Spring devices – Vehicle – Torsion
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-21
2001-11-20
Schwartz, Christopher P. (Department: 3613)
Spring devices
Vehicle
Torsion
C267S188000, C267S154000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318710
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a stabilizer bar for a vehicle, and more particularly, the invention relates to a stabilizer bar having a cross-sectional shape for better enduring stresses in that particular cross-sectional area.
Stabilizer bars for vehicles are increasingly being required to withstand higher loads and stresses. Stabilizer bars are typically formed from a bar having a circular cross-section. The bar is bent into the required shape for the particular vehicle application. For higher load and stress areas, the thickness along the entire length of the bar may be increased. However, much of the stabilizer bar experiences a lower load and stress and therefore the increased bar thickness is unnecessary along much of the length of the bar. Alternatively, the thickness of the bar has been increased in the area of the higher loads and stresses. But, only a circular cross-section has been used in the thicker area of the bar. By using stabilizer bars having only circular cross-sections, unnecessary weight and costs is added to the bar. That is, a circular cross-section is not necessarily the most effective shape for enduring the loads and stresses in the particular area. Accordingly, what is needed is a stabilizer bar having a variable cross-section designed to better endure the loads and stresses in the particular area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
The present invention provides a stabilizer bar having a varying cross-section along the length of the bar. In particular, the stabilizer bar includes a first cross-sectional area and a second cross-sectional area that is different than the first cross-sectional area. A first surface at least partially defines the second cross-sectional area. The first surface has a non-circular shape with primary and secondary load bearing directions bearing different maximum loads in each of the directions. The shape of the second cross-sectional area may be arranged so that the primary load bearing direction is generally aligned with the highest load. Similarly, the shape of the second cross-sectional area may be arranged in a manner to bear the highest torsional load. The stabilizer bar may be solid or hollow. Preferred shapes may include egg-shaped or elliptical shaped surfaces. Alternatively, the stabilizer bar may have a generally uniform cross-sectional area along its length with the non-circular shape described above.
Accordingly, the above invention provides a stabilizer bar having a variable cross-sectional area along its length to more efficiently endure the different loads and reduce weight and costs of the stabilizer bar.
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Anderson Gerald D.
Drouillard Thomas M.
Fretwell David I.
Khoury John M.
Lovatt Alistair Bruce Christian
Carlson & Gaskey & Olds
Meritor Suspension Systems Company
Schwartz Christopher P.
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