JP2012092884A - Block member of joint unit and joint unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plug of a ball joint capable of making sealing properties steady and the torque of the ball joint stabilized.SOLUTION: The thickness of a non-deformable part 42 continuing to the outer edge of a deformable part 41 is set larger than that of the deformable part 41 that controls a load of a ball stud side by elastic deformation so as not to be deformed by the ball stud side's load deforming the deformable part 41. By restraining an amount of the caulking deformation of a coupling, when the non-deformable part 42 is caulking-fixed to the inner edge of one end side of the coupling, the sealing property becomes steady. Controlling a load by the deformation of the deformable part 41 enables the torque of the ball joint to be stabilized.

Description

  The present invention relates to a closing member of a joint device used for a suspension device such as an automobile or a steering device, and a joint device including the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a ball joint as a coupling device of this type used for a suspension device of a vehicle such as an automobile or a steering device has a socket that is a cylindrical housing having an inner chamber and an opening communicating with the inner chamber. And one end of the socket is closed by a plug as a closing member. Further, in the inner chamber of the socket, a ball portion as a rotating portion provided in a ball stud as a connecting member is rotatably held. The stud portion of the ball stud projects from the other end of the socket to the outside of the socket and is connected to the vehicle body side.

  In such a ball joint, there is a configuration in which torque is set by controlling a load applied to the ball stud by a resin cushion sheet attached to the other end of the socket. However, in this configuration, since the cushion sheet is made of resin, it is not easy to suppress deterioration with time due to factors such as heat and creep.

  Further, there is a configuration in which a torque is set by attaching a separate coil spring inside the socket and controlling a load applied to the ball stud. However, in this configuration, not only the number of parts is increased, but also the coil spring is not easily assembled, and a space is required inside the socket.

  Therefore, a space is saved by using a disk spring as a plug that closes one end of the socket, and this disk spring prevents the intrusion of moisture and dust into the socket while applying the load applied to the ball stud to the disk spring. A configuration is known in which torque is controlled by elastic deformation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-500851 A (page 8-9, FIG. 1)

  In the case where the disc spring is elastically deformed by the axial load applied to the ball stud as described above, it is desired to ensure sealing performance.

  This invention is made in view of such a point, and it aims at providing the closure member of the coupling apparatus which can make a sealing performance constant, and can stabilize torque, and a coupling apparatus provided with the same. .

  The closing member of the joint device according to claim 1 is formed of a metal, and is a metal tubular housing, and a joint device including a connecting member having a rotating portion that is rotatably accommodated in the housing. A closing member of a joint device that closes one end side of the housing, and is formed continuously with a deformed portion that controls the load on the connecting member side by elastic deformation and an outer edge of the deformed portion, and deforms the deformed portion. The thickness is set to be larger than the deformed portion so as not to be deformed with respect to the load on the connecting member side, and includes a fixed portion that is caulked and fixed to the inner edge portion on one end side of the housing. is there.

  The closing member of the joint device according to claim 2 is the closing member of the joint device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is set to have a thickness larger than that of the deformed portion by folding back.

  The closing member of the joint device according to claim 3 is the closing member of the joint device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the deformable portion is formed in a wave shape having a plurality of peaks and valleys. Is.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the coupling device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the metallic cylindrical housing, the connecting member having the rotating portion that is rotatably accommodated in the housing, and the fixing portion are fixed to the one end side of the housing by caulking. Accordingly, the closing member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which closes one end side of the housing, is provided.

  According to the closing member of the joint device according to claim 1, with respect to the thickness of the deformed portion for controlling the load on the connecting member side by elastic deformation, the thickness of the fixed portion continuous to the outer edge of the deformed portion is By setting it large so that it does not deform with respect to the load on the connecting member to be deformed, the amount of caulking deformation of the housing when the fixing portion is caulked and fixed to the inner edge on one end side of the housing is suppressed, and the sealing performance is made constant. In addition, the torque of the joint device can be stabilized by controlling the load by the deformation of the deformation portion.

