JP2014088148A - Vehicle body structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle body structure capable of enlarging space in a cabin.SOLUTION: A vehicle body structure 21 comprises: a lower arm 22 of which an end inside in a vehicle width direction is connected to a vehicle body, and which extends outside in the vehicle width direction; a king pin 25 provided at an end outside in the vehicle width direction, of the lower arm 22; a knuckle 26 supported by the king pin 25, for holding a front wheel 8R; and a center take off steering mechanism 29 which converts rotation of a pinion 30 rotating interlocked with a steering shaft 35, into linear movement of a rack shaft 31 extending in the vehicle width direction, and from a center part of which in the vehicle width direction, there is extending a tie rod 32 to be displaced with the linear movement of the rack shaft 31. The center take off steering mechanism 29 is located ahead of a steering center of the front wheel 8R, and an end outside in the vehicle width direction, of the tie rod 32 is connected to the knuckle 26, at a side behind the steering center.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure, and more particularly, to a vehicle body structure suitable for a small vehicle used for traveling in an urban area such as moving in a city or commuting from a suburb.

  Known types of vehicle steering devices include an end take-off rack and pinion type, a center take-off rack and pinion type, and a center arm type.

  For example, in a vehicle equipped with a center arm type steering device, a center arm is provided in the center of the front portion of the vehicle body. The center arm is rotatably supported by a steering shaft whose front end extends in the vertical direction. The vehicle body is provided with a pair of left and right lower arms. A knuckle is swingably supported by a king pin at the outer end of each lower arm in the left-right direction. Each knuckle is formed with a knuckle arm extending rearward from the portion where the kingpin is provided. A tie rod is installed between the rear end of each knuckle arm and the center arm. Both ends of each tie rod are rotatably connected to the knuckle arm and the center arm.

  When the steering wheel is turned to the left, the rear end of the center arm moves to the right. With this movement, the right tie rod pushes the rear end of the right knuckle arm to the right, and the left tie rod pulls the rear end of the left knuckle arm to the right. As a result, the left and right knuckles rotate counterclockwise, and the left and right front wheels are steered to turn to the left as the knuckles rotate. Conversely, when the steering wheel is turned to the right, the rear end of the center arm moves to the left. With this movement, the left tie rod pushes the rear end of the left knuckle arm to the left, and the right tie rod pulls the rear end of the right knuckle arm to the left. As a result, the left and right knuckles rotate clockwise, and the left and right front wheels are steered to turn right as the knuckles rotate.

JP 2003-116929 A

  By the way, in small vehicles, such as a light vehicle and a city commuter, it is desired to ensure a wide vehicle interior space. However, in the above-described configuration, since the center arm and the tie rod are disposed behind the steered center of the front wheels, it is difficult to extend the vehicle compartment to the front of the vehicle body.

  In the above-described configuration, since the steering shaft that connects the steering wheel and the steering shaft is short, it may be difficult to assemble the steering shaft to the steering shaft depending on the vehicle.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body structure capable of enlarging a vehicle interior space.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle body structure according to the present invention includes a vehicle body, a lower arm that is connected to the vehicle body at an inner end in the vehicle width direction and extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the lower arm. The support member provided at the end, the knuckle supported by the support member and holding the front wheels, and the rotation of the pinion that rotates in conjunction with the steering shaft are converted into linear movement of the rack shaft extending in the vehicle width direction. And a center take-off type steering mechanism in which a tie rod that is displaced along with the linear movement of the rack shaft extends from a central portion in the vehicle width direction, and the center take-off type steering mechanism is located more than the turning center of the front wheels. An end of the tie rod on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the knuckle on the vehicle rear side with respect to the turning center.

  According to this configuration, the center take-off type steering mechanism is located on the vehicle front side with respect to the steering center of the front wheel, and the end portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the tie rod is knuckle (knuckle arm) on the vehicle rear side with respect to the steering center of the front wheel. ), The turning direction of the steering shaft and the turning direction of the front wheels can be matched. In addition, the center take-off type steering mechanism is located on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the turning center, and the end of the tie rod on the side of the center take-off type steering mechanism is located on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the turning center. Can be spread. Thereby, expansion of a vehicle interior space can be aimed at.

  Further, since the pinion (steering shaft) to which the steering shaft is coupled is located in front of the turning center, the length of the steering shaft (the length from the steering wheel to the steering shaft holding the pinion) can be secured. it can. As a result, workability when the steering shaft is assembled to the steering shaft can be improved, and the steering shaft can be easily assembled to the steering shaft. Further, the sliding amount and deformation amount of the steering shaft at the time of a vehicle collision can be ensured, and occupant protection can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the length of the tie rod can be earned, it is possible to prevent the change in the direction of the front wheel with respect to the stroke of the tie rod from becoming too large. As a result, it is possible to improve the steering performance of the vehicle.

