JP2007118664A - Front suspension of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make collision safety and steering stability compatible with each other at higher dimensions while preventing flying of stones to a car body lower part, etc. and restraining weight increase and cost increase to a lowest limit as well. <P>SOLUTION: Rear end parts of transverse links 2 of a front suspension body 1 are fixed on rear end parts of left and right front side frames 11 with bolts 13 by using mounting plates 12. Additionally, the front side of a stiffening cover 14 formed of a roughly trapezoidal plate member is fixed with bolts 15 on the lower side of a rear side flange part 8b of a cross member 8 and the rear side of it is fixed with the mounting plates 12 with the bolts 13 on the rear end parts of the left and right front side frames 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a front suspension for a vehicle in which a vehicle body is suspended on wheels by a single pivot system or a double pivot system.

  Conventionally, various types of front suspensions for suspending a vehicle body on wheels have been developed and put into practical use so that rigidity is appropriately set and intended steering stability can be obtained. In recent years, there is a tendency to reduce the rigidity of the vehicle body in order to improve the collision safety of the vehicle, and it is required to achieve both a high level of collision safety and steering stability.

Incidentally, an under cover is provided under the power unit on the lower front surface of the vehicle body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-233252 A

  However, the under cover as disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above merely protects the lower part of the vehicle body from a stepping stone or the like, and does not improve the rigidity of the vehicle body. For this reason, there is a demand for a technique that can stiffen the rigidity while ensuring the collision safety to improve the handling stability, and make the collision safety and the handling stability compatible at a higher level. Therefore, in order to increase the rigidity of each component that constitutes the suspension, it is conceivable to construct a pipe or the like for stiffening, but the shape is complicated and the pipe for stiffening in a narrow suspension space. It is difficult to provide a plurality of layers, which may cause an increase in weight and cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and prevents collisions and the like at the lower part of the vehicle body, while minimizing the increase in weight and cost, and at the same time making collision safety and steering stability at a higher level. The object is to provide a front suspension for a vehicle that is capable of achieving this.

  The present invention provides a cross member provided in the vehicle width direction of the front suspension body, and extends rearward from the left and right sides of the front suspension body, and connects the rear end portions to the left and right fixing portions of the vehicle body. The left and right links and a plate-like stiffening cover for fixing the front side to the cross member and fixing the rear side to the left and right fixing portions of the vehicle body together with the left and right links are provided.

  According to the vehicle front suspension according to the present invention, it is possible to achieve a higher level of collision safety and steering stability while preventing stepping stones to the lower part of the vehicle body and minimizing weight increase and cost increase. It becomes.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 8 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front suspension, FIG. 2 is a schematic view of attachment of a stiffening cover, and FIG. 3 is a supplement to a rear end portion of a front side frame. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example of rigid cover fixing, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example of a stiffening cover that is bent when a force in a direction in which the stiffening cover is shifted backward acts, and FIG. 5 is a cross member in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the state of stiffening when a force is applied, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the state of stiffening when a longitudinal force is applied to the rear flange portion of the cross member, and FIG. 7 is a Z axis on the cross member. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a stiffening situation when a rotating force is applied, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a stiffening situation when a force that opens the front side frame is applied.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a front suspension body of a vehicle. The front suspension body 1 is an example of a single pivot type front suspension in the first embodiment, and has an L-shaped transverse link 2. Has been.

  A front housing 4 that rotatably supports a wheel (not shown) that is rotated by the left and right front drive shafts 3 is provided at the upper portion of the front end of the transverse link 2. A strut 6 having a coil spring 5 is erected upward.

  Further, a link 7 extends from substantially the center of the transverse link 2 toward the center of the vehicle body, and ends of the link 7 are connected to lower portions of left and right ends of the cross member 8 fixed to the vehicle body. ing.

  One end of the stabilizer link 9 is connected between the front end of the transverse link 2 and the link 7, and the other end of the stabilizer link 9 is connected to the end of the front stabilizer 10 that communicates between the left and right. Yes.

