WO2012133643A1 - Method for manufacturing ball joint - Google Patents

Method for manufacturing ball joint Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012133643A1
WO2012133643A1 PCT/JP2012/058348 JP2012058348W WO2012133643A1 WO 2012133643 A1 WO2012133643 A1 WO 2012133643A1 JP 2012058348 W JP2012058348 W JP 2012058348W WO 2012133643 A1 WO2012133643 A1 WO 2012133643A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ball
bearing seat
ball joint
housing
stud
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2012/058348
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
顕司 箭野
勉 沼尾
Original Assignee
武蔵精密工業株式会社
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 武蔵精密工業株式会社 filed Critical 武蔵精密工業株式会社
Priority to CN201280016363.3A priority Critical patent/CN103459864B/en
Priority to DE112012001492.8T priority patent/DE112012001492T5/en
Priority to JP2013507721A priority patent/JP5975531B2/en
Publication of WO2012133643A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012133643A1/en

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    • 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
    • F16C11/0619—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
    • F16C11/0619—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
    • F16C11/0642—Special features of the plug or cover on the blind end of the socket

Definitions

  • the present invention includes a cylindrical metal housing, a metal ball stud made of a ball portion and a stud portion protruding from the ball portion, and the ball portion so as to allow the stud portion to swing.
  • Ball joints manufactured by this manufacturing method are mainly used for suspension devices and steering devices for automobiles.
  • the preload is applied to the bearing seat in the assembly process of assembling the ball joint.
  • the bearing seat is interposed between the ball portion and the housing with a certain tightening allowance.
  • the surface pressure on the ball part of the bearing seat becomes non-uniform in each part, the swing torque of the ball stud is not constant in each product, and the bearing sheet is prone to wear at places where the surface pressure is high. Therefore, durability is impaired.
  • a heating process is effective in which the ball joint is heated so that the bearing sheet is softened and the bearing sheet is adapted to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion.
  • the ball joint manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 1 in the heating step, the ball joint is placed in a high temperature bath and heated.
  • a heating method requires a large high temperature bath, and a large space is required to install the large high temperature bath in the ball joint production line. If a high-temperature bath cannot be installed in the ball joint production line, a high-temperature bath must be installed at a location different from the ball joint production line. Because it is forced to move the ball joint back and forth between them, the production efficiency is reduced.
  • a high-temperature tank requires a large amount of electric power to keep its interior constantly at a high temperature, and its temperature control is difficult.
  • the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances.
  • the heating process can be carried out in a relatively small space on the ball joint production line, and there is no material restriction of the bearing sheet made of thermoplastic resin. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing the ball joint that can efficiently and appropriately heat the power.
  • the present invention enables a cylindrical metal housing, a metal ball stud including a ball portion and a stud portion protruding from the ball portion, and swinging of the stud portion.
  • the heating step includes heating the ball joint after the assembly step so that the bearing seat is softened, and adapting the bearing seat to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion.
  • an induction heating coil is installed so as to surround the ball joint housing. And heating the housing by energizing the induction heating coil, heating the bearing seat by the heat conduction from the inner peripheral surface of the housing to the bearing seat, the first feature to be softened.
  • the present invention also includes a cylindrical metal housing, a metal ball stud comprising a ball portion and a stud portion protruding from the ball portion, and the ball portion enabling the swinging of the stud portion.
  • the heating step surrounds the stud portion.
  • the induction heating coil is installed as described above, and the ball is
  • the second feature is that the stud is heated and softened by heat conduction from the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion to the bearing seat.
  • the present invention further includes a cylindrical metal housing, a metal ball stud comprising a ball portion and a stud portion protruding from the ball portion, and the ball portion enabling the swinging of the stud portion.
  • the housing and the ball stud An induction heating coil is installed so as to surround the induction heating coil.
  • the housing and the ball stud are heated by energization, the bearing seat is heated by heat conduction from the inner peripheral surface of the housing to the bearing seat, and from the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion of the ball stud to the bearing seat,
  • the third feature is to soften.
  • a first induction heating coil that surrounds the housing and a second induction heating coil that surrounds the ball stud are provided side by side.
  • the housing and the ball stud are individually heated by energizing the pin.
  • a fifth feature is that it comprises a soaking step for making the temperature distribution of the bearing seat uniform and a cooling step for cooling the ball joint after the soaking step.
  • the present invention has a sixth feature that, in the heating step, a high frequency is used as the heating frequency of the induction heating coil.
  • the present invention has a seventh feature that, in the heating step, a low frequency is used as the heating frequency of the induction heating coil.
  • the housing in the heating step, is induction-heated by the induction heating coil, and the bearing seat is heated by heat conduction from the inner peripheral surface of the housing to the bearing seat.
  • the whole can be efficiently heated and softened, so that the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat can be adapted to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion, and the internal stress of the bearing seat can be equalized as a whole.
  • the power consumption can be reduced compared to the case of using a high-temperature tank, and the induction heating equipment is relatively small, so that it can be installed on the production line or adjacent to it. Efficiency can be improved.
  • the bearing seat is heated by heat conduction from the housing to the bearing seat, the heating is possible regardless of the material of the bearing seat.
  • temperature control for the bearing seat can be easily performed by adjusting the energization output to the induction heating coil and the energization time. Moreover, since the induction heating coil is used in a non-contact state with respect to the ball joint, there is no fear of damaging the ball joint in the heating process.
  • the stud portion in the heating process, is induction-heated by an induction heating coil to conduct heat from the stud portion to the ball portion, and from the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion to the bearing seat. Because the bearing seat is heated by this, it is possible to efficiently heat and soften the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat from the ball stud, and therefore, the softening of the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat is promoted with relatively little power, Familiarization can be performed quickly. In addition, the same effect as the first feature can be achieved.
  • the housing and the ball stud are simultaneously heated by the induction heating coil, so that the bearing seat is heated from the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface by the housing and the ball portion.
  • the entire bearing seat can be heated and softened in a short time, and the ball of the bearing seat can be quickly adapted to the ball portion, thereby improving the production efficiency.
  • the same effect as the first feature can be achieved.
  • the heating conditions by the first and second induction heating coils are set as follows. It can be selected according to the heat capacity of the ball stud, and the entire bearing seat can be heated and softened efficiently in a short time, and the familiarity of the bearing seat with the outer peripheral surface of the ball and the equalization of the internal stress of the bearing seat can be achieved. Can be done quickly.
  • the residual heat of the housing can be effectively used for heating the bearing seat by the soaking process, and therefore the energization time to the induction heating coil in the heating process can be shortened and the power consumption can be reduced.
  • the temperature distribution of the bearing seat is made uniform, and the entire inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat is made to conform to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion, and the internal stress of the bearing seat is also equalized. It is possible to provide a high-performance ball joint by stabilizing the swing torque of the ball stud. In the next cooling step, the ball joint can be cooled to return to the normal hardness of the bearing seat in the ball joint.
  • FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a ball joint to be manufactured in a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the main part of the ball joint.
  • FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the manufacturing process of the ball joint.
  • FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the heating process of the ball joint.
  • FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the heating process of the ball joint in the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the heating process of the ball joint in the third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the heating process of the ball joint in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the heating process of the ball joint in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the ball joint J is composed of a ball part 2 and a metal ball stud 1 which is formed integrally with the ball part 2 and protrudes to one side of the ball part 2 and which has a male thread.
  • the housing 5 includes a cylindrical housing body 6 and a flat plug 7.
  • the housing body 6 is provided with a stud port 10 in which the stud part 3 is disposed at one end, and a stepped mounting port 11 at the other end, and the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate portion extends from the mounting port 11. It is a support surface 12 for the inserted bearing seat 4.
  • the support surface 12 has a cylindrical shape in which the half on the side of the mounting port 11 has a cylindrical shape and the half on the side of the stud 10 has a small diameter toward the stud 3, and the bearing that holds the ball 2
  • the sheet 4 is press-fitted from the mounting opening 11 into the support surface 12 with a predetermined tightening allowance.
  • the plug 7 is fitted into the mounting port 11 so as to close the mounting port 11 while pressing the flat end surface 4a of the bearing seat 4 with a predetermined tightening after press-fitting the bearing seat 4 into the support surface 12. And it is clamped and fixed by the step part 11a and the caulking part 6a of the housing body 6. Lubricating grease (not shown) is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 in advance. Thus, the bearing seat 4 is interposed between the housing 5 and the ball portion 2 in a state where a preload is applied.
  • a support arm 8 is attached to the saddle housing 5 by press-fitting or welding, and a flexible boot 9 is mounted between the housing 5 and the stud portion 3.
  • each part of the ball joint J is as follows.
  • the components of the ball joint J are carried into the conveyor of the production line 15, and in the assembling process 17, the carried-in parts are assembled and the support arm 8 and the boot 9 are removed, as shown in FIG. The perfect ball joint J.
  • a preload is applied to the bearing seat 4 as described above.
  • an induction heating facility 23 is provided adjacent to the conveyor.
  • the induction heating equipment 23 includes an induction heating power source 24, a plurality of heating work tables 25 and 25 arranged in the vicinity of the induction heating power supply 24, and induction heating coils 26 and 26 that move up and down above the heating work tables 25 and 25 in the illustrated example.
  • each heating work table 25 is provided with a workpiece positioning jig 27 on which a workpiece to be heated, that is, a ball joint J is placed.
  • the ball joints J that are sequentially sent by the conveyor after finishing the assembly step 17 are sequentially placed on the work positioning jigs 27 on the plurality of heating work tables 25, 25, and the induction heating coil. 26 and 26 are lowered sequentially.
  • the ball joint J places the plug 7 facing downward on the workpiece positioning jig 27 and the induction heating coil 26 from above the stud portion 3.
  • the housing 5 is lowered to a fixed position surrounding the housing 5 without contact.
  • the induction heating power source 24 is operated to energize the induction heating coil 26, and the corresponding housing 5 is induction heated.
  • the housing 5 is heated, heat conduction occurs from the inner peripheral surface of the housing 5 to the bearing seat 4, and the entire bearing seat 4 is heated and softened, and the outer peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 is the inner peripheral surface of the housing 5.