  Furthermore, an existing center take-off type steering mechanism can be used. Cost reduction can be achieved by using an existing center take-off type steering mechanism.

  The end of the tie rod on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is preferably connected to the knuckle on the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the support member.

  Thereby, the length of a lower arm can be earned. As a result, a sufficient stroke length of the tie rod can be ensured.

  According to the present invention, the vehicle interior space can be expanded by making the direction of turning of the steering shaft coincide with the steering direction of the front wheels and then expanding the vehicle interior to the front of the vehicle. In addition, since the length of the steering shaft can be ensured, the steering shaft can be easily assembled to the steering shaft, and occupant protection can be improved. Furthermore, since the length of the tie rod can be earned, the steering performance of the vehicle can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle to which a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a vehicle body structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Vehicle>

  FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle to which a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  The vehicle 1 is a small electric vehicle, and is, for example, a city commuter used for traveling in an urban area such as traveling in a city or commuting from a suburb. The dimensions of the vehicle 1 are, for example, total length × full width × total height = about 2500 × about 1000 × about 1500 mm.

  The vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2. Although not shown in the figure, other than the center member 3 extending in the front-rear direction at the center in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction), the vehicle body 2 is installed on a pair of left and right side members, the side member, and the center member 3. Includes cross members.

  A vehicle compartment 4 is formed above the center member 3. A driver's seat 5 and a rear seat 6 are provided side by side in the passenger compartment 4.

  Tire houses 7L and 7R are provided at the left front end and the right front end of the vehicle body 2, respectively. The tire houses 7L and 7R are recessed inward in the vehicle width direction from the side surface of the vehicle body 2.

  Front wheels 8L and 8R are accommodated in the tire houses 7L and 7R, respectively. The front wheels 8L and 8R are steering wheels that are steered to change the traveling direction of the vehicle 1.

  Tire houses 9L and 9R are provided at the left rear end portion and the right rear end portion of the vehicle body 2, respectively. The tire houses 9L and 9R are recessed from the side surface of the vehicle compartment 4 to the inside in the vehicle width direction.

  Rear wheels 10L and 10R are accommodated in the tire houses 9L and 9R, respectively. A left end portion and a right end portion of a drive shaft (not shown) extending in the vehicle width direction are connected to the rear wheels 10L and 10R, respectively. A driving force of a motor (not shown) disposed at the rear end of the vehicle body 2 is input to the drive shaft. That is, the rear wheels 10 </ b> L and 10 </ b> R are driving wheels to which driving force for traveling the vehicle 1 is input.

<Body structure>

  FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a vehicle body structure according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  The vehicle body structure 21 according to the present embodiment is a front structure of the vehicle body 2.

  A pair of left and right lower arms 22 are connected to the front end of the vehicle body 2.

  Each lower arm 22 includes a support portion 23 and two arm portions 24 extending from the support portion 23 inward in the vehicle width direction. The two arm parts 24 are located away from each other in the front-rear direction. The end of each arm 24 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is supported at the front end of the center member 3 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction. As a result, each lower arm 22 is provided such that its outer end in the vehicle width direction is movable in the vertical direction.

  The support portion 23 is provided with a king pin 25. The king pin 25 extends in the vertical direction, and is supported by the support portion 23 so as to be rotatable about the central axis.

  An upper end portion of the king pin 25 is coupled to the knuckle 26. The knuckle 26 is integrally provided with a knuckle main body 27 to which the king pin 25 is coupled, and a knuckle arm 28 extending rearward from the knuckle main body 27. The knuckle body 27 rotatably holds the front wheels 8L and 8R via a hub (not shown). The rear end portion of the knuckle arm 28 is located behind the turning center of the front wheels 8L, 8R, that is, the straight line L extending in the left-right direction through the king pin 25, and is located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the king pin 25. Yes.

  The vehicle body structure 21 includes a center take-off type steering mechanism 29.

  The center take-off type steering mechanism 29 includes a pinion 30, a rack shaft 31, and a pair of left and right tie rods 32.

  The pinion 30 is held on the steering shaft 33. A steering shaft 35 extending from a steering wheel 34 disposed in the vehicle interior 4 is coupled to the steering shaft 33.

  The rack shaft 31 is disposed in front of the turning center of the front wheels 8L and 8R, that is, the straight line L, and extends in the left-right direction. The rack shaft 31 is provided with a rack gear portion 36 that meshes with the pinion 30.

  One end of each tie rod 32, that is, the inner end in the vehicle width direction, is connected to the central portion in the left-right direction of the rack shaft 31 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. The other end of each tie rod 32, that is, the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction, is connected to the rear end portion of the knuckle arm 28 by a ball joint (not shown) so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction. Has been.

