JPH10166822A - Suspension device of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten an upper arm without deteriorating suspension performance. SOLUTION: An upper arm 3 is constituted of a first link member 3a and a second link member 3b, the first link member 3a is attached to a suspension cross member 4 so as to be turned at a supporting point A on one end side and displaced in the longitudinal direction, it is attached to a steering knuckle 1 so as to be turned at the connecting point B on the other side, the second link member 3b is rotatably connected to the first link member 3a at the connecting point C on one end side and rotatably supported to a vehicle body side frame 5 at the supporting point D on the other end side. Respective points A, B, C, D are so set as to be arranged on the approximately straight line in the loading normal position, or the straight line linking A to B is downward inclined toward the outer side of the vehicle, the point D is positioned above from the straight line linking B to C. The points A, B, C are arranged on the approximately straight line, and the points A, D are on the approximately same horizontal line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-5544
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-55, there is known a vehicle suspension device in which lateral links (upper arm and lower arm) which are independent of each other and are vertically separated and extend in the vehicle width direction are connected to wheel support members. . The upper arm and the lower arm regulate the movement of the wheel support member in the vehicle width direction. Further, the suspension device is configured to extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, one end is attached to the vehicle body so as to be able to swing up and down, and the other end is capable of transmitting force in the front-rear direction and rotational force in the wheel rotation direction to the wheel support member. It has a swing arm. The swing arm is usually rigid. The suspension device regulates the movement of the wheel support members in the vehicle width direction, the vehicle body front-rear direction and the wheel rotation direction by the lateral link and the swing arm, and allows the movement in the up-down direction, thereby accommodating the up-down movement and turning of the wheels. The camber change and the toe change are configured to have predetermined characteristics.

[0003]

In order to obtain a good suspension performance having predetermined camber characteristics and toe characteristics, small change in roll center and stable vehicle behavior, the lateral link of the suspension device must have a predetermined length. In general, it is required to make the vehicle as long as possible. In addition to this, there is a demand to lower the vehicle body floor in order to enhance the comfort of the vehicle, but conventionally, these requirements could not be satisfied. That is, in a suspension device having an upper arm and a lower arm as a lateral link, if the upper arm is long, the upper arm interferes with the vehicle body floor, in particular, the side frame portion when the wheel sinks (at the time of a bump). I will. Therefore, in order to avoid interference between the upper arm and the floor, the floor is conventionally escaped upward (Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-63).
The part of the floor side is partially cut off in the case of 554455) to avoid interference with the upper arm,
Also, it was common to bend the upper arm downward. However, in that case, the comfortability is deteriorated by escaping or partially shaving the floor, and it is necessary to increase the cross-sectional dimension in order to largely curve the long upper arm and maintain the link rigidity. , It had to be heavy.

When the upper arm is shortened, the amount of movement to the side that interferes with the vehicle body floor is reduced even with the same bump amount, and the floor can be lowered. In this case, however, the conventional technique cannot avoid deterioration of suspension performance. This is as described above.

Therefore, it is a problem to shorten the upper arm without deteriorating the suspension performance. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vehicle suspension system in which an upper arm and a lower arm which are independent of each other and are vertically separated from each other and extend in the vehicle width direction are connected to a wheel supporting member. It is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of itself at the support point on the inside of the body and is supported by the vehicle so as to be able to turn up and down, and is connected to the wheel support member at the connection point on the outside of the body so that it can turn up and down The first link member is vertically rotatably connected to a longitudinally intermediate portion of the first link member at a connection point on the inner side of the vehicle body and vertically at a support point on the outer side of the vehicle body. The above object is achieved by forming a second link member rotatably supported by a vehicle body.

