JPH11148529A - Knuckle bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a knuckle bracket whereby it is possible to mount the bottom part of a strut type shock absorber to a large number of knuckles having coupling holes of different pitch car type by type using a plurality of knuckle brackets of the same dimensions. SOLUTION: Each knuckle bracket is furnished with an upper and a lower mounting hole provided fixedly in the bottom part of a strut type shock absorber in order to couple the shock absorber with knuckles in the wheel part of an automobile, wherein the knuckle bracket 1 is configured with an upper knuckle bracket 4 and a lower knuckle bracket 5 each having one mounting hole 2/3, and these brackets 4 and 5 are installed on the bottom part 8a of the shock absorber 8 in such a way that the lower bracket 5 is fixed while the position of the upper bracket 4 is adjustable along the axial direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a knuckle bracket which is used by being fitted to a lower end portion of a strut type shock absorber in order to couple the strut type shock absorber to a knuckle in a wheel portion of an automobile. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a knuckle bracket of this type has been proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-14064 by the applicant of the present invention.
No. 6 (published on June 14, 1991) is already known.

That is, when a pair of mounting holes are vertically formed in a knuckle bracket provided at a lower end portion of a strut type shock absorber, at least one auxiliary hole is added to one or both mounting holes. By using a plurality of mounting holes, and selectively using these mounting holes, it is possible to cope with a knuckle having a coupling hole having a different pitch for each vehicle type.

[0004]

However, even so, in this case, the number of auxiliary holes that can be added as mounting holes from the viewpoint of space and strength of the knuckle bracket is limited to about two, Moreover, the adjustment of the mounting pitch, which is changed by the selective use of these upper and lower mounting holes, is not continuous but is stepwise.

As a result, even if the upper and lower mounting holes of the knuckle bracket are selectively used in combination,
As for the adjustment of the mounting pitch, only a few types can be taken step by step.

[0006] In this situation, under the current situation in which a variety of automobiles having different specifications are produced for each automobile manufacturer, only a very small number of various types of vehicles can cope with this type. Will be.

To cope with as many types of vehicles as possible, several types of knuckle brackets having mounting holes and auxiliary holes with different pitches and different lengths have to be prepared.

[0008] Therefore, not only do the types of knuckle brackets increase and it takes time and effort to manage parts, but also the manufacturing cost increases remarkably due to an increase in the number of dies and dies for manu- facturing knuckle brackets of different types. Will be.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a knuckle bracket having a novel structure capable of accommodating a large number of knuckles having coupling holes having different pitches for each vehicle type by using knuckle brackets having the same dimensions. It is to provide.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to connect a strut-type shock absorber to a knuckle in a wheel portion of an automobile.
In a knuckle bracket having upper and lower two mounting holes fixedly provided at a lower end portion of a strut type shock absorber, the knuckle bracket is configured by dividing an upper knuckle bracket and a lower knuckle bracket each having one mounting hole, Achieved by installing these upper knuckle bracket and lower knuckle bracket with respect to the lower end of the strut-type shock absorber so that the upper knuckle bracket can be adjusted in the axial direction and the lower knuckle bracket fixed. Is done.

In this case, the upper knuckle bracket can be vertically adjusted with respect to the lower knuckle bracket along the lower end portion of the strut-type shock absorber. The pitch between the mounting holes of the knuckle bracket and the lower knuckle bracket is continuously adjusted up and down.

[0012] From the above, even in the present situation in which many types of vehicles having different specifications for each vehicle manufacturer are produced, upper and lower knuckle brackets are used for coupling holes of knuckles of many types of vehicles. The pitch of the mounting holes can be adjusted to easily adapt to the knuckle of each model.

Therefore, the position of the upper knuckle bracket is adjusted so that the mounting holes of the upper and lower knuckle brackets match the upper and lower coupling holes of the knuckle in the vehicle,
These upper and lower mounting holes and coupling holes are respectively coupled with bolts.

Thus, the upper and lower knuckle brackets are fastened to the knuckle, the upper knuckle bracket is fixed to the lower end portion of the strut type shock absorber by a tightening force, and the lower end portion of the strut type shock absorber is connected to the upper side. And through the lower knuckle bracket to the knuckle of the vehicle.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a knuckle bracket 1 according to the present invention is divided into an upper knuckle bracket 4 and a lower knuckle bracket 5 each having one mounting hole 2, 3.

The upper and lower knuckle brackets 4 and 5 are formed by rolling a central portion of a flat plate into an arc shape.
a, 5a, and both ends are formed in a substantially U-shape as viewed from the up and down direction by extending both ends in parallel to form connecting portions 4b, 5b. Mounting holes 2 and 3 are drilled.

The upper edge of the upper knuckle bracket 4 and the lower edge of the lower knuckle bracket 5 are provided with reinforcing ribs 6 and 7 extending horizontally toward the outer peripheral direction. The knuckle brackets 4, 5 are symmetrical to each other.

The upper knuckle bracket 4 and the lower knuckle bracket 5 can adjust the position of the upper knuckle bracket 4 in the axial direction by inserting the mounting portions 4a, 5a into the lower end portion 8a of the strut type shock absorber 8. In addition, the lower knuckle brackets 5 are fixed and installed by means such as welding.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the knuckle 10 of the automobile is provided with two coupling holes 11 and 12 penetrating therethrough, and the strut-type shock absorber 8 described above with the knuckle 10 interposed therebetween. The connecting portions 4b and 5b of the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4 and 5 installed on the lower end portion 8a of the knuckle are fitted.

Next, the pitch of the mounting holes 2 and 3 is adjusted to the pitch of the coupling holes 11 and 12 in the knuckle 10 while adjusting the position of the upper knuckle bracket 4 up and down along the lower end portion 8a of the strut type shock absorber 8.

In this case, since the upper knuckle bracket 4 can be vertically adjusted along the lower end portion 8a of the strut type shock absorber 8,
Upper knuckle bracket 4 and lower knuckle bracket 5
The pitch of the mounting holes 2 and 3 is continuously adjusted.

From this, even in the present situation where various types of automobiles having different specifications are produced for each automobile manufacturer, the coupling holes 11, knuckles 10 of many types of knuckles 10 are manufactured.
12 and upper and lower knuckle brackets 4,5
Adjust the pitch of the mounting holes 2 and 3 for each model knuckle 1
0 can be adapted.

Thereafter, the mounting holes 2, 3 and the coupling holes 11,
Then, bolts 13 (bottom bolts are omitted) are inserted through the nuts 12, and these bolts 13 are tightened with nuts 14 to connect the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4 and 5 to the knuckle 10.

At this time, in the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4, 5, the diameters of the mounting portions 4a, 5a are reduced by the tightening force of the bolts 13 and the nuts 14, and the lower end portions 8a of the strut type shock absorbers 8 are secured. And firmly fixed.

As a result, the lower end portion 8a of the strut type shock absorber 8 is fixed to the knuckle 10 of the automobile through the connecting portions 4b and 5b of the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4 and 5.

FIG. 3 shows a knuckle bracket 1a according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which ribs 6 and 7 for reinforcement are provided on the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4 and 4 in the embodiment of FIG. 5 in that they are provided on the upper and lower edges, respectively.

According to this structure, the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4, 5 can be independently formed vertically symmetrically and have the same shape as each other. 1 can be used in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 while eliminating an error in assembling the lower end portion 8 a of the strut type shock absorber 8.

Further, in the knuckle bracket 1b of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, projections 15 and 16 projecting to the inner side from the mounting portions 4a and 5a of the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4 and 5 are punched out. Has formed.

Thus, the upper knuckle bracket 4
1 can be used in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 without damaging the symmetrical shape of the lower knuckle bracket 5 and the strut-type shock absorber 8 having different outer diameters at the lower end portion 8a.

Although not shown, this point is applied to the knuckle bracket 1a of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 so that not only the symmetrical shape of the upper knuckle bracket 4 and the lower knuckle bracket 5 but also Needless to say, it can be used in the same manner as described above without spoiling the independent vertically symmetrical shape.

However, in each of the above-described embodiments, in the state before the vehicle is mounted on an automobile,
The upper knuckle bracket 4 is inserted into the lower end portion 8a of the strut type shock absorber 8 so as to be vertically adjustable.

As a result, in order to improve the mounting workability at the automobile manufacturer, even if the product is shipped with the interval and orientation of the upper knuckle bracket 4 and the lower knuckle bracket 5 kept in a predetermined state based on the specifications, There is a possibility that vibrations or the like applied to the inside may cause these to be out of order, thereby deteriorating the easiness of the mounting work at an automobile manufacturer.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is intended to eliminate the occurrence of deviation in the spacing and orientation of the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4 and 5 due to the above-mentioned vibration during transportation. 6 shows a case where the present invention is applied to the knuckle bracket 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 shows a case where the present invention is applied to the knuckle bracket 1a of the other embodiment shown in FIG.