  When the steering wheel 34 is turned to the left by the driver D (see FIG. 1), the pinion 30 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from above in conjunction with the rotation of the steering shaft 35. When the pinion 30 rotates, the rack shaft 31 moves to the right. That is, the rotation of the pinion 30 is converted into a linear movement of the rack shaft 31 to the right. As the rack shaft 31 moves, the right tie rod 32 pushes the rear end of the right knuckle arm 28 to the right, and the left tie rod 32 pulls the rear end of the left knuckle arm 28 to the right. As a result, the left and right knuckles 26 rotate counterclockwise as viewed from above, and the left and right front wheels 8L and 8R are steered so as to turn to the left as the knuckles 26 rotate.

  Conversely, when the steering wheel 34 is turned to the right by the driver D, the pinion 30 rotates clockwise as viewed from above in conjunction with the rotation of the steering shaft 35. When the pinion 30 rotates, the rack shaft 31 moves to the left. That is, the rotation of the pinion 30 is converted into a linear movement of the rack shaft 31 to the left. As the rack shaft 31 moves, the left tie rod 32 pushes the rear end of the left knuckle arm 28 leftward, and the right tie rod 32 pulls the rear end of the right knuckle arm 28 leftward. As a result, the left and right knuckles 26 rotate clockwise as viewed from above, and the left and right front wheels 8L and 8R are steered so as to turn right as the knuckle 26 rotates.

  In FIG. 2, the right lower arm 22, knuckle 26 and tie rod 32 are shown, and the left lower arm 22, knuckle 26 and tie rod 32 are not shown.

<Effect>

  As described above, the center take-off type steering mechanism 29 is positioned on the front side of the turning center of the front wheels 8L and 8R, and the end portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the tie rod 32 is on the rear side of the turning center of the front wheels 8L and 8R. Since the knuckle 26 is connected to the knuckle 26 (knuckle arm 28), the turning direction of the steering shaft 35 can be matched with the turning direction of the front wheels 8L and 8R. In addition, since the center take-off type steering mechanism 29 is located in front of the turning center and the end of the tie rod 32 on the side of the center take-off type steering mechanism 29 is located in front of the turning center, the center arm type steering Compared to a vehicle equipped with the device, the passenger compartment 4 can be widened forward. Thereby, the space in the compartment 4 can be expanded.

  Further, since the pinion 30 (steering shaft 33) to which the steering shaft 35 is coupled is located in front of the turning center, the length of the steering shaft 35 can be ensured. As a result, workability when the steering shaft 35 is assembled to the steering shaft 33 can be improved, and the steering shaft 35 can be easily assembled to the steering shaft 33. Further, the sliding amount and deformation amount of the steering shaft 35 at the time of a vehicle collision can be ensured, and occupant protection can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the length of the tie rod 32 can be earned, it is possible to prevent the change in the direction of the front wheels 8L and 8R with respect to the stroke of the tie rod 32 from becoming too large. As a result, the steering performance of the vehicle 1 can be improved.

  Furthermore, the existing center take-off type steering mechanism 29 can be used. By using the existing center take-off type steering mechanism 29, the cost can be reduced.

  The end of the tie rod 32 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the knuckle 26 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the king pin 25. Thereby, the length of the lower arm 22 can be earned. As a result, a sufficient stroke length of the tie rod 32 can be ensured.

<Modification>

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

  For example, a city commuter is taken up as the vehicle 1. However, the vehicle to which the vehicle body structure 21 is applied may be a small vehicle such as a mini vehicle or a vehicle other than the small vehicle. Further, the vehicle body structure 21 can be applied to various vehicles such as an engine vehicle, a hybrid car, a range extended electric vehicle, and a fuel cell vehicle as well as an electric vehicle.

  In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle 2 Car body 3 Center member 8L Front wheel 8R Front wheel 21 Car body structure 22 Lower arm 25 King pin (support member)
26 knuckle 27 knuckle body 28 knuckle arm 29 center take-off type steering mechanism 30 pinion 31 rack shaft 32 tie rod 35 steering shaft

Claims (2)

The car body,
A lower arm that is connected to the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction and extends outward in the vehicle width direction;
A support member provided at an end of the lower arm in the vehicle width direction;
A knuckle supported by the support member and holding a front wheel;
The rotation of the pinion that rotates in conjunction with the steering shaft is converted into linear movement of the rack shaft extending in the vehicle width direction, and the tie rod that displaces along with the linear movement of the rack shaft extends from the center in the vehicle width direction. A center take-off type steering mechanism
The center take-off type steering mechanism is located on the vehicle front side with respect to the turning center of the front wheels,
A vehicle body structure in which an end of the tie rod on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the knuckle on the vehicle rear side with respect to the turning center.   The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein an end of the tie rod on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the knuckle on the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the support member.

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