehicle height is adjusted, the actual situation is that it is used without being adjusted again.

  In the case of a suspension device in which the vehicle height can be adjusted by the fluid flow, the adjustment work is easy. However, this suspension device requires a device for supplying fluid, and the device is large. Moreover, the fluid may leak and the vehicle height may gradually decrease.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a suspension device that can easily and reliably adjust the vehicle height.

  The suspension device according to the present invention includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder that is coaxially disposed with respect to the outer cylinder and rotatable with respect to the outer cylinder, and is disposed coaxially between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. A ring that rotates with the rotation of the inner cylinder, a coil spring that urges the ring upward, a shock absorber whose overall length is regulated by the height of the inner cylinder, and the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder by the rotation of the ring. Elevating means for elevating and lowering the cylinder.

  A preferred lifting means includes a female screw threaded on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and a male screw threaded on the outer peripheral surface of the ring. This male screw is screwed into the female screw.

  Preferably, the inner cylinder includes a main body and a plurality of strip-shaped members depending from the main body. A ring is provided with the protrusion part which protrudes inward and is located in the clearance gap between strip-shaped members. By this protrusion, the rotational force of the inner cylinder is transmitted to the ring.

  Preferably, the suspension device further includes a motor for rotating the inner cylinder.

  In this suspension device, the vehicle height can be adjusted only by the rotation of the inner cylinder. The work for this adjustment is simple. This suspension device is compact. In this suspension device, unintended vehicle height fluctuations do not occur.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a suspension device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the suspension device 2 of FIG. The suspension device 2 includes an outer cylinder 4, an inner cylinder 6 and a ring 8. The outer cylinder 4, the inner cylinder 6 and the ring 8 are made of a metal material. The suspension device 2 further includes a shock absorber 10, a coil spring 12, a bearing 14, a pillow ball joint 16, a lock nut 18 and a stopper 20.

  The outer cylinder 4 includes a disk-shaped lid 22 and a cylindrical main body 24. The lid 22 is located above the main body 24 and is joined to the main body 24. An opening 26 is formed in the center of the lid 22. The lid 22 includes a knock 28. A part of the vehicle body 30 of the automobile is placed on the lid 22. The vehicle body 30 is fixed to the lid 22 by a knock 28. The lower side of the main body 24 is released. A female screw 32 is threaded on the inner peripheral surface of the main body 24. A ring-shaped receiving portion 34 is also provided on the inner peripheral surface of the main body 24. A guide groove 36 is formed by the receiving portion 34 and the lid 22. A stopper 20 is attached to the lower end of the main body 24. The stopper 20 has a ring shape.

  The inner cylinder 6 is disposed inside the outer cylinder 4. The inner cylinder 6 is positioned coaxially with respect to the outer cylinder 4. The inner cylinder 6 includes a cylindrical main body 38 and a plurality of strip-shaped members 40. The main body 38 passes through the opening 26 of the outer cylinder 4. The inner peripheral surface of the opening 26 and the outer peripheral surface of the main body 38 are not in contact with each other. On the inner peripheral surface of the main body 38, an upper node 42 and a lower node 44 are formed. A flange 46 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 38. The flange 46 is inserted into the guide groove 36 of the outer cylinder 4. A bearing 14 is provided between the flange 46 and the guide groove 36. The inner cylinder 6 is rotatable with respect to the outer cylinder 4 while the flange 46 is guided by the guide groove 36. The direction of rotation is indicated by arrow A in FIG. Smooth rotation is achieved by the bearing 14. Normally, the lock nut 18 prevents the inner cylinder 6 from rotating.

  The strip-shaped member 40 is suspended from the main body 38. The cross section of the strip-shaped member 40 is substantially arcuate. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner cylinder 6 includes four strip-shaped members 40. The number of the strip-shaped members 40 should just be two or more. The number of strip-shaped members 40 is usually 10 or less. A space is formed between adjacent strip-shaped members 40.

