United States Patent
(2)
Tanaka et al.
(4) VEHICLE SUS
STRUCTURE
(75) Inventors: Masatoshi Tanaka, Osaka (1); Yasushi
Yoshida, Osaka UP)
(93) Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co.,Ltd, Osaka (JP)
(4) Notice: Subjoct to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
USC. 154(b) by 202 days.
(21) Appl. No: 114660,527
(22) PCTFiled: Sep. 8, 2008
(85) PCTNo: — PCTISP2005/016998
$371 (0M),
(2),(4)Date: Feb. 16,2007
(87) PCT Pub, No WO20O6IN30R3
PCT Puls, Date: Mar 23, 2006
63) Prior Publication Data
US 20070278778A1 Dec. 6, 2007
G0) Foreign Application Priority Data
Sep. 14,2004 (UP) 2004-266252
Gly Inc,
B62 2/1 (2006.01)
(2) US.CL 280/124.109; 280/788;
1808312
(58) Fleld of Classification Search 1805311,
180/312; 280/124.109, 124.134, 781, 784
2807785, 788
‘Se application file for complete search history.
(56) References Cited
US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
231160) A 21948 Ulich 2n0788
‘US007654543B2
(10) Patent No.: US 7,654,543 B2
4s) Date of Patent: Feb. 2, 2010
ASSLTHL A * 71985 yon Sivers 2s0.78s
ATBIOL A ¢ 21988 Mian eal 280/124109
4762336 8 + 8988 Ogawa eta 2w0/12415
S347224 A * 811996 Kamictal 28018
53562308 A * 1011996 Kamel et 2801788
5611.86 A ¢ 1997 Sekiguchi et a 280788
(Continved)
PORPIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Coninved)
Primary Examiner
Assistant Examiner
(04) Attorney, Agent, or Fire
PLE.
Paul N Dickson
aura Precis
Harness, Dickey & Pier
on ABSTRACT
The invention relates to. vehicle suspension arm supporting
structure, A receiving portion 9 is formes integally on
subframe S which i formed of fight metal n such a manner
aso extend transversely outwards, and sheet stl member
15s connected tothe subframe S by a bolt ora natin such 2
marae is to be situated below the receiving postion 9 ofthe
subframe ats predetermined interval. base portion 13bof
a suspension arm 13 is disposed between the receiving por
tion 9 ofthe subframe § and the sheet steel member 18, the
base portion 13bof the suspension am 13 i supportedon the
subframe S via rubber bushing joint 14 by aconnecting bolt
16 which vertically passes through the receiving portion 9 of
the subfiame Sand the shect tee! member 15, and the rce
ing portion 9of the subframe is connected a side member
fy the connecting boll 16
5 Claims, Drawing SheetsUS 7,654,543 B2
Page 2
USS. PATENT DOCUMENTS DE 19947759 €2 11/2001
rP Liss643 AL 32002
S802877 A * 1/1999 Horon tal vw 180312 EP DIST AX 102002
5879026 A * 311999 Dostetet a 290781 ED Diearrs A212 2002
5938200 A * 81990 Toreld Saba 4s Sp Perea Agu sised
GUSSKS6 A? 72000 Lane etal 180291 jp fouorroiate) aig]
6375221 B1* 42002. Kudow COUN 280788 Jp Dass AS E1992
(6670323 B2 1/2004 Yama cal re foarseezsfatl coe!
{562.080 B2 2008 Tati eta ” 200-0713 A 32000
20020033504 AL_—3/2002 Yamoto eal » 2002087319 A 3.2002
20020180220 Al 102002 Tatsumi eta » ao022.0%K8 A 72002
2oovoo463sL AL* 32008 Yosidact a 207s jp soo22e4091 A 102002
» 2oo2-370670 A 122002
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS. » 200247680 A 122002
w 2003-11860 842003,
DE 3217959 AL i983
DE MAIS6O AL 5/1986, * cited by examinerU.S. Patent Feb. 2, 2010 Sheet 1 of 4 US 7,654,543 B2
FIG. 1U.S. Patent Feb. 2, 2010 Sheet 2 of 4 US 7,654,543 B2
igi) 4U.S. Patent Feb. 2, 2010 Sheet 3 of 4 US 7,654,543 B2
FIG. 3
13b
(13)
14b
144140
14aU.S. Patent Feb. 2, 2010 Sheet 4 of 4 US 7,654,543 B2
FIG. 5
Je |US 7,654,543 B2
1
VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARM SUPPORTING
STRUCTURE
‘TECHNICAL FIFLD
“The present invention relates toa stspension arm suppose
Jing strdtare in passenger vehicles and commercial veces.
