JP5952695B2 - Suspension device - Google Patents

Description

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

  In general, a suspension device is interposed between a vehicle body and a wheel of an automobile, a two-wheeled vehicle, etc., and a shock absorber that generates a damping force, and elastically supports the vehicle body by energizing the shock absorber in the extending direction. And a suspension spring. For this reason, the suspension system absorbs the impact caused by the road surface unevenness by the suspension spring, and suppresses the expansion and contraction movement of the suspension spring accompanying the shock absorption by the shock absorber, thereby suppressing the impact caused by the road surface unevenness from being transmitted to the vehicle body. be able to.

  For example, the suspension device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a front fork that suspends a front wheel in a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle, and has shock absorbers standing on both sides of the front wheel.

  Each of the shock absorbers includes an outer tube connected to the vehicle body side, an inner tube connected to the wheel side and inserted so as to be able to appear and retract in the outer tube, a cap member closing the vehicle body side opening of the outer tube, A bottom member that is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom to block the wheel side opening of the inner tube, a piston rod that is held at the base end by the cap member and stands at the axial center of the outer tube, and held at the tip of the piston rod And a piston in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the inner tube.

  The suspension springs are respectively accommodated in the inner tubes of the respective shock absorbers, and as shown in FIG. 5, a suspension spring S is interposed between a bottom member B and a piston (not shown), so that the piston Is urged toward the vehicle body (upper side in FIG. 5) to urge the shock absorber D10 in the extending direction.

  Further, the suspension device raises and lowers the lower spring receiver 100 that supports the lower end of the suspension spring S, changes the compression amount of the suspension spring S, and adjusts the reaction force of the suspension spring S. It has. The spring force adjusting means A10 includes a moving guide surface 101 fixed to the anti-suspension spring side (lower side in FIG. 5) of the lower spring receiver 100, and a sliding contact surface 301 slidably contacting the moving guide surface 101. And a bolt 400 and a nut 500 for sliding the slider 300 in the diameter direction (horizontal direction) of the shock absorber D10.

  The moving guide surface 101 and the sliding contact surface 301 are flat surfaces arranged along the first inclined surface a1 that is inclined with respect to the axial center line x1 of the shock absorber D10, and are inclined at substantially the same angle. Yes. Further, the moving guide surface 101 and the sliding contact surface 301 are arranged such that one side (right side in FIG. 5) that is separated from the suspension spring S faces the bolt head side of the bolt 400 and the other side that approaches the suspension spring S (in FIG. 5). The left side) is arranged so as to face the front end side (anti-bolt head side) of the bolt 400.

  The bolt 400 penetrates the slider 300 through the screw portion 401. The nut 500 is fixed to the side opposite to the bolt head of the slider 300 (the left side in FIG. 5) and is screwed to the tip of the screw shaft 401 protruding from the slider 300. It is set not to.

  With the above configuration, when the bolt 400 is rotated to one side and the nut 500 and the slider 300 are pulled toward the bolt head side (right side in FIG. 5), the contact position between the moving guide surface 101 and the sliding contact surface 301 is Since the moving guide surface 101 moves to the right side in FIG. 5 away from the suspension spring S, the lower spring receiver 100 is pushed up by the slider 300. Therefore, since the lower spring receiver 100 moves to the axial direction of the shock absorber D10, the suspension spring side (upper side in FIG. 5) and compresses the suspension spring S, the reaction force of the suspension spring S can be increased. .

  On the other hand, when the bolt 400 is rotated to the other side and the nut 500 and the slider 300 are moved to the front end side (left side in FIG. 5) of the bolt 400, the contact position between the moving guide surface 101 and the sliding contact surface 301 moves. The guide surface 101 moves to the left in FIG. At this time, since the force of the suspension spring S acts downward on the lower spring receiver 100 in FIG. 5, the lower spring receiver 100 is placed between the slider 300 and the bottom member B by the suspension spring S. Is pushed into. Therefore, the lower spring receiver 100 moves to the axial direction of the shock absorber D10, the anti-suspension spring side (the lower side in FIG. 5), and extends the suspension spring S, so that the reaction force of the suspension spring S is reduced. Can do.

JP 2008-202801 A

  Here, in the above-described conventional suspension device, the suspension springs S are respectively accommodated in the shock absorbers D10 (only one shock absorber D10 is shown and the other shock absorber is omitted) standing on both sides of the front wheel. The spring force adjusting means A10 is attached to each shock absorber D10. For this reason, since the number of parts constituting the suspension system increases and the cost increases, the spring force adjusting means A10 is attached only to one shock absorber D10, and the number of parts constituting the suspension system is reduced to reduce the cost. Is required.

  However, in the conventional suspension apparatus, since the reaction force of the suspension spring S is adjusted by the two spring force adjusting means A10 attached to each shock absorber D10, the lower spring receiver in one spring force adjusting means A10. Even if the movement amount of 100 is small, the adjustment range of the reaction force of the entire suspension device can be ensured. However, the adjustment range of the reaction force of the entire suspension device equivalent to the conventional suspension device can be adjusted by only one spring force adjusting means A10. In order to obtain this, it is necessary to increase the amount of movement of the spring receiver 100 on the lower side than in the prior art.

  Then, in order to increase the amount of movement of the lower spring receiver 100, if the amount of sliding of the conventional slider 300 (the distance that the slider 300 moves in the diameter direction of the shock absorber D10) is increased, the bottom member B is increased in diameter. Must be converted. In order to prevent the diameter of the bottom member B from being increased, if the inclination angle of the conventional moving guide surface 101 and the sliding contact surface 301, that is, the inclination angle of the first inclined surface a1, is increased, the resistance when driving the slider 300 is increased. Becomes excessive, and it becomes difficult to move the slider 300.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a suspension device that can increase the amount of movement of a spring receiver without increasing the sliding amount of the slider or the inclination angle of the first inclined surface.