According to the suspension device having the above structure,
Due to the vertical movement of the wheels, the height position of the connection point on the outside of the vehicle body of the first link member of the upper arm moves up and down, and accordingly, the second link member is supported by the vehicle body at the support point on the outside of the vehicle body. The first link member is pivoted up and down in the closed state, and the first link member is restrained at the connection point on the vehicle body inner side of the second link member.
Is vertically displaced while being displaced in the longitudinal direction at the support point on the inner side of the vehicle body. At this time, the support point of the first link member on the inner side of the vehicle body and the connection point of the outer side of the vehicle body are connected to the second link member.
The position where the link point of the link member on the inboard side of the vehicle body and the support point on the outer side of the vehicle body are aligned on a straight line is set as the reference position of the arm trajectory. Along with the movement, the second link member rotates while restraining the first link member by the connection point on the vehicle body inner side to move the first link member to the vehicle body inner side support point. Move in the direction of outward displacement. As a result, even if the upper arm composed of these two link members has a short arm length, the trajectory of the arm, that is, the trajectory of the connection point on the outside of the vehicle body of the first link member, is one link member having a long arm length. And has a large radius of curvature equivalent to the trajectory of the upper arm composed of the upper arm, and performs the same function as the upper arm having a longer arm length. Therefore, the upper arm can be shortened without deteriorating the suspension performance, and by shortening the upper arm, it becomes easy to lower the vehicle body floor and improve the comfortability while avoiding interference with the vehicle body floor. Even when the upper arm is bent to avoid interference with the vehicle body floor, if the link member constituting the upper arm is short, link rigidity is easily ensured, and the upper arm is formed by two short link members. This can improve the link strength. Further, by shortening the upper arm, a space for disposing a fuel tank and the like below the vehicle body is widened.

[0008] As described above, the suspension device of the present invention provides a support point of the first link member on the vehicle interior side and a connection point of the vehicle exterior side, and a connection point of the second link member on the vehicle interior side. With the position where the support points on the outer side of the vehicle body are aligned on a straight line as a reference position, the second link member is moved to the inner side of the vehicle body with the vertical movement of the connecting point of the first link member on the outer side of the vehicle body. The first link member is rotated while restraining the first link member by the connection point, and the first link member is moved in a direction in which the support point on the inboard side of the vehicle body is displaced toward the outside of the vehicle body. Since it draws an arm trajectory with a large radius of curvature equivalent to the trajectory of the upper arm composed of the link member, the normal mounting position of the suspension device in the normal loading state of the vehicle (the position that is neither a bump nor a rebound)
Wherein the connection point of the first link member on the inside of the vehicle body and the connection point of the outside of the vehicle body and the connection point of the second link member on the inside of the vehicle body and the support point of the outside of the vehicle body are aligned in the vehicle front-rear direction. When it is configured so that it is located at the above-mentioned reference position, which is substantially aligned with the straight line, the arm trajectory on the bump side and the rebound side becomes substantially symmetric, and the effect of increasing the radius of curvature of the arm trajectory can be used to the utmost. In addition, the camber characteristics and the toe characteristics at the time of rebound are easily optimized, and the movement of the arm trajectory in the vehicle width direction is minimized, so that the alignment characteristics are improved.

In the above structure, the upper arm includes a first link member and a second link member which are overlapped with each other when viewed from above and below, and a connection point of the first link member on the outer side of the vehicle body with the second link member. And a connection point on the inner side of the vehicle body may be curved in a direction to avoid interference with the second link when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. In that case, the first
It is preferable that the link member bends downward between the connection point on the outside of the vehicle body and the connection point on the inside of the vehicle body of the second link member.

[0010] In the above structure, the upper arm may be configured such that the first link member and the second link member are displaced in the vehicle longitudinal direction and do not overlap when viewed from above and below.

