GB2561967A - Method for mounting a joint component - Google Patents

Method for mounting a joint component Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2561967A
GB2561967A GB1803268.0A GB201803268A GB2561967A GB 2561967 A GB2561967 A GB 2561967A GB 201803268 A GB201803268 A GB 201803268A GB 2561967 A GB2561967 A GB 2561967A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
joint
receiving cup
cup
bearing
component
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
GB1803268.0A
Other versions
GB201803268D0 (en
GB2561967B (en
Inventor
Schneeloch Axel
Person Friederike
Lampe Michael
Dietzmann Bodo
Guenther Jan
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.)
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
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ZF Friedrichshafen AG
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Publication date
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Publication of GB201803268D0 publication Critical patent/GB201803268D0/en
Publication of GB2561967A publication Critical patent/GB2561967A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2561967B publication Critical patent/GB2561967B/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P11/00—Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for 
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P11/00—Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for 
    • B23P11/02—Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for  by first expanding and then shrinking or vice versa, e.g. by using pressure fluids; by making force fits
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P11/00—Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for 
    • B23P11/02—Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for  by first expanding and then shrinking or vice versa, e.g. by using pressure fluids; by making force fits
    • B23P11/025—Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for  by first expanding and then shrinking or vice versa, e.g. by using pressure fluids; by making force fits by using heat or cold
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P13/00—Making metal objects by operations essentially involving machining but not covered by a single other subclass
    • 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
    • F16C11/0614—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints the female part of the joint being open on two sides
    • 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
    • F16C11/0633—Construction or details of the socket member with linings the linings being made of plastics
    • 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
    • F16C11/0685—Manufacture of ball-joints and parts thereof, e.g. assembly of ball-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
    • 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
    • F16C11/0695—Mounting of ball-joints, e.g. fixing them to a connecting rod
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P2700/00—Indexing scheme relating to the articles being treated, e.g. manufactured, repaired, assembled, connected or other operations covered in the subgroups
    • B23P2700/11—Joints, e.g. ball joints, universal joints

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
  • Automatic Assembly (AREA)
  • Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for mounting a joint component including a joint receiving cup component 11 with a joint receiving cup 12 and a joint 1 comprising a joint housing 2, an inner joint portion 3 with a bearing portion 4, and a bearing cup 5.The joint receiving cup is heated during a joint receiving cup component heating step. The joint is press-fitted at its joint housing into the joint receiving cup of the heated joint receiving cup component during a press-fitting step. This causes the joint housing to be heated by the heated joint receiving cup during a joint housing heating step. The heated housing then heats the bearing cup to temper it during a tempering step. The heating of the joint receiving cup may be performed by inserting a medium frequency range inductor 15 into the joint receiving cup. The bearing cup may be a thermoplastic material and may be preloaded so that it is deformed during tempering, causing its shape to conform to the exterior surface of the bearing portion. Additionally the inner joint portion may be heated by an inductor to temper the bearing cup. The joint component may be a vehicle chassis component.

Description

(56) Documents Cited:
EP 1614910 A1 DE 102014223061 A1 US 3506315 A
DE 102014225313 A1 US 4439909 A US 20060222277 A1 (71) Applicant(s):
ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Incorporated in the Federal Republic of Germany) Corporate Intellectual Property, Graf-von-Soden-Platz 1, 88046 Friedrichshafen, Germany (58) Field of Search:
INT CL B23P, F16C
Other: WPI, EPODOC, Patent Fulltext (72) Inventor(s):
Axel Schneeloch Friederike Person Michael Lampe Bodo Dietzmann Jan Guenther (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:
Venner Shipley LLP
200 Aldersgate, LONDON, EC1A4HD,
United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Method for mounting a joint component Abstract Title: Method for Mounting a Joint Component (57) Disclosed is a method for mounting a joint component including a joint receiving cup component 11 with a joint receiving cup 12 and a joint 1 comprising a joint housing 2, an inner joint portion 3 with a bearing portion 4, and a bearing cup 5.The joint receiving cup is heated during a joint receiving cup component heating step. The joint is press-fitted at its joint housing into the joint receiving cup of the heated joint receiving cup component during a press-fitting step. This causes the joint housing to be heated by the heated joint receiving cup during a joint housing heating step. The heated housing then heats the bearing cup to temper it during a tempering step. The heating of the joint receiving cup may be performed by inserting a medium frequency range inductor 15 into the joint receiving cup. The bearing cup may be a thermoplastic material and may be preloaded so that it is deformed during tempering, causing its shape to conform to the exterior surface of the bearing portion. Additionally the inner joint portion may be heated by an inductor to temper the bearing cup. The joint component may be a vehicle chassis component.
