JP6681000B2 - Suspension cross member structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a suspension cross member structure to which a steering gear box and a stabilizer are attached.

In many automobiles (vehicles), a suspension cross member is provided in the lower front part of the vehicle body in order to secure the mounting accuracy of the front suspension and the supporting rigidity of the front suspension, and the suspension member, the steering gear box, and the stabilizer are attached to the cross member. Is being supported.
Most suspension cross members (hereinafter simply referred to as cross members) have a panel structure, for example, a box-shaped structure in which two panels such as an upper panel and a lower panel are joined to each other and a closed cross section is formed between the panels. Then, the steering gear box and the stabilizer are assembled on the upper panel.

  Therefore, in the cross member, in order to assemble each member, a gear housing fixed seat to which the gear housing part of the steering gear box is attached and a stabilizer fixed seat to which the stabilizer is attached are formed on both sides of the upper panel in the vehicle width direction. Or, a pipe nut (fixing member) for fixing the gear housing is interposed between the upper panel part where the gear housing fixing seat is located and the lower panel part, and the pipe nut (fixing member) that fixes the gear housing part is arranged between the upper panel part and the lower panel part. In between, a reinforcement member that reinforces the stabilizer fixing seat is interposed.

  By the way, the cross member is required to have a durable strength capable of withstanding the load from each portion such as the load from the lower arm being repeatedly applied in the vertical direction and the roll reaction force for suppressing the roll being repeatedly applied from the stabilizer. Further, in order to secure not only durability but also safety, the cross member is required to have strength to suppress the backward movement of the steering gear box due to the collision (front collision) of the automobile.

However, even if the cross member has a closed cross-section structure that is advantageous in terms of rigidity and strength, it is possible to use only the scattered pipe nuts (fixing members) and reinforcement members to withstand durability and retract the steering gear box at the time of collision. Is not sufficient to secure the strength to suppress.
For this reason, in the cross member, various kinds of reinforcing members such as ribs and bulk heads for reinforcement are separately provided on each part of the cross member as in the cited documents 1 and 2.

Patent 2004-203241 Japanese Patent No. 5617144

However, reinforcing the cross member by providing many kinds of reinforcing members imposes a cost burden. Not only that, but since various reinforcing members are required, the cross member is likely to be complicated and the weight is increased.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a suspension cross member structure capable of ensuring the durability strength of the suspension cross member and the strength corresponding to the safety with a simple configuration utilizing the parts assembled to the suspension cross member.

The aspect of the present invention has a closed cross-sectional shape formed by joining the peripheral portion of the upper panel and the peripheral portion of the lower panel, and the steering gear box and the stabilizer member are assembled on the upper panel with a space in the vehicle front-rear direction. And a pair of gear housing fixing seats to which a pair of fixing portions provided on both sides of the gear housing portion of the steering gear box are fixed are formed on the upper panel upper surface at intervals in the vehicle width direction. Between the pair of stabilizer fixed seats, which are formed on the upper panel upper surface at intervals in the vehicle width direction, and to which the pair of brackets that support the stabilizer member to the upper panel are fixed, and the upper panel portion and the lower panel portion where the gear housing fixed seats are located. Is fixed to the gear housing fixed seat that is attached to the gear housing fixing seat. And eggplant fixing member is interposed between the upper panel portion and a lower panel portion located for stabilizer mounting seat comprises a reinforcement member for reinforcing a stabilizer fixing seat, the said pair of stabilizer fixing seat pair of gear housing fixing seat while it arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle rear side with respect to, and shall be connected by the connecting portion between said reinforcement member and the fixing member arranged in the front and rear.

  According to the present invention, the fixing member provided on each gear housing fixing seat arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction on both sides of the suspension cross member in the vehicle width direction and the reinforcement member provided on each stabilizer fixing seat are connected by the connecting portion. Since the gear housing fixing seat and the stabilizer fixing seat are connected to each other via the fixing member, the connecting portion, and the reinforcement member, the steering gear box and the stabilizer member are attached to the suspension cross member. It can be firmly connected in the front-back direction. As a result, repetitive input from the stabilizer member can be dispersed to the steering gear box side having relatively high rigidity and strength through the reinforcement member, the connecting portion, and the fixing member. It is possible to dramatically improve the support rigidity and improve the roll rigidity. Further, since the concentration of stress on the fixed portion (welded portion) between the reinforcement member and the lower panel is suppressed, the durability of the suspension cross member (reinforcement member) is improved.

