JP3159915B2 - Automotive suspension arm components - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension arm member made of aluminum.

[0002] In this specification, the term aluminum is used to include aluminum and its alloys.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
As shown in the figure, a suspension arm member (50) constituting an automobile suspension arm such as an upper arm, a lower arm, a torsion bar, and the like has a rod-shaped or other shaped member main body (51), and a part thereof has a cylindrical shape. A holding portion (53) having a circular mounting hole (52) for mounting the vibration isolating bush (40). And the bush
As (40), a spindle member (41) located at the center, and an outer diameter provided around the spindle member (41) and having a mounting hole (52).
A rigid sleeve (42) slightly larger than the diameter is generally connected by a rubber elastic body (43) interposed therebetween, and the bush (40) is attached to the mounting hole. By being press-fitted into (52), it is mounted and fixed to the suspension arm member (50).

A member for a suspension arm as described above
(50), conventionally, the whole is manufactured by sheet metal pressing with an iron-based material, or, when the member main body is long, a member main body (51) made of a pipe or a plate, and a holding member separately manufactured by pressing or casting. It was manufactured by welding the part (53). However, the iron-based material is disadvantageous in that it is heavy, and in the case of welding, the cost is high.

Therefore, in recent years, a suspension arm member made of a lightweight aluminum material has been used. In the case of aluminum, a hollow or solid extruded material is used exclusively because of good spreadability. In the case of a hollow extruded material, a member for a suspension arm is manufactured by extruding into a cross-sectional shape having a hollow portion (mounting hole) as in FIG. In the case of a solid extruded material, as shown in FIG. 18, the extruded material having a solid holding portion (53 ') is sliced and cut to a required thickness, and a mounting hole is cut and formed to form a suspension arm member. Is produced.

However, in the press-fit type bush as described above, since the ease of press-fitting work and the adhesion between the bush and the holding portion after press-fitting are contradictory, even the aluminum suspension arm member as follows. There was a problem.

That is, when a hollow extruded material is used, the holding portion (5) of the bush (40) and the suspension arm member (51) is used.
If these dimensions are set to ensure adhesion to 3), galling may occur on the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion (53) at the time of press-fitting of the bush, and cracks may occur at the portion corresponding to the welded portion during extrusion. Was. Further, in the case of extruded material, it is difficult to manufacture the hole diameter and roundness of the mounting hole (52) with required tolerance accuracy. Need to be cut, which was costly.

[0008] On the other hand, when a solid extruded material is used, the number of steps for drilling is much larger than the post-processing of the hollow extruded material, and there is also a large problem in cost.

Further, in the case of any extruded material, there is a limit in the production of a long suspension arm member due to the dimensional restrictions of the extruder and the die.

The present invention has been made in view of such a technical background, and not only can the strictness of the dimensional accuracy between the bush and the holding portion be relaxed, but also the manufacturing cost is low and the manufacturing cost is long. It is an object of the present invention to provide a member for a suspension arm of an automobile which can be used for a vehicle having a length.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a suspension arm member for an automobile according to the present invention basically uses an extruded member and employs a winding type as a bush fixing method. By adopting it, the strictness of the dimensional accuracy of the bush and the holding part is reduced, the number of man-hours is reduced, and the combination of extrusion and unfolding makes it possible to handle long arms. .

That is, according to the present invention, an aluminum extruded material is cut to a required thickness in the axial direction of the extrusion, and the member body is formed.
(10) A suspension arm member (A) for an automobile in which a bush mounting portion (1) for mounting a cylindrical anti-vibration bush (40) is formed on at least a part of the bush mounting portion.
(1) includes a holding portion (2) into which the bush (40) is fitted, and an opening (3) extending in the axial direction of extrusion is formed at one location in the circumferential direction of the holding portion (2). In the opening (3), the holding portion (2) can be opened in an expanded state, and the opening (3) is held in a closed state, and the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion (2) is connected to the bush (40). A bushing (40) which is fitted and fixed in the holding portion (2) by being brought into close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the opening portion (3).
A pair of connecting portions (4) and (5) protruding on the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion (2) are provided in a circumferentially opposed arrangement at or near both opening edges of the holding portions (2). ) Are connected via a connection structure utilizing plastic deformation to keep the opening (3) in a closed state.

As described above, since the connecting portions (4) and (5) of the bush mounting portion (1) are connected by utilizing plastic deformation, even if there is an error in the shape or size of the connecting portion, the connection is not affected. What is necessary is just to plastically deform so as to absorb the error, and strict precision is not required. Further, since the extruded material is only sliced and cut, the number of manufacturing steps is small.