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Method for mounting a joint component
The invention relates to a method for mounting a joint component, which includes a joint receiving cup component comprising a joint receiving cup and a joint comprising a joint housing and an inner joint portion with a bearing portion, wherein the inner joint portion is attached to the joint housing — said housing establishing a secure connection between joint and joint receiving cup — in its bearing portion by use of a bearing cup, such that the inner joint portion is movable, wherein the joint housing is heated during a joint housing heating step and the bearing cup is heated by the heated joint housing during a tempering step, thus tempering the bearing cup.
Tempering a bearing seat of a ball joint is known from, for example, DE 11 2012 001 492 T5, which discloses a method for preparing a ball joint, which comprises a housing formed from tube-shaped metal, a ball stud formed from metal, which comprises a ball portion and a stud portion protruding from the ball portion, and a bearing seat formed from a thermoplastic/synthetic resin, which is fitted into the housing while surrounding and holding the ball portion, such that the stud portion is able to swivel. The known method comprises a mounting step for mounting the ball joint while preload is applied to the bearing seat, and a heating step for heating the ball joint after the mounting step, during which the bearing seat is heated, such that the bearing seat conforms to an outer circumferential surface of the ball portion, wherein an induction heating coil is arranged during the heating step, such that said coil surrounds the housing of the ball joint, such that the housing is heated when the induction heating coil is excited, which in turn heats and softens the bearing seat due to the heat transfer from an interior circumferential surface of the housing to the bearing seat.
When the ball joint known from DE 11 2012 001 492 T5 is press-fitted into a joint receiving cup in the form of a stud yoke in a vehicle chassis component, the pressfitting usually alters the friction characteristics of the ball joint, which not desirable.
Based on the aforementioned, the object underlying the invention is to eliminate, or at least reduce, the detrimental effect on the joint's friction characteristics of pressfitting said joint into the joint receiving cup.
This object is achieved by a method according to Claim 1. Preferred further developments of this method are listed in the dependent claims and in the following description.
The aforementioned method for mounting a joint component, which includes a joint receiving cup component comprising a joint receiving cup and a joint comprising a joint housing and an inner joint portion with a bearing portion, wherein the inner joint portion is attached to the joint housing — said housing establishing a secure connection between joint and joint receiving cup — in its bearing portion by use of a bearing cup, such that the inner joint portion is movable, wherein — the joint housing is heated during a joint housing heating step and — the bearing cup is heated by the heated joint housing during a tempering step, thus tempering the bearing cup, specifically is further developed by — heating the joint receiving cup component in, or at least in, the area of the joint receiving cup during a joint receiving cup component heating step, — press-fitting the joint at its joint housing into the joint receiving cup of the heated joint receiving cup component during a press-fitting step, and — heating the joint housing pressed into the joint receiving cup through the heated joint receiving cup component during a joint housing heating step.
The tempering therefore is conducted after press-fitting the joint into the joint receiving cup, such that the stresses created in the bearing cup by the press-fitting, which detrimentally affect the friction characteristics, are or can be relieved. Specifically, the method can be applied regardless whether or not the joint has been tempered prior to its preparation and/or prior to the press-fitting step. According to a first alternative, the joint and/or its bearing cup, for example, is/are tempered prior to the press-fitting step in a preceding tempering step. Specifically, the joint then is tempered again during the tempering step, preferably following the press-fitting step. According to a second alternative, the joint and/or its bearing cup, for example, is/are not tempered prior to the press-fitting step.
Specifically, the friction characteristics relate to the friction present between the bearing portion of the inner joint portion and the bearing cup, which preferably is and/or comprises kinetic friction and/or static friction.
The press-fitting step preferably follows the joint receiving cup component heating step. Furthermore, the joint housing heating step preferably follows the press-fitting step. In particular, the tempering step follows the joint housing heating step, or the tempering step is, for example, conducted simultaneously with the joint housing heating step.
