JPH0244120Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Technical Field of the Invention) The present invention relates to a shaft assembly, and more particularly to a shaft assembly that can be used as a shaft for a strut bar, suspension arm, lateral rod, or other shaft provided in an automobile suspension.

(Prior art) For example, when connecting a strut bar to a vehicle body, a structure is generally adopted in which a rubber bush is interposed to prevent vibrations from being transmitted from the strut bar to the vehicle body. After the bushing is assembled to the vehicle body with the specified values, the spring constant of the bushing is uniquely fixed and the spring characteristics cannot be changed.

A structure in which two fluid chambers are provided in the bush, the two fluid chambers are communicated through an orifice, and the damping force generated by the flow of the fluid filled in the fluid chamber is utilized (for example, Utility Model No. 57-199112 No. Publication,
According to Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-76837, etc.), the spring characteristics can be changed.

The suspension bush disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-106206 divides the inside of the casing into two spaces by a movable wall, and a dart pot is arranged in one of the spaces, and the piston of the dart pot , actuating a valve body that opens and closes a hole in the movable wall. According to this, the spring constant changes automatically, making it possible to improve steering stability and riding comfort.

(Problems to be solved by the invention) In the structures disclosed in the above-mentioned publications, after the structures are assembled to the vehicle body or other object, the spring characteristics are adjusted externally either manually or automatically depending on the driving conditions or the driver's preference. I can't change it. Additionally, some have complex structures.

An object of the present invention is to provide a shaft assembly whose spring characteristics can be changed from the outside even after it has been connected to a vehicle body or other object.

(Means for Solving the Problem) The shaft assembly according to the present invention includes a shaft having eyes at both ends and communicating with each other through a main passage, and a cylindrical bush disposed within each eye. a bush having a fluid chamber communicating with the main passage; a connecting member extending through one of the bushes in a direction intersecting the axis and connecting an eye holding the bush to an object; a connecting member having an auxiliary passage interposed between the fluid chamber and the main passage and a hole extending across the auxiliary passage; a valve body disposed in the hole of the connecting member; means for operating the body.

(Example) Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Shaft assembly 10 includes a shaft 12 and a connecting member 14, as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

For example, in an automobile suspension, the shaft 12 is a strut bar that restrains the longitudinal movement of a suspension arm, a lateral rod that restrains the lateral movement of an axle housing, a link that constitutes a link type suspension, or a trailing arm type suspension. arm, etc. axis 1
2 has eyes 16 and 18 at both ends, and both eyes are communicated by a main passage 20.

A bushing 22 is disposed in the eye 16 of the shaft 12, and a bushing 24 is disposed in the eye 18. Both bushes are formed of rubber into a cylindrical shape and have fluid chambers 23 and 25, respectively, which communicate with the main passage 20 of the shaft. In the illustrated example, both fluid chambers are formed as recesses cut out in the bush.

The bush 22 is vulcanized and bonded to an inner cylinder 26 and an outer cylinder 28. The inner cylinder 26 has a pair of holes 27 in a diametrically opposed part to the main passage 20 of the shaft 12, and the outer cylinder 28 has a large diameter hole in a diametrically opposed part to each hole 27. 29 and a hole 30 with a small diameter. An auxiliary passage 32 is formed inside the two holes 27 of the inner cylinder and the hole 30 of the outer cylinder, and the fluid chamber 23 of the bush 22 communicates with the main passage 20 via the auxiliary passage 32. The bush 22 is the hole 2 in the inner cylinder.
The seal lip 34 extends inwardly through holes 29 and 30 in the outer cylinder, and outwardly through holes 29 and 30 in the outer cylinder.
It is becoming.

The bush 24 is vulcanized and bonded to an inner cylinder 36 and an outer cylinder 38. A hole 39 is formed in a portion of the outer cylinder 38 facing the main passage 20, and the fluid chamber 25 directly communicates with the main passage 20.

