JP7463260B2 - Cab Mount - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a cab mount provided between a cabin and a frame of a vehicle, and more particularly to a shear-type cab mount .

2. Description of the Related Art In vehicles such as pickup trucks and large sport utility vehicles (SUVs), a structure is known in which a mount for absorbing vibration and shock, a so-called cab mount , is provided between the cabin (cab) at the front of the vehicle body and the frame (see Non-Patent Document 1).

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a shear-type cab mount that utilizes the shear deformation of an elastic body.

In such shear-type carburetor mounts , a structure in which an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder and an elastic body (rubber) are provided between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are widely used.

Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-66384

In the case of a vehicle collision, the above-mentioned shear-type cab mount absorbs the impact by compressing the rubber between the inner and outer cylinders. During this process, the load on the cab mount increases as the amount of compression (amount of displacement) increases, and eventually the amount of displacement becomes saturated.

To reduce impact inside the cabin, ensuring sufficient cabin movement during a collision is desirable from the perspective of effectively utilizing the vehicle's energy absorption area; however, there is a limit to the amount of movement of the cabin supported by the cab mounts , and there was room for improvement in terms of cabin impact safety against large inputs such as during a collision.

Therefore, the following disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a cab mount that can further improve the collision safety of the cabin.

One aspect of the present disclosure includes an inner tube (inner tube 200) through which a shaft portion of a bolt (connecting bolt 50) is inserted, an outer tube (outer tube 300) provided radially outward of the inner tube, and an elastic body (elastic body 350) provided between the inner tube and the outer tube and holding the inner tube, the outer tube being connected to a frame (frame 20) of a vehicle (vehicle 10), the inner tube being connected to the cabin (cabin 30),
The end of the inner cylinder on the cabin side is a cab mount ( cab mount 100) having an axially extending notch (notch 220) formed therein.

The above-described cab mount can further improve the collision safety of the cabin.

FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of a vehicle 10 prior to impact with a barrier 70. FIG. FIG. 1B is a schematic side view of the vehicle 10 after colliding with a barrier 70. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cab mount 100 alone. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cab mount 100. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cab mount 100. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cab mount 100 taken along the direction F5-F5 in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the cab mount 100 connected to the frame 20 and the cabin 30 of the vehicle 10. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic shape of the cab mount 100 when the vehicle 10 collides with the barrier 70. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram (example) of load and displacement (deflection) for the cab mount .

The following describes the embodiments with reference to the drawings. Note that identical or similar symbols are used for identical functions and configurations, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(1) Schematic configuration of a vehicle including a cab mount Figures 1A and 1B are schematic side views of a vehicle 10 including a cab mount according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 1A is a schematic side view of the vehicle 10 before colliding with a barrier 70 such as concrete. Figure 1B is a schematic side view of the vehicle 10 after colliding with the barrier 70.

As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, in this embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a pickup truck. A pickup truck may be interpreted as a truck having an open-type cargo bed 35 behind a cabin 30 (cab) and an engine hood 15 (bonnet). Note that in the case of a large SUV, a ladder frame structure similar to that of the vehicle 10 may be used, but the cargo bed 35 is not provided.

The cabin 30 may include a space for passengers to live in and a space for a prime mover such as an engine to be installed in. The cabin 30 is connected to the frame 20 by a plurality of cab mounts 100.

As shown in FIG. 1B, when the vehicle 10 collides head-on with the barrier 70, the cabin 30 moves forward in the direction of travel, specifically in the direction D1, and the energy of the collision is absorbed by the energy absorption area EA at the front of the cabin 30, which includes the engine hood 15, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1B, in order to improve the collision safety of the vehicle 10, it is important to effectively utilize the energy absorption area EA by moving the cabin 30 forward during a collision.