BACKGROUND ART
Asis disclosed in, fr example, Patent Document No.1,
Vehicle, there isa configuration in which gt and left side
members (ER FL in FIGS. 1 and of Patent Document No.1)
are disposed ina longitudinal direction at a font fowee part of
vehicle bod, and a subframe (PS in FIGS. | and 2 of Patent
Document No. 1 is connected tothe right and lft side mem-
bers in such ® manner as to extend therebetween, so that
suspension arms (11 in FIGS. and 2ofPatent Document No.
1 }forsupportng font wheels are supported on the subframe.
In Patent Document No. 1, t oe supporting portion of 3
plurality of supporting portions of the subframe which sup-
ort the suspension arm, an upper receiving portion (21,22,
22ain FIGS. 2 and § of Patent Document No.1) is provided
‘on the subframe in such a manner as to extend transversely
‘outarls and a lower rosiving portion (33 in FIGS, 2 and S
‘ofPatent Document No, 1) is provided on te subframe ata
predetermined downward interval from the upper receiving
Portion on the subframe in sch a manner ast extend trans-
versely outwards. By this configuration, a suspension arm is
made 1 be supported on the subframe via 2 rubber bushing
Joint (13 in FIGS, 2 and S of Pateat Document No. 1) by
‘connecting bolt (34 inFIGS. 2and Sof Patent Document No.
1) which passes vertically through the upper and lower reveiv-
ing portions of the sublrame.
Patent Document No, 1: JP-A-2002-370670
In recent yeas, to reduce the weight ofthe subframe, its
‘considered that a sub
subframe is formed of
‘configuration as is described in Patent Document No.1 is
adopted in which an upper receiving portion (21, 22, 22a in
FIGS. 2 aad Sf Patent Document No, 1) i provided on the
subframe in such a manner ato extend transversely ott-
wards, and a lower receiving portion (33 in FIGS. 2 and 5 of
Pateat Document No. 1) is provided on the subirame at 2
predetermined downward interval from the upper receiving
Portion on the subframe in such a manner as to extend trans-
versely outwards, the space defined between the upper and
lower receiving portions of the subfame needs to match &
vertical length of a rubber bushing joint (a base portion of &
suspension arm) with good accuracy.
‘To describe this in other words, after the subframe is
formed of, for example, « light metal, in the event that the
space defined between the upper and lower receiving portions
‘of the sublame is anger than te vertical length ofthe rubber
bushing joint (the base portion ofthe suspension arm),a force
js produced which atemps to bend the lower receiving por-
tionof the subframe upwards by tightening a connecting bol,
Feading toa risk hat erack is produced inthe vicinity ofthe
lower receiving portion ofthe subframe. Consequenly, ater
the subframe is formed ofthe light metal, ma eds 0
be applied to the upper and lower receiving portions of the
subframe so that the space defined between the upper and
lower receiving portions of the sublrame matches the vertical
length of the rubber bushing joint (the base portion of the
suspension arm) with good accuracy.
TFnhermore in scase where a subframe foemed through
die-casting, when atempling fo have a configuration as is,
0
o
2
described in Patent Document No, Lin which an upper rece
Jing portion is provided on the subframe in sucha manner as to
extend transversely ouwaeds, and a lower receiving portion s
providedon thesuibframeat predetermined downward inter
val from the upper receiving portion on the subffame in sue
‘manner as to extend transversely ontwards, the upper and
lower receiving portions cannot be integrally formed on the
subframe throigh di-casing uales slide mold is used
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention i to provide a vehicle suspen-
on agin supporting stricture in which saspension ams are
nade to be Supporied on a subframe without any difficulty
and with good accuracy while realizing a reduction in weight
by forming the subframe ofa light metal.
