JP2007162895A - Ball joint and its bearing sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ball sheet of a ball joint which restrains shaking of a ball section while securing its life. <P>SOLUTION: The ball sheet is provide with: an approximately cylindrical sheet body 41 for retaining an inner chamber 21 of a socket 3; and a metal urging section 42 for retaining rotatably a part of an approximately globular ball section 15 of a ball stud 2 while urging it toward a centeral direction. The life of the ball sheet 4 is secured because the sheet body 41 and urging section 42 are made of metal, and the shaking of the ball section 15 is restrained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball joint bearing seat that rotatably holds at least a part of a substantially spherical ball portion of a ball stud, and a ball joint including the same.

  Conventionally, for example, as a ball joint used in an automobile stabilizer link or the like, a ball sheet as a bearing sheet made of a synthetic resin is attached to an inner chamber of a metal socket, and this ball sheet is used to form a spherical ball stud of a metal ball stud. There is one in which the ball portion is held rotatably.

  In such a ball joint, since the ball sheet is made of synthetic resin, the inner peripheral surface of the ball sheet is scraped by wear with the metal ball portion, and it is not easy to ensure the service life of the ball joint.

Then, the ball joint which made the ball seat metal is known (for example, refer to patent documents 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-310741 (page 5-6, FIG. 11)

  However, if the ball sheet is made of metal, the ball sheet itself is not very flexible, and a gap may be formed between the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion and the inner peripheral surface of the ball seat, which may cause rattling of the ball portion. Has the problem.

  This invention is made in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the bearing seat of the ball joint which suppressed the rattling of the ball | bowl part, ensuring a service life, and a ball joint provided with the same. .

  The ball joint bearing sheet according to claim 1 is provided with a substantially cylindrical sheet main body made of metal held in the inner chamber of the socket and at least a part of the substantially spherical ball portion of the ball stud directed toward the center. And a metal urging portion that holds the urging force while being urged.

  Further, by providing a metal urging portion that urges at least a part of the ball portion toward the center while being pivotably held, rattling of the ball portion is suppressed while ensuring a service life. The

  The ball joint bearing seat according to claim 2 is the ball joint bearing seat according to claim 1, wherein the urging portion is elastically pressed from one axial end portion of the seat body to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion. As shown in FIG.

  And, the biasing portion extends from one end portion in the axial direction of the seat body to the free end shape and elastically presses the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion, thereby rattling the ball portion, It is more reliably suppressed.

  The ball joint bearing seat according to claim 3 is the ball joint bearing seat according to claim 1, wherein the urging portion is elastically pressed from one end portion of the seat body in the axial direction to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion. Thus, it is folded back and extended in the shape of a free end toward the other end.

  Then, the urging portion extends in a free end shape from one end portion in the axial direction of the seat body to the other end side, and elastically presses the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion, so that the outer periphery of the ball portion is The urging portion that comes into contact with the surface is formed large, and rattling of the ball portion is more reliably suppressed.

  The ball joint bearing sheet according to claim 4 is the ball joint bearing sheet according to claim 1, wherein the urging portion is folded back in a free end shape from the held portion held by the seat body and the held portion. And a pressing piece portion that extends and is elastically pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion.

  Then, the urging portion extends from the held portion held by the seat body by folding the pressing piece portion into a free end shape, and elastically presses the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion, thereby rattling the ball portion. Stickiness is more reliably suppressed.

  The ball joint according to claim 5 is rotatably held in the socket having an inner chamber, the bearing seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4 accommodated in the inner chamber, and the bearing seat. And a ball stud provided with a substantially spherical ball portion.

  And the reliability and durability are improved by providing the bearing seat as described in any one of the Claims 1 thru | or 4 which suppress the shakiness of a ball | bowl part.

  According to the present invention, rattling of the ball portion can be suppressed.

