JP2013122256A - Suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the deterioration of appearance even if the amount of the travel of an adjuster is increased related to the improvement of a suspension.SOLUTION: The suspension includes an extendable and retractable suspension body F comprising an outer tube T1 and an inner tube T2, a suspension spring S which is always energized in an extending direction while being housed in the suspension body F, an annular cap member 1 attached in the opening of the one side of the suspension body F, a holder 2 installed in a hanging direction in the cap member 1, a moving sheet 3 which supports one end Sa of the suspension spring S, being movable along the axial direction of the holder 2, and an adjuster 4 which drives the moving sheet 3 by being movably screwed together with the inner periphery of the cap member 1, in which the adjuster 4 is equipped with a screw portion 40 which is screwed together with the inner periphery of the cap member 1, and an inverse screw portion 41 being an inverse screw to the screw portion 40 while being provided in a coupled manner in the screw portion 40, and the moving sheet 3 screws together with the inverse screw portion 41 while being prevented from the relative rotation with the holder 2.

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a suspension device.

  In general, a suspension device is interposed between a vehicle body and a wheel in a transport device such as an automobile or a motorcycle, and a suspension spring that constantly urges the suspension device in an extension direction, and is arranged in parallel with the suspension spring. And a shock absorber that generates a damping force. The suspension device absorbs an impact caused by road surface unevenness by the suspension spring, and suppresses the expansion and contraction motion accompanying the absorption of the impact by the shock absorber, thereby improving the riding comfort of the vehicle.

  For example, a suspension device called a front fork that suspends a front wheel in a straddle-type vehicle such as a motorcycle has a suspension device body that includes an outer tube and an inner tube that can be projected and retracted in the outer tube on both sides of the front wheel. A suspension spring and a shock absorber are accommodated in the suspension device main body.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the front fork disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an annular cap member 100 attached to the one side opening of the suspension apparatus main body F, and an axial direction on the inner periphery of the cap member 100. An adjuster 400 that is movably screwed and a movable seat 300 that supports one end of the suspension spring (not shown) via a cylindrical spring receiver S1 are provided.

  The moving sheet 300 is pressed against the adjuster by a suspension spring, and can move in the axial direction (up and down in FIG. 7) as the adjuster 400 moves. As a result, in the front fork, the reaction force by the suspension spring is increased by moving the moving sheet 300 to the side of the cap member, and conversely, the reaction force by the suspension spring is increased by moving the movement sheet 300 to the side of the cap member. The reaction force of the front fork can be adjusted by reducing the force.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-14693

  However, in the above-described conventional front fork capable of adjusting the reaction force, there is the following problem when attempting to increase the amount of movement of the movable seat in order to widen the reaction force adjustment range.

  That is, in the conventional front fork, since the moving amount of the moving sheet 300 is equal to the moving amount of the adjuster 400, it is necessary to increase the moving amount of the adjuster 400 as much as the moving amount of the moving sheet 300 is increased.

  However, when the movement amount of the adjuster 400 increases, the amount by which the adjuster 400 protrudes from the cap member 100 increases, and the appearance of the front fork (suspension device) may deteriorate.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a suspension device that can suppress an increase in the amount of movement of an adjuster and suppress deterioration in appearance even when the amount of movement of a moving sheet is increased.

  Means for solving the above-mentioned problems include a suspension device main body which is composed of an outer tube and an inner tube which is inserted into the outer tube so as to be retractable, and is accommodated in the suspension device main body and is accommodated in the suspension device main body. A suspension spring that always urges the suspension device in the extending direction, an annular cap member attached to one side opening of the suspension device body, a holder suspended from the cap member, and a movement along the axial direction of the holder A suspension apparatus comprising: a movable sheet that is capable of supporting one end of the suspension spring; and an adjuster that is screwed into the inner periphery of the cap member so as to be movable in the axial direction and drives the movable sheet. A screw portion screwed into the inner periphery of the cap member; and a reverse screw portion connected to the screw portion and set to the screw portion and the reverse screw. Sheet is to screwed into the opposite threaded portions is prevented relative rotation between the holder.

