EP0643809A1 - Ball joint - Google Patents

Ball joint

Info

Publication number
EP0643809A1
EP0643809A1 EP94911074A EP94911074A EP0643809A1 EP 0643809 A1 EP0643809 A1 EP 0643809A1 EP 94911074 A EP94911074 A EP 94911074A EP 94911074 A EP94911074 A EP 94911074A EP 0643809 A1 EP0643809 A1 EP 0643809A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ball
spherical shell
cover
upper spherical
ball joint
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP94911074A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Eberhard Schneider
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
P C Turck GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
P C Turck GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by P C Turck GmbH and Co KG filed Critical P C Turck GmbH and Co KG
Publication of EP0643809A1 publication Critical patent/EP0643809A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D7/00—Steering linkage; Stub axles or their mountings
    • B62D7/16—Arrangement of linkage connections
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/06—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
    • F16C11/0619—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints the female part comprising a blind socket receiving the male part
    • F16C11/0623—Construction or details of the socket member
    • F16C11/0628—Construction or details of the socket member with linings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/06—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
    • F16C11/0619—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints the female part comprising a blind socket receiving the male part
    • F16C11/0623—Construction or details of the socket member
    • F16C11/0647—Special features relating to adjustment for wear or play; Wear indicators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2204/00—Indexing codes related to suspensions per se or to auxiliary parts
    • B60G2204/40—Auxiliary suspension parts; Adjustment of suspensions
    • B60G2204/416—Ball or spherical joints
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C2326/00—Articles relating to transporting
    • F16C2326/20—Land vehicles
    • F16C2326/24—Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/32—Articulated members
    • Y10T403/32606—Pivoted
    • Y10T403/32631—Universal ball and socket
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/32—Articulated members
    • Y10T403/32606—Pivoted
    • Y10T403/32631—Universal ball and socket
    • Y10T403/32647—Plural concave surfaces with diverse curvature
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/32—Articulated members
    • Y10T403/32606—Pivoted
    • Y10T403/32631—Universal ball and socket
    • Y10T403/32737—Universal ball and socket including liner, shim, or discrete seat
    • Y10T403/32762—Spring-biased seat opposite ball stud
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/32—Articulated members
    • Y10T403/32606—Pivoted
    • Y10T403/32631—Universal ball and socket
    • Y10T403/32811—Spring-biased