(Configuration)
A frst feature of the invention resides in the following
configuration in a vehicle suspension arm supporting siruc-
Right and left side members which are disposed longitu-
nally ta lower part ofa vehicle body anda subframe which
is made ofa light metal and is connected to the right and left
sce members in such a manner as to extend therebetween are
provided, and suspension arms which support wheels are
‘made to be supported on the subframe. At one supporting
portion of a plurality of supporting portions ofthe subframe
‘whieh support the suspension arm, a receiving portion is
integrally formed on the subframe in such a manner as 10
extond transversoly outwards, and a shoot steel membor is
‘connected tothe subframe by a bolt or nut in such manner
fas be situated below the receiving portion ofthe subframe
ata predetermined interval. base portion of the suspension
fam is disposed between the receiving portion of the subframe
‘andthe sheet steel member, the base portion of the suspension
fam: is made to be suppor on the subframe via rubber
bushing join by a connecting bolt which passes vertically
‘rough the receiving portion of the sublrame andthe sheet
steel member, and the receiving portions ofthe subframe are
‘connected to the right and lel side members by the connect
ing bots,
(unetion)
0
According to the frst feature ofthe invention, inthe event
that the subrame is formed of the light metal, and the eceiv~
ing portion is formed integrally on the subframe in such &
‘manner as to extend transversely outwards, as a member
‘whieh corresponds to a lower receiving portion of the sub-
frame, the sheet steel member, which isa separate member
from the subframe, i used.
By this configuration, according to the first feature ofthe
invention, even though the space between the receiving por-
tion of the subframe and the sheet stl member does not
‘mateh a vertical length ofthe rubber bushing joint with good
accuracy (for example, even though the space between the
‘eeeiving portion ofthe subframe andthe sheet steel member
js slightly larger than the vertical length ofthe rubber bushing
{int (de base portion of the suspension arm), a difference
between the space betwen the receiving portion ofthe sub-
‘rame and the sheet steel member and the vertical length of
the ubber bushing joint (the base portion of the suspension
‘ann is absorbed by the sheet steel member by virtue of an
clastic deflection of the sheet steel member by the connecting
bolt (ora nut) being tightened,US 7,654,543 B2
3
As with the first feanureof the invention, when the differ:
‘ence between the space between the receiving portion ofthe
‘ubfiame and the sheet stee! member and the vertical length
‘ofthe rubber bushing joint (he base portion ofthe suspension,
arm) is absorbed bythe sheet steel member, the applieation of
‘machining o the receiving potion ofthe subframe is made
"unnecessary, and a foree isnot produced which attempts 10
bend the receiving portion of the subirame, whereby no skis
produced that a cracks produced inthe vicinity af the receiv=
{ng portion of the subframe
"According to the first feature ofthe invention, even though
an assembling eroris produced in the postion of the rubber
bushing joint (the base portion ofthe suspension ama) when
the sheet stel member is mounted, the assembling eerrinthe
Position ofthe rubber bushing joint (he base portion of the
fuspension am) can be absorbed by the shee seo! member
by finely adjusting the mounting position when thesheet steel
‘member is mouated on the subtrame,
According tothe frst feature ofthe invention, in the event
thatthe subframe is formed ofthe Hight metal andthe receiv=
ing portion is formed integrally on the subframe in such &
‘manner as to extend transversely outward, since the sheet
steel member, which isthe separate member from the sub-
frame, is sed and upper and lower receiving portions as are
provided in Patent Document No. 1 are not provided, whea
thesubtrame is formed trough die-casting the subframe and
the receiving portion ofthe subframecan be formed integrally
through die-casting without using the slide mold
ay
‘Asis described in Patent Document No. 1, with the upper
‘and lower receiving portions (21, 22, 22a, 33 in FIGS. 2and
5 of Patent Document No. 1) eaused to extend transversely
‘outwards from the subframe, when the suspension arm is
removed fom the subframe for maintenance or the like, ater
the connecting bot (34 in FIGS. 2 and 5 of Patent Document
No. 1) is drawn downwards, the suspension am is pulled
transversely outwards from the upper and lower receiving
portions of the subframe, whereby the suspension arm is
removed
In the real world, however, sinee a wheel well and other
embers are disposed ot the periphery of the suspension
‘am, it hocomes dificult deaw the suspension aa tans
versely outwards from te upper and lower receiving portions
‘ofthe subframe, Consequently after the subframe is removed
from the right and left side members, so thatthe subframe is
moved downvanis, the connecting bolt is drawn downwards
to be dislocated, so thatthe suspension arm is dislocated
transversely cutwards from the upper aod lower receiving
portions ofthe sublrame so as to be removed
In contrast to this, according to the first feature of the
invention, when the sispension ann is removed from the
subframe for maintenance or the like after the connecting rod
js dislocated downwards or the nut is removed from the cone
necting bolt, the sheet steel member is removed from the
subframe, witen an area lying below the base portion of the
‘Suspension arm which is sitated atthe receiving portion of
the subirame is released to be open, whereby the hase portion
‘of the suspension arm is drawn downwards s0 that the sus>
Pension arm ean be removed, therchy making it possible to
‘dislocated the suspension arm from the subframe downséards
so as to be removed without being interrupted by the wheel
well and the other members.