It means for solving the above problems, a buffer, a suspension spring for biasing the extending direction of the shock absorber, a spring bearing for supporting the one side end of the suspension spring, the spring receiving of the shock absorber in the suspension system and a spring force adjusting means is moved in the axial direction to change the amount of compression of the suspension spring, the spring force adjusting means comprises a moving guide surface fixed to a counter-suspension spring side of the receiving the spring, the A fixed guide surface that is arranged facing the anti-suspension spring side of the moving guide surface and is fixed to the shock absorber, and is interposed between the moving guide surface and the fixed guide surface and is in sliding contact with the moving guide surface. a slider having a second sliding surface in sliding contact with the first sliding surface and the fixed guide surface, and a drive operation portion for driving the slider, at least one of the moving guide surface and the first sliding surface is Shaft core wire of the above shock absorber A flat surface disposed along a first inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the first inclined surface, wherein at least one of the fixed guide surface and the second sliding contact surface is opposite to the first inclined surface with respect to the axis of the shock absorber. A flat surface disposed along a second inclined surface inclined in a direction, and the slider includes a long hole that extends through the slider in a diameter direction of the shock absorber and extends in the axial direction of the shock absorber. , the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface is slid toward the other side while the side and the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface that approaches are separated, the drive operation portion is a bolt and the sliding nut The bolt includes a bolt head and a screw shaft, the screw shaft is passed through the elongated hole, and the slide nut is prevented from rotating with the bolt, so that an outer periphery of the screw shaft is formed. Of the slider And to slide on the bolt head side.

  According to the present invention, the spring receiver is moved by the slider and the slider itself is also moved in the same direction as the spring receiver. Therefore, without increasing the sliding amount of the slider and the inclination angle of the first inclined surface, It is possible to increase the amount of movement.

It is the front view which notched and showed the principal part of the suspension apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which expanded and showed the spring force adjustment means part of FIG. It is the perspective view which expanded and disassembled and showed the slider and slide nut of the suspension system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed operation | movement of the spring force adjustment means of the suspension apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention, (a) shows the state adjusted so that the reaction force of a suspension spring may become small, (b) Indicates a state in which the reaction force of the suspension spring is adjusted to be large. It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view which showed the conventional suspension apparatus partially.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the suspension device according to the present embodiment includes a shock absorber D, a suspension spring S that urges the shock absorber D in the extending direction, and a lower end (one side end) of the suspension spring S. A lower spring receiver 1 to be supported, and a spring force adjusting means A for changing the compression amount of the suspension spring S by moving the lower spring receiver 1 in the axial direction of the shock absorber D (vertical direction in FIG. 1). And.

  Further, the spring force adjusting means A includes a moving guide surface 10a fixed to the anti-suspending spring side (the lower side in FIG. 1) of the lower spring receiver 1, and the anti-suspending spring side of the moving guide surface 10a ( A fixed guide surface 20 which is arranged facing the lower side in FIG. 1 and fixed to the shock absorber D, and is interposed between the movable guide surface 10a and the fixed guide surface 20, and the movable guide surface 10a. A slider 3 having a first slidable contact surface 30 slidably in contact with the fixed guide surface 20, and a drive operation unit (bolt 4 and slide nut 5) for driving the slider 3. ing.

  The moving guide surface 10a and the first sliding contact surface 30 are flat surfaces arranged along a first inclined surface a1 that is inclined with respect to the axial center line x1 of the shock absorber D, and the fixed guide surface 20 And the second slidable contact surface 31 is a plane arranged along a second inclined surface a2 inclined in the direction opposite to the first inclined surface a1 with respect to the axial center line x1 of the shock absorber D, and the slider 3 is one side where the first inclined surface a1 and the second inclined surface a2 approach (right side in FIG. 1) and the other side where the first inclined surface a1 and the second inclined surface a2 are separated (left side in FIG. 1). Slide towards.

  Hereinafter, in detail, the suspension device according to the present embodiment is a front fork that suspends the front wheel of a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle, and a pair of shock absorbers D (one of the front wheels) Only the shock absorber D is shown and the other shock absorber is omitted) to support the front wheel. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, one shock absorber D shown in FIG. 1 is a shock absorber for generating a compression side damping force that mainly generates a damping force at the time of compression of the suspension device. This is a shock absorber for generating an extension side damping force that mainly generates a damping force when the suspension device is extended. In the present embodiment, the spring force adjusting means A according to the present invention is attached only to one shock absorber D for generating the compression side damping force.

  Incidentally, in a front fork having a pair of shock absorbers as in this embodiment, it is well known that one shock absorber is used for generating a compression side damping force and the other shock absorber is used for generating an extension side damping force. is there. Further, any known configuration may be adopted as a buffer for generating the extension side damping force. For this reason, the illustration and detailed description of the other shock absorber for generating the extension side damping force to which the spring force adjusting means A according to the present invention is not attached are omitted. However, the spring force adjusting means A according to the present invention may be attached to any shock absorber, and the spring force adjusting means A may be attached to the shock absorber for generating the damping force on the extension side.