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a ball joint according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such ball joints are used, among other things. used in vehicle construction, for example on steering systems for small trucks, buses and trucks.
  • a conical helical spring is arranged as a compression spring between the closure cover and the upper spherical shell.
  • the maximum operational play between opposing surfaces of these two parts is of the order of magnitude of only 0.4 mm. This distance is necessary so that the joint system can yield when subjected to, in particular, shock-like loading forces.
  • the metal-on-metal contact between the upper spherical shell and the sealing cap always produces a clicking sound, which is perceived as very annoying.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object of providing a ball joint of the kind outlined in the preamble of claim 1, in which it is ensured with simple means that no disturbing noises can occur during operation.
  • the invention solves this problem primarily and essentially in that the upper spherical shell itself is designed as a compression spring in the manner of a plate spring. forms and is always in direct contact with both the cap and the ball.
  • the upper spherical shell is segmented, and preferably in such a way that the upper spherical shell is provided by means of radial incisions extending from its center to close to the circumferential edge. Due to the segmentation, the deformation of the cup spring-like spherical shell or their segments reliably guaranteed without internal bracing.
  • the upper spherical shell is preferably built in a bell-like shape and preloaded between the closure lid and the ball.
  • a further, particularly advantageous feature of the invention consists in that the segments of the upper spherical shell have or form bending sections which touch the ball along an essentially cone-shaped envelope and the outer sides of these bending sections have an essentially likewise frustoconical support surface of the Closure cover is assigned, the cone angle of which, however, is slightly larger than the cone angle of the bending sections, the arrangement preferably being such that the support surface on the closure cover side is slightly convex with respect to the bending sections of the upper spherical shell, such that at increasing load, the contact system of the upper spherical shell or each of its segments on the sealing cover migrates towards the clamping.
  • Fig. 4 is a representation corresponding to Fig. 3 under increased force.
  • a ball or spherical shell joint initially comprises a forged housing 11 with a connection piece 12 molded thereon, for example for a track clasp or the like. a steering system for vehicles.
  • the second main part of the ball joint 10 consists of a ball 13 with a ball pin 14 and associated connector 15.
  • a lower bearing shell 16 and an upper bearing shell 17 are provided for the slide-mounted mounting of the ball 13 in the housing 11, the lower bearing shell 16 being the Ball 13 essentially below its equator 18, that is to say it hugs the ball neck 19 and the upper bearing shell 17 rests on the ball head 20.
  • the cavity 21 is closed to the outside by means of a cover 22. This is in a clamping connection with the edge 23 of the upper spherical shell 17 held by the housing 11, in that its upper edge 24 is rolled inwards over the edge of the closure cover 22.
  • 25 denotes a bellows-like rubber seal which is fastened to the housing 11 with the aid of a clamping ring 26.
  • the special feature of the new ball joint 10 is that the upper ball socket 17 is at the same time designed as a compression spring and is in constant pressure-locking contact both under the sealing cover 22 and on the ball head 20.
  • the upper spherical shell 17 largely has the shape shown in FIG. 1 and is essentially plate-shaped in view (FIG. 2). It has a continuous edge 23 and is divided into individual segments 29 by means of radial incisions 27 which meet in the center 28. These segments 29 therefore form spring tongues which are delimited from one another in the manner of leaf springs clamped on one side.
  • Each segment 29 is supported with its tip 30 under a central region of the closure cover 22.
  • Each segment 29 is mainly elastically deformable between this contact point and a stiffening bending zone 31.
  • each spring tongue 29 which, as shown in FIG. 1, touches the ball along an essentially frustoconical envelope.
  • the outside of these bending sections 32 is assigned - see in particular FIGS. 3 and 4 - a likewise truncated cone-shaped support surface 33 of the closure cover 22.
  • the cone angle at which the cone are arranged in Fig. 3 with ⁇ the cone angle of the adjoining support surface 33 with ⁇ .
  • This is slightly larger than ⁇ , so that a narrow, essentially wedge-shaped gap 34 remains between the contactable surfaces.
  • the support surface 33 is slightly convex with respect to the bending sections 32 of the upper spherical shell 17. This results in that with increasing load (Fig. 4 compared to Fig.
  • the arrangement shown and described, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 1, is structurally very simple, noiseless in operation and, moreover, has fewer components than the prior art, in which an additional helical compression spring between the closure cover 22 and the rigid, not designed as a spring upper spherical shell 17 is arranged.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)

Abstract

A ball joint, which essentially consists of a ball (13) at the end of a ball rod (14), a lower ball cup (16) adjacent to the ball neck (19) and an upper ball cup (17) associated with the ball head (20), which contain the ball (13) between them so that it can slide, a ball (13) and ball cups (16, 17) and a casing (11) surrounding a closure cover (22) and a compression spring in contact under the cover (22) and holding the ball cups (16, 17) and the ball (13) in position, has the special feature that the upper ball cup (17) itself takes the form of a compression spring like a cup spring and is permanently in direct contact with both the cover (22) and the ball (13). Operating forces can therefore cause only a distortion of the compression spring but cannot cause two components not previously in position to strike each other. A further advantage lies in the simplified layout and the elimination of a component, for, in the invention, the upper ball cup is itself a compression spring, and the prior art spiral compression spring is no longer needed.