  The configuration of the ball joint according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a ball joint, and this ball joint 1 is used for, for example, a stabilizer link of an automobile. The ball joint 1 is made of, for example, a ball stud 2 made of steel, a substantially cylindrical socket 3 made of metal, a metal ball sheet 4 as a bearing seat, and a substantially cylindrical body made of rubber or soft synthetic resin. And a dust cover 5 formed in a shape.

  Hereinafter, for convenience, the vertical direction shown in FIG. 1 will be described as the vertical direction.

  The ball stud 2 has a ball portion 15 rotatably held on the ball seat 4 and a shaft-shaped stud portion 16 welded to the ball portion 15.

  The ball portion 15 is accommodated in the socket 3 while being held by the ball seat 4. The stud portion 16 protrudes from the socket 3 in the shape of a shaft. Further, a flange portion 17 projects from the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the continuous portion between the stud portion 16 and the ball portion 15. A screw portion 18 is formed on the outer periphery of the stud portion 16 above the flange portion 17 so as to be connected to a connected portion such as an automobile stabilizer.

  The socket 3 is made of zinc or aluminum die-cast formed with the ball portion 15 and the ball seat 4 as a core, and has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface-like inner chamber 21 into which the ball seat 4 is fitted. An upper opening 22 communicating with the inner chamber 21 is formed at the upper end, which is one end in the axial direction, and a lower opening 23 communicating with the inner chamber 21 is opened at the lower end, which is the other end in the axial direction. Is formed. Further, a fitting recess 25 to which the dust cover 5 is attached is cut out on the outer peripheral surface on the upper end side of the socket 3.

  At a position near the lower opening 23 of the inner chamber 21, a sheet holding step surface 26 protrudes substantially horizontally in the direction of the central axis of the socket 3. The sheet holding step surface 26 is provided continuously over the entire circumferential direction of the inner chamber 21.

  Further, the upper opening 22 protrudes outside through the stud portion 16 of the ball stud 2.

  A plug 28 as a holding member that covers the lower opening 23 is attached to the lower opening 23.

  The plug 28 is also referred to as a cap, and is formed in a substantially disc shape, for example, by metal. The upper peripheral edge is fitted to the step portion 31 provided at the peripheral edge of the lower opening 23, and the socket 3. The lower peripheral edge is fixed by a caulking portion 32 provided at the outer peripheral edge of the lower opening 23 to close the lower opening 23. A projecting portion 34 is provided at the center of the plug 28 so as to project downward in a circular arc shape corresponding to the lower end of the ball portion 15.

  The ball sheet 4 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape corresponding to the inner chamber 21 of the socket 3 by forming a metal member such as a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy by pressing or the like, and is held in the inner chamber 21. A main body 41 and an urging portion 42 extending from the lower end of the sheet main body 41 are provided.

  The seat body 41 is a substantially cylindrical upper seat body 44 continuous from the upper opening 22 side of the socket 3 to the seat holding step surface 26, and extends from the upper seat body 44 in the central axis direction of the ball seat 4. The extended portion 45 is provided.

  A sheet upper opening 47 communicating with the upper opening 22 of the socket 3 is formed at the upper end of the upper sheet main body 44. Further, the upper inner peripheral surface of the upper seat body 44 is a spherical upper sliding surface 48 that rotatably holds a part of the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15.

  The extending portion 45 is provided horizontally, and the lower side is held by the sheet holding step surface 26.

  The urging portion 42 is inclined downwardly from the tip of the extending portion 45 along the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15 so as to project in a free end shape, and is provided with a spring property. It is formed so as to press the outer peripheral surface toward the center of the ball portion 15. In addition, a lower seat opening 51 that communicates with the lower opening 23 of the socket 3 is formed at the lower end of the urging portion 42. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the urging portion 42 constitutes a spherical lower sliding surface 52 that holds a part of the ball portion 15 in a rotatable manner. The lower sliding surface 52 and the upper sliding surface 48 of the upper seat body 44 constitute a sliding surface 54 that rotatably holds the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15.