  The front edge portion of the cross member 8 is formed with a flange-shaped front flange portion 8a extending downward, and the rear edge portion is formed with a flange-shaped rear flange portion 8b extending downward. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the transverse link 2, the link 7, and the cross member 8 in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. FIG. 2 shows the rear end of the transverse link 2 at the left and right front side frames 11. It is fixed to the rear end portion with bolts 13 using a mounting plate 12.

  Further, a stiffening cover 14 formed of a substantially trapezoidal plate member is fixed at the front side to the lower side of the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8 with bolts 15 and the rear side is rearward of the left and right front side frames 11. It is fixed to the end portion by a bolt 13 together with the mounting plate 12.

  The part attached to the front side frame 11 by the bolt 13 on the back side of the stiffening cover 14, that is, the part shown in FIG. 3A is a notch that opens forward, for example, as shown in FIG. The portion 16 is provided so that the stiffening cover 14 slides backward when the force in the direction of shifting backward acts on the stiffening cover 14 in the event of a collision or the like, so that it can be detached from the fixing by the bolt 13. It has become. That is, the notch portion 16 forms a detachment portion.

  As another example of FIG. 3 (b), for example, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), a hole 17 having an outer diameter larger than that of the bolt 13 is formed in front of the bolt 13, and stiffening is performed in the event of a collision or the like. When a force in the direction of shifting backward is applied to the cover 14, the stiffening cover 14 slides backward, and the bolt 13 passes through the hole 17 so that it can be detached from the fixing by the bolt 13. Also good. That is, a detachment portion is formed by the hole 17.

  When the detachment portion as shown in FIG. 3B or FIG. 3C is formed on the stiffening cover 14, the rear edge of the mounting plate 12 is bent obliquely downward and guided. By providing the portion 12a, when the stiffening cover 14 moves rearward, the stiffening cover 14 can be more reliably and smoothly detached downward.

  Further, when the separation part as shown in FIG. 3 is not formed, as shown in FIG. 4, a bending part 14 a in which the stiffening cover 14 is bent downward at the approximate center may be formed. That is, when the rear flange portion 8b is tilted rearward due to a collision or the like and a force of a certain level or more is applied to the stiffening cover 14, stress is concentrated on the bent portion 14a as shown by a one-dot broken line in FIG. Thus, the stiffening cover 14 is bent so that the collision force can be absorbed.

  Thus, by providing the separation part or the bending part shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, the stiffening cover 14 does not disturb the crushing of the front part of the vehicle body.

Further, by providing the stiffening cover 14, the rigidity of the vehicle body is stiffened as follows to improve the steering stability.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a case where a lateral force (a force that moves the cross member 8 laterally, a force that expands or contracts the cross member 8 laterally) acts on the cross member 8 will be described. In this case, since the bolt 15 on the other side and the bolt 13 on the other side act in a direction to suppress the movement of the bolt 15 in the left-right direction, the rigidity is increased.

  In addition, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, a case where a force that tilts the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8 in the front-rear direction is described. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the bolt 13 on the same side and the opposite side of the bolt 15 for fixing the stiffening cover 14 to the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8 are moved. Since the bolt 13 on the side acts in a direction to suppress the movement, the rigidity is increased.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a case where a force that rotates the cross member 8 around the vertical direction of the vehicle body is applied will be described. In this case, since the bolt 15 that fixes the stiffening cover 14 to the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8 tries to rotate, the bolt 13 on the opposite side acts in a direction to suppress the movement, so that the rigidity Is increased.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a case will be described in which a force for opening the front side frame 11 in the vehicle width direction is applied. In this case, with respect to the outward movement of the bolt 13 that fixes the stiffening cover 14 to the front side frame 11, the bolt 13 and the bolt 15 on the opposite side act in a direction to suppress the movement, so that the rigidity is increased. .

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the front side of the stiffening cover 14 formed of a simple plate member is fixed to the lower side of the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8, and the rear side is the left and right front sides. By fixing together with the mounting plate 12 to the rear end portion of the frame 11, a stepping stone or the like to the lower part of the vehicle body is prevented, and an increase in weight and cost are suppressed to a minimum, while collision safety and handling stability are enhanced to a higher level. It is possible to achieve both.