  Subsequently, in the present embodiment, one shock absorber D for generating the compression side damping force to which the spring force adjusting means A is attached includes an outer tube t1 connected to the vehicle body side and an outer tube t1 connected to the wheel side. A shock absorber main body T composed of an inner tube t2 inserted into the tube t1 so as to be able to appear and retract, and a cap member C attached to the outer tube t1 to close the vehicle body side opening (the upper opening in FIG. 1). And a bottomed cylindrical bottom member B that is attached to the inner tube t2 and closes the wheel side opening (the lower side opening in FIG. 1) of the shock absorber body T. Further, in the shock absorber body T, the outside air side opening (the lower side opening in FIG. 1) of the cylindrical gap t3 formed between the overlapping portions of the outer tube t1 and the inner tube t2 is the wheel side of the outer tube t1 ( The lower end in FIG. 1 is held in series with the inner periphery of the opening end and is closed by an annular oil seal r1 and an annular dust seal r2 that are in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube t2. For this reason, the inner side of the shock absorber main body T is partitioned from the outside air side, so that the liquid or gas accommodated in the shock absorber main body T does not flow out to the outside air side.

  Further, the shock absorber D includes a piston rod 60 that is held at the base end portion by the cap member C and stands at the axial center portion of the outer tube t1, and an inner tube t2 that is held at the tip end of the piston rod 60. A piston 61 slidably contacting the peripheral surface and two chambers L1 and L2 partitioned by the piston 61 and containing a working fluid are provided. These two chambers L1 and L2 are composed of an extension side chamber L1 arranged on the piston rod side (upper side in FIG. 1) and a pressure side chamber L2 arranged on the anti-piston rod side (lower side in FIG. 1). A working fluid composed of a liquid such as oil, water or an aqueous solution is accommodated.

  Further, an air chamber E is formed on the upper side through the liquid level L3 of the extension side chamber L1 by sealing gas. On the other hand, a suspension spring S is accommodated in the pressure side chamber L2. The suspension spring S is a coil spring, and is interposed between a lower spring receiver 1 supported by the bottom member B and an upper spring receiver 62 held together with the piston 61 at the tip of the piston rod 60. Has been. For this reason, the suspension spring S can urge the piston 61 in the direction in which the piston rod 60 retreats to urge the shock absorber D in the extending direction (upper side in FIG. 1), and elastically supports the vehicle body. .

  Returning to the piston 61, there are formed an extension side channel 61a communicating the extension side chamber L1 and the compression side chamber L2, and a pressure side channel (not shown). And the inlet of the said extension side flow path 61a is always connected with the extension side chamber L1. Further, the outlet of the extension side flow passage 61a is closed so as to be opened and closed by an extension side check valve V1 stacked on the pressure side chamber side of the piston 61. On the other hand, the inlet of the pressure side channel (not shown) always communicates with the pressure side chamber L2. Further, the outlet of the pressure side flow path (not shown) is closed so as to be opened and closed by a pressure side damping valve V2 stacked on the extension side chamber side of the piston 61.

  Then, when the shock absorber D (suspension device) in which the inner tube t2 is retracted from the outer tube t1 and the piston rod 60 is retracted from the inner tube t2, the working fluid in the expansion side chamber L1 pressurized by the piston 61 is expanded. The check valve V1 is opened, passes through the expansion side channel 61a, and moves to the pressure side chamber L2.

  Further, when the shock absorber D (suspension device) in which the inner tube t2 enters the outer tube t1 and the piston rod 60 enters the inner tube t2, the working fluid in the pressure side chamber L2 pressurized by the piston 61 is compressed. The pressure-side damping valve V2 is opened, passes through a pressure-side flow path (not shown), and moves to the extension side chamber L1.

  Therefore, as the suspension device expands and contracts, the shock absorber D is caused by the resistance of the extension side check valve V1 and the pressure side damping valve V2 when the working fluid passes through the extension side channel 61a and the pressure side channel (not shown). A damping force can be generated. The extension side check valve V1 gives only a small resistance to the working fluid passing through the extension side passage 61a, whereas the pressure side damping valve V2 gives a large resistance to the working fluid passing through the pressure side passage (not shown). Is set to be. Therefore, one of the shock absorbers D shown in FIG. 1 can suppress the damping force generated at the time of expansion, and the one shock absorber D can increase the damping force generated at the time of compression. It can function as a shock absorber for generating a compression side damping force that generates a damping force mainly when the suspension device is compressed.

  Furthermore, the suspension device according to the present embodiment includes a damping force adjusting means for adjusting the damping force generated when the shock absorber D is compressed. The damping force adjusting means is inserted in a bypass path 70 that bypasses the pressure side flow path (not shown) and communicates the extension side chamber L1 and the pressure side chamber L2, and is movably inserted into the bypass path 70. A needle valve 71 and an actuator 72 that drives the needle valve 71 are provided.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the bypass passage 70 has one side communicating with the compression side chamber L2, passing through the axial center portion of the piston rod 60 formed in a cylindrical shape, and the other side communicating with the air chamber E. And communicates with the extension side chamber L1 through the air chamber E. Further, a pressure side check valve 73 is provided in the middle of the bypass passage 70. The pressure side check valve 73 allows the working fluid in the pressure side chamber L2 to pass through the bypass passage 70 and move to the extending side chamber L1, but the gas in the air chamber E and the working fluid in the extending side chamber L1 are not allowed to move. It is possible to prevent movement through the bypass passage 70 to the pressure side chamber L2.

  Further, the needle valve 71 has a tip 71a formed in a conical shape inserted into the bypass passage 70, and when entering the bypass passage 70, the gap formed on the outer periphery of the tip 71a is narrowed, When leaving 70, the gap formed on the outer periphery of the tip 71a can be widened.

  The actuator 72 converts a drive member 72a that contacts the back surface of the needle valve 71, an electric motor 72b held by the cap member C, and a rotational motion of the motor 72b into a linear motion of the drive member 72a. And a motion conversion mechanism (not shown).

