JP2005048933A - Vehicle height adjustment type shock absorbing device, and structure of upper mount, suspension, seal mechanism and shock absorber used in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an upper mount capable of keeping high shock/vibration absorbing performance for a long period, and to provide a vehicle height adjustment type shock absorbing device for a vehicle capable of reducing the breakage of a shock absorber in comparison with a conventional suspension, and inhibiting the outflow of the compressed air in an air spring. <P>SOLUTION: This vehicle height adjustment type shock absorbing device for the vehicle is composed of a vehicle height adjustment type suspension for the vehicle having the characteristics in structures of the upper mount applying a spring in its elastic part, a seal mechanism and the shock absorber. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an upper mount and a vehicle height-adjustable suspension for mounting on a suspension upper part of a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle height-adjustable suspension. Upper mount for maintaining the absorption performance, smoothing the tilt of the suspension shaft when the steering wheel of the vehicle is operated, and reducing the noise generated from the upper mount, and the vehicle height adjustable type for vehicles, which is safer than the conventional suspension Regarding suspension.

Vehicle suspensions absorb shocks and vibrations transmitted from tires and affect the responsiveness of vehicle handling operations. Therefore, parts constituting the vehicle suspension are required to have sufficient shock / vibration absorption performance and to respond responsively to the steering operation of the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle suspension is required to have sufficient structural strength because shock and vibration are transmitted.
However, the conventional technology has problems in these aspects. The problem will be described in detail below.

The upper mount disposed on the upper part of the vehicle suspension affects the impact / vibration absorbing performance of the suspension and the responsiveness to the steering operation of the vehicle.
FIG. 10 shows a general upper mount used conventionally. In FIG. 10, the left-right direction is the axial direction of the vehicle body (150).
The upper mount (90) shown in FIG. 10 is a rubber damper (92) and a shock absorber made up of a metal annular body (91) and an annular rubber lump provided on the outer periphery and the upper and lower sides of the annular body (91). The annular support plate (93) and the outer peripheral surface of the rubber damper (92) that are in contact with the upper outer peripheral surface and the upper surface of the bearing (97) that are externally fitted to the telescopic rod (161) and that are connected to the lower surface of the rubber damper (92) are covered. And a protective plate (94) formed in a substantially trapezoidal cylindrical shape connected to the support plate (93), a bearing (97), and a step (167) provided on the telescopic rod (161) to be sandwiched between the upper mount (90 ), A support plate member (95) having means capable of being attached to a suspension upper portion (not shown) disposed below the support plate (93), and a protection plate (94). Consists und (90) and body (150) a stud bolt for mounting the (96) and the fixed nut that is screwed to the male screw portion formed in the telescopic rods (161) (162) (5).

In the rubber damper type upper mount (90) having the structure as shown in FIG. 10, when the fixing nut (5) is rotated and the flange portion of the fixing nut (5) is pressed against the upper flat portion of the annular body (91), The bearing (97) and the receiving plate member (95) are clamped and fixed between the step (167) formed on the telescopic rod (161) and the flange of the fixing nut (5).
Further, when the stud bolt (96) is inserted into a through hole (not shown) provided in the vehicle body (150) and fixed with a nut, the upper surface of the rubber damper (92) contacts the vehicle body (150), and the vehicle Support the weight.
Further, the upper mount (90) is coupled to the suspension upper portion by means for attaching to the suspension provided on the receiving plate member (95).
The bearing (97) makes the telescopic rod (161) rotatable relative to the upper mount (90).
The rubber damper (92) receives the weight from the vehicle located above and is compressed.
Further, the rubber damper (92) supports the vehicle weight of the vehicle, and when the shaft of the telescopic rod (161) is inclined with respect to the vehicle body axis (left-right direction in FIG. 10) by the steering operation of the vehicle, the vicinity of the telescopic rod (161) The rubber part located in the position is compressed and deformed according to the inclination direction of the telescopic rod (161).
Due to the compression deformation, the rubber portion generates a repulsive force that opposes the force to tilt the telescopic rod (161) by the handle operation, and as a result, the responsiveness to the handle operation is impaired.

The rubber damper type upper mount (90) having the above-described structure can absorb the shock and vibration transmitted from the tire of the vehicle by the rubber damper (92), and therefore the shock and vibration transmitted to the vehicle body (150). Is widely used because of the decrease.
However, a step (167) provided on the telescopic rod (161) near the telescopic rod (161) while supporting the vehicle weight of the vehicle from above at the outer part of the telescopic rod (161) of the rubber damper (92). As a result, a shear force is generated in the rubber damper (92). When the vehicle weight is heavy, the shearing force causes a crack in the rubber damper (92), so it is necessary to use a rubber damper (92) made of a material having higher rigidity. When the rubber damper (92) having high rigidity is used, the impact / vibration absorbing performance is lowered as a result.
Further, since the rubber damper is made of a rubber lump, the rubber damper is deteriorated with time, so that the impact / vibration absorbing performance is gradually lowered and cracks are more likely to occur due to the shearing force.

FIG. 11 shows another upper mount structure conventionally used. In addition to the upper mount (90) using a rubber damper (92) shown in FIG. 10, an upper mount (900) using a pillow ball is generally employed.
The pillow ball (901) includes a substantially spherical body part (911) having a flat surface on the top and bottom, and a substantially cylindrical outer shell body (921) for holding the outer periphery of the spherical surface of the spherical body part (911). The spherical body portion (911) is provided with a through-hole penetrating the center of both flat surfaces formed above and below the spherical body portion (911), and the telescopic rod (161) of the shock absorber (160) is inserted into the through-hole. . The spherical body portion (911) and the outer shell body (921) are relatively rotatable.
A housing part (950) is provided so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the outer shell (921). An annular bottom plate (951) that protrudes in the axial direction of the telescopic rod (161) and the outer periphery of the housing portion is formed at the bottom of the housing portion (950), and the protruding portion in the axial direction is outside the pillow ball (901). Connecting means to the shock absorber (160) is provided at the projecting portion in contact with the bottom surface of the shell and extending in the outer circumferential direction. The shock absorber (160) and the upper mount (900) are connected by the connecting means.
An annular mounting surface (941) protruding from the outer periphery of the housing portion (950) is formed on the upper portion of the housing portion (950), and a plurality of stud bolts (96) are implanted on the mounting surface (941). The stud bolt (96) is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) of the vehicle body (150), a nut is screwed into each stud bolt (96), and the upper mount (900) is attached to the vehicle body (150).
A fixing nut having a T-shaped cross section is formed between the surface forming the through hole of the spherical body portion (911) of the pillow ball (901) and the outer peripheral surface of the telescopic rod, and screwed with the male screw portion (162) of the telescopic rod (161). The upper part of the sphere (911) is fixed.
This prevents the pillow ball (901) from moving in the vehicle body direction.

In the upper mount (900) having the above structure, the spherical body portion (911) of the pillow ball (901) is rotatable with the outer shell body (921), and the steering wheel operation of the vehicle is performed like the above-described rubber damper type upper mount (90). Since the inclination of the shaft of the telescopic rod (161) with respect to the vehicle body axis (left and right in FIG. 11) is not due to the deformation of the rubber, a repulsive force due to the deformation of the rubber does not occur, and a more agile response to the steering operation Can be realized.
However, since there is no component having impact / vibration absorbing performance like the rubber damper (92), the impact and vibration are easily transmitted to the vehicle body (150), and as a result, a vehicle equipped with such a pillow ball type upper mount (900). The ride becomes worse.
Further, a downward force due to the weight of the vehicle and an upward force transmitted from the tire are always transmitted between the spherical body portion (911) and the outer shell body (921). Further, in this state, the telescopic rod (161) As a result, the pillow ball (901) is likely to be worn out and damaged as a result of the rotation of the expansion rod (161) and the rotation of the telescopic rod (161) associated with the inclination of the vehicle body (150).
If the pillow ball is worn out, it may cause abnormal noise and noise, resulting in severe noise.

  In Patent Document 1, an elastic body is disposed between an upper mount using a pillow ball and a vehicle body and between an upper mount and a shock absorber, and the elastic body absorbs shocks and vibrations that could not be absorbed by the shock absorber. Although a pillow ball type upper mount having such a structure is disclosed, the force transmitted to the pillow ball is somewhat reduced even with such a structure, but the force generated between the spherical portion of the pillow ball and the outer shell and the relative There is no change in the relationship of the rotational motion, and it does not solve the inherent problem of the pillow ball type upper mount, that is, the wear / breakage of the pillow ball.