The joint and/or the joint housing preferably is/are associated with an axial direction.
It is advantageous if the joint and/or the joint housing is/are associated with a longitudinal axis, which preferably extends in the/an axial direction. A direction, or any direction, crossing the axial direction and/or the longitudinal axis specifically is called a radial direction.
Preferably, the joint housing extends in the axial direction and/or the direction of the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the joint housing and/or the interior circumferential surface of the joint housing and/or the exterior circumferential surface of the joint housing is/are designed in a cylinder shape or essentially in a cylinder shape. Preferably, the joint housing is designed rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis, or essentially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the same. It is advantageous if the joint housing is pressed into the joint receiving cup in axial direction and/or in the direction of the longitudinal axis during the press-fitting step.
According to one embodiment, the joint receiving cup component is made from an electrically conductive material, specifically at least in the portion including the joint receiving cup. Preferably, the joint receiving cup component is made from metal, specifically at least in the portion including the joint receiving cup. Preferably, the joint receiving cup component is made from aluminum, magnesium or an iron-based material such as steel, specifically at least in the portion including the joint receiving cup.
The joint receiving cup preferably is formed by a recess in the joint receiving cup component, specifically a recess extending all the way through the component. Preferably, the recess extends in the axial direction and/or the direction of the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the joint receiving cup and/or the recess is/are designed in a cylinder shape or essentially in a cylinder shape. Preferably, the joint receiving cup and/or the recess is/are designed rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis, or essentially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the same. For example, the joint receiving cup can be formed by a rod eye provided in the joint receiving cup component.
It is possible to heat the entire joint receiving cup component during the joint receiving cup component heating step. However, this is associated with a significant expense of time. Preferably, the joint receiving cup component is only heated in the portion of the joint receiving cup — that is, locally — during the joint receiving cup heating step. Heating the joint receiving cup component during the joint receiving cup component heating step can be performed in a furnace, for example, or with a laser. However, heating the joint receiving cup component in a furnace has the disadvantage of usually having to temporarily pull the component from the production line. Furthermore, heating the joint receiving cup component in a furnace takes a relatively long time, as the entire component is heated. On the other hand, when using a laser, the joint receiving cup component can be heated only in its joint receiving cup portion — that is, locally — which is faster compared to heating the component in a furnace. But a laser with sufficient output is expensive. And its use requires that appropriate protective measures are taken at the workplace.
Preferably, heating the joint receiving cup component is performed by induction during the joint receiving cup component heating step, induction heating can be realized with relative cost efficiency. Furthermore, induction heating is a comparatively quick heating process. Specifically, the induction heating is performed using an inductor during the joint receiving cup component heating step. Preferably, the inductor is inserted into the joint receiving cup for this purpose, specifically inserted temporarily.
It is advantageous to perform the induction heating in the medium frequency range and/or in a frequency range of or of about 10 kHz to 100 kHz during the joint receiving cup heating step. Alternatively, the induction heating can be performed in the high frequency range during the joint receiving cup heating step. However, the penetration depth into the joint receiving cup component of the magnetic field produced by the inductor typically is greater in the medium frequency range. Preferably, the joint receiving cup component is only heated in its joint receiving cup portion — that is, locally — by the induction heating.
According to one further development, the joint housing is in heat-conducting contact with the bearing cup. Preferably, the joint housing is in direct contact with the bearing cup. Specifically, heat is transferred from the heated joint housing to the bearing cup. It is advantageous to bring the joint housing into heat-conducting contact with the joint receiving cup component by press-fitting it during the press-fitting step, specifically with the heated joint receiving cup component. Preferably, the joint housing is brought into direct contact with the joint receiving cup component by press-fitting it during the press-fitting step, specifically with the heated joint receiving cup component. Specifically, heat is transferred from the heated joint receiving cup component to the joint housing.
According to one embodiment, the joint housing is made from a heat-conducting material. Preferably, the joint housing is made from metal. Preferably, the joint housing is made from aluminum, magnesium or an iron-based material such as steel. Specifically, heat is transferred from the heated joint receiving cup component through the joint housing to the bearing cup.
