Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
  • B62D7/00—Steering linkage; Stub axles or their mountings
  • B62D7/20—Links, e.g. track rods
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
  • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
  • B60G2206/016—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs allowing controlled deformation during collision
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60G—VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
  • B60G2206/00—Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
  • B60G2206/01—Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
  • B60G2206/10—Constructional features of arms
  • B60G2206/11—Constructional features of arms the arm being a radius or track or torque or steering rod or stabiliser end link
  • B60G2206/111—Constructional features of arms the arm being a radius or track or torque or steering rod or stabiliser end link of adjustable length
  • B60G2206/1112—Manually, for alignment purposes
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
  • Y10T403/32—Articulated members
  • Y10T403/32606—Pivoted
  • Y10T403/32631—Universal ball and socket

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a linkage member having a portion that is designed to buckle under a predetermined axial load.
• a vehicle steering linkage includes one or more links that connect the steering gear with the steerable wheels of the vehicle.
• a vehicle having a rack and pinion steering gear includes, at each end of the rack, an inner tie rod that is connected for movement with the rack, and an outer tie rod that is connected for movement with the steering knuckle.
• the inner and outer tie rods are connected with each other in a known manner to form a tie rod assembly.
• the length of the tie rod assembly is adjustable, to enable adjustment of vehicle toe.
• a tie rod assembly with a predetermined weakened portion.
• the predetermined weakened portion is designed to buckle, or deform, at a force level lower than the amount of force that would damage the steering gear itself.
• U.S. Patent No. 6,234,704 discloses a ball stud having a buckle portion designed to buckle under an appropriate amount of longitudinal pressure. The buckle portion is formed by a rolling process resulting in furrowed portions and raised portions integrally formed in an accordion shape along a portion of the ball stud.
• the reduced diameter portion because it has a narrower cross-section than the remainder of the link, forms a predetermined weakened portion, or buckle portion, of the steering link.
• One feature of the present invention is a linkage member comprising a shank having a longitudinal axis.
• the shank includes a relief area at a predetermined location along said longitudinal axis.
• the shank buckles at the relief area under a predetermined amount of axially applied force.
• the shank at the relief area has a cross-sectional configuration that is not centered on the longitudinal axis.
• a vehicle steering linkage member comprising a socket, and a stud having a ball end portion received in the socket and supported for pivotal movement relative to the socket.
• the stud has a longitudinal axis, with a shank portion projecting from the socket and centered on the axis.
• the shank portion of the ball stud includes a predetermined weakened portion. The predetermined weakened portion buckles under a predetermined amount of force.
• Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a vehicle steering assembly including a rack and pinion steering gear and a linkage member in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the linkage member of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 2 is a further enlarged view of a buckle portion of the linkage member of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the buckle portion of Fig. 3, taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3.
• the present invention relates to a linkage member having a portion that is designed to buckle under a predetermined axial load.
• the present invention is applicable to various linkage constructions.
• Fig. 1 illustrates a linkage member 10 that is incorporated in a vehicle steering linkage 12.
• the linkage 12 is connected with a fluid power assisted rack and pinion steering gear 14. It should be understood that the present invention is applicable to steering linkage that is used with different types of steering gear.
• the steering gear 14 includes a housing 16, a pinion 18, and a rack 20.
• the rack extends longitudinally through the housing 16.
• the housing 16 partially defines a fluid chamber in which is located a piston (not shown) fixed to the rack 20.
• the rack 20 is supported for axial movement relative to the housing 16.
• fluid under pressure is directed against the piston, causing the rack 20 to move within the housing 16 in a direction parallel to a steering axis 24.
