JP5112993B2 - Suspension device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a suspension device, and more particularly to an improvement of a suspension device suitable for use in an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle all-terrain vehicle) and MC (Motorcycle Vehicle).

  For example, in terms of the size of the vehicle body, even in an ATV that travels on a dirt course with four wheels that are too large, the vehicle has a suspension device that suspends the wheels.

  By the way, when the suspension device has a suspension spring wound around the outer periphery of the shock absorber body, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a two-stage configuration in which the suspension spring is divided into two.

Therefore, in the suspension device disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the suspension spring has a two-stage configuration, the spring characteristics of the suspension spring can be optimized by variously changing the characteristics of the upper and lower springs.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-115539 (refer to description of claim for utility model registration (1) and FIG. 5)

  However, in the proposal disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is basically no problem in that the spring characteristics of the suspension spring can be optimized by adopting a two-stage suspension spring. It may be pointed out that it is actually in use and has a minor bug.

  That is, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses that the suspension spring has a two-stage configuration and controls expansion and contraction of the suspension spring, that is, the action of the upper spring and the action of the lower spring are made independent, or The desired spring characteristics can be obtained by combining them.

  However, as disclosed in the above-mentioned document, one contraction operation of the two-stage suspension spring is stopped halfway, and thereafter, the other of the two-stage suspension spring is contracted, and so-called A stopper structure is provided, and the configuration is complicated accordingly.

  As a result, when the suspension device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used for the ATV and MC described above, foreign substances such as mud and sand are accumulated on the complicated stopper structure, and the stopper structure operates as set. It is feared that it will be difficult.

  The present invention was devised in view of such a current situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a complicated stopper structure or the like when a suspension spring has a two-stage configuration to obtain desired spring characteristics. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a suspension system that can guarantee the operability permanently and is expected to be expected to improve its versatility.

In order to achieve the above object, one problem solving means of the present invention is to wind a suspension spring made of a coil spring around a shock absorber body in which a rod body is connected to a cylinder body so that the rod body can protrude and retract. The suspension spring is bisected in the axial direction and is composed of one spring disposed on the rod body side and the other spring disposed on the cylinder body side, and the tip of the one spring is fixed to the rod body side. And the tip of the other spring is movably locked to a cylindrical body fixedly provided on the cylinder body side, and the base end of the one spring and the base of the other spring are is spring guide is disposed between the end, the suspension system this spring guide is in sliding contact with the outer periphery to the cylindrical guide disposed in the cylinder body while being formed in an annular shape, the cylindrical guide The main body formed in a cylindrical shape and the concave or convex portion formed in the vertical direction on the outer periphery of the main body are configured with the same concave groove or convex portion, and foreign matter enters the concave groove or between the convex and convex portions. Further, the cylindrical guide fixes the distal end or the distal end to the outer periphery of the cylinder body on the head end side through a fixing means while positioning the base end with respect to the distal end of the cylindrical body. When the fixing by the fixing unit is canceled, the cylindrical guide can be removed from the outer periphery of the cylinder body .
Similarly, another means is that a suspension spring comprising a coil spring is wound around a shock absorber body in which a rod body is connected to a cylinder body so that the rod body can protrude and retract, and the suspension spring is divided into two in the axial direction of the suspension spring. The one spring disposed on the rod body side and the other spring disposed on the cylinder body side, the tip of the one spring being fixedly locked to the rod body side and the other spring A distal end of the spring is movably locked to a cylindrical body fixedly disposed on the cylinder body side, and a spring guide is disposed between a proximal end of the one spring and a proximal end of the other spring. In the suspension device in which the spring guide is formed in an annular shape and slidably contacted with the cylindrical guide disposed on the outer periphery of the cylinder body, the cylindrical guide is formed in a cylindrical shape with the same thickness. A long hole in the vertical direction that penetrates the wall thickness, and this long hole allows intrusion of foreign matter, and the cylindrical guide positions the proximal end with respect to the distal end of the cylindrical body while the distal end is positioned. The cylindrical guide is fixed to the outer periphery of the cylinder body on the head end side via a fixing means, and the cylindrical guide can be removed from the outer periphery of the cylinder body when the fixing by the fixing means is eliminated. It is characterized by .