The outer cylinder 28 of the bush 22 is attached to the eye 16 fitted with an O-ring, and the outer cylinder 38 of the bush 24 is attached to the eye 16 fitted with an O-ring.
Fit into each eye 18 equipped with an O-ring,
With the ends of the eyes crimped, bushes 22 and 24 are positioned within the eyes 16 and 18, respectively, to damp vibrations and the like on the shaft 12.

A connecting member 14 extends through one of the bushes 22 in a direction perpendicular to the axis 12 and connects an eye 16 that retains the bush 22 to the object 40. The connecting member 14 is a bolt in the example shown in FIG. 42.

The connecting member 14 connects the bush 22 and the object 40.
A washer 44 and a bracket 46 are applied to the threaded part protruding from the object 40, and a nut 48 is screwed onto the threaded part to fix the object. In this state, the auxiliary passage 42 of the connecting member 14 is connected to the auxiliary passage 32 of the bushing.
to face.

The object 40 is, for example, a bracket projecting from the body of an automobile, an axle housing, a suspension arm, or the like.

Valve body 50 disposed within hole 43 of connecting member 14
The sliding part 52 integrally includes a sliding part 52, a reduced diameter part 53, and a flat part 54, and the sliding part 52 is provided with a passage 55 extending in the diametrical direction and communicating with the auxiliary passage 42 of the connecting member 14. A spacer 56 and a thrust washer 58 are placed in the hole 43 of the connecting member 14, and the valve body 50 is inserted. A holder 60 equipped with an O-ring is inserted around the reduced diameter portion 53 to make it liquid-tight, and a collar 62 is press-fitted to hold the valve body 50 within the connecting member 14 .

The passage 55 of the valve body 50 is the auxiliary passage 4 of the connecting member.
Preferably, it is formed by a passage portion having the same diameter as the diameter of the second passage portion and a passage portion having a smaller diameter and spaced apart from this passage portion by, for example, 60°.
Then, when the valve body 50 is in the position shown in FIG. Connected through a passageway. Then, when the valve body 50 is further rotated by 60 degrees,
Fluid chambers 23, 25 are blocked.

The actuator 64 that operates the valve body 50 is
It is a known device consisting of an electric motor and a speed reducer, and is fixed to the connecting member 14 via a bracket 46 held between a washer 44 and a nut 48. A slit 67 is provided in the output shaft 66 of the actuator 64, and the flat portion 54 of the valve body 50 is inserted into the slit 67.

The other eye 18 of the shaft 12 is connected to a wheel support or other member by a conventional bolt passing through a bushing 24 or the like.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the valve body 70 is connected to the connecting member 72.
move in the axial direction. In this example, axis 1
2. The bush 22 has the same structure as in the previous example.

The connecting member 72 is a bolt, and includes a hole 74 opened in the axial direction from the end face on the head side, a hole 75 opened with a reduced diameter in the direction of extension of the hole, and a hole 75 opened diametrically from the hole 74 toward the outer peripheral surface. It has a passageway 76 opened by the user. An O-ring is attached to the connecting member 72 across the passage 76, and the connecting member 72 is connected to the object 40 and the inner cylinder 26.
the nut 80 with the washer 78 interposed.
are screwed together to connect the shaft 12 to the object 40. In this coupled state, the passage 76 is connected to the auxiliary passage 3 of the bush 22.
Opposed to 2.

The valve body 70 has a groove 71 extending all the way around the circumference on its outer peripheral surface. The groove 71 is a passage 76 of the connecting member 72.
It is possible to communicate with The valve body 70 is held fluid-tight by a pair of O-rings placed with a groove 71 in between.

The spring 82 biases the valve body 70 in one direction, and is disposed within the hole 75 of the connecting member 72, and the holder 82 has one end press-fitted into the valve body 70 and the other end press-fitted into the hole 75.
are respectively locked. The valve body 70 biased by the spring 82 abuts against a positioning collar 86 press-fitted into the hole 74 and assumes a fixed position. At this time, the groove 71 faces the passage 76 of the connecting member 72.

The hose 9 is connected to the connecting member 72 by a nut 88.
0 is connected, and compressed air or other pressure fluid is introduced through this hose 90 to move the valve body 70 against the spring force of the spring 82.

