Stabilizer bar apparatus for use in a vehicle suspension

A stabilizer bar apparatus for use in a motor vehicle having a chassis and a suspension, said stabilizer apparatus comprising:

• a hollow tubular member having first and second arms disposed at opposite ends of a center section, said first and second arms being attached to first and second suspension;
• first and second bushings rotatably disposed on said center section of said hollow tubular member and being securely clamped to said chassis;
• a first and second radial protrusions circumferentially formed on an outer surface of said center section of said hollow tubular member adjacent to said first and second bushings, said first and second radial protrusions extending radially outward from said outer surface to a first predetermined height;
• and
• stress dispersing means formed on an inner surface of said hollow tubular member directly opposite said first and second radial protrusions, said means for dispersing stress otherwise concentrated in said hollow tubular member adjacent to said first and second radial protrusions, wherein said stress dispersing means further comprises respective third and fourth radial protrusions circumferentially formed on an inner surface of said hollow tubular member, said third and fourth radial protrusions respectively extending radially inward directly opposite said first and second radial protrusions from said inner surface,
• wherein said stress dispersing means further comprises a first radius and a second radius respectively between said inner surface of said hollow tubular member and said third and fourth radial protrusions, said first radius and said second radius having a first predetermined minimum dimension so as to prevent stress from concentrating in said hollow tubular member adjacent to said first radial protrusion and said second radial protrusion.

A stabilizer bar apparatus for use in a motor vehicle having a chassis and a suspension, said stabilizer apparatus comprising:

• a hollow tubular member having first and second arms disposed at opposite ends of a center section, said first and second arms being attached to first and second suspension;
• first and second bushings rotatably disposed on said center section of said hollow tubular member and being securely clamped to said chassis;
• a plurality of radial protrusions circumferentially formed on an outer surface of said center section of said hollow tubular member adjacent to said first and second bushings, each of said radial protrusions extending radially outward from said outer surface to a first predetermined height, wherein said radial protrusions comprises a ramp portion gradually departing from said outer surface and intersecting a wall portion extending outward and substantially normal to said outer surface to said first predetermined height;
• and
• a plurality of stress dispersing means formed on an inner surface of said hollow tubular member opposite each of said radial protrusions, said means for dispersing stress otherwise concentrated in said hollow tubular member adjacent to each of said radial protrusions, wherein said each of said stress dispersing means further comprise a first circumferential channel formed on an inner surface of said hollow tubular member, said first circumferential channel having a first side parallel to said ramp portion and a second side parallel to said wall portion,
• wherein said first circumferential channel further comprises:
• a first radius between said inner surface of said hollow tubular member and said first side of said first circumferential channel, said first radius having a first predetermined minimum dimension;
• a second radius between said inner surface of said hollow tubular member and said second side of said first circumferential channel, said second radius having a second predetermined minimum dimension;
• and
• a third radius between said first side of said first circumferential channel and said second side of said first circumferential channel, said third radius having a third predetermined minimum dimension so as to prevent stress from concentrating in said hollow tubular member adjacent to said plurality of radial protrusions.