(2) Schematic Structure of the Cab Mount The cab mount 100, which can be suitably used in a vehicle 10 such as a pickup truck or a large SUV, has the following structure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cab mount 100 alone. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cab mount 100. Note that a straight line L1 shown in Fig. 3 coincides with the axial direction of the cab mount 100.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cab mount 100 is a shear type that uses an elastic body 350. The cab mount 100 includes an inner cylinder 200 and an outer cylinder 300. The inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300 may be formed using a general metal material (or a resin material). The elastic body 350 is provided between the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300, and holds the inner cylinder 200.

A shear-type cab mount may be interpreted as a mount in which the outer cylinder 300 is connected to the frame 20 of the vehicle 10 and the inner cylinder 200 is connected to the cabin 30, and which utilizes shear deformation of the elastic body 350.

The end (upper end) of the inner cylinder 200 on the cabin 30 side has a notch 220 extending in the axial direction.

Specifically, the cutout portion 220 is formed by cutting out two vertically long portions of the upper end of the inner tube 200. The end (lower end) of the cutout portion 220 on the frame 20 side is tapered with no corners.

The pair of cutouts 220 are formed at positions facing each other, that is, the position of one cutout and the position of the other cutout are approximately 180 degrees apart on the circumference of the inner tube 200. Note that the cutouts 220 do not have to be a pair, and may be only one (the front).

The pair of notches may also be formed to face the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 when mounted on the vehicle.

A plate 400, which is separate from the inner cylinder 200, is provided between the inner cylinder 200 and the cabin 30. The plate 400 is attached to the inner cylinder 200. For example, the plate 400 may be fixed to the upper peripheral portion of the inner cylinder 200 by crimping. Note that the plate 400 may also be attached to the inner cylinder 200 by other methods, such as welding.

The elastic body 350 may be made of a typical rubber material used in this type of mount. For example, natural rubber (NR), butadiene rubber (BR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), butyl rubber (IIR), EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber), CR (chloroprene rubber), NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber), or urethane-based materials may be used.

(3) Detailed Structure of the Cab Mount 100 Next, a specific structure of the cab mount 100 will be described. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the cab mount 100. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cab mount 100. Specifically, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cab mount 100 taken along the F5-F5 direction in Fig. 4.

4 and 5, a cavity 110 is formed along the axial direction in the cab mount 100. Specifically, the shank of a connecting bolt 50 (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, see FIGS. 6 and 7) is inserted into the inner cylinder 200.

The outer cylinder 300 is provided radially outside the inner cylinder 200. The outer cylinder 300 has a cylinder portion 310 and a flange portion 320.

The end of the inner cylinder 200 on the cabin 30 side is located closer to the cabin 30 than the end of the outer cylinder 300 on the cabin 30 side. In other words, the inner cylinder 200 protrudes further toward the cabin 30 than the outer cylinder 300.

The elastic body 350 is bonded to the cylindrical portion 310. The elastic body 350 may be simply pressed into the cylindrical portion 310 so that the elastic body 350 does not easily come out of the cylindrical portion 310.

The flange portion 320 is formed on the cabin 30 side (upper side) and extends radially outward from the tubular portion 310. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of flange portions 320 are formed in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 310, and each flange portion 320 has a mounting hole 325 formed therein.

As shown in FIG. 5, the inner tube 200 is preferably fixed to the elastic body 350. Note that the term "fixed" here means that the inner tube 200 is substantially fixed by being pressed into the elastic body 350, or that the inner tube 200 is fixed by adhesion or the like.

In addition, it is preferable that the cutout portion 220 of the inner tube 200 is formed so as to be located at least on the front side or the rear side when mounted on the vehicle. In this embodiment, the cutout portion 220 is formed by a pair of cutouts on the front and rear sides of the vehicle 10 when mounted on the vehicle.

As described above, in this embodiment, the cutout portion 220 is formed by a pair of cutouts, but the cutout portion 220 may be formed by one or three or more cutouts.

The cutout portion 220 may extend to the end of the outer cylinder 300 on the cabin 30 side. Alternatively, the lower end of the cutout portion 220 may be formed to be located between the lower end of the plate 400 and the upper end of the outer cylinder 300.