  With the above configuration, when the driving member 72a is driven by the motor 72b and the needle valve 71 is caused to enter the bypass passage 70, the gap formed on the outer periphery of the distal end portion 71a of the needle valve 71 is narrowed. For this reason, the flow rate of the working fluid passing through the bypass 70 when the suspension device is compressed is reduced, and the damping force generated by the shock absorber D during compression can be increased.

  Further, when the driving member 72a is driven by the motor 72b and the needle valve 71 is withdrawn from the bypass passage 70, a gap formed on the outer periphery of the distal end portion 71a of the needle valve 71 becomes wide. For this reason, the flow volume of the working fluid which passes the bypass path 70 at the time of compression of a suspension system increases, and the damping force which the buffer D generate | occur | produces at the time of compression can be made small.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, the spring force adjusting means A for adjusting the reaction force of the suspension spring S disposed in the compression side chamber L2 is provided on the side opposite to the suspension spring (lower in FIG. 2). A movable guide surface 10a formed on the side of the movable guide surface 10a, a fixed guide surface 20 formed on the support member 2 and arranged facing the anti-suspending spring side of the movable guide surface 10a, and a sliding guide surface 10a. The slider 3 has a first sliding contact surface 30 and a second sliding contact surface 31 that is in sliding contact with the fixed guide surface 20, and a drive operation unit that drives the slider. The drive operation unit includes a bolt 4 and a slide nut. 5 is comprised.

  The lower spring receiver 1 on which the moving guide surface 10a is formed and the support member 2 on which the fixed guide surface 20 is formed can appear in the bottom member B while being supported by the bottom member B. The shock absorber D is not moved in the diameter direction (horizontal direction).

  Further, the lower spring receiver 1 includes a spring receiver body 10 that supports the suspension spring S, and an extending piece 11 that extends from the spring receiver body 10 to the anti-suspension spring side (lower side in FIG. 2). . In addition, a long hole 12 is formed from the spring receiving body 10 to the extension piece 11 in a portion of the lower spring receiver 1 opposite to the suspension spring (lower side in FIG. 2). Further, in the spring receiving body 10, a seat surface 10b with which the lower end of the suspension spring S abuts is formed on the suspension spring side (upper side in FIG. 2), and the anti-suspension spring side (lower side in FIG. 2). The moving guide surface 10a is formed on the surface.

  And the said sheet surface 10b is a plane arrange | positioned in the diameter direction (horizontal direction) of the buffer D. As shown in FIG. The movement guide surface 10a is a plane disposed along a first inclined surface a1 that is inclined with respect to the axial center line x1 of the shock absorber D. For this reason, the spring receiving body 10 has a thin side on which the sheet surface 10b and the moving guide surface 10b approach each other (FIG. 2) from a thick side on which the sheet surface 10b and the moving guide surface 10a are separated (on the right side in FIG. 2). The thickness gradually decreases toward the middle left), and the longitudinal section is formed in a substantially inverted right triangle shape. Further, the spring receiving body 10 is arranged with one thick side facing the bolt head side of the bolt 4 and the other thin side facing the tip side (anti-bolt head side) of the bolt 4.

  Further, the extending piece 11 extends from one end (the right end in FIG. 2) of the spring receiving body 10 to the anti-suspending spring side (the lower side in FIG. 2).

  The long hole 12 is arranged in the diameter direction (horizontal direction) of the shock absorber D, penetrates the lower spring receiver 1 from one side to the other side, and extends in the axial direction of the shock absorber D. The width of the long hole 12 in the short direction is set so as to coincide with the outer diameter of the screw shaft 42 of the bolt 4, and the screw shaft 42 of the bolt 4 penetrates perpendicularly to the long hole 12. ing. Therefore, the lower spring receiver 1 and the bolt 4 can move relatively in the axial direction of the shock absorber D (up and down direction in FIG. 2), but the circumferential direction of the shock absorber D (left and right direction in FIG. 2). Can not rotate relative to.

  Subsequently, the support member 2 includes the fixed guide surface 20 formed on the suspension spring side (upper side in FIG. 2) and the grounding surface 21 formed on the anti-suspension spring side (lower side in FIG. 2). The grounding surface 21 is in contact with the bottom b1 of the bottom member B.

  And the said fixed guide surface 20 is a plane arrange | positioned along the 2nd inclined surface a2 inclined in the reverse direction with respect to the said 1st inclined surface a1 with respect to the axial center line x1 of the buffer D. As shown in FIG. The ground surface 21 is a flat surface arranged in the diameter direction (horizontal direction) of the shock absorber D. For this reason, the support member 2 is configured such that the fixed guide surface 20 and the grounding surface 21 approach each other from the thick one side (the right side in FIG. 2) where the fixed guide surface 20 and the grounding surface 21 are separated (in FIG. 2). The thickness gradually decreases toward the left side), and the cross section is formed in a substantially right triangle shape. Further, the support member 2 is arranged with one thick side facing the bolt head side of the bolt 4 and the other thin side facing the tip side (anti-bolt head side) of the bolt 4.

When the second inclined surface a2 is inclined in the opposite direction to the first inclined surface a1, the relationship between the first inclined surface a1 and the second inclined surface a2 is that each inclined surface a1, a2 is the axis of the shock absorber D. when a for the line x1 inclined in the range of from 0 degree to 180 degrees, if greater than the inclination angle a3 is 0 degrees of the first inclined surface a1 relative axial centerline x1 of the shock absorber D, smaller than 90 degrees (0 ° <A3 <90 °), the inclination angle a4 of the second inclined surface a2 with respect to the axial center line x1 of the shock absorber D is larger than 90 degrees and smaller than 180 degrees (90 ° <a4 <180 °), or this In other words, the first inclined surface a1 and the second inclined surface a2 do not have to be arranged symmetrically about a horizontal line (a line perpendicular to the axial line x1 of the shock absorber D).

