JPS5911769B2 - Sliding idler arm bearing - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sub-type idler arm bearing.

Conventionally, an idler arm in a vehicle steering device has one end connected to a link mechanism for changing the direction of wheels, and the other end connected to the vehicle body side by a base bearing.

Generally, the structure of the connecting portion of the idler arm is as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. To explain with a diagram, at the end 1a of the idler arm 1 on the side of the link mechanism (not shown), there is a pin connected to the link mechanism via a resin bush 2 that functions as a bearing and as a buffer. 3 is installed. On the other hand, the end portion Ib of the idler arm 1 on the vehicle body side has resin bushes 6, 6, which function as bearings and buffering functions, attached to a support pin 5 fixed to a bracket 4 attached to the vehicle body (not shown). The parts are configured as a bearing body. Lubricant oil is filled between the support pin 5 and the resin bushes 6, 6 and between the tenth pin 3 and the resin bush 2, and this lubricant oil is supplied by the dust seals T, 8. While preventing leakage to the outside, the dust seal also prevents foreign matter from entering from the outside. Further, the resin bush at the connecting portion between the end Ib of the idler arm 1 and the support 15 port pin 5 is divided into two parts, and both bushes 6
, 6 is filled with lubricating oil, and the lubricating oil is configured 20 to be supplied to necessary portions through grooves 9 extending in the axial direction provided on the inner peripheral surfaces of the resin bushes 6, 6. ing. Each of the resin bushes 6, 6 has a cylindrical portion 6a extending in the axial direction of the support pin 5 and a support pin 5.
The cylinder part 6a is located between the support pin 5 and the idler arm 1, and the flange part 6b is located between the cut surface I of the idler arm 1.
c, the bracket 4, and the retainer 4', respectively, and are configured such that the resin bushes 6, 6 can be elastically deformed to a certain extent to absorb the play of the handle (not shown). There is. In addition, in the A30 hydraulic arm, urethane rubber is generally used as the resin bushes 6, 6. In this specification, urethane rubber is also considered as a resin in a broad sense. Such resin bushes generally tend to creep at high temperatures of 35%, and in the case of urethane rubber resin bushings, the temperature of 80%
Since the elongation rate decreases rapidly at temperatures above
This is compatible with the structure in which the resin bushes 6, 6 are installed so that they can easily deform into the space 15 or in the direction of the dust seal 8. Over time, the resin bushes 6, 6 undergo dimensional changes due to plastic deformation, making it impossible to maintain a predetermined mounting shape.

For this reason, when a load is applied to the connection between the idler arm 1 and the support pin 5 under the above conditions, especially in the vertical direction of the vehicle, play may occur in the connection at an early stage, causing the vehicle to become unstable. Not only will the handle become unstable, but the handle will also feel loose. In addition, resin bushing 6,
As a result of the plastic deformation of the dust seal 6, the dust seal 8 also suffers from poor sealing performance.
The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is characterized in that the resin bushing is configured to be prevented from deforming by using an elastic material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an idler arm coupling device in a vehicle steering system will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 3, a space 1 formed by the resin bushes 6, 6, the support pin 5, and the end 1b of the idler arm 1 is shown.
5, two independent coil springs 10, 10 are installed inside, and the ends of the coil springs 10, 10 are placed in the cylindrical portions 6a, 6a of resin bushes 6, 6, respectively, with spring receivers 11, 11. The spring force of the coil spring 10 urges the resin bushes 6, 6 toward the bracket 4 and the retainer I, thereby preventing free deformation of the resin bushes 6, 6.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment, in which two independent Cole tin links 10, 10 are replaced with spring parts 10', 10.
This is an example in which a spring member independent of rS is used, and even in this case, the same operation and effect as in the previous embodiment can be obtained.

In the sliding type idler arm bearing body according to the present invention configured as described above, the idler arm 1 was subjected to a bench test in an atmosphere of 120°C, and the results showed that the idler arm backlash amount judged from the handle feeling of the vehicle was the standard. Approximately 1 improvement in durability compared to conventional products when
It has been found that the lifespan can be improved by 00 times.

It was also found that there was almost no difference in rotational friction torque at the resin bushes 6, 6 compared to conventional products. In the embodiment, the coil spring 10 is used as the elastic material, but the elastic material is not limited to this, and a plate spring, a disc spring, etc. may be used as the elastic material. Any elastic material may be used as long as it can prevent free deformation.

As described above, since the present invention prevents the free deformation of the resin bushing with the elastic material, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of play in the sliding bearing body for a long period of time, and as a result, it is possible to eliminate instability in vehicle running. This prevents the occurrence of a feeling of looseness in the handle. Furthermore, since the elastic material is made up of a plurality of independent spring members, it is possible to use the spring members with different spring constants as necessary.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a conventional idler arm coupling device, Figure 2 is a sectional view of a conventional idler arm coupling device;
The drawings are a sectional view of the main part of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the main part of the idler arm coupling device according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment. 1...Idler arm, 4...Bracket, 5...Support pin, 6...Resin bushing, 6a...Cylinder part, 6b...
・Flange part, 8...Dust seal, 9...
... Groove, 10... Coil spring (elastic material), 10'... Spring part, 11... Spring receiver.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a sliding type idler arm bearing body in which the end of the member is slidably supported via a divided resin bush fitted to a support pin, the divided resin bush is used for supplying lubricating oil. It has a groove and is composed of a cylindrical part and a flange part, a dust seal is provided on the outer periphery of the flange part, a spring receiver is provided at the end of the cylindrical part, and a groove is provided between the resin bushes. 1. A sliding idler arm bearing body, characterized in that a plurality of independent spring members or an independent spring member of an elastic part are installed inside to prevent free deformation of a resin bushing.