GB2112448A - Ball and socket joints - Google Patents

Ball and socket joints Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2112448A
GB2112448A GB08139002A GB8139002A GB2112448A GB 2112448 A GB2112448 A GB 2112448A GB 08139002 A GB08139002 A GB 08139002A GB 8139002 A GB8139002 A GB 8139002A GB 2112448 A GB2112448 A GB 2112448A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
ball
cup
petals
bearing
socket
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08139002A
Other versions
GB2112448B (en
Inventor
Jonathan David Davies
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.)
Automotive Products PLC
Original Assignee
Automotive Products PLC
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 Automotive Products PLC filed Critical Automotive Products PLC
Priority to GB08139002A priority Critical patent/GB2112448B/en
Publication of GB2112448A publication Critical patent/GB2112448A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2112448B publication Critical patent/GB2112448B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16CSHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C11/00Pivots; Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/04Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/06Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
    • F16C11/0619Ball-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
    • F16C11/0623Construction or details of the socket member
    • F16C11/0628Construction or details of the socket member with linings
    • F16C11/0633Construction or details of the socket member with linings the linings being made of plastics
    • F16C11/0638Construction or details of the socket member with linings the linings being made of plastics characterised by geometrical details

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)

Abstract

A ball and socket joint includes a plastics bearing cup (21) having longitudinal slots (25) extending from the mouth of the cup towards the base and dividing the wall of the cup into spaced petals (26', 26''). To facilitate the fitting of the bearing cup to the ball of a ball pin, adjacent petals (26', 26'') have different lengths of bearing surface for contact with the ball. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ball and socket joints This invention relates to ball and socket joints and in particular but not exclusively to ball and socket joints for automobile steering and suspension systems.
Ball and socket joints in which the head of the ball pin is rotatable in a bearing cup which supports the ball on both sides of an equator are well known. It is common for the bearing cup to have slots in its side wall to make the walls more flexible when the ball of the socket is snapped into position in the bearing. The flexing experienced by the bearing walls when the socket is snapped over the ball may cause failure in the material from which the bearing is made.
The present invention seeks to provide a snap over bearing cup design for which the above problem is reduced.
Accordingly there is provided a ball and socket joint in which the ball of the ball pin is rotatable in a bearing cup which supports the ball on both sides of an equator, the bearing cup having longitudinal slots extending from the mouth of the cup towards the base thereof to divide the cylindrical wall into spaced petals joined around the base of the cup, characterised in that adjacent petals have different longitudinal length featuring surfaces in contact with the ball.
Preferably alternate petals around the cylindrical wall have the same longitudinal length bearing surface.
The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a section through a ball and socket join according to this invention; Fig. 2 is a cut-away view of a bearing cup as is utilised in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a section through the bearing cup of Fig. 2.
With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, a ball and socket joint for the steering system of an automobile comprises a socket housing 11 having a s screwthreaded shank 12 thereon for attaching the joint to a steering system member (not shown). A ball pin 13 has its spherical head 14 rotatable in a bearing cup 15 located in the housing 11, and the shank 1 6 of the ball pin extends out of the housing for attachment to another steering system member (not shown).
The bearing cup 1 5 is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and is substantially a cup shaped plastic moulding made from acetal resin, or alternatively nylon 6 or 66. The base of the bearing cup 1 5 has an aperture 21 therein through which the shank 1 6 of the ball pin passes. The internal surface of the bearing cup is spherical to co-operate with the head 14 and its external surface is shaped to the internal surface of the housing. A collar 22 adjacent the mouth 24 of the cup 1 5 seats on an internal shoulder 23 in the housing to locate the cup in the housing, and the cup 1 5 is secured in position by an end plate 1 7 staked into one end of the housing 11.
The internal surface of the cup is shaped to provide support for the ball 14 on both sides of an equator E-E thereof so that the bearing cup has to be snapped over the ball. In order to facilitate this, longitudinal slots 25 are provided in the walls of the bearing cup and extend from the mouth 24 of the cup towards its base, thereby forming a circumferentially spaced petals 26 joined together around the base of the cup.
Circumferentially alternate petals 26 provide different extents of support for the ball 14 by having different longitudinal length bearing surfaces in contact with the ball. Thus, the petals 26' do not provide a bearing surface that extends as far beyond the equator E-E as the petals 26", although all the petals 26 have the same length.
Inclined faces 27 and 28 cut back from the bearing surface of the petals 26' and 26" respectively to the mouth 24 of the cup so that the thickness of the petals 26' at the mouth is less than the thickness of the petals 26".