In the suspension device of the present invention, the support point on the vehicle body inner side and the connection point on the vehicle body outer side of the first link member are located at the normal mounting position of the suspension device when the vehicle is normally loaded. The connecting straight line is inclined downward toward the outside of the vehicle body, and the support point of the second link member on the outside of the vehicle body is connected to the connection point of the first link member on the outside of the vehicle body with the vehicle of the second link member. It can be configured to be located above a straight line connecting to the connection point on the body side. In such a case, the reference position of the arm trajectory, that is, the support point of the first link member on the inboard side of the vehicle body and the connection point of the outside of the vehicle body, and the connection point of the second link member on the inboard side of the vehicle body and the outside of the vehicle body The position where the support point on the side is aligned on a straight line can be shifted to the bump side to prevent the positive camber at the time of the bump, and the support point on the outside of the vehicle body of the second link member in the normal position as described above. Is located above a straight line connecting the connection point of the first link member on the outside of the vehicle body and the connection point of the second link member on the inside of the vehicle body, so that the first link member is In this case, the amount of bending in the case of avoiding interference with the second link member is reduced, whereby the rigidity can be easily ensured, and the layout property and the mounting property can be improved.

[0012] In the suspension device of the present invention, the connecting point of the first link member on the inboard side of the vehicle body and the connecting point of the outer side of the vehicle body may be connected to the connecting point of the second link member on the inboard side of the vehicle body. The support point of the first link member on the vehicle body inner side and the support point of the second link member on the vehicle outer side are substantially on the same horizontal line when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. Can be configured. In such a case, the reference position of the arm trajectory, that is, the support point of the first link member on the inboard side of the vehicle body and the connection point of the outside of the vehicle body, and the connection point of the second link member on the inboard side of the vehicle body and the outside of the vehicle body The position where the support points on the side are aligned on a straight line shifts to the bump side, so that it is easy to set an appropriate camber angle at the time of the bump, positive camber can be prevented, and the second link member of the first link member and Can reduce the amount of curvature to avoid interference,
It is easy to secure the rigidity, and the layout and mounting are improved.

[0013] In the suspension device of the present invention, the second link is rotatably supported up and down at a support point on the outer side of the vehicle body, for example, on a vehicle body side frame.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a lateral link structure of a suspension device according to the present invention. The illustrated example is applied to a front suspension, where 1 is a steering knuckle fixed to a wheel hub (not shown), 2 is a lower arm, 3 is an upper arm, 4 is a suspension cross member, and 5 is a vehicle body side frame. , 6 indicate a vehicle body cross member. Reference numeral 7 denotes a fuel tank. The lower arm 2 and the upper arm 3 constitute a lateral link of the suspension, and are independent of each other and extend vertically in the vehicle width direction.

The lower arm 2 has one end attached to the steering knuckle 1 via a rubber bush 8 so as to be rotatable about a horizontal axis in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and the other end is rotatable about a horizontal axis in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Is attached to the suspension cross member 4 via a rubber bush 9.

The upper arm 3 is composed of a first link member (main link) 3a and a second link member (assist link) 3b.
With the end on the inner side of the vehicle body as a support point A, the suspension via the rubber bush 10 can be rotated up and down around a horizontal axis substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at the support point A. Attached to the cross member 4 and attached to the steering knuckle 1 via the rubber bush 11 so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis substantially in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body at the connection point B with the end on the outer side of the vehicle body as a connection point B. ing. And the second
The link member 3b is connected via the rubber bush 12 so as to be vertically rotatable at the connection point C at the connection point C at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the first link member 3a. The vehicle is supported by the vehicle body side frame 5 via a rubber bush 13 so as to be rotatable up and down at the support point D with the end on the outer side of the vehicle body as a support point D.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the suspension device of the example shown in FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from the rear of the vehicle body. The suspension device includes the lower arm 2 and the upper arm 3
In addition to the two lateral links described above, the steering knuckle 1 (not shown) is provided by the swing arm 14, the damper and the coil spring (not shown), and the two lateral links of the lower arm 2 and the upper arm 3 and the swing arm 14. ), The movement of the wheel hub 15 in the vehicle width direction, the vehicle longitudinal direction and the wheel rotation direction is restricted, and the vertical movement is allowed, and the camber change and toe change accompanying the vertical movement and turning of the wheel are determined. It is constituted so that it may have the characteristic of.