  The dust cover 5 is also called a boot, and prevents dust and the like from entering the inner chamber 21 of the socket 3. The dust cover 5 is provided with a substantially cylindrical cover main body 61 formed of, for example, rubber or soft synthetic resin, which can be elastically deformed. A ball stud is attached to one end of the cover main body 61 in the axial direction. 2 is provided with a contact portion 62 that contacts the lower surface of the flange portion 17, and a socket contact portion 63 that is fitted into the fitting recess 25 of the socket 3 is provided at the other axial end of the cover body 61. ing.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  When the ball joint 1 is manufactured, the ball portion 15 of the ball stud 2 held slidably on the sliding surface 54 of the ball seat 4 is die-cast with the ball seat 4 and the socket 3 as a core. The ball seat 4 holding the portion 15 is accommodated in the inner chamber 21.

  Thereafter, the outer peripheral edge portion of the plug 28 is placed on the stepped portion 31 of the socket 3 from the lower opening 23, and the caulking portion 32 of the socket 3 is caulked by a caulking machine (not shown) or the like. The outer peripheral edge of the plug 28 is fixed by deforming toward the central axis.

  Thus, the ball seat 4 held in the inner chamber 21 is elastically held by the metal urging portion 42 while urging a part of the ball portion 15 toward the central direction. Since an external force in the center direction is constantly applied to the portion 15 and a gap is not easily formed between the ball portion 15 and the sliding surface 54, rattling of the ball portion 15 can be reliably suppressed.

  Specifically, the urging portion 42 extends from the lower end portion of the seat main body 41 to the center direction in a free end shape, and the ball portion 15 is rattled by elastically pressing the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15. Attaching can be more reliably suppressed.

  Further, since the entire ball sheet 4 is made of metal, the ball sheet 4 can obtain sufficient durability and ensure a service life as compared with a case where a resin ball sheet is used, for example.

  Furthermore, by using this ball sheet 4, the reliability and durability of the ball joint 1 can be further improved.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, a ball sheet 71 as a bearing sheet is held in the inner chamber 21 of the socket 3 in place of the ball sheet 4 of the first embodiment.

  The ball sheet 71 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape corresponding to the inner chamber 21 of the socket 3 by forming a metal member, such as a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy, by pressing or the like, and is held in the inner chamber 21. A sheet main body 73 and an urging portion 74 extending from the lower end of the sheet main body 73 are provided.

  The seat body 73 includes a substantially cylindrical upper seat body 77 continuous from the upper opening 22 side of the socket 3 to the seat holding step surface 26, and a central axis direction of the ball seat 4 from the lower end portion of the upper seat body 77. And a sheet held portion 78 that is extended to be held by the sheet holding step surface 26. The sheet held portion 78 has a leading end protruding to the vicinity of the urging portion 74.

  The urging portion 74 is folded back from the upper end portion of the upper seat body 77 and extends downward in a spherical free end shape along the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15 to elastically press the ball portion 15 in the center direction. Springiness is imparted, and the lower end portion is positioned below the sheet held portion 78. Therefore, the folded portion of the upper sheet body 77 at the upper end portion of the urging portion 74 is a seat upper opening 81 communicating with the upper opening portion 22 of the socket 3, and the lower end portion of the urging portion 74 is the socket 3, the lower opening 82 of the seat communicates with the lower opening 23. Further, the spherical inner peripheral surface of the urging portion 74 is a sliding surface 83 that rotatably holds the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15.

  The metal urging portion 74 thus elastically holds a portion of the ball portion 15 while urging a part of the ball portion 15 toward the center direction, thereby obtaining the same effect as that of the first embodiment. It becomes possible to play.

  Specifically, the urging portion 74 extends in a free end shape from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the seat body 73, and the urging portion 74 elastically presses the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15. By doing so, the sliding surface 83 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15 and holds the outer peripheral surface can be formed large, and an external force is efficiently applied to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15 in the center direction. The rattling in the ball seat 71 can be more reliably suppressed.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to said each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the third embodiment, a ball sheet 91 as a bearing sheet is held in the inner chamber 21 of the socket 3 in place of the ball sheets 4 and 71 of the above embodiments.

