Closing element for a ball joint and ball joint having such a closing element

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing element (1, 28) for a ball joint and a ball joint having such a closing element, the closing element being used for a ball joint (16) in a vehicle and having a receptacle (2, 29) for arranging an electronic component (6). In order to reduce the effort for producing the interface between the closing element and the electronic component, the closing element (1, 28) is characterized in that the receptacle (2, 29) is made of plastic material and is injection-molded onto a side surface (3) of the closing element (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a closure element for a ball joint in a vehicle and having a receptacle for arranging an electronic component. The invention also relates to a ball joint having such a closure element.

[0002] Such a closing element or ball joint is known from DE 10 2016 215 416 A1. Here, the closing element is made of aluminum and the receptacle is formed integrally with the closing element. The receptacle is realized as an undercut modification of the closing element itself. The electronic component in the form of a plug is mechanically connected to the receptacle of the closing element. Here, the plug is snapped into the receptacle of the closing element by means of a snap-on connection and / or a snap-on connection.

[0003] A disadvantage here is that the machining of the metal closure element for forming the receptacle is undesirably complex and expensive due to the reshaping required for this purpose.

[0004] The invention is based on the object of further developing a closure element and / or a ball and socket joint of the type mentioned in the introduction such that the complexity for producing the interface between the closure element and the electronic component can be reduced. In particular, an alternative embodiment is to be provided.

[0005] The object on which the invention is based is achieved by means of a closure element according to the main embodiment and by means of a ball and socket joint according to the main embodiment. Preferred developments of the invention are found in the dependent embodiments and in the following description.

[0006] The closing element is designed as a ball joint for use in a vehicle. The closing element and / or the ball joint are designed in particular as a chassis component in the chassis of a motor vehicle. The ball joint and / or the closing element can thus be a component of the chassis and / or the chassis component. Ball joints are used in various ways in vehicle construction. In particular in the chassis, ball joints are used to connect chassis components or assemblies (e.g. connecting rods, wheel carriers, tie rods, etc.) to one another in an articulated manner or to a vehicle structure or an axle frame fixed to the vehicle structure.

[0007] The closing element has a receiving portion for arranging the electronic component. The electronic component is designed in particular as a sensor element, a plug or a plug connector. The electronic component can cooperate with a magnet or another electronic component to form a sensor device. For example, the magnet or another electronic component can be assigned to the joint inner part of the ball joint. For example, the position of the joint inner part in the ball joint can be determined by means of such a sensor device. The corresponding sensor device can be designed as an angle sensor device.

[0008] The receptacle is made of a plastic material and is injection-molded onto a side surface of the closure element.

[0009] Advantageously, it is not necessary to manufacture the receiving portion for arranging the electronic component by modifying the closing element, in particular the metal closing element. Instead, the receiving portion can be injection molded with a plastic material onto the side of the closing element in a corresponding desired shape. This can reduce the expenditure or cost for manufacturing the interface between the closing element and the electronic component. In particular, the receiving portion and / or the plastic material are injection molded only on one side and / or one side of the closing element. Here, the receiving portion can be injection molded only in a partial area on the side of the closing element. Therefore, another partial area of ​​the side of the closing element may not be covered by the plastic material.

[0010] The side of the closing element with the receptacle is preferably designed as an outer side and / or a top side. In a ball joint with a closing element, the receptacle can be arranged on the side of the closing element facing away from the joint inner part of the ball joint. The side is especially designed as a surface or plane. This achieves a flat or level contact area between the side of the closing element and the receptacle and / or the plastic material of the receptacle.

[0011] According to an improved solution, the edge of the closing element extends out of the receiving portion. The edge of the closing element particularly extends radially out of the receiving portion relative to the longitudinal center axis of the closing element. The edge is preferably designed to hold the closing element on the joint housing. Here, the ball joint and / or the chassis component can have a joint housing. The protruding and / or protruding edge of the closing element is therefore a local area of ​​the closing element and / or the side of the closing element that is not covered by the plastic material of the receiving portion. Therefore, the protruding and / or protruding edge of the closing element can be in direct contact with the joint housing for connecting the closing element to the joint housing. The edge of the closing element can preferably directly cooperate with the joint housing for holding the closing element on the joint housing. The edge is particularly arranged and / or clamped in a retaining groove in the joint housing. Here, the retaining groove of the joint housing can be manufactured by means of modification and / or rolling. The edge of the closing element can be circular or annular.

[0012] Preferably, a material-fit connection is formed between the side of the closing element and the receiving portion. Thus, the receiving portion can be connected to the side of the closing element in a material-fit manner. In particular, an adhesion promoter is arranged between the side of the closing element and the receiving portion. Alternatively or additionally, the side of the closing element can be pretreated by means of a plasma process in the area or partial area that is arranged to be in contact with the receiving portion. The material-fit connection between the closing element, in particular a metal, and the receiving portion made of a plastic material is improved by means of an adhesion promoter and / or a plasma treatment. In particular, the strength and / or the load-bearing capacity of the material-fit connection is thereby optimized.