The vehicle height adjusting suspension for a vehicle is a suspension that can adjust the air pressure inside the air spring by enclosing compressed air inside the air spring and can change the vehicle height.
In such a suspension, conventionally, a flange for attaching the air spring directly to the body (shell case) of the shock absorber penetrating the inside of the air spring is welded, and the shock absorber and the air spring are connected via the flange. It was.
In the suspension having such a structure, when the shock absorber body portion and the flange are welded to each other, the body portion is thermally strained by welding, and the material forming the body portion in the vicinity of the welded portion becomes brittle.
If a strong impact is applied from the tire, the hydraulic pressure sealed inside the shock absorber may cause a tear in the shock absorber's body, which in turn may impair shock absorption performance during operation, which is extremely dangerous. It was a thing.
In Patent Document 2, the upper part of the body part of the shock absorber is covered with an adapter, and fixing means (screwing or the like by a screw structure) between the adapter and the shock absorber body part is provided in the middle of the body part, and the outer peripheral surface of the adapter is provided. A suspension in which a flange is joined is disclosed.
In such a structure, since the flange is joined to the adapter, the shock absorber body portion is not thermally strained by welding, but a load from the tire is applied during or in addition to the suspension tilting motion accompanying the steering wheel operation. In some cases, a local external force may be applied to the fixed portion between the shock absorber body and the adapter. The local external force may damage the shock absorber body, impairing the shock absorbing performance during operation. There was a possibility.

A thin annular O-ring is provided on the joint surface between the upper mount mounting part and the shock absorber mounting part of the conventional vehicle height adjustment suspension to prevent the compressed air enclosed in the air spring from flowing out. (See Patent Document 2).
However, since the O-ring is formed thin, there is a problem that air easily flows out as the O-ring deteriorates.

JP 2001-132789 A JP 2003-136929 A

Although the rubber damper type upper mount has shock / vibration absorption performance, the impact / vibration absorption performance deteriorates due to the deterioration of the rubber mass that constitutes the rubber damper over time. Since the rubber damper generates a repulsive force, it is inferior in the responsiveness accompanying the steering operation.
Since a shear force is generated inside the rubber damper, there is a drawback that the rubber damper is easily cracked.
On the other hand, the pillow ball type upper mount has excellent responsiveness to the steering wheel operation of the vehicle, but is inferior in shock and vibration absorption performance, and the pillow ball is likely to be worn and damaged. Had drawbacks.
As described above, the vehicle height-adjustable impact absorbing device for a vehicle has a problem that the shock absorber is damaged at the attachment portion with the air spring, and there is also a problem that compressed air flows out of the air spring.
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and has little deterioration with time, little wear and breakage of components, and maintains higher shock and vibration absorption performance over a long period of time. Provide an upper mount that smoothens the inclination of the suspension shaft during operation and reduces noise generated from the upper mount, and is less likely to damage the shock absorber than conventional suspensions, and compresses in the air spring An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle height-adjustable shock absorbing device for a vehicle in which air hardly flows out.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a substantially hemispherical spherical plain bearing having a substantially spherical curved upper surface fitted to the telescopic rod of the vehicle shock absorber, and an arcuate sliding surface in contact with the spherical portion of the spherical plain bearing. A spherical plain bearing plate having an opening through which the telescopic rod is inserted at the center, and the telescopic rod is inserted into the opening of the spherical plain bearing plate, and a lower end surface of the spherical plain bearing A cylindrical bearing adapter that comes into contact with the upper surface of the shaft, a male screw provided at the tip of the telescopic rod, a fixing nut that comes into contact with the upper end surface of the bearing adapter, and an outer fit to the bearing adapter An annular thrust bearing portion, a spring disposed on the upper surface of the sliding bearing plate, an annular thrust bearing retainer portion projecting in the axial direction of the telescopic rod on the lower end surface, and an axis of the telescopic rod on the upper end surface Against An outer peripheral surface of the spherical plain bearing plate having a spring presser portion protruding outward and having a substantially trapezoidal cylindrical spring presser plate extending upward into which the telescopic rod is inserted and a vehicle body of the vehicle A base plate that is joined to the lower surface of the spherical plain bearing, and a receiving plate that can be attached to an upper part of a suspension of the vehicle into which the telescopic rod is inserted, and the thrust bearing holding portion of the spring holding plate The present invention relates to an upper mount used in a vehicle height adjustable shock absorber, wherein an inner diameter is smaller than an outer diameter of the thrust bearing portion, and the spring pressing portion holds the upper end of the spring.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the upper surface of the spherical plain bearing is made of brass, and the surface of the spherical plain bearing plate that is in contact with the plain bearing is made of nylon. The present invention relates to an upper mount used in an impact absorbing device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a seal mechanism for preventing outflow of compressed air enclosed in an air spring used in a vehicle height adjustable shock absorber having a shock absorber and an air spring part for absorbing shock and vibration from a tire. A vertically extending bellows made of synthetic rubber, an annular bellows upper engaging portion and an annular bellows lower engaging portion formed integrally with the bellows and formed at the upper and lower ends of the bellows. An air spring portion comprising an annular metal ring that engages with an engagement groove formed in the bellows upper engagement portion and the bellows lower engagement portion, and an annular upper mount disposed on the upper surface of the air spring portion A receiving plate, and an annular flange that extends from the shock absorber and is disposed on the lower surface of the air spring portion. Tsu thin portion along the outer periphery of Permount receiving plate is formed to a sealing mechanism used in the vehicle height adjusting shock absorbing device, wherein a thin portion is formed along the outer periphery of the flange portion.

  The invention according to claim 4 absorbs shock and vibration from the tire in the structure of the shock absorber used for the vehicle height adjustable shock absorber having the shock absorber and the air spring that absorbs shock and vibration from the tire. A shock absorber, an end-bottomed cylindrical adapter capable of housing the shell case of the shock absorber, and a female screw portion formed on the upper inner wall of the adapter, and a telescopic rod of the shock absorber. A vehicle height-adjustable shock absorber comprising an annular lid nut having an opening for insertion and an annular flange disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter, wherein the flange is welded to the adapter. The present invention relates to the structure of a shock absorber used in the apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 5 absorbs the shock and vibration from the tire in the structure of the shock absorber used for the vehicle height adjustable shock absorber having the shock absorber and the air spring portion that absorbs the shock and vibration from the tire. A shock absorber that engages, a substantially cylindrical flange portion that engages with a male screw portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shell case that can accommodate the telescopic rod of the shock absorber, and a male provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shell case A pedestal nut that is screwed to the screw part and disposed below the collar part, and a substantially trapezoidal cylindrical taper collar that is inserted in the upper surface of the pedestal nut and that extends downward, and is inserted through the shell case. The lower inner wall surface of the flange is provided with a tapered hole having an inclined wall corresponding to the inclination angle of the outer wall slope of the tapered collar. Preparative to the structure of the shock absorber unit for use in a vehicle height adjusting shock absorbing device according to claim.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a shock absorber that absorbs shock and vibration from a tire, a bellows that can expand and contract in the vertical direction, and a bellows upper engagement formed integrally with the bellows and formed at the upper and lower ends of the bellows. And an air spring portion comprising an annular metal ring that engages with an engagement groove formed in the bellows upper engagement portion and the bellows lower engagement portion, and an upper surface of the air spring portion And an annular upper mount receiving plate having an opening through which the telescopic rod of the shock absorber is inserted, an O-ring fitted into a groove formed in an inner wall surface of the upper mount receiving plate, One end-bottomed cylindrical adapter capable of storing the shock absorber shell case, and a female screw portion formed on the inner wall upper portion of the adapter. And an annular lid nut having an opening through which the telescopic rod of the shock absorber is inserted, an annular flange extending from the outer peripheral surface of the adapter, and a tire drive unit joined to a lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter The upper mount receiving plate is provided with an upper mount attached to the upper surface of the tire connecting member and a means for attaching the metal ring, and an annular thin portion is formed along the outer periphery of the upper mount receiving plate. The vehicle height adjustment is characterized in that the flange portion is provided with means for attaching to the metal ring disposed at the lower end of the air spring portion, and a thin portion is formed along the outer periphery of the flange portion. The present invention relates to a suspension used in a type shock absorber.

