Automatic adjustment device for front suspension of driverless formula racing car

The present invention discloses an automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, comprising: a vertical column, an upper fork arm, a lower fork arm, a strength adjuster, a push rod, a rocking block and a shock absorber. By arranging the strength adjuster between the upper fork arm and the lower fork arm, and by adjusting the degree of tightness between the upper fork arm and the lower fork arm, the present invention can automatically adjust the tensile and support strength of the strength adjuster according to different car conditions and road conditions in which the racing car runs, to guarantee the structure stability of the front suspension in the running process, and prevent the front suspension from being loosening or fracturing, thereby having good adaptability and stability to structural deformation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of formula racing cars, more particularly to an automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a diverless formula racing car.

BACKGROUND

A formula racing car means that the car must be manufactured according to the formulae specified by the Vehicle Technical Regulations formulated and issued by the International Automobile Federation, inducing body structure, length and width, minimum weight, engine working capacity, number of cylinders, fuel tank capacity, electronic device, distance and size of wheels, etc. Racing cars manufactured with common formulae, i.e. rule restrictions, are formula racing cars, and the races performed using formula racing cars are formula car races. With the rapid development of new energy technology and continuous breakthrough of driverless technology, pure electric driverless racing cars have become more and more popular among automobile technology enthusiasts. Meanwhile, with the introduction of new energy and driverless technology, the technical content of the formula racing cars is improved once again, and the technology is more interesting.

However, although the driverless car can sense obstacles and road conditions, it cannot take account of speed, road condition, safety of racing car structure and other factor during running like a professional racing driver. As a result, in driverless running, because the speed is too fast and no driver accurately judges the car condition, the front suspension is loosened or fractured during bumping or passing through the shoulder multiple times when turning.

Therefore, the problem to be urgently solved by those skilled in the art is how to provide a fastening device that can automatically adjust to prevent the front suspension of a driverless racing car from loosening or fracturing.

SUMMARY

In view of this, the present invention provides an automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, which may, by arranging the strength adjuster between the upper fork arm and the lower fork arm, increase the hinging stability of transverse arms, increase the structural strength of the front suspension during running, and prevent the transverse arms from loosening or fracturing caused by excessive bumping due to driverless manipulation.

To achieve the above purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

An automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, comprising: a vertical column, an upper fork arm, a lower fork arm, a strength adjuster, a push rod, a rocking block and a shock absorber,

wherein the upper fork arm is of a V-shaped structure composed of two upper transverse arms, the tip end of the upper fork arm is hinged with the top end of the vertical column, and the opening end of the upper fork arm is hinged with the frame; the lower fork arm is of a V-shaped structure composed of two lower transverse arms, the tip end of the lower fork arm is hinged with the bottom end of the vertical column, and the opening end of the lower fork arm is hinged with the frame;

the strength adjuster includes a motor, a drive shaft, a master bevel gear, a shell, slave assemblies, telescopic rods and fixed clamps, wherein the motor is fixedly arranged between the tip ends of the upper fork arm and the lower fork arm, the motor is connected with the drive shaft and the master bevel gear in sequence, the drive shaft and the master bevel gear are arranged in the shell, and the drive shaft and the shell are fixedly connected with a first bearing internally; four slave assemblies are arranged around the shell, each of the slave assemblies inducing an internal threaded tube and a stepped shaft connected with the internal threaded tube, wherein a second bearing, a slave bevel gear and a third bearing are sleeved on the stepped shaft in sequence; the master bevel gear is connected with the slave bevel gear by insections, and the stepped shaft is arranged in the shell; a threaded portion is formed at one end of the telescopic rod, the threaded portion is in threaded connection with the internal threaded tube, the other end of the telescopic rod is hinged with the fixed clamp, and each of the upper transverse arms and the lower transverse arms is provided with one of the fixed clamps; and

the push rod is arranged at the opposite side of the shell connected with the motor, one end of the push rod is hinged with the shell, and the other end thereof is hinged with the rocking block and the shock absorber in sequence.

By means of the above-mentioned technical solution, by arranging the strength adjuster with an elastic support effect between the upper fork arm and the lower fork arm, and by driving the bevel gear set by the motor to automatically adjust the degree of tightness between upper transverse arms and lower transverse arms, the present invention can automatically adjust the tensile and support strength of the strength adjuster according to different car conditions and road conditions in which the racing car runs, to guarantee the structure stability of the front suspension in the running process, and prevent the front suspension from loosening or fracturing, thereby having good adaptability and stability to structural deformation, and high safety.