  According to the present invention, the amount of movement of the moving sheet with respect to the amount of movement of the adjuster is increased as compared with the prior art. Therefore, even if the amount of movement of the moving sheet is increased, the increase in the amount of movement of the adjuster is suppressed to suppress the deterioration of the appearance. It becomes possible.

It is a front view which partially cuts and shows the principal part of the front fork which is a suspension apparatus concerning one embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the use condition of the front fork which is a suspension apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which expands and shows the cap member part of FIG. It is a perspective view which disassembles and expands and shows the cap member part of the front fork which is a suspension device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which expands and shows the moving sheet | seat part of the front fork which is a suspension apparatus concerning one embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which partially cuts and shows the cap member part of the front fork which is a suspension apparatus concerning one embodiment of this invention. (A) shows the state which made reaction force by a suspension spring small, and (b) shows the state which made reaction force by a suspension spring large. It is a front view which partially cuts and shows the main part of the front fork which is the conventional suspension apparatus.

  A suspension device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals given throughout the several drawings indicate the same or corresponding parts.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the suspension device according to the present embodiment includes a suspension device main body F that includes an outer tube T <b> 1 and an inner tube T <b> 2 that can be inserted and retracted into the outer tube T <b> 1. A suspension spring S that is accommodated in the apparatus main body F and constantly urges the suspension apparatus main body F in the extending direction, an annular cap member 1 attached to one side opening of the suspension apparatus main body F, and the cap member 1 , A movable sheet 3 that is movable along the axial direction of the holder 2 and supports one end Sa of the suspension spring S, and is movable in the axial direction on the inner periphery of the cap member 1. And an adjuster 4 that is screwed to drive the movable sheet 3.

  The adjuster 4 includes a screw portion 40 that is screwed into the inner periphery of the cap member 1, and a reverse screw portion 41 that is connected to the screw portion 40 and set to the screw portion 40 and a reverse screw. The moving sheet 3 is prevented from rotating relative to the holder 2 and is screwed into the reverse screw portion 41.

  Furthermore, the suspension device according to the present embodiment is a front fork that suspends a front wheel in a straddle-type vehicle such as a motorcycle, and a pair of left and right suspension devices that stand on both sides of the front wheel 9 as shown in FIG. Includes FL and FR. Each of these suspension device members FL and FR includes a suspension device main body F composed of an outer tube T1 and an inner tube T2, and accommodates a suspension spring S in each of the suspension device main bodies F and F.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is embodied only in one suspension device member FR, and only the reaction force by the suspension spring S of this one suspension device member FR can be adjusted.

  Further, shock absorbers D are accommodated in parallel to the suspension springs S in the suspension device main bodies F and F, respectively. Since the configuration of the shock absorber D is well known, it is not shown in detail. However, as shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. And a rod 6 to be inserted.

  Further, although not shown, the shock absorber D communicates the two chambers with a piston that is held by the rod 6 and slidably contacts the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 5 and divides the cylinder 5 into two chambers. A flow path, and a damping force generating means including a leaf valve and an orifice that give resistance to the working fluid passing through the flow path are provided.

  Since the rod 6 moves in the cylinder 5 as the front fork expands and contracts, the working fluid in one chamber pressurized by a piston (not shown) passes through the flow path and moves to the other chamber. At this time, the shock absorber D generates a damping force due to the resistance of the damping force generating means when the working fluid passes through the flow path, and suppresses the expansion and contraction movement of the front fork.

