JP6497343B2 - Vehicle suspension structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension structure, and more particularly to a vehicle suspension structure having a coil spring and a shock absorber.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a suspension of a vehicle has a shock absorber that is installed on a vehicle body side and a wheel side and whose axis extends in the vertical direction, a coil spring that is externally mounted on the shock absorber, a lower portion of the coil spring, and a shock absorber. And a spring receiving member fixed to the middle portion. In such a suspension, the impact force from the road surface is attenuated and mitigated by the vertical movement of the shock absorber and the coil spring.

  In Patent Document 1, a shock absorber that is installed on the vehicle body side and the wheel side and whose axial center extends in the vertical direction, a coil spring that is externally mounted on the shock absorber, a lower portion of the coil spring, and a middle portion of the shock absorber are disclosed. A suspension structure for a vehicle is described that includes a spring receiving member fixed to a portion and a spring rubber seat interposed between the spring receiving member and a lower portion of a coil spring.

JP 2012-219825 A

  By the way, the strut type suspension structure in which the coil spring is provided substantially coaxially on the outer periphery of the shock absorber has a shock caused by a shift between the strut shaft in the rear view of the vehicle and the load input shaft from the ground contact point to the upper attachment point of the strut. When a bending moment is generated in the absorber rod of the absorber and the tire receives an input of a load in the vertical direction from the road surface while the vehicle is running, the operation of the shock absorber may be limited and the ride comfort may deteriorate. In other words, in a shock absorber having a structure in which the piston expands and contracts up and down in the cylinder, when a lateral force (hereinafter referred to as a lateral force) is applied when the piston moves up and down, an uneven load is applied to the side surface of the cylinder. Accordingly, the smooth expansion / contraction operation is restricted, and particularly the fine expansion / contraction operation may be hindered. In this case, the vibration that should be absorbed by the fine expansion / contraction operation is transmitted to the vehicle body without being absorbed, and the ride comfort is deteriorated.

  On the other hand, by increasing the offset angle of the extension center axis of the coil spring with respect to the extension center axis of the shock absorber outward in the vehicle direction, the effect of the lateral force applied to the shock absorber by increasing the lateral reaction force of the coil spring is increased. It may be possible to alleviate this. However, in this case, since the diameter of the coil spring is increased, this may increase the mass and increase the cost.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and its object is to provide a lateral direction applied to a shock absorber when a tire receives an input of a load in a vertical direction from a road surface when the vehicle is running in a vehicle suspension structure. The purpose is to provide a technology that counteracts at least a part of the force and suppresses a decrease in ride comfort.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a vehicle suspension structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes a shock absorber, a coil spring mounted on the shock absorber, and a lower seat fixed to the shock absorber and supporting a lower portion of the coil spring. And an insulator interposed between the lower seat and the coil spring. The insulator is provided with a fitting groove portion into which a lower portion of the coil spring is fitted, and the fitting groove portion includes a narrow width portion including an outermost region of the fitting groove portion in the vehicle width direction, and the narrow width. A non-narrow width portion that is a portion excluding the portion. In a state where the coil spring is not fitted, the groove width of the narrow portion is smaller than the groove width of the non-narrow portion, and the groove width of the non-narrow portion is formed to be equal to or smaller than the wire diameter of the coil spring. .

  According to this aspect, since the narrow width portion of the insulator has a groove width smaller than that of the non-narrow width portion, the coil spring receives a larger surface pressure than the non-narrow width portion when the coil spring is fitted. The rigidity of the coil spring increases and the load center of the coil spring moves outward, so that at least part of the lateral force applied to the shock absorber is canceled when the tire receives a load input from the road surface in the vertical direction when the vehicle is running. Can suppress the decrease in ride comfort.

  According to the present invention, in the vehicle suspension structure, when the tire receives a load input from the road surface in the vertical direction when the vehicle is running, the technology that cancels at least a part of the lateral force applied to the shock absorber and suppresses the reduction in riding comfort. Can be provided.

It is a rear view of the vehicle suspension structure of the embodiment. It is a top view of the lower seat of the suspension structure of the vehicle of an embodiment. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the AA line of FIG. It is a top view of the lower sheet | seat with which the insulator was mounted | worn. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the AA line of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along the BB line of FIG.