  Returning to the support member 2, since the force of the suspension spring S acts downward in FIG. 2 via the lower spring receiver 1 and the slider 3, the support member 2 is bottomed by the suspension spring S. It is pressed against the bottom b1 of the member B and is fixed to the shock absorber D.

  Further, a shaft-shaped gap b <b> 2 is formed between the thick side surface 2 a (right side in FIG. 2) and the inner peripheral surface of the bottom member B in the support member 2. The axial gap b2 is arranged in the axial direction of the shock absorber D and is open to the suspension spring side (upper side in FIG. 2), and the lower spring receiver 1 is extended to the axial gap b2. The piece 11 can appear and disappear.

Subsequently, the slider 3 is formed on the suspension spring side (upper side in FIG. 2) and slidably contacts the movement guide surface 10a of the lower spring receiver 1, and the anti-suspension spring side (see FIG. 2, and a second sliding contact surface 31 that is in sliding contact with the fixed guide surface 20 of the support member 2. Further, a long hole 32 is formed in the central portion of the slider 3.

  And the said 1st sliding contact surface 30 is a plane which is arrange | positioned along said 1st inclined surface a1, and inclines at substantially the same angle as the movement guide surface 10a of the said lower spring receiver 1. FIG. The second slidable contact surface 31 is a plane that is disposed along the second inclined surface a <b> 2 and is inclined at substantially the same angle as the fixed guide surface 20 of the support member 2. Therefore, in the slider 3, the first sliding contact surface 30 and the second sliding contact surface 31 are separated from the thin one side (the right side in FIG. 2) where the first sliding contact surface 30 and the second sliding contact surface 31 approach each other. The thickness gradually increases toward the other thick side (the left side in FIG. 2), and the longitudinal section is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape in which a pair of bases are arranged side by side in the diameter direction (horizontal direction) of the shock absorber D. Further, the slider 3 is arranged with one thin side facing the bolt head side of the bolt 4 and the other thick side facing the tip side (anti-bolt head side) of the bolt 4.

  The long hole 32 is disposed in the diameter direction (horizontal direction) of the shock absorber D, penetrates the slider 3 from one side to the other side, and extends in the axial direction of the shock absorber D. The width of the long hole 32 in the short direction is set to coincide with the outer diameter of the screw shaft 42 of the bolt 4, and the screw shaft 42 of the bolt 4 penetrates perpendicularly to the long hole 32. ing. Therefore, the slider 3 and the bolt 4 can relatively move in the axial direction of the shock absorber D (up and down direction in FIG. 2), but relatively rotate in the circumferential direction of the shock absorber D (left and right direction in FIG. 2). I can't.

  Further, since the slider 3 is in surface contact with the lower spring receiver 1 and the support member 2, the lower spring receiver 1, the support member 2 and the slider 3 are arranged in the circumferential direction of the shock absorber D (the left-right direction in FIG. 2). ) Relative rotation is not possible. Therefore, if the width in the short direction of at least one of the long holes 12 and 32 of the slider 3 and the support member 2 is set to coincide with the outer diameter of the screw shaft 42 of the bolt 4, the lower spring receiver 1 and the support The member 2 and the slider 3 can be prevented from rotating relative to each other in the circumferential direction of the bolt 4 and the shock absorber D (left and right direction in FIG. 2).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the slider 3 includes a square columnar groove 33 formed on the side surface 3 a of the anti-bolt head, and the elongated hole 32 is opened at the bottom 33 a of the groove 33. A slide nut 5 is inserted into the groove 33.

  The slide nut 5 is formed in an annular shape and has a screw groove on the inner periphery, and is screwed onto the outer periphery of the screw shaft 42 of the bolt 4. The outer periphery of the slide nut 5 is formed in a square shape, and includes a pair of sliding contact surfaces 5b and 5c that stand on both sides of the bolt head side surface 5a and have a two-sided width shape.

  Returning, the groove 33 is provided with a pair of side portions 33b and 33c that are erected on both sides of the bottom portion 33a and arranged in the axial direction of the shock absorber D. The vertical width of the groove 33 is that of the slide nut 5. It is longer than the vertical width, and the horizontal width of the groove 33 (distance between the side portions 33b and 33c) coincides with the horizontal width of the slide nut 5 (distance between the sliding contact surfaces 5b and 5c, two-surface width). Therefore, the slide nut 5 cushions along the groove 33 while bringing the bolt head side surface 5a into sliding contact with the bottom portion 33a of the groove 33 and sliding contact surfaces 5b and 5c with the side portions 33b and 33c. It can move in the axial direction of the container D (vertical direction in FIG. 3).

  That is, the slider 3 and the slide nut 5 can relatively move in the axial direction of the shock absorber D (up and down direction in FIG. 2), but relatively rotate in the circumferential direction of the shock absorber D (left and right direction in FIG. 2). I can't. Further, it is possible to prevent the bolt 4 and the slide nut 5 from rotating around by the slider 3.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the bolt 4 is inserted from the outside of the bottom member B to the inside of the bottom member B, and a bolt head 40 in which an engaging portion 40a for hooking a tool or the like is formed. A base end side shaft portion 41 that is connected to the bolt head 40 and is rotatably supported by the bottom member B, and a thread groove is formed on the outer periphery of the base end side shaft portion 41 that is connected to the front end side (on the opposite side of the bolt head). Screw shaft 42, and a tip-side shaft portion 43 that is rotatably inserted into a columnar support groove b <b> 3 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the bottom member B that is connected to the tip end side (the anti-bolt head side) of the screw shaft 42. It consists of.