“Thus, in ease the suspension am ean be disloceted dosen-
wards from the subirime for removal therefrom without
being interrupted by the wheel well and the er members ia
this way, when the suspension arm is removed from the sub-
0
o
4
‘ame, the necessity of removing the subframe from the right
‘and left side members is obviated
om
TIncontras wo thecase where the suspension arms emoved
‘rom the subrame for maintenance oF the like ass deseribed
inthe previous section [IT], when vehicles are produed, in
‘many cases, a subframe and suspension arms are generally
‘mounted on right and lell side members as a unit in suc @
Sate that the suspension arms and other members are
‘mounted on the subframe, a production process ike this, in
the fist feature of the inventioa, the suspension arms and the
sheet stel member only have to be mounted oa the subframe
inadvance
In contrast to the praduetion process that has been
eseribed above, there is a production process in which a
subfiame is firstly mounted on right and left side members
without mounting sespension arms on the subframe ia
‘advance, and thereafter, the suspension arms are mounted on
fist
‘eatue ofthe invention, fsly the subframe is mounted on
the right and lft side members. In this ease, since the areas
lying below the vicinites of the rveiving portions of the
subframe are left open, the suspension arms are moved
‘upwards 9 that the base portions of the suspension arms ean
be positioned atthe receiving portions ofthe subframe, and
thereafter, the sheet stee! members are mounted oa the sub-
tame, the connocting bolts are pasted vertically through
‘between the receiving portions ofthe subframe and the shoot
steel members, so tha he base portions othe suspension arm
are supported onthe subframe via the rubber bushing joint,
land the receiving portions ofthe subframe are connected t0
the right and eft side members,
‘As has been described above, acconfing to the fist feature
ofthe invention, it becomes possible to deal with the two
pradiction processes such as the production process in which
the subframe and the suspension arms are mounted on the
ight and lef side members a the single unit and the prodve-
‘ion peocess in which the subframe is firstly mounted on the
iuht and left side members, and thereafter, the suspension
‘ams are mounted on the subframe.
™
‘According to the fist feature of the invention, the base
portions (the rubber bushing joints) ofthe suspension ams
‘are situated on the lower sides othe oveiving portions ofthe
subfiame, and the sheet steel members are situated on the
Tower sides of the base portions (the ubber bushing joints) of
the suspension arms,
By this configuration, since theres @ high possibility tat
the sheet steel members are brought into contact with an
jobstoee (for example, curb ofa pavement) on the ground or
‘stone caused to spring from the ground, so thatthe pos
bility is reduced thatthe base portions (the rubber bushing
joints) ofthe suspension arms are brought ino contact with
the obstacle on the ground or the lke, the damage of the
ceciving portions (he light metal portions) of the subframe
and the base portions (the rubber bushing joints) of the sus-
pension armscan be reduced. Inthis eae, since the sheet stool
‘members ean easily be removed from the subfeame as has
been deseribei the section [I] above, eventhough the sheetUS 7,654,543 B2
5
steel members sre brought into contact withthe obstacle ot
the ground or the lke to be damaged, the sheet steel members
‘only have to be replaced
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
According tthe frst feature ofthe invention, inthe vehicle
suspension arm supporting structure, the mounting accuracy
‘ofthe suspension arm has been able to be increased by the wo
points thatthe difference hetwoen the space between the
Feceving portion ofthe subfame and the set stel member
‘and the vertical length of the rubber bushing joint (the base
Portion ofthe suspension arm) is absorbed by the sheet see]
renner by vite of the elastic deflection ofthe sheet steel
rember by the connecting bolt (or the mit) being tightened
‘and tht the assembling eror inthe position of the rubber
bushing joint (the base portion of the stspension am) ean be
absorbed by the sheet steel member by finely adjusting the
‘mounting position when the shectstel member is mounted
‘on the subirame.