  The invention according to claim 7 is a shock absorber that absorbs shock and vibration from a tire, a bellows that can expand and contract in the vertical direction, and a bellows upper engagement formed integrally with the bellows and formed at the upper and lower ends of the bellows. And an air spring portion comprising an annular metal ring that engages with an engagement groove formed in the bellows upper engagement portion and the bellows lower engagement portion, and an upper surface of the air spring portion And an annular upper mount receiving plate having an opening through which the telescopic rod of the shock absorber is inserted, an O-ring fitted in a groove formed in an inner wall surface of the upper mount receiving plate, and the shock Joined to the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the shell case, and a substantially cylindrical flange portion that engages with the male screw part formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shell case of the absorber A pedestal nut that engages with a male screw portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shell case, and the shell case is inserted through the tire connecting member that is connected to the tire drive unit, and is disposed on the upper surface of the pedestal nut. And a taper hole having an inclined wall corresponding to the inclination angle of the outer wall slope of the taper collar is provided on the lower inner wall surface of the collar, The mount receiving plate is provided with an upper mount attached to the upper surface of the mount receiving plate and means for attaching the metal ring, and an annular thin portion is formed along the outer periphery of the upper mount receiving plate, and the air spring is formed on the flange portion. An attachment means with the metal ring disposed at the lower end of the part is provided, and a thin part is formed along the outer periphery of the flange part. That relates to vehicle suspension used in the vehicle height adjusting shock absorbing device.

  The invention according to claim 8 relates to a vehicle height adjustable shock absorbing device, wherein the upper mount according to claim 1 or 2 is attached to the upper part of the suspension according to claim 6.

  The invention according to claim 9 relates to a vehicle height-adjustable impact absorbing device, wherein the upper mount according to claim 1 or 2 is attached to the upper part of the suspension according to claim 7.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the spring absorbs the shock and vibration transmitted from the tire and provides the vehicle with good shock / vibration absorption performance, so that the vehicle has a comfortable running performance.
Further, since there is no component that generates a repulsive force with respect to the inclination of the suspension shaft associated with the steering operation of the vehicle, it exhibits a quick response to the steering operation of the vehicle.
Furthermore, when the spring is deformed by the shock / vibration transmitted from the tire or the inclination of the shaft of the suspension, the linear spring material itself constituting the spring is so deformed that the damage to the linear spring material is extremely small. Compared with conventional rubber damper type upper mounts and pillow ball type upper mounts, a long life can be secured.
In addition, since the spring always applies force to the suspension side of the spherical plain bearing plate, the spherical plain bearing plate does not float away from the spherical plain bearing, and the spherical plain bearing plate and the spherical plain bearing are always in close contact with each other. Since there is no collision, damage to the spherical plain bearing and the spherical plain bearing plate can be prevented. This also makes it possible to reduce noise generated from the spherical plain bearing and the spherical plain bearing plate.
Since the contact surface between the spherical plain bearing and the spherical plain bearing plate is formed to be extremely large compared to the contact surface between the spherical body of the conventional pillow ball and the outer shell, the pressure generated between the spherical plain bearing and the spherical plain bearing plate is reduced. Therefore, a longer life can be secured as compared with the conventional pillow ball type upper mount.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the contact surface of the spherical slide bearing with the spherical plain bearing plate is made of brass, and the contact surface of the spherical plain bearing plate with the spherical plain bearing is made of nylon. It is possible to further reduce the noise generated by the relative movement with the plate.

  In the invention according to claim 3, since the bellows upper engagement portion and the bellows lower engagement portion perform a sealing function, the seal member has a wider sealing area than a conventional O-ring, so that the seal member is not easily worn or worn. However, it is difficult for the compressed air enclosed in the air spring to flow out.

  In the invention according to the fourth aspect, the upper and lower ends and the outer peripheral surface of the shock absorber body (shell case) are covered by the adapter and the lid nut, and the shock absorber is not easily damaged because the shock absorber is not directly welded.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the body part (shell case) of the shock absorber and the flange part are attached by screwing, the assembly becomes easy, and furthermore, the body part of the shock absorber is easily given a local load. Since the tapered collar is disposed between the body part of the shock absorber and the collar part on the lower end surface of the inner wall of the part, the body part of the shock absorber is hard to break and has a more durable structure.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the upper and lower ends and the outer peripheral surface of the shock absorber body (shell case) are covered by the adapter and the lid nut, and the shock absorber is not directly welded, the shock absorber is hardly damaged. Since the bellows upper engagement part and bellows lower engagement part perform a sealing function, it has a larger sealing area than conventional O-rings and the compressed air enclosed in the air spring is less likely to flow out. As a result, the shock and vibration absorption performance can be maintained and the safety of the vehicle is enhanced.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the body part (shell case) of the shock absorber and the flange part are attached by screwing, the assembly becomes easy, and furthermore, the body part of the shock absorber is easily given a local load. Since the taper collar is arranged between the shock absorber body and the collar on the lower end surface of the inner wall of the part, the shock absorber body is less likely to be damaged and is more durable than the conventional O-ring. In addition, since the compressed air enclosed in the air spring is difficult to flow out because of its large sealing area, the shock and vibration absorption performance can be maintained for a long time, and the safety of the vehicle is enhanced.

  The invention according to claim 8 is a vehicle height adjustable shock absorber for a vehicle, wherein the upper mount according to claim 1 or 2 is attached to the upper part of the vehicle height adjustable suspension according to claim 6. In addition, the shock / vibration absorption performance of the suspension is not easily lowered, and excellent shock / vibration absorption performance can be maintained for a long time.

  The invention according to claim 9 is a vehicle height adjustable shock absorber for a vehicle, wherein the upper mount according to claim 1 or 2 is attached to the upper part of the vehicle height adjustable suspension according to claim 7. In addition, the shock / vibration absorption performance of the suspension is not easily lowered, and excellent shock / vibration absorption performance can be maintained over a long period of time, and the assembly is easy.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an assembly view of an upper mount (1) according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an upper mount (1) and a telescopic rod (161) of a shock absorber constituting a vehicle suspension. A suspension is disposed below the upper mount (1) (not shown) and Is a vehicle body (150).
The upper mount (1) according to the present invention includes a spherical plain bearing (2), a spherical plain bearing plate (3), a cylindrical bearing adapter (4), a fixing nut (5), a thrust bearing part (6), a spring ( 7) It consists of a spring pressing plate (8), a base plate (9) and a receiving plate (10).

  In this embodiment, the telescopic rod (161) of the shock absorber constituting the suspension of the vehicle has a cylindrical shape having a two-stage structure with a small diameter at the tip and a large diameter at the base, and the large diameter and the small diameter. A step (167) is formed at the boundary of the part. Further, a taper (168) is formed on the large diameter portion by a predetermined length from the step (167). Further, a male screw part (162) is formed at the tip part.

The spherical plain bearing (2) is inserted through the small diameter portion of the telescopic rod (161). The spherical plain bearing (2) is fixed in the axial downward (tire direction) movement of the telescopic rod (161) by a step (167) provided on the telescopic rod (161).
The spherical plain bearing (2) has a substantially hemispherical shape in which a spherical curved surface is formed on the upper surface and a flat surface is formed on a surface in contact with the step (167) provided on the telescopic rod (161). As shown in FIG. 1, the cross section of the spherical plain bearing (2) has a semi-elliptical shape extending in the lateral direction. Thereby, the contact area with the spherical plain bearing plate mentioned later is made wider.
In the present embodiment, at least the contact surface of the spherical plain bearing (2) with a later-described spherical plain bearing plate (3) is made of brass.

As shown in FIG. 1, the spherical plain bearing plate (3) is disposed on the spherical plain bearing (2). The spherical plain bearing plate (3) has a contact surface portion (31) that comes into contact with the spherical plain bearing (2). In this embodiment, the contact surface portion (31) is made of nylon. The spherical plain bearing plate (3) allows the spherical plain bearing (2), the components of the upper mount (1) connected to the spherical plain bearing (2), and the telescopic rod (161) to be relatively rotatable via the contact surface part (31). Yes.
As described above, the contact surface portion (31) of the spherical plain bearing plate (3) is made of nylon, and the contact surface portion (31) of the spherical plain bearing (2) with the spherical plain bearing plate (3) is made of brass. Therefore, when the spherical plain bearing (2) rotates while being in contact with the spherical plain bearing plate (3), the noise generated between the two parts becomes extremely small, and the comfortable running with less noise during vehicle running is possible. It is possible to provide performance.
In addition, if such performance is not desired, the material of the contact surface portion (31) of the spherical plain bearing plate (3) and the spherical plain bearing (2) is not particularly limited.

FIG. 2 shows a spherical plain bearing plate (3). The upper diagram is a view of the spherical plain bearing plate (3) as viewed from above, and the lower diagram is a diagram of the spherical plain bearing plate (3) as viewed from below.
As shown in FIG. 2, the spherical plain bearing plate (3) has a circular opening (32) in the center. The opening (32) has a larger diameter than the outer diameter part of a cylindrical bearing adapter (4) described later, and the telescopic rod (161) is inserted through the opening (32) (see FIG. 1).
Further, the spherical plain bearing plate (3) is provided with an annular projection (33) projecting upward on the upper surface (see the upper diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 2), and the projection (33) forms the bottom of the spring (7). Support from the side.
A contact surface portion (31) with the spherical plain bearing (2) is formed on the lower surface of the spherical plain bearing plate (3) (see FIG. 2). Since the contact surface portion (31) is in contact with the spherical plain bearing (2) as described above, the curvature radius of the curved surface of the portion in contact with the spherical plain bearing (2) is formed on the upper surface of the spherical plain bearing (2). Equal to the radius of curvature of the corresponding portion of the spherical curved surface (see FIG. 1).