The bearing cup preferably is made from plastic. Specifically, the bearing cup is made from a thermoplastic material. For example, the bearing shell can be made from polyoxymethylene (POM). During the tempering step, the bearing cup preferably is heated such that the bearing cup can be deformed and/or plastically deformed, specifically while tempering. Specifically, the bearing cup is designed rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis, or essentially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the same.
Preferably, the bearing cup is preloaded and/or under pressure, specifically prior to the tempering step and/or during the tempering step. The preload preferably is a compressive stress. It is advantageous if the bearing cup is deformed during the tempering. Preferably, the bearing cup conforms its shape to the exterior surface of the bearing portion during this process and/or because of the tempering. Preferably, stresses inside the bearing cup are relieved by the tempering.
According to one further development, the heated bearing cup is cooled during a cooling step. The cooling of the bearing cup is, for example, performed passively or actively, such as by use of a cooling device. Preferably, the cooling device is used to cool the joint and/or the joint component, specifically in its joint portion. The cooling device, for example, generates a cooling air flow, by use of, for example, at least one fan. Preferably, the joint and/or the joint component are exposed to the cooling air flow, specifically in the joint portion. Alternatively, for example, the joint and/or the joint component merely is/are left to rest at room temperature, which specifically corresponds to a passive cooling process. The cooling step preferably follows the tempering step.
According to one embodiment, the inner joint portion is heated during a inner joint portion heating step. Preferably, the bearing cup is heated further by the heated inner joint portion during the tempering step, thus tempering the bearing cup; or the bearing cup is heated again by the heated inner joint portion during a subsequent tempering step following the first, thus tempering the bearing cup again. This is particularly useful if it is determined that the heat input to the bearing cup from the joint housing alone is not sufficient to achieve the desired friction characteristics after the tempering step. Preferably, the inner joint portion heating step follows the press-fitting step and/or the joint housing heating step and/or the tempering step. But the inner joint portion heating step also can be performed simultaneously with the joint housing heating step. It is advantageous for the subsequent tempering step to follow the inner joint portion heating step and/or the tempering step. But the subsequent tempering step also can be performed simultaneously with the inner joint portion heating step. The cooling step preferably follows the subsequent tempering step.
Preferably, the inner joint portion, specifically its bearing portion, is in heat-conducting contact with the bearing cup. Preferably, the inner joint portion, specifically its bearing portion, is in direct contact with the bearing cup. Specifically, heat is transferred from the heated inner joint portion to the bearing cup.
According to one further development, the inner joint portion is made from an electrically conductive material. Preferably, the inner joint portion is made from metal. Preferably, the inner joint portion is made from aluminum, magnesium or an iron-based material such as steel. Specifically, the inner joint portion is associated with an inner joint portion axis. Preferably, the inner joint portion is designed rotationally symmetrical with respect to the inner joint portion axis, or essentially rotationally symmetrical with respect to the same.
Preferably, heating the inner joint portion is performed by induction during the inner joint portion heating step. Specifically, the induction heating is performed using an inner joint portion inductor during the inner joint portion heating step. It is advantageous to perform the induction heating in the medium frequency range and/or in a frequency range of or of about 10 kHz to 100 kHz during the inner joint portion heating step. Alternatively, the induction heating can be performed in the high frequency range during the inner joint portion heating step.
According to one embodiment, the inner joint portion is formed by a sleeve with an inner joint portion recess, which specifically is continuous. Preferably, the inner joint portion inductor is inserted into the inner joint portion recess for the purpose of induction heating during the inner joint portion heating step, specifically inserted temporarily. Alternatively, the inner joint portion inductor is moved over the inner joint portion for the purpose of induction heating during the inner joint portion heating step, specifically moved over temporarily.
According to one further development, the bearing portion of the inner joint portion is seated in the bearing cup such that the inner joint portion is able to slide. Preferably, the inner joint portion extends beyond the joint housing on one side or at least on one side or on both sides, specifically in axial direction and/or in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the bearing portion is designed to be spherical. It is advanta8 geous for the joint to be a ball joint or a ball joint with sleeve. Preferably, the inner joint portion therefore is a ball stud or a ball sleeve. Preferably, the bearing cup is a ball cup. Specifically, the inner joint portion is attached to the joint housing in its bearing portion by use of a bearing cup, such that the inner joint portion can be rotated and/or swiveled and/or tilted.