  Hereinafter, each component of the present invention embodied only in one suspension device member FR will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, an annular cap member 1 attached to an opening on one side which is the upper side in FIG. 1 of the suspension device main body F is screwed to the inner periphery of the suspension device main body F, and A space between the apparatus main body F is closed with an annular seal 7a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an annular groove 1 a is formed between the inner peripheral portion 10 and the outer peripheral portion 11 on the inner side surface (lower surface in FIG. 3) of the suspension device main body F in the cap member 1. The thickness of the central portion 12 of the cap member 1 is thin. Thereby, it becomes the shape where the inner peripheral part 10 and the outer peripheral part 11 protruded from the center part 12 of the cap member 1 to the inner side of the suspension apparatus main body F.

  Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the cap member 1, a smooth portion 1b on the air side and a screw groove portion 1c on the shock absorber side (inside the suspension device main body F) in which a screw groove is formed are formed side by side in the axial direction. The adjuster 4 is movably engaged with the screw groove 1c.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adjuster 4 is set to an operation portion 42 for a user to operate, a screw portion 40 to be screwed into the cap member 1, and the screw portion 40 and a reverse screw. A reverse screw portion 41 having a smaller diameter than the screw portion 40 is provided, and these are connected coaxially in order from the atmosphere side.

  Further, an annular seal 7b is engaged with the screw portion side (lower side in FIG. 3) of the operation portion 42, and the adjuster 4 slides on the smooth portion 1b of the cap member 1 via the seal 7b. Touch. Further, a stopper ring 8 is engaged with the reverse screw portion side (lower side in FIG. 3) of the screw portion 40, and movement of the adjuster 4 to the atmosphere side (upper side in FIG. 3) is stopped by this stopper ring 8. It is regulated by.

  Returning, a cylindrical holder 2 is screwed onto the outer periphery of the inner peripheral portion 10 of the cap member 1 that protrudes to the inside of the suspension device main body F, and is provided perpendicular to the cap member 1. ing.

  The holder 2 includes a nut-shaped coupling portion 20 that is screwed into the cap member 1, a cylindrical holder main body 21 that is coaxially connected to the anti-cap member side of the coupling portion 20, and the holder main body 21. It consists of a rod holding part 22 that is coaxially connected to the side opposite to the cap member and has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the holder body 21.

  A pair of guide holes 21a and 21b arranged opposite to each other are formed on the side of the holder body 21 from the coupling portion side to the rod holding portion side. In addition, the inner diameter of the holder main body side end 22a of the rod holding portion 22 is formed to be smaller than the front end side (the opposite holder main body side), and when the rod 6 is screwed to the inner periphery of the front end side, The rod 6 comes into contact with the holder main body side end 22a.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a lock nut N is provided in series on the side of the rod holding portion 22 opposite to the cap member to form a double nut structure, and the rod 6 is prevented from loosening.

  Subsequently, the movable sheet 3 that supports one end Sa of the suspension spring S is, as shown in FIG. 5, an annular portion 30 that is formed in an annular plate shape, and projects from the annular portion 30 in the diametrical direction. It consists of a pair of support parts 31 and 32 to do.

  The annular portion 30 of the movable sheet 3 is loosely fitted inside the holder main body 21 and screwed into the outer periphery of the reverse screw portion 41 of the adjuster 4, and both the support portions 31 and 32 are connected to the guide holes 21a, Projecting to the outside of the holder body 21 from 21b. Further, since the diameter of the annular portion 30 in the movable sheet 3 is formed larger than the width of the guide holes 21 a and 21 b, the annular portion 30 is maintained in a state where it is disposed in the holder main body 21.

  That is, by providing the above configuration, the movable sheet 3 can move in the axial direction along the guide holes 21 a and 21 b in a state where the annular portion 30 is maintained in the holder main body 21. However, even if the movable sheet 3 tries to rotate with respect to the holder 2, the support portions 31 and 32 come into contact with the holder body 21, so that the relative rotation between the movable sheet 3 and the holder 2 is prevented.