A base plate (9) is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the spherical plain bearing plate (3). In this embodiment, the spherical plain bearing plate (3) and the base plate (9) are connected by welding, but may be connected by other appropriate connecting means.
A plurality of stud bolts (96) are implanted in the base plate (9). Each stud bolt (96) is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) of the vehicle body (150), a nut is screwed into each stud bolt (96), and the upper mount (1) is attached to the vehicle body (150). Thereby, the base plate (9), the spherical plain bearing plate (3), the spring (7), and the spring pressing plate (8) are fixed to the vehicle body (150).
The shape and size of the base plate (9) and the number and arrangement of the stud bolts (96) are determined by the design of the vehicle body (150) in which the upper mount (1) according to the present invention is used.

In a state where the spherical plain bearing (2) and the spherical plain bearing plate (3) are installed on the expansion / contraction rod (161), the bearing further has a cylindrical shape with an inner diameter larger than the small diameter portion of the expansion / contraction rod (161). The adapter (4) is inserted into the telescopic rod (161). That is, the bottom surface of the bearing adapter (4) is in contact with the top surface of the spherical plain bearing (2), and the lower portion of the bearing adapter (4) is inserted through the opening (32) provided in the spherical plain bearing plate (3). (See FIG. 1).
The upper end surface of the bearing adapter (4) is located above the base end portion (169) of the male screw portion (162) provided on the telescopic rod (161).
Moreover, since the opening part (32) formed in the spherical plain bearing plate (3) as described above is formed larger than the outer diameter of the bearing adapter (4), over the outer periphery of the bearing adapter (4), A space is formed between the spherical plain bearing plate (3). The space allows the axis of the telescopic rod (161) to be inclined with respect to the axis of the vehicle body (150).

In the above state, the annular thrust bearing portion (6) further fits the bearing adapter (4) from above. The inner diameter of the annular thrust bearing portion (6) is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical bearing adapter (4), and the inner wall surface of the annular thrust bearing portion (6) is a cylindrical bearing adapter (4). It is in contact with the outer peripheral surface.
The upper surface of the thrust bearing portion (6) is flush with the upper surface of the bearing adapter (4). Thereby, the collar part of the fixing nut (5) mentioned later, the upper surface of a bearing adapter (4), and the upper surface of a thrust bearing part (6) contact.
In this embodiment, a resin bearing (manufactured by Oiles Kogyo Co., Ltd.) is used for the thrust bearing portion (6). This prevents the thrust bearing portion (6) from rusting and corroding. Further, since it is not necessary to supply the lubricating oil to the thrust bearing portion (6), labor can be saved, and further, there is no fear that dust or sand attached to the lubricating oil will wear or damage the upper mount (1).
In this case, since the fixing nut (5) slides on the upper surface of the thrust bearing, even when the fixing nut (5) rotates with respect to the upper mount (1) as the telescopic rod (161) rotates, the male screw portion ( 162) is not loosened.
In the present invention, a thrust bearing having a normal rolling element may be used.

FIG. 3 shows the spring presser plate (8). 3 is a view of the spring retainer plate (8) as viewed from above, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the spring retainer plate (8), and the lower view of FIG. 3 is a view of the spring retainer plate (8) as viewed from below. is there.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 1, the spring retainer plate (8) has a trapezoidal cylindrical shape. The telescopic rod (161) and the bearing adapter (4) are inserted into the spring pressing plate (8). The diameter of the bottom surface of the trapezoidal cylindrical spring retainer plate (8) is smaller than the diameter of the upper surface, and is widened toward the distal end of the telescopic rod (161).
An annular thrust bearing retainer (81) protruding in the axial direction of the telescopic rod (161) is formed at the lower end of the spring retainer plate (8). Since the cylindrical bearing adapter (4) is inserted into the annular thrust bearing retainer (81), the inner diameter of the annular thrust bearing retainer (81) is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical bearing adapter (4). The diameter is formed larger, and is smaller than the outer diameter of the thrust bearing portion (6). As a result, even if the spring retainer plate (8) receives a force from the spring (7) toward the distal end of the telescopic rod (161), the thrust bearing retainer (81) contacts the lower surface of the thrust bearing (6). The spring retainer plate (8) does not come off from the tip of the telescopic rod (161). The thrust bearing retainer (81) is preferably formed smaller than the average diameter of the thrust bearing (6). Thereby, it becomes possible to ensure a sufficient contact area between the thrust bearing retainer (81) and the thrust bearing (6).
As described above, the inner diameter of the opening formed in the thrust bearing retainer (81) is larger than the outer diameter of the bearing adapter (4). 161) can be tilted with respect to the axis of the vehicle body (150).
In the upper mount of the present invention, the tiltable range of the telescopic rod (161) with respect to the axis of the vehicle body (150) is an annular shape determined by the outer peripheral surface of the bearing adapter (4) and the opening (32) of the spherical plain bearing plate (3). Preferably, the opening formed in the thrust bearing portion (81) is defined by the space. The width of the annular space defined by the outer peripheral surfaces of the thrust bearing portion (81) and the bearing adapter (4) is the bearing adapter. It is preferably formed so as to be wider than the band width of the annular space defined by the outer peripheral surface of (4) and the opening (32) of the spherical plain bearing plate (3).
Thus, when the telescopic rod (161) is greatly inclined with respect to the axis of the vehicle body (150), the inner wall surface of the opening (32) of the spherical plain bearing plate (3) is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bearing adapter (4). The contact prevents any further inclination and prevents the spring retainer plate (8) from coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the bearing adapter (4). Therefore, the spring retainer plate (8) and the spring (7) are unplanned. It is possible to prevent the spring (7) from coming off the spring retainer plate (8) and to prevent the spring retainer plate (8) made of a thin metal plate from being deformed.
The diameter of the circle on the upper surface side of the spring retainer plate (8) defined by the connecting portion of the slope wall of the trapezoidal cylindrical spring retainer plate (8) and the thrust bearing retainer portion (81) is the same as that of the thrust bearing portion (6). It is preferable that the diameter is slightly larger than the diameter.
Furthermore, the upper surface side of the thrust bearing retainer (81) is preferably formed flat. As a result, when the thrust bearing retainer (81) comes into contact with the thrust bearing (6), the contact between the thrust bearing (6) and the spring retainer plate (8) becomes surface contact, and the expansion rod of the spring retainer plate is more reliably secured. (161) can be prevented from coming off.

The sloped wall of the trapezoidal cylindrical spring retainer plate (8) does not come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the thrust bearing portion (6) and the fixing nut (5) disposed above it, and the shaft tip of the telescopic rod (161). It has a spread in the direction.
The inclination angle and height of the slope wall are determined by the length of the spring (7), the diameter of the coil forming the upper end of the spring (7), and the design of the vehicle body (150).

The upper end surface of the spring retainer plate (8) is disposed above the distal end surface of the telescopic rod (161), that is, near the vehicle body (150) side. Thereby, a space can be provided between the vehicle body (150) and the tip of the telescopic rod (161).
The spring constant of the spring (7) is designed to have a sufficient height so that the tip of the telescopic rod (161) does not collide with the vehicle body (150). As will be described later, the dimensions of the spring (7) for determining the spring constant of the spring (7) are determined according to the design of the vehicle.
On the upper end surface of the spring retainer plate (8), an annular spring retainer (82) is formed that protrudes outward with respect to the axis of the telescopic rod (161). The lower surface of the spring retainer (82) is formed in an arc shape so as to hold a coil that forms the upper end surface of the spring (7) extending from the spherical plain bearing plate (3) in the axial tip direction of the telescopic rod (161). Has been. Therefore, it is preferable that the radius of curvature of the arc-shaped surface formed on the lower surface of the spring pressing portion (82) is equal to the cross-sectional radius of the linear spring material constituting the spring (7). More preferably, the spring pressing portion (82) is formed so as to cover the upper half of the coil forming the upper end surface of the spring (7). Thereby, it is possible to prevent the spring (7) from being detached from the spring pressing plate (8).
1 and 3, the upper surface side of the spring pressing portion (82) is formed to be substantially flat, but the shape of the upper surface is determined by the design of the vehicle body (150).
The diameter of the annular center line of the annular band formed by the spring retainer (82) is preferably substantially equal to the diameter of the coil forming the upper end surface of the spring (7).

