JP3085124B2 - Upper joint mechanism for steering wheel suspension - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension, and more particularly, a knuckle upper portion is provided on an upper arm through a pivoting member for vertical swing guide and a bearing for defining a steering shaft. The present invention relates to an upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension configured to be connected to a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A suspension device for a vehicle employs a spring or a damper to interfere with road surface irregularities so as not to be directly transmitted to a vehicle body. Further, this suspension device has a great influence on steering stability by ensuring the riding stability of the occupant and restricting the direction of the wheels. Among such suspension devices, in particular, the independent suspension type suspension can support each wheel independently, can relatively small unsprung load, and is widely used in passenger cars and small trucks. Examples of this type of independent suspension are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-62-46363 and JP-A-1-106713.

In a double wishbone type suspension 1 as shown in FIG. 13, a lower arm 2 and an upper arm 3 extending in the left-right direction of a vehicle body are respectively pivotally connected to a vehicle body base 4, and the turning ends of both arms are connected to a knuckle 5. It is connected so as to be able to swing up and down and to be rotatable around the steering axis K. Here, the lower arm 2 and the lower part of the knuckle 5 are connected by a ball joint 6, and the upper arm 3 and the upper part of the knuckle 5 are connected via a joint member 7. As shown in FIG. 14, the joint member 7 includes a tubular horizontal pivot portion 8 which is pivotally connected to a swinging end of the upper arm via a buffer bush (not shown).
And a downwardly extending pivot portion 9 that extends further. here,
The horizontal pivot 8 is formed with a cutout 10 vertically dividing the lower end of the tubular portion, and the gap between the cutouts 10 is finely adjusted by bolts 11.

The downward pivot 9 has a downward hole 16 which opens toward the upper part of the knuckle 5, and a bearing 12 is inserted into the opening. An upward bolt 19 is fitted into the inner ring of the bearing 12, and the upper end of the bolt penetrates the center hole 13 of the downward pivotal support 9 and projects upward. Here, the bolt 19 is inserted into the mounting hole 14, the spacer 15, and the inner ring of the bearing 12 on the upper part of the knuckle 5, respectively.
The upper part of the knuckle 5, the spacer 15 and the inner ring of the bearing 12 are integrally fastened and fixed with a nut 17.

In such a configuration, the road surface reaction force entering the joint member 7 is a thrust-up force from below, and since the bearing 12 is press-fitted from below, the step 1
8, the input can be received, and the durability of the joint member 7 can be maintained. When an opening is formed in the upward direction (not shown), a thrust input from a bearing is applied to a snap ring (not shown), and the durability around the portion is reduced.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Incidentally, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
-46363 and JP-A-1-106713,
Alternatively, in a suspension as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a joint member provided with a steering element and a stroke element separated from each other is provided between the rotation end of the upper arm and the upper part of the knuckle. The degree of freedom has been improved. However, in this case, in each case, a bolt that constitutes a steering element is arranged from below to above, and a nut is fastened to a threaded portion at the upper end of the bolt.

