Process of hydroforming tubular suspension and frame components for vehicles
AssigneeMascotech Tubular Products, Inc.
InventorClark Alatalo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process of hydroforming tubular suspension and frame components of a vehicle which results in substantial weight reductions while maintaining strength and integrity of the assembly. The process forms a hydroformed tubular trailing arm having a curved configuration to comply with the design requirements of the suspension. The trailing arm has a spring seat base hydroformed therein, an extruded shock mount and bushing mount formed as integral components. A mounting plate is attached to the trailing arm for attaching the vehicle wheel.
Claims8
A tubular suspension component for a vehicle, said tubular component having an integral construction and comprising:
- a tubular body having a compound curvature, said curved tubular body being formed in a bending apparatus while an internal fluid pressure is maintained sufficient, via hydroforming, to support a wall of said body without deforming said wall of said body, said body having a first end disposed substantially perpendicular to a second end of said body,
- at least one subcomponent on said tubular body for mounting secondary assemblies of a vehicle suspension system to said suspension component, said at least one subcomponent integrally formed, during said hydroforming, on said tubular body by expanding said wall of said body through the application of increased fluid pressure to the interior of said tubular body, said tubular body expanding to fill a die cavity conforming to the configuration of said tubular suspension component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.