The lower end surface of the spring (7) is supported by the upper surface of the spherical plain bearing (3), and the lower end side surface is supported by a projection (33) formed on the spherical plain bearing plate (3). From there, the spring (7) extends toward the axial tip of the telescopic rod (161), and the upper end surface is held by the spring presser plate (8).
The spring (7) is formed in a spiral shape by a linear spring material, and the telescopic rod (161) is inserted through the center of the coil.
The material, diameter, average coil diameter, effective coil winding number, free length, etc. of the linear spring material constituting the spring (7) are determined by the design of the vehicle body in which the upper mount (1) is used.
In FIG. 1, the spring (7) has a tapered shape having a large coil diameter downward and a small coil diameter upward, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the coil diameter is constant in the axial direction. It may be a spring with a taper shape extending upward. When such a spring is used, as a means for holding the lower end portion of the spring, a fitting groove that fits with the lower end portion of the spring may be provided on the upper surface of the spherical plain bearing plate (3).
Further, the linear spring material forming the upper end and lower end coils of the spring (7) may be formed so that the upper or lower end of the spring (7) is flattened by grinding the upper or lower surface thereof. Good. Thereby, the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the spring (7) can come into surface contact with the spring pressing portion (8) and the spherical plain bearing plate (3), and a more stable installation state of the spring (7) is brought about.
In addition, preferably, the surface of the spring (7) may be coated with a resin or the like in order to prevent corrosion such as rust.
A film made of synthetic rubber may be disposed along the inner wall of the spring. Thereby, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering the upper mount (1).

FIG. 4 shows the force applied to the spring (7) and the force generated by the spring (7).
When the upper mount (1) is attached to the vehicle body (150) via the stud bolt (96) planted in the base plate (9), the spring pressing portion (82) formed on the upper surface of the spring pressing plate (8). The upper surface of is in contact with the vehicle body (150). At this time, the spring (7) is slightly compressed. As a result, a force Fc for compressing the spring (7) is applied to the spring (7) via the spring pressing plate (8).
Since the spring (7) is compressed as described above, a repulsive force is generated, and a force Fs in the axial direction of the telescopic rod (161) is applied to the spring pressing plate (8).
The compression force Fc applied to the spring (7) generates a force Fd that presses the spherical plain bearing plate (3) downward. By this force Fd, the arc-shaped surface of the contact surface portion (31) of the spherical plain bearing plate (3) is pressed against the spherical curved surface of the spherical plain bearing (2). As a result, the arc-shaped surface of the contact surface portion (31) does not lift from the spherical curved surface of the spherical plain bearing (2), and the collision between the spherical plain bearing plate (3) and the spherical plain bearing (2) does not occur. Damage to the spherical plain bearing plate (3) and the spherical plain bearing (2) is avoided. As a result, the noise or abnormal noise that occurs with the damage of the spherical plain bearing plate (3) and / or the spherical plain bearing (2) is avoided.
From the telescopic rod (161) and the receiving plate (10), shock / vibration f from the tire that the shock absorber and suspension could not absorb has passed through the spherical plain bearing (2) and the spherical plain bearing plate (3). It is transmitted to the spring (7). The spring (7) is deformed when receiving the shock / vibration f and absorbs the shock / vibration. As a result, since the impact / vibration f transmitted to the vehicle body (150) is reduced, the spring (7) provides comfortable running performance to the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, a substantially cylindrical receiving plate (10) is disposed on the flat lower surface of the spherical plain bearing (2). A telescopic rod (161) is inserted into the cylindrical receiving plate (10).
In FIG. 1, the inner wall surface of the cylindrical receiving plate (10) has the same taper angle as the taper provided on the telescopic rod (161), and the inner wall surface of the receiving plate (10) and the telescopic rod ( 161) are in contact with each other over their peripheral surfaces.
The upper surface of the receiving plate (10) is in contact with the spherical plain bearing (2). The upper surface of the receiving plate (10) is preferably located slightly above the step (167) formed on the telescopic rod (161). As will be described later, this is to sufficiently receive the force from above from the fixing nut (5).
A receiving portion (101) protruding outward with respect to the axis of the telescopic rod (161) is provided at the lower end of the receiving plate (10). The receiving part (101) is provided with an appropriate connection means (for example, a through hole) to the upper part of the suspension to which the upper mount (1) according to the present invention is attached.
The shapes of the connecting means and the receiving portion (101) are determined by the design of the suspension to which the upper mount (1) according to the present invention is attached.

FIG. 5 shows another arrangement of the receiving plate (10). In FIG. 5, the telescopic rod (161) has no tapered portion.
Similar to the receiving plate (10) shown in FIG. 1, the receiving plate (10) has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the telescopic rod (161) passes through the inside thereof. Moreover, the receiving part (101) is provided in the lower end of the receiving plate (10). Similarly to the above, the receiving part (101) is provided with an appropriate connection means (for example, a through hole) to the upper part of the suspension to which the upper mount (1) according to the present invention is attached.
In addition to this, the receiving plate (10) shown in FIG. 5 has an annular clamping portion (102) protruding in the axial direction of the telescopic rod (161) at the upper end of the receiving plate (10). The clamping part (102) is disposed between the flat lower surface of the spherical plain bearing (2) and the step (167) formed on the telescopic rod (161). That is, the upper surface of the sandwiching portion (102) contacts the lower surface of the spherical plain bearing (2), and the lower surface of the sandwiching portion (102) contacts the step (167) provided on the telescopic rod (161).

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing nut (5) is screwed with a male screw portion (162) provided at the tip of the telescopic rod (161) and abuts on the bearing adapter (4). Further, when the fixing nut (5) is rotated so as to be moved to the base end portion (169) of the male screw portion (162), the base part of the telescopic rod (161) is added to the component of the upper mount (1) connected to the fixing nut. Create a force toward the club.
FIG. 6 shows a fastening state of each component by the fixing nut (5). The arrows in FIG. 6 indicate the transmission of force from the fixing nut (5).
As shown in FIG. 6, when the fixing nut (5) is rotated so as to move to the proximal end portion (169) of the male screw portion (162), the fixing nut (5) is moved into the cylindrical wall of the bearing adapter (4). A compressive force is generated in The compressive force presses the lower end surface of the bearing adapter (4) against the upper surface of the spherical plain bearing (2). In this way, the bearing adapter (4) is fixed between the fixing nut (5) and the spherical plain bearing (2).
Further, the compressive force presses the flat lower surface of the spherical plain bearing (2) against the step (167) provided on the telescopic rod (161). In this way, the spherical plain bearing (2) is fixed in the axial direction with respect to the telescopic rod (161).
Further, the upper end surface of the receiving plate (10) disposed below the spherical plain bearing (2) is positioned slightly above the step (167) of the telescopic rod (161), so that the fixing nut (5) The telescopic rod (5) receives a force toward the base end. As a result, the tapered inner wall surface of the substantially cylindrical receiving plate (10) is pressed against the tapered portion provided on the telescopic rod (161). Thus, the upper mount (1) reliably follows the movement of the telescopic rod (161) in the axial direction.
The receiving plate (10), the telescopic rod (161) and the spherical plain bearing (2) are fixed only by the force from the fixing nut (5) to the base end of the telescopic rod (161) as described above. Since the telescopic rod (161) is not fixed in the circumferential direction, the telescopic rod (161) is connected to a portion (not shown) connected to the suspension upper portion to which the receiving portion (101) of the receiving plate (10) is connected. Thus, it becomes relatively rotatable around the axis.

  When the telescopic rod (161) as shown in FIG. 5 does not have a tapered portion, the clamping portion (102) formed at the upper end of the receiving plate (10) receives the force from the fixing nut (5). The upper mount (1) reliably follows the movement of the telescopic rod (161) in the axial direction.