According to one embodiment, the joint component and/or the joint receiving cup component is/are (a) vehicle component(s). Specifically, the joint component and/or the joint receiving cup component is/are (a) structural component(s) and/or chassis component(s) of a vehicle. Preferably, the joint component and/or the joint receiving cup component is/are (a) track bar(s) or axle knuckle(s) of a or said vehicle. Preferably, the joint component is installed into a or said vehicle and/or into a or said chassis of a or said vehicle. Preferably, the inner joint portion is attached to a first vehicle component or chassis component of a or said vehicle, and/or the joint receiving cup component is attached to a second vehicle component or chassis component of said vehicle, specifically after the tempering step and/or after the subsequent tempering step and/or after the cooling step.
The invention is described in the following by means of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. The drawings show:
Fig. 1 A side view of a joint
Fig. 2 A longitudinal cross section of the joint along the line A-A shown in Fig. 1
Fig. 3 A side view of a joint receiving cup component with a joint receiving cup to receive the joint
Fig. 4 A schematic representation of the joint receiving cup component, wherein an inductor is inserted into the joint receiving cup
Fig. 5 A side view of a joint component, which comprises the joint receiving cup component and the joint, which is inserted into the joint receiving cup
Fig. 6 A longitudinal cross section through the joint inserted into the joint receiving cup, wherein an inductor is inserted into the inner joint portion of the joint.
Figs. 1 and 2 show different views of a joint 1 in the form of a ball joint with sleeve, wherein Fig. 1 shows a side view of the joint 1 and Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal cross section through the joint 1 along the line A-A shown in Fig. 1. The joint 1 comprises a joint housing 2 and an inner joint portion 3 in the form of a ball sleeve with a spherical bearing portion 4, wherein the inner joint portion 3 is attached to the joint housing 2 in its bearing portion 4 by use of a bearing cup 5 made from plastic, such that the inner joint portion 3 is movable. The inner joint portion 3 is made from metal and its bearing portion 4 is seated in the bearing cup 5, which here is designed as a spherical cup, such that the inner joint portion 3 is able to slide. Furthermore, the joint housing 2 is made from metal.
The joint 1 and/or the joint housing 2 are associated with a longitudinal axis 6 extending in an axial direction x, respective to which the joint housing 2 is rotationally symmetric. Furthermore, the bearing cup 5 is rotationally symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis 6. Specifically, the longitudinal axis 6 forms the line A-A. The inner joint portion 3 is associated with an inner joint portion axis 7, respective to which the inner joint portion 3 is rotationally symmetric. The inner joint portion 3 is free to rotate around the inner joint portion axis 7 relative to the bearing cup 5 and/or relative to the joint housing 2. Furthermore, the spherical bearing portion 4 is associated with a center point M. The inner joint portion 3 is free to tilt around the center point M relative to the bearing cup 5 and/or relative to the joint housing 2. However, in the non-tilted state of the joint 1 shown in Fig. 2, the inner joint portion axis 7 is identical to the longitudinal axis 6. The bearing cup 5 specifically is seated in the joint housing 2 such that the bearing cup 5 is fixed and/or immovable.
The inner joint portion 3 extends in the axial direction x out of both sides of the joint housing 2. Furthermore, the bearing cup 5 is preloaded and is secured to the joint housing 2 with a lock ring 8. The lock ring 8 specifically is included with the housing 2.
Fig. 1 also shows two sealing boots 9 and 10, which are omitted in Fig. 2. The sealing boot 9 extends from the joint housing 2 to the inner joint portion 3, and the sealing boot 10 extends from the lock ring 8 to the inner joint portion 3. The sealing boots 9 and 10 are provided at different ends of the inner joint portion 3 and/or at different axial ends of the joint housing 2.
Fig. 3 shows a side view of a joint receiving cup component 11 with a joint receiving cup 12 in the form of a cylinder-shaped recess for the joint 1, wherein the joint receiving cup component 11 is made from metal. Furthermore, the joint receiving cup component 11 includes two additional joint receiving cups 13 and 14.
Fig. 5 shows a side view of a joint component 19, which comprises the joint receiving cup component 11 and the joint 1, which is inserted into the joint receiving cup 12. The joint component 19 here forms a track bar, specifically a rear axle track bar. In the following, a method for mounting the joint component 19 is described according to one embodiment.