When the bearing cup is snapped over ball 14 the petals 26' will flex further than the petals 26" as they pass over the ball. Therefore, the moulded cup 1 5 is subjected to less internal stresses that it would be if all the petals 26 were of the same length as the longer petals 26'.
Claims
1. A ball and socket joint in which the ball of the ball pin is rotatable in a bearing cup which supports the ball on both sides of an equator, the Ibearing cup having longitudinal slots extending from the mouth of the cup towards the base thereof to divide the cylindrical wall into spaced petals joined around the base of the cup, characterised in that adjacent petals have different longitudinal length featuring surfaces in contact with the ball.
2. Ajoint as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that alternate petals around the cylindrical wall have the same longitudinal length bearing surface.
3. A ball and socket joint substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ball and socket joints This invention relates to ball and socket joints and in particular but not exclusively to ball and socket joints for automobile steering and suspension systems. Ball and socket joints in which the head of the ball pin is rotatable in a bearing cup which supports the ball on both sides of an equator are well known. It is common for the bearing cup to have slots in its side wall to make the walls more flexible when the ball of the socket is snapped into position in the bearing. The flexing experienced by the bearing walls when the socket is snapped over the ball may cause failure in the material from which the bearing is made. The present invention seeks to provide a snap over bearing cup design for which the above problem is reduced. Accordingly there is provided a ball and socket joint in which the ball of the ball pin is rotatable in a bearing cup which supports the ball on both sides of an equator, the bearing cup having longitudinal slots extending from the mouth of the cup towards the base thereof to divide the cylindrical wall into spaced petals joined around the base of the cup, characterised in that adjacent petals have different longitudinal length featuring surfaces in contact with the ball. Preferably alternate petals around the cylindrical wall have the same longitudinal length bearing surface. The invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a section through a ball and socket join according to this invention; Fig. 2 is a cut-away view of a bearing cup as is utilised in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a section through the bearing cup of Fig. 2. With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, a ball and socket joint for the steering system of an automobile comprises a socket housing 11 having a s screwthreaded shank 12 thereon for attaching the joint to a steering system member (not shown). A ball pin 13 has its spherical head 14 rotatable in a bearing cup 15 located in the housing 11, and the shank 1 6 of the ball pin extends out of the housing for attachment to another steering system member (not shown). The bearing cup 1 5 is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and is substantially a cup shaped plastic moulding made from acetal resin, or alternatively nylon 6 or 66. The base of the bearing cup 1 5 has an aperture 21 therein through which the shank 1 6 of the ball pin passes. The internal surface of the bearing cup is spherical to co-operate with the head 14 and its external surface is shaped to the internal surface of the housing. A collar 22 adjacent the mouth 24 of the cup 1 5 seats on an internal shoulder 23 in the housing to locate the cup in the housing, and the cup 1 5 is secured in position by an end plate 1 7 staked into one end of the housing 11. The internal surface of the cup is shaped to provide support for the ball 14 on both sides of an equator E-E thereof so that the bearing cup has to be snapped over the ball. In order to facilitate this, longitudinal slots 25 are provided in the walls of the bearing cup and extend from the mouth 24 of the cup towards its base, thereby forming a circumferentially spaced petals 26 joined together around the base of the cup. Circumferentially alternate petals 26 provide different extents of support for the ball 14 by having different longitudinal length bearing surfaces in contact with the ball. Thus, the petals 26' do not provide a bearing surface that extends as far beyond the equator E-E as the petals 26", although all the petals 26 have the same length. Inclined faces 27 and 28 cut back from the bearing surface of the petals 26' and 26" respectively to the mouth 24 of the cup so that the thickness of the petals 26' at the mouth is less than the thickness of the petals 26". When the bearing cup is snapped over ball 14 the petals 26' will flex further than the petals 26" as they pass over the ball. Therefore, the moulded cup 1 5 is subjected to less internal stresses that it would be if all the petals 26 were of the same length as the longer petals 26'. Claims
1. A ball and socket joint in which the ball of the ball pin is rotatable in a bearing cup which supports the ball on both sides of an equator, the Ibearing cup having longitudinal slots extending from the mouth of the cup towards the base thereof to divide the cylindrical wall into spaced petals joined around the base of the cup, characterised in that adjacent petals have different longitudinal length featuring surfaces in contact with the ball.
2. Ajoint as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that alternate petals around the cylindrical wall have the same longitudinal length bearing surface.
3. A ball and socket joint substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB08139002A 1981-12-24 1981-12-24 Ball and socket joints Expired GB2112448B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08139002A GB2112448B (en) 1981-12-24 1981-12-24 Ball and socket joints