  The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components and members shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted. In addition, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are appropriately enlarged or reduced for easy understanding. Also, in the drawings, some of the members that are not important for describing the embodiment are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a view of a vehicle suspension structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back side of the vehicle. FIG. 1 shows a portion that supports the right front wheel of a rear wheel drive type vehicle. In the following description, the vehicle front-rear direction, the vehicle width direction, the vertical direction, and the horizontal direction when the vehicle suspension structure 10 is attached to the vehicle will be described as directions of the vehicle suspension structure 10. The vehicle width direction is a direction orthogonal to the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vertical direction. Note that the vehicle front-rear direction may be simply referred to as the front-rear direction.

  The vehicle suspension structure 10 supports a shock absorber 12, a coil spring 14 mounted on the shock absorber 12, and a lower portion of the coil spring 14 that is fixed to the shock absorber 12 in order to support the wheel 62 fitted to the wheel. A lower seat 30, an insulator 16 interposed between the lower seat 30 and the coil spring 14, a steering knuckle 64, a lower arm 60, and a tie rod 66. The vehicle suspension structure 10 may also be referred to as a strut type suspension structure.

  The shock absorber 12 includes, for example, a piston that slides up and down in a cylinder filled with oil. The shock absorber 12 functions as a damper that attenuates the vibration of the wheel 62 by connecting the lower part 12a to the wheel 62 and connecting the upper part 12b to the vehicle body. The coil spring 14 is externally mounted on the shock absorber 12, the lower part 14a side is supported by the lower seat 30 via the insulator 16, and the upper part 14b side is connected to the vehicle body. The coil spring 14 functions to absorb the vibration of the wheel 62 and reduce the vibration of the vehicle body.

  The insulator 16 is interposed between the lower portion 14 a of the coil spring 14 and the lower seat 30. The insulator 16 suppresses transmission of vibration between the coil spring 14 and the lower seat 30. The lower seat 30 is fixed in the middle of the shock absorber 12 and supports the lower portion 14 a of the coil spring 14 via the insulator 16. The insulator 16 and the lower seat 30 will be described later.

  The steering knuckle 64 is connected to the lower portion 12a of the shock absorber 12, the outer end of the lower arm 60, and the outer end of the tie rod 66 in order to rotatably support the wheel 62. The lower arm 60 has an end on the inner side of the vehicle rotatably connected to the vehicle body and an end on the outer side of the vehicle rotatably connected to a lower portion of the steering knuckle 64. The lower arm 60 supports the wheel 62 so as to be movable in the vertical direction while restricting the movement in the front-rear direction. The tie rod 66 is configured to move in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1) to change the steering angle of the wheel 62.

(Lower seat)
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lower seat 30 of the vehicle suspension structure 10 according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA. The AA line is a straight line that extends along the vehicle width direction through the center C1 of the circumscribed circle circumscribing the lower seat 30. The lower sheet 30 is a substantially circular member in plan view, and is formed from a metal material such as a steel plate by pressing or the like. The lower sheet 30 is provided substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the shock absorber 12 (see also FIG. 1). The lower sheet 30 has an outer edge portion 30g when projecting upward from the outer periphery of the bottom portion 30f and the bottom portion 30f. The outer edge portion 30g is formed in a substantially circular shape with the center C1 of the circumscribed circle circumscribing the lower sheet 30 as the center. The bottom portion 30f of the lower sheet 30 is provided with a middle hole portion 30a, a protruding portion 30e, a receiving concave portion 32, an arc-shaped convex portion 30c, and an arc-shaped convex portion 30d.

(Middle hole)
The middle hole portion 30a is a hole penetrating in the vertical direction in the middle of the lower seat 30, and the center C2 of the middle hole portion 30a is offset from the center C1 toward the vehicle inner side. The shock absorber 12 is inserted through the middle hole portion 30a. The central axis in the extending direction of the shock absorber 12 passes through the center C2 of the middle hole portion 30a, and the center C1 is located outside the vehicle with respect to the central axis. The protruding portion 30e is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward from the lower portion of the middle hole portion 30a of the lower sheet 30. The outer cylinder portion of the cylinder of the shock absorber 12 is fitted and fixed to the protruding portion 30e.

(Arc-shaped convex part)
The arc-shaped convex portion 30c and the arc-shaped convex portion 30d are portions protruding upward from the bottom portion 30f. The arc-shaped convex part 30c and the arc-shaped convex part 30d have a substantially arc-shaped shape extending along an arc centered on the center C1 in plan view. The arc-shaped convex portion 30c is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the middle hole portion 30a, and the arc-shaped convex portion 30d is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the arc-shaped convex portion 30c. A receiving recess 32 is provided between the arc-shaped protrusion 30c and the arc-shaped protrusion 30d. Accordingly, the receiving recess 32 is a portion that is recessed downward from the arc-shaped protrusion 30c and the arc-shaped protrusion 30d.