  • the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 can be plastically deformed so as to be adapted to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 2, respectively, and at the same time, the internal stress of the bearing seat 4 can be equalized. It is possible to stabilize the swing torque of the.
  • the heating frequency of the induction heating coil 26 is a low frequency or a high frequency of 50 Hz to 100 kHz, and the softening temperature of the bearing seat 4 is approximately 100 ° C.
  • the housing 5 is induction-heated by the induction heating coil 26 and the bearing sheet 4 is heated by heat conduction from the inner peripheral surface of the housing 5 to the bearing sheet 4, so that the entire bearing sheet 4 is efficiently transferred from the housing 5.
  • Heating can be performed well, and thus power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where a high-temperature bath is used, and the induction heating equipment 23 is relatively small. It can be installed at the location, and the production efficiency can be improved.
  • the bearing seat 4 is heated by heat conduction from the housing 5 to the bearing seat 4, the heating is possible regardless of the material of the bearing seat 4.
  • the temperature control for the bearing seat 4 can be easily performed by adjusting the energization output to the induction heating coil 26 and the energization time. Moreover, since the induction heating coil 26 is used in a non-contact state with respect to the ball joint J, there is no fear of damaging the ball joint J in the heating step 18.
  • the induced current in the workpiece is concentrated on the surface of the workpiece as the heating frequency increases. In other words, the current penetration depth in the workpiece increases as the heating frequency decreases. Therefore, as the heating frequency of the induction heating coil 26, a low frequency is used when the thickness of the housing 5 is relatively large, and a high frequency is used when the thickness of the housing 5 is relatively small. A portion in contact with the bearing seat 4 can be efficiently heated, and heat conduction from the housing 5 to the bearing seat 4 can be performed quickly.
  • the ball joint J that has finished the heating process 18 lifts the induction heating coil 26, returns it to the conveyor of the production line 15, and moves to the soaking process 19.
  • This soaking step 19 is left on the conveyor for a certain time, and the residual heat of the housing 5 is spread over the entire bearing sheet 4 to make the temperature distribution of the entire bearing sheet 4 uniform.
  • the temperature distribution of the seat 4 can be made uniform so that the entire inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 can be made to conform to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 2 and the internal stress of the bearing seat 4 can be equalized. , Can stabilize the swing torque of the ball stud 1 and contribute to the manufacture of a high-performance ball joint J.
  • the ball joint J that has finished the uniform heat process 19 moves to the cooling process 20 next.
  • the ball joint J on the conveyor is forcibly air-cooled to a substantially normal temperature by a cooling fan installed above the conveyor.
  • the process proceeds to the accessory mounting step 21 where the support arm 8 and the boot 9 are attached to the ball joint J on the conveyor to obtain a finished ball joint J.
  • This second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that an induction heating coil 29 is arranged around the stud portion 3 of the ball joint J in the heating process 18 and thereby the stud portion 3 is induction-heated. is there.
  • the heat generated in the stud portion 3 is immediately transferred to the ball portion 2 and is transferred from the outer peripheral surface to the bearing seat 4 to heat the bearing seat 4. If a low frequency is used as the heating frequency of the induction heating coil 29 in this case, the current penetration depth becomes deep, so that the deep portion of the stud portion 3 is effectively heated, and from the deep portion of the stud portion 3 to the ball portion 2.
  • heat can be efficiently conducted to the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 and heat radiation from the outer peripheral surface of the stud portion 3 can be reduced to heat the bearing seat 4 to the softening temperature with relatively little electric power. it can.
  • the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 is heated from the ball portion 2, the softening of the inner peripheral surface is promoted, and the familiarity with the ball portion 2 can be performed quickly.
  • the induction current gathers on the outer peripheral surface of the stud portion 3 due to the skin effect, and the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface is effectively heated. Heat can be quickly conducted from the vicinity to the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 2 and to the bearing seat 4, and in an environment with little heat radiation from the stud portion 3, the bearing seat 4 is heated to the softening temperature with less power. can do.
  • FIG. 6 A third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 will be described.
  • the heating step 18 in the first embodiment and the heating step 18 in the second embodiment are used in combination, and the housing 5 is fixed by the first induction heating coil 26.
  • the stud portions 3 are heated simultaneously by the second induction heating coil 29, respectively.
  • the bearing seat 4 since the bearing seat 4 is heated from the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface by the housing 5 and the ball portion 2, the entire bearing seat 4 is heated and softened in a short time. Therefore, the familiarity of the bearing seat 4 with the ball portion 2 and the equalization of the internal stress of the bearing seat 4 can be performed quickly, thereby improving the production efficiency.
  • the housing 5 and the ball stud 1 are individually heated by the first and second induction heating coils 26 and 29, the heating conditions by the first and second induction heating coils 26 and 29 are set as the heat capacity of the housing 5 and the ball stud 1.
  • FIG. 7 A fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 will be described.
  • the structure of the ball joint J to be manufactured is different from each of the embodiments described above. That is, in the ball joint J according to the fourth embodiment, the cylindrical housing 5 that accommodates the ball portion 2 of the ball stud 1 together with the bearing seat 4 and applies a tightening force to the bearing seat 4 has an end surface at the stud.
  • a bottomed cylindrical shape is formed as the opening 10, and a connecting bolt 13 is integrally formed on the outer end surface of the bottom portion 5 b.
  • the bottom 5b of the housing 5 is formed so that its thickness is thicker than the thickness of the cylindrical portion 5a of the housing 5, and the coupling strength of the bottom 5b with the connecting bolt 13 is increased.
  • the stud portion 3 of the ball stud 1 is formed as a long rod, and the neck portion 3b connected to the ball portion 2 of the stud portion 3 is reduced in diameter from that of the previous embodiment.
  • connection bolt 13 of the ball joint J is fitted into the mounting hole 28a of the work positioning jig 28 on the heating work table 25, and the bottom 5b of the housing 5 is fixed to the work positioning jig. It is held in a state where it floats from the tool 28.
  • the first induction heating coil 26 is disposed around the base 5 of the connecting bolt 13 to the bottom 5b of the housing 5, and on the ball stud 1 side, the stud 3 is close to the neck 3b.
  • a second induction heating coil 29 is arranged around the main portion 3a and the neck portion 3b.
  • the second induction heating coil 29 includes a large-diameter portion 29a surrounding the main portion 3a of the stud portion 3, and a small-diameter portion 29b surrounding the neck portion 3b and having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion 29a.
  • the interval with the neck 3b is set narrower than the interval between the large diameter portion 29a and the main portion 3a.
  • the bottom 5b having a particularly large thickness is heated by the first induction heating coil 26 on the housing 5 side.
  • heat conduction occurs from the bottom portion 5b having a large thickness and a large heat capacity to the cylindrical portion 5a having a small thickness and a small heat capacity, and the housing 5 is uniformly heated without causing local overheating. Will be. Therefore, the bearing seat 4 can be efficiently heated by heat conduction from the entire inner peripheral surface of the housing 5 regardless of the difference in thickness between the bottom portion 5b of the housing 5 and the cylindrical portion 5a.
  • the second induction heating coil 29 is heated from the main portion 3a of the stud portion 3 to the neck portion 3b.
  • the interval between the neck portion 3b and the second induction heating coil 29 is set narrow. Therefore, the neck portion 3b is effectively heated, and heat conduction is efficiently generated from the neck portion 3b to the ball portion 2 and from the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 2 to the bearing seat 4, and the bearing seat 4 Can be efficiently heated and softened.
  • the main portion 3a of the stud portion 3 is also appropriately heated by the second induction heating coil 29, thereby suppressing the escape of heat from the neck portion 3b to the main portion 3a as much as possible. As a result, heat conduction to the bearing seat 4 can be promoted.
  • the bearing seat 4 is heated from the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface thereof, as in the third embodiment, the entire bearing seat 4 is heated and softened in a short time, and the ball portion 2 of the bearing seat 4 is obtained. This makes it possible to quickly adjust the internal stress of the bearing seat 4 and to improve the manufacturing efficiency.
  • FIG. 8 A fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 will be described.
  • the ball joint J to be manufactured in the fifth embodiment has the same structure as the ball joint J in the first embodiment except that the support arm 8 is integrally formed on the side surface of the housing 5.
  • the support arm 8 is integrally formed on the side surface of the housing 5.
  • parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference, and redundant description is omitted.
  • the support arm 8 is held upright by the support hole 30a of the workpiece positioning jig 30 on the heating work table 25, and the entire ball joint J is fixed together with the base of the support arm 8.
  • a single induction heating coil 31 is arranged so as to surround it, and this is energized to heat the support arm 8, the housing 5 and the stud portion 3 at once.
  • the housing 5 and the stud portion 3 can be efficiently performed by the single induction heating coil 31 while suppressing heat escape to the support arm 8 having a large heat capacity as much as possible. Therefore, while reducing the size of the induction heating equipment, as in the third embodiment, the entire bearing seat 4 is heated and softened in a short time, and the ball portion 2 of the bearing seat 4 is quickly acclimated. As a result, the production efficiency can be improved.
  • a low temperature chamber using an air conditioner can be installed on the production line 15, and the ball joint J can be cooled in the chamber.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)

Abstract

This method for manufacturing a ball joint is provided with: an assembly step (17) wherein a ball joint (J) is assembled; and a heating step (18) wherein, after the assembly step, the ball joint (J) is heated such that a bearing sheet (4) is softened. In the heating step (18), induction heating coils (26, 31) are disposed so as to surround a housing (5) of the ball joint (J), the housing (5) is heated by carrying electricity to the induction heating coils (26, 31), and the bearing sheet (4) is heated and softened by means of heat transfer from the inner circumferential surface of the housing (5) to the bearing sheet (4). Consequently, in the method for manufacturing a ball joint, the heating step can be performed within a relatively small space on the manufacturing line of the ball joint, furthermore, there is no material limitation of the bearing sheet formed of a thermoplastic resin, and the bearing sheet can be efficiently and correctly heated with electricity.