  Next, FIGS. 9 to 16 show a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a front suspension, FIG. 10 is a schematic view of attaching a stiffening cover, and FIG. 11 is an example of fixing a stiffening cover. FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a stiffening state when a force in the vehicle width direction acts on the cross member, and FIG. 13 shows a force that tilts in the front-rear direction on the front and rear flange portions of the cross member. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the state of stiffening, FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of the state of stiffening when a force in the expanding and closing directions is applied to the front and rear flange portions of the cross member, and FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of the stiffening situation when a force for opening the front side frame is applied. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the stiffening cover is changed not only to the rear flange portion of the cross member but also to the front flange portion. Since the parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the front side is fixed to the lower portion of the front suspension body 1 with the front flange portion 8a of the cross member 8 and the bolt 21, and the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8 and the bolt are fixed. On the other hand, a stiffening cover 22 formed of a substantially trapezoidal plate member fixed to the rear end portion of the left and right front side frames 11 with a mounting plate 12 and a bolt 13 is attached to the rear side. Yes.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the stiffening cover 22 is formed with a front bent portion 22a bent downward at a substantially center between the front flange portion 8a and the rear flange portion 8b. When the front flange portion 8a is tilted rearward due to a collision or the like and a force of a certain level or more is applied to the stiffening cover 22, stress is concentrated on the front bent portion 22a as shown by a one-dot broken line in FIG. The stiffening cover 22 is bent so that the collision force can be absorbed.

  Further, the portion attached to the front side frame 11 by the bolt 13 on the rear side of the stiffening cover 22 is not the separation portion as shown in FIG. 3 or the separation portion as described in the first embodiment. 4 is formed with a structure that does not hinder the crushing of the cross member 8.

  As described above, by providing the front bent portion 22a, the detachable portion, or the bent portion shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 3, or FIG. 4, the stiffening cover 22 may prevent the front body from being crushed. Absent.

Further, by providing the stiffening cover 22, the rigidity of the vehicle body is stiffened as follows, and the steering stability is improved.
For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a case where a lateral force (a force that moves the cross member 8 laterally, a force that expands or contracts the cross member 8 laterally) is applied to the cross member 8 will be described. In this case, with respect to the left and right movements of the bolts 21 and 15 that fix the stiffening cover 22 on the front flange portion 8a or the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8 on either the left or right side, Since the bolt 21, the bolt 15, and the bolt 13 act in a direction to suppress the movement, the rigidity is increased.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 13A, a case will be described in which a force is applied to tilt the front flange portion 8a and the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8 in the front-rear direction. In this case, with respect to the longitudinal movement of the bolts 21 and 15 that fix the stiffening cover 22 to the front and rear flange portions 8a and 8b of the cross member 8, as shown in FIG. Since the bolt 13 and the bolt 13 on the opposite side act in a direction to suppress the movement, the rigidity is increased.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, a case where a force in the direction in which the front flange portion 8 a and the rear flange portion 8 b of the cross member 8 open or in the closing direction is applied will be described. In this case, the bolts 15 on both sides act on the movement of the bolt 21 in the front-rear direction, and the bolts 21 on both sides act on the movement of the bolt 15 in the front-rear direction. Since it acts in the suppressing direction, the rigidity is increased.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, a case will be described in which a force that rotates the cross member 8 about the vertical direction of the vehicle body acts. In this case, the bolt 21 that fixes the stiffening cover 22 to the front flange portion 8a of the cross member 8 and the bolt 15 that fixes the stiffening cover 22 to the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8 tend to rotate. On the other hand, since the bolt 13 on the opposite side acts in a direction to suppress the movement, the rigidity is increased.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, a case where a force to open the front side frame 11 in the vehicle width direction is applied will be described. In this case, with respect to the outward movement of the bolt 13 that fixes the stiffening cover 22 to the front side frame 11, the opposite bolts 21, 15, and 13 act in a direction to suppress the movement, so that the rigidity is increased. It is done.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the front side of the stiffening cover 22 formed of a simple plate member is fixed to the lower side of the front flange portion 8a and the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8, By fixing the rear side to the rear end part of the left and right front side frames 11 together with the mounting plate 12, it is possible to prevent stepping stones to the lower part of the vehicle body, and minimize the increase in weight and cost, while also preventing collision safety and maneuvering. It is possible to achieve a higher level of stability.