As a specific connecting structure, one connecting portion
In (5), a crushed part protruding toward the other connecting part (4)
(6) is provided, while the crushed portion of the other connecting portion (4) is provided.
At a position corresponding to (6), a biting recess (7) having an enlarged portion (7a) having an opening area increased in the depth direction is formed, and the crushed portion (6) is formed in the biting recess (7). ) Is inserted and cut into the enlarged portion (7a) to be plastically deformed so as not to be pulled out, so that the two connecting portions (4) and (5) are connected. When such a coupling structure is adopted, the coupling portions (4) and (5) are directly coupled to each other, and a strong coupling strength can be obtained by an efficient coupling operation.

Further, as another example of the coupling structure, a crushed portion (16) is protruded from each of the coupling portions (14) and (15) or a recessed portion is provided.
(17) is formed, and a recessed portion (17) is formed corresponding to the crushed portion (16) of the coupling portion (14) (15), or a crushed portion corresponding to the recessed portion of the coupling portion is formed. The formed connecting body (18) is disposed between the two connecting portions (14) and (15), and the biting recess (17) has an enlarged portion (17a) having an opening area increasing in a depth direction. ), The crushed portion (16) of the coupling portion (14) (15) is fitted into the bite recess (17) of the connecting body (18), and bites into the enlarged portion (17) so as to be in a retaining state. By being plastically deformed, or by the crushed portion of the connecting body being fitted into the biting concave portion of the connecting portion and being plastically deformed into the retaining portion by being cut into the enlarged portion, the two connecting portions (14) (15) Is connected (18)
May be linked through a. In this case, even if an error occurs in the size of the cut-out concave portion or the crushed portion (17) provided in each of the connecting portions (14) (15),
This is absorbed by adjusting the position of the crushed portion or the recessed portion (17) provided in (18), and the strictness of the dimensional accuracy of the bush mounting portion of the suspension arm member becomes unnecessary.

[0016] As still another example of the coupling structure, in a state in which the two coupling portions (24) (25) superimposed, the coupling portion
(24) There may be a case where a part is deformed in the shearing direction by the shearing force applied in the thickness direction of (25) to form a joint. In this case, the joint (2
4) Since it is not necessary to provide a recessed part or a crushed part in (25),
The cross-sectional shapes of the connecting portions (24, 25) can be simplified and thinned.

Further, when the extruded profile is used, which has at least one arc-shaped or V-shaped bent corner portion (31) in the member body (10) in cross section, After being cut to a required thickness in the axial direction of the extrusion, the corner portion (31) can be developed linearly, and can be used for a long suspension arm member.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of a vehicle suspension arm member according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

In these figures, (A) is a member for a suspension arm of an automobile, which is manufactured by cutting an aluminum extruded profile having a sectional shape shown in FIG. 1 to a predetermined thickness in the axial direction of extrusion. is there. The suspension arm member (A) has a bush mounting portion (1) for mounting a cylindrical anti-vibration bush (40) at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the prismatic member main body (10). Department (1)
Is provided with a cylindrical holding portion (2) into which a bush (40) is fitted, and an opening (3) extending in the axial direction of the extrusion by forming a portion in the circumferential direction of the holding portion (2). ing. Therefore, the holding portion (2) can be opened in the expanded state at the opening (3).

Furthermore, a pair of connecting portions (4 ) having a rectangular cross section projecting on the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion (2) are provided on both opening edges of the opening portion (3) over the entire axial direction of the extrusion. ) (5) are provided in the circumferentially opposed arrangement, and one coupling portion (4) is formed integrally with the member main body (10) at the protruding end at the tip of the member main body (10). A crushing portion (6) having a rectangular cross section extending in the axial direction of the extrusion in two rows inside and outside protrudes from one of the mutually facing surfaces of the coupling portions (4) and (5). At the position corresponding to the crushed portion (6), there are formed biting grooves (7) extending in the axial direction in two rows inside and outside. The crushed portion (6) and the cut-in groove (7) are connected to each other by filling the cut-out groove (7) while plastically deforming the crushed portion (6). Consequently, the opening (3) plays a role of keeping the closed state. For this reason, the biting groove (7) is formed with an enlarged portion (7a) having a larger groove width than the upper and lower ends in the depth direction and thus a larger opening area at the middle portion in the depth direction, while crushing it. The protruding height of the part (6) is set to be greater than the depth of the digging groove (7) and the cross-sectional area is
When the opening (3) is closed, the crushed portion (6) that is deformed and filled has the enlarged portion (7a).
To prevent the separation of the joints (4) and (5).

