JP7104824B2 - Cylinder device and manufacturing method of cylinder device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cylinder device and a method for manufacturing a cylinder device.

Conventionally, some cylinder devices function as a shock absorber and have a variable damping force valve attached to the side of the outer shell (for example, Patent Document 1). In the shock absorber, the damping force generated by the shock absorber can be adjusted to be high or low by adjusting the resistance given to the flow of the hydraulic fluid generated when the shock absorber expands and contracts with the variable damping force valve. Further, if the variable damping force valve is provided on the side of the outer shell so as to project radially outward, the axial length of the shock absorber can be shortened without sacrificing the stroke length of the shock absorber. Therefore, in such a cylinder device, the mountability can be improved.

Further, some cylinder devices are used for strut suspensions and are connected to a knuckle via a bracket welded and fixed to the outer periphery of the lower end portion of the outer shell to be used as a support for positioning wheels. When the cylinder device having the bracket has a protrusion such as the above-mentioned variable damping force valve, the protrusion may be arranged in a portion covered with the bracket. In that case, a hole is provided in the bracket to allow the protrusion to be inserted, and the protrusion is welded to the side portion of the outer shell exposed by the hole (for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-59574 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-197129

The bracket of the cylinder device used in the strut suspension has a cylindrical portion having a C-shaped cross section that holds the outer circumference of the outer shell and a pair extending in parallel from both ends in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion in the radial direction. Has a mounting part and. Then, the bracket is fixed with the knuckle arm sandwiched between the pair of mounting portions.

In such a cylindrical portion of the bracket, the portion where the pair of mounting portions are connected is directed to the front portion, the front portion is directed to the front, and the axis passing through the center of the tubular portion is arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction. When the left part and the right part are the side parts, the protruding part welded to the outer shell protrudes outward from the side part of the tubular part in order to avoid interference between the protruding part and the peripheral parts when mounted on the vehicle. (For example, FIG. 2 of JP2015-197129A).

However, in a state where the protruding portion is projected outward from the side portion of the tubular portion, it is difficult to weld even if the hole for inserting the protruding portion is enlarged. This is because the mounting portion is connected to the front portion of the tubular portion and the distance between the protruding portion and the mounting portion is short, so that the mounting portion interferes with the welding work. Therefore, when the outer shell with the bracket mounted on the outer circumference and the protruding portion are set in the welding machine and welded automatically, the torch or the arm for driving the torch and other parts constituting the machine are used. In order to avoid interference with the mounting portion, the welding machine may become large and costly, or automatic welding by the machine may have to be abandoned.

Therefore, the present invention relates to a cylinder device in which the protruding portion can be easily welded to the outer shell, and the protruding portion can be projected outward from the side portion of the tubular portion while the bracket is fixed to the outer shell by welding or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a cylinder device.

In the cylinder device according to claim 1, which solves the above problems, a cylindrical portion having a C-shaped cross section in which a bracket holds the outer periphery of the outer shell and has a split in the front portion, and a circumferential direction of the tubular portion. It has a pair of mounting portions protruding outward in the radial direction from both ends of the cylinder, and a hole is formed in the tubular portion from at least one side portion to the back portion to allow insertion of the protruding portion. Therefore, the protruding portion can be projected outward from the side portion of the tubular portion or outward from the back portion while the protruding portion is inserted into the hole.

Therefore, even if the protruding portion is projected outward from the side portion of the tubular portion while the bracket is fixed to the outer shell by welding or the like, in the process before fixing the bracket, the protruding portion is formed on the tubular portion. It is projected outward from the back. In such a state, the mounting portion located at the front portion of the tubular portion is separated from the protruding portion, so that the mounting portion does not get in the way when welding the protruding portion to the outer shell.

The cylinder device according to claim 2 has the configuration according to claim 1, and is formed to a position where the hole faces the split and the cylindrical portion in the diameter direction. Therefore, it is possible to surely prevent the mounting portion from interfering with the welding work, and it is possible to improve the welding accuracy.

The cylinder device according to claim 3 has the configuration according to claim 1 or 2, and the axial length of the portion of the hole located on the back of the tubular portion is the tubular portion of the hole. It is longer than the axial length of the part located on the side of. Therefore, the welding work of the protruding portion can be made easier, and the rigidity of the bracket can be easily ensured.

The cylinder device according to claim 4 has the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and the shape of the hole is such that an axis passing through the center of the cylindrical portion extends in the vertical direction. With the cylindrical portion arranged and the front portion of the tubular portion facing the front, the shape is symmetrical with respect to the axis. Therefore, the bracket can be easily formed by press working.