  Next, FIGS. 17 to 19 show a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a front suspension, FIG. 18 is a schematic view of attachment of a stiffening cover, and FIG. 19 is a guide portion for a front cover. It is explanatory drawing. In the second embodiment, the stiffening cover is divided into a front cover that covers the lower part of the cross member and a rear cover that covers from the lower part of the cross member to the rear end of the front side frame. Unlike the second embodiment, the other components are the same as those of the second embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, a stiffening cover 30 composed of two parts, a front cover 31 and a rear cover 32, is attached to the lower portion of the front suspension body 1.

  The front cover 31 of the stiffening cover 30 is formed of a substantially trapezoidal plate member, the front side is fixed to the lower side of the front flange portion 8a of the cross member 8 with the bolts 21, and the rear side of the cross member 8 is fixed. The bolt 15 is fixed to the lower side of the rear flange portion 8b through the front side of the rear cover 32.

  The rear cover 32 of the stiffening cover 30 is also formed of a substantially trapezoidal plate member. The front side is below the rear flange portion 8b of the cross member 8, and the bolt 15 together with the rear side of the front cover 31 is used. The rear side is fixed to the rear end portions of the left and right front side frames 11 with bolts 13 together with the mounting plate 12.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the portion attached to the rear flange portion 8 b of the cross member 8 by the bolt 15 on the rear side of the front cover 31 has a hole 33 having a larger outer diameter than the bolt 15 in front of the bolt 15. The front cover 31 slides rearward when a force in the direction of shifting backward is applied to the front cover 31 in the event of a collision or the like, and the bolt 15 passes through the hole 33 and is moved by the bolt 15. It is configured so that it can be removed from the fixed state. That is, this has the same configuration as that of FIG. 3C of the first embodiment. It should be noted that the configuration of the detachment portion may of course constitute the detachment portion by providing a notch portion similar to that shown in FIG.

  Then, the rear cover 32 is formed with a guide portion 34 that protrudes obliquely downward at a portion that contacts the rear of the bolt 15 so that the front cover 31 can be smoothly dropped by moving the front cover 31 rearward. Has been. This configuration is also a configuration corresponding to FIG. 3D of the first embodiment.

  In the case where no detachment portion is provided as shown in FIG. 19, the front bent portion as described in the second embodiment is provided between the front flange portion 8a and the rear flange portion 8b of the front cover 31. It may be provided so that the collision force can be absorbed.

  Further, as described in the first embodiment, the portion attached to the front side frame 11 by the rear bolt 13 of the rear cover 32 is not the separation portion as shown in FIG. 3 or this separation portion. 4 is formed with a structure that does not hinder the crushing of the cross member 8.

  As described above, the front cover 31 is provided with the separation portion or the bending portion, while the rear cover 32 is provided with the separation portion or the bending portion, whereby the stiffening cover 30 prevents the front portion of the vehicle body from being crushed. There is nothing.

  Further, by providing the stiffening cover 30, as described in the second embodiment, the rigidity of the vehicle body can be stiffened and the steering stability can be improved.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the two-piece stiffening cover 30 formed of a simple plate member is attached to the lower side of the vehicle body, thereby preventing a stepping stone or the like to the lower part of the vehicle body and increasing the weight. It is possible to achieve a higher level of collision safety and handling stability while minimizing cost increase.

  Since the stiffening cover 30 is divided into two parts, the shape of the front cover 31 and the shape of the rear cover 32 are flexible, and the shape of the cross member 8 (the front flange portion 8a and the rear flange portion). Even if the width between the rear flange portion 8b and the front side frame 11 is changed, it can be applied flexibly. For example, only the front cover 31 is a common component, and only the rear cover 32 is easily changed for each vehicle type.

  In addition, although each embodiment has been described with an example using a transverse link (lower arm) of a single pivot type front suspension, it can be applied to other double pivot type front suspension links. Absent.