The bush holding method of the suspension arm member (A) according to this embodiment will be described. By expanding the holding portion (2) in the opening (3), the inner peripheral length of the holding portion (2) is substantially reduced. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical bush (40) is inserted into the holding portion (2). Bush (4
In this embodiment, the shaft member (4) is located at the center.
1) and a cylindrical rigid sleeve (42) disposed around the support shaft member (41) is connected by a rubber elastic body (43) interposed therebetween. The outer diameter of the rigid sleeve (42) is set slightly larger than the inner diameter of the holder when the opening (3) of the holder (2) is closed. Since the holding portion (2) is expanded at the opening (3), the bush (4)
0) can be loaded into the holding section (2) very easily.

Next, when both the joints (4) and (5) are pressed in the approaching direction by a press or the like so as to close the opening (3), the crushed part (6) of one joint (4) is moved to the other. Into the cut-in groove (7) of the connecting portion (5), and as shown in FIG.
Before the closure of (3), the tip of the crushed portion (6) comes into contact with the bottom surface of the bite groove (7). When the joints (4) and (5) are further pressed in the close contact direction in this state, the crushed portion (6) is plastically deformed into a crushed shape along the shape of the bite groove (7) as shown in FIG. Magnifying section
The biting groove (7) containing (7a) is filled, the mutually opposing surfaces of the joints (4) and (5) approach in the contact direction, and the opening (3) is reduced and becomes closed soon. At the same time, the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion (2) of the bush mounting portion (1) is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bush (40), and the bush (40) is firmly wound.

In this state, even if the pressing force applied to the connecting portions (4) and (5) is released, the crushed portion (6) deformed and filled in the digging groove (7) is formed in the enlarged portion (7a) of the digging groove. Engaging sufficiently prevents separation of the two joints, so that the fixed state of the bush (40) in the holding portion (2) is maintained.

[Second Embodiment] FIGS. 6 to 8 show a suspension arm member (B) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment (B), both connecting portions (14) and (15) of the bush mounting portion (11) are connected via a connecting member made of aluminum.

The suspension arm member (B) shown in these figures has bushings attached to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped member body (10), as in the overall schematic shape shown in FIGS. The part (11) is formed, and is manufactured by cutting an aluminum extruded shape having a partial cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 6 to a predetermined thickness in the axial direction.

In the bush mounting portion (11), (12) is a holding portion, (13) is an opening, and these (12) and (13) are shown in FIG.
It has the same configuration as (A) shown in FIGS. Then, at a position slightly separated in the circumferential direction from both opening edges of the opening (13), a pair of joints (14) having a rectangular cross section protruding on the outer peripheral surface over the entire axial direction of the extrusion. ) And (15) are provided in the circumferentially opposed arrangement, and one coupling portion (14) is formed integrally with the member main body (10) at the protruding end at the tip of the member main body (10). In addition, on the mutually facing surfaces of the coupling portions (14) (15),
A crushing portion (16) having a square cross section extending in the axial direction of the extrusion is provided at the center in the radial direction. On the other hand, (18) is a connecting body, and the connecting body (18) is formed in a rectangular cross section having substantially the same width and length as the opposing surfaces of the connecting portions (14) and (15).
In addition, a biting groove (17) extending in the axial direction of the extrusion is formed at a position corresponding to the crushed portion (16) on both surfaces of the connecting body (18) facing both the joints. The crushed portion (16) and the digging groove (17) are filled in the digging groove (17) while plastically deforming the crushed portion (16), so that the two connecting portions (14) are connected via the connecting body (18). ) (15), and thus serves to keep the opening (13) closed. For this purpose, the cut-out groove (1
7) is formed in the shape of a dovetail groove whose groove width continuously increases (the opening area increases) from the top to the bottom in the depth direction, and an enlarged portion (17a) is formed in the entire depth direction Have been. On the other hand, the protruding height of the crushed portion (16) is set to be larger than the depth of the bite groove (17), and in the closed state of the opening (13), the crushed portion (16) that has been plastically deformed is the enlarged portion (17a). ), And strongly prevents separation of the two connecting portions (14) and (15). In the closed state of the opening (3), the height of the connector (18) is set so that the connector (18) and the opposing surfaces of the coupling portions (14) and (15) are in close contact with each other. .