The method for manufacturing a cylinder device according to claim 5 is the method for manufacturing a cylinder device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the protruding portion protrudes outward from the back portion of the tubular portion. A projecting portion welding step of welding the projecting portion to the outer shell in the state of being made, and a bracket position changing step of rotating the bracket in the circumferential direction and projecting the projecting portion outward from the side portion of the tubular portion. And the bracket welding step of welding the tubular portion to the outer shell are performed in this order. Therefore, even if the protruding portion is projected outward from the side portion of the tubular portion in the state where the bracket is welded, the mounting portion does not get in the way when the protruding portion is welded to the outer shell.

According to the cylinder device and the method for manufacturing the cylinder device of the present invention, the protruding portion can be easily welded to the outer shell, and the protruding portion is removed from the side portion of the tubular portion while the bracket is fixed to the outer shell by welding or the like. It is projected toward you.

It is a mounting figure which showed the mounting state of the shock absorber which is a cylinder device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical cross-sectional view which simplified the vertical cross-section of the main body part of the shock absorber which is a cylinder device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a right side view which showed the bracket of the shock absorber which is a cylinder device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which showed the bracket of the shock absorber which is a cylinder device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which showed the bracket of the shock absorber which is a cylinder device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which showed the hole when the bracket of the shock absorber which is the cylinder device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is unfolded. (A) and (b) are explanatory views explaining the state of a shock absorber (cylinder device according to an embodiment of the present invention) at the time of welding a protrusion, and (b) is a shock absorber according to (a). Is a view from the right. (C), (d), and (e) are explanatory views for explaining the state of the shock absorber (cylinder device according to the embodiment of the present invention) at the time of bracket welding, and (d) is described in (c). It is the figure which looked at the shock absorber from the right direction, and (e) is the figure which looked at the shock absorber according to (c) from above. In each explanatory drawing, the bracket is described in a simplified manner.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals attached throughout several drawings indicate the same parts.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder device according to the embodiment of the present invention is a shock absorber A used for a strut type suspension, and is used for a vehicle such as a four-wheeled vehicle. The shock absorber A includes an outer shell 1, a main body D having a rod 2 inserted into the outer shell 1, a vehicle body side mount (not shown) for connecting the rod 2 to the vehicle body, and wheels of the outer shell 1. A bracket B connected to W, a spring receiver (not shown) attached to the vehicle body side mount, a dish-shaped spring receiver 10 attached to the outer periphery of the outer shell 1, and a suspension interposed between both spring receivers. A spring S is provided.

More specifically, the wheel W is rotatably supported by the knuckle N, and the bracket B is bolted to the knuckle arm n1 provided on the knuckle N and extending diagonally upward in FIG. It functions as a support for positioning the wheel W. Then, when the wheel W moves up and down with respect to the vehicle body, such as when the vehicle travels on an uneven road surface, the rod 2 moves in and out of the outer shell 1, the main body D expands and contracts, and the spring receiver moves closer and closer. The suspension spring S expands and contracts, which causes the shock absorber A to expand and contract.

The suspension spring S is a coil spring and is provided on the outer periphery of the main body D. The suspension spring S exerts an elastic force when compressed, and this elastic force increases as the amount of compression of the suspension spring S increases. The vehicle body is elastically supported by the suspension spring S. The configuration of the suspension spring S can be changed as appropriate. For example, the suspension spring S may be a spring other than the coil spring, such as an air spring.

Further, the main body D includes the outer shell 1 and the rod 2 as described above, and as shown in FIG. 2, the cylinder 11, the piston 20 slidably inserted into the cylinder 11, and the cylinder. An annular rod guide 12 fixed to the upper end of the cylinder 11, a bottom member 13 fixed to the lower end of the cylinder 11, and an intermediate cylinder 14 provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 11 are provided. The cylinder 11 and the intermediate cylinder 14 are arranged inside the outer shell 1, and these form a triple pipe. The lower end of the rod 2 is connected to the piston 20 in FIG. 2, and the upper side thereof projects outward of the outer shell 1 while being supported by the rod guide 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer shell 1 has a bottomed tubular shape, and has a bottom cap 1a as a bottom portion and a tubular portion 1b extending upward from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom cap 1a. Then, the upper end opening of the tubular portion 1b is closed with the rod guide 12, and the space formed inside the outer shell 1 is sealed. Further, a mounting hole 1c is formed on the side portion of the outer shell 1 so as to penetrate the wall thickness of the tubular portion 1b. A damping force variable valve V, which will be described later, is mounted in the mounting hole 1c with the tip inserted.