Description

ボールジョイントの製造方法Ball joint manufacturing method
　本発明は，筒状の金属製のハウジングと，ボール部及びこのボール部から突出するスタッド部よりなる金属製のボールスタッドと，前記スタッド部の首振りを可能に前記ボール部を包持して前記ハウジング内に装着される熱可塑性樹脂製のベアリングシートとよりなるボールジョイントを製造するに当たり，前記ベアリングシートに予圧を付与しながら前記ボールジョイントを組み立てる組立工程と，この組立工程後のボールジョイントを，前記ベアリングシートが軟化するように加熱して，該ベアリングシートを前記ボール部の外周面に馴染ませる加熱工程とを備える，ボールジョイントの製造方法の改良に関する。この製造方法で製造されるボールジョイントは，主として自動車の懸架装置や操向装置に使用される。 The present invention includes a cylindrical metal housing, a metal ball stud made of a ball portion and a stud portion protruding from the ball portion, and the ball portion so as to allow the stud portion to swing. An assembly process for assembling the ball joint while applying a preload to the bearing seat, and a ball joint after the assembly process, when manufacturing a ball joint comprising a thermoplastic resin bearing seat mounted in the housing. And a heating step of heating the bearing seat so that the bearing seat is softened and adapting the bearing seat to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion. Ball joints manufactured by this manufacturing method are mainly used for suspension devices and steering devices for automobiles.
　かゝるボールジョイントの製造方法において，ボールジョイントを組み立てる組立工程でベアリングシートに予圧を付与することは，具体的には，ベアリングシートを一定の締代をもってボール部及びハウジング間に介装することであり，こうすることにより，ボールジョイントが高負荷の下で作動するとき，ボールスタッドのガタの無い揺動を可能にして，ボールジョイントの耐久性を確保することができる。しかしながら，ベアリングシートを一定の締代をもってボール部及びハウジング間に介装すると，ベアリングシートの，ボール部に圧接する内周面に，その内周面の変形に伴なう皺等の凹凸が発生することにより，ベアリングシートのボール部に対する面圧が各部不均一になって，各製品においてボールスタッドの揺動トルクが一定しなくなり，しかもベアリングシートは，面圧が高い箇所で摩耗が進行し易くなるため，耐久性を損なうことになる。そのような不都合を解消するために，組立工程後，ボールジョイントを，ベアリングシートが軟化するように加熱して，ベアリングシートをボール部の外周面に馴染ませる加熱工程が有効となる。 In such a ball joint manufacturing method, the preload is applied to the bearing seat in the assembly process of assembling the ball joint. Specifically, the bearing seat is interposed between the ball portion and the housing with a certain tightening allowance. By doing so, when the ball joint operates under a high load, the ball stud can be swung without play and the durability of the ball joint can be ensured. However, if the bearing seat is interposed between the ball portion and the housing with a certain tightening allowance, irregularities such as wrinkles due to deformation of the inner peripheral surface are generated on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat that is pressed against the ball portion. As a result, the surface pressure on the ball part of the bearing seat becomes non-uniform in each part, the swing torque of the ball stud is not constant in each product, and the bearing sheet is prone to wear at places where the surface pressure is high. Therefore, durability is impaired. In order to eliminate such an inconvenience, after the assembly process, a heating process is effective in which the ball joint is heated so that the bearing sheet is softened and the bearing sheet is adapted to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion.
  かゝるボールジョイントの製造方法は，下記特許文献１及び２等に開示されるように，既に知られている。 A method for manufacturing such a ball joint is already known as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below.
日本特開２００３－１３００３８号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-130038 日本特開２００８－２６０１号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-2601
  ところで，特許文献１に開示されるボールジョイントの製造方法では，加熱工程において，ボールジョイントを高温槽に入れて加熱する。こうした加熱方法では，大型の高温槽が必要であり，その大型の高温槽をボールジョイントの製造ライン内に設置するには，広いスペースを必要とする。またボールジョイントの製造ライン内に高温槽を設置できない場合には，ボールジョイントの製造ラインとは別の場所に高温槽を設置しなければならないが，そうすると，互いに離れた製造ラインと高温槽との間でボールジョイントを行き来させることを余儀なくされるから，生産能率の低下を招く。また高温槽では，その内部を常に高温状態に保つために，多量の電力が必要である上，その温度管理が難しい。 In the meantime, in the ball joint manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the heating step, the ball joint is placed in a high temperature bath and heated. Such a heating method requires a large high temperature bath, and a large space is required to install the large high temperature bath in the ball joint production line. If a high-temperature bath cannot be installed in the ball joint production line, a high-temperature bath must be installed at a location different from the ball joint production line. Because it is forced to move the ball joint back and forth between them, the production efficiency is reduced. A high-temperature tank requires a large amount of electric power to keep its interior constantly at a high temperature, and its temperature control is difficult.
  一方，特許文献２に開示されるボールジョイントの製造方法では，加熱工程において，ボールスタッド及びハウジングよりも電気抵抗が大きい導電性の合成樹脂よりなるベアリングシートに，ボールスタッド及びハウジングを介して通電して，ベアリングシートをジュール熱により加熱する。こうした加熱方法では，ベアリングシートの温度管理が比較的容易であるものゝ，加熱時には，ボールスタッド及びハウジングを通電用のクランプで把持するので，その把持部が傷つき，品質を損なう虞がある。さらに，その加熱方法の採用に当たっては，ベアリングシートを電導性としなければならないと言う，ベアリングシートの素材上の制約がある。 On the other hand, in the ball joint manufacturing method disclosed in Patent Document 2, in the heating process, a bearing sheet made of a conductive synthetic resin having a higher electrical resistance than the ball stud and the housing is energized through the ball stud and the housing. Then, the bearing seat is heated by Joule heat. With such a heating method, the temperature control of the bearing seat is relatively easy. However, since the ball stud and the housing are gripped by the current-carrying clamp during heating, the gripping portion may be damaged and the quality may be impaired. Furthermore, there is a restriction on the material of the bearing sheet that the bearing sheet must be made conductive when adopting the heating method.
　本発明は，かゝる事情に鑑みてなされたもので，ボールジョイントの製造ライン上の比較的小スペース内で加熱工程を実施でき，しかも熱可塑性樹脂製のベアリングシートの素材制約もなく，これを電力をもって効率良く適正に加熱し得る前記ボールジョイントの製造方法を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. The heating process can be carried out in a relatively small space on the ball joint production line, and there is no material restriction of the bearing sheet made of thermoplastic resin. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing the ball joint that can efficiently and appropriately heat the power.
　上記目的を達成するために，本発明は，筒状の金属製のハウジングと，ボール部及びこのボール部から突出するスタッド部よりなる金属製のボールスタッドと，前記スタッド部の首振りを可能に前記ボール部を包持して前記ハウジング内に装着される熱可塑性樹脂製のベアリングシートとよりなるボールジョイントを製造するに当たり，前記ベアリングシートに予圧を付与しながら前記ボールジョイントを組み立てる組立工程と，この組立工程後のボールジョイントを，前記ベアリングシートが軟化するように加熱して，該ベアリングシートを前記ボール部の外周面に馴染ませる加熱工程とを備える，ボールジョイントの製造方法において，前記加熱工程では，前記ボールジョイントのハウジングを囲むように誘導加熱コイルを設置し，この誘導加熱コイルへの通電により前記ハウジングを加熱して，該ハウジングの内周面から前記ベアリングシートへの熱伝導により該ベアリングシートを加熱，軟化させることを第１の特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention enables a cylindrical metal housing, a metal ball stud including a ball portion and a stud portion protruding from the ball portion, and swinging of the stud portion. An assembly step of assembling the ball joint while applying a preload to the bearing seat in manufacturing a ball joint formed of a thermoplastic resin bearing seat that encloses the ball portion and is mounted in the housing; In the method of manufacturing a ball joint, the heating step includes heating the ball joint after the assembly step so that the bearing seat is softened, and adapting the bearing seat to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion. Then, an induction heating coil is installed so as to surround the ball joint housing. And heating the housing by energizing the induction heating coil, heating the bearing seat by the heat conduction from the inner peripheral surface of the housing to the bearing seat, the first feature to be softened.
  また本発明は，筒状の金属製のハウジングと，ボール部及びこのボール部から突出するスタッド部よりなる金属製のボールスタッドと，前記スタッド部の首振りを可能に前記ボール部を包持して前記ハウジング内に装着される熱可塑性樹脂製のベアリングシートとよりなるボールジョイントを製造するに当たり，前記ベアリングシートに予圧を付与しながら前記ボールジョイントを組み立てる組立工程と，この組立工程後のボールジョイントを，前記ベアリングシートが軟化するように加熱して，該ベアリングシートを前記ボール部の外周面に馴染ませる加熱工程とを備える，ボールジョイントの製造方法において，前記加熱工程では，前記スタッド部を囲むように誘導加熱コイルを設置し，この誘導加熱コイルへの通電により前記ボールスタッドを加熱して，前記ボール部の外周面から前記ベアリングシートへの熱伝導により該ベアリングシートを加熱，軟化させることを第２の特徴とする。 The present invention also includes a cylindrical metal housing, a metal ball stud comprising a ball portion and a stud portion protruding from the ball portion, and the ball portion enabling the swinging of the stud portion. An assembly process for assembling the ball joint while applying a preload to the bearing seat, and a ball joint after the assembly process. Heating the bearing seat so that the bearing seat is softened, and allowing the bearing seat to conform to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion. In the ball joint manufacturing method, the heating step surrounds the stud portion. The induction heating coil is installed as described above, and the ball is The second feature is that the stud is heated and softened by heat conduction from the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion to the bearing seat.