The bush holding method of the suspension arm member (B) according to this embodiment will be described. A state in which the holding portion (12) is expanded at the opening (13) to substantially increase the inner circumferential length of the holding portion. Then, the cylindrical anti-vibration bush (40) having the same configuration as that shown in FIGS.
Insert

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, both connecting portions (1
4) After inserting the connector (18) in a predetermined direction between (15),
In order to close the opening (13), the two joints (1
4) Press (15) in the approach direction. Then, each crushed portion (16) of both joints fits into each biting groove (17) of the connecting body (18),
Before the closing of the opening (13), the tip of the crushed part (16) is a bite groove (17)
Abuts the bottom of In this state, both joints (14) (15)
When pressed in the contact direction, the crushed portion (16) is plastically deformed into a crushed inclined shape as shown in FIG. 8 and the enlarged portion (17a) in the bite groove (17)
At the same time, the mutually opposing surfaces of the coupling portions (14) (15) and the connecting body (18) approach in the close contact direction, and the opening (13) is reduced and eventually becomes closed. At the same time, the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion (12) of the bush mounting portion (11) is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bush (40), so that the bush (40) is tightly wound.

In this state, even if the pressing force applied to the joints (14) and (15) is released, the plastically deformed crushed portion (16) bites into the enlarged portion (17a) of the bite groove (17), and both ends are crushed. The coupling portions (14) and (15) are strongly prevented from being separated from each other, so that the bush (40) can be maintained in a fixed state in the holding portion (12).

In the above embodiment, the connecting portions (14) (1)
Although the case where the crushed part (16) is provided with the digging groove (17) in the coupling body (18) is shown in 5), the digging groove is provided in the coupling part (14) (15) with the coupling body (18).
A crushed portion may be provided, or a crushed portion may be provided in one connecting portion, and a biting groove may be provided in the other connecting portion, and a corresponding biting groove and a crushed portion may be provided in the connecting body. Further, the crushed portion (16) may be plastically deformed so as to fill the entire bite groove (17).

In the first and second embodiments, the recesses (6) and (16) are used as biting recesses for biting the entire bush mounting portions (1) and (11) in the axial direction. Although the case where the cut-out grooves (7) and (17) are provided is shown, it is not necessarily provided over the entire area of the bush mounting portion in the axial direction, and one or a plurality of penetrating or non-penetrating It may be formed as a hole (bite hole).

[Third Embodiment] FIGS. 9 to 11 show a suspension arm member (C) according to still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment (C), the coupling portions (24) and (25) of the bush mounting portion (22)
This employs shear joining as a joining structure by plastic deformation of the.

The suspension arm member (C) shown in these figures has an overall schematic shape similar to that shown in the first embodiment (C) in the thickness direction of the rod-shaped member body (10). A bush mounting portion (21) is formed at both ends, and is manufactured by cutting an aluminum extruded profile having a partial cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 9 to a predetermined length in the axial direction of extrusion . Things.

In the bush mounting portion (21), (22) is a holding portion and (23) is an opening, which have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. At both opening edges of the opening (23), relatively thin joints (24) (25) protruding on the outer peripheral surface are provided in a circumferentially opposed arrangement over the entire axial direction of the extrusion , The one connecting portion (24) is formed integrally with the member main body (10) at the tip of the member main body (10) at the protruding end.

In this bush mounting portion (21), an opening (23)
The cylindrical bush (40) having the same configuration as that shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 is held in a state where the inner peripheral length of the holding part (22) is substantially increased by expanding the holding part (22). Department (22)
Insert Then, the joints (24) and (25) are pressed in the contact direction to close the opening (23), and the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion (22) is brought into intimate contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bush (40), and this is tightened. I do.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the portion to be deformed (26) (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 10) in the joined portions (24) and (25) in the overlapped state is moved in the thickness direction as shown in FIG. A plastic deformation force, that is, a shearing force is applied to deform it. The deformation is shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), a part of the thickness of the joint portion (25) at the rear in the shear direction (upper side in FIGS. 9 and 11) in the deformed portion (27) slightly remains in the shear hole (28) generated by shearing. Do to the extent.
Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the deformed portion (27) is connected to a shearing punch (29a) and an anvil (29) provided in a lower mold.
b) By compressing in the thickness direction by, for example, FIG.
Backward (upper) in the shear direction at the deformed portion (27)
Increase the radial width of the joint (27b) of the
8) While cutting into the side wall part, in the shear direction front (lower side)
By increasing the burr of the connecting portion (27a), the width in the radial direction is made larger than the width of the shearing hole (28) to prevent the joint in the direction opposite to the shearing direction. In this manner, the joining force of the connecting portions (24) and (25) is increased, and the fixed state of the bush (40) in the holding portion (22) is maintained.