According to the invention of each claim , the spring guide disposed between the base end of the one spring and the base end of the other spring is formed in an annular shape and slidably contacts the cylindrical guide disposed on the outer periphery of the cylinder body. Compared to the case where the spring guide is in sliding contact with the cylindrical guide while having other members in between, the suspension device can be reduced in diameter and the mounting property on the vehicle is improved.
Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 1, foreign matter is allowed to enter the concave groove, or the foreign matter is retracted between the convex portion and the convex portion. Since it has penetrated, it can avoid that a foreign material bites into the inner periphery of the spring guide.

  According to the present invention, the distal end or the distal end of the cylindrical guide is positioned on the outer periphery of the cylinder body on the head end side while the tubular guide is positioned by locking the proximal end to the distal end of the tubular body fixedly disposed on the cylinder body. It is possible to remove the cylindrical guide from the outer periphery of the cylinder body when the fixing by the fixing unit is canceled, and this can be realized when the cylindrical guide needs to be replaced.

  Further, when the outer periphery of the cylindrical guide is damaged due to the sliding contact of the spring guide, the outer periphery of the cylinder body in which the cylindrical guide is interposed is not damaged, and the cylindrical guide or the spring guide is not resin. In the case of being made of aluminum or aluminum, the component cost can be kept low, and the replacement of the cylindrical guide and the spring guide can be practiced at low cost.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the suspension device according to the present invention is a shock absorber in which a rod body 2 is connected to a cylinder body 1 so as to be able to appear and retract. A suspension spring consisting of a coil spring is wound around the main body.

  And in this suspension apparatus, a suspension spring is divided into the axial direction of this suspension spring which becomes the up-and-down direction in the figure, and one spring S1 arrange | positioned by the said rod body 2 side, and said cylinder body 1 It consists of the other spring S2 arrange | positioned by the side.

  Further, in this suspension apparatus, the tip of the one spring S1 which is the upper end in the drawing is fixedly locked to the rod body 1 side, and the tip of the other spring S2 which is the lower end in the drawing is the cylinder body 1. It is movably locked to the side.

  In this suspension device, as shown in FIG. 2, the spring guide 3 is provided between the base end which is the lower end in the drawing of the one spring S1 and the base end which is the upper end of the other spring S2 in the drawing. The spring guide 3 is formed in an annular shape and is in sliding contact with the cylindrical guide 4 provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder body 1.

  By the way, in the suspension apparatus shown in the figure, the shock absorber main body has a cylinder body 1 and a rod body 2 that is connected to the cylinder body 1 so as to be able to project and retract. The damper body has a damping portion that performs a predetermined damping action during the expansion and contraction operation of the shock absorber body in which the rod body 2 protrudes and retracts with respect to the cylinder body 1.

  Although not shown in the figure, the damping portion is provided in a piston portion that is slidably accommodated in the cylinder body 1 while being connected to the rod body 2, and is further provided in a bottom end portion in the cylinder body 1. It is provided in the base valve portion of the arrangement, or provided outside the cylinder body 1, etc., and performs a predetermined damping action when the working oil as the working fluid passes.

  In the suspension apparatus shown in the figure, the tip, which is the lower end of the other spring S2 constituting the suspension spring, is connected to the cylindrical body 5 fixedly arranged on the outer periphery on the bottom end side of the cylinder body 1 under the screw structure. The cylinder body 1 is movable in the axial direction.

  That is, in this suspension apparatus, the lower end position of the suspension spring is through the cylindrical body 5 described above, but can be moved up and down with respect to the cylinder body 1, and the upper end of the suspension spring is locked. The rod body 2 side to be operated, that is, the vehicle body side in the vehicle, that is, the height of the vehicle can be adjusted.

  At this time, a thread 5a is formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 5. The sleeve 5a is adjacent to the spring receiver 51 which carries the lower end which is the tip of the other spring S2, and the spring receiver 51. Then, a lock nut 52 for fixing the spring receiver 51 is screwed.