Preferably, in the automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, the shell is in the shape of a right hexagonal prism, of the six side surfaces of the shell, two opposite side surfaces respectively face the upper fork arm and the lower fork arm, and each of the other four side surfaces is provided with one of the internal threaded tubes respectively. It can be guaranteed that after being connected with the telescopic rod, the distribution angle of the internal threaded tube is more uniform, and the fixing effect is better.

Preferably, in the automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, the shell includes a first half shell, a second half shell and an intermediate shell,

wherein the first half shell is provided with a first accommodating groove for accommodating half of the stepped shaft, the second bearing, the slave bevel gear and the third bearing which are divided in the axial direction;

the intermediate shell is provided with a second accommodating groove for accommodating half of the third bearing divided in the axial direction, and the intermediate shell is tightly connected with the first half shell by a first screw; and

the second half shell is provided with a third accommodating groove for accommodating half of the stepped shaft, the second bearing, the slave bevel gear and the third bearing which are divided in the axial direction, and a cavity for accommodating the intermediate shell, the master bevel gear, the first bearing and the drive shaft; and the first half shell is tightly connected with the second half shell by a second screw.

The strength adjuster may be assembled more conveniently by means of the above structure, and the convenience for the user may be increased during installation by splitting the shell, thereby being easy to disassemble and adjust.

Preferably, in the automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, the first half shell is provided with several first threaded holes, the intermediate shell is provided with several first through holes corresponding to the first threaded holes, and the first screw is in threaded connection with the first threaded holes through the first through holes. Fastened by screws, it easy to disassemble and assemble more conveniently.

Preferably, in the automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, the first half shell is provided with several second through holes, the second half shell is provided with several second threaded holes corresponding to the second through holes, and the second screw is in threaded connection with the second threaded holes through the second through holes. Fastened by screws, it easy to disassemble and assemble more conveniently.

Preferably, in the automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, the telescopic rod further includes a telescopic portion fixedly connected with the threaded portion, and a spring sleeved outside the telescopic portion; the telescopic portion includes a fixed rod, and a movable rod sleeved in the fixed rod, wherein convex rings are arranged at both ends of the movable rod after being connected with the fixed rod, and both ends of the spring are fixedly connected with the convex rings. By matching the spring with the telescopic portion, the support effect can be guaranteed through the rigid connection of the telescopic portion, and the acting force generated by the transverse arms in the deformation process can be buffered and released by the elastic connection of the spring, thereby having better matching effect.

Preferably, in the automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, the fixed clamp includes a hinged clamp, a movable clamp and a fastening bolt, wherein the hinged clamp and the movable clamp are of semi-circular structures of the same size, and formed with several corresponding lugs, each of the lugs is provided with a fastening hole, the hinged clamp is hinged with the convex ring, and the hinged clamp is tightly connected with the movable clamp by the fastening bolt through the fastening hole. By connecting by the lugs and the fastening bolts, the fixed clamp can be adapted to transverse arms of different sizes, and then is stronger in generality.

Preferably, in the automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, a fixed plate is arranged between the tip ends of the upper fork arm and the lower fork arm, and the motor is fixedly arranged on the fixed plate, thereby guaranteeing more stable connection of the motor, and making the motor and the shell rotate synchronously without affecting the power transmission.

Preferably, in the automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, a sensing control device is also arranged on the fixed plate, wherein the sensing control device includes a control unit, a displacement sensor and an infrared probe which are electrically connected with the motor in sequence, the infrared probe vertically directing to the ground. The infrared probe and the displacement sensor may monitor and analyze the liftoff distance of the racing car and input data to the control unit, and the control unit drives the motor according to the liftoff distance to adjust the degree of tightness of the telescopic rod. For example, when the racing car bumps and the wheels are off the ground, the control unit dives the motor to rotate, the telescopic rod is lengthened through the rotation of the internal threaded tube, so that the acting force between the upper transverse arm and the lower transverse arm is increased, and thus the stability of the front suspension is made stronger when the racing car is landed on the ground, and the acting force is released accordingly when the racing car returns to normal state, thereby having higher intelligent adjustment performance.

Preferably, in the automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, the fixed clamp is located in the intermediate position of the upper transverse arm or the lower transverse arm. The strength distribution is more uniform and the effect is stronger.