In such a shear bonding structure, the size and position of the shear deformation portion (27) are not particularly limited, but a bonding force that does not generate a gap between the bonding portions can be generated. As such, they should be set. Also,
The thickness t of each of the joints (24) and (25) is appropriately determined in consideration of the rigidity and shear load of the joint.

In the three embodiments described above, the bush (40) fitted and fixed to the bush mounting portions (1), (11) and (21).
A spindle member (41) located at the center and a cylindrical rigid sleeve (42) disposed around the spindle member
A solid type connected by a rubber elastic body (43) interposed between them was used, but there was no outer rigid sleeve (43) as a bush, and the outer periphery was placed inside the rubber elastic body (43). A liquid may be used in which a liquid is sealed from an injection port provided on the surface and a vibration-proof function is exhibited by the sealed liquid. In this case, if the joining work of the joining parts (4), (5), (14), (15), (24), and (25) is performed in a liquid, the liquid sealing into the rubber elastic body and the fastening work of the joining parts are performed. Can be performed simultaneously, and the process can be omitted.

[Fourth Embodiment] Further, in the present invention, it is difficult to manufacture an extruded member having a target cross-sectional shape due to a dimensional limitation of an extruder and an extrusion die. In the case of, it can be manufactured by a method combining the following unfolding processes. That is, first, FIG. 12 and FIG.
As shown in the figure, a cross-sectional shape having one or more arc-shaped corner portions (31) in a member body portion (10)
(32) Extrude (33). Next, these extruded profiles (32) (33)
Is sliced to a required thickness in the axial direction of the extrusion, and then the corner portions (31) are linearly developed and processed into a target shape. The specific method of the expanding process is not particularly limited, and a known expanding method such as roll forming, press forming, or tension forming may be appropriately applied. In addition, the unfolding process can be unfolded not only two-dimensionally but also three-dimensionally while twisting. By subjecting the extruded member to the unfolding process as described above, a suspension arm member much longer than the die diameter can be manufactured.

The number of corners (31) in the extruded profiles (32, 33) is not particularly limited. In addition, corner
The bending direction of (31) is not limited, and as shown in FIG. 13, besides a waveform in which the bending directions of the adjacent corner portions (31) are alternately different, a polygon in which all the corner portions (31) are bent in the same direction. good.

Furthermore, the suspension arm member of the present invention has the following features in common, regardless of the type of the coupling structure of the bush mounting portion and the presence or absence of the unfolding process as described above.

First, the material of the suspension arm member of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is aluminum. However, the material of the suspension arm is 6000 series because it has strength as an automobile member, and has good extrudability and expandability. Alloys are preferred. Particularly, 6N01,6061 is preferable.

The dimensions of each part of the suspension arm member are set such that the total arm length (L) shown in FIG.
It is preferably from 00 to 1700 mm, and particularly preferably 500 mm or more in the case of the above-mentioned developed processed product. The diameter of the bush mounting portion is preferably 30 to 100 mm, and the thickness (cut thickness at the time of slice cutting) is preferably 5 to 50 mm.

A bush mounting portion is provided at both ends of the member body (10).
(1) When providing (1), the direction of the bush mounting portion (1) may be either symmetrical at both ends (FIGS. 1 and 12) or asymmetrical (FIG. 13). Also, the shape of the member body (10) is not particularly limited, and may be a rod shape or another shape such as an A shape.

Further, since the suspension arm member of the present invention is an extruded member, the thickness can be easily changed according to the strength required for each part. In general,
In a suspension arm member of an automobile, stress concentrates on the member body connection portion of each of the bush mounting portions, but the member body itself bears relatively little stress. For example, in the suspension arm member (A) of the first embodiment, the connecting portion (4) of the bush mounting portion (1) on the member body connection side has the same thickness as the member body (10),
By further increasing the thickness of the other connecting portion (5), the connecting portion of the member main body after the bush (40) is attached is the same as that of the member main body (10).
The thickness becomes twice or more, and it is possible to sufficiently cope with stress concentration. Conversely, if relatively high strength is not required,
As long as the strength requirement is satisfied, a hollow portion such as a harmonica shape or a truss shape may be provided to reduce the weight as in the member main bodies (10a) and (10b) shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b). As described above, by changing the wall thickness in accordance with the strength required for each part, it is possible to achieve weight reduction while improving strength as a suspension arm member. In addition, even when the member body portion is subjected to the unfolding process, if only the corner portion is formed solid, the member body having the hollow portion can be manufactured, and the weight can be reduced. Further, a bolt hole for attachment or the like may be provided in the member main body.