Fig. 4 shows a partial representation of the joint receiving cup component 11, wherein a schematically represented inductor 15 has been inserted into the joint receiving cup 12, said inductor having been connected to an electric frequency generator 16. The inductor 15 is used to generate eddy currents in the joint receiving cup component 11 in its portion including the joint receiving cup 12, which heat the joint receiving cup component 11 in its portion including the joint receiving cup 12. Following this, the inductor 15 is removed from the joint receiving cup 12, after which the joint 1 is press-fitted at its joint housing 2 into the joint receiving cup 12, specifically in the axial direction x. The joint receiving cup component 11, which has been heated in its portion including the joint receiving cup 12, heats the joint housing 2, which in turn heats the bearing cup 5. The bearing cup 5 is tempered by this process and conforms its shape to the exterior surface of the bearing portion 4, which also results in the relief of interior stresses in the bearing cup 5. Subsequently, the joint 1 and/or the joint receiving cup component 11 and/or the bearing cup 5 cool(s) down. Furthermore, a ball joint 17 is inserted into the joint receiving cup 13, and a rubber mount 18, which is only schematically indicated here, is inserted into the joint receiving cup 14. Thus the joint component 19 shown in Fig. 5 is formed.
Should the friction characteristics of the joint 1 — that is, the friction between the bearing portion 4 and the bearing cup 5 — not have reached the desired degree after the tempering of the bearing cup 5, an inductor 21 is inserted into a recess 20 provided in the inner joint portion 3 after the tempering, wherein this inductor also is referred to as inner joint portion inductor and wherein this inductor is connected to an electric frequency generator 22. This specifically is performed prior to the cooling down of the joint 1 and/or the joint receiving cup component 11 and/or the bearing cup 5. The electric frequency generator 22 can be the electric frequency generator 16 or a separate frequency generator.
The inductor 21 generates eddy currents in the bearing portion 4 of the ball sleeve 3, which heat the bearing portion 4 of the inner joint portion 3. The heated bearing portion 4 is in heat-conducting contact with the bearing cup 5 and heats the bearing cup 5, which thereby is subsequently tempered. Once again, the bearing cup 5 conforms its shape to the exterior surface of the bearing portion 4, which also results in the relief of interior stresses in the bearing cup 5. After the subsequent tempering, the joint 1 and/or the joint receiving cup component 11 and/or the bearing cup 5 cool(s) off. Furthermore, the inductor 21 is removed from the ball sleeve 12.
Reference numbers
Joint/ball joint with sleeve
Joint housing
Inner joint portion/ball sleeve
Bearing portion of the inner joint portion
Bearing cup
Longitudinal axis
Inner joint portion axis
Lock ring
Sealing boot
Sealing boot
Joint receiving cup component
Joint receiving cup of the joint receiving cup component Additional joint receiving cup of the joint receiving cup component Additional joint receiving cup of the joint receiving cup component Inductor
Electric frequency generator
Ball joint
Rubber mount
Joint component/track bar
Recess in the inner joint portion
Inductor
Electric frequency generator
Center point of the bearing portion
Axial direction

Claims (14)

Claims
1. A method for mounting a joint component (19), which includes a joint receiving cup component (11) comprising a joint receiving cup (12) and a joint (1) comprising a joint housing (2) and an inner joint portion (3) with a bearing portion (4), wherein the inner joint portion (3) is attached to the joint housing (2) — said housing establishing a secure connection between joint (1) and joint receiving cup (12) — in its bearing portion (4) by use of a bearing cup (5), such that the inner joint portion (3) is movable, wherein — the joint housing (2) is heated during a joint housing heating step and — the bearing cup (5) is heated by the heated joint housing (2) during a tempering step, thus tempering the bearing cup (5), characterized in that — the joint receiving cup component (11) is heated in, or at least in, the area of the joint receiving cup (12) during a joint receiving cup component heating step, — the joint (1) is press-fitted at its joint housing (2) into the joint receiving cup (12) of the heated joint receiving cup component (11) during a press-fitting step, and — the joint housing (2) press-fitted into the joint receiving cup (12) is heated by the heated joint receiving cup component (11) during a joint housing heating step.