The upper arm 3 is mounted at a normal mounting position of the suspension device when the vehicle is normally loaded (FIG. 1).
), The connection point A of the first link member 3a on the vehicle interior side and the connection point B of the vehicle exterior side, and the connection point C of the second link member 3b on the vehicle interior side and the vehicle exterior side. The support point D on the side is set substantially in a straight line when viewed from the front and rear direction of the vehicle body. That is, the setting is such that the normal mounting position of the suspension device matches the reference position of the arm trajectory of the upper arm 3. In this case, the height position of the connecting point B on the outer side of the vehicle body of the first link member 3a moves up and down due to the vertical movement of the wheel, and accordingly, the second link member 3b is moved by the connecting point C on the inner side of the vehicle body. The first link member 3a is turned up and down while being supported by the vehicle body side frame 5 at the support point D on the outer side of the vehicle body while restraining the first link member 3a, thereby supporting the first link member 3a on the inner side of the vehicle body. The first link member 3 is moved in a direction in which the point A is displaced outwardly of the vehicle body, and is restrained by a connection point C on the vehicle body inner side of the second link member 3b.
a rotates up and down while being displaced in the longitudinal direction at the support point A on the inner side of the vehicle body, and the connection point B on the outer side of the vehicle body moves along the trajectory of the upper arm composed of one link member having a long arm length. Draw an arm trajectory with the same radius of curvature.

FIG. 3 is an analysis diagram of the arm trajectory when the normal mounting position of the suspension device is set to coincide with the reference position of the arm trajectory of the upper arm 3 as described above. In the figure, the full bump position of the upper arm 3 is indicated by a solid line, and the normal mounting position and the full rebound position are indicated by a chain line. Further, for comparison, the trajectory of the upper arm 3 ′ including one long link configured to have an arm trajectory equivalent to the upper arm 3 is indicated by a dashed line. Arm locus L ₁ of the upper arm 3 of a first link member 3a and two link members of the second link member 3b is a as shown in FIG. 3, the same length as the first link member 3a The upper arm 3 ′ has a much larger radius of curvature than the arm locus L ₂ when the upper arm is formed by one link, and is made up of one long link.
Will almost overlap the arm trajectory. Further, the arm trajectories on the bump side and the rebound side are substantially symmetrical, and the amount of movement of the arm trajectory between the full bump position and the full rebound position in the vehicle width direction is small.

In the above example, the support point A of the first link member 3a on the inner side of the vehicle body and the connection point B on the outer side of the vehicle body and the second link member 3b in the normal position where the upper arm 3 is mounted. The connection point C on the inner side of the vehicle body and the support point D on the outer side of the vehicle body are set so as to be substantially aligned on the straight line when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. In the example shown in FIG. At the normal mounting position, a straight line connecting the support point A of the first link member 3a on the inner side of the vehicle body and the connection point B on the outer side of the vehicle body is inclined downward toward the outside of the vehicle body, and
The supporting point D of the link member 3b on the outer side of the vehicle body is defined by a straight line connecting the connecting point B of the first link member 3a on the outer side of the vehicle body and the connecting point C of the second link member 3b on the inner side of the vehicle body. , The support point A, the connection point B, and the connection point C are substantially on a straight line, and the support point A and the support point D are substantially on the same horizontal line. Also in this case, the height position of the connecting point B on the outer side of the vehicle body of the first link member 3a moves up and down due to the vertical movement of the wheel, and accordingly, the second link member 3b moves to the connecting point C on the inner side of the vehicle body. The first link member 3a
While being supported by the vehicle body side frame 5 at the support point D on the outer side of the vehicle body while restraining the first link member 3a, the support point A on the inner side of the vehicle body The first link member 3a is moved in the longitudinal direction at the support point A on the inner side of the vehicle body in a state where the first link member 3a is restrained at the connection point C on the inner side of the vehicle body of the second link member 3b. It turns up and down while being displaced, and its connection point B on the outer side of the vehicle body draws an arm trajectory having the same radius of curvature as the trajectory of the upper arm composed of one link member having a long arm length. In this case, in particular, the reference position of the arm trajectory, that is, the support point A of the first link member 3a on the vehicle body inner side and the connection point B on the vehicle outer side, and the vehicle body inner side of the second link member 3b. Connection point C of
By moving the position where the support point D on the outer side of the vehicle body is aligned on the straight line to the bump side, it is possible to prevent the positive camber at the time of the bump, to reduce the amount of bending of the first link member 3a, and to secure the rigidity. , And the layout and the attachment are improved.