  According to the closing member of the joint device according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the closing member of the joint device according to claim 1, the fixing portion is folded and formed so that the thickness is larger than that of the deformed portion. The thickness of the part can be easily set larger than the thickness of the deformed part.

  According to the closing member of the joint device according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the closing member of the joint device according to claim 1 or 2, at least a part of the deformed portion has a plurality of peaks and valleys. By forming in this way, the deformed portion can be more easily deformed with respect to the load from the connection member side, and the load on the connection member side can be more effectively controlled to stabilize the torque of the joint device.

  According to the joint device of the fourth aspect, by providing the closing member according to any one of the first to third aspects, the sealing performance on one end side of the housing can be made constant, and the load on the connection member side is effectively controlled. Thus, it is possible to stabilize the torque and to easily manufacture without increasing the number of parts.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the closure member of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the coupling apparatus provided with the closure member same as the above. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the deformation | transformation part vicinity of the closure member of a joint apparatus same as the above. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the closure member of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the closure member of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 2, 11 indicates a ball joint as a joint device, and this ball joint 11 is used for a suspension device of a vehicle such as an automobile or a steering device. The ball joint 11 includes a ball stud 16 that is a connecting portion as a connecting member, a ball seat 17 that is a bearing seat that holds a part of the ball stud 16 so as to be slidable (turnable), and the ball sheet. 17 and a socket 18 that accommodates a part of the ball stud 16, and a dust cover (not shown) disposed from the outer peripheral surface of the socket 18 to the outer peripheral surface of the ball stud 16.

  The ball stud 16 is made of, for example, steel, and integrally includes a spherical ball portion 21 as a rotating portion and an axial stud portion 22 connected to the ball portion 21.

  A part of the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 21 is held by the ball seat 17 so as to be slidable (turnable). That is, the ball portion 21 is accommodated in the inner chamber 31 of the socket 18 together with the ball seat 17. Further, although not shown, for example, a lubricant (grease) is held between the ball portion 21 and the ball seat 17.

  The stud portion 22 is a portion to which a load is applied by being connected to an external connected member (not shown), and protrudes outward (upward in FIG. 2) from the socket 18. Further, a male screw portion 24 for connecting to a connected member on the vehicle body side is formed on the outer periphery on the tip side of the stud portion 22. The stud portion 22 may be formed integrally with the ball portion 21 or may be formed separately from the ball portion 21 and then integrated with the ball portion 21 by welding or the like.

  The ball sheet 17 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin having excellent wear resistance and a high elastic modulus. In the present embodiment, the ball sheet 17 is divided into one and the other sheet portions 17a and 17b on one end side and the other end side. It is fitted and held inside the socket 18. The seat portions 17a and 17b include one and the other sliding surfaces 26a and 26b along the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 21, and the ball portion 21 is rotatably held by the sliding surfaces 26a and 26b. Yes. The ball sheet 17 may be formed by a single member.

  One seat portion 17a is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and one sliding surface 26a holds a portion from the vicinity of the equator (position where the radial dimension is maximum) to one end side of the ball portion 21. ing.

  The other seat portion 17b is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the other sliding surface 26b holds a portion from the vicinity of the equator to the other end side of the ball portion 21.

  The socket 18 is made of metal formed by, for example, (cold) forging or casting, and the seat portions 17a and 17b of the ball seat 17 holding the ball portion 21 of the ball stud 16 rotatably are fitted. An inner chamber 31 to be worn is provided inside, and a circular first socket opening is one end portion (a lower end portion in FIG. 2) that is one opening portion that communicates the inner chamber 31 with the outside of the socket 18. The other opening (the upper end in FIG. 2) is connected to the inner chamber 31 with the outside of the socket 18 and the other opening through which the stud portion 22 of the ball stud 16 protrudes to the outside of the socket 18 is formed. A circular second socket opening 33, which is a portion, is formed to have a cylindrical shape. A step-shaped holding portion 35 is formed at one end of the socket 18 at a continuous portion between the inner chamber 31 and the first socket opening 32, and a continuous portion between the inner chamber 31 and the second socket opening 33. In addition, a protruding portion 36 protruding in the central axis direction is formed. Further, a cover fixing groove 37 as a cover attaching portion for attaching and fixing the end portion of the dust cover is formed in an annular groove shape along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the other end portion of the socket 18. The first socket opening 32 is closed by a metal plug 38 as a closing member.