  さらに本発明は，筒状の金属製のハウジングと，ボール部及びこのボール部から突出するスタッド部よりなる金属製のボールスタッドと，前記スタッド部の首振りを可能に前記ボール部を包持して前記ハウジング内に装着される熱可塑性樹脂製のベアリングシートとよりなるボールジョイントを製造するに当たり，前記ベアリングシートに予圧を付与しながら前記ボールジョイントを組み立てる組立工程と，この組立工程後のボールジョイントを，前記ベアリングシートが軟化するように加熱して，該ベアリングシートを前記ボール部の外周面に馴染ませる加熱工程とを備える，ボールジョイントの製造方法において，前記加熱工程では，前記ハウジング及びボールスタッドを囲むように誘導加熱コイルを設置し，この誘導加熱コイルへの通電により前記ハウジング及びボールスタッドを加熱し，該ハウジングの内周面から前記ベアリングシートへの熱伝導，並びに前記ボールスタッドのボール部外周面から前記ベアリングシートへの熱伝導により該ベアリングシートを加熱，軟化させることを第３の特徴とする。 The present invention further includes a cylindrical metal housing, a metal ball stud comprising a ball portion and a stud portion protruding from the ball portion, and the ball portion enabling the swinging of the stud portion. An assembly process for assembling the ball joint while applying a preload to the bearing seat, and a ball joint after the assembly process. Heating the bearing seat so that the bearing seat is softened, and adapting the bearing seat to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion. In the method of manufacturing a ball joint, in the heating step, the housing and the ball stud An induction heating coil is installed so as to surround the induction heating coil. The housing and the ball stud are heated by energization, the bearing seat is heated by heat conduction from the inner peripheral surface of the housing to the bearing seat, and from the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion of the ball stud to the bearing seat, The third feature is to soften.
  さらにまた本発明は，第３の特徴に加えて，前記加熱工程では，前記ハウジングを囲む第１誘導加熱コイルと，ボールスタッドを囲む第２誘導加熱コイルとを並設し，この両誘導加熱コイルへの通電により，前記ハウジング及びボールスタッドを個別に加熱することを第４の特徴とする。 In addition to the third feature of the present invention, in the heating step, a first induction heating coil that surrounds the housing and a second induction heating coil that surrounds the ball stud are provided side by side. According to a fourth feature, the housing and the ball stud are individually heated by energizing the pin.
  さらにまた本発明は，第１～第３の特徴の何れかに加えて，前記加熱工程後，前記ボールジョイントを一定時間放置して前記ハウジング又はボールスタッドの余熱を前記ベアリングシートに伝達すると共に，該ベアリングシートの温度分布を均一化する均熱工程と，この均熱工程後，前記ボールジョイントを冷却する冷却工程とを備えることを第５の特徴とする。 Furthermore, the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to third features, after the heating step, the ball joint is left for a certain period of time to transmit the residual heat of the housing or the ball stud to the bearing seat, A fifth feature is that it comprises a soaking step for making the temperature distribution of the bearing seat uniform and a cooling step for cooling the ball joint after the soaking step.
  さらにまた本発明は，第１～第４の特徴の何れかに加えて，前記加熱工程では，前記誘導加熱コイルの加熱周波数として，高周波数を用いることを第６の特徴とする。 Furthermore, in addition to any of the first to fourth features, the present invention has a sixth feature that, in the heating step, a high frequency is used as the heating frequency of the induction heating coil.
  さらにまた本発明は，第１～第４の特徴の何れかに加えて，前記加熱工程では，前記誘導加熱コイルの加熱周波数として，低周波数を用いることを第７の特徴とする。 Furthermore, in addition to any of the first to fourth features, the present invention has a seventh feature that, in the heating step, a low frequency is used as the heating frequency of the induction heating coil.
  本発明の第１の特徴によれば，加熱工程では，誘導加熱コイルによりハウジングを誘導加熱して，ハウジングの内周面からベアリングシートへの熱伝導によりベアリングシートを加熱するので，ハウジングからベアリングシート全体を効率良く加熱，軟化させ，これによりベアリングシートの内周面をボール部の外周面に馴染ませると共に，ベアリングシートの内部応力を全体的に均等化することができる。しかも高温槽を使用する場合に比して消費電力を少なく抑えることができると共に，誘導加熱設備は，比較的小規模であることから，製造ライン上，あるいはその隣接位置の設置が可能となり，生産能率の向上を図ることができる。 According to the first feature of the present invention, in the heating step, the housing is induction-heated by the induction heating coil, and the bearing seat is heated by heat conduction from the inner peripheral surface of the housing to the bearing seat. The whole can be efficiently heated and softened, so that the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat can be adapted to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion, and the internal stress of the bearing seat can be equalized as a whole. In addition, the power consumption can be reduced compared to the case of using a high-temperature tank, and the induction heating equipment is relatively small, so that it can be installed on the production line or adjacent to it. Efficiency can be improved.
  またハウジングからベアリングシートへの熱伝導でベアリングシートを加熱するので，ベアリングシートの素材の如何に拘らず，その加熱が可能である。 Moreover, since the bearing seat is heated by heat conduction from the housing to the bearing seat, the heating is possible regardless of the material of the bearing seat.
  さらにベアリングシートに対する温度管理は，誘導加熱コイルへの通電出力や通電時間の調節により容易に行うことができる。しかも誘導加熱コイルは，ボールジョイントに対して無接触の状態で使用されるので，加熱工程においてボールジョイントを損傷させる心配がない。 Furthermore, temperature control for the bearing seat can be easily performed by adjusting the energization output to the induction heating coil and the energization time. Moreover, since the induction heating coil is used in a non-contact state with respect to the ball joint, there is no fear of damaging the ball joint in the heating process.
  本発明の第２の特徴によれば，加熱工程では，誘導加熱コイルによりスタッド部を誘導加熱して，スタッド部からボール部への熱伝導，そしてボール部の外周面からベアリングシートへの熱伝導によりベアリングシートを加熱するので，ボールスタッドからベアリングシートの内周面を効率良く加熱，軟化させることができ，したがって比較的少ない電力をもってベアリングシートの内周面の軟化を促進し，ボール部への馴染みを迅速に行わせることができる。その他，前記第１の特徴と同様の効果を達成し得る。 According to the second feature of the present invention, in the heating process, the stud portion is induction-heated by an induction heating coil to conduct heat from the stud portion to the ball portion, and from the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion to the bearing seat. Because the bearing seat is heated by this, it is possible to efficiently heat and soften the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat from the ball stud, and therefore, the softening of the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat is promoted with relatively little power, Familiarization can be performed quickly. In addition, the same effect as the first feature can be achieved.
  本発明の第３の特徴によれば，加熱工程において，誘導加熱コイルによりハウジング及びボールスタッドを同時に加熱するので，ハウジング及びボール部によって，ベアリングシートを，その外周面及び内周面から加熱することになり，ベアリングシート全体の加熱，軟化を短時間で行い，ベアリングシートのボール部への馴染みを迅速に行わせることができ，これにより製造能率の向上を図ることができる。その他，前記第１の特徴と同様の効果を達成し得る。 According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the heating process, the housing and the ball stud are simultaneously heated by the induction heating coil, so that the bearing seat is heated from the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface by the housing and the ball portion. Thus, the entire bearing seat can be heated and softened in a short time, and the ball of the bearing seat can be quickly adapted to the ball portion, thereby improving the production efficiency. In addition, the same effect as the first feature can be achieved.
  本発明の第４の特徴によれば，加熱工程において，第１及び第２誘導加熱コイルによりハウジング及びボールスタッドを個別に加熱するので，第１及び第２誘導加熱コイルによる加熱条件を，ハウジング及びボールスタッドの熱容量等に応じて選定して，ベアリングシート全体を短時間で効率良く加熱，軟化させることができ，ベアリングシートのボール部外周面への馴染みと，ベアリングシートの内部応力の均等化を迅速に行うことができる。 According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the housing and the ball stud are individually heated by the first and second induction heating coils in the heating step, the heating conditions by the first and second induction heating coils are set as follows. It can be selected according to the heat capacity of the ball stud, and the entire bearing seat can be heated and softened efficiently in a short time, and the familiarity of the bearing seat with the outer peripheral surface of the ball and the equalization of the internal stress of the bearing seat can be achieved. Can be done quickly.
  本発明の第５の特徴によれば，均熱工程によって，ハウジングの余熱をベアリングシートの加熱に有効利用することができ，したがって加熱工程における誘導加熱コイルへの通電時間を短縮して，電力消費を極力抑えることができ，またベアリングシートの温度分布を均一化して，ベアリングシートの内周面全体をボール部の外周面に対して確実に馴染ませると共に，ベアリングシートの内部応力の均等化を確実行うことができ，ボールスタッドの揺動トルクを安定させ，高性能なボールジョイントを提供することができる。また次の冷却工程では，ボールジョイントを冷却して，ボールジョイント内のベアリングシートの通常硬度へ復帰させることができる。 According to the fifth feature of the present invention, the residual heat of the housing can be effectively used for heating the bearing seat by the soaking process, and therefore the energization time to the induction heating coil in the heating process can be shortened and the power consumption can be reduced. In addition, the temperature distribution of the bearing seat is made uniform, and the entire inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat is made to conform to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion, and the internal stress of the bearing seat is also equalized. It is possible to provide a high-performance ball joint by stabilizing the swing torque of the ball stud. In the next cooling step, the ball joint can be cooled to return to the normal hardness of the bearing seat in the ball joint.
図１は本発明の第１実施例における製造対象のボールジョイントの縦断面図である。（第１実施例）FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a ball joint to be manufactured in a first embodiment of the present invention. (First embodiment) 図２は上記ボールジョイントの要部分解図である。（第１実施例）FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the main part of the ball joint. (First embodiment) 図３は上記ボールジョイントの製造工程説明図である。（第１実施例）FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of the manufacturing process of the ball joint. (First embodiment) 図４は上記ボールジョイントの加熱工程説明図である。（第１実施例）FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the heating process of the ball joint. (First embodiment) 図５は本発明の第２実施例におけるボールジョイントの加熱工程説明図である。（第２実施例）FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the heating process of the ball joint in the second embodiment of the present invention. (Second embodiment) 図６は本発明の第３実施例におけるボールジョイントの加熱工程説明図である。（第３実施例）FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the heating process of the ball joint in the third embodiment of the present invention. (Third embodiment) 図７は本発明の第４実施例におけるボールジョイントの加熱工程説明図である。（第４実施例）FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the heating process of the ball joint in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. (Fourth embodiment) 図８は本発明の第５実施例におけるボールジョイントの加熱工程説明図である。（第５実施例）FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the heating process of the ball joint in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. (5th Example)
Ｊ・・・・ボールジョイント
１・・・・ボールスタッド
２・・・・ボール部
３・・・・スタッド部
４・・・・ベアリングシート
５・・・・ハウジング
１７・・・組立工程
１８・・・加熱工程
１９・・・均熱工程
２０・・・冷却工程
２６・・・誘導加熱コイル，第１誘導加熱コイル
２９・・・誘導加熱コイル，第２誘導加熱コイル
３１・・・誘導加熱コイル J ... Ball joint 1 ... Ball stud 2 ... Ball 3 ... Stud 4 ... Bearing seat 5 ... Housing 17 ... Assembly process 18 ... Heating step 19 ... soaking step 20 ... cooling step 26 ... induction heating coil, first induction heating coil 29 ... induction heating coil, second induction heating coil 31 ... induction heating coil
  本発明の実施の形態を添付図面に基づいて以下に説明する。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
第１実施例First embodiment
　図１～図４に示す本発明の第１実施例の説明より始める。 The explanation starts with the description of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS.