The biting recesses (biting grooves) of the first and second embodiments form an enlarged portion having a larger opening area in the depth direction so that the crushed portion is prevented from coming off. 15 (a) and 15 (b).
Examples shown in (c) can be exemplified. FIG. 15 (a) has the same shape as the bite recess (7) shown in the first embodiment,
An enlarged portion (7a) having a curved side surface and an opening area larger than the upper and lower ends is formed at an intermediate portion in the depth direction. (B) has the same shape as the bite concave portion (17) shown in the second embodiment, and the groove width increases continuously from the top to the bottom in the depth direction (the opening area increases). ) Formed in a dovetail shape, with an enlarged portion in the entire depth direction
(17a) is formed. Further, (c) is a biting concave portion (37) having a curved side surface, and the groove width is continuously formed from the top in the depth direction to the bottom portion, and is expanded in the entire depth direction. A portion (37a) is formed.

Further, the biting concave portion does not necessarily have to have an enlarged portion in the depth direction.
As shown in FIG. 16 (a), a bite concave portion (47) having the same groove width and being straight in the depth direction may be used. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. (Θ)
May be inclined at 30 degrees or less so that a stronger coupling force between the biting concave portion and the crushed portion can be realized.

Further, in order to secure the retaining state after the connection, the cross-sectional shape of the enlarged portion and the crushed portion of the biting recess is set as described above, and the depth of the biting recess and the length of the crushed portion are increased. By simply increasing the length or increasing the number of them, the retaining state can be effectively secured.

Further, in order to secure a state in which the joint portion is prevented from being pulled out by the stress in the torsion direction, two or more recesses are formed in the length direction of the member main body (10), and the formation interval is reduced. It is effective to increase it.

In the third embodiment, by increasing the number and area of the deformed portions (27), or by increasing the interval between the deformed portions, as in the first and second embodiments described above, The retaining state can be secured.

In the bush mounting portion (1), the interference (δ) of the holding portion (2) is determined by the outer diameter (d) of the vibration isolating bush (40) and the inner peripheral length of the holding portion (2). Based on the calculated inner diameter (D) of the holding part (2) at the time of complete occlusion, δ = d-
D. The interference (δ) is preferably in the range of 0 to 5 mm. When the distance is less than 0 mm, that is, when d <D, a gap is formed between the bush (40) and the holding part (2), and the bush (40) is held in the holding part.
(2) Cannot be fixed inside. On the other hand, if it exceeds 5 mm, no matter how plastically deform the joints (4) and (5), the opening (3)
It is difficult to completely close the recess and fill the crushed portion (6) in the biting recess (7), and the bonding force is weakened. The particularly preferable lower limit of the interference (δ) is 0.05 mm, and the upper limit is 1.0 mm.

In the first and second embodiments, the crushed portions (6) and (16) do not necessarily have to be completely filled in the bite grooves (7) and (17).
(16) is plastically deformed and the enlarged part (7a) in the digging groove (7) (17)
Any mode can be used as long as it can bite into (17a) and prevent the crushed portions (6) and (16) from coming off. However, if there is a gap between the joints (4), (5), (14), and (15) after the bush (40) is attached and fixed, mud and water will enter through the gap, causing corrosion, and consequently the suspension arm. There is a possibility that the strength of the members for use (A) and (B) is reduced. For this reason, it is preferable that the shape of the joints (4), (5), (14), and (15) is such that a gap is as small as possible after the joining, and that the gap is further reduced by plastic deformation. Also, since mud and water gradually penetrate even through minute gaps, the interface of the joints (4) (5), (14) (15) is welded by laser welding, friction welding, etc.
It is preferable that the gap is completely closed by bonding with an adhesive such as Loctite. Also in the third embodiment, by welding or bonding between the connecting portions (24) and (25) of the deformed portion (27), the intrusion of mud and water can be more reliably prevented.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a suspension arm member for an automobile having a bush mounting portion for mounting a cylindrical anti-vibration bush at at least one end in a longitudinal direction of the member main body. Comprises a holding portion into which the bush is fitted, and an opening extending in the axial direction of the extrusion is formed at one circumferential position of the holding portion,
In the opening, the holding portion can be opened in an expanded state, and by holding the opening in a closed state and bringing the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bush, the bush fits in the holding portion. Since it is a winding type that is fixed and fixed, it is not necessary to have strict dimensional accuracy between the bush and the holding part as compared with the press-fit type in which the bush is press-fitted into the holding part of the bush mounting part. In other words, special processing for finishing the inner peripheral surface of the holding portion of the bush mounting portion to the required dimensional accuracy can be made unnecessary.

