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 SheetsUS 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 examinerU.S. Patent Feb. 2, 2010 Sheet 1 of 4 US 7,654,543 B2 FIG. 1U.S. Patent Feb. 2, 2010 Sheet 2 of 4 US 7,654,543 B2 igi) 4U.S. Patent Feb. 2, 2010 Sheet 3 of 4 US 7,654,543 B2 FIG. 3 13b (13) 14b 144140 14aU.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 sheetUS 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.