  先ず，本発明の第１実施例の製造方法により製造されるボールジョイントの構造について，図１及び図２を参照しながら説明する。ボールジョイントＪは，ボール部２及び，このボール部２に一体に形成されてその一側方へ突出する，雄ねじ付きのスタッド部３よりなる金属製のボールスタッド１と，スタッド部３の首振りを可能にボール部２を包持する熱可塑性樹脂製のベアリングシート４と，このベアリングシート４と共に前記ボール部２を収容して，該ベアリングシート４に締め付け力を付与する円筒状のハウジング５とを主たる構成要素としている。上記ハウジング５は円筒状のハウジングボディ６と平板状のプラグ７とで構成される。 First, the structure of the ball joint manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The ball joint J is composed of a ball part 2 and a metal ball stud 1 which is formed integrally with the ball part 2 and protrudes to one side of the ball part 2 and which has a male thread. A thermoplastic resin bearing sheet 4 for holding the ball part 2 and a cylindrical housing 5 for accommodating the ball part 2 together with the bearing sheet 4 and applying a clamping force to the bearing sheet 4; Is the main component. The housing 5 includes a cylindrical housing body 6 and a flat plug 7.
  ハウジングボディ６は，一端に前記スタッド部３が配置されるスタッド口１０が，また他端には段付きの装着口１１がそれぞれ設けられ，それらの中間部の内周面が，装着口１１から挿入されたベアリングシート４に対する支持面１２となっている。 The housing body 6 is provided with a stud port 10 in which the stud part 3 is disposed at one end, and a stepped mounting port 11 at the other end, and the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate portion extends from the mounting port 11. It is a support surface 12 for the inserted bearing seat 4.
  上記支持面１２は，装着口１１側の半部が円筒状をなし，スタッド口１０側の半部がスタッド部３に向かって小径となる球状をなしており，ボール部２を包持したベアリングシート４は，装着口１１から上記支持面１２に所定の締代をもって圧入される。 The support surface 12 has a cylindrical shape in which the half on the side of the mounting port 11 has a cylindrical shape and the half on the side of the stud 10 has a small diameter toward the stud 3, and the bearing that holds the ball 2 The sheet 4 is press-fitted from the mounting opening 11 into the support surface 12 with a predetermined tightening allowance.
  前記プラグ７は，ベアリングシート４の支持面１２への圧入後，そのベアリングシート４の平坦な端面４ａを所定の締代をもって押圧しながら装着口１１を閉鎖すべく，その装着口１１に嵌合され，そして段部１１ａとハウジングボディ６のかしめ部６ａとで挟持，固定される。ベアリングシート４の内周面には，予め潤滑用のグリース（図示せず）が塗布される。こうしてベアリングシート４は予圧が付与された状態で，ハウジング５及びボール部２間に介装される。 The plug 7 is fitted into the mounting port 11 so as to close the mounting port 11 while pressing the flat end surface 4a of the bearing seat 4 with a predetermined tightening after press-fitting the bearing seat 4 into the support surface 12. And it is clamped and fixed by the step part 11a and the caulking part 6a of the housing body 6. Lubricating grease (not shown) is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 in advance. Thus, the bearing seat 4 is interposed between the housing 5 and the ball portion 2 in a state where a preload is applied.
  ハウジング５には，支持アーム８が圧入又は溶接により取り付けられ，またハウジング５及びスタッド部３間に可撓性のブーツ９が装着される。 A support arm 8 is attached to the saddle housing 5 by press-fitting or welding, and a flexible boot 9 is mounted between the housing 5 and the stud portion 3.
  尚，図示例の場合，ボールジョイントＪの各部の素材は次の通りである。 In the case of the illustrated example, the material of each part of the ball joint J is as follows.
  ハウジングボディ６・・・Ｓ４５Ｃ
  プラグ７・・・ＳＰＣ
  ボールスタッド１・・・ＳＣＭ４３５
  ベアリングシート４・・・ＰＯＭ
  さて，上記ボールジョイントＪの製造方法について，以下に説明する。 Housing body 6 ... S45C
Plug 7 ... SPC
Ball stud 1 ... SCM435
Bearing seat 4 POM
Now, a method for manufacturing the ball joint J will be described below.
  図３に示すように，ボールジョイントＪの製造に当たっては，一連の製造ライン１５上で，部品搬入工程１６，組立工程１７，加熱工程１８，均熱工程１９，冷却工程２０，付属部品装着工程２１及び完成品搬出工程２２を順次実行していく。 As shown in FIG. 3, when manufacturing the ball joint J, on a series of production lines 15, a component carry-in process 16, an assembly process 17, a heating process 18, a soaking process 19, a cooling process 20, and an accessory mounting process 21. And the finished product carrying-out process 22 is performed sequentially.
  先ず，部品搬入工程１６では，製造ライン１５のコンベアにボールジョイントＪの構成部品を搬入し，組立工程１７では，上記搬入部品を組み立てて，支持アーム８及びブーツ９を除いた，図１のようなボールジョイントＪを完成させる。この組立工程１７において，前述のようにベアリングシート４に予圧が付与される。 First, in the parts carrying-in process 16, the components of the ball joint J are carried into the conveyor of the production line 15, and in the assembling process 17, the carried-in parts are assembled and the support arm 8 and the boot 9 are removed, as shown in FIG. The perfect ball joint J. In the assembling process 17, a preload is applied to the bearing seat 4 as described above.
  次の加熱工程１８を行う製造ライン１５では，コンベアに隣接して誘導加熱設備２３が設けられる。この誘導加熱設備２３は，誘導加熱電源２４と，その周囲に並ぶ複数，図示例では一対の加熱作業台２５，２５と，これら加熱作業台２５，２５の上方で昇降する誘導加熱コイル２６，２６とが配設されており，図４に示すように，各加熱作業台２５には，加熱対象のワーク，即ちボールジョイントＪを載置するワーク位置決め治具２７が設けられる。 In the production line 15 that performs the next heating step 18, an induction heating facility 23 is provided adjacent to the conveyor. The induction heating equipment 23 includes an induction heating power source 24, a plurality of heating work tables 25 and 25 arranged in the vicinity of the induction heating power supply 24, and induction heating coils 26 and 26 that move up and down above the heating work tables 25 and 25 in the illustrated example. As shown in FIG. 4, each heating work table 25 is provided with a workpiece positioning jig 27 on which a workpiece to be heated, that is, a ball joint J is placed.
  而して，加熱工程１８では，組立工程１７を終えてコンベアで順次送られてくるボールジョイントＪを複数の加熱作業台２５，２５上のワーク位置決め治具２７に順次載置し，誘導加熱コイル２６，２６を順次に下降させる。 Thus, in the heating step 18, the ball joints J that are sequentially sent by the conveyor after finishing the assembly step 17 are sequentially placed on the work positioning jigs 27 on the plurality of heating work tables 25, 25, and the induction heating coil. 26 and 26 are lowered sequentially.
  この場合，図４に示すように，各加熱作業台２５では，ボールジョイントＪは，下向きにしたプラグ７をワーク位置決め治具２７上に載置し，誘導加熱コイル２６をスタッド部３の上方からハウジング５を無接触の状態で囲む定位置まで下降させる。この状態で誘導加熱電源２４を作動して誘導加熱コイル２６に通電し，対応するハウジング５を誘導加熱する。ハウジング５が加熱されると，ハウジング５の内周面よりベアリングシート４へと熱伝導が生じて，ベアリングシート４全体が加熱されて軟化し，ベアリングシート４の外周面はハウジング５の内周面に，またベアリングシート４の内周面はボール部２の外周面にそれぞれ馴染むように塑性変形させることができ，同時にベアリングシート４の内部応力の均等化を図ることができ，これによりボールスタッド１の揺動トルクの安定化を図ることができる。 In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, in each heating work table 25, the ball joint J places the plug 7 facing downward on the workpiece positioning jig 27 and the induction heating coil 26 from above the stud portion 3. The housing 5 is lowered to a fixed position surrounding the housing 5 without contact. In this state, the induction heating power source 24 is operated to energize the induction heating coil 26, and the corresponding housing 5 is induction heated. When the housing 5 is heated, heat conduction occurs from the inner peripheral surface of the housing 5 to the bearing seat 4, and the entire bearing seat 4 is heated and softened, and the outer peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 is the inner peripheral surface of the housing 5. In addition, the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 can be plastically deformed so as to be adapted to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 2, respectively, and at the same time, the internal stress of the bearing seat 4 can be equalized. It is possible to stabilize the swing torque of the.
  この場合，誘導加熱コイル２６の加熱周波数は，５０Ｈｚ～１００ｋＨｚの低周波あるいは高周波であり，またベアリングシート４の軟化温度は，略１００°Ｃである。 In this case, the heating frequency of the induction heating coil 26 is a low frequency or a high frequency of 50 Hz to 100 kHz, and the softening temperature of the bearing seat 4 is approximately 100 ° C.