Further, since the reinforcement member supports the fixing member of the gear housing fixing seat in the front-rear direction, it is possible to secure the strength for suppressing the backward movement of the steering gear box due to the collision (front collision) of the vehicle. Of course, since the connecting portion occupies the fixed member and the reinforcement member, there is no room for the steering gear box to retract.
Therefore, the suspension cross member can sufficiently secure the durability strength, the steering stability, and the strength corresponding to the safety by utilizing the installed parts. In particular, the fixing member and the reinforcement member that reinforce the suspension cross member utilize the existing parts assembled to the suspension cross member as they are, so that the cost is low, and the structure is lightweight and simple.

The perspective view showing the suspension cross member structure used as the mode concerning one embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows the suspension cross member which removed the steering gear box and the stabilizer. The disassembled perspective view which disassembled the suspension cross member. Sectional drawing which follows the arrow AA line in FIG. The perspective view explaining the skeleton part comprised in a suspension cross member.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.
1 shows the entire suspension cross member structure, FIG. 2 shows the suspension cross member, FIG. 3 shows the disassembled suspension cross member, and FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the suspension cross member structure (A in FIG. 1). -Line A) is shown.
The suspension cross member structure will be described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a suspension cross member (hereinafter simply referred to as a cross member). Although not shown, the cross member 1 is a component that is arranged across the width of the vehicle in the lower front portion of the vehicle body of the automobile.

  The cross member 1 has a closed sectional structure made of sheet metal. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the cross member 1 includes, for example, a peripheral portion of an upper panel 3 having bifurcated portions on both sides in the vehicle width direction and a peripheral portion of a substantially rectangular lower panel 5. , Box-shaped parts having closed cross-sections joined (for example, welded) to each other so that there is a gap between the panels. A front mounting portion 7 on the front side of the vehicle body and a rear mounting portion 9 on the rear side of the vehicle body, which are attached to a vehicle body (not shown), are provided in front of and behind both side portions of the cross member 1 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the entire cross member 1 is installed on the lower portion of the vehicle body (not shown) behind the power unit 10 (mounted on the front portion of the vehicle body) via the front and rear mounting portions 7 and 9. Front tires (not shown) are supported on both sides of the cross member 1 in the vehicle width direction via a pair of lower arms 11 (only one side is shown by a chain double-dashed line) that are suspension members.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a steering gear box 13 that constitutes a steering mechanism and a stabilizer 15 that suppresses rolls are attached to the upper portion of the cross member 1 at predetermined intervals in the vehicle front-rear direction.
Generally, the steering gear box 13 has a rack-and-pinion structure. This is, for example, a pinion shaft 17 that rotates in cooperation with a steering shaft (not shown) as shown in FIG. 2, and a rack shaft 18 that converts rotational movement from the pinion shaft 17 into linear movement along the vehicle width direction. , And a gear housing portion 20 for containing them. A pair of fixing portions 21 (only one side is shown) are formed in the steering gear box 13 at intervals in the vehicle width direction (longitudinal direction), and the fixing portions 21 serve to fix the upper panel 3 of the cross member 1. It is fixed on the upper surface. Each of the fixed portions 21 is, for example, a hollow boss that integrally projects from a side portion of the steering gear box 13.

  Further, the stabilizer 15 is composed of a C-shaped stabilizer member 19 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the stabilizer member 19 is configured to include a bar portion 25a arranged along the vehicle width direction and a pair of bar portions 25b extending in parallel in the vehicle front-rear direction from both ends of the bar portion 25a. Further, the middle portion of the stabilizer member 19, that is, both sides of the bar portion 25a in the vehicle width direction are supported by the upper panel 3 by the brackets 37.

