Mascotech, Inc.

Robert G Delbeke

Leland M Richart

D C Dickerson

An upper control arm for a vehicle suspension system and a method of making the same to form a reinforced arm for receiving a ball joint assembly. The arm is constructed by inserting an aluminum rod into a straight piece of steel tube with aluminum insert positioned at the center point of the tube, the tube is bent into the general shape of the control arm. The apex of the arm containing the aluminum insert is flattened into a substantially oval cross-sectional configuration. A hole is tapered reamed at the apex through both the tube and the aluminum insert to receive the ball joint assembly. As a result, critical sections of the control arm are reinforced yet a lightweight construction is maintained.

Upper control arm for vehicle suspension

An upper control arm for a vehicle suspension system having a modulus section of hollow construction for reduced weight. The modulus section of the control arm is of a stamped and welded construction thereby eliminating material weight while reducing the cost of manufacturing. The modulus section has a substantially triangular configuration with a reinforced rim flange along the high compression stress area of the control arm elbow. The reinforced rim flange improves the strength of the control arm without sacrificing the weight reduction provided by the hollow construction.

Hollow upper control arm for vehicle suspension systems

Upper control arm for vehicle suspension system

An upper control arm for a vehicle suspension system having a modulus section of hollow construction for reduced weight. The modulus section of the control arm is of a stamped and welded construction thereby eliminating material weight while reducing the cost of manufacturing. The modulus section has a substantially triangular configuration with a reinforced rim flange along the high compression stress area of the control arm elbow. The reinforced rim flange improves the strength of the control arm without sacrificing the weight reduction provided by the hollow construction. The present invention incorporates a deep rim flange section along the elbows of the control arms and shallower rim flanges along the remainder to improve strength without sacrificing weight or dimension.

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Livonia, MI, United States of America

Robert G Delbeke