(Receiving recess)
The receiving recess 32 includes a substantially arc-shaped region extending along an arc centered on the center C1 in plan view. As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving recess 32 is formed in a bag shape in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction, and receives the arc-shaped protrusion 16 d at the lower portion of the insulator 16 (see also FIG. 5). The vertical recess shape of the receiving recess 32 is formed corresponding to the vertical cross-sectional shape of the arc-shaped convex portion 16d below the insulator 16 so that the receiving concave portion 32 is in close contact with the arc-shaped convex portion 16d.

  The receiving recess 32 may include a first portion 32 a corresponding to the narrow portion 20 of the insulator 16 described later and a second portion 32 b corresponding to the non-narrow portion 22. The first portion 32a is formed in a region straddling a straight line extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the center C1, and the second portion 32b is formed on each of both sides of the first portion 32a in the circumferential direction. The groove width of the first portion 32a is smaller than the groove width of the second portion 32b, and can be, for example, 95% or less of the groove width of the second portion 32b.

  Next, the lower seat 30 with the insulator 16 attached will be described. 4 shows a plan view of the lower seat 30 with the insulator 16 mounted thereon, FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section taken along the line AA, and FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section taken along the line BB. . The AA line is the same as the AA line in FIG. 2, and the BB line is a straight line that passes through the center C1 and is inclined by 50 degrees with respect to the vehicle width direction. 4 to 6 show a state in which the coil spring 14 is not fitted.

(Insulator)
The insulator 16 is provided with a fitting groove 18 into which the lower portion 14a of the coil spring 14 is fitted. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the insulator 16 is a hollow disk-like member in which about half of the vehicle inner side is missing in a plan view, and is formed by molding from a resin material having elasticity such as rubber. The insulator 16 is provided with an inner edge 16a, an inner portion 16g, an outer portion 16h, an outer edge 16b, an overhang portion 16e, an arc-shaped convex portion 16d, and a fitting groove portion 18.

  The inner edge 16a and the outer edge 16b are substantially arc-shaped edges centered on the center C1, the inner edge 16a is provided on the side close to the center C1, and the outer edge 16b is provided outside the inner edge 16a. The inner portion 16g is a substantially arc-shaped portion in plan view that extends along the upper surface of the lower sheet 30 between the inner edge 16a and the fitting groove portion 18. The outer side portion 16h is a substantially arc-shaped portion in plan view extending along the upper surface of the lower sheet 30 between the fitting groove portion 18 and the outer edge 16b. The overhanging portion 16e is a portion that protrudes in a substantially fan shape from the vehicle outside region of the outside portion 16h toward the vehicle outside.

(Arc-shaped convex part)
As shown in FIG. 5, the arc-shaped convex part 16d is provided so as to protrude downward between the inner part 16g and the outer part 16h, and extends substantially along an arc centered on the center C1 in plan view. Has a shape. A cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the arc-shaped convex portion 16d (hereinafter referred to as a vertical cross section) is formed in a substantially semicircular arc shape.

  The insulator 16 is mounted on the lower sheet 30 so that the arc-shaped convex portion 16d fits into the receiving concave portion 32. In a state where the arc-shaped convex portion 16 d is fitted in the receiving concave portion 32, the vertical sectional shape of the arc-shaped convex portion 16 d is formed corresponding to the vertical sectional shape of the receiving concave portion 32 so as to eliminate these gaps as much as possible. For example, the groove width of the receiving recess 32 is formed slightly smaller than the width of the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the arc-shaped protrusion 16d. That is, the arc-shaped convex portion 16d is fitted into the receiving concave portion 32 in a compressed state.

(Mating groove)
Next, the fitting groove 18 will be described. The fitting groove 18 is a substantially arc-shaped recess formed in the upper part of the arc-shaped protrusion 16d. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fitting groove 18 extends along an arc centered on the center C <b> 1 in plan view, and a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction is formed in a substantially semicircular arc shape. . The fitting groove portion 18 includes a narrow width portion 20 including the outermost region of the fitting groove portion 18 in the vehicle width direction, and a non-narrow width portion 22 that is a portion excluding the narrow width portion 20. In particular, the narrow portion 20 is formed in a region straddling a straight line extending outward from the center C1 in the vehicle width direction, and the non-narrow portion 22 is formed on both sides of the narrow portion 20 in the circumferential direction.

