Hybrid component

• US 9,073,403 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2013
• Issued: 07/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Magna International Incorporated
• Inventors: Werner, Mark F., Skszek, Timothy W., Horton, Frank A., Young, Warren, Kotagiri, Seetarama S., Kiselis, Gregory P., Egle, DeWayne Dale, Gabbianelli, Gianfranco, Mellis, Jeffrey Jay, Sulisz, Daniel, Charest, Pascal P., Zhang, Ying, Matharoo, Dalip K., Ashmore, Erryn Leigh, deNijs, Eric, Warpup, Ryan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): TO, TOAN C
• Application Number:
  US13/927,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20130285343A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 280/781, 280/93.511, 280/963.512, 164/111, 164/112, 164/120
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 19/00 Casting in, on, or around objects which form part of the product B22D23/04 takes precedence; alumino-thermic welding B23K23/00; coating by casting molten material on the substrate C23C6/00
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 19/16 for making compound objects cast of two or more different metals, e.g. for making rolls for rolling mills casting compound ingots B22D7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/183 arranged in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 21/051 Trailing arm twist beam axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/11 the arm being a radius or track or torque or steering rod or stabiliser end link
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/30 Constructional features of rigid axles
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/7102 Aluminium alloys
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2206/8101 by casting
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/001 Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features B60G7/006 takes precedence

Abstract

A hybrid torsion beam axle assembly is provided, which includes a steel torsion beam. An end cap is fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam, and a cast trailing arm is cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap. In this way, the cast trailing arm is positively and rigidly secured to the steel torsion beam.

Claims

1. A hybrid component for an automobile, comprising:

a steel member having an end portion;

said end portion being closed by one of crushing said end portion, rotary swaging said end portion and spinning said end portion; and

a cast coupling member cast on said end portion of said steel member by casting-in-place a casting material about said end portion of said steel member, thereby positively and rigidly securing said coupling member to said steel member.

2. The hybrid component according to claim 1, wherein said steel member is a tubular member.

3. The hybrid component according to claim 1, wherein said hybrid component is a torsion beam axle assembly for an automobile.

4. The hybrid component according to claim 3, wherein said steel member is a torsion beam of the torsion beam axle assembly.

5. The hybrid component according to claim 4, wherein said cast coupling member is a trailing arm of said torsion beam axle assembly.

6. The hybrid component according to claim 1, comprising a knurl on an outside surface about said end portion of the steel member for providing a mechanical interlock surface.

7. The hybrid component according to claim 1, wherein said steel member is made from high strength steel.

8. The hybrid component according to claim 1, wherein said steel member has a yield strength of at least about 1000 MPa, and said cast coupling has a yield strength of at least about 180 MPa.

9. The hybrid component according to claim 1, wherein said casting material is one of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium and a magnesium alloy.