Although each of the above examples is applied to the front suspension, the upper arm has been described in which the first link member which is the main link is connected to the steering knuckle, but the present invention is also applied to the rear suspension. Applicable, the first link member of the upper arm may be directly connected to the wheel hub.

[0023]

EXAMPLES Specific structures (Examples 1 and 2) of the upper arm used in the above embodiment will be described below.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view of the upper arm of the first embodiment as viewed from the front of the vehicle body.
Is a view of the upper arm as viewed from below. In the drawing, reference numeral 3 denotes an upper arm, and a first link member (main link) 3a and a second link member (assist link) 3
b. Then, the first link member 3
a is at the end on the side attached to the suspension cross member,
The eyeglass-like rubber member 10c is held by the elliptical outer cylinder 10a and the circular inner cylinder 10b, and the first link member 3a can be turned up and down around a horizontal axis substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and its own longitudinal length. A rubber bush 10 configured to be displaceable in the direction is provided, and a cylindrical rubber member 11c including a circular outer cylinder 11a and a circular inner cylinder 11b is provided at an end connected to the wheel support member. And a rubber bush 11 configured to rotate the first link member 3a about a horizontal axis substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is provided. Further, the second link member 3b holds a cylindrical rubber member 13c at the end supported on the vehicle body side frame by a circular outer cylinder 13a and a circular inner cylinder 11b. Member 3b
Is provided so as to be rotatable around a horizontal axis substantially in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. A rubber bush 12 is provided that is configured to be rotatable about a horizontal axis in the direction. The rubber bush 12 on the connection side is also not shown in the figure, but still has a cylindrical outer cylinder and a circular inner cylinder holding cylindrical rubber. At an intermediate portion of the first link member 3a, a concave groove 16 into which the rubber bush 12 can be fitted is provided.
A portion of the rubber bush 12 is fitted into the concave groove 16, and penetrates the first link member 3 a, penetrates the rubber bush 12, and is fastened by a nut 17 to the second link member 3 b by a bolt 18 in a substantially longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Are supported so as to be able to turn up and down within a predetermined range. Then, the first link member 3a
Is the rubber bush 1 on the side connected to the suspension cross member.
The distance between the first and second link members 3b is the second
In order to avoid interference with the link member 3b.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view of the upper arm of the second embodiment as viewed from the front of the vehicle body.
Is a view of the upper arm as viewed from below. Also in this case, the upper arm 3 is a first link member (main link).
3a and a second link member (assist link) 3b. The first link member 3a holds the eyeglass-shaped rubber member 10c at the end connected to the suspension cross member with the elliptical outer cylinder 10a and the circular inner cylinder 10b. A rubber bush 10 configured to be able to rotate the link member 3a up and down about a horizontal axis substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and to be displaceable in its own longitudinal direction.
Is provided, and at the end connected to the wheel support member,
A rubber bush 11 configured to hold a cylindrical rubber member 11c by a circular outer cylinder 11a and a circular inner cylinder 11b and to be able to rotate the first link member 3a about a horizontal axis substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Is provided. The second link member 3b is provided at its end on the side supported by the vehicle body side frame with a rubber bush 13 configured to be rotatable around a horizontal axis substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A rubber bush 12, which is also configured to be rotatable about a horizontal axis substantially in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, is provided at an end of the link member 3a on the side connected to a substantially intermediate portion. Each of the rubber bush 13 and the rubber bush 12 also has a cylindrical rubber member held by a circular outer cylinder and a circular inner cylinder. And in this example, the second link member 3
The second link member 3b is rotatably supported up and down by a bolt 18 which is fixed to the inner cylinder of the rubber bush 12b, penetrates the first link member 3a, and is fastened by the nut 17 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. I have.