The inside of the cylinder 11 is divided into two chambers, an extension side chamber R1 and a compression side chamber R2, by a piston 20, and each chamber is filled with a liquid such as hydraulic oil. The chamber formed on the rod 2 side of the piston 20 is the extension side chamber R1, the chamber on the opposite side is the compression side chamber R2, and the rod 2 penetrates the central portion of the extension side chamber R1. The piston 20 is formed with a piston passage 20a that allows only the flow of liquid from the compression side chamber R2 to the extension side chamber R1.

Further, on the outer circumference of the cylinder 11, a cylindrical discharge passage L is formed between the cylinder 11 and the intermediate cylinder 14, and a tubular liquid storage chamber R3 is formed between the intermediate cylinder 14 and the outer shell 1. It is formed. The liquid storage chamber R3 is filled with the above liquid and gas. A through hole 11a is formed in the cylinder 11 at a position facing the extension side chamber R1, and the discharge passage L communicates the extension side chamber R1 and the liquid storage chamber R3 through the through hole 11a. A variable damping force valve V is provided in the discharge passage L, and the variable damping force valve V provides resistance to the flow of liquid in the discharge passage L and can adjust the resistance.

Further, the bottom member 13 allows only a notch 13a for guiding the liquid in the liquid storage chamber R3 between the bottom member 13 and the bottom cap 1a and a flow of the liquid from the liquid storage chamber R3 to the compression side chamber R2. A suction passage 13b is formed.

According to the above configuration, when the rod 2 retracts from the outer shell 1 and the shock absorber A extends, the piston 20 moves upward in the cylinder 11 in FIG. 2, the extension side chamber R1 shrinks, and the compression side chamber R2 Expands. The liquid in the extension side chamber R1 that shrinks when the shock absorber A is extended flows out to the liquid storage chamber R3 through the through hole 11a and the discharge passage L. Since resistance is given by the variable damping force valve V to the flow of the liquid, the pressure in the extension side chamber R1 rises when the shock absorber A is extended, and the extension operation of the shock absorber A is suppressed. In this way, the shock absorber A exerts an extension side damping force that suppresses the extension operation. Further, the liquid in the liquid storage chamber R3 is supplied to the expanding compression side chamber R2 through the notch 13a and the suction passage 13b.

On the contrary, when the rod 2 enters the outer shell 1 and the shock absorber A contracts, the piston 20 moves downward in FIG. 2 in the cylinder 11, the compression side chamber R2 contracts, and the extension side chamber R1 expands. .. The liquid in the compression side chamber R2, which shrinks when the shock absorber A contracts, moves to the extension side chamber R1 which expands through the piston passage 20a. Further, when the shock absorber A contracts, the liquid for two volumes of the rod entering the cylinder 11 becomes surplus in the cylinder 11, and the surplus liquid passes through the through hole 11a and the discharge passage L to the liquid storage chamber. It flows out to R3. Since resistance is given by the variable damping force valve V to the flow of the liquid, the pressure in the cylinder 11 rises when the shock absorber A contracts, and the contraction operation of the shock absorber A is suppressed. In this way, the shock absorber A exerts a compression side damping force that suppresses the contraction operation.

That is, in the shock absorber A, the intermediate cylinder 14 and the outer shell 1 form a reservoir in which the liquid storage chamber R3 is formed, and the change in the cylinder volume corresponding to the volume of the rod entering and exiting the cylinder 11 in the reservoir is changed. It can be compensated or the volume change of the liquid due to the temperature change can be compensated.

Further, the shock absorber A is set to be a uniflow type, and when the shock absorber A exhibits a telescopic operation, the liquid moves into one of the three chambers of the extension side chamber R1, the liquid storage chamber R3 (reservoir), and the compression side chamber R2 in this order. The liquid circulates in the passage, and the liquid always flows from the extension side chamber R1 to the liquid storage chamber R3 (reservoir) through the discharge passage L. Therefore, the single damping force variable valve V provided in the middle of the discharge passage L can exert the damping force on both sides of the expansion pressure, and the damping force on both sides of the expansion pressure can be adjusted to be high or low by adjusting the resistance given to the flow of the liquid. can.

The variable damping force valve V may have any configuration, and the variable damping force valve V is, for example, a valve seat member having a passage connected to the discharge passage L and a seating member taking off and seating on the valve seat member. A main valve that opens and closes the passage, a pilot passage that reduces the pressure on the upstream side of the main valve and guides it to the back of the main valve, and a pilot valve that is provided in the middle of the pilot passage to control the back pressure of the main valve. Is configured with. When the pilot valve is a solenoid valve, the damping force can be adjusted to be high or low by adjusting the amount of electricity supplied to the pilot valve to increase or decrease the valve opening pressure of the pilot valve, thereby increasing or decreasing the valve opening pressure of the main valve. ..

