JPS6322331Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a ball joint used, for example, in the steering system or suspension system of an automobile.

Ball joints are used in automobile steering systems and suspension systems to connect the arms so that they can be angularly displaced. However, in automobiles, ball joints are used because the suspension system vibrates while driving. Vibration is absorbed by providing elasticity at the inlet part.

Figure 1 shows an example of a ball joint used in conventional automobile steering systems. An elastic resin bearing 2 having a substantially spherical inner hole 2b communicating with the upper end opening of the arm 5 is housed, and an arm 5 having a spherical ball stud 1 formed at one end is inserted from the upper end opening. The ball stud 1 is rotatably supported by the resin bearing 2. In the diagram of the case 3, the lower end portion is fitted into a cap 4, and the cap 4 presses against the ball stud 1 a plate-shaped elastic portion 2a formed integrally with the lower end portion of the resin bearing 2. There is. The case 3 is formed integrally with another arm (not shown), and by displacing the ball stud 1 along the surface of the inner hole 2b of the resin bearing 2, a mutual angular change between one arm 5 and the other arm is achieved. I'm starting to tolerate it.

According to the conventional ball joint described above, the generation of elasticity relies only on the elastic deformation of the elastic portion 2a of the resin bearing 2. Therefore, as the resin bearing 2 wears out or the elastic part 2a of the resin bearing 2 becomes fatigued due to use, the pressing force of the elastic part 2a of the resin bearing 2 against the ball stud 1 decreases, making vibration effective. I was becoming unable to absorb it.

Tokuko Sho 55-, which was designed to eliminate the above-mentioned problems.
A ball joint as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 45770 is known, but the above-mentioned ball joint is simply interposed between the closing plate 6 and the bearing 3, and the thin cylindrical portion 2b is swaged inward in the radial direction. Since the structure is only for locking the closing plate 6, accurate assembly dimensions of the closing plate 6 cannot be secured unless high-precision caulking is performed, and as a result, the preload force exerted by the preload spring 5 on the bearing 3 is reduced. There are disadvantages in that variations and starting torque cannot be accurately managed, and increasing the accuracy of caulking results in higher costs.

The purpose of this invention is to make it possible to obtain a predetermined pressure contact force of the resin bearing against the ball stud even if the resin bearing is worn out or its elastic force weakens due to fatigue, so that it can be used for a long time. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball joint that can effectively absorb vibrations.

The present invention will be explained below with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the ball stud 11, the resin bearing 12, and the case 13 are formed in substantially the same manner as in the conventional example described above, and the ball stud 11 is displaced along the surface of the substantially spherical inner hole 12b of the resin bearing 12. , an arm 15 integral with the ball stud 11 and another arm (not shown) integral with the case 13 can be angularly displaced relative to each other. In the figure, the lower end opening of the case 13 includes a disk-shaped cap 14 that closes the lower end opening;
and an elastic plate 16 interposed between the resin bearing 12 and the resin bearing 12. The circumferential edges of the cap 14 and the elastic plate 16 are overlapped and engaged in a groove 13a formed on the inner circumferential surface of the case 13 near the lower end opening, and the elastic plate 16 is caused by its elasticity. Disc-shaped elastic portion 12a of resin bearing 12
The elastic part 12a is pressed against the ball stud by pressing the cap 14.
is designed to assist the elastic plate 16 so that the ball stud 11 does not move accidentally when excessive force is applied to the ball stud 11 or the case 13. The elastic plate 16 itself has elasticity and always acts to press the elastic portion 12a of the resin bearing 12 against the ball stud 11.
It is not always necessary to actively press the elastic plate 16 with the cap 14, and therefore a slight gap may be provided between the cap 14 and the elastic plate 16.
Even if the two are in contact, there will be a groove and no support. In summary, the present invention has a structure in which an elastic plate is interposed between the cap and the resin bearing to positively press the resin bearing against the ball stud in the conventional example shown in Fig. 1. It's getting old.

According to the present invention configured in this way, an elastic plate is interposed between the cap and the elastic part of the resin bearing, which positively presses the elastic part of the resin bearing against the ball stud at all times. Even if the elastic force weakens due to wear or fatigue, the elasticity of the elastic plate will apply a predetermined preload to the resin bearing, allowing the resin bearing to maintain a predetermined pressing force against the ball stud over a long period of time. Therefore, it is possible to provide a ball joint that can effectively absorb vibrations even after long-term use.

Further, since the cap and the elastic plate have accurate assembly dimensions due to the grooves, a desired starting torque can be easily controlled without performing high-precision machining.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a conventional ball joint, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention. 11...Ball stud, 12...Resin bearing, 12a...Elastic part, 13...Case, 14
...Cap, 16...Elastic plate.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] A cylindrical case with openings formed at both ends; an elastic resin bearing housed within the case and having a substantially spherical inner hole communicating with one of the openings of the case; an arm having a spherical ball stud inserted through the opening and rotatably supported in the inner hole of the resin bearing; a disc-shaped cap closing the other opening of the case; and a connection between the cap and the resin bearing. an elastic plate interposed therebetween and having elasticity to press the resin bearing against the spherical part;
A ball joint characterized in that the circumferential edges of the cap and the elastic plate are overlapped and engaged in a groove formed in the inner peripheral surface of the case.