FIG. 7 shows a general pillow ball (901) used for a general pillow ball type upper mount.
As described above, the pillow ball (901) includes the spherical body portion (911) and the outer shell body (921). The outer shell body (921) has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a spherical body portion (911) is disposed inside.
The pillow ball (901) is designed to receive a force in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pillow ball (901), and is not designed to receive a force in the axial direction. That is, when the pillow ball (901) receives a force perpendicular to the axis, the spherical wall portion (911) of the pillow ball (901) and the spherical wall formed on the inner wall of the outer shell body (921) are in surface contact. Receive this force. On the other hand, when the pillow ball (901) receives the axial force, the spherical body portion (911) contacts only with the spherical wall surface end portion of the inner wall of the outer shell body (921). That is, it becomes a line contact state. At this time, a high compressive force is locally generated in the spherical body portion (911) and the outer shell body (921).
At present, when a pillow ball type upper mount is used, since the telescopic rod of the shock absorber is penetrated along the axis of the pillow ball (901), a high local compressive force is always generated in the pillow ball (901). It is in a state.
On the other hand, since the spherical plain bearing (2) and the spherical plain bearing plate (3) in the present invention are in surface contact, a wider contact area can be ensured as compared with a general pillow ball (901) (FIG. 1). reference). This disperses the force generated when the shock or vibration transmitted from the tire that could not be absorbed by the suspension, so that it does not receive a large local force. As a result, the spherical plain bearing (2) The spherical plain bearing plate (3) is not easily damaged. Along with this, it contributes to the reduction of the occurrence of abnormal noise and noise.
In addition, the contact surface portion (31) of the spherical plain bearing (2) and the spherical plain bearing plate (3) provides a tilting motion of the shaft of the telescopic rod (161) provided by the pillow ball (901) with respect to the vehicle body, thereby controlling the steering of the vehicle. The suspension slope is smooth and provides comfortable vehicle handling performance.

The upper mount (1) according to the present invention employs the spring (7) as described above. Therefore, when an impact or vibration transmitted from the tire that cannot be absorbed by the suspension is received, the spring (7) is deformed by contraction or expansion of the gap between the coils constituting the spring (7). Therefore, the shock absorbing performance is excellent as compared with the rubber damper (92) made of a rubber lump used for the rubber damper type upper mount due to the elastic property of the material itself.
Further, the upper mount (1) according to the present invention does not have the problem of deterioration with time unlike the rubber damper (92) made of a rubber lump, and can exhibit excellent shock and vibration absorbing performance for a long period of time.
Furthermore, it is easy to select the spring (7) having an appropriate spring constant, and the upper mount (1) suitable for the vehicle can be designed.
Even when used in a heavy vehicle, there is no problem of cracking due to the shearing force generated in the rubber damper (92) made of a rubber lump. In this case, a spring having a high spring constant may be used, but even in that case, the impact / absorption performance is not impaired as much as the rubber damper.
Even when the spring (7) is deformed, deformations such as compression and expansion that occur in the linear spring material itself constituting the spring (7) are extremely fine. Therefore, damage to the spring (7) is caused by a rubber damper type upper mount. It is smaller than the rubber damper made of a rubber lump used in (90).

From the above, the upper mount (1) according to the present invention can achieve a longer life than the conventional rubber damper type upper mount (90) or the pillow ball type upper mount (900).
Furthermore, the upper mount (1) according to the present invention provides vehicle handling performance equivalent to a pillow ball.

As described above, by changing the shape of the receiving plate (10) of the upper mount (1), the arrangement of the attaching means, etc., it can be installed on the upper part of various vehicle suspensions.
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the upper mount (1) according to the present invention is attached to the vehicle height adjustable suspension (20) according to the present invention.
The suspension (20) shown in FIG. 8 includes an air spring portion (50) and a shock absorber (40). Further, the upper mount (1) according to the present invention is attached to the upper part of the suspension, and the vehicle body (150) is disposed above the upper mount (1). As described above, the upper mount (1) is mounted on the vehicle body (150). Installed on.

The air spring portion (50) shown in the present embodiment includes an upper mount receiving plate (51), a bellows portion (52), and a metal ring (53).
The bellows portion (52) includes a bellows (521), a bellows upper engagement portion (522), a bellows lower engagement portion (523), and an intermediate ring (526).
The bellows (521) constitutes an air spring and can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction. The bellows (521) is provided between the bellows upper engaging portion (522) and the bellows lower engaging portion (523).
The bellows (521) is made of synthetic rubber and has a constricted portion (525) in the center. An intermediate ring (526) that prevents the bellows (521) from expanding in the radial direction when compressed air is sealed in the bellows (521) is fitted on the constricted portion.
An annular bellows upper engaging portion (522) and a bellows lower engaging portion (523) are integrally formed at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the bellows (521), respectively.

The bellows upper engagement portion (522) and the bellows lower engagement portion (523) are annular, and an engagement groove (524) having a substantially U-shaped cross section is formed. One end of the engagement groove (524) having a substantially U-shaped cross section is connected to the bellows (521). At the other end of the engagement groove (524) having a substantially U-shaped cross section of the bellows upper engagement portion (522), a thick portion protruding downward is formed. Moreover, in the bellows lower engaging part (523), the thick part which protruded upwards is formed. An annular wire (525) is disposed in each thick part.
The upper surface of the bellows upper engaging portion (522) and the lower surface of the bellows lower engaging portion (523) are formed flat.
A larger opening than the telescopic rod (161) of the shock absorber (40) is formed at the center of the bellows upper engaging portion (522). A circular opening is also formed at the center of the bellows lower engagement portion (523), and the opening has a larger diameter than a cylindrical adapter (41) having a bottom with one end, which will be described later.

The metal rings (53) disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the bellows portion (52) are annular and have a substantially L-shaped cross section. Moreover, it has a protrusion part which protrudes in an L-shaped cross-section upper direction in the metal ring (53) inner wall side.
The protrusion engages with an engaging groove (524) formed in the bellows upper engaging portion (522) and the bellows lower engaging portion (523).
The wire (525) disposed in the bellows upper engaging portion (522) and the bellows lower engaging portion (523) urges the protrusion of the metal ring (53) to a force toward the bellows center. Thereby, a metal ring (53) and a bellows part (52) are connected.
The portion where the metal ring (53) contacts the bellows part (52) is formed in a curved surface so that the metal ring (53) does not damage the bellows part (52) made of synthetic rubber.
In this state, the metal ring (53) is fitted around the upper and lower ends of the bellows part (52). The upper surface of the bellows upper engagement portion (522) and the upper surface of the metal ring (53) are flush with each other, and the lower surface of the bellows lower engagement portion (523) and the lower surface of the metal ring (53) are flush with each other. .
The metal ring (53) is provided with a screw hole in a direction parallel to the axis of the telescopic rod, and can be connected to an upper mount receiving plate (51) described later.
It is preferable that a plurality of the screw holes are provided so as to equally divide the circumference of the metal ring (53).

A disc-shaped upper mount receiving plate (51) having a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the metal ring (53) is disposed on the bellows upper engaging portion (522). The upper mount receiving plate (51) has a screw hole for mounting the upper mount, and the receiving plate (10) of the upper mount (1) is disposed so as to coincide with the screw hole, A through hole having a slightly larger diameter than the screw hole is formed. The upper mount (1) and the upper mount receiving plate (51) are connected by inserting a bolt into the through hole and screwing the screw hole with the bolt.
In addition, by changing the arrangement and size of the screw holes, it is possible to attach to a desired commercially available upper mount other than the upper mount (1) according to the present invention.
The upper mount receiving plate (51) is disposed so as to coincide with the screw hole provided in the metal ring (53), and a through hole having a slightly larger diameter than the screw hole is formed ( Neither is shown). By inserting a bolt into the through hole and screwing the screw hole with the bolt, the upper mount receiving plate (51) and the metal ring (53) are connected, and thereby the upper mount (1) and the air spring portion. (50) are connected.

An opening is provided in the center of the upper mount receiving plate (51), and the inner wall surface of the upper mount receiving plate (51) is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the telescopic rod (161) of the shock absorber (40).
An O-ring groove is formed on the inner wall surface, and an O-ring (511) is fitted in the groove. O-ring (511) prevents the outflow of air from between the telescopic rod (161) and the inner wall surface of the upper mount receiving plate (51).
A thin portion having a width equal to or slightly wider than the width of the upper surface of the metal ring (53) disposed on the upper portion of the bellows portion (52) is formed along the outer periphery of the lower surface of the upper mount receiving plate (51). When the metal ring (53) and the upper mount receiving plate (51) are coupled with a bolt, the upper surface of the metal ring (53) comes into contact with the thin portion.
As a result, the protrusion formed on the metal ring (53) compresses the bellows upper engaging portion (522) made of synthetic rubber, and the upper surface of the bellows upper engaging portion (522) is the lower surface of the upper mount receiving plate (51). Will be pressed.
Thereby, the outflow of air between the bellows upper engagement portion (522) and the upper mount receiving plate (51) can be prevented.
In such a structure, since it has a sealing function over the upper surface of the bellows upper engagement portion (522), a sealing function with less air leakage can be achieved.
As described above, the vehicle body (150), the upper mount (1), and the air spring portion (50) are connected.

The shock absorber (40) includes a telescopic rod (161), a substantially cylindrical shell case (42) that can accommodate the telescopic rod (161), and a bottomed cylindrical shape disposed at the outer periphery of the shell case (42). It consists of an adapter (41) and a lid nut (43).
Oil or the like is enclosed in the shell case (42). Further, inside the shell case (42), a piston is provided at the front end of the telescopic rod (161) on the tire side (not shown), and the telescopic rod is attached so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction. Can be absorbed.
The telescopic rod (161) can rotate about the axis with respect to the shell case (42).
Further, a rod seal material (not shown) for preventing oil leakage is provided in the shell case (42), and is in contact with the side end portion of the telescopic rod (161).