[0013] According to another embodiment, a form-fit connection is formed between the closing element and the receiving portion. The connection between the closing element and the receiving portion is especially realized as both a material fit and a form fit. The form-fit connection can be realized here by means of an undercut of the closing element.

[0014] In order to achieve a form-fitting connection, the side of the closing element can have a T-shaped or mushroom-shaped protuberance in cross section, which is arranged in particular at the center of the longitudinal center axis of the closing element. The receiving portion can be injection molded at and / or around the protuberance. The receiving portion preferably engages radially in the groove of the protuberance with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the closing element to form a form-fitting connection. The groove is in particular annular or ring-shaped. Thus, the groove can be realized so that the groove radially surrounds the longitudinal center axis.

[0015] According to one refinement, at least one notch is arranged in the closing element. The plastic material of the receiving part can extend through the notch to form a form-fitting connection. In particular, the notch can be filled with the plastic material of the receiving part. This makes it possible to achieve a fixed connection between the receiving part and the closing element in a simple and effective manner.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the receiving portion is designed to cooperate with a retaining element for fixing the electronic component in the receiving portion. The retaining element is especially realized as a separate component. The receiving portion and the retaining element can be connected to each other in a fixed, especially releasable manner by means of a snap connection and / or a snap connection.

[0017] The closing element can be designed as a closing cap or a closing ring. The closing element is especially made of metal or aluminum. Thus, a hybrid component made of at least two different materials is obtained in combination with a receiving portion injection-molded from a plastic material.

[0018] Particularly advantageous is a ball and socket joint with a closing element according to the invention. The ball and socket joint in particular has a joint housing. Here, the closing element is fixed in the joint housing. The joint housing is preferably closed by means of the closing element. In addition, the ball and socket joint has a joint inner part, which is movably supported in the joint housing. Here, a joint housing can be arranged between the joint housing and the joint inner part. The joint inner part can be designed as a ball stud or a ball bushing. The pin section of the joint inner part can extend from the joint housing. In addition, the joint housing can be designed to be open at least on one side.

[0019] The ball joint preferably has a joint axis and / or a longitudinal center axis, about which the ball joint and / or the joint inner part can move. The joint axis and / or the longitudinal center axis preferably extend in the axial direction of the joint housing. The ball joint and / or the joint inner part are especially designed to be rotationally symmetrical about the joint axis and / or the longitudinal center axis. The joint axis and / or the longitudinal center axis can pass through the center point of a particularly spherical or spherical joint inner part, preferably a joint ball of the joint inner part.

[0020] In the context of the present application, the expression "radial" may denote a direction or any direction extending perpendicularly to the axial direction, the joint axis and / or the longitudinal center axis of the ball joint. The joint inner part is particularly rotatably and / or tiltably supported in the joint housing and / or the joint shell.

[0021] The movable support and / or articulated support of the joint inner part in the joint housing and / or the joint housing is preferably understood as pivoting, tilting and / or rotational mobility. The "tilting" or "rolling" of the joint inner part is to be understood in particular as a movement of the joint inner part relative to the joint housing in which the angle enclosed between the longitudinal axis of the joint inner part and the longitudinal axis of the housing changes. The "rotation" or "twist" of the joint inner part is to be understood in particular as a movement of the joint inner part in which the joint inner part rotates relative to the joint housing about the longitudinal axis of the joint inner part.

[0022] The present invention will be described in detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings. Here, the same reference numerals refer to the same, similar or functionally identical components or elements. In the accompanying drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 shows a perspective side view of a first closing element according to the invention,

[0024] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 Another perspective side view of the first closing element according to the invention with an additional retaining element,

[0025] Figure 3 shows a perspective side view of a ball joint according to the invention,

[0026] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of a ball joint according to the invention,

[0027] Figure 5 shows a perspective side view of another closure element according to the invention, and

[0028] Figure 6 Shown according to Figure 5sectional side view of another closure element according to the invention.

[0029] Figure 1 The figure shows a perspective side view of a first closure element 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the closure element 1 is designed as a closure cap, wherein the closure element 1 is made of aluminum, for example. In addition, the closure element 1 has a receiving portion 2. The receiving portion 2 is made of a plastic material. In addition, the receiving portion 2 is injection-molded on the side 3 of the closure element 1.

[0030] Therefore, the combination of the metal closure element 1 and the receiving part 2 made of plastic material generally results in a hybrid component. In this embodiment, the receiving part 2 is connected to the side surface 3 of the closure element 1 in a material-bonded manner. In order to improve the material-bonded connection, an adhesion promoter can be used, or before the injection molding of the receiving part 2, the partial area of ​​the side surface 3 provided for contact with the plastic material of the receiving part 2 can be plasma pretreated.