  このように，誘導加熱コイル２６によりハウジング５を誘導加熱して，ハウジング５の内周面から前記ベアリングシート４への熱伝導によりベアリングシート４を加熱するので，ハウジング５からベアリングシート４全体を効率良く加熱することができ，したがって高温槽を使用する場合に比して消費電力を少なく抑えることができると共に，誘導加熱設備２３は比較的小規模であることから，製造ライン１５上，あるいはその隣接位置への設置が可能となり，生産能率の向上を図ることができる。 In this manner, the housing 5 is induction-heated by the induction heating coil 26 and the bearing sheet 4 is heated by heat conduction from the inner peripheral surface of the housing 5 to the bearing sheet 4, so that the entire bearing sheet 4 is efficiently transferred from the housing 5. Heating can be performed well, and thus power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where a high-temperature bath is used, and the induction heating equipment 23 is relatively small. It can be installed at the location, and the production efficiency can be improved.
  またハウジング５からベアリングシート４への熱伝導でベアリングシート４を加熱するので，ベアリングシート４の素材の如何に拘らず，その加熱が可能である。 Moreover, since the bearing seat 4 is heated by heat conduction from the housing 5 to the bearing seat 4, the heating is possible regardless of the material of the bearing seat 4.
  さらにベアリングシート４に対する温度管理は，誘導加熱コイル２６への通電出力や通電時間の調節により容易に行うことができる。しかも誘導加熱コイル２６は，ボールジョイントＪに対して無接触の状態で使用されるので，加熱工程１８においてボールジョイントＪに損傷を与える心配がない。 Furthermore, the temperature control for the bearing seat 4 can be easily performed by adjusting the energization output to the induction heating coil 26 and the energization time. Moreover, since the induction heating coil 26 is used in a non-contact state with respect to the ball joint J, there is no fear of damaging the ball joint J in the heating step 18.
  ところで，一般に，ワークの誘導加熱中，ワークにおける誘起電流は，加熱周波数の増加に応じてワークの表面に集中してくる。換言すれば，ワークにおける電流浸透深さは，加熱周波数の減少に応じて増加する。したがって，誘導加熱コイル２６の加熱周波数として，ハウジング５の肉厚が比較的大であるときは低周波数を用い，その肉厚が比較的小であるときは高周波を用いることにより，ハウジング５の，ベアリングシート４に接する部分を効率良く加熱し，ハウジング５からベアリングシート４への熱伝導を速やかに行うことができる。 In general, during induction heating of a workpiece, the induced current in the workpiece is concentrated on the surface of the workpiece as the heating frequency increases. In other words, the current penetration depth in the workpiece increases as the heating frequency decreases. Therefore, as the heating frequency of the induction heating coil 26, a low frequency is used when the thickness of the housing 5 is relatively large, and a high frequency is used when the thickness of the housing 5 is relatively small. A portion in contact with the bearing seat 4 can be efficiently heated, and heat conduction from the housing 5 to the bearing seat 4 can be performed quickly.
  加熱工程１８を終えたボールジョイントＪは，誘導加熱コイル２６を引き上げた後，製造ライン１５のコンベアへ戻して均熱工程１９に移る。この均熱工程１９は，コンベア上で一定時間，放置するもので，ハウジング５の余熱をベアリングシート４全体に行き渡らせて，ベアリングシート４全体の温度分布を均一化する。このように，ハウジング５の余熱をベアリングシート４の加熱に有効利用することで，前記加熱工程１８における誘導加熱コイル２６への通電時間を短縮して，電力消費を極力抑えることができ，またベアリングシート４の温度分布を均一化して，ベアリングシート４の内周面全体をボール部２の外周面に対して確実に馴染ませると共に，ベアリングシート４の内部応力の均等化を確実にすることができ，ボールスタッド１の揺動トルクを安定させ，高性能なボールジョイントＪの製造に寄与し得る。 The ball joint J that has finished the heating process 18 lifts the induction heating coil 26, returns it to the conveyor of the production line 15, and moves to the soaking process 19. This soaking step 19 is left on the conveyor for a certain time, and the residual heat of the housing 5 is spread over the entire bearing sheet 4 to make the temperature distribution of the entire bearing sheet 4 uniform. In this way, by effectively utilizing the remaining heat of the housing 5 for heating the bearing seat 4, it is possible to shorten the energization time to the induction heating coil 26 in the heating step 18, and to suppress power consumption as much as possible. The temperature distribution of the seat 4 can be made uniform so that the entire inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 can be made to conform to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 2 and the internal stress of the bearing seat 4 can be equalized. , Can stabilize the swing torque of the ball stud 1 and contribute to the manufacture of a high-performance ball joint J.
  均熱工程１９を終えたボールジョイントＪは，次に冷却工程２０へ移る。この冷却工程２０では，コンベアの上方に設置される冷却ファンによりコンベア上のボールジョイントＪを略常温まで強制空冷する。この強制空冷により，ボールジョイントＪ内のベアリングシート４の通常硬度への復帰を促進して，ボールジョイントＪの製造時間の短縮を図ることができる。 The ball joint J that has finished the uniform heat process 19 moves to the cooling process 20 next. In this cooling step 20, the ball joint J on the conveyor is forcibly air-cooled to a substantially normal temperature by a cooling fan installed above the conveyor. By this forced air cooling, the return of the bearing seat 4 in the ball joint J to the normal hardness can be promoted, and the manufacturing time of the ball joint J can be shortened.
  次いで，付属部品装着工程２１に移り，コンベア上でボールジョイントＪに前記支持アーム８やブーツ９を取り付け，ボールジョイントＪの完成品を得る。 Next, the process proceeds to the accessory mounting step 21 where the support arm 8 and the boot 9 are attached to the ball joint J on the conveyor to obtain a finished ball joint J.
  次いで，完成品搬出工程２２に移り，コンベアからボールジョイントＪの完成品を搬出する。 Next, the process proceeds to a finished product unloading step 22 where the finished product of the ball joint J is unloaded from the conveyor.
第２実施例Second embodiment
  図５に示す本発明の第２実施例について説明する。 ２ A second embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 5 will be described.
  この第２実施例では，加熱工程１８において，ボールジョイントＪのスタッド部３周りに誘導加熱コイル２９を配置し，それによりスタッド部３を誘導加熱する点で前記第１実施例と相違するのみである。この第２実施例によれば，スタッド部３で発生した熱は，直ちにボール部２へ伝わり，その外周面からベアリングシート４へと伝わることで，ベアリングシート４を加熱することになる。この場合の誘導加熱コイル２９の加熱周波数として，低周波数を使用すると，電流浸透深さが深くなるため，スタッド部３の深部が効果的に加熱され，そのスタッド部３の深部からボール部２へ，そしてベアリングシート４の内周面へと効率良く熱伝導させることができ，スタッド部３の外周面からの放熱が少ないことで，比較的少ない電力をもってベアリングシート４を軟化温度まで加熱することができる。特に，ボール部２からベアリングシート４の内周面を加熱するので，その内周面の軟化が促進され，ボール部２への馴染みを迅速に行わせることができる。 This second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that an induction heating coil 29 is arranged around the stud portion 3 of the ball joint J in the heating process 18 and thereby the stud portion 3 is induction-heated. is there. According to the second embodiment, the heat generated in the stud portion 3 is immediately transferred to the ball portion 2 and is transferred from the outer peripheral surface to the bearing seat 4 to heat the bearing seat 4. If a low frequency is used as the heating frequency of the induction heating coil 29 in this case, the current penetration depth becomes deep, so that the deep portion of the stud portion 3 is effectively heated, and from the deep portion of the stud portion 3 to the ball portion 2. In addition, heat can be efficiently conducted to the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 and heat radiation from the outer peripheral surface of the stud portion 3 can be reduced to heat the bearing seat 4 to the softening temperature with relatively little electric power. it can. In particular, since the inner peripheral surface of the bearing seat 4 is heated from the ball portion 2, the softening of the inner peripheral surface is promoted, and the familiarity with the ball portion 2 can be performed quickly.
  また誘導加熱コイル２９の加熱周波数として，高周波数を使用すると，表皮効果により，誘導電流がスタッド部３の外周面に集まり，その外周面近傍を効果的に加熱するので，スタッド部３の外周面近傍から，ボール部２の外周面近傍へ，そしてベアリングシート４へと素早く熱伝導させることができ，スタッド部３からの放熱が少ない環境下では，より少ない電力をもってベアリングシート４を軟化温度まで加熱することができる。 Further, when a high frequency is used as the heating frequency of the induction heating coil 29, the induction current gathers on the outer peripheral surface of the stud portion 3 due to the skin effect, and the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface is effectively heated. Heat can be quickly conducted from the vicinity to the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 2 and to the bearing seat 4, and in an environment with little heat radiation from the stud portion 3, the bearing seat 4 is heated to the softening temperature with less power. can do.
  その他の構成は，前記第１実施例と同様であるので，尚，図５中，前記第１実施例と対応する部分には，同一の参照を付して，重複する説明を省略する。 Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore, in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are given to portions corresponding to those of the first embodiment, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.
第３実施例Third embodiment
  図６に示す本発明の第３実施例について説明する。 A third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 will be described.
  この第３実施例では，加熱工程１８において，前記第１実施例での加熱工程１８と，第２実施例での加熱工程１８とを併用するもので，第１誘導加熱コイル２６によりハウジング５を，第２誘導加熱コイル２９によりスタッド部３をそれぞれ同時に加熱する。この第３実施例によれば，ハウジング５及びボール部２によって，ベアリングシート４を，その外周面及び内周面から加熱することになるので，ベアリングシート４全体の加熱，軟化を短時間で行い，ベアリングシート４のボール部２への馴染みと，ベアリングシート４の内部応力の均等化を迅速に行わせることができ，これにより製造能率の向上を図ることができる。 In the third embodiment, in the heating step 18, the heating step 18 in the first embodiment and the heating step 18 in the second embodiment are used in combination, and the housing 5 is fixed by the first induction heating coil 26. The stud portions 3 are heated simultaneously by the second induction heating coil 29, respectively. According to the third embodiment, since the bearing seat 4 is heated from the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface by the housing 5 and the ball portion 2, the entire bearing seat 4 is heated and softened in a short time. Therefore, the familiarity of the bearing seat 4 with the ball portion 2 and the equalization of the internal stress of the bearing seat 4 can be performed quickly, thereby improving the production efficiency.