2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the joint receiving cup component (11) is made from an electrically conductive material, at least in the portion comprising the joint receiving cup (12), and that the heating of the joint receiving cup component (11) is performed by induction during the joint receiving cup component heating step.
3. The method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the induction heating is performed using an inductor (15) during the joint receiving cup component heating step, wherein said inductor (15) is temporarily inserted into the joint receiving cup (12) for this purpose, which is formed by a recess provided in the joint receiving cup component (11).
4. The method according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the induction heating is performed in the medium frequency range during the joint receiving cup heating step.
5. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint housing (2) is in heat-conducting contact with the bearing cup (5) and is brought into heat-conducting contact with the heated joint receiving cup component (11) by the press-fitting performed during the press-fitting step.
6. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint housing (2) is made from a heat-conducting material.
7. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing cup (5) is made from a thermoplastic material.
8. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing cup (5) is preloaded, that it is deformed during the tempering and that this process causes it to conform its shape to the exterior surface of the bearing portion (4).
9. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that — the inner joint portion (3) is heated during a inner joint portion heating step and — the bearing cup (5) is heated further by the heated inner joint portion (3) during the tempering step, thus tempering the bearing cup; or the bearing cup (5) is heated again by the heated inner joint portion (3) during a subsequent tempering step following the first, thus tempering the bearing cup again.
10. The method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the inner joint portion (3) is made from an electrically conductive material and that the heating of the inner joint portion (3) is performed by induction during the inner joint portion heating step.
11. The method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the inner joint portion (3) is a sleeve including an inner joint portion recess (20), wherein the induction heating during the inner joint portion heating step is performed using an inner joint portion inductor (21), which is temporarily inserted into the inner joint portion recess (20) for this purpose.
12. The method according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the induction heating is performed in the medium frequency range during the inner joint portion heating step.
13. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing portion (4) of the inner joint portion (3) is seated in the bearing cup (5) such that the inner joint portion (3) is able to slide.
14. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint component (19) is a vehicle chassis component.
Intellectual
Property
Office
Application No:
GB1803268.0A 2017-04-20 2018-02-28 Method for mounting a joint component Active GB2561967B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102017206705.5A DE102017206705B4 (en) 2017-04-20 2017-04-20 Method of assembling a joint component

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GB2561967A true GB2561967A (en) 2018-10-31
GB2561967B GB2561967B (en) 2022-03-16

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DE (1) DE102017206705B4 (en)
GB (1) GB2561967B (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102019129271B3 (en) * 2019-10-30 2020-06-04 Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG Device and method for assembling a plain bearing

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US4439909A (en) * 1982-07-08 1984-04-03 General Motors Corporation Ball joint manufacture
EP1614910A1 (en) * 2003-04-16 2006-01-11 Thk Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing spherical bearing
US20060222277A1 (en) * 2003-03-31 2006-10-05 Smith Paul R Spherical bearing arrangement
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DE102014225313A1 (en) * 2014-12-09 2016-06-09 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Method for heating a bearing shell of a joint

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CN102105704A (en) * 2008-07-25 2011-06-22 电缆行业运转控制有限责任公司 High-temperature bearing assemblies and methods of making the same
CN101936329A (en) * 2010-08-12 2011-01-05 北泰汽车底盘系统(安徽)有限公司 Method for assembling automobile spherical hinge assembly
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US3506315A (en) * 1967-06-13 1970-04-14 Roy W Young Jr Self-aligning bearing and process for its fabrication
US4439909A (en) * 1982-07-08 1984-04-03 General Motors Corporation Ball joint manufacture
US20060222277A1 (en) * 2003-03-31 2006-10-05 Smith Paul R Spherical bearing arrangement
EP1614910A1 (en) * 2003-04-16 2006-01-11 Thk Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing spherical bearing
DE102014223061A1 (en) * 2014-11-12 2016-05-12 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Method of making a joint
DE102014225313A1 (en) * 2014-12-09 2016-06-09 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Method for heating a bearing shell of a joint

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CN108730326A (en) 2018-11-02
CN108730326B (en) 2021-11-30
DE102017206705A1 (en) 2018-10-25
DE102017206705B4 (en) 2019-12-19
GB201803268D0 (en) 2018-04-11
GB2561967B (en) 2022-03-16

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