For this reason, depending on the setting of the suspension characteristics, it is difficult to secure a tightening work space for bolts and nuts, and the workability for tightening is extremely low. In particular, in the case of the suspension shown in FIG. 14, a bolt 19 is inserted through the central hole 13 of the downward pivotal support 9, and the nut 1 is inserted into the inserted portion.
Since the nut 7 is screwed, it is necessary to make a new nut 17, which is disadvantageous in cost. Furthermore, since the threaded portion of the bolt 19 and the nut 17 screwed to the threaded portion protrude from the upper portion of the joint member 7, the configuration is increased in size, and there is a problem that it is difficult to mount the bolt on a vehicle. In particular, FIG.
In the case of the suspension of No. 4, if a cotter pin or the like for preventing loosening is to be mounted, the screw portion of the bolt 19 further projects upward, and mounting the cotter pin or the like has a problem in securing space. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a durable upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension, which has good assembling workability and mountability.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a joint member is interposed between an upper portion of a knuckle for rotatably supporting a wheel and the other end of an upper arm having one end pivotally connected to a vehicle body. An upper joint of a steering wheel suspension, wherein a joint member is connected to an upper portion of the knuckle via a bearing for defining a steered shaft and connected to the other end of the upper arm via a pivoting member for vertical swing guide. In the mechanism, a fitting hole for wrench fitting is formed in the head, the bolt is inserted into the bearing inner ring from above, and a screw portion is formed so as to protrude downward from the bearing. A bearing housing hole formed in the member and having a stepped portion into which the outer ring of the bearing is press-fitted from below and which is engaged with the outer ring from above; And a mounting hole into which the screw portion of the bolt protruding from the bearing is inserted, and a screw portion of the bolt protruding below the mounting hole being screwed to fasten an upper portion of the knuckle to an inner ring of the bearing. And a wrench insertion hole formed in the joint member above the bearing housing hole, communicating with the bearing housing hole, and provided with a wrench in the fitting hole from above the joint member. It is characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect,
The bearing receiving hole has a space formed above the step and the head and the bearing. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect, a guide surface that is directed upward in a direction perpendicular to the press-fitting direction of the bearing is formed on two opposing side surfaces of the joint member. It is characterized by having.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect,
The pivot member is formed by a sliding bush. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect, the joint member is disposed above the wheel.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a joint member is interposed between the knuckle and the upper arm, an outer ring of the bearing is press-fitted into a bearing receiving hole of the joint member, and the outer ring is brought into contact with the stepped portion. A bolt having a fitting hole for wrench fitting is inserted into the bearing inner ring from above and into the mounting hole of the knuckle, and the nut is screwed into the screw part of the bolt protruding below the mounting hole. Then, a wrench insertion hole communicating with the bearing storage hole was formed in the joint member above the bearing storage hole. For this reason,
The wrench can be fitted into the fitting hole through the wrench insertion hole above the joint member, and then the nut is screwed into the screw part of the bolt. In this state, the wrench and the nut tightening tool are operated, and the bolt and nut are tightened. Can be securely tightened.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect,
In particular, a space can be secured in the bearing storage hole above the head and the bearing above the step portion, and this space can be used as a grease reservoir. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the upper joint mechanism of the steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect, a guide surface is formed on two opposing side surfaces of the joint member so as to be directed upward in a direction perpendicular to the press-fitting direction of the bearing. Therefore, the bearing can be press-fitted using the guide surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect,
In particular, since the pivoting member is formed by the sliding bush, friction at the time of a stroke can be reduced. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the upper joint mechanism of the steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect, in particular, since the joint member is disposed above the wheel, the bearing on the joint member is relatively far from the pivot portion of the wheel. The input to the bearing can be reduced.

[0014]

1 and 2 show an upper joint mechanism 20 for a steering wheel suspension according to an embodiment of the present invention. The upper joint mechanism 20 is provided in a front suspension device A for a vehicle. The front suspension device A for a vehicle includes an upper arm 21 and a lower arm 2 extending in a vehicle width direction X of a vehicle body (not shown).
2 and a knuckle 23 having upper and lower ends connected to both arms, and a lower end portion of a straddle assembly (not shown) having an upper end connected to a vehicle body upper base (not shown) connected near a pivot end of the lower arm 22. In addition, the vehicle body vibration caused by the unevenness of the road surface is absorbed.

Here, the respective pivotal ends of the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22 are pivotally attached to the base of the vehicle body (not shown) around the vertical pivot shafts a and b, and the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 2
The two swing ends are connected to the upper and lower ends of the knuckle 23 via upper and lower joint members 24 and 25 at the centers of the vertical stroke axes c and d. An axle 28 integrally connected to a wheel 27 via a bearing 26 is pivotally connected to a central portion of the knuckle 23. The inner end of the axle 28 is connected to a constant velocity joint (not shown), a drive shaft, and a transmission.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the upper room 21 has a substantially U-shape in plan view, and a boss portion 211 is formed at a pivot end thereof. The resin sliding bush 29 is fitted into the boss portion 211. A mounting pipe 291 at the center of the sliding bush 29 is fitted into the hole 301 of the upper arm shaft bracket 30, and the two are relatively slid around the upper pivot shaft a by bolts (not shown) fitted into the pipe 291 and the hole 301. Movably connected. In addition, the upward bolt 30 of the upper arm shaft bracket 30
2 is fastened and fixed to a vehicle body base (not shown). A pair of flange portions 212 are provided at the rotation end of the upper arm 21 so as to protrude, and holes 213 are formed in the flange portions 212 in a lateral direction.