  The insulator 16 is provided so that at least a part of the lower portion 14 a of the coil spring 14 is fitted in the fitting groove 18. In order to eliminate these gaps as much as possible while the lower portion 14a is fitted in the fitting groove portion 18, the vertical sectional shape of the fitting groove portion 18 is formed corresponding to the vertical sectional shape of the lower portion 14a.

  When the coil spring 14 is not fitted, the groove width Y of the narrow portion 20 is smaller than the groove width X of the non-narrow portion 22, and the groove width X of the non-narrow portion 22 is equal to or less than the wire diameter D of the coil spring 14. Formed. Therefore, the groove width of the fitting groove portion 18 is formed to be equal to or less than the linear shape of the coil spring 14. For example, the groove width Y of the narrow portion 20 can be in the range of 85% to 95% of the groove width X of the non-narrow portion 22. With this configuration, in a state where the coil spring 14 is fitted, the fitting groove 18 expands so as to follow the wire diameter of the coil spring 14 due to elasticity, and these can be in close contact with each other.

  If the angle range of the narrow width portion 20 having a narrow groove width is excessively wide, there is a concern that the movement of the coil spring 14 to the outside of the load center by the narrow width portion 20 described later cannot be effectively obtained. For this reason, the angle range θs having the apex angle at the center C1 of the narrow width portion 20 may be formed, for example, 90 degrees or less, and more preferably 60 degrees or less. In the suspension structure 10, the angle range θs is formed at about 30 degrees.

Next, the characteristics of the suspension structure 10 configured as described above will be described.
Since the groove width Y of the narrow width portion 20 is smaller than the groove width X of the non-narrow width portion 22, the narrow width portion 20 is expanded more strongly than the non-narrow width portion 22 in a state where the coil spring 14 is fitted. The portion 20 has higher vertical and horizontal rigidity than the non-narrow width portion 22, and the lower portion 14 a of the coil spring 14 receives a larger reaction force from the narrow width portion 20 than the non-narrow width portion 22. Further, the lower sheet 30 is also supported by the first portion 32a because the groove width of the first portion 32a corresponding to the narrow width portion 20 is smaller than the groove width of the second portion 32b corresponding to the non-narrow width portion 22. In the narrow width portion 20, the rigidity in the vertical and horizontal directions is further improved as compared with the non-narrow width portion 22. As a result, the load distribution due to the reaction force of the coil spring 14 on the lower seat 30 side moves outward in the vehicle direction on the narrow width portion 20 side. When the center of the load of the coil spring 14 moves outward in the vehicle width direction, an offset load inward in the vehicle direction is input to the shock absorber 12 fixed to the lower seat 30. When a load is input to the vehicle, it works so as to cancel at least a part of the lateral force input from the ground contact point of the tire, and the operation of the shock absorber 12 can be made smooth to suppress a decrease in riding comfort.

  Also, compared with the case where the offset angle of the extension center axis of the coil spring with respect to the extension center axis of the shock absorber is increased outward in the vehicle direction, the coil spring may interfere with the vehicle body by avoiding an increase in the diameter of the coil spring. Can be reduced. Further, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and an increase in mass due to an increase in diameter of the coil spring, the lower seat, and the insulator.

  In the above, it demonstrated based on embodiment of this invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments are examples, and that various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention, and that such modifications and changes are also within the scope of the claims of the present invention. It is where it is done. Accordingly, the description and drawings herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Suspension structure, 12 Shock absorber, 14 Coil spring, 14a Lower part, 16 Insulator, 16d Arc-shaped convex part, 18 Fitting groove part, 20 Narrow part, 22 Non-narrow part, 30 Lower seat, 32 Receiving recessed part, 60 Lower arm, 62 Wheels, 64 steering knuckles, 66 tie rods.

Claims (1)

Shock absorbers,
A coil spring sheathed on the shock absorber;
A lower seat fixed to the shock absorber and supporting a lower portion of the coil spring;
An insulator interposed between the lower seat and the coil spring;
With
The insulator is provided with a fitting groove portion into which a lower portion of the coil spring is fitted,
The fitting groove portion has a narrow width portion including an outermost region of the fitting groove portion in the vehicle width direction, and a non-narrow width portion that is a portion excluding the narrow width portion,
In a state where the coil spring is not fitted, the groove width of the narrow portion is smaller than the groove width of the non-narrow portion, and the groove width of the non-narrow portion is formed to be equal to or smaller than the wire diameter of the coil spring. A suspension structure for a vehicle.

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