The adapter (41) has a cylindrical shape with a bottom portion at one end, and houses the shell case (42) therein.
A female screw part (411) is formed on the upper inner wall surface of the adapter (41), and the female screw part (411) and the lid nut (43) are screwed together, so that the shell case (42) is attached to the adapter (41). Stored and fixed inside.
A counterbore having a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shell case is provided on the lower surface of the lid nut (43), and the upper part of the shell case (42) is fitted into the counterbore so that the shell case (42) is attached to the adapter ( 41) It is fixed in the axial direction and circumferential direction without any play.
In addition, an opening having a diameter larger than the diameter of the telescopic rod (161) is formed at the center of the lid nut (43).
With the above structure, the upper and lower surfaces and the outer peripheral surface of the shell case (42) are covered with the adapter (41) and the lid nut (43), and no external force is directly applied to the shell case (42), and the shell case is damaged. Can be prevented.

An annular flange (412) is provided at a substantially intermediate position in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface of the one-end-bottomed cylindrical adapter (41). The annular flange (412) is welded and connected to the adapter (41) on one surface along the inner peripheral surface thereof. Moreover, the outer diameter of the collar part (412) is formed substantially equal to the outer diameter of the metal ring (53).
The welding prevents the outflow of air between the adapter (41) and the flange (412).
The flange portion (412) is disposed so as to coincide with the screw hole provided in the metal ring (53), and a through-hole having a slightly larger diameter than the screw hole is formed. The shock absorber (40) and the metal ring (53) are connected by inserting a bolt into the through hole and screwing the screw hole and the bolt, and the shock absorber (40) is connected to the air spring portion (50). Is done.
A thin portion is formed along the outer periphery of the upper surface of the collar portion (412). The width of the thin portion is substantially equal to or slightly wider than the lower surface of the metal ring (53) disposed at the lower portion of the bellows portion (52). When the metal ring (53) and the flange portion (412) are coupled with a bolt, the lower surface of the metal ring (53) comes into contact with the thin portion.
As a result, the protrusion formed on the metal ring (53) compresses the bellows lower engagement portion (523) made of synthetic rubber, and the lower surface of the bellows lower engagement portion (523) is pressed against the upper surface of the flange portion (412). Will be.
Thereby, the outflow of air between the bellows lower engagement portion (523) and the flange portion (412) can be prevented.
In such a structure, since it has a sealing function over the upper surface of the bellows lower engaging portion (523), a sealing function with less air leakage can be achieved.
Furthermore, an air introduction hole is provided in the collar part (412) (not shown). A compressed air supply hose is connected to an air introduction hole provided in the collar part (412) via a base (none is shown).
In addition, a tire connection member (413) connected to the tire drive unit is disposed at the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter (41), and the tire connection member (413) and a tire drive unit component (not shown) are connected.
Since the shock absorber (40) having such a structure does not weld directly to the shell case (42), there is no occurrence of thermal distortion due to welding generated in the shell case (42). Therefore, it has a higher safety structure than that in which the shell case is directly welded, such as a shock absorber used in a conventional air spring type vehicle height adjusting suspension.
As a result, the tire (not shown) to the vehicle body (150) are connected.

FIG. 9 is a view showing another embodiment in which the upper mount according to the present invention is attached to the vehicle height adjustable suspension according to the present invention.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the collar (412) is attached directly to the shell case (42) of the shock absorber (40).
The upper outer periphery of the shell case (42) is formed to be slightly thin, and has a two-stage cylindrical shape with an upper small-diameter portion and a large-diameter portion located therebelow.
A male screw is formed on the outer periphery of the large diameter portion of the shell case (42).
A base nut (414) is screwed into the male screw portion.
A tapered collar (415) is disposed on the pedestal nut (414). The inner diameter of the taper collar (415) is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shell case (42). The outer periphery of the taper collar has a substantially trapezoidal cylindrical shape with a small diameter at the top and a large diameter at the bottom.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the collar part (412) has a cylindrical shape and has an annular projecting part projecting outward at the lower part.
A tapered portion (416), a flange female screw portion (417), and a flat portion (418) are formed on the inner wall of the flange portion (412) from below.
The tapered portion (416) is an inclined surface having a taper angle equal to or smaller than the taper angle of the inclined surface formed on the outer periphery of the taper collar (415).
The female screw portion (417) is screwed with a male screw portion formed on the outer periphery of the shell case (42).
The flat portion (418) is provided with a groove for an O-ring (419) that fits inside the collar portion (412).
The collar part (412) having such a structure is engaged with the male thread part provided on the outer periphery of the shell case (42) and the female thread part of the collar part (412) on the tapered collar (415). It is attached by doing.
An O-ring (419) is disposed between the flat part (418) and the collar part (412), and the outflow of compressed air between the collar part (412) and the shell case (42) can be prevented.
Further, since the collar portion (412) is pushed upward by the taper collar (415), the male screw portion provided on the outer periphery of the shell case (42) and the female screw portion (417) of the collar portion (412) are screwed together. It becomes extremely tight and the screwing is prevented from loosening.
Furthermore, a taper collar (415) is disposed between the shell case (42) and the collar part (412) at the lower end of the inner wall of the collar part (412) where the local force can be easily applied to the shell case (42). Therefore, it is possible to prevent a local force from being applied to the shell case (42).

In the mounting form as shown in FIG. 9, the outer diameter of the annular protrusion provided at the lower part of the flange (412) is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the metal ring (53) attached to the lower end of the bellows (52). equal.
Similar to the method of connecting the air spring part (50) and the collar part (412) shown in FIG. 8, a thin part is formed along the outer periphery of the collar part (412), and the thin part and the metal ring (53) are formed. When abutting by bolting, the bellows lower engaging portion (523) is compressed, and the bellows lower engaging portion (523) performs a sealing function.
Further, like the suspension (20) shown in FIG. 8, the projecting portion is provided with attachment means for the metal ring (53) and an air introduction hole (not shown).
Such an attachment form of the flange part (412) has higher strength than welding because the connection between the shell case (41) and the flange part (412) is screwed. Furthermore, the assembly process is easier than welding.
In the mounting form shown in FIG. 9, a tire connection member (413) connected to a tire drive unit is disposed at the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the shell case (41), and the tire connection member (413) and tire drive unit components (not shown). Are connected.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the state where the upper mount (1) and the shock absorber (40) are attached to the air spring portion (50), the upper part of the adapter (41) of the shock absorber (40) (in FIG. The upper part of the case (42) passes through the bellows lower engagement part (523) of the air spring part (50) and is accommodated in the air spring part (50).
The telescopic rod (161) extending axially upward from the center of the shell case (42) is provided at the center of the bellows upper engaging portion (522) and the upper mount receiving plate (51) of the air spring portion (50). It penetrates through the opening and further passes through a series of openings formed around the axis of the upper mount (1) according to the present invention.

In the structure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when an impact is transmitted upward from below the vehicle height-adjustable suspension (20) (that is, from the tire), the shock absorber (40) and the air spring portion (50 ) And the spring (7) of the upper mount (1) absorbs the impact. Since the spring (7) of the upper mount (1) is superior in elasticity compared to a rubber damper made of a conventional rubber lump, it can absorb a larger impact.
As a result, the vehicle height adjustable shock absorber assembled by attaching the upper mount (1) according to the present invention to the top of the vehicle height adjustable suspension (20) is compared with the conventional vehicle height adjustable shock absorber. Thus, the vehicle is provided with a driving performance with less impact and vibration.

In the structure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the axis of the telescopic rod (161) is inclined with respect to the axis of the vehicle body (150) about the center of the radius of curvature of the spherical curved surface of the spherical plain bearing (denoted by C in FIG. 8). Is possible. That is, when the telescopic rod (161) is moved within a tiltable range, the axis of the telescopic rod draws a conical slope with the center of the radius of curvature of the spherical curved surface of the spherical plain bearing as the apex.
The central angle of the cone (ie, the tilt angle of the telescopic rod) is an annular space formed between the bearing adapter (4) of the upper mount (1) and the opening (32) of the spherical plain bearing plate (3). It is determined by the band width.
Such a tilting motion of the telescopic rod (161) occurs when the steering wheel of the vehicle is operated. When the upper mount according to the present invention is installed, the telescopic rod (161) can be tilted more smoothly without being disturbed by the rubber damper as in the case of the rubber damper type upper mount, and as a result, more comfortable handling performance can be achieved. It will bring to the vehicle.