Further, connecting portions projecting on the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion (2) are provided at or near both opening edges of the opening portion in a circumferentially opposed arrangement, and these connecting portions use plastic deformation. Since the opening is kept closed by being connected through the connecting structure, even if there is a shape or dimensional error in the connecting portion, plastic deformation is performed so as to absorb the error. Strict dimensional accuracy is not required, and the processing of the bonding site is facilitated.

The suspension arm member is an extruded member in which a bush mounting portion and a member main body are integrally formed, and is formed by cutting the extruded member to a required thickness in the axial direction of extrusion. Therefore, welding for connecting the bush mounting portion to the member main body is not required, and the manufacturing cost is reduced in combination with the reduction in the number of processing steps due to the relaxation of the strictness of the dimensional accuracy described above. .

Further, in the suspension arm member for an automobile, one of the connecting portions is provided with a crushed portion protruding toward the other connecting portion, and the other connecting portion is provided at a position corresponding to the crushed portion. A biting concave portion having an enlarged portion whose opening area is increased in the depth direction is formed, and the crushed portion is fitted into the biting concave portion, and is bitten into the enlarged portion and is plastically deformed to a retaining state. When the two connecting portions are connected to each other, the connecting portions can be directly connected to each other, so that the connecting operation can be performed efficiently and a stronger connecting strength can be obtained. be able to.

In addition, a crushed portion is protruded from each connecting portion or a biting recess is formed, and a biting recess is formed corresponding to the crushed portion of the connecting portion or corresponding to the biting recess of the connecting portion. The connector in which the crushed portion is formed is disposed between the two coupling portions, and the bite recess has an enlarged portion whose opening area is increased in the depth direction, and is provided in the bite recess of the connector. The crushed portion of the coupling portion is fitted and cut into the enlarged portion and is plastically deformed in a retaining state, or the crushed portion of the connector is fitted into the bite concave portion of the coupling portion and bites into the enlarged portion. By being plastically deformed to the retaining state, if both joints are to be joined via a connecting body, an error occurs in the size of the bite recess or crushed portion provided in each joint. There is also a crushed part provided in the connected body The effect of can absorb this by adjusting the position of the recesses bite, can be made increasingly required strict of dimensional accuracy of the bush mounting portion.

Further, in a state where both the connecting portions are overlapped ,
Due to the shearing force applied in the thickness direction of the joints (24) and (25),
In the case where the joint is formed by deforming a part of the joint in the shearing direction, it is not necessary to provide a cut-out groove or a crushed portion in the joint, so that the sectional shape of the joint is simplified and The thickness of the suspension arm can be reduced, the production of the suspension arm member can be simplified, the materials used can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, as the extruded profile, one having at least one arc-shaped or V-shaped bent corner portion in the member body in cross section is used, and the extruded profile is required in the axial direction of extrusion. When the corner portion is linearly processed after being sliced to a thickness, it is possible to manufacture a suspension arm member much longer than the extrusion die diameter. Therefore, a suspension arm member can be manufactured without welding even if it is long.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a member for a suspension arm of an automobile according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a bush is loaded on the suspension arm member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening is being closed after the bush is loaded.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a coupling state of a coupling portion.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a member for a suspension arm of an automobile according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a connecting piece.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a bush is loaded on the suspension arm member of the automobile shown in FIG. 6 and the opening is being closed;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a connection state of a connection portion.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a bush is loaded on a suspension arm member of an automobile and an opening is closed.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9;

11A is a perspective view showing a state in which a joint portion is plastically deformed by shearing force, FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing a state after the deformation portion is pressed before the deformation portion is pressed, and FIG. It is a cross-sectional view near the deformation part after.

FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing an extruded member having one corner portion in a member main body and a developing method.

FIG. 13 shows the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view showing an extruded member having a plurality of corner portions in a member main body and a developing method.

FIG. 14 is a transverse sectional view of a member main body having a hollow portion;
(A) is a harmonica shape, and (b) is a truss shape.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of various biting recesses, and (a)
Has a curved side surface and has an enlarged portion in the middle part in the depth direction, (b) is a dovetail shape in which the enlarged portion is formed on the entire side surface, and (c) is a curved side surface and has an enlarged portion on the entire side surface. Is formed.

16 (a) and (b) are longitudinal sectional views of a biting recess.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a method for mounting a suspension arm member and a bush of an automobile according to the prior art.