• Axial movement of the rack 20 moves the steering linkage 12 connected to the ends of the rack.
• the vehicle steering linkage 12 (Figs. 1 and 2) includes a tie rod assembly 30 that extends between and interconnects one end of the rack 20 and a steering knuckle, a portion of which is shown at 32.
• the steering knuckle 32 is connected with a steerable wheel (not shown) of the vehicle.
• the tie rod assembly 30 transmits force from the rack 20 to the steering knuckle 32 to effect steering movement of the steerable wheel.
• the tie rod assembly 30 includes an inner tie rod 40 and an outer tie rod 60.
• the inner tie rod 40 includes a socket 42 and also includes the linkage member 10, which is formed as a ball stud.
• the socket 42 has a threaded end portion 44 that is screwed into the rack 20. The socket 42 is thus fixed for movement with the rack 20.
• the socket 42 defines a pivot center 46 for the ball stud 10.
• the ball stud 10 is preferably made as one piece from a single, homogeneous piece of material, such as carbon steel.
• the ball stud 10 may be formed by cold heading and heat treating of a steel rod.
• the ball stud 10 has a ball end portion 48 and a shank portion 50.
• the ball end portion 48 of the ball stud 10 is received in the socket.
• the ball end portion 48 of the ball stud 10 supports the ball stud on the rack 20 for pivotal movement relative to the rack about the pivot center 46.
• the ball stud 10 has a longitudinal axis 52 that extends through the center of the ball end portion 48 and through the pivot center 46 of the socket 42.
• the ball stud axis 52 may be coincident with the steering axis 24, as shown in Fig. 1, or may be skewed relative to the steering axis when the tie rod assembly 30 is moved relative to the rack 20 about the pivot center 46.
• the shank portion 50 of the ball stud 10 extends from the ball end portion 48.
• the shank portion 50 has a cylindrical, rod-shaped configuration centered on the axis 52.
• the shank portion 50 has a threaded outer end portion 54, opposite the ball end portion 48.
• the outer tie rod 60 has an outer end portion 62 that is formed as a ball joint for connection with the steering knuckle 32.
• the ball joint 62 has a pivot center 64 for the outer tie rod 60.
• An inner end portion 66 of the outer tie rod 60 is formed as an internally threaded sleeve.
• the externally threaded end portion 54 of the ball stud 10 is screwed into the internally threaded end portion 66 of the outer tie rod 60, to secure the two pieces together.
• a jam nut 68 on the outer tie rod 60 locks the two pieces together.
• the tie rod assembly 26 thus extends between the rack 20 and the steering knuckle 32.
• the tie rod assembly 26 interconnects the rack 80 and the steering knuckle 32 in a force-transmitting relationship.
• the length of the tie rod assembly 26 is adjustable by loosening the jam nut 68, rotating the ball stud 10 of the inner tie rod 40 relative to the socket 42 and to the outer tie rod 60, and retightening the jam nut.
• the shank portion 50 of the ball- stud 10 has a substantially uniform diameter along its length, centered on the axis 52. However, the shank portion 50 may not be perfectly straight along its entire length, primarily because of the heat-treating process applied during manufacture of the ball stud 10.
• the shank portion of the ball stud 10 is provided with a predetermined weakened portion, or buckle portion 70 (also known as a "fuse") .
• buckle portion 70 of the ball stud 10 is located at about the axial center (from end to end) of the tie rod assembly 26.
• the buckle portion 70 is provided in an area of the shank portion 50 that has a circular cross-sectional configuration, with a cylindrical outer surface 71.
• the buckle portion 70 is formed by creating an elongate groove 72, or relief area, on the shank portion 50 of the ball stud 10.
• This groove 72 may be formed in a manner similar to turning a work piece on a lathe.
• the buckle portion in the illustrated embodiment thus has a circular cross-sectional configuration, with a cylindrical outer surface 74.
• the axis 52 of the ball stud 40 extends through the buckle portion 70.
• the cylindrical outer surface 74 of the buckle portion 70 is not, however, centered on the axis. Rather, the cylindrical outer surface 74 of the buckle portion 70 is centered on a relief centerline 76 that is spaced apart from the axis 52.
• the relief centerline 76 in the illustrated embodiment, extends parallel to the axis 52.
• the buckle portion 70 (and the outer surface 74) are eccentric to the axis 52.
• the buckle portion 70 thus constitutes a section of the shank portion 50 of the ball stud 10 that is intentionally “bent” off the axis 52.
• the amount of eccentricity that is provided for the buckle portion 70 is empirically determined on the basis of measurements of typical manufactured ball studs 10. Specifically, a statistically large enough number of ball studs 10 are measured to determine the largest eccentricity of their shank portions 50, that is, the maximum amount of "bending" observed in the shank portions of the studs as manufactured. This maximum amount of bending is deemed to be the greatest amount of eccentricity that will be found in any similar manufactured ball stud 10.