Further, the variable damping force valve V is housed in a case, which is a tubular sleeve 30 welded to the edge of a mounting hole 1c formed on the side of the outer shell 1 and the sleeve 30. It is configured to have a cap 31 that closes the opening of the. Therefore, when the sleeve 30 is welded to the outer shell 1 and then the damping force variable valve V is housed in the sleeve 30, the damping force variable valve V is projected outward in the radial direction on the side portion of the outer shell 1. Can be fixed in the state. As described above, in the shock absorber A, the case portion accommodating the variable damping force valve V becomes a protruding portion 3 protruding outward in the radial direction to the side portion of the outer shell 1. The bracket B for connecting the outer shell 1 to the knuckle N to be attached is formed with a hole 8 for avoiding interference with the protrusion 3 (FIG. 1).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3-5, the bracket B is curved so as to follow the outer peripheral surface of the outer shell 1, and has a C-shaped tubular portion 4 covering the outer periphery of the outer shell 1 and this cylinder. It has a pair of plate-shaped mounting portions 5, 6 extending radially outward from both ends of the shape portion 4 in the circumferential direction, and ribs 7a, 7b, 7c for reinforcement. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hole 8 is formed from both side portions to the back portion of the tubular portion 4.

In the specification of the present application and claims, the portion where the pair of attachment portions 5 and 6 are provided is the front portion of the bracket B and the tubular portion 4, the opposite side thereof is the back portion, and the pair of attachment portions 5 as shown in FIG. , 6 (front portion) is directed to the front, and the left and right portions are the left and right side portions in a state where the axis X passing through the center of the tubular portion 4 extends in the vertical direction.

FIG. 3 is a right side view showing a state in which the right side portion of the bracket B is directed to the front, FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state in which the front portion of the bracket is directed to the front, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which the bracket of FIG. 4 is viewed from above. Further, in the front view shown in FIG. 4, the bracket B has a line-symmetrical shape symmetrical with respect to the axis X passing through the center of the tubular portion 4, and the left side surface of the bracket B is the right side surface shown in FIG. Is symmetrical. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the upper, lower, left, right, front, and back of the bracket B shown in FIG. 4 are simply "top", "bottom", "left", "right", and "front" unless otherwise specified. Let's say "back".

A split 4a (FIG. 5) is formed in the front portion of the tubular portion 4 along the axial direction, and the cross section when the tubular portion 4 is cut in the radial direction is C-shaped in all of the axial directions. Become. The left and right mounting portions 5 and 6 extend toward the front side while maintaining a constant distance from both ends of the tubular portion 4 in the circumferential direction, and are arranged so as to face each other. The ribs 7a, 7b, and 7c are all provided from the cylindrical portion 4 to one mounting portion (5 or 6), and are formed at the upper portion of the bracket B, the central portion in the axial direction (upper and lower), and the lower end, respectively. There is. The positions and shapes of the ribs 7a, 7b, and 7c are not limited to those shown in the drawing, and the rigidity of the bracket B may be ensured.

Further, the left and right mounting portions 5 and 6 are formed with insertion holes 9a and 9b into which bolts can be inserted at the upper and lower portions thereof (FIG. 3). Then, the knuckle arm n1 (FIG. 1) is inserted between the pair of mounting portions 5 and 6, and the bolt is inserted from the insertion hole 9a on the upper side of one mounting portion to the insertion hole 9a on the upper side of the other mounting portion. Brackets B are inserted by inserting bolts from the lower insertion hole 9b of one mounting portion to the lower insertion hole 9b of the other mounting portion, screwing nuts into the upper and lower bolts, and tightening these nuts. Is connected to the knuckle N.

Subsequently, as described above, the tubular portion 4 is formed with holes 8 from the left and right side portions to the back portion of the tubular portion 4. FIG. 6 shows the shape of the hole 8 in the unfolded state of the bracket B. In the hole 8, the portions formed on the left and right side portions of the tubular portion 4 are referred to as side openings 80 and 81, and the portions formed on the back portion of the tubular portion 4 are referred to as back opening 82.

Since the bracket B has a symmetrical shape as described above, the shape of the hole 8 is also symmetrical. Therefore, the right side opening 81 will be described as a representative of the left and right side openings 80 and 81. The side opening 81 allows the protruding portion 3 to protrude outward from the side portion of the tubular portion 4 in a state where the bracket B is welded to the outer periphery of the outer shell 1, while allowing the bracket B and the protruding portion 3 to protrude outward. Prevents interference. The edge 8a of the side opening 81 is curved in an arc shape so as to bulge toward the front side (FIG. 3). Therefore, it is easy to secure the rigidity of the bracket B while avoiding the interference between the edge of the hole 8 and the protruding portion 3 in a state where the protruding portion 3 is projected from the side portion of the tubular portion 4.