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08139002A GB2112448B (en) 1981-12-24 1981-12-24 Ball and socket joints

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2112448A true GB2112448A (en) 1983-07-20
GB2112448B GB2112448B (en) 1985-05-30

Family

ID=10526863

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08139002A Expired GB2112448B (en) 1981-12-24 1981-12-24 Ball and socket joints

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2112448B (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2651838A1 (en) * 1989-09-13 1991-03-15 Automotive Prod France Piston assembly intended to be used with a hydraulic cylinder
DE19832254A1 (en) * 1998-07-17 2000-01-27 Sachsenring Entwicklungsgesell Ball joint and method for its production
FR2885188A1 (en) * 2005-05-02 2006-11-03 Pretto Alain De Ball joint for steering column controlling system of motor vehicle, has blades either in contact with respect to each other by their lateral edges and sides or in contact with ball surface when blades are folded back on ball surface
ES2358709A1 (en) * 2007-05-21 2011-05-13 Robert Bosch Gmbh Screwing device for use in mechanical adjusting device, has effective connection produced during actuation between outer side and drive or inner side and drive, where drive force of drive is transferred to outer side or inner side
CN111183295A (en) * 2017-10-27 2020-05-19 费德罗-莫格尔汽车零部件有限责任公司 Ball and socket assembly and method of manufacture

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2651838A1 (en) * 1989-09-13 1991-03-15 Automotive Prod France Piston assembly intended to be used with a hydraulic cylinder
DE19832254A1 (en) * 1998-07-17 2000-01-27 Sachsenring Entwicklungsgesell Ball joint and method for its production
DE19832254C2 (en) * 1998-07-17 2000-10-12 Sachsenring Entwicklungsgesell Ball joint and method for its production
FR2885188A1 (en) * 2005-05-02 2006-11-03 Pretto Alain De Ball joint for steering column controlling system of motor vehicle, has blades either in contact with respect to each other by their lateral edges and sides or in contact with ball surface when blades are folded back on ball surface
ES2358709A1 (en) * 2007-05-21 2011-05-13 Robert Bosch Gmbh Screwing device for use in mechanical adjusting device, has effective connection produced during actuation between outer side and drive or inner side and drive, where drive force of drive is transferred to outer side or inner side
CN111183295A (en) * 2017-10-27 2020-05-19 费德罗-莫格尔汽车零部件有限责任公司 Ball and socket assembly and method of manufacture
US11698101B2 (en) 2017-10-27 2023-07-11 Federal-Mogul Motorparts Llc Ball socket assembly and method of making

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2112448B (en) 1985-05-30

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Legal Events

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee