JP2000264032A - Suspension device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To reduce the floor of a vehicle suspension device and to reduce the weight of a link member connecting a suspension arm and a shock absorber. One end of a lower suspension arm is pivotally supported by a hub carrier, the other end is pivotally supported by a vehicle body, and one end of a link is pivotally supported by an intermediate portion of the lower suspension arm. On the other hand, an end portion 16 of the shock absorber 12 laid laterally below the floor 11 and fixed to the vehicle body 1 and the other end 15 of the link 13 are pivotally connected, and a guide rod 18 fixed to the vehicle body 1 side Thus, the eyeball portion 17 of the other end 15 of the link is guided in the vehicle width direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a suspension device for a vehicle, and more particularly to a mounting structure for a shock absorber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-64172, the size of the shock absorber in the vertical direction of the shock absorber is greatly reduced by placing the shock absorber in the rear wheel suspension of the vehicle horizontally. Conventionally, a technique for achieving the above is known, but in this case, each vertex of the triangular link member is connected to the end of the shock absorber, the lateral link, and the hub carrier via the connecting rod, respectively. When a load is applied to the shock absorber via the triangular link member at the time of bumping or rebounding the wheel, a large bending moment acts on each side of the triangular link member, so that this bending moment is supported. In addition, it is necessary to increase the strength of the triangular link member, and there is a problem that the triangular link member has to be increased in size and weight.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a suspension apparatus for a vehicle, in which a shock absorber is placed laterally below a vehicle body floor to reduce the floor, and a suspension arm or axle for supporting wheels is provided. It is an object of the present invention to reduce the weight of a link member that connects the shock absorber.

[0004]

For this purpose, a suspension device according to the present invention has one end pivotally supported on the vehicle body and the other end fixed to a suspension arm or a vehicle body for supporting wheels via a hub carrier. A link that is pivotally supported at one end to an axle that supports the wheels, and a shock absorber that is placed horizontally below the vehicle body floor, attached to the vehicle body, and has an end connected to the other end of the link. The other end of the link is configured to be guided in parallel with the axial direction or the coaxial direction of the shock absorber.

[0005] That is, since the shock absorber is mounted on the vehicle body sideways below the vehicle body floor, even if the axial length of the shock absorber is large, the vertical dimension of the shock absorber can be reduced. Even if it is present, the vehicle body floor can be easily set low and / or the cabin can be easily expanded outward in the vehicle width direction, and one end of the link is pivotally supported by a suspension arm or axle, and The other end of the shock absorber is connected to the end of the shock absorber, and the other end of the link is guided parallel to the axial direction or coaxial direction of the shock absorber. When a load is applied to the end of the absorber, only the tensile or compressive axial force is applied to the above link. Acts, bending moment to the link and thus does not act.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention shown in the drawings will be described by assigning the same reference numerals to the same parts. In FIG. 1, a rear wheel 3 is disposed in a tire house 2 of a vehicle body 1, and the rear wheel 3 is rotatably supported by a spindle unit 5 of a hub carrier 4.

The lower suspension arm 5, which has a hat-shaped cross section and is open downward, has one end 6 pivotally supported by the hub carrier 4 via a rubber bush by a shaft substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and extends inward in the vehicle width direction. Similarly, the end 7 is pivotally supported on the vehicle body 1 side such as a sub-frame (not shown) by a substantially vehicle longitudinal axis via a rubber bush, and one end of the upper suspension arm 8 is substantially The shaft is pivotally supported by the hub carrier 4 by a shaft in the direction, and extends inward in the vehicle width direction. The other end is similarly pivotally supported by the shaft in the vehicle longitudinal direction toward the vehicle body 1 via a rubber bush.

Further, a coil spring 10 is mounted between the vehicle body 1 and the lower suspension arm 5, while a shock absorber 1 is provided below the floor 11 of the vehicle body 1.
2 is fixed to the vehicle body 1 in a state of being placed horizontally in the vehicle width direction.

One end 14 of a link 13 having an I-shaped cross section is pivotally supported at a middle portion of the lower suspension arm 5 by a shaft substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle via a rubber bush. 15 and an end 16 of the shock absorber 12 are pivotally connected via a rubber bush by a shaft substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a bending angle θ is formed between the link 13 and the shock absorber 12. The link 12 and the link 13 are arranged in the same substantially vertical plane extending in the vehicle width direction.

Further, the eyeball portion 1 is connected to the other end 15 of the link 13.
7 is protruded and engages with a guide rod 18 which extends in parallel with the axial direction of the shock absorber 12 and is fixed to the vehicle body 1 side.
Along the width of the vehicle, and a structure symmetrical to the above is provided for the other rear wheel (not shown),
These constitute an independent suspension for the rear wheels.

In the above device, since the shock absorber 12 is placed below the vehicle body floor 11,
Compared to the conventional case in which the shock absorber 12 is vertically arranged as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
1 can be expanded outward in the vehicle width direction,
Since the horizontal dimension of the shock absorber 12 placed in the horizontal direction is relatively small, the floor 11 of the vehicle body can be easily set low, and there is an advantage that the volume of the passenger compartment can be easily increased.

When the rear wheel 3 bumps or rebounds, the lower suspension arm 5 swings up and down relatively about the pivot shaft at the other end 7 as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. As a result, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.
The eyeball portion 17 of the link 13 is guided in the vehicle width direction along the guide rod 18, and the shock absorber 12 having the end portion 16 pivotally attached to the other end 15 of the link 13 expands and contracts in the vehicle width direction to thereby expand and contract the vehicle body 1. Can be suppressed, but since both ends 14 and 15 of the link 13 are rotatably connected to the lower suspension arm 5 and the shock absorber end 16, respectively, the link 13 has a tensile force or a compressive force. Since only axial force acts and no bending moment acts on the link 13, sufficient strength can be secured even if the cross section of the link 13 is relatively small, so that the relatively long link 13 can be easily reduced in weight. The vehicle weight can be reduced.

In the first embodiment, the shock absorber 12 placed beneath the vehicle body floor 11 is connected to the lower suspension arm 5 by the link 13, but as shown in FIG. One end 14 of a link 13 is pivotally supported by a shaft substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at an intermediate portion of the upper suspension arm 8, and the other end 15 of the link 13 and the end 16 of the shock absorber 12 are substantially connected to each other via a rubber bush. It is pivotally connected by a shaft in the front-rear direction, and even if the structures of the eyeball portion 17 and the guide rod 18 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same operation and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

In addition, the shock absorber 12 in each of the above-described embodiments is placed laterally below the vehicle body floor 11 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and both ends 14, 15 of the link 13 and a pivot shaft and a pivotal connection of the shock absorber end 16 are provided. Even if the shaft is set to be substantially in the vehicle width direction and the link 13 and the shock absorber 12 are arranged in the same substantially vertical plane extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiments can be obtained. Furthermore, by laying the shock absorber 12 horizontally below the vehicle body floor 11 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle as described above, it is also possible to configure a suspension for the front wheels of the vehicle.

In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a spindle 31 formed on a rigid axle 30 of a vehicle is provided.
The rear wheel 3 is rotatably supported, and the shock absorber 12 is fixed to the vehicle body 1 side below the floor 11 of the vehicle body 1 in a state of being placed horizontally in the vehicle width direction.
4 is pivotally supported on the rigid axle 30 by a substantially vehicle longitudinal axis via a rubber bush, and the link 1
3 and the end 16 of the shock absorber 12 are pivotally connected via a rubber bush by a shaft substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, so that a bending angle θ is formed between the link 13 and the shock absorber 12. The shock absorber 13 and the shock absorber 12 are arranged in the same substantially vertical plane extending in the vehicle width direction.

The other end 15 of the link 13 has an eyeball 17
And a guide rod 18 extending parallel to the axial direction of the shock absorber 12 and fixed to the vehicle body 1 side.
7 engages, the eyeball portion 17 is guided in the vehicle width direction along the guide rod 18, and a symmetrical structure is provided for the other rear wheel (not shown). Constitutes an independent suspension device for the rear wheel.

Accordingly, when the rear wheel 3 is bumped or rebounded, the link 13 is displaced with the vertical displacement or vertical swing of the rigid axle 30, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Part 17 and guide rod 1
8, the end 16 of the shock absorber 12 is displaced in the vehicle width direction together with the other end 15 of the link 13 to extend and contract the shock absorber 12, thereby suppressing the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 1. The same operation and effect as those described above can be obtained.

Further, similarly to the above case, the shock absorber 12 in the second embodiment is placed laterally below the vehicle body floor 11 in the vehicle front-rear direction, and both ends 14, 15 of the link 13 and the shock absorber end 16 And the link 13 and the shock absorber 12 are arranged in the same substantially vertical plane extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, the same as in the above embodiments. Needless to say, the operation and effect can be achieved. Further, the eyeball portion 17 and the guide rod 18 in each of the above embodiments are replaced with rollers and rails, respectively, and the other end 15 of the link 13 is connected to the shock absorber. 12
Even if the vehicle is guided in the vehicle width direction or the vehicle front-rear direction parallel to the axial direction, the same operational effects as those of the above embodiments can be achieved.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the other end 15 of the link 13 and the intermediate portion of the rod 40 extending in the vehicle width direction in the first embodiment or the second embodiment are formed by a rubber bush. , And is pivotally connected by a shaft substantially in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, so that an intersection angle θ is formed between the link 13 and the rod 40.

One end 41 of the rod 40 is engaged with a guide 42 fixed to the vehicle body 1 to be guided in the vehicle width direction. In this state, the end 43 of the shock absorber 12 fixed to the vehicle body 1 and the other end 44 of the rod 40 are connected in a straight line, and the rod 4 is connected by the shock absorber 12.
0 is guided in the vehicle width direction, and the shock absorber 12, the link 13, and the rod 40 are arranged in the same substantially vertical plane extending in the vehicle width direction.

Therefore, when the wheel 3 is bumped or rebounded, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
Is displaced, and the other end 15 of the link 13 is pivotally mounted on the rod 4
0 is displaced in the vehicle width direction by being guided by the guide 42 and the shock absorber 12, so that the shock absorber 1
2 can be expanded and contracted in the vehicle width direction to suppress the vertical displacement of the vehicle body 1, but since both ends 14 and 15 of the link 13 are rotatably connected to the lower suspension arm 5 and the rod 40, respectively. Since only the tensile force or the axial force of the compressive force acts on the link 13 and no bending moment acts on the link 13, the link 13 can secure a sufficient strength even if the cross section is relatively small.
The relatively long link 13 can be easily reduced in weight, and the vehicle weight can be reduced.

Further, as in the case of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the other end 44 of the shock absorber 12 laid below the vehicle body floor 11 is linked to the upper suspension arm 8 by the link 13. Alternatively, the shock absorber 12 is placed laterally below the vehicle body floor 11 in the vehicle front-rear direction, and both ends 1
4, 15 and the pivot axis and pivot axis of the shock absorber end 43 are set to be substantially in the vehicle width direction, and the shock absorber 12,
Even when the link 13 and the rod 40 are arranged in the same substantially vertical plane extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, the same operation and effect as those of the above embodiments can be obtained. By horizontally arranging the vehicle 12 below the vehicle body floor 11 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, it is possible to configure a suspension for the front wheels of the vehicle.

In the third embodiment or each of the above-mentioned modifications, another shock absorber fixed to the vehicle body 1 in a state of being placed horizontally in the vehicle width direction on the same axis as the shock absorber 12 instead of the guide 42. Rod 40 at the end of
It is needless to say that one end 41 of the shock absorber 12 may be connected so that the one end 41 is guided in the vehicle width direction by the new shock absorber. If the operation is performed sufficiently, the guide 42 can be omitted.

[0024]

In the suspension device according to the present invention, the upper and lower dimensions of the shock absorber are small even if the axial length of the shock absorber is large, so that the vehicle body floor can be easily set low and / or The link that connects the suspension arm or axle to the end of the shock absorber does not act on the link that links the suspension arm or axle with the end of the shock absorber. Therefore, the weight of each of the links can be reduced, and the weight of the vehicle can be easily reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a main part according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a main part in a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a main part according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a main part according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body 4 Hub carrier 5 Lower suspension arm 8 Upper suspension arm 12 Shock absorber 13 Link 17 Eyeball part 18 Guide rod 30 Rigid axle 40 Rod 42 Guide

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A link having one end pivotally supported on the vehicle body side and the other end supported on wheels via a hub carrier or a link fixed on the vehicle body side and one end pivotally supported on an axle supporting the wheels. A shock absorber mounted laterally below the vehicle body floor and attached to the vehicle body and having an end connected to the other end of the link, the other end of the link being axially or coaxially connected to the shock absorber. A suspension device configured to be guided parallel to the direction.