Here, a sliding bush 31 made of resin is provided between the pair of flange portions 212, and the sliding bush 31 is inserted into a tubular lateral pivot portion 32 of the upper joint member 24. The mounting pipe 311 at the center of the slide bush 31 is fitted into the hole 213, and the pair of flange portions 212 and the mounting pipe 311 are connected to each other by bolts (not shown) so as to be relatively slidable about the upper stroke axis c. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the upper joint member 24 includes a tubular lateral pivot 32 and a downward pivot 33 extending from the lateral pivot 32.

Here, the horizontal pivot portion 32 is provided with a horizontal hole 32.
The slide bush 31 is inserted into the hole 321 and a stroke element on the upper joint member 24 is formed by these members. The downward pivot portion 33 includes a downward cylindrical portion 331 and a lid portion 332 above the downward cylindrical portion 331, a bearing storage hole 34 that opens toward an upper portion of the knuckle 5,
A wrench insertion hole 35 formed in the lid portion 332 above the bearing storage hole 34 and a vehicle width direction Y of the downward cylindrical portion 331.
And a pair of guide surfaces 36 formed on two side surfaces opposed to each other.

The bearing receiving hole 34 supports a bearing 37 for setting the steering axis K, and opens downward,
A step 333 (see FIG. 9) is formed at the upper end of the storage hole 34. The step 333 is formed so as to engage the outer ring of the bearing 37 from above when the outer ring of the bearing 37 is press-fitted from below. Here, the inner ring of the bearing 37 abuts on the upper end of the knuckle 23 via the spacer 44, and these are integrally formed by the inner ring, the spacer 44, the bolt 40 inserted into the mounting hole 45, and the nut 46 screwed to the bolt. Be linked. Therefore, when the road surface reaction force is input from the knuckle 23 side to the upper joint member 24 so as to push up from below, the bearing 37 is press-fitted from below.
The input can be received by the step portion 333, and the durability of this portion can be secured. Reference numeral 38 denotes a snap ring for locking the bearing 37 in the bearing storage hole 34,
Reference numeral 39 denotes a sealing material for sealing a lower portion of the bearing storage hole 34.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a pair of guide surfaces 36 on the downwardly directed cylindrical portion 331 are perpendicular to the depth direction of the bearing housing hole 34 which is the press-fitting direction Z of the bearing and are upward. A facing surface is formed. For this reason, after the pair of guide surfaces 36 are brought into contact with the receiving surfaces on the base of the press-fitting machine (not shown), the bolts 40 and the spacers 44
Press-fitting of the bearing 37 can be performed. For this reason, the bearing press-fitting operation is facilitated, and furthermore, a pair of guide surfaces 36 perpendicular to the press-fit direction Z and facing upward in accordance with the press-fit direction Z determined by the direction of the bearing storage hole 34.
Is formed, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom in design of the bearing housing hole 34 is increased, and the degree of freedom in the shape of the downwardly directed cylindrical portion 331 and the lid-shaped portion 332 is also increased.

As described above, the bearing receiving hole 34 is formed with a stepped portion 333 at the upper position where the outer ring of the bearing 37 abuts, and further at the upper position, that is, the lid-shaped portion 332, the bearing 37 and the bolt 40. And a space portion 341 surrounded by the head portion. The space portion 341 communicates with the wrench insertion hole 35 and is formed so as to allow insertion of the hex wrench 43 when the wrench insertion hole 35 is opened. Here, a fitting hole 41 for fitting a wrench is previously formed in the head of the bolt 40 located in the space 341. The upper surface of the lid 332 is formed as an inclined wall, and a notch 334 is formed in the center of the upper part, and a wrench insertion hole 35 is formed in the center of the notch 334. In addition,
Reference numeral 335 denotes a receiving seat for the bolt 42 screwed into the wrench insertion hole 35.