  また第１及び第２誘導加熱コイル２６，２９によりハウジング５及びボールスタッド１を個別に加熱するので，第１及び第２誘導加熱コイル２６，２９による加熱条件を，ハウジング５及びボールスタッド１の熱容量等に応じて選定して，ベアリングシート４への高効率の熱伝導を得ることができる。 In addition, since the housing 5 and the ball stud 1 are individually heated by the first and second induction heating coils 26 and 29, the heating conditions by the first and second induction heating coils 26 and 29 are set as the heat capacity of the housing 5 and the ball stud 1. By selecting according to the above, high-efficiency heat conduction to the bearing seat 4 can be obtained.
第４実施例Fourth embodiment
  図７に示す本発明の第４実施例について説明する。 A fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 will be described.
　この第４実施例では，製造対象のボールジョイントＪの構造が前記各実施例とは異なる。即ち，この第４実施例でのボールジョイントＪでは，ボールスタッド１のボール部２をベアリングシート４と共に収容すると共に，ベアリングシート４に締め付け力を付与する筒状のハウジング５は，一端面をスタッド口１０として開放した有底円筒状をなしており，その底部５ｂの外端面には連結用ボルト１３が一体に形成される。またハウジング５の底部５ｂは，その肉厚がハウジング５の円筒部５ａの肉厚より厚くなるように形成され，その底部５ｂの連結用ボルト１３との結合強度を高めている。一方，ボールスタッド１のスタッド部３は長尺ロッドに構成され，またそのスタッド部３のボール部２に連なる頸部３ｂが前実施例のものより縮径されている。 In the fourth embodiment, the structure of the ball joint J to be manufactured is different from each of the embodiments described above. That is, in the ball joint J according to the fourth embodiment, the cylindrical housing 5 that accommodates the ball portion 2 of the ball stud 1 together with the bearing seat 4 and applies a tightening force to the bearing seat 4 has an end surface at the stud. A bottomed cylindrical shape is formed as the opening 10, and a connecting bolt 13 is integrally formed on the outer end surface of the bottom portion 5 b. The bottom 5b of the housing 5 is formed so that its thickness is thicker than the thickness of the cylindrical portion 5a of the housing 5, and the coupling strength of the bottom 5b with the connecting bolt 13 is increased. On the other hand, the stud portion 3 of the ball stud 1 is formed as a long rod, and the neck portion 3b connected to the ball portion 2 of the stud portion 3 is reduced in diameter from that of the previous embodiment.
  この第４実施例の加熱工程１８では，加熱作業台２５上のワーク位置決め治具２８の取り付け孔２８ａにボールジョイントＪの連結用ボルト１３を嵌合して，ハウジング５の底部５ｂをワーク位置決め治具２８より浮かせた状態に保持する。そしてハウジング５側では，連結用ボルト１３の基部からハウジング５の底部５ｂにわたり，その周囲に第１誘導加熱コイル２６を配置し，またボールスタッド１側では，スタッド部３の，頸部３ｂに近い主部３ａから頸部３ｂにわたり，その周囲に第２誘導加熱コイル２９を配置する。この第２誘導加熱コイル２９は，スタッド部３の主部３ａを囲む大径部２９ａと，頸部３ｂを囲む，大径部２９ａより小径の小径部２９ｂとで構成され，しかも小径部２９ｂと頸部３ｂとの間隔が，大径部２９ａと主部３ａとの間隔より狭く設定される。 In the heating process 18 of the fourth embodiment, the connection bolt 13 of the ball joint J is fitted into the mounting hole 28a of the work positioning jig 28 on the heating work table 25, and the bottom 5b of the housing 5 is fixed to the work positioning jig. It is held in a state where it floats from the tool 28. On the housing 5 side, the first induction heating coil 26 is disposed around the base 5 of the connecting bolt 13 to the bottom 5b of the housing 5, and on the ball stud 1 side, the stud 3 is close to the neck 3b. A second induction heating coil 29 is arranged around the main portion 3a and the neck portion 3b. The second induction heating coil 29 includes a large-diameter portion 29a surrounding the main portion 3a of the stud portion 3, and a small-diameter portion 29b surrounding the neck portion 3b and having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion 29a. The interval with the neck 3b is set narrower than the interval between the large diameter portion 29a and the main portion 3a.
  而して，誘導加熱電源２４を作動して第１及び第２誘導加熱コイル２６，２９に同時に通電すると，ハウジング５側では，特に肉厚が厚い底部５ｂが第１誘導加熱コイル２６により加熱されることで，肉厚が厚く熱容量が大なる底部５ｂから，肉厚が薄く熱容量が小なる円筒部５ａへと熱伝導が生じ，ハウジング５は，局部過熱を起こすことなく，全体が均一に加熱されることになる。したがって，ハウジング５の底部５ｂと円筒部５ａとの肉厚の相違にも拘らず，ハウジング５の内周面全体からベアリングシート４を熱伝導により効率良く加熱することができる。 Thus, when the induction heating power supply 24 is operated and the first and second induction heating coils 26 and 29 are energized at the same time, the bottom 5b having a particularly large thickness is heated by the first induction heating coil 26 on the housing 5 side. As a result, heat conduction occurs from the bottom portion 5b having a large thickness and a large heat capacity to the cylindrical portion 5a having a small thickness and a small heat capacity, and the housing 5 is uniformly heated without causing local overheating. Will be. Therefore, the bearing seat 4 can be efficiently heated by heat conduction from the entire inner peripheral surface of the housing 5 regardless of the difference in thickness between the bottom portion 5b of the housing 5 and the cylindrical portion 5a.
  一方，ボールスタッド１側では，第２誘導加熱コイル２９によりスタッド部３の主部３ａから頸部３ｂにかけて加熱されるが，特に，頸部３ｂと第２誘導加熱コイル２９との間隔が狭く設定されていることから，頸部３ｂが効果的に加熱され，この頸部３ｂからボール部２へ，さらにボール部２の外周面からベアリングシート４への効率良く熱伝導が生じて，ベアリングシート４を効率良く加熱，軟化することができる。その際，スタッド部３の主部３ａも第２誘導加熱コイル２９により適度に加熱されることで，頸部３ｂから主部３ａへの熱の逃げを極力抑え，頸部３ｂからボール部２，延いてはベアリングシート４への熱伝導を促進することができる。しかも，ベアリングシート４は，その外周面及び内周面より加熱されるので，前記第３実施例と同様に，ベアリングシート４全体の加熱，軟化を短時間で行い，ベアリングシート４のボール部２への馴染みと，ベアリングシート４の内部応力の均等化を迅速に行わせることができ，これにより製造能率の向上を図ることができる。 On the other hand, on the ball stud 1 side, the second induction heating coil 29 is heated from the main portion 3a of the stud portion 3 to the neck portion 3b. In particular, the interval between the neck portion 3b and the second induction heating coil 29 is set narrow. Therefore, the neck portion 3b is effectively heated, and heat conduction is efficiently generated from the neck portion 3b to the ball portion 2 and from the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 2 to the bearing seat 4, and the bearing seat 4 Can be efficiently heated and softened. At that time, the main portion 3a of the stud portion 3 is also appropriately heated by the second induction heating coil 29, thereby suppressing the escape of heat from the neck portion 3b to the main portion 3a as much as possible. As a result, heat conduction to the bearing seat 4 can be promoted. In addition, since the bearing seat 4 is heated from the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface thereof, as in the third embodiment, the entire bearing seat 4 is heated and softened in a short time, and the ball portion 2 of the bearing seat 4 is obtained. This makes it possible to quickly adjust the internal stress of the bearing seat 4 and to improve the manufacturing efficiency.
第５実施例Example 5
  図８に示す本発明の第５実施例について説明する。 A fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 will be described.
  この第５実施例における製造対象のボールジョイントＪは，ハウジング５の側面に支持アーム８が一体に形成されている点を除けば，前記第１実施例におけるボールジョイントＪと同様の構造であり，図８中，第１実施例と対応する部分には同一の参照を付して，重複する説明を省略する。 The ball joint J to be manufactured in the fifth embodiment has the same structure as the ball joint J in the first embodiment except that the support arm 8 is integrally formed on the side surface of the housing 5. In FIG. 8, parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference, and redundant description is omitted.
  この第５実施例における加熱工程１８では，加熱作業台２５上のワーク位置決め治具３０の支持孔３０ａにより支持アーム８を起立状態に保持し，支持アーム８の基部と共に，ボールジョイントＪの全体を囲むように単一の誘導加熱コイル３１を配置し，これに通電して，支持アーム８，ハウジング５及びスタッド部３を一挙に加熱する。 In the heating step 18 in the fifth embodiment, the support arm 8 is held upright by the support hole 30a of the workpiece positioning jig 30 on the heating work table 25, and the entire ball joint J is fixed together with the base of the support arm 8. A single induction heating coil 31 is arranged so as to surround it, and this is energized to heat the support arm 8, the housing 5 and the stud portion 3 at once.
  この第５実施例によれば，熱容量の大なる支持アーム８への熱逃げを極力抑えながら，ハウジング５及びスタッド部３を単一の誘導加熱コイル３１により効率良く行うことができる。したがって，誘導加熱設備の小規模化を図りつつ，前記第３実施例と同様に，ベアリングシート４全体の加熱，軟化を短時間で行い，ベアリングシート４のボール部２への馴染みを迅速に行わせることができ，これにより製造能率の向上を図ることができる。 れ ば According to the fifth embodiment, the housing 5 and the stud portion 3 can be efficiently performed by the single induction heating coil 31 while suppressing heat escape to the support arm 8 having a large heat capacity as much as possible. Therefore, while reducing the size of the induction heating equipment, as in the third embodiment, the entire bearing seat 4 is heated and softened in a short time, and the ball portion 2 of the bearing seat 4 is quickly acclimated. As a result, the production efficiency can be improved.