  The ring 8 includes a main body 48 and a protruding portion 50. The main body 48 is accommodated between the outer cylinder 4 and the inner cylinder 6. The main body 48 is located coaxially with respect to the outer cylinder 4 and the inner cylinder 6. A male screw 52 is threaded on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 48. The male screw 52 is screwed into the female screw 32 of the outer cylinder 4. The frictional force between the female screw 32 and the male screw 52 is small. Therefore, the ring 8 can rotate with respect to the outer cylinder 4 by a relatively small force. The female screw 32 and the male screw 52 constitute lifting means. Due to the forward rotation of the ring 8, the ring 8 descends relative to the outer cylinder 4. Excessive lowering of the ring 8 is prevented by the stopper 20. Due to the reverse rotation of the ring 8, the ring 8 rises relative to the outer cylinder 4. Excessive rise of the ring 8 is prevented by the receiving part 34.

  The protrusion 50 is formed integrally with the main body 24. The protruding portion 50 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface of the main body 24. The protrusion 50 is located in a space formed between the adjacent strip-shaped members 40. When the inner cylinder 6 rotates, the strip-shaped member 40 pushes the protruding portion 50. In other words, the rotational force of the inner cylinder 6 is transmitted to the ring 8 by the protrusion 50. Thereby, the ring 8 rotates. The ring 8 rotates with the inner cylinder 6. The protrusion 50 is slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the strip-shaped member 40.

  As described above, since the outer cylinder 4 and the inner cylinder 6 are connected via the bearing 14, the inner cylinder 6 is relatively moved relative to the ring 8 by the relative movement of the outer cylinder 4 with respect to the ring 8. Go up and down. When the inner cylinder 6 is moved up and down, the strip-shaped member 40 and the protrusion 50 are rubbed with each other.

  A pillow ball joint 16 (see FIG. 1) is accommodated in the inner cylinder 6. The pillow ball joint 16 is fixed to the inner cylinder 6 by an upper node 42 and a lower node 44. The pillow ball joint 16 includes a case 54 and a ball 56 accommodated in the case 54. The case 54 is firmly fixed to the inner cylinder 6. The ball 56 is rotatable with respect to the case 54.

  The shock absorber 10 includes a piston rod 58 and a cylinder 60. The piston rod 58 is passed through the inside of the strip-shaped member 40, and the upper end thereof reaches the pillow ball joint 16. The upper end of the piston rod 58 is fixed to the ball 56. The total length of the shock absorber 10 is regulated by the height of the pillow ball joint 16 (that is, the height of the inner cylinder 6). A disc-shaped plate 62 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder 60. Although not shown, the lower end of the shock absorber 10 is connected to the wheel via a suspension arm or the like.

  The coil spring 12 is located between the plate 62 and the ring 8. The lower end of the coil spring 12 is in contact with the plate. The upper end of the coil spring 12 is in contact with the bottom surface of the ring 8. The coil spring 12 is not fixed to the ring 8. Even if the ring 8 rotates, the coil spring 12 does not rotate. The outer diameter of the coil spring 12 is smaller than the inner diameter of the main body 24 of the outer cylinder 4. The vicinity of the upper end of the coil spring 12 can be stored in the main body 24. The inner diameter of the coil spring 12 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylinder 60. A cylinder 60 is passed near the lower end of the coil spring 12.

  The coil spring 12 supports the vehicle body 30 via the ring 8 and the outer cylinder 4. A vehicle weight is applied to the coil spring 12. The coil spring 12 is in a compressed state. The coil spring 12 urges the ring 8 upward.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the suspension device 2 of FIG. In FIG. 3, what is indicated by a double-headed arrow H <b> 2 is the distance between the ring 8 and the lid 22. This distance H2 is larger than the distance H1 shown in FIG. When the ring 8 is used as a reference, the outer cylinder 4 in the state shown in FIG. 3 is at a higher position than the outer cylinder 4 in the state shown in FIG. In other words, the vehicle height in the state shown in FIG. 3 is higher than the vehicle height in the state shown in FIG.