  The present invention is suitably applied to a vehicle suspension.

It is an assembly drawing of the upper mount concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the spherical plain bearing board which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the spring holding plate which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the force applied to the spring which concerns on this invention, and the force which a spring produces. It is a figure which shows the form of other arrangement | positioning of the receiving plate which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the fastening state of each component by the fixing nut which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the general pillow ball used for a general pillow ball type upper mount. It is a figure which shows the Example which attached the upper mount which concerns on this invention to the vehicle height adjustment type suspension which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the other Example which attached the upper mount which concerns on this invention to the vehicle height adjustment type | mold suspension which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the general rubber damper type upper mount used conventionally. It is a figure which shows the pillow ball type upper mount used conventionally.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Upper mount for vehicles 2 ... Spherical plain bearing 3 ... Spherical plain bearing plate 4 ... Bearing adapter 5 ... Fixing nut 6 ... · Thrust bearing 7 · · · Spring 8 · · · Spring retainer plate 81 · · · Thrust bearing retainer 82 · · · Spring retainer 9 · · · Base plate 10 ··· Plate 20 ··· Vehicle height adjustable suspension 50 ··· Air spring portion 51 ··· Upper mount receiving plate 52 ··· Bellows 522 · · · Bellows upper engaging portion 523 · · · Bellows lower portion Joint part 40 ... Shock absorber 41 ... Adapter 411 ... Female screw part 412 ... Hook part 414 ... Base nut 415 ... Taper collar 42 ... Shell case 161 ...・ Extensible rod 162 ... male thread portion

Claims (9)

  A spherical sliding bearing having a substantially hemispherical shape whose upper surface is fitted with a substantially spherical curved surface, and an arc-shaped sliding surface in contact with the spherical portion of the spherical sliding bearing, and the expansion / contraction at the center. A spherical plain bearing plate having an opening through which the rod is inserted, and a cylindrical shape through which the telescopic rod is inserted and inserted into the opening of the spherical plain bearing plate, and a lower end surface is in contact with the upper surface of the spherical plain bearing A bearing adapter, a fixing nut that is screwed with a male screw portion provided at a distal end portion of the telescopic rod, and abuts against an upper end surface of the bearing adapter, an annular thrust bearing portion that is externally fitted to the bearing adapter, and A spring disposed on the upper surface of the sliding bearing plate, an annular thrust bearing retainer projecting in the axial direction of the telescopic rod at the lower end surface, and projecting outward with respect to the shaft of the telescopic rod at the upper end surface Spry A base plate joined to the outer peripheral surface of the spherical plain bearing plate having a holding portion and a substantially trapezoidal cylindrical spring presser plate extending upward into which the telescopic rod is inserted, and having a mounting means for the vehicle body of the vehicle And a receiving plate that is disposed on the lower surface of the spherical plain bearing and can be attached to an upper part of a suspension of a vehicle into which the telescopic rod is inserted, and an inner diameter of the thrust bearing holding portion of the spring holding plate is the thrust bearing An upper mount used for a vehicle height adjustable shock absorber, wherein the upper part is formed smaller than the outer diameter of the part, and the spring pressing part holds the upper end of the spring.   2. The upper mount for use in a vehicle height adjustable shock absorber according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the spherical plain bearing is made of brass, and a surface of the spherical plain bearing plate that is in contact with the plain bearing is made of nylon. .   A seal mechanism that prevents the outflow of compressed air enclosed in an air spring used in a vehicle height-adjustable shock absorber having a shock absorber that absorbs shock and vibration from the tire and an air spring, and is made of synthetic rubber A bellows that can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction, an annular bellows upper engaging portion and an annular bellows lower engaging portion that are formed integrally with the bellows and formed at the upper and lower ends of the bellows, the bellows upper engaging portion, and the From an air spring portion comprising an annular metal ring that engages with an engagement groove formed in a bellows lower engagement portion, an annular upper mount receiving plate disposed on the upper surface of the air spring portion, and the shock absorber And an annular flange disposed on the lower surface of the air spring portion. Thin portion is formed along the periphery, the seal mechanism used in the vehicle height adjusting shock absorbing device, wherein a thin portion is formed along the outer periphery of the flange portion.   A shock absorber structure used in a vehicle height adjustable shock absorber having a shock absorber that absorbs shock / vibration from a tire and an air spring, and a shock absorber that absorbs shock / vibration from the tire, A cylindrical adapter having a bottomed end that can accommodate the shell case of the shock absorber, and an annular portion having an opening through which the telescopic rod of the shock absorber is inserted while being screwed into a female screw portion formed on the inner wall upper portion of the adapter. A shock absorber portion used in a vehicle height-adjustable shock absorber comprising a lid nut and an annular flange portion disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the adapter, wherein the flange portion is welded to the adapter. Construction.   A shock absorber for absorbing shock / vibration from a tire in the structure of a shock absorber used for a vehicle height adjustable shock absorber having a shock absorber and an air spring for absorbing shock / vibration from the tire, and the shock absorber A substantially cylindrical flange that is screwed with a male screw portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of a shell case capable of storing the telescopic rod, and a male screw portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shell case and A pedestal nut disposed below the flange, and a substantially trapezoidal cylindrical taper collar that is inserted in the shell case and disposed on the upper surface of the pedestal nut and has a downward spread, The lower inner wall surface is provided with a tapered hole having an inclined wall corresponding to the inclination angle of the outer wall inclined surface of the tapered collar. Structure of the shock absorber unit for use in expression impact absorbing device.   A shock absorber that absorbs shock and vibration from the tire, a bellows that can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction, an upper bellows engaging portion and a bellows lower engaging portion that are formed integrally with the bellows and formed at the upper and lower ends of the bellows; An air spring portion comprising an annular metal ring that engages with an engagement groove formed in the bellows upper engagement portion and the bellows lower engagement portion; and the shock provided on the upper surface of the air spring portion An annular upper mount receiving plate having an opening through which the telescopic rod of the absorber is inserted, an O-ring fitted in a groove formed on the inner wall surface of the upper mount receiving plate, and a shell case of the shock absorber stored inside A cylindrical adapter having a bottom end with a possible end and a female screw formed on an upper part of the inner wall of the adapter, and the above-mentioned shot. An annular lid nut having an opening through which the telescopic rod of the absorber is inserted, an annular flange extending from the outer peripheral surface of the adapter, and a tire connecting member connected to a tire drive unit joined to the lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the adapter The upper mount receiving plate is provided with an upper mount attached to the upper surface of the upper mount receiving plate and a means for attaching the metal ring, and an annular thin portion is formed along the outer periphery of the upper mount receiving plate. The vehicle height-adjustable shock absorbing device is characterized in that a means for attaching to the metal ring disposed at the lower end of the air spring portion is provided and a thin portion is formed along the outer periphery of the flange portion. Suspension used for   A shock absorber that absorbs shock and vibration from the tire, a bellows that can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction, an upper bellows engaging portion and a bellows lower engaging portion that are formed integrally with the bellows and formed at the upper and lower ends of the bellows; An air spring portion comprising an annular metal ring that engages with an engagement groove formed in the bellows upper engagement portion and the bellows lower engagement portion; and the shock provided on the upper surface of the air spring portion An annular upper mount receiving plate having an opening through which the telescopic rod of the absorber is inserted, an O-ring fitted in a groove formed on the inner wall surface of the upper mount receiving plate, and an outer peripheral surface of the shell case of the shock absorber A substantially cylindrical collar portion that is screwed with the formed male screw portion, and a tire drive portion that is joined to a lower portion of the outer peripheral surface of the shell case. A pedestal nut that engages with a male screw portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shell case, and the shell case is inserted and disposed on the upper surface of the pedestal nut and extends downward. A tapered hole having a substantially trapezoidal cylindrical shape, and a tapered hole having an inclined wall corresponding to an inclination angle of an outer wall inclined surface of the tapered collar is provided in a lower inner wall surface of the collar portion, and the upper mount receiving plate includes An upper mount attached to the upper surface and means for attaching to the metal ring are provided, and an annular thin portion is formed along the outer periphery of the upper mount receiving plate, and the collar portion is disposed at the lower end of the air spring portion. A vehicle height-adjustable shock absorber, characterized in that an attachment means for the metal ring is provided and a thin portion is formed along the outer periphery of the flange portion. Vehicle suspension to be used in the location.   A vehicle height-adjustable impact absorbing device, wherein the upper mount according to claim 1 or 2 is attached to an upper portion of the suspension according to claim 6. A vehicle height-adjustable impact absorbing device, wherein the upper mount according to claim 1 or 2 is attached to an upper portion of the suspension according to claim 7.

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