　以上，本発明の好適実施例について説明したが，本発明は，上記実施例に限定されるものではなく，その要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の設計変更が可能である。例えば，前記冷却工程２０では，製造ライン１５上にエアコンデショナを用いた低温室を設置し，その室内でボールジョイントＪを冷却することもできる。 The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in the cooling step 20, a low temperature chamber using an air conditioner can be installed on the production line 15, and the ball joint J can be cooled in the chamber.

Claims (7)

  1. 　筒状の金属製のハウジング（５）と，ボール部（２）及びこのボール部（２）から突出するスタッド部（３）よりなる金属製のボールスタッド（１）と，前記スタッド部（３）の首振りを可能に前記ボール部（２）を包持して前記ハウジング（５）内に装着される熱可塑性樹脂製のベアリングシート（４）とよりなるボールジョイント（Ｊ）を製造するに当たり，前記ベアリングシート（４）に予圧を付与しながら前記ボールジョイント（Ｊ）を組み立てる組立工程（１７）と，この組立工程（１７）後のボールジョイント（Ｊ）を，前記ベアリングシート（４）が軟化するように加熱して，該ベアリングシート（４）を前記ボール部（２）の外周面に馴染ませる加熱工程（１８）とを備える，ボールジョイントの製造方法において，
      前記加熱工程（１８）では，前記ボールジョイント（Ｊ）のハウジング（５）を囲むように誘導加熱コイル（２６，３１）を設置し，この誘導加熱コイル（２６，３１）への通電により前記ハウジング（５）を加熱して，該ハウジング（５）の内周面から前記ベアリングシート（４）への熱伝導により該ベアリングシート（４）を加熱，軟化させることを特徴とする，ボールジョイントの製造方法。     A metal ball stud (1) comprising a cylindrical metal housing (5), a ball portion (2) and a stud portion (3) protruding from the ball portion (2), and the stud portion (3) In order to manufacture a ball joint (J) comprising a bearing seat (4) made of a thermoplastic resin, which is held in the housing (5) by holding the ball portion (2) so that the head can be swung. The bearing seat (4) softens the assembly step (17) for assembling the ball joint (J) while applying a preload to the bearing seat (4), and the ball joint (J) after the assembly step (17). And a heating step (18) for adapting the bearing seat (4) to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion (2) by heating the
    In the heating step (18), an induction heating coil (26, 31) is installed so as to surround the housing (5) of the ball joint (J), and the induction heating coil (26, 31) is energized to energize the housing. (5) is heated, and the bearing sheet (4) is heated and softened by heat conduction from the inner peripheral surface of the housing (5) to the bearing sheet (4). Method.
  2. 　筒状の金属製のハウジング（５）と，ボール部（２）及びこのボール部（２）から突出するスタッド部（３）よりなる金属製のボールスタッド（１）と，前記スタッド部（３）の首振りを可能に前記ボール部（２）を包持して前記ハウジング（５）内に装着される熱可塑性樹脂製のベアリングシート（４）とよりなるボールジョイント（Ｊ）を製造するに当たり，前記ベアリングシート（４）に予圧を付与しながら前記ボールジョイント（Ｊ）を組み立てる組立工程（１７）と，この組立工程（１７）後のボールジョイント（Ｊ）を，前記ベアリングシート（４）が軟化するように加熱して，該ベアリングシート（４）を前記ボール部（２）の外周面に馴染ませる加熱工程（１８）とを備える，ボールジョイントの製造方法において，
      前記加熱工程（１８）では，前記スタッド部（３）を囲むように誘導加熱コイル（２９，３１）を設置し，この誘導加熱コイル（２９，３１）への通電により前記ボールスタッド（１）を加熱して，前記ボール部（２）の外周面から前記ベアリングシート（４）への熱伝導により該ベアリングシート（４）を加熱，軟化させることを特徴とする，ボールジョイントの製造方法。     A metal ball stud (1) comprising a cylindrical metal housing (5), a ball portion (2) and a stud portion (3) protruding from the ball portion (2), and the stud portion (3) In order to manufacture a ball joint (J) comprising a bearing seat (4) made of a thermoplastic resin, which is held in the housing (5) by holding the ball portion (2) so that the head can be swung. The bearing seat (4) softens the assembly step (17) for assembling the ball joint (J) while applying a preload to the bearing seat (4), and the ball joint (J) after the assembly step (17). And a heating step (18) for adapting the bearing seat (4) to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion (2) by heating the
    In the heating step (18), an induction heating coil (29, 31) is installed so as to surround the stud portion (3), and the ball stud (1) is attached by energizing the induction heating coil (29, 31). A method for manufacturing a ball joint, comprising heating and softening the bearing seat (4) by heat conduction from the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion (2) to the bearing seat (4).
  3. 　筒状の金属製のハウジング（５）と，ボール部（２）及びこのボール部（２）から突出するスタッド部（３）よりなる金属製のボールスタッド（１）と，前記スタッド部（３）の首振りを可能に前記ボール部（２）を包持して前記ハウジング（５）内に装着される熱可塑性樹脂製のベアリングシート（４）とよりなるボールジョイント（Ｊ）を製造するに当たり，前記ベアリングシート（４）に予圧を付与しながら前記ボールジョイント（Ｊ）を組み立てる組立工程（１７）と，この組立工程（１７）後のボールジョイント（Ｊ）を，前記ベアリングシート（４）が軟化するように加熱して，該ベアリングシート（４）を前記ボール部（２）の外周面に馴染ませる加熱工程（１８）とを備える，ボールジョイントの製造方法において，
      前記加熱工程（１８）では，前記ハウジング（５）及びボールスタッド（１）を囲むように誘導加熱コイル（２６，２９，３１）を設置し，この誘導加熱コイル（２６，２９，３１）への通電により前記ハウジング（５）及びボールスタッド（１）を加熱し，該ハウジング（５）の内周面から前記ベアリングシート（４）への熱伝導，並びに前記ボールスタッド（１）のボール部（２）外周面から前記ベアリングシート（４）への熱伝導により該ベアリングシート（４）を加熱，軟化させることを特徴とする，ボールジョイントの製造方法。     A metal ball stud (1) comprising a cylindrical metal housing (5), a ball portion (2) and a stud portion (3) protruding from the ball portion (2), and the stud portion (3) In order to manufacture a ball joint (J) comprising a bearing seat (4) made of a thermoplastic resin, which is held in the housing (5) by holding the ball portion (2) so that the head can be swung. The bearing seat (4) softens the assembly step (17) for assembling the ball joint (J) while applying a preload to the bearing seat (4), and the ball joint (J) after the assembly step (17). And a heating step (18) for adapting the bearing seat (4) to the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion (2) by heating the
    In the heating step (18), an induction heating coil (26, 29, 31) is installed so as to surround the housing (5) and the ball stud (1), and the induction heating coil (26, 29, 31) is connected to the induction heating coil (26, 29, 31). The housing (5) and the ball stud (1) are heated by energization, heat conduction from the inner peripheral surface of the housing (5) to the bearing seat (4), and the ball portion (2 of the ball stud (1)) ) A method for manufacturing a ball joint, characterized in that the bearing seat (4) is heated and softened by heat conduction from the outer peripheral surface to the bearing seat (4).
  4.   請求項３記載のボールジョイントの製造方法において，
      前記加熱工程（１８）では，前記ハウジング（５）を囲む第１誘導加熱コイル（２６）と，ボールスタッド（１）を囲む第２誘導加熱コイル（２９）とを並設し，この両誘導加熱コイル（２６，２９）への通電により，前記ハウジング（５）及びボールスタッド（１）を個別に加熱することを特徴とする，ボールジョイントの製造方法。     In the manufacturing method of the ball joint according to claim 3,
    In the heating step (18), a first induction heating coil (26) surrounding the housing (5) and a second induction heating coil (29) surrounding the ball stud (1) are arranged side by side, and both induction heating is performed. A method of manufacturing a ball joint, wherein the housing (5) and the ball stud (1) are individually heated by energizing the coils (26, 29).
  5.   請求項１～３の何れかに記載のボールジョイントの製造方法において，
      前記加熱工程（１８）後，前記ボールジョイント（Ｊ）を一定時間放置して前記ハウジング（５）又はボールスタッド（１）の余熱を前記ベアリングシート（４）に伝達すると共に，該ベアリングシート（４）の温度分布を均一化する均熱工程（１９）と，この均熱工程（１９）後，前記ボールジョイント（Ｊ）を冷却する冷却工程（２０）とを備えることを特徴とする，ボールジョイントの製造方法。     In the ball joint manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
    After the heating step (18), the ball joint (J) is allowed to stand for a certain period of time to transmit the residual heat of the housing (5) or the ball stud (1) to the bearing seat (4), and the bearing seat (4 And a cooling step (20) for cooling the ball joint (J) after the soaking step (19). Manufacturing method.
  6.   請求項１～４の何れかに記載のボールジョイントの製造方法において，
    　前記加熱工程（１８）では，前記誘導加熱コイル（２６，２９，３１）の加熱周波数として，高周波数を用いることを特徴とする，ボールジョイントの製造方法。     The ball joint manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
    In the heating step (18), a high frequency is used as a heating frequency of the induction heating coil (26, 29, 31).
  7.   請求項１～４の何れかに記載のボールジョイントの製造方法において，
    　前記加熱工程（１８）では，前記誘導加熱コイル（２６，２９，３１）の加熱周波数として，低周波数を用いることを特徴とする，ボールジョイントの製造方法。     The ball joint manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
    In the heating step (18), a low frequency is used as a heating frequency of the induction heating coil (26, 29, 31).
PCT/JP2012/058348 2011-03-31 2012-03-29 Method for manufacturing ball joint WO2012133643A1 (en)

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JP2017129223A (en) * 2016-01-21 2017-07-27 日本発條株式会社 Torque tuning method and ball joint
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US11179992B2 (en) 2017-03-31 2021-11-23 Nhk Spring Co., Ltd. Ball joint manufacturing method and stabilizer link manufacturing method
JP2020200858A (en) * 2019-06-07 2020-12-17 株式会社ソミック石川 Method for manufacturing ball joint
JP7201233B2 (en) 2019-06-07 2023-01-10 株式会社ソミックマネージメントホールディングス Ball joint manufacturing method

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JP5975531B2 (en) 2016-08-23

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