Further, the back opening 82 allows the protruding portion 3 to protrude outward from the back portion of the tubular portion 4 in a state where the outer shell 1 is inserted into the tubular portion 4, while allowing the bracket B and the protruding portion 3 to protrude outward. Prevents interference. The axial length of the back opening 82 is longer than the axial length of the side openings 80 and 81, and the upper edge 8b of the back opening 82 is curved in an arc shape so as to bulge upward (FIG. 3). , 4). Therefore, in a state where the protruding portion 3 is projected from the back portion of the tubular portion 4, it is easy to secure the rigidity of the bracket B while keeping a long distance from the protruding portion 3 to the edge of the hole 8.

Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the shock absorber A, which is a cylinder device according to the present embodiment, will be described.

First, the outer shell 1 before the protrusion 3 is provided is inserted into the tubular portion 4 of the bracket B. Then, while pressing the sleeve 30 (FIG. 2) against the side portion of the outer shell 1 exposed from the back opening 82, the sleeve 30 is welded to the outer shell 1. By this step, a protruding portion 3 protruding outward in the radial direction is provided on the side portion of the outer shell 1. In this step, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the protruding portion 3 is in a state of protruding outward from the back portion of the bracket B through the back opening 82. The mounting hole 1c (FIG. 2) may be formed before welding the sleeve 30 or after welding.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 7 (c), (d), and (e), the bracket B is shifted in the axial direction of the outer shell 1 (arrow Y1) and rotated in the circumferential direction (arrow Y2), and the protrusion 3 To the side opening 81. In this way, in a state where the protruding portion 3 provided on the side portion of the outer shell 1 in the previous step is projected outward from the side portion of the bracket B through the side opening 81, the tubular portion 4 is formed on the outer shell 1 Weld to.

That is, the shock absorber A is manufactured through two welding steps: a protrusion welding step in which the protrusion 3 is provided on the outer shell 1 and a bracket welding step in which the bracket B is welded to the outer shell 1. Then, a bracket position changing step for changing the position of the bracket B is sandwiched between the two welding steps.

Therefore, although the bracket B is finally fixed to the outer shell 1 in a state where the protruding portion 3 is projected outward from the side portion of the tubular portion 4, the protruding portion 3 is formed in the projecting portion welding process. The tubular portion 4 can be in a state of protruding outward from the back portion. In such a state, the distance from the edge of the hole 8 to the protrusion 3 is large. Therefore, it is easy to avoid interference between the torch and the edge of the hole 8.

Further, in a state where the protruding portion 3 is projected outward from the side portion of the tubular portion 4, a pair of mounting portions 5 and 6 located at the front portion of the tubular portion 4 project to the opposite side to the protruding portion 3. (FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b)). Therefore, even if the torch is moved during welding or the outer shell 1 is swung to keep the angle of the torch with respect to the outer shell 1 constant, the mounting portions 5 and 6 do not interfere with the welding.

Therefore, in the projecting portion welding step, since a sufficient working space for the torch can be secured, the projecting portion can be easily welded, and the angle of the torch with respect to the outer shell 1 can be easily maintained at a predetermined angle, so that the welding accuracy can be improved.

Further, in the projecting portion welding step, the split 4a of the tubular portion 4 faces the opposite side to the protruding portion 3, and the outer peripheral surface of the outer shell 1 is exposed from the split 4a (FIG. 7 (b)). .. Therefore, in the projecting portion welding step, the portion of the outer shell 1 located on the opposite side of the projecting portion 3 in the radial direction is directly supported by a support tool or the like. Then, since the axis of the outer shell 1 can be accurately grasped, the axis passing through the center of the protrusion 3 can be accurately welded so as to be orthogonal to the axis passing through the center of the outer shell 1.

Further, since the process shifts from the projecting portion welding process to the bracket welding process through the bracket position changing process, the projecting portion 3 is moved outward from the side portion of the tubular portion 4 in the state where the bracket B is welded to the outer shell 1. It can be positioned in a protruding state (FIGS. 7 (c) (d) (e)). Then, as shown in FIG. 1, with the shock absorber A attached to the vehicle, the front portion of the bracket B faces the wheel W side, and the protruding portion 3 projects toward the front or rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the protrusion 3 can avoid interference with peripheral parts in the vehicle.

For example, although not shown, when the stabilizer bracket is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer shell 1 by welding and the stabilizer arm portion is connected to the stabilizer bracket, the back side of the bracket B (right side in FIG. 1). The space is a space for moving the arm part. In such a case, if the projecting portion 3 is provided as described above, interference between the projecting portion 3 and the arm portion can be avoided without changing the layout of the vehicle.