Description

KugelgelenkBall joint
Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein Kugelgelenk entsprechend den Merkmalen des Oberbegriffs des An- spruchs 1.The invention relates to a ball joint according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.
Derartige Kugelgelenke werden u.a. im Fahrzeugbau verwendet, beispielsweise an Lenkungssystemen für Kleinlaster, Omnibusse und Lastkraftwagen. Um das Ge- lenk spielfrei zu halten, ist als Druckfeder eine ke¬ gelförmige Schraubenfeder zwischen dem Verschlußdeckel und der oberen Kugelschale angeordnet. Das betriebsmä¬ ßig maximale Spiel zwischen einander gegenüberliegenden Flächen dieser beiden Teile liegt in der Größenordnung von nur 0,4 mm. Dieser Abstand ist erforderlich, damit das Gelenksystem bei Einwirkung von insbesondere sto߬ artigen Belastungskräften nachgeben kann. Dabei ent¬ steht aber durch die Metall-auf-Metall-Berührung zwi¬ schen oberer Kugelschale und Verschlußdeckel jedesmal ein klackendes Geräusch, was als sehr störend empfunden wird.Such ball joints are used, among other things. used in vehicle construction, for example on steering systems for small trucks, buses and trucks. In order to keep the joint free of play, a conical helical spring is arranged as a compression spring between the closure cover and the upper spherical shell. The maximum operational play between opposing surfaces of these two parts is of the order of magnitude of only 0.4 mm. This distance is necessary so that the joint system can yield when subjected to, in particular, shock-like loading forces. Here, however, the metal-on-metal contact between the upper spherical shell and the sealing cap always produces a clicking sound, which is perceived as very annoying.
Der Erfindung liegt folglich die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Kugelgelenk der im Oberbegriff des Anspruches 1 nä- her umrissenen Art zur Verfügung zu stellen, bei dem mit einfachen Mitteln gewährleistet ist, daß im Betrieb keine störenden Geräusche auftreten können.The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a ball joint of the kind outlined in the preamble of claim 1, in which it is ensured with simple means that no disturbing noises can occur during operation.
Die Erfindung löst diese Aufgabe in erster Linie und im wesentlichen dadurch, daß die obere Kugelschale selbst als Druckfeder nach Art einer Tellerfeder ausge- bildet ist und ständig in unmittelbarem Kontakt sowohl mit dem Verschlußdeckel als auch mit der Kugel ist.The invention solves this problem primarily and essentially in that the upper spherical shell itself is designed as a compression spring in the manner of a plate spring. forms and is always in direct contact with both the cap and the ball.
Da die Druckfeder in ständigem Kontakt sowohl mit dem Verschlußdeckel als auch mit der Kugel steht, kön¬ nen betriebsmäßige Kräfte nur zu einer Verformung der Druckfeder führen, nicht aber dazu, daß zwei Teile, die zuvor nicht in Anlage gewesen sind, nunmehr aneinander¬ schlagen. Ein wesentlicher weiterer Vorteil besteht in der vereinfachten Auslegung und in der Einsparung eines Bauteils, denn die obere Kugelschale ist nach der Er¬ findung selbst als Druckfeder ausgebildet, so daß die konische Schraubendruckfeder bisher benötigter Art in Fortfall gelangt. Das eingangs genannte Ziel der Erfin- düng wird also nicht etwa durch zusätzliche Teile, son¬ dern sogar unter Einsparung eines Bauteils erreicht.Since the compression spring is in constant contact with both the closure cover and the ball, operational forces can only lead to a deformation of the compression spring, but not to the fact that two parts which have not previously been in contact now strike each other . A further significant advantage is the simplified design and the saving of a component, since the upper spherical shell itself is designed as a compression spring, so that the conical compression spring of the type previously required is eliminated. The goal of the invention mentioned at the outset is therefore not achieved by additional parts, but even with the saving of one component.