  The ball sheet 91 is of a so-called two-piece type including a metal outer sheet 93 as a seat body and a metal inner sheet 94 as a biasing portion.

  The outer sheet 93 has a substantially cylindrical upper main body 96 whose outer peripheral surface is held in the inner chamber 21, and extends horizontally from the lower end of the upper main body 96 in the central axis direction. And a lower main body 97 for holding the outer peripheral surface.

  A seat upper opening 101 communicating with the upper opening 22 of the socket 3 is formed at the upper end of the upper main body 96. The upper inner peripheral surface of the upper body portion 96 is a spherical upper sliding surface 102 that holds a part of the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15 so as to be rotatable.

  The lower main body 97 is formed with an opening 103 in the lower part of the seat which is connected to the lower opening 23 of the socket 3 and into which the lower end of the ball portion 15 is inserted in the central portion facing the protruding portion 34 of the plug 28. Yes.

  Further, the inner sheet 94 has a held portion 105 held on the upper side of the lower body portion 97 of the outer sheet 93, and a free end shape along the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15 from the end portion of the held portion 105. And a folded back pressing piece 106.

  The held portion 105 is a substantially annular portion extending in the horizontal direction, and the inner edge portion is a lower opening 107 communicating with the sheet lower opening 103 of the lower main body portion 97. .

  Further, the pressing piece portion 106 is formed to be folded back into a spherical free end shape from the inner edge portion of the held portion 105 along the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15, and has a spring property to elastically press the ball portion 15 in the center direction. Has been. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the pressing piece portion 106 is a spherical lower sliding surface 108 that rotatably holds a part of the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15, and the lower sliding surface 108. The upper sliding surface 102 of the upper main body portion 96 constitutes a sliding surface 109 that rotatably holds the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15.

  The metal inner sheet 94 elastically holds a part of the ball portion 15 while urging a part of the ball portion 15 toward the center direction, and thus the same operational effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained. .

  Specifically, the inner sheet 94 is extended from the held portion 105 held by the outer sheet 93 by folding the pressing piece 106 into a free end shape and elastically pressing the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 15. Further, rattling of the ball portion 15 can be more reliably suppressed.

  In addition, since the ball sheet 91 is a two-piece type including the outer sheet 93 and the inner sheet 94, the urging force to the ball portion 15 can be easily adjusted by simply setting the material and shape of the inner sheet 94. .

  In the above-described embodiments, the details of the ball joint 1 excluding the ball seats 4, 71, 91 are not limited to the above configuration, and various other types such as a ball joint having no plug 28, for example. It can also be applied to ball joints.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the ball joint of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the ball joint of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the ball joint of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Ball joint 2 Ball stud 3 Socket 4,71,91 Ball seat as bearing seat
15 Ball part
21 interior
41, 73 Seat body
42, 74 Energizing part
93 Outer seat as seat body
94 Inner seat as biasing part
105 Hold part
106 Press piece

Claims (5)

A substantially cylindrical sheet main body made of metal held in the inner chamber of the socket;
A ball joint bearing sheet, comprising: a metal urging portion that rotatably holds at least a part of a substantially spherical ball portion of the ball stud toward the center. 2. The ball joint according to claim 1, wherein the urging portion extends in a free end shape from one end portion in the axial direction of the seat body so as to be elastically pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion. Bearing sheet. The urging portion extends from the one end portion in the axial direction of the seat body to the other end portion so as to be elastically pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion. The ball joint bearing sheet according to claim 1. The energizing department
A held portion held by the seat body;
The ball joint bearing according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing piece portion that is folded back and extended in a free end shape from the held portion and elastically pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion. Sheet. A socket with an inner chamber,
The bearing seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, housed in the inner chamber,
A ball joint comprising: a ball stud having a substantially spherical ball portion rotatably held in the bearing seat.

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