In the shock absorber A, the protrusion 3 is inserted into the right side opening 81 in a state where the bracket B is welded to the outer shell 1. However, when the bracket B is used as a shock absorber attached to the wheel paired with the wheel W on the left and right, the protrusion 3 is inserted into the left side opening 80 with the bracket B welded to the outer shell 1. Make it in the state of being welded. Then, in the mounted state of the shock absorbers paired on the left and right, the protruding direction of the protruding portion 3 can be made the same while using the common bracket B.

Further, at the stage where the bracket welding process is completed, the protruding portion 3 is composed of only the sleeve 30 (FIG. 2). After the bracket welding process is completed, the main body assembly process for assembling the cylinder 11, the intermediate cylinder 14, the rod 2, the piston 20, the bottom member 13, etc. to the outer shell 1 is performed, and the sleeve 30 is assembled in the main body assembly process. A variable damping force valve V is housed in the valve, and a cap 31 is attached to the valve V. However, the variable damping force valve V and the cap 31 can be assembled to the sleeve 30 at any time after the sleeve 30 is welded.

Hereinafter, the action and effect of the shock absorber A, which is a cylinder device according to the present embodiment, will be described.

The shock absorber A has a protrusion welding step in which the protrusion 3 is welded to the outer shell 1 with the protrusion 3 protruding outward from the back of the tubular portion 4, and the bracket B is rotated in the circumferential direction to protrude. The bracket position changing step of projecting the portion 3 from the side portion of the tubular portion 4 to the outside and the bracket welding step of welding the tubular portion 4 to the outer shell 1 are performed in this order.

According to the above method, with the bracket B welded to the outer shell 1, the protruding portion 3 can be projected outward from the side portion of the tubular portion 4, so that interference between the protruding portion 3 and peripheral parts can be avoided. .. Further, even when the protrusion 3 is projected outward from the side of the main body 4 with the bracket B welded to the outer shell 1, when the protrusion 3 is welded before the bracket B is welded, the protrusion 3 is welded. The mounting portions 5 and 6 are directed to the opposite side of the protruding portion 3. Therefore, when the projecting portions 3 are welded, the mounting portions 5 and 6 do not get in the way, the welding work of the projecting portions 3 can be facilitated, and it is also easy to set the projecting portions 3 in a machine and perform the above welding automatically.

Further, in the shock absorber A, as shown in FIG. 1, a protruding portion 3 is provided in the lower part of the outer shell 1. Therefore, only the upper edge 8b of the back opening 82 is curved so as to project upward, and the lower edge 8c is linearly extended from the edges of the side openings 80 and 81 with the bracket B unfolded. (Fig. 6). Then, in the protruding portion welding step, the protruding portion 3 is welded at a position lower than the position of the bracket B in the welded state (FIG. 7A), and in the bracket position changing step, the bracket B is rotated in the circumferential direction. At the same time, they are shifted upward in the axial direction (arrows Y1 and Y2 in FIGS. 7 (c) and 7 (d)).

According to the above configuration, even if the vertical width of the back opening 82 is made sufficiently large so as not to interfere with the torch, the vertical width of the lower portion of the hole 8 in the tubular portion 4 becomes narrow and the rigidity of the portion is reduced. You can prevent it from becoming too weak. However, if the rigidity of the bracket B is ensured, the shape of the hole 8 can be changed as appropriate. Further, depending on the shape of the hole 8 and the position of the protruding portion 3, it is possible to change the direction in which the bracket B is moved in the axial direction or to stop moving the bracket B in the axial direction in the bracket position changing step.

For example, when the protrusion 3 is located on the axially upper portion of the bracket B in a state where the bracket B is fixed to the outer shell 1 by welding or the like, the shape of the hole 8 is turned upside down and the bracket B is displaced. May be reversed from the arrow Y1. Further, when the protrusion 3 is located at the central portion in the axial direction of the bracket B in a state where the bracket B is fixed to the outer shell 1 by welding or the like, the side openings 80 and 81 are set in the axial direction of the tubular portion 4. Can be placed in the center. In such a case, the hole 8 may be formed so that the back opening 82 projects vertically, so that the bracket B does not have to be moved in the axial direction in the bracket position changing step.

Further, in the shock absorber A, the shape of the bracket B is symmetrical, and the shape of the hole 8 is symmetrical. Bilateral symmetry means that the cylindrical portion 4 is arranged so that the axis X passing through the center of the tubular portion 4 extends in the vertical direction, and the front portion of the tubular portion 4 is directed to the front. On the other hand, it means that it is symmetrical. Further, the symmetrical shape does not have to be strictly symmetrical and includes a manufacturing error.