Während beim Stand der Technik die Kugelschale le¬ diglich durch die Schraubenfeder druckschlüssig am Platze gehalten ist, wird entsprechend der Erfindung vorgeschlagen, die obere Kugelschale an ihrem Außenrand mittels des Gehäuses klemmschlüssig eingespannt an dem Verschlußdeckel zu halten. Eine derartige Anordnung läßt sich vergleichen mit einer, allerdings tellerför- migen, einseitig eingespannten Blattfeder.While in the prior art the spherical shell is only held in place by the helical spring in a press-fit manner, it is proposed according to the invention to hold the upper spherical shell clamped on its outer edge by means of the housing on the closure cover. Such an arrangement can be compared to a plate spring, albeit plate-shaped, clamped on one side.
Zweckmäßig ist es, wenn die obere Kugelschale seg- mentiert ist, und zwar vorzugsweise dergestalt, daß die obere Kugelschale mittels radialer, sich von ihrem Zen- trum aus bis nahe an den umlaufenden Rand erstreckenden Einschnitten versehen ist. Aufgrund der Segmentierung ist die Verformung der tellerfederartigen Kugelschale bzw. ihrer Segmente ohne innere Verspannung zuverlässig gewährleistet.It is expedient if the upper spherical shell is segmented, and preferably in such a way that the upper spherical shell is provided by means of radial incisions extending from its center to close to the circumferential edge. Due to the segmentation, the deformation of the cup spring-like spherical shell or their segments reliably guaranteed without internal bracing.
Die obere Kugelschale ist vorzugsweise glockenar- tig geformt zwischen Verschlußdeckel und Kugel vorge¬ spannt eingebaut.The upper spherical shell is preferably built in a bell-like shape and preloaded between the closure lid and the ball.
Ein weiteres, besonders vorteilhaftes Merkmal der Erfindung besteht darin, daß die Segmente der oberen Kugelschale Biegeabschnitte aufweisen bzw. ausbilden, die die Kugel entlang einer im wesentlichen kegel- stumpfmantelför igen Einhüllenden tangieren und den Au¬ ßenseiten dieser Biegeabschnitte eine im wesentlichen ebenfalls kegelstumpfmantelförmigen Stützfläche des Verschlußdeckels zugeordnet ist, deren Kegelwinkel je¬ doch geringfügig größer ist als der Kegelwinkel der Biegeabschnitte, wobei bevorzugt die Anordnung so ge¬ troffen ist, daß die verschlußdeckelseitige Stützfläche leicht konvex in Bezug auf die Biegeabschnitte der obe- ren Kugelschale verläuft, derart, daß bei zunehmender Belastung die Kontaktanlage der oberen Kugelschale bzw. jedes ihrer Segmente an dem Verschlußdeckel zur Ein- spannung hin wandert. Hierdurch wird eine kraftabhängig progressivere Federkennlinie erzielt, mit der Folge, daß die Federruckstellkraft infolge des sich stetig verringernden Hebelarms der Feder um so stärker wird, je höher die auf die Feder einwirkenden Kräfte sind. Damit wird auch erreicht, daß die von der Feder zu for¬ dernden Federwege gering gehalten werden können.A further, particularly advantageous feature of the invention consists in that the segments of the upper spherical shell have or form bending sections which touch the ball along an essentially cone-shaped envelope and the outer sides of these bending sections have an essentially likewise frustoconical support surface of the Closure cover is assigned, the cone angle of which, however, is slightly larger than the cone angle of the bending sections, the arrangement preferably being such that the support surface on the closure cover side is slightly convex with respect to the bending sections of the upper spherical shell, such that at increasing load, the contact system of the upper spherical shell or each of its segments on the sealing cover migrates towards the clamping. As a result, a force-dependent, more progressive spring characteristic is achieved, with the result that the spring restoring force becomes stronger the higher the forces acting on the spring due to the steadily decreasing lever arm of the spring. This also ensures that the spring travel required by the spring can be kept small.