The width of the notch 220 is preferably wider than the thickness of the connecting bolt 50. Specifically, the width of the notch 220 is preferably wider than the thickness of the connecting bolt 50 and is preferably equal to or less than twice the width of the thickness of the connecting bolt 50.

(4) Function and Effects Next, a description will be given of the function and effects of the cab mount 100. Fig. 6 shows a state in which the cab mount 100 is connected to the frame 20 and the cabin 30 of the vehicle 10.

6 , the cab mount 100 is connected to the frame 20 and the cabin 30. Specifically, the outer cylinder 300 is connected to the frame 20. Furthermore, the inner cylinder 200 is connected to the cabin 30.

More specifically, the outer cylinder 300 is fixed to the frame 20 by a fixing bolt 41. The fixing bolt 41 is inserted through a mounting hole 325 (see Figures 4 and 5) formed in the flange portion 320 and a mounting hole (not shown) formed in the frame 20.

The connecting bolt 50 is inserted into the inner cylinder 200. The plate 400 is disposed between the inner cylinder 200 and the cabin 30 and abuts against the cabin 30.

The connecting bolt 50 is inserted into the hollow portion 110 (see Figures 4 and 5) and connects the inner tube 200 to the cabin 30 together with the plate 400 and the locking plate 25. It is preferable that the size of the locking plate 25 is larger than the radial size of the outer tube 300.

In this way, the outer cylinder 300 is fixed to the frame 20 by the fixing bolts 41, and the inner cylinder 200 is connected to the cabin 30 by the connecting bolts 50. In addition, since the inner cylinder 200 is crimped to the elastic body 350, it will not come off when the vehicle 10 is in normal use (within the range of inputs normally expected).

7 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the cab mount 100 when the vehicle 10 collides with the barrier 70. When the vehicle 10 collides with the barrier 70, the cabin 30 also deforms and starts to fall forward. As a result, the plate 400 may also deform together with the elastic body 350.

When the cabin 30 moves forward and the elastic body 350 deforms further, the inner tube 200 and the plate 400 are separated, and the inner tube 200 is bent as if it is being gouged out.

The connecting bolt 50 moves forward until it hits the cabin 30 or the inner cylinder 200, and is gouged out after hitting the cabin 30 or the inner cylinder 200. As the forward movement amount of the connecting bolt 50 and the gouging angle increase, the bending of the connecting bolt 50 also increases, and the connecting bolt 50 is pulled so as to be elongated. As a result, the displacement amount of the cab mount 100 increases, and the movement amount of the cabin 30 increases.

On the other hand, in the case of a conventional cab mount , the inner cylinder does not have a notch 220, and a structure in which the inner cylinder is integrated with a plate is widely used. In such a conventional cab mount , the movement of the cabin 30 during a collision is small, and there is a problem that the energy absorption area EA (see FIG. 1B) at the front of the vehicle 10 cannot be fully utilized. If the movement of the cabin 30 during a collision is small, the impact on the inside of the cabin 30, such as the occupants, is large, making it difficult to improve collision safety.

In a conventional cab mount , when the cabin 30 (inner cylinder) moves forward in the traveling direction during a collision of the vehicle 10, the amount of displacement increases roughly in proportion to the magnitude of the load on the cab mount .

Fig. 8 is an example diagram of the load and displacement (deflection) for the cab mount . As shown in Fig. 8, when the load is on the vertical axis and the displacement (amount of movement) is on the horizontal axis, the slope of the load-displacement curve is large for the conventional cab mount (see the dotted line in the diagram).

For this reason, when a certain load or more is applied, the bolts connecting the cab mount or the surrounding metal fittings break, and the further movement of the cabin 30 is restricted (up to the position d1 in the figure). When the movement of the cabin 30 is restricted, the energy absorption area EA cannot be fully utilized, and as a result, the impact on the inside of the cabin 30, such as the occupants, becomes large.