According to the above configuration, the bracket B can be easily molded. More specifically, the bracket B is formed by pressing a base material which is a single metal plate. When the bracket is molded by press working in this way, if the shape of the bracket becomes asymmetrical and the difference in rigidity between the left and right is large, such as a large opening being formed only in the right half of the bracket, the rigidity is small during molding. This may cause more deformation, and the pair of mounting portions may shift toward the front and back. When the mounting portion is displaced in this way, it is necessary to correct the mounting portion, adjust the molding conditions, and the like, which makes it difficult to mold the bracket. That is, when molding the bracket B, it is preferable that the shape of the hole 8 is symmetrical to reduce the difference in rigidity between the left and right sides of the bracket B, and it is more preferable that the shape of the bracket B itself is symmetrical. ..

If the bracket B can be molded, the shapes of the bracket B and the holes 8 may be asymmetrical. Specifically, when the protrusion 3 is inserted into the right side opening 81 with the bracket B welded as in the shock absorber A, the left side opening 80 can be abolished. On the contrary, when the protrusion 3 is inserted into the left side opening 80 with the bracket B welded, the right side opening 81 can be abolished.

Further, in the shock absorber A, the axial length of the back opening (the portion of the hole 8 located on the back of the tubular portion 4) 82 is the side opening (the portion of the hole 8 located on the side of the tubular portion 4). ) Longer than the axial length of 80,81. Therefore, in the projecting portion welding step, the distance from the projecting portion 3 to the edge of the hole 8 can be sufficiently separated, and the welding operation can be further facilitated. Further, even if a sufficient distance is taken from the protruding portion 3 to the edge of the hole 8, the axial lengths of the side openings 80 and 81 are short, so that the rigidity of the bracket B can be easily secured. If the edge of the hole 8 and the torch can be prevented from interfering with each other and the rigidity of the bracket B can be ensured, the axial length of the hole 8 from the side portion to the back portion may be constant.

Further, in the shock absorber A, the hole 8 is formed up to a position facing the split 4a in the radial direction (FIG. 4), and the protruding portion 3 is projected outward from the central position in the circumferential direction of the back portion of the tubular portion 4. (Fig. 7 (b)). In this case, in the projecting portion welding step, the angle θ formed by the line segment passing through the center of the projecting portion 3 and the line segment extending in the diameter direction of the tubular portion 4 and passing through the center of the pair of mounting portions 5 and 6 (hereinafter referred to as The angle θ of the mounting portions 5 and 6 with respect to the protruding portion 3) is about 180 degrees (FIG. 7 (b)). In this case, since both the mounting portions 5 and 6 are separated from the protruding portion 3, it is possible to surely prevent the mounting portions 5 and 6 from interfering with the welding work. Further, since welding can be performed while directly supporting the outer periphery of the outer shell 1 exposed from the split 4a while pressing the protruding portion 3 against the outer shell 1, the welding accuracy can be improved.

The hole 8 is formed so as to reach the back from at least one side of the tubular portion 4, and the side opening (80 or 81) to the back opening 82 while the protruding portion 3 is inserted into the hole 8. I just need to be able to move. That is, the angle θ of the mounting portions 5 and 6 with respect to the protruding portion 3 may be less than 180 degrees, and the hole 8 does not have to reach a position facing the split 4a in the radial direction. However, for example, in the latter case, when the opposite side of the protrusion 3 in the outer shell 1 in the radial direction is covered with a bracket, the outer shell may be supported via the bracket, but the dimensions of the bracket may be changed. Due to manufacturing errors, it is difficult to accurately grasp the axis of the outer shell.

Further, the shock absorber (cylinder device) A includes a tubular outer shell 1, a protruding portion 3 provided on the side portion of the outer shell 1 and projecting outward in the radial direction, and a bracket B attached to the outer periphery of the outer shell 1. And. The bracket B holds the outer circumference of the outer shell 1 and protrudes outward in the radial direction from both ends of the cylindrical portion 4 having a C-shaped cross section and a split 4a in the front portion in the circumferential direction. It has a pair of mounting portions 5 and 6. The tubular portion 4 is formed with a hole 8 that allows the protrusion 3 to be inserted from both side portions to the back portion.

According to the above configuration, the protruding portion 3 can be projected outward from the side portion of the tubular portion 4 or outward from the back portion while the protruding portion 3 is inserted into the hole 8. Therefore, at the time of welding the bracket B, the protruding portion 3 is projected from the side portion of the tubular portion 4 to avoid interference between the protruding portion 3 and the peripheral parts.