  Therefore, in this suspension device, the shock absorber main body is urged in the extending direction by the urging force of the suspension spring, that is, in the direction in which the rod body 2 protrudes from the cylinder body 1, and the spring force of the suspension spring. When an overcoming axial force is input, the shock absorber main body is contracted so that the rod body 2 is immersed in the cylinder body 1.

  In this suspension device, when the shock absorber main body expands and contracts, the predetermined damping action at the above-described damping portion is realized, and when the spring receiver 51 is raised and lowered on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 5, as a result The upper end of the suspension spring moves up and down, and the rod body 2 side that locks the upper end of the suspension spring, that is, the vehicle body side in the vehicle, that is, the height of the vehicle can be adjusted.

  By the way, in the drawing, the one spring S1 and the other spring S2 constituting the suspension spring are such that the wire diameter of the one spring S1 is larger than the wire diameter of the other spring S2. Therefore, when the suspension spring is contracted, Both springs S1, S2 start contracting at the same time, but when the other spring S2 comes into close contact and cannot contract any more, one spring S1 continues to contract.

  Regarding the contraction operation of both the springs S1 and S2, in the present invention, when the other spring S2 is in close contact and cannot be contracted any more, the one spring S1 continues to contract. Compared with the case where the so-called stopper structure prevents the lower spring from contracting as in the proposal of, the structure of the suspension system without the stopper structure can be simplified, and the weight of the suspension system can be reduced. This is advantageous in that it can be made possible, and there is no need to worry about the inconvenience that foreign matter such as mud and sand accumulates on the stopper structure.

  From the principle of making the suspension spring a two-stage spring, it can be said that the wire diameter of the other spring S2 may be larger than the wire diameter of the one spring S1, contrary to the above, but considering the actual operation. Since the spring guide 3 is expected not to be in sliding contact with the cylindrical guide 4, this is an undesirable choice.

  On the other hand, in this suspension apparatus, the spring guide 3 is in sliding contact with the cylindrical guide 4 without interposing other members therebetween, and the cylindrical guide 4 abuts the base end on the distal end of the cylindrical body 5. While fixing and positioning, the front end or the front end is fixed to the outer periphery on the head end side of the cylinder body 1 via the fixing means 6, and when the fixing by the fixing means 6 is canceled, the cylinder body of the cylindrical guide 4 is fixed. 1 can be removed from the outer periphery.

  To explain a little, first, the spring guide 3 and the cylindrical guide 4 are both made of resin or aluminum to reduce weight, and it is possible to reduce the cost of parts while ensuring a predetermined mechanical strength. Yes.

  The spring guide 3 is in sliding contact with the cylindrical guide 4 without interposing other members therebetween. In this regard, the spring guide (13) is a stopper member according to the proposal disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above. Compared to sliding contact with the guide member (16) corresponding to the cylindrical guide 4 while having (14), the suspension device can be reduced in diameter without unnecessarily increasing the outer diameter. The mounting on the vehicle has been improved.

  On the other hand, the cylindrical guide 4 with which the spring guide 3 is slidably contacted is fixedly positioned with respect to the distal end that is the upper end in the figure of the cylindrical body 5 in the figure while the base end that is the lower end in the figure is positioned on the upper end part The leading end or the leading end in the figure is fixed to the outer periphery of the cylinder body 1 on the head end side via the fixing means 6.

  The fixing means 6 includes an annular groove 61 formed on the outer periphery of the cylinder body 1 on the head end side, and a C-ring structure stop ring 62 fitted in the annular groove 61 as shown in the figure. The top end of the cylindrical guide 4 in the figure is locked to the stop ring 62, or the top end of the cylindrical guide 4 is the top end in the figure of the cylindrical guide 4. Enclosed and established.

  Incidentally, the stop ring 62 in the fixing unit 6 functions not only as a stopper of the cylindrical guide 4, but also because the lower end of the cylindrical guide 4 is in contact with the upper end of the cylindrical body 5. 5 is also fixed at a predetermined position.