  On the other hand, seating surfaces for assembling the steering gear box 13 and the stabilizer 15 are formed on both sides of the upper surface of the upper panel 3 in the vehicle width direction (both upper sides of the cross member 1). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pair of seat surfaces 3x (corresponding to a gear housing fixing seat of the present application) for installing the gear housing portion are formed on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the upper panel 3. There is. A pair of seat surfaces 3y for stabilizer installation (corresponding to the stabilizer fixing seat of the present application) are formed at points on the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction separated from these seat surfaces 3x. A pipe nut 29 (corresponding to a fixing member of the present application) is vertically interposed between the upper panel portion and the lower panel portion where the seat surface 3x is located to reinforce the seat surface 3x. By the way, the pipe nut 29 is fixed (welded or the like) to the upper panel portion or the lower panel portion.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the bolt members 31 (fastening members) are respectively screwed into the pipe nuts 29 from the through holes 22a of the fixing portion 21 through the seat surface 3x, as shown in FIG. Both sides of the gear housing part 20 are fixed onto the upper panel 3 via fixing parts 21, respectively. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the steering gear box 13 is attached to the upper portion of the cross member 1 in a posture in which the gear housing portion 20 is arranged along the vehicle width direction. Incidentally, the end of the rack shaft 18 of the steering gear box 13, which is the end of the gear housing portion 20, is connected to a front tire (neither is shown) via, for example, a tie rod.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a reinforcement member 35 for reinforcing the seat surface 3y is interposed between the upper panel portion and the lower panel portion where the seat surface 3y is located. Specifically, the reinforcement member 35 includes a vertical wall portion 36a extending in the vertical direction, an upper wall portion 36b extending in the horizontal direction from an upper end portion of the vertical wall portion 36a, and a horizontal direction from a lower end portion of the vertical wall portion 36a. It is a sheet metal part having a lower wall portion 36c extending in the same direction as the upper wall portion. Then, the upper wall portion 36b of the reinforcement member 35 is fixed (for example, welded) to the back surface of the seat surface 3y and overlaps with the seat surface 3y, and the lower wall portion 36c of the reinforcement member 35 is directly below the seat surface 3y. It is fixed (for example, welded) to the lower panel portion and overlaps with the lower panel portion to enhance the rigidity and strength of the periphery including the seat surface 3y. That is, the reinforcement member 35 reinforces the rigidity and strength of the seat surface 3y. Incidentally, a fixing nut (not shown) is fixed to the rear surface of the upper wall portion 36b of the reinforcement member 35.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, the bolt members 39 are respectively screwed into the nuts of the reinforcement member 35 from the through holes 37a on both sides of the bracket 37 supporting the bar portion 25a of the stabilizer member 19 through the seat surface 3y. By doing so, both ends of the bar portion 25a of the stabilizer member 19 are fixed onto the upper panel 3 as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the stabilizer member 19 is attached to the upper portion of the cross member 1 in a posture in which the bar portions 25a are arranged in the vehicle width direction and the pair of bar portions 25b are oriented in the vehicle front-rear direction. Incidentally, the end portion (not shown) of the bar portion 25b, which is the end of the stabilizer member 19, is fixed to a suspension component of the front tire, for example, the lower arm 11. By this fixing, the twisting of the stabilizer member 19 can be utilized to generate a roll reaction force that suppresses the roll.

  Then, in the cross member 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pipe nuts 29 and the pipe nuts 29 which are scattered in the cross member 1 until now, that is, are arranged side by side in the vehicle front-rear direction. The reinforcement member 35 and the reinforcement member 35 are connected by a connecting portion 41. For example, the connecting portion 41 has a structure in which one member of the pipe nut 29 and the reinforcement member 35, for example, the reinforcement member 35 is formed with an extension portion for connecting to the other member of the pipe nut 29. There is.

  Specifically, generally, the reinforcement member 35 has only a length dimension corresponding to the entire length of the seat surface 3y like the reinforcement member 35x shown in FIG. 3B, but here, in order to extend it. As shown in FIG. 3C, an end portion of the reinforcement member 35 on the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction, for example, the front side of the vertical wall portion 36a (vehicle front-rear direction) is extended toward the pipe nut 29 together with the wall portion extending in the lateral direction. I am letting you. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, by fixing (for example, welding) the tip (extended end) of the extension portion 43 configured by the extended portion and the outer peripheral portion of the pipe nut 29, A structure for connecting the reinforcement member 35 and the reinforcement member 35 is used. In the present embodiment, not only the vertical wall portion 36a of the reinforcement member 35 but also at least the upper wall portion 36b is extended to the pipe nut 29 side together and fixed to the pipe nut 29. That is, the extension portion 43 is reinforced by the upper wall portion 36b. As a result, the rigidity and strength of the entire reinforcement member 35 including the extension portion 43 are improved. Of course, the structure may be such that the entire reinforcement member 35 (including the vertical wall portion 36a, the upper wall portion 36b, and the lower wall portion 36c) is extended.

  By thus connecting the pipe nut 29 and the reinforcement member 35 arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction in the front-rear direction, the seat surface 3x (gear housing fixed seat) on which the steering gear box 13 is fixed. The seat surface 3y (stabil fixing seat) to which the stabilizer member 19 is assembled are connected to each other via the pipe nut 29 (fixing member), the extension 43, and the reinforcement member 35. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a skeleton that firmly connects the steering gear box 13 and the stabilizer member 19 in the front-rear direction when assembled to the cross member 1 is formed in the cross member 1. As a result, normally, the load in the vertical direction by the roll is repeatedly input from the stabilizer member 19 to the seat surface 3y of the cross member 1, but the input from the stabilizer member 19 is applied to the reinforcement member 35, the extension portion 43, and the pipe. Since it can be dispersed to the side of the steering gear box 13 having a relatively high rigidity and strength through the nut 29 (fixing member), the support rigidity of the seat surface 3y (stabil fixing seat) of the cross member 1 is dramatically improved. The roll rigidity can be improved. Further, since the concentration of stress on the fixed portion (welded portion) between the reinforcement member 35 and the lower panel 5 is suppressed, the durability of the cross member 1 is improved.