That is, after the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4 and 5 are aligned in a predetermined state and centered based on the specifications from the automobile manufacturer, the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4 and 5 are aligned. Mounting part 4
Half holders 17 and 18 made of an elastically deformable material such as plastic are fitted over a and 5a.

As a result, the upper and lower knuckle brackets 4 and 5 are prevented from being misaligned and misaligned due to vibration or the like during transportation, and are easily mounted on the knuckle 10 of the automobile. 17,
By pulling out and removing 18, the mounting work at the automobile manufacturer can be facilitated.

Although not particularly shown in this case, it is obvious that the above points can be applied to the knuckle bracket 1b of the embodiment shown in FIG. It will be easy to understand based on the description.

[0038]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the knuckle bracket is divided into an upper knuckle bracket having one mounting hole and a lower knuckle bracket. The upper knuckle bracket can be adjusted in position along the axial direction with respect to the lower end of the strut type shock absorber, and the lower knuckle bracket is fixed and installed to match the knuckle mounting pitch. While continuously adjusting the upper knuckle bracket, it is possible to mount the same type of knuckle bracket to more models with knuckles with different mounting pitches, so that the type of knuckle bracket is greatly reduced Can be.

As a result, not only the parts management cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts of the knuckle bracket, but also the die cost and the die management man-hour for making the knuckle bracket can be reduced, and the knuckle can be reduced. Significant cost reductions can be achieved through the common use of brackets and the promotion of standardization.

Further, since the pitch of the two mounting holes changes continuously with the adjustment of the position of the upper knuckle bracket, the knuckle bracket is attached to the lower end portion of the strut-type shock absorber, and the pitch dimension Since the mounting holes can be individually formed on the upper and lower knuckle brackets before mounting without processing the mounting holes, it is extremely easy to drill those holes.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects, it is possible to eliminate a mistake in assembling the upper and lower knuckle brackets at the lower end portion of the strut type shock absorber.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to these effects, the upper and lower knuckle brackets can be incorporated into the lower end portion of the strut type shock absorber having a reduced diameter.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described effects, the holder prevents the gap and orientation of the upper and lower knuckle brackets caused by vibration or the like during transportation from being disturbed by the holder. In addition to facilitating attachment to the knuckle, the holder can be pulled out and removed after the attachment, thereby facilitating attachment work by an automobile manufacturer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view partially showing an embodiment in which a knuckle bracket according to the present invention is mounted on a lower end portion of a strut type shock absorber.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a case where a strut type shock absorber provided with the knuckle bracket is connected to a knuckle in a wheel portion of an automobile.

FIG. 3 is a front view partially showing another embodiment of the knuckle bracket according to the present invention in the same state as above.

FIG. 4 is a front view partially showing a knuckle bracket according to still another embodiment of the present invention in a similar state.

FIG. 5 is a front view partially showing the embodiment in the case where the holder is put on the knuckle bracket according to the present invention in the same state as above.

FIG. 6 is a front view partially showing a state where a holder is put on a knuckle bracket according to another embodiment in the same state as above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a, 1b Knuckle bracket 2, 3 Mounting hole 4 Upper knuckle bracket 5 Lower knuckle bracket 4a, 5a Mounting portion 4b, 5b Connecting portion 6, 7 Rib 8 Strut type shock absorber 8a Lower end portion of strut type shock absorber 10 Knuckle 17,18 Half-holder

Claims (4)

[Claims] A knuckle bracket having two upper and lower mounting holes fixedly provided at a lower end portion of a strut type shock absorber for coupling the strut type shock absorber to a knuckle in a wheel portion of an automobile. The upper knuckle bracket and the lower knuckle bracket are each divided into an upper knuckle bracket and a lower knuckle bracket with one mounting hole.The upper knuckle bracket and the lower knuckle bracket are axially connected to the lower end of the strut type shock absorber. A knuckle bracket characterized in that the position is adjustable along the lower knuckle bracket and the lower knuckle bracket is fixed and installed. 2. An upper knuckle bracket and a lower knuckle bracket are vertically symmetrically formed independently of each other, and both of them have the same shape.
Knuckle bracket. 3. A strut-type shock absorber, wherein a projection adapted to an outer diameter of the strut-type shock absorber is formed on an inner wall surface of a mounting portion of the upper knuckle bracket and the lower knuckle bracket which is a fitting surface to the strut-type shock absorber. Knuckle bracket according to item 1 or 2. 4. A bracket according to claim 1, wherein said upper knuckle bracket and said lower knuckle bracket are removably fitted with holders for securing centering of said upper knuckle bracket and said lower knuckle bracket. Knuckle bracket.