  The first socket opening 32 has a diameter dimension substantially equal to that of the inner chamber 31.

  Further, the second socket opening 33 is formed so as to gradually increase in diameter from the protruding portion 36 on the inner chamber 31 side toward the other end side (upper end side in FIG. 2).

  1 and 2, the plug 38 is for retaining the ball seat 17 and the ball portion 21 with respect to the inner chamber of the socket 18 with respect to the protruding portion 36. For example, it is formed in a circular shape in plan view with spring steel. Further, the plug 38 is integrally formed with a non-deformable portion 42, which is a flange-shaped fixing portion, continuously from the outer peripheral edge portion of the circular disc spring-like deformable portion 41 in plan view. That is, the deforming portion 41 constitutes the center side of the plug 38, and the non-deforming portion 42 constitutes the outer edge side of the plug 38. The plug 38 is connected to the one end side of the inner chamber 31 by a caulking fixing portion 44 that deforms the one end side of the socket 18 toward the center while the non-deformable portion 42 is held by the holding portion 35 of the socket 18. That is, the first socket opening 32 is closed.

  The deforming portion 41 is a portion arranged at a position facing the ball portion 21 of the ball stud 16 (via the ball seat 17 (one seat portion 17a)) with the plug 38 fixed to the socket 18. A flat disk-shaped contact portion 41a constituting the center side, and an annular continuous portion 41b continuous between the outer periphery of the contact portion 41a and the inner periphery of the non-deformable portion 42. And is formed concentrically with the non-deformable portion.

  The contact portion 41a is in contact with the bottom portion (one end portion) of one seat portion 17a of the ball seat 17, and preloads the ball portion 21 of the ball stud 16 together with the ball seat 17 between the projection portion 36 of the socket 18. Is held in the state given.

  The continuous portion 41b is a portion that elastically bends along the axial direction when the deforming portion 41 is deformed, and gradually decreases in diameter from the undeformed portion 42 side that is one end side to the contact portion 41a side that is the other end side. It is formed to be. That is, the continuous portion 41b is formed in an inclined shape with respect to the contact portion 41a and the non-deformable portion 42, and has a C shape in a cross-sectional view.

  The deforming portion 41 is configured to control the load F (FIG. 3) on the ball stud 16 side by elastic deformation of the continuous portion 41b.

  In addition, the non-deformable portion 42 is formed in an annular shape that extends over the entire outer periphery of the continuous portion 41b, and the thickness of the material itself is larger than that of the deformable portion 41. The thickness of the non-deformable portion 42 is set to, for example, twice or more that of the deformable portion 41, and is configured not to be deformed with respect to the load F on the ball stud 16 side that deforms the deformable portion 41.

  The dust cover is also called a dust seal or boot, and covers the second socket opening 33 of the socket 18 regardless of the swinging of the ball stud 16, moisture and dust inside the socket 18 or the ball seat 17, etc. Is to prevent the invasion of. This dust cover is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape by, for example, synthetic resin, one end side (lower end side in FIG. 2) is fixed to the cover fixing groove 37 of the socket 18, and the other end side (upper end side in FIG. 2) is The ball stud 16 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the stud portion 22.

  Next, the assembly operation of the ball joint 11 of the first embodiment will be described.

  First, for example, the ball seat 17 (seat portions 17a and 17b) holding the ball portion 21 slidably (rotatably) by the sliding surfaces 26a and 26b is inserted into the inner chamber 31 of the socket 18 from the first socket opening 32. The stud 22 is inserted until it comes into contact with the protrusion 36, and the stud 22 is inserted through the second socket opening 33.