  In order to shift from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. 3, an operator first opens the hood of the automobile. The operator reaches out from the engine room and removes the lock nut 18. The operator rotates the inner cylinder 6 forward. As the inner cylinder 6 rotates forward, the ring 8 also rotates forward. Due to the forward rotation of the ring 8, the ring 8 descends relative to the outer cylinder 4. The height of the ring 8 depends on the position of the upper end of the coil spring 12. Since the vertical position of the ring is substantially constant even when the ring 8 is rotated forward, the outer cylinder 4 is raised by the forward rotation of the ring 8. As the outer cylinder 4 rises, the inner cylinder 6 and the pillow ball joint 16 also rise. As the pillow ball joint 16 rises, the shock absorber 10 extends. As the outer cylinder 4 rises, the vehicle body 30 placed on the outer cylinder 4 also rises. Thus, the vehicle height is increased. When the operator tightens the lock nut 18, the entire length of the suspension device 2 is fixed. This fixing prevents unintended fluctuations in vehicle height.

  In the transition from the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG. 2, the inner cylinder 6 is reversely rotated by the operator. This reverse rotation lowers the vehicle height.

  In the suspension device 2, the vehicle height can be adjusted steplessly according to the amount of forward rotation or reverse rotation of the inner cylinder 6. An operator can obtain an arbitrary vehicle height. To adjust the vehicle height, it is not necessary to jack up the car and remove the foil. This adjustment operation is simple. This suspension device 2 is suitable for frequent adjustment of the vehicle height. Since no fluid such as air is used, the suspension device 2 is compact. In the suspension device 2, the vehicle height does not fluctuate due to fluid leakage.

  FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a suspension device 64 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the suspension device 64 is the same as that of the suspension device 2 shown in FIG. 1 except that the lock nut 18 is not provided and the motor 66 is provided. 1 and 4, members having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The motor 66 is connected to the main body 38 of the inner cylinder 6. The inner cylinder 6 rotates forward or backward by forward or reverse rotation of the motor 66. The vehicle height is adjusted by forward or reverse rotation of the motor 66. A controller for controlling the rotation of the motor 66 is preferably provided in the vicinity of the driver's seat. The driver can adjust the vehicle height while sitting in the driver's seat. The electric power for rotating the motor 66 can be supplied from a battery that is standard on the automobile.

  In a state where the vehicle height is low, for example, an automobile travels on a highway. The driver can enjoy a sporty ride. The automobile travels on a general road through the gate. When this general road is a rough road, the driver temporarily stops the vehicle and raises the vehicle height. Even when the road surface is uneven, the vehicle body 30 is not in contact with the road surface because the vehicle height is high.

  If the motor 66 is automatically controlled, a predetermined vehicle height can be automatically set. The vehicle height may be set by a trigger signal such as engine start. The driver may select an arbitrary vehicle height from a plurality of vehicle heights stored in the memory. The traveling speed of the automobile may be detected, and an appropriate vehicle height may be automatically set according to the traveling speed.

  The suspension device according to the present invention can be applied to various automobiles such as passenger cars, trucks, and buses. The suspension device according to the present invention can also be applied to vehicles other than automobiles.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a suspension device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the suspension device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the suspension device of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a suspension device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

2, 64 ... Suspension device 4 ... Outer cylinder 6 ... Inner cylinder 8 ... Ring 10 ... Shock absorber 12 ... Coil spring 14 ... Bearing 16 ... Pillow ball joint 18 ... Lock nut 20 ... Stopper 22 ... Lid 30 ... Car body 32 ... Female screw 36 ... Guide groove 40 ... Strip-shaped member 46 ... Flange 50 ... Protrusion 52 ... Male screw 58 ... Piston rod 60 ... Cylinder 66 ... Motor

Claims (4)

  An outer cylinder, an inner cylinder arranged coaxially with respect to the outer cylinder and rotatable relative to the outer cylinder, and arranged coaxially between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder and accompanying the rotation of the inner cylinder A ring that rotates in turn, a coil spring that urges the ring upward, a shock absorber whose overall length is regulated by the height of the inner cylinder, and an elevating means that raises and lowers the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder by the rotation of the ring Suspension device with   The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the elevating means includes a female screw threaded on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder and a male screw threaded on the outer peripheral surface of the ring and screwed into the female screw.   The inner cylinder includes a main body and a plurality of strip-shaped members depending from the main body, and the ring includes a protrusion that protrudes inward and is positioned in a gap between the strip-shaped members. The suspension device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotational force of the inner cylinder is transmitted to the ring.   The suspension apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a motor for rotating the inner cylinder.

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