Im übrigen versteht sich die Erfindung am besten anhand eines nachfolgend unter Bezugnahme auf die Zeichnungen im einzelnen erläuterten Ausführungsbei¬ spiels. In den Zeichnungen zeigen:Otherwise, the invention is best understood using one of the following with reference to the Drawings explained in detail in the exemplary embodiment. The drawings show:
Fig. 1 einen Schnitt durch ein Kugelgelenk entsprechend der Erfindung,1 shows a section through a ball joint according to the invention,
Fig. 2 die als tellerartige Druckfeder ausgebildete obere Kugelschale in Ansicht,2 the upper spherical shell designed as a plate-like compression spring in view,
Fig. 3 einen stark vergrößerten Ausschnitt des Kontakt¬ anlagebereichs zwischen oberer Kugelschale und Verschlußdeckel in normal belasteter Ausgangs¬ stellung und3 shows a greatly enlarged section of the contact contact area between the upper spherical shell and the closure cover in the normally loaded initial position and
Fig. 4 eine der Fig. 3 entsprechende Darstellung unter erhöhter Krafteinwirkung.Fig. 4 is a representation corresponding to Fig. 3 under increased force.
Ein insgesamt mit 10 bezeichnetes Kugel- oder Ku¬ gelschalengelenk umfaßt zunächst ein geschmiedetes Ge- häuse 11 mit daran angeformtem Anschlußstück 12 z.B. für eine Spurspange od.dgl. eines Lenkungssystems für Fahrzeuge. Das zweite Hauptteil des Kugelgelenks 10 be¬ steht aus einer Kugel 13 mit Kugelzapfen 14 und zugehö¬ rigem Anschlußstück 15. Zur gleitgelagerten Halterung der Kugel 13 im Gehäuse 11 sind eine untere Lagerschale 16 und eine obere Lagerschale 17 vorgesehen, wobei die untere Lagerschale 16 die Kugel 13 im wesentlichen un¬ terhalb ihres Äquators 18, also dem Kugelhals 19 be¬ nachbart umschmiegt und die obere Lagerschale 17 am Ku- gelkopf 20 anliegt. Der Hohlraum 21 ist nach außen hin mittels eines Verschlußdeckels 22 verschlossen. Dieser wird in klemmschlüssigem Verbund mit dem Rand 23 der oberen Kugelschale 17 vom Gehäuse 11 gehalten, indem dessen oberer Rand 24 über den Rand des Verschlu߬ deckels 22 nach einwärts gewalzt ist.A ball or spherical shell joint, denoted overall by 10, initially comprises a forged housing 11 with a connection piece 12 molded thereon, for example for a track clasp or the like. a steering system for vehicles. The second main part of the ball joint 10 consists of a ball 13 with a ball pin 14 and associated connector 15. A lower bearing shell 16 and an upper bearing shell 17 are provided for the slide-mounted mounting of the ball 13 in the housing 11, the lower bearing shell 16 being the Ball 13 essentially below its equator 18, that is to say it hugs the ball neck 19 and the upper bearing shell 17 rests on the ball head 20. The cavity 21 is closed to the outside by means of a cover 22. This is in a clamping connection with the edge 23 of the upper spherical shell 17 held by the housing 11, in that its upper edge 24 is rolled inwards over the edge of the closure cover 22.
Der Vollständigkeit halber ist noch mit. 25 eine balgartige Gummidichtung bezeichnet, die mit Hilfe ei¬ nes Spannringes 26 am Gehäuse 11 befestigt ist.For completeness is still with. 25 denotes a bellows-like rubber seal which is fastened to the housing 11 with the aid of a clamping ring 26.
Die Besonderheit des neuen Kugelgelenks 10 besteht darin, daß die obere .Kugelschale 17 zugleich als Druck¬ feder ausgebildet ist und in ständiger druckschlüssiger Anlage sowohl unter dem Verschlußdeckel 22 als auch auf dem Kugelkopf 20 liegt. Die obere Kugelschale 17 be¬ sitzt weitestgehend die aus Fig. 1 ersichtliche Form und ist in Ansicht (Fig. 2) im wesentlichen tellerför¬ mig ausgebildet. Sie weist einen durchgehend umlaufen¬ den Rand 23 auf und ist mittels radialer Einschnitte 27, die sich im Zentrum 28 treffen, in einzelne Seg¬ mente 29 unterteilt. Diese Segmente 29 bilden also von- einander abgegrenzte Federzungen nach Art einseitig eingespannter Blattfedern aus. Jedes Segment 29 stützt sich mit seiner Spitze 30 unter einem mittleren Bereich des Verschlußdeckels 22 ab. Jedes Segment 29 ist in der Hauptsache zwischen dieser Anlagestelle und einer ver- steifenden Umbiegungszone 31 elastisch verformbar. Dies ist der eigentliche Biegeabschnitt 32 jeder Federzunge 29, der, wie