Abstract

It is necessary to reduce the reciprocating mass in order to increase the engine speed and power of Formula One engines. The project discussed in this paper therefore set out to increase the section modulus of the shaft of the connecting rod while maintaining its rigidity and achieving weight savings. To this end, the diffusion bonding method was optimized, and a process of manufacturing a hollow connecting rod was developed. The developed connecting rod is lighter in weight and higher in rigidity than a rod with a conventional I-type section produced by forging, and has contributed to enabling engines to be increased in speed.

References

1. (1) Ouchi, C., Minakawa, K., Takahashi, K., Ogawa, A., Ishikawa, M.: Development of β-rich α+β Titanium Alloy SP-700, NKK Technical Review, No. 65, p. 61-67 (1992)
2. (2) Owczarski, W. A., Paulonis, D. F.: Application of Diffusion Welding in the USA, Welding Journal, Vol. 60, No. 2, p. 22-33 (1981)

Author (organization or company)

• Sadami MINATO（Automobile R&D Center）
• Ken MIZOGAWA（Automobile R&D Center）

Publication Information

Article of Honda R&D Technical Review F1 Special (The third Era Activities) (251 - 253)

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Citation Information