(Function of the Embodiment) The shaft assembly 10 seals a fluid, that is, oil or other liquid, air or other gas, or a mixture of liquid and gas in the fluid chambers 23 and 25, for example, as shown in FIG. used as shown.

In the example of FIG. 5, the wheel support 100 is arranged around a horizontal axis by a shaft assembly 10A disposed on the front side and extending in the width direction of the vehicle body, and a shaft assembly 102 disposed on the rear side and extending in the width direction of the vehicle body. The shaft assembly 10A is swingably supported and constitutes a link of a dual link suspension. moreover,
A strut bar is configured to connect the wheel support 100 with a shaft assembly 10B disposed in the longitudinal direction from the vehicle body 104, and restrain the movement of the wheel support 100 in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in the figure, the shaft assemblies 10A and 10B connect the eye 16 provided with the valve body 50 to the vehicle body 104.
It is preferable to install it as a side. This is because the valve body 50 and the actuator 64 are connected to the wheel support 1.
When placed on the 00 side, the valve body 50 and actuator 64 are on the so-called unsprung side and are subject to large accelerations in the vertical, horizontal, and longitudinal directions. This is because, on the upper side, these accelerations become smaller and durability can be improved.

When the vehicle is running, the actuator 64 is activated by manual operation by the driver or by operation of a controller that receives signals from a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a rotational angular velocity sensor of the steering wheel, and other sensors. to rotate the valve body 50.

For example, when a car is turning, actuating the actuator 64 of the shaft assembly 10A that supports the wheel 106 on the outside of the turn to shut off the fluid chambers 23, 25 of the bushes 22, 24;
Since there is no fluid flow, the spring constants of both bushings are stiffer, reducing the tendency of wheels 106 to deflect inward. As a result, oversteer during turns can be reduced and handling stability can be improved.

When the vehicle is traveling straight ahead, actuating the actuator 64 of the shaft assembly 10B to communicate the fluid chambers 23, 25 of the bushes 22, 24 softens the spring constant of both bushes, improving riding comfort.

The operation of the valve body 70 shown in FIG. 4 is the same, so a description thereof will be omitted.

(Effects of the invention) According to the invention, the following effects can be obtained.

A fluid chamber is provided in the bushes placed at both ends of the shaft.
Since both fluid chambers are communicated with and shut off by the valve body, the adjustment range of the spring characteristics of the shaft assembly as a whole can be expanded. In other words, since the bushes at both ends of the shaft constitute a series spring when in use, their characteristics are given as a function of the spring constants of both.Even if the variable rate of each spring characteristic is small, by changing both at the same time, ,
Spring characteristics can be changed significantly.

Since the fluid chambers of the two bushes are communicated and isolated by a single actuator and valve body, cost and weight can be reduced, and since the valve body is disposed within the connecting member, the overall structure is simple.

If the shaft assembly is used as a suspension arm, strut bar, or lateral rod for a car, the spring constant of the bushing can be changed manually or automatically, so it can be changed depending on the driving situation or preference, improving the ride comfort. It can improve handling stability, running stability, etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the shaft of the shaft assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the connecting member and the valve body of the shaft assembly, and FIG.
The figure is a sectional view showing another example of a connecting member and a valve body, and FIG. 5 is a partially sectional plan view showing an example of use of the shaft assembly. 10...Shaft assembly, 12...Shaft, 14,
72... Connection member, 16, 18... Eye, 20...
...Main passage, 22, 24...Butsuyu, 23, 25
... Fluid chamber, 32, 42 ... Auxiliary passage, 50, 7
0... Valve body, 64... Actuator.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] a shaft having eyes at both ends and communicating with each other through a main passage; a cylindrical bush disposed within each eye and having a fluid chamber communicating with the main passage; a connecting member extending through the bush in a direction intersecting the axis and connecting an eye holding the bush to an object, the auxiliary passage being interposed between the fluid chamber of the bush and the main passage; A shaft assembly including a coupling member having an aperture extending across the auxiliary passageway, a valve body disposed within the aperture of the coupling member, and means for actuating the valve body.