More specifically, when an extremely large input is applied, such as when the vehicle 10 collides, the inner cylinder moves forward relative to the outer cylinder, and the elastic body (rubber) sandwiched between the outer and inner cylinders is compressed and thinned, causing the load to rise. As the inner cylinder continues to approach the outer cylinder, the load on the cab mount (elastic body) increases further. When the cabin moves forward and collides with the barrier 70 and deforms, the cabin tilts and the inner cylinder also tilts. The bolt connecting the cabin also tilts, and eventually the inner cylinder or the bolt breaks.

On the other hand, in the cab mount 100 according to this embodiment, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 8, the displacement, i.e., the amount of movement of the cabin 30 increases (to the position d2 in the figure) without increasing the load, and the energy absorption area EA can be fully and effectively utilized. This can improve the collision safety (which may also be called the collision performance) of the cabin 30.

That is, when an extremely large input is applied, such as when the vehicle 10 crashes, in a conventional cab mount , the load increases until the inner tube or the cabin connecting bolt breaks, but in the cab mount 100 according to this embodiment, the inner tube 200 having the cutout portion 220 formed therein can increase the displacement (deflection) while suppressing the increase in load. This makes it possible to improve collision safety by effectively utilizing the energy absorption area EA.

In addition, in this embodiment, the cutout portion 220 is formed so as to be located at least on the front side or the rear side when mounted on the vehicle. Specifically, the cutout portion 220 is configured by a pair of cutouts on the front side and the rear side. Furthermore, the cutout portion 220 extends to the end of the outer cylinder 300 on the cabin 30 side.

This makes it easier to ensure the amount of movement of the connecting bolt 50, which can contribute to further increasing the amount of movement of the cabin 30 when a large input is applied in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, such as when the vehicle 10 crashes. This can further improve the collision safety of the cabin 30.

In this embodiment, a plate 400 separate from the inner cylinder 200 is provided, and the plate 400 abuts against the cabin 30. This can contribute to further increasing the amount of movement of the cabin 30 when a large input is applied in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, such as when the vehicle 10 crashes. This can further improve the collision safety of the cabin 30.

(5) Other Embodiments Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements are possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the notch 220 is formed to be located at least on the front or rear side when mounted on the vehicle, but in cases where offset collisions or the like are to be accommodated, it may be formed to face the vehicle 10 in the width direction.

The cab mount 100 may be referred to by other names, such as simply a mount, a cab suspension, or an anti-vibration device.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the vehicle 10 is a pickup truck, but the cab mount 100 may also be applied to vehicles other than pickup trucks and large SUVs, such as cab-over vehicles in which the cabin is located above a prime mover such as an engine.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended as an illustrative example and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

10 Vehicles
15 Engine hood
20 Frames
25 Locking plate
30 Cabin
35 Cargo Bed
41 Fixing bolt
50 Connecting bolt
70 Barrier
100 Cab Mount
110 Cavity
200 Inner Cylinder
220 Cutout
300 Outer cylinder
310 Cylinder
320 Flange part
325 Mounting hole
350 Elastic Body
400 plates
EA Energy Absorption Area
P Engagement position

Claims (6)

an inner cylinder through which the shank of the bolt is inserted;
an outer cylinder provided radially outside the inner cylinder;
an elastic body provided between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder and holding the inner cylinder;
The outer cylinder is connected to a frame of a vehicle,
The inner cylinder is connected to a cabin of the vehicle,
A notch extending in the axial direction is formed at the end of the inner cylinder on the cabin side,
The inner cylinder is a cylindrical carburetor mount having a constant outer diameter over the entire axial length . The cab mount according to claim 1 , wherein the cutout portion is formed so as to be located at least on the front side or the rear side when mounted on a vehicle. The cab mount according to claim 2 , wherein the cutout portion is constituted by a pair of cutouts on the front and rear sides. a cabin side end of the inner cylinder is located closer to the cabin than a cabin side end of the outer cylinder,
The cab mount according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cutout portion extends to an end portion of the outer cylinder on a cabin side. A plate separate from the inner cylinder is provided between the inner cylinder and the cabin,
The cab mount according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plate abuts against the cabin. The cab mount according to claim 1 , wherein the cutout portion is formed only at the end portion on the cabin side of both axial ends of the inner cylinder.

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