Fig. 1 zeigt, die Kugel entlang einer im wesentlichen kegelstumpfmantelförmigen Einhüllenden tangiert. Den Außenseiten dieser Biegeabschnitte 32 ist - siehe insbesondere Fig. 3 und 4 - eine ebenfalls ke- gelstumpfmantelförmige Stützfläche 33 des Verschlu߬ deckels 22 zugeordnet. Der Kegelwinkel, in dem die Kon- taktflächen der Federzungen 32 angeordnet sind, ist in Fig. 3 mit α bezeichnet, der Kegelwinkel der angrenzen¬ den Stützfläche 33 mit ß. Dieser ist geringfügig größer als α, so daß zwischen den kontaktierbaren Flächen ein schmaler, im wesentlichen keilförmiger Spalt 34 ver¬ bleibt. Außerdem ist die Stützfläche 33 leicht konvex in Bezug auf die Biegeabschnitte 32 der oberen Kugel¬ schale 17 verlaufend ausgebildet. Dadurch ergibt sich, daß bei zunehmender Belastung (Fig. 4 gegenüber Fig. 3) die Kontaktanlage 35 (Fig. 3) zur Einspannung (am Rand 23) nach 35' (Fig. 4) hin wandert. Damit verkürzt sich mit ansteigenden Kräften der Federweg mit der Folge, daß die Progressivität der Federkennlinie der Biegeab¬ schnitte 32 stärker zunimmt als es bei einer nur ein- seitigen Anlage (also bei ortsunveränderlicher Anlage 35 entsprechend Fig. 3) der Fall wäre. Also ist die Rückstellkraft der Kugelschalen-Feder 17 umso stärker, je stärker die auf die Federanordnung einwirkenden Kräfte anwachsen.The special feature of the new ball joint 10 is that the upper ball socket 17 is at the same time designed as a compression spring and is in constant pressure-locking contact both under the sealing cover 22 and on the ball head 20. The upper spherical shell 17 largely has the shape shown in FIG. 1 and is essentially plate-shaped in view (FIG. 2). It has a continuous edge 23 and is divided into individual segments 29 by means of radial incisions 27 which meet in the center 28. These segments 29 therefore form spring tongues which are delimited from one another in the manner of leaf springs clamped on one side. Each segment 29 is supported with its tip 30 under a central region of the closure cover 22. Each segment 29 is mainly elastically deformable between this contact point and a stiffening bending zone 31. This is the actual bending section 32 of each spring tongue 29, which, as shown in FIG. 1, touches the ball along an essentially frustoconical envelope. The outside of these bending sections 32 is assigned - see in particular FIGS. 3 and 4 - a likewise truncated cone-shaped support surface 33 of the closure cover 22. The cone angle at which the cone are arranged in Fig. 3 with α, the cone angle of the adjoining support surface 33 with β. This is slightly larger than α, so that a narrow, essentially wedge-shaped gap 34 remains between the contactable surfaces. In addition, the support surface 33 is slightly convex with respect to the bending sections 32 of the upper spherical shell 17. This results in that with increasing load (Fig. 4 compared to Fig. 3) the contact system 35 (Fig. 3) migrates towards the clamp (at the edge 23) 35 '(Fig. 4). Thus, the spring travel is shortened with increasing forces, with the result that the progressivity of the spring characteristic of the bending sections 32 increases more than would be the case with a one-sided system (that is to say with a system 35 that does not change in position, as shown in FIG. 3). Thus, the restoring force of the ball cup spring 17 is stronger, the stronger the forces acting on the spring arrangement increase.
Die dargestellte und beschriebene Anordnung ist, wie insbesondere Fig. 1 erkennbar macht, konstruktiv sehr einfach, im Betrieb geräuschlos und überdies noch bauteilärmer gestaltet als der Stand der Technik, bei dem eine zusätzliche Schraubendruckfeder zwischen dem Verschlußdeckel 22 und der starren, nicht als Feder ausgebildeten oberen Kugelschale 17 angeordnet ist. The arrangement shown and described, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 1, is structurally very simple, noiseless in operation and, moreover, has fewer components than the prior art, in which an additional helical compression spring between the closure cover 22 and the rigid, not designed as a spring upper spherical shell 17 is arranged.