It can be known form the above-mentioned technical solution that compared with the prior art, the automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car provided in the present invention has the following advantageous effects:

1. By arranging the strength adjuster with an elastic support effect between the upper fork arm and the lower fork arm, and by diving the bevel gear set by the motor to automatically adjust the degree of tightness between upper transverse arms and lower transverse arms, the present invention can automatically adjust the tensile and support strength of the strength adjuster according to different car conditions and road conditions in which the racing car runs, to guarantee the structure stability of the front suspension in the running process, and prevent the front suspension from loosening or fracturing, thereby having good adaptability and stability to structural deformation.
2. The sensing control device, the infrared probe and the displacement sensor may monitor and analyze the liftoff distance of the racing car and input data to the control unit, and the control unit drives the motor according to the liftoff distance to automatically adjust the degree of tightness of the telescopic rod, thereby having higher intelligent adjustment performance.
3. The fixed clamp is fixed by a fastening bolt, can be adapted to front suspensions of different sizes, and is convenient in installation and strong in generality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be dearly and fully described below in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those ordinary skilled in the art without contributing creative labor will belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 7, embodiments of the present invention disclose an automatic adjustment device for a front suspension of a driverless formula racing car, comprising: a vertical column1, an upper fork arm2, a lower fork arm3, a strength adjuster4, a push rod5, a rocking block6and a shock absorber7,

wherein the upper fork arm2is of a V-shaped structure composed of two upper transverse arms21, the tip end of the upper fork arm2is hinged with the top end of the vertical column1, and the opening end of the upper fork arm2is hinged with the frame; and the lower fork arm3is of a V-shaped structure composed of two lower transverse arms31, the tip end of the lower fork arm3is hinged with the bottom end of the vertical column1, and the opening end of the lower fork arm3is hinged with the frame;

the strength adjuster4includes a motor41, a drive shaft42, a master bevel gear43, a shell44, slave assemblies45, telescopic rods46and fixed clamps47, wherein the motor41is fixedly arranged between the tip ends of the upper fork arm2and the lower fork arm3, the motor41is connected with the drive shaft42and the master bevel gear43in sequence, the drive shaft42and the master bevel gear43are arranged in the shell44, and the drive shaft42and the shell44are fixedly connected with a first bearing internally; four slave assemblies45are arranged around the shell44, each of the slave assemblies45including an internal threaded tube451and a stepped shaft452connected with the internal threaded tube451, wherein a second bearing453, a slave bevel gear454and a third bearing455are sleeved on the stepped shaft452in sequence; the master bevel gear43is connected with the slave bevel gear454by insections, and the stepped shaft452is arranged in the shell44; a threaded portion461is formed at one end of the telescopic rod46, the threaded portion461is in threaded connection with the internal threaded tube451, the other end of the telescopic rod46is hinged with the fixed clamp47, and each of the upper transverse arms21and the lower transverse arms31is provided with one of the fixed clamps47; and

the push rod5is arranged at the opposite side of the shell44connected with the motor41, one end of the push rod5is hinged with the shell44, and the other end thereof is hinged with the rocking block6and the shock absorber7in sequence.

To further optimize the above-mentioned technical solution, the shell44is in the shape of a right hexagonal prism, of the six side surfaces of the shell44, two opposite side surfaces respectively face the upper fork arm2and the lower fork arm3, and each of the other four side surfaces is provided with one of the internal threaded tubes451respectively.

To further optimize the above-mentioned technical solution, the shell44includes a first half shell441, a second half shell442and an intermediate shell443,

wherein the first half shell441is provided with a first accommodating groove444for accommodating half of the stepped shaft452, the second bearing453, the slave bevel gear454and the third bearing455which are divided in the axial direction;

the intermediate shell443is provided with a second accommodating groove445for accommodating half of the third bearing455divided in the axial direction, and the intermediate shell443is tightly connected with the first half shell441by a first screw; and

the second half shell442is provided with a third accommodating groove446for accommodating half of the stepped shaft452, the second bearing453, the slave bevel gear454and the third bearing455which are divided in the axial direction, and a cavity447for accommodating the intermediate shell443, the master bevel gear43, the first bearing and the drive shaft42; and the first half shell441is tightly connected with the second half shell442by a second screw.

To further optimize the above-mentioned technical solution, the first half shell441is provided with several first threaded holes4411, the intermediate shell443is provided with several first through holes4431corresponding to the first threaded holes4411, and the first screw is in threaded connection with the first threaded holes4411through the first through holes4431.

To further optimize the above-mentioned technical solution, the first half shell441is provided with several second through holes4412, the second half shell442is provided with several second threaded holes4421corresponding to the second through holes4412, and the second screw is in threaded connection with the second threaded holes4421through the second through holes4412.

