Tailor welded blank for fluid forming operation
US6825442B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K2101/185
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tailor welded blank for use in a fluid-forming operation includes a first sheet element having a physical characteristic with a first value and a second sheet element having the physical characteristic with a second value different from the first value. The first and second sheet elements are welded together at at least one weld region to form at least a portion of a tailor welded blank. When the tailor welded blank is processed in a fluid forming process, the first and second values of the physical characteristic result in said first and second sheet elements having approximately equal effective strength values such that said first and second sheet elements deform at an approximately equal rate during the fluid forming process and local thinning and failure initiation is reduced at the at least one weld region and throughout the first and second sheet elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.