Claims

Ansprüche : Expectations :
1. Kugelgelenk, im wesentlichen bestehend aus ei¬ ner am Ende eines Kugelzapfens angeordneten Kugel, ei- ner dem Kugelhals benachbarten unteren Kugelschale und einer dem Kugelkopf zugeordneten oberen Kugelschale, die die Kugel gleitbeweglich zwischen sich fassen, ei¬ nem Kugel und Kugelschalen sowie einen Verschlußdeckel umschließenden Gehäuse und einer die Kugelschalen und die Kugel in Anlage haltenden, sich unter dem Ver¬ schlußdeckel abstützenden Druckfeder, dadurch gekenn¬ zeichnet, daß die obere Kugelschale (17) selbst als Druckfeder nach Art einer Tellerfeder ausgebildet ist und ständig in unmittelbarem Kontakt sowohl mit dem Verschlußdeckel (22) als auch mit der Kugel (13) ist.1. Ball joint, consisting essentially of a ball arranged at the end of a ball pin, a lower spherical shell adjacent to the ball neck and an upper spherical shell assigned to the spherical head, which grasp the ball between them, a ball and spherical shells, and one Sealing cover enclosing housing and a pressure spring holding the ball shells and the ball in contact, which is supported under the sealing cover, characterized in that the upper ball shell (17) itself is designed as a pressure spring in the manner of a plate spring and is in constant direct contact with both with the cover (22) and with the ball (13).
2. Kugelgelenk nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekenn¬ zeichnet, daß die obere Kugelschale (17) an ihrem Au¬ ßenrand (23) mittels des Gehäuses (11) klemmschlüssig eingespannt mit dem Verschlußdeckel (22) gehalten ist.2. Ball joint according to claim 1, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the upper spherical shell (17) on its outer edge (23) by means of the housing (11) is clamped with the closure cover (22).
3. Kugelgelenk nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch ge¬ kennzeichnet, daß die obere Kugelschale (17) segmen- tiert ist.3. Ball joint according to claim 1 or 2, characterized ge indicates that the upper spherical shell (17) is segmented.
4. Kugelschale nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekenn¬ zeichnet, daß die obere Kugelschale (17) mittels radi¬ aler, sich von ihrem Zentrum (28) aus bis nahe an den umlaufenden Rand (23) erstreckenden Einschnitten (27) versehen ist. 4. spherical shell according to claim 3, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the upper spherical shell (17) by means of radial, from its center (28) from close to the circumferential edge (23) extending incisions (27) is provided.
5. Kugelgelenk nach Anspruch 1 oder einem der fol¬ genden, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die obere Kugel¬ schale (17) glockenartig geformt zwischen Verschlu߬ deckel (22) und Kugel (13) vorgespannt eingebaut ist.5. Ball joint according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that the upper Kugel¬ shell (17) shaped bell-shaped between breech cover (22) and ball (13) is installed biased.
6. Kugelgelenk nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekenn¬ zeichnet, daß die Segmente (29) der oberen Kugelschale (17) Biegeabschnitte (32) aufweisen bzw. ausbilden, die die Kugel (13) entlang einer im wesentlichen kegel- stumpfmantelförmigen Einhüllenden tangieren und den Au¬ ßenseiten dieser Biegeabschnitte (32) eine im wesentli¬ chen ebenfalls kegelstumpfmantelförmigen Stützfläche (33) des Verschlußdeckels (22) zugeordnet ist, deren Kegelwinkel (ß) jedoch geringfügig größer ist als der Kegelwinkel (α) der Biegeabschnitte (32).6. Ball joint according to claim 5, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the segments (29) of the upper spherical shell (17) have or form bending portions (32) which affect the ball (13) along a substantially frustoconical envelope and the On the outside of these bending sections (32), an essentially likewise frustoconical support surface (33) of the closure cover (22) is assigned, the cone angle (β) of which, however, is slightly larger than the cone angle (α) of the bending sections (32).
7. Kugelgelenk nach Anspruch 5 oder 6, dadurch ge¬ kennzeichnet, daß die verschlußdeckelseitige Stützflä¬ che (33) leicht konvex in Bezug auf die Biegeabschnitte (32) der oberen Kugelschale (17) verläuft, derart, daß bei zunehmender Belastung die Kontaktstelle (35) der oberen Kugelschale (17) bzw. ihrer Segmente (29) an dem Verschlußdeckel (22) zur Einspannung (bei 23) hin wan¬ dert. 7. Ball joint according to claim 5 or 6, characterized ge indicates that the sealing cover-side support surface (33) is slightly convex with respect to the bending sections (32) of the upper spherical shell (17), such that the contact point () 35) of the upper spherical shell (17) or its segments (29) on the closure cover (22) for clamping (at 23).
EP94911074A 1993-03-31 1994-03-23 Ball joint Withdrawn EP0643809A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9304897U DE9304897U1 (en) 1993-03-31 1993-03-31 Ball joint
DE9304897U 1993-03-31
PCT/DE1994/000336 WO1994023218A1 (en) 1993-03-31 1994-03-23 Ball joint