  Further, a ring S2 fitted to the cylindrical spring receiver S1 is in contact with the side surface of the movable cap 3 which is the lower side in FIG. 1, and the movable sheet 3 is connected to the spring receiver S1 and the ring. One end Sa of the suspension spring S is supported via S2. The other end Sb of the suspension spring S is supported on the cylinder side of the shock absorber D as shown in FIG. 1, and the suspension spring S is interposed between the cylinder 5 and the movable seat 3. ing.

  Next, the function and effect of the front fork as the suspension device according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the adjuster 4 that drives the movable sheet 3 that supports the one end Sa of the suspension spring S includes the screw part 40 and the reverse screw part 41, and the movable sheet 3 moves in the axial direction to the holder 2. The reverse screw portion 41 is screwed so that it is possible and cannot be relatively rotated.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the adjuster 4 is rotated so that the adjuster 4 moves to the inside of the suspension apparatus main body F, which is the lower side in FIG. Move up to the bottom in FIG. That is, the distance X that the movable sheet 3 moves is equal to the distance X1 that moves due to the movement of the adjuster 4 in the axial direction and the distance that the movable sheet 3 moves on the reverse screw portion 41 of the adjuster 4 (the movable sheet due to the rotation of the adjuster 4). 3 is the sum of the distance traveled) X2.

  Further, when the adjuster 4 is rotated in the reverse direction, the moving direction of the adjuster 4 and the moving sheet 3 is reversed (upper side in FIG. 6), but the moving distance of the moving sheet 3 is the same as described above.

  That is, according to the present invention, since the movement amount of the movable sheet 3 with respect to the movement amount of the adjuster 4 is increased as compared with the prior art, even if the movement amount of the movable sheet 3 is increased, the movement amount of the adjuster 4 is suppressed. The amount by which the adjuster 4 protrudes from the cap member 1 can be suppressed, and deterioration of the appearance can be suppressed.

  Moreover, when only the reaction force by the suspension spring S of one suspension device member FR is adjusted (hereinafter referred to as one-side adjustment) among the pair of suspension device members FL and FR as in the present embodiment, each suspension device When the reaction force of each suspension spring S of the members FL and FR is adjusted individually (hereinafter referred to as “both side adjustment”), the same adjustment range of the reaction force in the front fork is secured. Must be doubled. For this reason, in the one-side adjustment, it is particularly effective to increase the movement amount of the movable sheet 3 with respect to the movement amount of the adjuster 4.

  In addition, as in the present embodiment, the one-side adjustment can simplify the configuration of the cap member portion of the other suspension device member FL, thereby reducing the cost of the front fork.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the holder 2 includes a holder main body 21 formed in a cylindrical shape, and a pair of guide holes 21a and 21b formed opposite to the side portions of the holder main body 21, and moved. The sheet 3 includes an annular portion 30 formed in an annular plate shape, and a pair of support portions 31 and 32 projecting from the annular portion 30 in the diametrical direction. While being fitted, both support portions 31 and 32 protrude from the guide holes 21 a and 21 b to the outside of the holder body 21.

  Therefore, the movable sheet 3 can be easily moved along the axial direction of the holder 2, and the relative rotation between the movable sheet 3 and the holder 2 can be easily prevented.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the air side smooth portion 1b and the inner side (buffer side) screw groove portion 1c in which the screw groove is formed are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap member 1 side by side in the axial direction. The adjuster 4 includes an operation portion 42 that is screwed into the screw groove portion 1c, and the adjuster 4 is coaxially disposed on the atmosphere side of the screw portion 40. The operation portion 42 includes: It is slidably contacted with the smooth portion 1b through an engaging annular seal 7b.

  Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent the working fluid or gas accommodated in the suspension apparatus main body F from leaking to the atmosphere side by the seal 7b.

  Further, in the adjuster 4 of the present embodiment, the reverse screw portion 41 into which the moving sheet 3 is screwed is formed to have a smaller diameter than the screw portion 40, so that the moving sheet 3 can easily move to the screw portion 40. It becomes possible to stop.

  Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that modifications, variations and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

  For example, the suspension device according to the above embodiment is a front fork that suspends a front wheel in a straddle-type vehicle such as a motorcycle, but may be a rear cushion unit that suspends a rear wheel. It may be a suspension device.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is embodied only in one suspension device member FR. However, the present invention may be embodied in both suspension device members FL and FR.

  Further, the front fork of the above embodiment is an inverted front fork in which the outer tube T1 is disposed on the vehicle body side and the inner tube T2 is disposed on the wheel side, but the outer tube T1 is disposed on the wheel side, The inner tube T2 may be an upright front fork disposed on the vehicle body side.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the cap member 1 is attached to the outer tube T1, it is good also as being attached to the inner tube T2.

  Further, any type of shock absorber D may be accommodated in the suspension device main body F, and the suspension spring S and the shock absorber D may be accommodated only in one of the suspension device main bodies F.

  In the above embodiment, the movable sheet 3 supports the suspension spring S via the ring S2 and the spring receiver S1, but the suspension spring S is directly brought into contact with the side surface of the movable sheet 3 opposite to the cap member. May be.

  The shape of the holder 2, the movable sheet 3, and the adjuster 4 is not limited to the above, and the movable sheet 3 is screwed into the reverse screw portion 41 of the adjuster 4 so as to be movable in the axial direction and is rotated relative to the holder 2. It is only necessary to prevent this, and the shape can be selected as appropriate.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the holder 2 is screwed by the cap member 1, you may couple | bond the holder 2 and the cap member 1 by welding, fitting, etc., and the holder 2 and cap member 1 may be formed integrally.

D Shock absorber F Suspension device body FL, FR Suspension device member S Suspension spring S1 Spring receiver S2 Ring T1 Outer tube T2 Inner tube 1,100 Cap member 2 Holder 3,300 Moving seat 4,400 Adjuster 5 Cylinder 6 Rod 7a, 7b Seal 8 Stopper ring 9 Front wheel 20 Coupling part 21 Holder body 22 Rod holding part 21a, 21b Guide hole 30 Ring part 31, 32 Support part 40 Screw part 41 Reverse screw part 42 Operation part

Claims (4)

A suspension device main body that includes an outer tube and an inner tube that can be inserted into and retracted from the outer tube, and a suspension spring that is housed in the suspension device body and constantly urges the suspension device body in the extension direction. An annular cap member attached to one opening of the suspension device body, a holder suspended from the cap member, and movable along the axial direction of the holder to support one end of the suspension spring A suspension device comprising: a movable seat that is configured to be moved; and an adjuster that is screwed to the inner periphery of the cap member so as to be movable in the axial direction, and that drives the movable seat.
The adjuster includes: a screw portion that is screwed to the inner periphery of the cap member; and a reverse screw portion that is connected to the screw portion and is set to the screw portion and a reverse screw. The suspension device is characterized in that relative rotation is prevented and screwed into the reverse screw portion. A holder body in which the holder is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a pair of guide holes formed opposite to the sides of the holder body,
The moving sheet comprises an annular part formed in an annular plate shape, and a pair of support parts projecting in a diameter direction from the annular part,
2. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the annular portion is loosely fitted inside the holder main body, and the two support portions protrude from the guide hole to the outside of the holder main body. On the inner peripheral surface of the cap member, an air-side smooth portion and an inner-side screw groove portion in which a screw groove is formed are formed side by side in the axial direction.
The screw portion of the adjuster is screwed into the screw groove portion, and the adjuster includes an operation portion that is coaxially disposed on the atmosphere side of the screw portion, and the annular portion is engaged with the operation portion via an annular seal. The shock absorber according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shock absorber is in sliding contact with the smooth portion.   A suspension apparatus comprising a pair of suspension apparatus members, wherein only one of the suspension apparatus members has the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images