Further, even when the protruding portion 3 is projected from the side portion of the tubular portion 4 in the state where the bracket B is welded to the outer shell 1 in this way, the hole 8 is formed up to the back portion of the tubular portion 4. In the state before welding the bracket B, the mounting portions 5 and 6 are directed to the opposite side of the protruding portion 3. Therefore, if the protrusion 3 is welded to the outer shell 1 in such a state, the mounting portions 5 and 6 do not get in the way during the welding, the welding work of the protrusion 3 can be facilitated, and the protrusion 3 is automatically set in the machine. It is also easy to perform the above welding.

Further, since the hole 8 is formed from both side portions of the tubular portion 4 to the back portion, when the shock absorber A is used for a vehicle, the left wheel among the left and right paired wheels A common bracket is available for both the shock absorber that is mounted and the shock absorber that is mounted on the right wheel. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the types of parts that make up the vehicle, and it is also possible to prevent the occurrence of incorrect assembly of the bracket, such as attaching the bracket for the right side to the shock absorber for the left side.

As described above, the hole 8 may be formed from at least one side of the tubular portion 4 to the back, and the hole 8 needs to be formed from both sides of the tubular portion 4 to the back. There is no.

Further, in the shock absorber A, the angle θ of the mounting portions 5 and 6 with respect to the protruding portion 3 is about 90 degrees in a state where the bracket B is welded to the outer shell 1 (FIG. 7 (d)). .. Although the angle θ can be changed as appropriate, it is a case where a cylinder device such as a shock absorber A is used for a strut suspension, and the angle θ is about 90 ± 5 degrees in order to avoid interference with peripheral parts in the vehicle. Is preferable.

Further, in the present embodiment, the bracket B is formed by pressing a single plate-shaped base material and has a single plate structure, but between the pair of mounting portions 5 and 6. An inner bracket having a U-shaped cross section to be inserted into the inner bracket may be provided to have a two-plate structure.

Further, in the present embodiment, the protruding portion 3 is a part of the damping force variable valve V. When a damping force adjusting portion such as the damping force variable valve V is provided in the shock absorber A, it is necessary to draw a liquid into the damping force adjusting portion. Therefore, when the protrusion is arranged at a position where it overlaps with the bracket, it is necessary to form a hole in the bracket and weld the protrusion directly to the outer shell through the hole, and the required accuracy is high. Therefore, it is particularly effective to apply the present invention when the protruding portion is a damping force adjusting portion. However, the protruding portion 3 may have a configuration other than the damping force adjusting portion.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cylinder device is a shock absorber A, which exerts a damping force by giving resistance to the flow of the liquid, but the damping force is exerted by another method (for example, electromagnetic force, frictional force, etc.). It may be exerted, or it may be an actuator that positively drives an object.

These changes are possible regardless of the shape of the hole 8 and the range in which the hole 8 is provided.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, modifications, modifications, and changes can be made as long as they do not deviate from the claims.

A ... shock absorber (cylinder device), B ... bracket, X ... shaft passing through the center of the tubular part, 1 ... outer shell, 3 ... protruding part, 4 ... cylindrical part Part, 4a ... split, 5,6 ... mounting part, 8 ... hole, 80,81 ... side opening (part located on the side of the cylindrical part of the hole), 82 ...・ Back opening (the part located on the back of the cylindrical part of the hole)

Claims (5)

With a tubular outer shell,
A protrusion provided on the side of the outer shell and projecting outward in the radial direction,
It is equipped with a bracket that can be attached to the outer circumference of the outer shell.
The bracket has a cylindrical portion having a C-shaped cross section that holds the outer circumference of the outer shell and has a split in the front portion, and a pair of attachments that project radially outward from both ends in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion. Has a part and
A cylinder device characterized in that the tubular portion is formed with a hole that allows insertion of the protruding portion from at least one side portion to the back portion. The cylinder device according to claim 1, wherein the hole is formed up to a position facing the split and the cylindrical portion in the diameter direction. Claim 1 or claim 1, wherein the axial length of the portion of the hole located on the back of the tubular portion is longer than the axial length of the portion of the hole located on the side of the tubular portion. 2. The cylinder device according to 2. The shape of the hole is such that the tubular portion is arranged so that the axis passing through the center of the tubular portion extends in the vertical direction, and the front portion of the tubular portion is directed to the front with respect to the shaft. The cylinder device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cylinder device has a symmetrical shape. The method for manufacturing a cylinder device according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
A protrusion welding step of welding the protrusion to the outer shell with the protrusion protruding outward from the back of the tubular portion.
A bracket position changing step of rotating the bracket in the circumferential direction and projecting the protruding portion outward from the side portion of the tubular portion.
A method for manufacturing a cylinder device, characterized in that a bracket welding step of welding the cylindrical portion to the outer shell is performed in this order.

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