  That is, the bolt 4 is arranged so that the bolt head 40 faces outward, and the engaging portion 40a is exposed to the outside of the shock absorber D, so that the slider 4 is driven by operating the bolt 4 from the outside of the bottom member B. can do.

  Further, the bolt 4 is set so that the screw shaft 42 is arranged in the diameter direction (horizontal direction) of the shock absorber D, and a base end side shaft portion 41 connected to the base end side and the tip end side of the screw shaft 42. The distal end side shaft portion 43 is rotatably supported by the bottom member B. For this reason, the bolt 4 is pivotally supported by the bottom member B and can rotate at the same position in the front-rear direction in FIG. 2 (in the directions of arrows y1 and y2 in FIG. 4). It does not move in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 and does not rotate in the circumferential direction of the shock absorber D (the horizontal direction in FIG. 2).

  Therefore, the lower spring receiver 1, the support member 2, and the slider 3 that are prevented from rotating relative to each other in the circumferential direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2) of the bolt 4 and the shock absorber D are blocked by the bolt 4. Thus, it does not rotate in the circumferential direction of the shock absorber D. However, the lower spring receiver 1 and the slider 3 that are allowed to move relative to each other in the axial direction of the bolt 4 and the shock absorber D (the vertical direction in FIG. 2) move in the axial direction of the shock absorber D. Can do.

  The bottom member B holds an annular seal r3 and is in sliding contact with the outer periphery of the base end side shaft portion 41, and is accommodated in the shock absorber main body T through the gap between the bottom member B and the bolt 4. The working fluid is prevented from leaking outside.

  Next, the operation of the spring force adjusting means A will be described. Since the slide nut 5 does not rotate with the bolt 4, when the bolt 4 is rotated in the arrow y1 direction as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the slide nut 5 is moved to the slider as shown in FIG. 4 (b). 3 is driven to move to the bolt head side together with the slider 3.

  That is, since the slider 3 moves up on the fixed guide surface 20 of the support member 2 and moves toward the right side in FIG. 4 where the moving guide surface 10a and the fixed guide surface 20 approach each other, the slider 3 and the lower spring receiver 1 are moved. Is raised by the support member 2 (distance d1). Further, the contact position between the slider 3 and the lower spring receiver 1 also moves to the right in FIG. 4 where the moving guide surface 10 a approaches the fixed guide surface 20, so that the lower spring receiver 1 is pushed up by the slider 3. (Distance d2).

  Therefore, the lower spring receiver 1 moves to the suspension spring side (upper side in FIG. 4) along the axial direction of the shock absorber D and compresses the suspension spring S, so that the reaction force of the suspension spring S is increased. Can do. Further, the moving distance of the lower spring receiver 1 is the amount of change in the axial position of the slider 3 (the distance d1) and the lower spring receiver due to the change in the contact position between the slider 3 and the lower spring receiver 1. 1 is the sum (d1 + d2) of the change in the axial position (distance d2).

  On the other hand, when the bolt 4 is rotated in the direction of the arrow y2 as shown in FIG. 4B, the slide nut 5 moves to the tip end side (anti-bolt head side) of the bolt 4 as shown in FIG. At this time, the force of the suspension spring S acts downward on the slider 3 and the lower spring receiver 1 in FIG.

  For this reason, the slider 3 moves to the front end side of the bolt 4 together with the slide nut 5, descends on the fixed guide surface 20 of the support member 2, and moves toward the left side in FIG. 4 where the moving guide surface 10 a and the fixed guide surface 20 are separated. Therefore, the position of the slider 3 is lowered (distance d1). Then, the lower spring receiver 1 is pushed into the gap between the slider 3 and the bottom member B (distance d2).

  Accordingly, since the lower spring receiver 1 moves to the anti-suspension spring side (lower side in FIG. 4) along the axial direction of the shock absorber D and extends the suspension spring S, the reaction force of the suspension spring S is reduced. can do. Further, the moving distance of the lower spring receiver 1 is the amount of change in the axial position of the slider 3 (the distance d1) and the lower spring receiver due to the change in the contact position between the slider 3 and the lower spring receiver 1. 1 is the sum (d1 + d2) of the change in the axial position (distance d2).

  Next, the effect of the suspension apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The suspension device includes a shock absorber D, a suspension spring S that urges the shock absorber D in the extending direction, a lower spring receiver 1 that supports a lower end (one side end) of the suspension spring S, And a spring force adjusting means A for changing the compression amount of the suspension spring S by moving the side spring receiver 1 in the axial direction of the shock absorber D (vertical direction in FIG. 1).

  Further, the spring force adjusting means A includes a moving guide surface 10a fixed to the anti-suspending spring side (the lower side in FIG. 1) of the lower spring receiver 1, and the anti-suspending spring side of the moving guide surface 10a ( A fixed guide surface 20 which is arranged facing the lower side in FIG. 1 and fixed to the shock absorber D, and is interposed between the movable guide surface 10a and the fixed guide surface 20, and the movable guide surface 10a. A slider 3 having a first slidable contact surface 30 slidably in contact with the fixed guide surface 20, and a drive operation unit (bolt 4 and slide nut 5) for driving the slider 3. ing.