• Each one of the ball studs 10 that is manufactured in this way is then provided with a buckle portion 70 having an amount of eccentricity that is larger than the largest amount of eccentricity observed in the measured group of ball studs.
• the buckle portions 70 of these manufactured ball studs 10 will be the portions of the ball studs that are most likely to buckle under axial compressive load.
• the ball studs 10 will buckle at the buckle portions 70, as opposed to at some other location along the length of the ball studs, because of the increased eccentricity of the buckle portions. Therefore, when ball studs like the ball stud 10 are incorporated into tie rod assemblies like the tie rod assembly 26, the tie rod assemblies will buckle at their buckle portions 70, rather than elsewhere along the length of the tie rod assemblies.
• the amount of force needed to buckle the ball stud 10 is dependent on the amount of eccentricity at the buckle portion 70.
• each single ball stud 10 manufactured in this way with this buckle portion 70 has the same amount of eccentricity at the buckle portion, each one of the ball studs will buckle under the same, predetermined, applied load. Therefore, the buckling characteristics of the tie rod assembly 26 are known in advance—location, and amount of force.
• the shank portion 50 of the ball stud has a diameter of 15.5 millimeters.
• the buckle portion 70 has a diameter of 12.5 millimeters.
• the buckle portion is eccentric by about 0.15 to 0.3 millimeters .
• the invention is applicable to linkage members, such as ball studs, having different dimensions.
• linkage members typically have a shank portion with a diameter in the range of from about 12 millimeters to about 21 millimeters, although the diameter could be different.
• the buckle portion of such a ball stud may have a diameter in the range of from about 8 millimeters to about 18 millimeters.
• the buckle portion may be eccentric by about 0.1 to 0.5 millimeters, or more.
• the buckle portion may be eccentric by an amount equal to about 1% to about 5% of the diameter of said shank portion.
• the invention could be used for a suspension linkage member as well as a steering linkage member.
• the invention is not limited to forming a buckle portion on a cylindrical linkage member, but is usable also with linkage members having non-cylindrical configurations.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
• Steering-Linkage Mechanisms And Four-Wheel Steering (AREA)
• Automotive Seat Belt Assembly (AREA)
• Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
• Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
• Mutual Connection Of Rods And Tubes (AREA)

Priority Applications (9)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=27787869

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (12)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (12)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (13)

• 2002
  • 2002-03-07 US US10/092,699 patent/US7004485B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-02-24 EP EP08014948A patent/EP2000391B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-02-24 WO PCT/US2003/005604 patent/WO2003076254A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-02-24 AT AT08014949T patent/ATE465067T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-02-24 AU AU2003213265A patent/AU2003213265A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-02-24 DE DE60332294T patent/DE60332294D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-02-24 KR KR10-2004-7013978A patent/KR20040097158A/ko not_active Ceased
  • 2003-02-24 AT AT08014948T patent/ATE490152T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-02-24 DE DE60330953T patent/DE60330953D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-02-24 EP EP03709314A patent/EP1487686B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-02-24 MX MXPA04008534A patent/MXPA04008534A/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2003-02-24 AT AT03709314T patent/ATE455024T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-02-24 CN CN038085623A patent/CN1692052B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-02-24 PL PL03373608A patent/PL373608A1/xx not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-02-24 CA CA002478583A patent/CA2478583A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-02-24 JP JP2003574488A patent/JP4764603B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-02-24 EP EP08014949A patent/EP1995154B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-02-24 DE DE60335227T patent/DE60335227D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (6)

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