1 is a perspective view of a front suspension according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Same as above, schematic view of stiffening cover installation Explanatory drawing which shows an example of stiffening cover fixation to a rear end part of a front side frame same as the above The same as above, explanatory drawing which shows an example of the stiffening cover which bends when the force of the direction which a stiffening cover shifts back acts Same as above, explanatory diagram of the situation of stiffening when force in the vehicle width direction acts on the cross member Same as above, explanatory diagram of the stiffening situation when force in the front-rear direction acts on the rear flange part of the cross member Same as above, explanatory diagram of stiffening situation when rotational force around Z axis acts on cross member Same as above, explanatory diagram of the stiffening situation when the force to open the front side frame is applied A perspective view of a front suspension according to a second embodiment of the present invention Same as above, schematic view of stiffening cover installation Explanatory drawing which shows an example of stiffening cover fixation as above Same as above, explanatory diagram of the situation of stiffening when force in the vehicle width direction acts on the cross member Same as above, explanatory diagram of the stiffening situation when a force that falls in the front-rear direction acts on the front and rear flanges of the cross member Same as above, explanatory diagram of the state of stiffening when force in the direction of expansion and closing acts on the front and rear flange portions of the cross member Same as above, explanatory diagram of stiffening situation when rotational force around Z axis acts on cross member Same as above, explanatory diagram of the stiffening situation when the force to open the front side frame is applied A perspective view of a front suspension according to a third embodiment of the present invention Same as above, schematic view of stiffening cover installation Same as above, explanatory view of guide part for front cover

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Front suspension body 2 Transverse link 4 Front housing 7 Link 8 Cross member 8a Front flange part 8b Rear flange part 11 Front side frame 12 Mounting plate 12a Guide part 13 Bolt 14 Stiffening cover 14a Bending part 15 Bolt 16 Notch part (Leave part)
17 hole (detachment)

Claims (8)

A cross member provided in the vehicle width direction of the front suspension body,
Left and right links that extend rearward from the left and right sides of the front suspension body, and connect the rear end portions to the left and right fixing portions of the vehicle body,
A plate-shaped stiffening cover that fixes the front side to the cross member while fixing the rear side to the left and right fixing portions of the vehicle body together with the left and right links;
A vehicle front suspension comprising: The cross member is formed with a flange-shaped rear flange portion extending downward at least at a rear edge portion,
2. The vehicle front suspension according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening cover has a front side fixed to the rear flange portion and a rear side fixed to the left and right fixing portions of the vehicle body together with the left and right links. . The cross member has a flange-shaped front flange portion extending downward at least at a front edge portion and a flange-shaped rear flange portion extending downward at a rear edge portion. There,
2. The stiffening cover has a front side fixed to the front flange portion and the rear flange portion, and a rear side fixed to the left and right fixing portions of the vehicle body together with the left and right links. Vehicle front suspension as described. The cross member has a flange-shaped front flange portion extending downward at least at a front edge portion and a flange-shaped rear flange portion extending downward at a rear edge portion. There,
A front cover for fixing the stiffening cover to the front flange portion and the rear flange portion, and a front side to the rear flange portion, while a rear side to the left and right fixing portions of the vehicle body. The vehicle front suspension according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle front suspension is formed of a rear cover fixed together with the link.   The vehicle front suspension according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the left and right fixing portions of the vehicle body are rear end portions of left and right front side frames.   The stiffening cover has either a detachable part that can be detached from the right and left fixed parts of the vehicle or a bent part that is bent by the acting force when a force in a direction in which the stiffening cover is shifted backward acts. The vehicle front suspension according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vehicle front suspension is provided.   The stiffening cover includes a front bent portion that bends between the front flange portion and the rear flange portion when a force in a direction in which the stiffening cover is displaced rearward is applied. The vehicle front suspension according to claim 3.   The front cover is bent between a front side detachable portion that is detachable from the rear flange portion and a front flange portion and the rear flange portion when a force in a direction in which the front cover is shifted rearward is applied. The vehicle front suspension according to claim 4, further comprising a front bent portion.

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