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0643809A1 true EP0643809A1 (en) 1995-03-22

Family

ID=6891471

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94911074A Withdrawn EP0643809A1 (en) 1993-03-31 1994-03-23 Ball joint

Country Status (7)

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US (1) US5551791A (en)
EP (1) EP0643809A1 (en)
JP (1) JPH07507622A (en)
BR (1) BR9404796A (en)
CZ (1) CZ290994A3 (en)
DE (1) DE9304897U1 (en)
WO (1) WO1994023218A1 (en)

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DE19638466C1 (en) * 1996-09-19 1998-03-26 Trw Fahrwerksyst Gmbh & Co Ball joints and device for mounting a ball joint
US5855448A (en) * 1997-10-20 1999-01-05 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Ball joint assembly
DE202004012604U1 (en) * 2004-08-11 2004-12-23 Trw Automotive Gmbh ball joint
KR100834211B1 (en) * 2007-02-05 2008-05-30 위아 주식회사 Apparatus for fixing ball stud of ball joint
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JP5334191B2 (en) * 2009-09-09 2013-11-06 Ｎｅｃカシオモバイルコミュニケーションズ株式会社 Hinge structure and portable device
DE102010005134A1 (en) * 2010-01-19 2011-07-21 TRW Automotive GmbH, 73553 ball joint
DE102012019043B4 (en) * 2012-09-27 2024-06-13 THK RHYTHM AUTOMOTIVE GmbH Ball joint and method for producing a ball joint
US10247228B2 (en) * 2015-06-16 2019-04-02 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Ball joint assembly having friction coated components and methods of assembling a ball joint assembly having defined gaps
DE102016206863A1 (en) * 2016-04-22 2017-10-26 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Axial ball joint and adjustable length two-point link with such an axial ball joint
FR3081429B1 (en) * 2018-05-28 2020-06-19 Jtekt Europe STEERING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A SEALING ELEMENT IMPROVING A SEALING OF A STEERING BALL
US11396906B2 (en) * 2018-07-18 2022-07-26 Federal-Mogul Motorparts, LLC Ball socket assembly with a preload bearing

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1994023218A1 (en) 1994-10-13
BR9404796A (en) 1999-06-15
US5551791A (en) 1996-09-03
JPH07507622A (en) 1995-08-24
CZ290994A3 (en) 1995-03-15
DE9304897U1 (en) 1993-06-03

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