[0026]

According to the present invention, the upper arm can be shortened without deteriorating the suspension performance, the vehicle body floor can be lowered to improve comfort, and the rigidity of the upper arm can be easily secured. The link strength can be improved, and the space below the vehicle body is expanded, so that the fuel tank and the like can be easily arranged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view of a lateral link structure showing an example of a suspension device according to the present invention as viewed from the front of a vehicle body.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the suspension device of FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from the rear of the vehicle body.

FIG. 3 is an analysis diagram of an arm trajectory of the suspension of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of a lateral link structure showing another example of the suspension device according to the present invention, as viewed from the front of the vehicle body.

FIG. 5 is a view of an example of an upper arm as viewed from the front of a vehicle body.

6 is a view of the upper arm of FIG. 5 as viewed from below.

FIG. 7 is a view of another example of the upper arm as viewed from the front of the vehicle body.

8 is a view of the upper arm of FIG. 7 as viewed from below.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 steering knuckle 2 lower arm 3 upper arm 3a first link member 3b second link member 5 body side frame A support point B connection point C connection point D support point L ₁ arm locus

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle suspension device comprising an upper arm and a lower arm, which are independent of each other and are vertically separated from each other and extend in the vehicle width direction, are connected to a wheel support member, wherein the upper arm is connected to a support point on the inner side of the vehicle body. A first link that is supported by the vehicle body so as to be displaceable in its own longitudinal direction and rotatable up and down, and is connected to the wheel support member at a connection point on the outer side of the vehicle body so as to be rotatable up and down. The vehicle body is rotatably connected to a member and a longitudinally intermediate portion of the first link member at a connection point on the vehicle body inner side, and is rotatable vertically at a support point on the vehicle outer side. And a second link member supported by the vehicle. 2. In a normal mounting position of the suspension device in a normal loading state of the vehicle, a support point of the first link member on the vehicle body inner side and a connection point of the vehicle outside the vehicle body and the vehicle of the second link member. 2. The vehicle suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the connection point on the inner side and the support point on the outer side of the vehicle body are located substantially on a straight line when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. 3. The first link member and the second link member overlap when viewed from above and below, and the first link member is connected to a connection point on the outer side of the vehicle body with the second link member. 3. The vehicle suspension device according to claim 2, wherein the space between the connection point on the vehicle body inner side and the connection point on the vehicle body inner side is curved in a direction that avoids interference with the second link when viewed from the vehicle body front-rear direction. 4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the first link member is curved downward between a connection point on the outside of the vehicle body and a connection point on the inside of the vehicle body of the second link member. Vehicle suspension device. 5. The vehicle suspension device according to claim 2, wherein the first link member and the second link member are displaced in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and do not overlap when viewed from the up-down direction. 6. A straight line connecting the support point of the first link member on the inside of the vehicle body and the connection point on the outside of the vehicle body at the normal mounting position of the suspension device in the normal loading state of the vehicle, is directed to the outside of the vehicle body. And a support point on the outer side of the vehicle body of the second link member is connected to a connection point on the outer side of the vehicle body of the first link member and an inner side of the vehicle body of the second link member. The vehicle suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the suspension device is located above a straight line connecting the connection point. 7. A support point of the first link member on the vehicle interior side and a connection point of the vehicle exterior side, and a connection point of the second link member on the vehicle interior side as viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction. 2. The support point of the first link member on the inside of the vehicle body and the support point of the second link member on the outside of the vehicle body are substantially on the same horizontal line. Vehicle suspension device. 8. The vehicle suspension device according to claim 1, wherein the second link is supported on a vehicle body side frame so as to be rotatable up and down at a support point on an outer side of the vehicle body.