Method and apparatus for clearance adjusting cover plate closure

Abstract

A ball and socket housing incorporating a thick housing wall of deformable material adjacent a central bore opening to provide a closure system utilizing a deformable cover-plate. The deformable cover-plate is formed to a desired configuration within the central bore to achieve a consistent internal socket preload. The cover-plate is deformed into the housing opening beyond an elastic limit to control resiliency or spring-back characteristics, thereby achieving a high-degree of repeatability and precise control of the ball and socket preload during the assembly process. The deformed cover-plate is retained in the socket housing at the cover-plate seat by swaged or rolling the perimeter of the housing to capture the perimeter of the deformed cover plate within the housing central bore opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims priority to and is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 111,644, filed Apr. 21, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates to the manufacturing and assembly of movable sockets, for example, ball-joints as used in automotive steering and suspension systems, and more particularly, to a method and device for performing the operation of closing one end of a movable socket by deforming a solid cover-plate and then spinning or swaging a perimeter lip of the housing to retain the deformed cover-plate. While the invention is described in detail with respect to automotive applications, those skilled in the art will recognize the broader applicability of the invention.RELATED ART[0003]Conventional ball-joints, and other movable sockets are used, for example, in automotive steering and suspension applications. The socket...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Briefly stated, the present invention provides a socket for a ball and socket joint which uses a socket housing which does not require a fully formed circumferential groove to capture the cover-plate in the housing opening. The housing incorporates a housing wall of deformable material, preferably a ductile material, to provide a closure system utilizing a deformable cover-plate to achieve a consistent preload of the internal ball and socket components. The cover-plate is deformed onto a step within the housing opening, beyond an elastic limit, whereby the deformed cover plate exhibits a high-degree of repeatability and precise control of the preload of the ball and socket components during the assembly process. The deformed cover-plate is retained in the socket housing at the cover-plate seat by swaging or spin forming the deformable perimeter of the housing proximate the top surface to capture the perimeter of the cover plate within the housing opening.

[0012]In one aspect, the invention is a method for assembling a socket which includes the steps of inserting the socket components into the housing through a housing opening, disposing a deformable cover-plate on a circumferential seat within the socket opening, exerting a controlled load on the deformable cover-plate to take the cover-plate beyond an elastic limit, thereby flattening and expanding the cover-plate to a desired configuration on the seat within the housing opening and providing a controlled preload and associated internal clearance of the ball and socket components, and capturing the perimeter edge of the cover-plate within the housing socket by swaging or spin forming a perimeter lip of the housing over the perimeter of the cover-plate, thereby retaining the socket components in the housing, and the cover-plate against the circumferential seat within the housing opening. Advantageously, the sequencing of the steps associated with deformation of the cover-plate and capturing the perimeter edge of the cover-plate by swaging or spin forming a perimeter lip may be reversed.

[0013]It is a further advantage of the method of the present invention that the housing may be formed with a straight counter bore and does not require the formation of a separate circumferential groove as has been utilized with prior methods of forming sockets.

Problems solved by technology

Obviously, movable sockets or ball-joints employed in these applications are subjected to various operating conditions, and may be required to carry substantial loads.

When wear develops, the performance of the movable socket or ball-joint degrades and, in the case of automotive applications, may result in erratic steering or excessive looseness and play in the vehicle suspension system.

However, some socket designs require a sealed or closed cover-plate having no axial opening.

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