For this reason, at the time of inserting the screw portion of the bolt 40 into the mounting hole 45 of the knuckle 23 and tightening the nut, the hexagon wrench 43 passes through the wrench insertion hole 35 and the head of the fitting hole 41 of the bolt 40 is inserted. The bolt 40 is fitted into the dent fitting hole 41 which has been previously recessed, stops the bolt 40, and then easily tightens the nut 46 to be screwed into the screw portion of the bolt 40 by a fastening tool (not shown). it can. Reference numeral 47 in FIG. 4 denotes a split pin for preventing the nut 46 from loosening. Further, the nut 46 is disposed in a space below the mounting hole 45 of the knuckle 23, and there is an advantage that a work space required for a tightening operation using a tightening tool can be easily secured. Moreover,
The space 341 is a bolt 42 that is screwed into the wrench insertion hole 35.
Sealed by. For this reason, the closed space 34
Numeral 1 can be used as a grease reservoir, and can secure the reliability and durability of the bearing 37 that forms a steering element on the upper joint member 24.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the knuckle 23 generally has a vertically elongated bent rod shape, and has a boss-shaped pivotal support portion 48 for pivotally connecting the axle 28 via a bearing 26 at a central portion thereof. The extended portion 49 is formed from the side, the curved bar portion 50 is extended from the upper portion, and the connecting portion 51 is extended from the lower portion. A hole 481 for press-fitting the bearing 26 is formed in the center of the pivot portion 48, and a plurality of mounting holes 482 for fixing a back plate (not shown) are formed on the outer opening edge. One end of a joint 53 is bolted to an end of the extension 49, and a tie rod end 52 is bolted to the other end of the joint 53.
The steering force is transmitted to the knuckle.

The connecting portion 51 is configured to connect the lower arm 22 via the lower joint member 25. Here, the connecting portion 51 includes a rectangular hole 57 that accommodates the steered element portion of the lower joint member 25 so as to swing, and upper and lower walls 511 and 512 of the rectangular hole 57. A turning shaft K is set at the center of the rectangular hole 57 and the lower joint member 2 is set.
A turning bolt 56 for mounting the upper and lower bearings 54 and 55 as the turning element on the connecting portion 51 to the connecting portion 51 is attached.
The steering bolt 56 is provided with a screw hole 5 formed in the upper wall 511.
13 and screw holes 514 of the same pitch which are simultaneously screwed into the screw holes 514 formed in the lower wall 512 are formed at the upper and lower ends, and the inner rings of the upper and lower bearings 54 and 55 having different inner diameters are formed in the center. Upper and lower shaft portions 563 and 564 to be fitted
Is formed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10 to 12, the lower joint member 25 has a cylindrical vertical pivot portion 58.
And a horizontal pivot 59 extending from the vertical pivot. Here, the vertical pivot 58 is formed with upper and lower bearing receiving holes 60 and 61 communicating with each other vertically, and a step portion 62 is formed between the two receiving holes 60 and 61. Positioning in the direction. The horizontal pivot 59 has a tubular portion 591 and a pivot hole 592, and a slide bush 63 is inserted into the pivot hole 592, and a stroke element on the lower joint member 25 is constituted by these members. Is determined.

When connecting the steering element of the lower joint member 25 to the connecting portion 51 of the knuckle 23, first, the upper and lower bearings are inserted into the upper and lower bearing receiving holes 60 and 61 of the vertically supporting portion 58 of the lower joint member 25. 54, 55
Then, the collars 64 and 65 and the seals 66 and 67 are sequentially fitted to the opening ends of the upper and lower bearing storage holes 60 and 61. Then, these upper and lower bearings 5
The vertical pivotal support portion 58 of the lower joint member 25 fitted with 4, 55 or the like is fitted into the rectangular hole 57 of the connecting portion 51. Then, the turning bolt 56 is inserted through the screw hole 514 of the lower wall 512, and is sequentially fitted to the upper and lower bearings 54, 55 and the like.
Next, the screw grooves 561 and 562 of the steering bolt 56 are screwed into the screw holes 513 of the upper wall 511 and the screw holes 514 of the lower wall 512 at the same time, and a nut 68 is screwed into a lower part of the screw groove 562. , To prevent loosening.

Thus, the knuckle 23 connected to the turning ends of the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22 is supported so as to be rotatable around a turning axis K which is the center axis of the turning bolt 56. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the lower arm 22 has an I-shaped portion 69 having a bar shape directly above and an L-shaped portion 7 having a bent bar shape.
0 and are integrated by bolting them together at their pivotal end. Both the I-shaped portion 69 and the L-shaped portion 70 are formed with boss portions 71 and 72 at respective pivotal ends. Each boss 7
Resin sliding bushes 73 and 74 are fitted into the first and second 72, respectively. Bolts (not shown) are fitted into the mounting pipes 731 and 741 at the center of the sliding bushes 73 and 74, and the bolts are bolted to a bracket integral with the cross member (not shown).

