Patent ID: 6961997
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a connecting rod, comprising: providing a connecting rod blank having: hardening at least the big end to a sufficient depth such that at least a first region of the big end, which lies between the first and second holes at the dividing plane, is hardened while leaving a second region of the big end generally unhardened, where the second region continuously surrounds the second hole except for a region around the dividing plane between the first hole and the second hole; controlling at least a process hardening parameter so as to produce a hardened surface layer of a predetermined depth that is greater than one half of a smallest wall thickness between the walls of the first hole and the second hole; and splitting the big end along the dividing plane to produce a rod part fracture surface and a cap part fracture surface.