To further optimize the above-mentioned technical solution, the telescopic rod46further includes a telescopic portion462fixedly connected with the threaded portion461, and a spring463sleeved outside the telescopic portion462; the telescopic portion462includes a fixed rod4621, and a movable rod4622sleeved in the fixed rod4621, wherein convex rings464are arranged at both ends of the movable rod4622after being connected with the fixed rod4621, and both ends of the spring463are fixedly connected with the convex rings464.

To further optimize the above-mentioned technical solution, the fixed clamp47includes a hinged clamp471, a movable clamp472and a fastening bolt473, wherein the hinged clamp471and the movable clamp472are of semi-circular structures of the same size, and formed with several corresponding lugs474, each of the lugs474is provided with a fastening hole, the hinged clamp471is hinged with the convex ring464, and the hinged clamp471is tightly connected with the movable clamp472by the fastening bolt473through the fastening hole.

To further optimize the above-mentioned technical solution, a fixed plate8is arranged between the tip ends of the upper fork arm2and the lower fork arm3, and the motor41is fixedly arranged on the fixed plate8.

To further optimize the above-mentioned technical solution, a sensing control device9is also arranged on the fixed plate8, wherein the sensing control device9includes a control unit91, a displacement sensor92and an infrared probe93which are electrically connected with the motor41in sequence, the infrared probe93vertically directing to the ground.

To further optimize the above-mentioned technical solution, the fixed clamp47is located in the intermediate position of the upper transverse arm21or the lower transverse arm31.

Installation and Usage Method of the Present Invention:

The second bearing453is sleeved on the internal threaded tube451, the slave bevel gear454is sleeved on the stepped shaft452, the third bearing455is sleeved on the stepped shat453, the second bearing453and the third bearing455are in interference it, and the slave bevel gear454is fixedly connected with the stepped shaft452through the fit between a key and a key slot.

The threaded portion461is in threaded connection with the internal threaded tube451, the connected internal threaded tube451is placed in the first half shell441, half of the stepped shaft452, the second bearing453, the slave bevel gear454and the third bearing455which are divided in the axial direction is accommodated in the first accommodating groove444, the intermediate shell443is fixedly connected with the first half shell441by the first screw, and the third bearing455is accommodated in the second accommodating groove445.

The drive shaft42, the master bevel gear43and the first bearing are arranged in the cavity447, the first bearing is in interference fit, and the master bevel gear43is fixedly connected with the drive shaft42through the fit between a key and a key slot.

The first half shell411and the second half shell442are fixedly connected by the second screw, half of the stepped shaft452and the second bearing453which are divided in the axial direction is accommodated in the third accommodating groove446, half of the slave bevel gear454and the intermediate shell443which are divided in the axial direction is accommodated in the cavity447, and the master bevel gear43is fitted with the four slave bevel gears454by insections.

The hinged clamps471and the movable clamps472are clamped on the upper transverse arms21and the lower transverse arms31by the fastening bolts473.

The strength adjuster4is assembled through the above-mentioned operation.

While in use, the infrared probe93and the displacement sensor92monitor the distance in the vertical direction, that is to say, monitor the distance between the wheels and the ground, and then the control unit91drives the motor41to perform adjustment and control according to different distances.

The motor41drives the drive shaft42to rotate and then drives the master bevel gear43to rotate, the master bevel gear43drives the four slave bevel gears454to rotate together, the slave bevel gear454drives the internal threaded tube451to rotate, the internal threaded tube451rotates with respect to the telescopic rod46to adjust the length of the telescopic rod46and then adjust the elastic force of the spring463, so as to tighten or loosen the upper transverse arms21or the lower transverse arms31through different rotation directions of the drive shaft42.

In the running process, when racing car is off the ground due to bumps or the liftoff distance is too large, to prevent excessive vibration during the falling process, the telescopic rod46is tightened, so that the spring463is in the tensile state. Thus, the front suspension can be effectively fastened, and the stability of the front suspension can be increased. Alternatively, when the racing car turns too frequently or drifts strongly, the sensing control device9may detect displacement changes as well, and then the above-mentioned operation may be performed. When the racing car runs stably, the telescopic rod46is loosened, so that the spring463is in a compression state. The sensing control device4monitors the car conditions and road conditions to perform intelligent adjustment and manipulation.

Each embodiment in the description is described in a progressive way. The difference of each embodiment from each other is the focus of explanation. The same and similar parts among all of the embodiments can be referred to each other. For a device disclosed by the embodiments, because the device corresponds to a method disclosed by the embodiments, the device is simply described. Refer to the description of the method part for the related part.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to realize or use the present invention. Many modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principle defined herein can be realized in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention will not be limited to these embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principle and novel features disclosed herein. Therefore, the present invention will not be limited to these embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principle and novel features disclosed herein.