Thus, the sliding bushes 73, 74
The lower pivot shaft b is set by the center line of the lower arm 22, and the lower arm 22 is pivotably supported around the same axis. A pair of flanges 691 are protruded from the rotation end of the I-shaped portion 69, and a pivot hole 592 of the lower joint member 25 is provided between the two flanges 691.
Is inserted, and the center line of the slide bush 63 sets the lower stroke axis d. Note that a horizontal hole 693 is provided near the rotation end of the I-shaped portion 69.
The lower end of a straddle assembly (not shown) is bolted to the horizontal hole 693 via a bush 75. The operation of the upper joint mechanism of the suspension for a steered wheel configured as described above will be described.

When the vehicle is traveling straight, the road surface reaction force from the wheels 27 is transmitted from the knuckle 23 to the straddle assembly (not shown) via the bush 75 on the lower arm 22. In this case, the relative displacement between the vehicle body and the wheels 27 is controlled by the upper arm 21 and the lower arm 22 pivoting about the vertical pivot shafts a and b, and is restricted by the pivotal trajectory of the vertical stroke axes c and d at the pivot ends. 23 and the wheel 27 pivotally supported by the knuckle 23 move up and down. When a steering device (not shown) is driven, the knuckle 23 and the wheels 27 pivotally supported by the knuckle 23 swing about the steered axis K, the alignment state of the wheels 27 is switched, and the steering angle is switched.

In the upper joint mechanism of the steering wheel suspension that operates as described above, the upper joint member 2
The steering element and the stroke element are separately provided in the inside 4 to improve the degree of freedom in setting the suspension, and in particular, a fitting hole for fitting a wrench into the head of the bolt 40 inserted into the bearing 37. 41 is recessed, the bolt 40 is inserted into the bearing 37 from above, inserted into the mounting hole 45 of the knuckle, and when the nut 46 is screwed below it, the wrench is inserted into the fitting hole 41 through the wrench insertion hole 35. A wrench is fitted to prevent rotation, and a nut 46 below the mounting hole 45 is provided.
Can be tightened with a nut tightening tool, and a sufficient work space for the nut tightening tool can be ensured, resulting in good workability. In addition, if oil is supplied from the wrench insertion hole 35, oil can be easily supplied to the bearing, and the bearing can be easily held.

In this case, in particular, the bearing receiving hole 34 can secure a space 341 above the bearing 37, and this space can be used as a grease reservoir. Particularly, reliability and durability can be secured. Further, the upper joint member 24 is formed with a contact surface which is perpendicular to the depth direction of the bearing housing hole 34 which is the press-fit direction Z of the bearing and faces upward. Therefore, the bearing 37 can be press-fitted by using the guide surface 36, and the shape of the upper joint member 24 can be freely set without considering the workability at the time of press-fitting. There is an advantage that the degree of freedom is also increased.