  Further, since the pipe nut 29 (fixing member) of the seat surface 3x (gear housing fixing seat) is configured to be supported in the front-rear direction by the reinforcement member 35, the steering gear box caused by a vehicle collision (front collision). Even if, for example, the power unit 10 moves backward due to the backward movement of 13 or the impact force F due to the front collision as shown in FIG. 4 and interferes with the steering gear box 13, the pipe nut 29 (fixing member) of the seat surface 3x is extended. Since the steering gear box 13 is supported by the portion 43 (coupling portion) and the reinforcement member 35, the steering gear box 13 is prevented from retreating and the cross member 1 is prevented from being deformed. Especially, since the space between the pipe nut 29 (fixing member) and the reinforcement member 35 is occupied by the extension portion 43 (connecting portion), there is no room for the steering gear box 13 to retract.

  By adopting the structure in which the pipe nut 29 (fixing member) and the reinforcement member 35 are connected to each other as described above, the steering gear box 13 which is installed on the cross member 1 and has relatively high rigidity and strength is utilized. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the cross member 1 can be improved, and the durability strength of the cross member 1 and the rigidity that meets steering stability and safety can be sufficiently ensured. Particularly, the pipe nut 29 (fixing member) and the reinforcement member 35, which reinforce the seat surface 3x and the seat surface 3y of the cross member 1 by connecting them in the front-rear direction, utilize the existing parts that are assembled to the cross member 1 as they are. Therefore, the cost is low, and the structure is lightweight and simple.

  It should be noted that each configuration and the combination thereof in the above-described one embodiment are examples, and addition, omission, replacement, and other changes of the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Needless to say. Moreover, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but is limited only to the “claims”. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the structure in which the extension portion is formed in the reinforcement member has been described, but the structure is not limited to this, and the extension portion may be formed in the pipe nut (fixing member). Of course, the structure of the other connecting member may connect between the pipe nut and the reinforcement member.

1 Suspension cross member 3 Upper panel 3x Seat surface (gear housing fixed seat)
3y seat surface (stadium fixed seat)
5 Lower panel 13 Steering gear box 19 Stabilizer member 20 Gear housing part 29 Pipe nut (fixing member)
35 reinforce member 36a vertical wall portion 36b upper wall portion 36c lower wall portion 43 extension portion (connecting portion)

Claims (3)

Suspension cross member structure having a closed cross-sectional shape formed by joining a peripheral portion of an upper panel and a peripheral portion of a lower panel, and a steering gear box and a stabilizer member are assembled on the upper panel with a space in the vehicle front-rear direction. And
A pair of gear housing fixing seat in which a pair of fixing portions are fixed are formed at intervals in the vehicle width direction, is provided in the gear housing portion opposite sides of the steering gear box in the upper panel top surface,
A pair of stabilizer fixing seats formed on the upper panel upper surface at intervals in the vehicle width direction, to which a pair of brackets that support the stabilizer member to the upper panel are fixed .
A fixing member that is interposed between an upper panel portion and a lower panel portion where the gear housing fixing seat is located, and that fixes the gear housing portion that is attached to the gear housing fixing seat,
Wherein interposed between the position upper panel portion and a lower panel portion of the stabilizer fixing seat, and a reinforcement member for reinforcing the stabilizer mounting seat,
With arranging the pair of stabilizer fixing seat arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle rear side with respect to the pair of gear housing fixing seat, to the consolidation between the fixing member and the reinforcement member arranged in the back and forth connecting portion Suspension cross member structure featuring. The connecting portion extends one member of the fixing members and the reinforcement members arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction toward the other member, and an extended end is connected to the other member. The suspension cross member structure according to claim 1, characterized in that The reinforcement member has a vertical wall portion and laterally extending from upper and lower end portions of the vertical wall portion, and has upper and lower wall portions fixed to the upper panel and the lower panel,
The suspension cross member structure according to claim 2, wherein the extension portion is formed by extending at least an upper wall portion and a vertical wall portion of the reinforcement member.

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