  In addition, the rotation prevention structure is provided between the cylindrical body 5 and the bottom member 21 continuously provided at the lower end of the lower cylinder body 1, and the bottom body 21 of the cylindrical body 5, that is, the cylinder body 1. The rotation is blocked.

  Therefore, in the fixing means 6 described above, when the stop ring 62 is removed from the outer periphery on the head end side of the cylinder body 1 by using an appropriate tool, that is, when the fixing by the fixing means 6 is eliminated. The cylindrical guide 4 can be removed from the outer periphery of the cylinder body 1.

  Incidentally, at this time, the spring receiver 22 (see FIG. 1) is removed from the upper end portion of the rod body 2, and therefore the suspension guide is removed from the outside of the shock absorber body, so that the cylindrical guide 4 can be removed. It is said.

  Thus, in this invention, since the cylindrical guide 4 can be removed from the outer periphery of the cylinder body 1, for example, the outer periphery of the cylindrical guide 4 is damaged by the sliding contact of the spring guide 3 described above. When invited, this cylindrical guide 4 can be replaced with a new one.

  The replacement of the cylindrical guide 4 is a unique effect of the present invention. In the proposal disclosed in Patent Document 1, the guide member (16) corresponding to the cylindrical guide 4 is provided. Since it cannot be removed from the outer periphery of the cylinder body 1, even if the outer periphery of the guide member (16) is damaged, it cannot be replaced.

  In the present invention, when the outer periphery of the cylindrical guide 4 is damaged due to the sliding contact of the spring guide 3, the outer periphery of the cylinder body 1 in which the cylindrical guide 4 is interposed is damaged. Therefore, damage on the outer periphery of the cylinder body 1 can be avoided in advance.

  Furthermore, as described above, since the cylindrical guide 4 and the spring guide 3 are made of resin or aluminum, it is possible to keep the cost of the parts low and to replace the cylindrical guide 4 and the spring guide 3. Can be practiced inexpensively.

  From the above, in the suspension device in ATV or MC, it is easily expected that foreign matters such as mud and sand enter between the spring guide 3 and the cylindrical guide 4 with which the spring guide 3 is in sliding contact.

  Therefore, considering this, it is preferable that the above-described foreign matter is less likely to accumulate on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical guide 4, regardless of the inner peripheral surface of the spring guide 3.

  FIG. 3 shows the cylindrical guide 4 in an unfolded state, and a concave groove 41a is formed in the longitudinal direction on the outer periphery of the main body 41 formed in a cylindrical shape having the same thickness, and a foreign object is placed in the concave groove 41a. It is preferable to prevent the foreign matter from biting into the inner periphery of the spring guide 3 in advance.

  In order to avoid the biting of the foreign matter, instead of the above, although not shown, a convex portion is formed in the outer periphery of the main body portion 41 in the vertical direction, and the foreign matter is retracted between the convex portion and the convex portion. Also good.

  Further, from the standpoint of preventing foreign matter from getting into the inner periphery of the spring guide 3, as shown by a phantom diagram in FIG. 3A, instead of the concave groove 41a, A concave groove 41b opened at the upper and lower ends may be formed, and a concave groove 41c opened at the lower end of the main body 41 may be formed, and the foreign matter may be retreated in the concave grooves 41b and 41c.

  Then, instead of the above-described convex portion, a rib 41d corresponding to a narrow convex portion so as to communicate with the upper end and the lower end of the main body 41 is replaced with the concave groove 41a, and FIG. As shown in the phantom diagram inside, a long hole 41e may be opened in the main body 41, and foreign matter may enter between the rib 41d and the rib 41d and into the long hole 41e.

  As described above, the fixing means 6 is composed of the annular groove 61 and the stop ring 62, but the point is that the cylindrical guide 4 can be removed from the outer periphery of the cylinder body 1 when desired while being fixed at a predetermined position. As long as this is possible, any configuration can be adopted.