  Next, with the undeformed portion 42 of the plug 38 held by the holding portion 35, the plug 38 is integrally fixed to the socket 18 by caulking and deforming the caulking fixing portion 44 of the socket 18 in the central axis direction.

  As a result, the ball seat 17 and the ball portion 21 are accommodated in the socket 18. In this state, the contact portion 41a of the plug 38 is in contact with the bottom portion of the one seat portion 17a of the ball seat 17.

  Further, the stud portion 22 is inserted into the dust cover, and one end side of the dust cover is fitted into the cover fixing groove 37 of the socket 18, and the other end side of the dust cover is fitted to the outer periphery of the stud portion 22.

  Then, the one end side of the dust cover is fixed to the socket 18 by tightening and fixing the outer periphery of one end side of the dust cover with a fixing member.

  Next, the operation of the ball joint 11 of the first embodiment will be described.

  When a load from the vehicle body is applied to the ball stud 16, the ball stud 16 receives the load F in the axial direction, particularly in the downward direction in FIG.

  At this time, the plug 38 receives the load F through the bottom portion of the ball seat 17 (one seat portion 17a), so that the contact portion 41a becomes one of the ball seats 17 (one) as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. The continuous portion 41b is elastically bent toward one end, that is, the lower side in the figure while keeping the state of being in close contact with the bottom portion of the sheet portion 17a), and absorbs the load F to keep the torque constant.

  On the other hand, the non-deformed portion 42 of the plug 38 is maintained in a state of being fixed to the holding portion 35 of the socket 18 by the caulking fixing portion 44 without being deformed by the load F deformed by the deformable portion 41.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the thickness of the non-deformable portion 42 that is continuous with the outer edge of the deformable portion 41 with respect to the thickness of the deformable portion 41 that controls the load F on the ball stud 16 side by elastic deformation. Is set so as not to be deformed with respect to the load F on the side of the ball stud 16 that deforms the deforming portion 41, and the non-deformed portion 42 is caulked and fixed to the holding portion 35 of the first socket opening 32 of the socket 18. The amount of caulking deformation of the socket 18 during caulking and fixing can be suppressed to make the sealing property constant, and entry of moisture and dust into the inner chamber 31 of the socket 18 and the ball seat 17 can be prevented. That is, since the non-deformable portion 42 has a relatively large thickness, the amount of caulking deformation of the socket 18 that is deformed by the caulking fixing portion 44 is suppressed to the minimum, so that the variation in caulking deformation amount, that is, the sealing property Variations can be suppressed.

  Further, since the load F is controlled by the deformation of the deformation portion 41, the torque of the ball joint 11 can be stabilized.

  In addition, since the plug 38 is formed of metal, for example, the influence of heat or creep can be suppressed and deterioration with time can be suppressed as compared with the case where the plug is formed of resin or the like.

  Further, the plug 38 is set so that the thickness of the non-deformable portion 42 is larger than the thickness of the deformable portion 41 by making the plate thickness of the non-deformable portion 42 itself larger than the thickness of the deformable portion 41. Processing such as bending is not necessary for the portion 42, and the plug 38 can be manufactured more easily.

  The ball joint 11 is provided with a plug 38 that optimizes the shape and can set the caulking step height of the caulking fixing portion 44 optimally, so that the sealing performance of the first socket opening 32 of the socket 18 can be made constant. The load F on the stud 16 side can be effectively controlled by the plug 38 to stabilize the torque, and the plug 38 can be easily assembled to the socket 18 and further closes the first socket opening 32. Therefore, the ball joint 11 can be easily manufactured without increasing the number of parts.

  Further, the plug 38 occupies less space in the inner chamber 31 than in the case where a coil spring or the like is disposed in the inner chamber of the socket, and thus contributes to the miniaturization of the ball joint 11.

  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, the non-deformable portion 42 of the first embodiment is formed by folding a part of the material.