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view showing a material for manufacturing a suspension arm member of an automobile according to the prior art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A, B, C: Automotive suspension arm members 1, 11, 21 ... Bush mounting parts 2, 12, 22 ... Holding parts 3, 13, 23 ... Openings 4, 14, 24 ... Coupling parts 5, 15, 25 … Coupling part 6, 16… Crushed part 7, 17… Biting recess (biting groove) 7a, 17a… Enlarged part 10… Member body 18… Connected body 27… Deformed part 40… Bushing

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masatoshi Enomoto 6,224 Kaiyamacho, Sakai City Showa Aluminum Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Sadao Kokubo 6,224 Kaiyamacho Sakai City, Showa Aluminum Co., Ltd. 72) Inventor Masaharu Tochigi 6,224, Kaiyama-cho, Sakai-shi, Showa Aluminum Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuo Shiozawa 6,224, Kaiyama-cho, Sakai-shi, Showa Aluminum Co., Ltd. JP-A-233214 (JP, A) JP-A-58-188712 (JP, A) JP-A-6-255332 (JP, A) JP-A-8-71635 (JP, A) JP-A-9-14317 (JP, A) JP-A-9-151974 (JP, A) JP-A-7-172125 (JP, A) JP-A-8-200418 (JP, A) JP-A-7-25215 (JP, A) 145639 (JP, U) (58)査the field (Int.Cl. ^7, DB name) B60G 7/00 F16F 1/38

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A bush mounting portion (1) formed by cutting an aluminum extruded shape into a required thickness in the axial direction of extrusion, and mounting a cylindrical anti-vibration bush (40) on at least a part of a member main body (10). ), The bush mounting portion (1) includes a holding portion (2) into which the bush (40) is fitted, and a circumferential direction of the holding portion (2). An opening (3) extending in the axial direction of the extrusion is formed at one location, and the holding portion (2) can be opened in an expanded state at the opening (3), and the opening (3) is opened. The bush (40) is fitted and fixed in the holding part (2) by holding the holding part (2) in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the holding part (2) while keeping it in a closed state. a mounting portion of the seamed expression, in both opening edges or near the said opening (3), the coercive
A pair of connecting portions (4) and (5) projecting on the outer peripheral surface of the holding portion (2) are provided in a circumferentially opposed arrangement, and these connecting portions (4) and (5) are connected via a connecting structure utilizing plastic deformation. By being combined
A member for a suspension arm of an automobile, wherein the member holds the opening (3) in a closed state. 2. A crushing part (6) protruding toward the other connecting part (4) is provided at an arbitrary one of the pair of connecting parts (4) (5). On the other hand, at a position corresponding to the crushed portion (6) of the other coupling portion (4), a bite recess having an enlarged portion (7a) having an opening area increased in a depth direction.
(7) is formed, the crushed portion (6) is fitted into the biting concave portion (7), and is bitten into the enlarged portion (7a) and is plastically deformed to a retaining state, so that both connecting portions (4) are formed. 2. The vehicle suspension arm member according to claim 1, wherein (5) is connected. 3. A crushing portion (16) is formed in each of the connecting portions (14) and (15) to form a cut-out recess, and the connecting portion is formed.
(14) A connector (18) in which a recessed portion (17) is formed corresponding to the crushed portion (16) of (15) or a crushed portion is formed corresponding to the recessed recess of the joint portion, The coupling body (18) is disposed between the coupling parts (14) and (15), and the bite recess (17) has an enlarged part (17a) whose opening area is increased in a depth direction. The crushed portions (1) of the joints (14) and (15) are
6) is inserted and cut into the enlarged portion (17a) to be plastically deformed so as not to be pulled out, or by connecting portions (14) (15).
The crushed portion (16) of the connecting body (18) is fitted into the biting concave portion (17) of the connecting portion (17), and bites into the enlarged portion (17a) and is plastically deformed in a retaining state, thereby forming both connecting portions (14) ( The member for a suspension arm of an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the member (15) is connected via a connecting body (18). 4. A shear applied in a thickness direction of the joints (24) and (25) in a state where the joints (24) and (25) are overlapped.
The member for a suspension arm of an automobile according to claim 1, wherein a part thereof is joined by being deformed in a shearing direction by a force . Wherein said extruded shape members are those having a corner portion bent to at least one arc-shaped or V-shaped (31) to the member body (10) in cross-section, press push Degata material
The suspension arm member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the corner portion (31) is developed linearly after being cut to a required thickness in the axial direction.