Hollow Stabilizer Localized Electrical Heating Quenching
Solution Overview
Problem
Hollow stabilizers with varying thicknesses face challenges in achieving optimal stress distribution and weight reduction due to differences in thickness at bending points, leading to extra material for marginally stressed areas.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrical heating for quenching to enhance the hardness and fatigue limit of the outer side of bent portions, making it equal to the inner side, thereby optimizing stress distribution and reducing weight by eliminating unnecessary material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the thickness of the stabilizer is reduced to achieve weight reduction, then the weight decreases, but the fatigue limit and allowable stress reduce, requiring extra material for marginally stressed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different heat treatment conditions to different regions of the stabilizer. Specifically, the bend inner side (thinner section) receives intensified heating compared to the bend outer side (thicker section), creating localized property differences that match the local stress requirements without adding overall weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameters during heat treatment based on location. By controlling the heating intensity and duration differently for the bend inner side versus the bend outer side, the patent optimizes the hardness and strength distribution to match the stress distribution, allowing weight reduction while maintaining sufficient strength
2Ease of manufacture
If furnace heating is used for quenching, then the entire stabilizer is heated uniformly, but the inner side and outer side of bending points are heated to the same temperature, leaving the strength difference due to thickness unchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from uniform furnace heating to localized heating methods that apply different thermal conditions to different regions. The bend inner side receives different heating intensity compared to the bend outer side, creating localized property optimization that matches the local structural requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/conventional furnace heating system with an electrical heating system that allows precise control and differentiation of heating parameters across different locations, enabling localized property modification
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in a lightweight hollow stabilizer with balanced durability and stress distribution across all areas, eliminating the need for extra material and achieving the lightest possible weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
heating by electrical heating
Implementation Method 2
quenching by cooling down after heating by electrical heating
Data Source
AI summary
A hollow stabilizer (1) according to the invention is formed in a hollow shape and includes a bent portion (1c1, 1c2, m1-m5). With a thickness of an inner side of the bent portion (1c1, 1c2, m1-m5) being larger than a thickness of an outer side of the bent portion (1c1, 1c2, m1-m5), a hardness of the outer side of the bent portion (1c1, 1c2, m1-m5) is higher than a hardness of the inner side of the bent portion (1c1, 1c2, m1-m5) through quenching by cooling down after heating by electrical heating.