  That is, the non-deformable portion 42 is substantially the same as the deformed portion 41 in the plate thickness itself, but is a folded portion 42a in which the outer edge portion is folded, and the folded portion 42a is formed, for example, in a double manner. The overall thickness of the deforming portion 42 is set to be larger than that of the deforming portion 41, and the deformation portion 42 is configured not to be deformed by a load that deforms the deforming portion 41. In the present embodiment, the non-deformable portion 42 is formed by folding the folded portion 42a to the other end side (upper side in FIG. 3), but for example, to one end side (lower side in FIG. 3). It may be formed by folding back. Further, the folding that constitutes the non-deformable portion 42 is not only doubled, but may be tripled or more as necessary.

  The plug 38 receives the load F through the bottom portion of the ball seat 17 (one seat portion 17a), so that the contact portion 41a is in close contact with the bottom portion of the ball seat 17 (one seat portion 17a). The continuous portion 41b bends to one end side, that is, the lower side in the drawing while absorbing the load F to absorb the load F and keep the torque constant.

  At this time, according to the second embodiment, the thickness of the non-deformable portion 41 is made larger than the thickness of the deformable portion 41 by forming the non-deformable portion 42 in a folded manner to make the thickness larger than that of the deformable portion 41. Can be easily set large.

  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, the deforming portion 41 of the first embodiment is formed in a wave shape.

  That is, the deforming portion 41 is configured such that the contact portion 41a is formed by alternately forming a plurality of crest portions 41c and a plurality of trough portions 41d concentrically, and is further deformed by the load F on the ball stud 16 side. It has become easier.

  The plug 38 receives the load F through the bottom portion of the ball seat 17 (one seat portion 17a), so that the contact portion 41a is in close contact with the bottom portion of the ball seat 17 (one seat portion 17a). The continuous portion 41b bends to one end side, that is, the lower side in the drawing while absorbing the load F to absorb the load F and keep the torque constant.

  At this time, according to the third embodiment, by forming the contact portion 41a, which is a part of the deformable portion 41, into a wave shape having a plurality of peak portions 41c and valley portions 41d, the deformable portion 41 is formed into a ball. The load F from the stud 16 side can be more easily deformed, and the load on the ball stud 16 side can be controlled more effectively to stabilize the torque of the ball joint 11.

  In the third embodiment, the non-deformable portion 42 may be formed by folding back as in the second embodiment.

  Further, the entire deforming portion 41 may be formed in a wave shape by the crest portion 41c and the trough portion 41d.

  Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the ball joint 11 can be used not only in a vehicle steering device or suspension device but also in any connection location.

  The plug 38 is not limited to the ball joint 11, and can be used for any joint device that rotatably accommodates the rotating portion of the connecting member in the housing.

11 Ball joint as a coupling device
16 Ball stud as connecting member
18 Socket which is a housing
21 Ball part as rotating part
38 Plug as a blocking member
41 Deformation part
41c Yamabe
41d Tanibe
42 Undeformed part as fixed part

Claims (4)

Closure of the joint device that closes one end side of the housing of the joint device that is formed of metal and includes a metal cylindrical housing and a connection member that has a rotating portion that is rotatably accommodated in the housing. A member,
A deforming portion for controlling the load on the connecting member side by elastic deformation;
It is formed continuously with the outer edge of the deformed portion, and is set to be thicker than the deformed portion so as not to be deformed with respect to the load on the connecting member side that deforms the deformed portion, and one end side of the housing And a fixing portion that is caulked and fixed to the inner edge portion of the joint device. The closing member of the joint device according to claim 1, wherein the fixed portion is set to have a thickness larger than that of the deformed portion by folding back. The closure member for a joint device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the deformable portion is formed in a wave shape having a plurality of crests and troughs. A metal cylindrical housing;
A connecting member having a rotating portion that is rotatably accommodated in the housing;
4. A joint device according to claim 1, further comprising a closing member that closes one end side of the housing by fixing a fixing portion by caulking to the one end side of the housing.

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