"According tothe frst feature of the invention, dhe durabil=
‘ay and maintainability ofthe receiving portions ofthe sub-
Jame and the base portions (the rubber bushing joits) ofthe
suspensionamshaveboen able tobe increase by a point that
rho machining needs to be applied to the receiving portions of
the subfeame and point that no force which attemps to bond
the receiving portions ofthe subframe is produced and ence,
no crack is produced in any case in the Vicinties of the
receiving portions ofthe sublraie.
In addition, when the subframe is formed through, for
‘example, die-casting, the subframe and the receiving portions
‘of the subframe ean be formed integrally trough die-casting
Without using the slide mold, thereby making it possible to
realize the reduction in production costs of the subframe,
According tothe first feature ofthe invention, the work
ability has been able to be increased by a point that the
suspension aems can be removed from the subframe without
removing the subframe from the right and let side members
‘and a point that even though the sheet steel members are
brought into contact with the obstacle on the ground or the
Tike to be damaged, the sheet steel members ean easily be
replaced.
"According tothe first feature ofthe ivention, with expect
to the subframe and the suspension arms, the two production
processes have been able to be dealt with, so thatthe ace
‘modltion corresponding to the production processes as been
able to be increased
(Configuration)
‘A second feature ofthe inveation resides in the following
‘configuration inthe vehicle suspension ann supporting stre>
ture ofthe fist feature of he vention,
The sheet stool member is set at a portion closest to the
round of the plurality of supporting portions of the subframe
hich suppor dhe suspension ann.
(Funetion)
According tothe scond feature of the invention, the sheet
steel members set atthe portion elosest tothe ground ofthe
plunlity of supporting portions of the subframe which sup-
port the suspension arm, Furthermore, as is deseribed in the
previous section [IV], the base portion (dhe rubber bushing
Join? ofthe suspension arms are situated on the lower sides of
the receiving portions of the subframe, and the sheet steel
meters are situated on the lower sides of the base portion
(the rubber bushing joints) of the suspension arms.
‘By this configuration, the damage ofthe receiving portions
(the Hight metal portions) of the subframe and the base por
0
o
‘ions (the rubber bushing joints} ofthe suspension a
bereaved more efletively.Inaddition, ass deseribed inthe
previous section [I], since the sheet steel members can easily
be removed from the subframe, eventhough the sheet sts]
members age brought into contact with the obstacle on the
arvund or the like to thereby he damaged as has boca
‘described above, the shect steel members only have to be
plc
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION
According tothe second feature of the invention, similar
“advantages ofthe invention” to those ofthe first feature of
the invention are provided, and in particular, the damage of
the receiving portions (ie light metal portions) ofthe sub-
‘rame andthe base portions (the rubber bushing joins) ofthe
suspension arms ean be reduced more effectively
(Configuration)
‘A third feature of the invention resides in the following
configuration in the vehicle suspension arm supporting stme-
ture othe fist feature othe invention,
"The sheet stel member is caused to extend from the sub-
frame, ane an extending portion of he shoot sco! member is
connected 1 a stationary portion ofa vehicle.
(unetion)
According tothe third festure of the invention, a similar
“funetion” wo that of the fst Feature of te invention i pro-
vided, and in addition to ths, the following “Function” willbe
provided,
According tothe third feature of the invention, since the
subframe is connected tothe stationary portion ofthe vehicle
also by the sheet see] members ofthesubfiame, the subframe
isallowed tobe supported strongly and rigidly
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION
According 10 the thied feature ofthe invention, similar
“advantages ofthe inveation” to those oF the first feature of
the invention are provided, and in addition to ths, the follow
ing “advantage of the invention” will be provided
‘According to the third feature of the invention, the sub>
frames allowed! to be supported strongly and rigidly, thereby
making it possible to inevease the supporting strength ofthe
subliame.
(Configuration)
‘A fourth feature ofthe invention resides in the following
‘onfiguration in the vehiele suspension arm supporting siuc-
ture othe tied feature of the snvention,
The right and let side members and the subframe are
isposed ata front lower part ofthe vehicle body, and the one
supporting portion of the plurality of supporting portions of
the subframe which support the suspension am is situated at
‘rear portion ofthe subframe, The shee ses! members are
‘caused to extend rearwards from the subframe, and extending
Portions ofthe sheet steel members are connected to the right
fad left side members.
(unetion)
According to the fourth feature ofthe invention, similar
“functions to those of the first to third features of the iaven-
tion are provided, and in addition to them, the following
“funetion” willbe provided
In general, in the vehicle, at the time ofa frontal collision,
the right and left side members are configured so as to be
broken to thereby absorb the impact ener.