  For example, although not shown, an annular rib protrudes from the inner periphery of the upper end portion of the cylindrical guide 4, and this annular rib is fitted into an annular groove 61 formed in the cylinder body 1, so that the cylindrical guide 4 may be fixedly provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder body 1. In this case, the above-described stop ring 62 is unnecessary, which is advantageous in terms of reducing the number of parts.

  And in the place mentioned above, although the measure which avoids the accumulation of the foreign material between the spring guide 3 and the cylindrical guide 4 was given to the cylindrical guide 4, in addition to this, on the inner periphery of the spring guide 3 Fine pitch vertical grooves or vertical ribs may be formed to make it difficult to bite foreign matter.

  Further, in the above description, the spring guide 3 and the cylindrical guide 4 are both made of resin or aluminum, but at this time, it is effective in avoiding the biting of foreign matter. For example, it is rich in lubricity. A resin material may be selected or painted.

It is a front view which shows the suspension apparatus by this invention partially fractured | ruptured. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the main part of the suspension device of FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner. A cylindrical guide is shown, (A) is a partial development front view, (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view shown by the YY line position in (A).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cylinder body 2 Rod body 3 Spring guide 4 Cylindrical guide 5 Cylindrical body 6 Fixing means 41 Main part 41a, 41b, 41c Concave groove 41d Rib equivalent to a convex part 41e Long hole 61 Annular groove 62 Stop ring S1 Construct suspension spring One spring S2 The other spring constituting the suspension spring

Claims (4)

A suspension spring consisting of a coil spring is wound around a shock absorber body in which the rod body is connected to the cylinder body so that the rod body can protrude and retract, and the suspension spring is divided into two in the axial direction of the suspension spring and arranged on the rod body side. And the other spring disposed on the cylinder body side, the tip of the one spring is fixedly locked to the rod body side, and the tip of the other spring is the cylinder A spring guide is disposed between the base end of the one spring and the base end of the other spring, and the spring guide is formed in an annular shape. in suspension system comprising sliding contact with the cylindrical guide disposed around at to with said cylinder body, a body portion formed of the cylindrical guide into a tubular shape, and formed in the longitudinal direction on the outer periphery of the body portion Thickness to permit entry of foreign matter into between the concave groove or convex portion and the convex portion as well as constituted by the same groove or protrusion, and further, said tubular guide a base end of the tubular body The front end or the front end of the cylinder body is fixed to the outer periphery on the head end side of the cylinder body through a fixing unit while being positioned with respect to the front end of the cylinder body. A suspension device characterized in that it can be removed from the outer periphery. A suspension spring consisting of a coil spring is wound around a shock absorber body in which the rod body is connected to the cylinder body so that the rod body can protrude and retract, and the suspension spring is divided into two in the axial direction of the suspension spring and arranged on the rod body side. And the other spring disposed on the cylinder body side, the tip of the one spring is fixedly locked to the rod body side, and the tip of the other spring is the cylinder A spring guide is disposed between the base end of the one spring and the base end of the other spring, and the spring guide is formed in an annular shape. However, in the suspension device that is in sliding contact with the cylindrical guide disposed on the outer periphery of the cylinder body, the cylindrical guide penetrates the wall thickness of the main body formed in the cylindrical shape with the same thickness. That has a longitudinal direction of the long hole, the long hole allowing entry of foreign matter,
Further, the cylindrical guide fixes the distal end portion or the distal end to the outer periphery on the head end side of the cylinder body via the fixing means while positioning the base end with respect to the distal end of the cylindrical body. The suspension device is characterized in that the cylindrical guide can be removed from the outer periphery of the cylinder body at the time of fixing by the fixing . The fixing means includes an annular groove formed on the outer periphery on the head end side of the cylinder body, and a stop ring having a C-ring structure fitted in the annular groove. The suspension device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the distal end is locked or the stop ring is fixed by holding the distal end portion of the cylindrical guide .
The tip of the other spring is connected to the cylindrical body fixedly arranged on the outer periphery of the bottom end side of the cylinder body under a screw structure so as to be movable in the axial direction of the cylinder body. The suspension device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 .

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