Stabilizer Transition Section Hardening to Prevent Joint Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stabilizers suffer from damage to connecting portions between connecting plates and transition sections due to hardness differences, leading to potential damage during vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A stabilizer design with transition sections having a minimum Vickers hardness of 200 HV or more, and connecting plates with a minimum hardness of 150 HV, along with a manufacturing method involving heating and forging processes that include quenching and controlled cooling to enhance hardness and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the transition sections are made softer than other portions in the rod body, then the transition sections can absorb stress, but the connecting portions between connecting plates and transition sections may be damaged due to hardness differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heat treatment parameters (heating to Ac3 transformation point or higher, holding time, cooling rate) to change the microstructure and hardness of the transition section. By controlling these parameters, the transition section achieves a hardness of 200 HV or more, matching the connecting plates and eliminating the hardness difference that caused damage. This resolves the contradiction by transforming the transition section from a softer, more compliant region to a hardened region with equivalent strength properties.
2Reliability
If the transition sections are hardened to match connecting plates, then damage to connecting portions is minimized, but manufacturing complexity increases due to additional heat treatment processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat treatment process into the existing manufacturing workflow by applying it after the forging process. The transition section is heated to the Ac3 transformation point or higher and then cooled at a controlled rate (10°C/s or faster) to achieve the desired hardness. This integrated approach minimizes additional manufacturing complexity while ensuring the transition section reaches the required hardness level to prevent connecting portion damage.
Solution Approach 2:
By specifying precise heat treatment parameters (temperature above Ac3, holding time, cooling rate of 10°C/s or faster), the patent transforms the transition section's microstructure to achieve uniform hardness with connecting plates. This parameter control ensures reliability without requiring overly complex manufacturing procedures, as the process builds upon standard heat treatment techniques.
3Reliability
If the transition sections are made with uniform hardness throughout, then connecting portions are protected from damage, but the ability to minimize stress concentration may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the hardness parameter of the transition section to 200 HV or more through controlled heat treatment, creating uniform hardness with the connecting plates. This uniform hardness distribution prevents damage at the connecting portions by eliminating hardness mismatches, while the gradual size transition (thickness decreasing from main bar toward connecting plate) continues to provide geometric stress relief.
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
Minimizes damage to connecting portions between plates and transition sections by ensuring uniform hardness, reducing stress concentrations and maintaining production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heating process of heating sections in a rod body intended to be formed into connecting plates and transition sections to a temperature of an A1 transformation point or more
Implementation Method 2
a forging process of molding connecting plates by performing forging on the sections intended to be formed into the connecting plates, and of deforming and forming the sections intended to be formed into the transition sections into the transition sections
Data Source
AI summary
A stabilizer comprises a main bar that is elastically deformable, a pair of connecting plates respectively configured to be connected to a pair of left and right suspension apparatuses, and transition sections connecting both end portions of the main bar and the pair of connecting plates, a size of one transition section of the transition sections in a plate thickness direction of one connecting plate of the connecting plates gradually decreasing from the main bar toward the connecting plate, wherein the minimum value of the Vickers hardness of the transition section is 200 HV or more.