  The moving guide surface 10a and the first sliding contact surface 30 are flat surfaces arranged along a first inclined surface a1 that is inclined with respect to the axial center line x1 of the shock absorber D, and the fixed guide surface 20 And the second slidable contact surface 31 is a plane arranged along a second inclined surface a2 inclined in the direction opposite to the first inclined surface a1 with respect to the axial center line x1 of the shock absorber D, and the slider 3 is one side where the first inclined surface a1 and the second inclined surface a2 approach (right side in FIG. 1) and the other side where the first inclined surface a1 and the second inclined surface a2 are separated (left side in FIG. 1). Slide towards.

  Therefore, when the slider 3 is driven by the bolt 4 and the slide nut 5, the slider 3 itself moves in the same direction as the lower spring receiver 1 (distance d1). It is possible to increase the amount of movement of the lower spring receiver 1 without increasing the distance of movement of the container D in the diameter direction) or the inclination angle of the first inclined surface a1.

  In the present embodiment, the slider 3 includes a long hole 32 that extends through the slider 3 in the diameter direction (horizontal direction) of the shock absorber D and extends in the axial direction of the shock absorber D. Yes. The drive operation unit includes a bolt 4 and a slide nut 5. The bolt 4 includes a bolt head 40 and a screw shaft 42, and the screw shaft 42 passes through the long hole 32. Further, the slide nut 5 is prevented from rotating with the bolt 4, is screwed onto the outer periphery of the screw shaft 42, and is in sliding contact with the anti-bolt head surface 3 b of the slider 3.

  By providing the above configuration, the slider 3 can be relatively moved in the axial direction of the bolt 4 and the slide nut 5 and the shock absorber D, and the slider 3 can be moved without changing the positions of the bolt 4 and the slide nut 5. It can be moved in the same direction as the lower spring receiver 1, that is, in the axial direction of the shock absorber D (up and down direction in FIG. 2).

  Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the suspension spring S is accommodated in the shock absorber main body T, and the bolt 4 is attached to the bottom member B that closes the vehicle body side opening of the shock absorber main body T. This is particularly effective because it can be easily sealed when it is necessary to seal between the member (bottom member B) and the member that holds the material.

  When the slider 3 moves in the axial direction of the shock absorber D, the amount of movement in the axial direction depends on the length in the longitudinal direction of the long hole 32 formed in the slider 3. The amount of movement in the axial direction of 3 can be regulated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the lower spring receiver 1 passes through the lower spring receiver 1 and is disposed in the diameter direction (horizontal direction) of the shock absorber D, and the axial direction of the shock absorber D. And the screw shaft 42 of the bolt 4 passes through the long hole 12.

  By providing the above configuration, when the lower spring receiver 1 moves in the axial direction of the shock absorber D, the amount of movement in the axial direction is the same as that of the long hole 12 formed in the lower spring receiver 1. Since it depends on the length, the movement amount in the axial direction of the lower spring receiver 1 can be regulated by the long hole 12.

  In this embodiment, the width in the short direction of the long hole 32 of the slider 3 and the long hole 12 of the lower spring receiver 1 matches the outer diameter of the screw shaft 42 of the bolt 4. Is set to

  By providing the above configuration, the lower spring receiver 1 and the slider 3 are allowed to move in the axial direction of the shock absorber D with respect to the bolt 4 and are prevented from rotating in the circumferential direction of the shock absorber D. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the shock absorber D includes an outer tube t1 connected to the vehicle body side, an inner tube t2 connected to the wheel side and inserted into the outer tube t1 so as to be able to protrude and retract, and the outer tube t1. A cap member C that closes the vehicle body side opening of the tube t1, a bottom member B that is formed in a bottomed cylinder shape and closes the wheel side opening of the inner tube t2, and a shaft of the outer tube t1 that is held by the cap member C A piston rod 60 standing up at the center is provided, and a piston 61 held by the piston rod 60 and in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the inner tube t2.

  Further, the suspension spring S is disposed between the piston 61 and the bottom member B, and the spring force adjusting means A is inserted into the bottom member B so that the fixed guide surface 20 is disposed on the suspension spring side. A support member 2 is provided. The support member 2 has an axial gap b2 disposed in the axial direction of the shock absorber D between one side surface 2a facing the bolt head side of the bolt 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the bottom member B. Forming.

  Further, the lower spring receiver 1 includes a spring receiver body 10 in which a seat surface 10b on which the suspension spring S abuts is formed on the suspension spring side and the movement guide surface 10a is formed on the anti-suspension spring side. An extension piece 11 extending from the spring receiver body 10 to the side opposite to the suspension spring is provided, and the extension piece 11 is inserted into the shaft-shaped gap b2 so as to be able to appear and retract.

  By providing the above configuration, the elongated hole 12 of the lower spring receiver 1 can be formed in the extended piece 11, and the support member 2 is prevented from obstructing the movement of the lower spring receiver 1. Can do.

  Further, the support member 2 is pressed against the bottom b1 of the bottom member B by the suspension spring S and fixed to the shock absorber D. By forming the fixed guide surface 20 on the support member 2, the fixed guide surface 20 can be easily formed. Can be fixed to the shock absorber D. For this reason, the fixed guide surface 20 can be easily formed, and the support member 2 can be easily fixed to the shock absorber D regardless of a method such as welding or adhesion.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the suspension device includes damping force adjusting means including a motor 72b held by the cap member C, and adjusts damping force generated by the shock absorber D electrically. That is, by arranging the motor 72b on the spring of the suspension spring S, it is possible to suppress the impact due to road surface unevenness from acting on the motor 72b. Further, by providing the spring force adjusting means A on the bottom member side, the reaction force of the suspension spring S can be adjusted even when the cap member C holds the motor 72b.

