Suspension Arm Cylindrical Burring for Weld-Free Bushing Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manufacturing methods for vehicle suspension arm members face challenges in ensuring dimensional accuracy and welding quality due to the need for welding a steel pipe member perpendicularly to a press-molded steel plate, which complicates the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

The suspension arm member is manufactured by forming a cylindrical part from a single steel plate through induction heating and burring, eliminating the need for welding a steel pipe member, and incorporating a bushing press-fitting direction perpendicular to the main body part.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a steel pipe member is welded to a press-molded steel plate to form a cylindrical part, then the bushing can be press-fitted in the cylindrical part, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and dimensional accuracy is difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebushing press-fitting functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the steel plate body and the cylindrical part into a single integrated component made from one steel plate. The cylindrical part is formed by burring (local deformation) of the steel plate perimeter rather than welding a separate steel pipe member. This integration eliminates the need for welding processes, reduces manufacturing complexity, and ensures better dimensional accuracy while maintaining the functionality of press-fitting a bushing in the cylindrical part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a steel pipe member is welded to a press-molded steel plate, then the cylindrical part can be formed, but welding quality is difficult to ensure due to perpendicular welding requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecylindrical part formationVSAvoidwelding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the welding process with a mechanical deformation process called burring. Instead of welding a steel pipe member perpendicular to the steel plate, the cylindrical part is formed by locally deforming the steel plate perimeter through burring. This substitution eliminates welding quality issues entirely, as the cylindrical shape is created through controlled plastic deformation rather than joining separate components, thereby ensuring manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a steel pipe member is welded to a press-molded steel plate, then the cylindrical part can be formed for bushing press-fitting, but the shape of the lower arm becomes difficult to mold

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebushing press-fitting capabilityVSAvoidmoldability of lower arm shape
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cylindrical part formation with the steel plate molding process itself. The cylindrical part is created through burring of the steel plate perimeter during or after the pressing process, rather than adding a separate steel pipe member that would complicate the mold design. This integration allows the lower arm to be molded as a single piece with the cylindrical part already formed, significantly improving ease of manufacture and moldability while maintaining the bushing press-fitting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 method allows for easier and more precise manufacturing of suspension arm members with improved dimensional accuracy and welding quality, reducing manufacturing complexity and enhancing production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

performing local induction heating on a periphery part of the through-hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

performing burring on the periphery part of the through-hole to form a cylindrical part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4653106A1Suspension arm member and method of manufacturing the same
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4653106A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4653106A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4653106A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a suspension arm member and a method of manufacturing the same, the method including forming, by molding, a cylindrical part into which a bushing is to be press-fitted without having to perform welding of a steel pipe member whereby difficulty in manufacturing the suspension arm member can be greatly reduced. In a suspension arm member according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a main body part (1) and a cylindrical part (2) for press-fitting a bushing therein are made of one steel plate, and the cylindrical part (2) is formed by burring a periphery part of a through-hole (12) provided in a side wall part (11), the side wall part (11) being erected in the pressed direction of the main body part (1).