Further, since the pivoting member is formed by the slide bush 29, friction at the time of stroke can be effectively reduced, and a suspension with small friction as a whole can be realized. In the upper joint mechanism of the steering wheel suspension shown in FIG. 1, the curved bar portion 50 on the upper portion of the knuckle 23 is sufficiently long and the upper joint member 24
Is set to be disposed above the wheel 27, the input of the upper joint member 24 to the bearing 37 can be reduced, the durability of the bearing 37 can be improved, and the bearing 37 can be downsized.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the joint member is interposed between the knuckle and the upper arm, the outer ring of the bearing is press-fitted into the bearing receiving hole of the joint member, and the outer ring is stepped. A bolt is inserted into the bearing inner ring from above, and is inserted into the mounting hole of the knuckle, and the bolt protruding below the mounting hole is inserted into the bearing inner ring. A nut was screwed into the screw portion, and a wrench insertion hole communicating with the bearing storage hole was formed in the joint member above the bearing storage hole. For this reason, the wrench can be fitted into the fitting hole through the wrench insertion hole above the joint member, and then the nut is screwed into the screw portion of the bolt, and in this state, the wrench and the nut tightening tool are operated, Bolts and nuts can be securely tightened, and a sufficient work space for a nut tightening tool can be secured, and workability is good. Moreover,
Using the wrench insertion hole, it is possible to easily supply oil to the bearing, the holding becomes easy, and the durability can be secured.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect,
In particular, a space can be secured in the bearing storage hole above the step and the head and above the bearing, and this space can be used as a grease reservoir, and the durability of the bearing can be more reliably secured. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the upper joint mechanism of the steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect, a guide surface is formed on two opposing side surfaces of the joint member so as to be directed upward in a direction perpendicular to the press-fitting direction of the bearing. Therefore, it is possible to easily press-fit the bearing by using the guide surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect,
In particular, since the pivot member is formed by the sliding bush, friction at the time of stroke can be reduced. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the upper joint mechanism of the steering wheel suspension according to the first aspect, in particular, since the joint member is disposed above the wheel, the bearing on the joint member is relatively far from the pivot portion of the wheel. In addition, the input to the bearing can be reduced, the durability thereof can be improved, and the size can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a schematic configuration of an upper joint mechanism of a steering wheel suspension according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a schematic configuration of an upper joint mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an upper arm and peripheral members of the upper joint mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a knuckle and its peripheral members of the upper joint mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lower arm of the upper joint mechanism of FIG. 1 and peripheral members thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway sectional view of a main part of the upper joint mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of an upper joint member used in the upper joint mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of an upper joint member used in the upper joint mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line QQ in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front view of a lower joint member used in a steering wheel suspension equipped with the upper joint mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a lower joint member of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the lower joint member of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of a conventional vehicle suspension device.

14 is an enlarged cutaway sectional view of an upper joint mechanism used in the suspension device of FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Upper joint mechanism 21 Upper arm 23 Knuckle 24 Upper joint member 27 Wheel 29 Sliding bush 31 Sliding bush 32 Lateral pivoting part 33 Downward pivoting part 331 Downward cylinder part 332 Lid part 333 Step part 34 Bearing storage hole 341 Space part 35 Wrench insertion hole 36 Guide surface 37 Bearing 40 Bolt 41 Fitting hole 43 Wrench 45 Mounting hole 46 Nut A Front suspension device for vehicle K Steering shaft X Vehicle width direction Y Vehicle width direction Z Bearing press-in direction a Upper support shaft b Lower shaft Support axis c Upper stroke axis d Lower stroke axis

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-319047 (JP, A) JP-A-1-106713 (JP, A) JP-A-7-112606 (JP, A) JP-A 8- 58326 (JP, A) JP-A-8-225010 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60G 7/02 B60G 3/20

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A joint member is interposed between an upper portion of a knuckle for rotatably supporting a wheel and the other end of an upper arm having one end pivotally connected to a vehicle body, and the joint member forms a bearing for defining a steering shaft. An upper joint mechanism of a steering wheel suspension connected to an upper portion of the knuckle through a pivoting member for vertically swinging and connected to the other end of the upper arm. A bolt formed with a recessed hole and inserted into the bearing inner ring from above with a threaded portion projecting downward from the bearing, and an outer ring of the bearing formed from below with the joint member opened downward and from below. A bearing receiving hole having a stepped portion which is press-fitted and engages with the outer ring from above, A mounting hole into which the screw portion of the bolt to be inserted is inserted; a nut screwed into a screw portion of the bolt projecting below the mounting hole to fasten an upper portion of the knuckle to an inner ring of the bearing; A wrench insertion hole formed in the joint member above the hole, communicating with the bearing receiving hole, and provided with a wrench in the fitting hole from above the joint member. Upper joint mechanism for the steering wheel suspension. 2. The upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein a space is formed in the bearing housing hole above the step portion and above the head and the bearing. Upper joint mechanism for steering wheel suspension. 3. The upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein two opposing side surfaces of said joint member are formed with guide surfaces which are directed upward in a direction perpendicular to the press-fitting direction of said bearing. An upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension. 4. The upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting member is formed by a sliding bush. 5. The upper joint mechanism for a steering wheel suspension according to claim 1, wherein the joint member is disposed above the wheel.