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

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the suspension device is a front fork that suspends the front wheel in a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle. It may be a suspension unit other than a cushion unit or a saddle riding type vehicle.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, both the movement guide surface 10a and the 1st sliding contact surface 30 are planes arrange | positioned along the 1st inclined surface a1, and both the fixed guide surface 20 and the 2nd sliding contact surface 31 are the same. Is a plane arranged along the second inclined surface a2. However, only one of the moving guide surface 10a or the first sliding contact surface 30 is a plane disposed along the first inclined surface a1, and only one of the fixed guide surface 10a or the second sliding contact surface is the second inclined surface. It is good also as a plane arrange | positioned along a1.

  In the above embodiment, the slide nut 5 is in sliding contact with the slider 3, and the slider 3 can move in the axial direction of the shock absorber D with respect to the bolt 4 and the slide nut 5. It may be fixed to the slider 3 and the bolt 4 and the slide nut 5 may move in the axial direction of the shock absorber D together with the slider 3.

  In the above embodiment, the movement guide surface 10 a is formed on the spring receiver body 10 of the lower spring receiver 1, but may be formed on another member connected to the lower spring receiver 1. The configuration and shape of the lower spring receiver 1 can be changed as appropriate.

  Further, the configuration and shape of the slider 3 are not limited to the above, and can be appropriately changed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the fixed guide surface 20 is formed in the support member 2 inserted in the bolt member B, for example, the bottom part b1 of the bolt member B inclines along the 2nd inclined surface a2. It may function as the fixed guide surface 20, and the support member 2 is not necessarily provided.

  In the above embodiment, the lower spring receiver 1 is moved in the axial direction of the shock absorber D by the spring force adjusting means A, but the upper spring receiver is moved in the axial direction of the shock absorber D by the spring force adjusting means. It may be moved to.

A, A10 Spring force adjusting means a1 First inclined surface a2 Second inclined surface B Bottom member C Cap seat D, D10 Shock absorber E Air chamber L1 Extension side chamber (room)
L2 compression side room (room)
S suspension spring T shock absorber body t1 outer tube t2 inner tube V1 extension side check valve V2 compression side damping valve 1,100 lower spring receiver 2 support member 3,300 slider 4,400 bolt 5 slide nut 10 spring receiver body 10a, 101 Moving guide surface 10b Sheet surface 11 Extending pieces 12, 32 Slot 20 Fixed guide surface 21 Grounding surface 30 First sliding contact surface 31 Second sliding contact surface 33 Groove 40 Bolt head 41 Proximal side shaft portion 42, 401 Screw Shaft 43 Tip side shaft portion 60 Piston rod 61 Piston 62 Upper spring receiver 70 Bypass passage 71 Needle valve 72 Actuator 73 Pressure side check valve

Claims (4)

And shock absorber, the suspension spring biased in the direction of elongation of the shock absorber, a spring bearing for supporting the one side end of the suspension spring, the compression of the suspension spring by moving said spring received in the axial direction of the shock absorber In the suspension device comprising a spring force adjusting means for changing the amount,
The spring force adjusting means comprises a moving guide surface fixed to a counter-suspension spring side of the receiving the spring, fixed guide surface fixed to the counter to the suspension spring side is arranged oppositely the shock absorber of the moving guide surface and a slider having a second sliding surface in sliding contact is interposed the first sliding surface in sliding contact with the moving guide surface and the fixed guide surface between said moving guide surface and the fixed guide surface, the slider A drive operation unit for driving
At least one of the moving guide surface and the first sliding contact surface is a plane disposed along a first inclined surface inclined with respect to an axis of the shock absorber;
At least one of the fixed guide surface and the second sliding contact surface is a plane arranged along a second inclined surface inclined in a direction opposite to the first inclined surface with respect to the axial center line of the shock absorber,
The slider has a one side which includes a long hole extending in the axial direction of the shock absorber while being arranged in the diameter direction of the shock absorber through the slider, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface approaches Sliding toward the other side where the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are separated ,
The drive operation unit includes a bolt and a slide nut. The bolt includes a bolt head and a screw shaft, and the screw shaft passes through the elongated hole.
The slide nut is prevented the bolt and co-rotation is screwed on the outer periphery of the screw shaft, the suspension system, characterized in that the sliding contact in a counter-bolt head side face of the slider. The spring receiving penetrates the spring receiving while being arranged in the diameter direction of the shock absorber includes a long hole extending in the axial direction of the shock absorber, in the long hole the screw shaft of the bolt passes through The suspension device according to claim 1 .   3. The width of at least one of the long hole of the slider and the long hole of the spring receiver is set so as to coincide with the outer diameter of the screw shaft of the bolt. The suspension device described in 1. The shock absorber includes an outer tube connected to the vehicle body side, an inner tube connected to the wheel side and inserted into the outer tube so as to be able to protrude and retract, a cap member closing the vehicle body side opening of the outer tube, and a bottom member for closing the wheel-side opening of the inner tube is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, a piston rod standing in the axial portion of the outer tube is held in the cap member, the inner being held in the piston rod A piston slidably in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the tube, the suspension spring is disposed between the piston and the bottom member, and the spring force adjusting means is inserted into the bottom member and is disposed on the suspension spring side. A support member on which the fixed guide surface is formed;
The support member forms an axial gap disposed in the axial direction of the shock absorber between a side surface on one side facing the bolt head side of the bolt and an inner peripheral surface of the bottom member,
The spring receiving includes a spring receiving body where the moving guide surface in the counter-suspension spring side is formed with the seat surface the suspension spring abuts against the suspension spring side is formed, the counter-suspension spring side from the spring receiving body and a extending piece extending said extending piece is suspension of claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it is inserted retractably into the shaft-like gap.

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