[0031] The closure element 1 has an edge 4. The edge 4 projects radially outwards beyond the receptacle 2 relative to a longitudinal center axis 5 of the closure element 1. The edge 4 is designed to hold the closure element 1 on a connection housing (not shown here).

[0032] The receiving portion 2 is designed for arranging an electronic component 6. In this exemplary embodiment, the electronic component 6 is realized as a sensor element.

[0033] In this embodiment, the receiving portion 2 has a substantially U-shaped outer edge 7. The electronic component 6 has an outer contour or shape formed corresponding to the outer edge 7, wherein the electronic component 6 is inserted into the outer edge 7. Due to the U-shaped design of the outer edge 7, it has three sides. Each of the three sides of the outer edge 7 has a locking opening 8.

[0034] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 Another three-dimensional side view of the first closing element 1 according to the present invention with an additional retaining element 9. The retaining element 9 is designed to be approximately cap-shaped. Here, the retaining element 9 covers the outer edge 7 of the receiving portion 2.

[0035] The retaining element 9 is connected to the receiving portion 2 by means of a snap connection and / or a snap-on connection. For this purpose, the retaining element 9 has locking tabs 10. The locking tabs 10 of the retaining element 9 are arranged and designed so that they engage in the locking openings 8 of the outer edge 7 of the receiving portion 2. In this illustration, only one of the locking tabs 10 can be seen. The locking tabs 10 are arranged in three side areas 11, 12, 13 of the retaining element 9. The three side areas 11, 12, 13 are arranged in a U-shaped manner with respect to each other corresponding to the outer edge 7.

[0036] The holding element 9 has a cover region 14 facing away from the receptacle 2 or the closure element 1. The cover region 14 also connects all the side regions 11, 12, 13 to one another. In this exemplary embodiment, a spring tab 15 is arranged in the cover region 14. The spring tab 15 is supported on the electronic component 6. For this purpose, the spring tab 15 is bent out of the plane of the cover region 14 in the direction of the electronic component 6. As a result, on the one hand, the electronic component 6 is additionally fixed in the receptacle 2, and on the other hand, a preload is applied to the connection of the holding element 9 to the receptacle 2, thereby also additionally ensuring that the connection is prevented from being undesirably loosened.

[0037] Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows a perspective side view of a ball joint 16 according to the present invention. The ball joint 16 has a Figure 1 and Figure 2 The electronic component 6 is securely held in the receiving portion 2 by means of an additional holding element 9 .

[0038] In this embodiment, the ball joint 16 is implemented as a ball pin joint. The ball joint 16 has a joint inner part 17, which is implemented as a ball pin here. The joint inner part 17 is arranged or supported in a joint housing 18 in an articulated manner. The joint housing 18 is also an integral component of a chassis component 19, for example. The chassis component 19 and the joint housing 18 are designed as one piece. The chassis component 19 is, for example, a connecting rod for the chassis of a motor vehicle not shown here.

[0039] The opening 20 of the joint housing 18 is closed by means of the closure element 1 . The ball joint 16 also has a conventional sealing bellows 21 .

[0040] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 3 In order to fix the closure element 1 to the joint housing 18 , the closure element 1 is inserted into the opening 20 and the housing edge 22 of the joint housing 18 is deformed or crimped around the edge 4 of the closure element 1 to form a retaining groove 23 .

[0041] The joint inner part 17 has a joint ball 24. Starting from the joint ball 24, a joint pin 25 of the joint inner part 17 projects out of the joint housing 18. The opening 20 closed by means of the closure element 1 is arranged on the side of the joint housing 18 facing away from the joint pin 25.

[0042] In this exemplary embodiment, a magnet 26 is integrated into the joint ball 24 at the end face of the joint ball 24 facing away from the joint pin 25. The magnet 26 interacts with the electronic component 6 to form a sensor device.

[0043] In this exemplary embodiment, a joint housing 27 is arranged between the joint housing 18 and the joint ball 24. The joint housing 27 is made of a friction-optimized plastic.

[0044] Figure 5 1 shows a perspective side view of another closure element 28 according to the invention. The closure element 28 is largely similar to the closure element according to Figures 1 to 3 The closure element 1 corresponds to the closure element 1. In this regard, reference is also made to the above description.

[0045] The closure element 28 has a receiving portion 29. The receiving portion 29 is here merely an example or is designed to be annular in the sense of space occupation. Alternatively, the receiving portion 29 can be substantially the same as the receiving portion according to Figures 1 to 3 The receptacle 2 of closure element 28 is realized in a similar manner. Receptacle 29 is likewise made of plastic material and is injection-molded onto side surface 3 of closure element 28 .

[0046] Figure 6 Shown according to Figure 5 A cross-sectional side view of another closure element 28 according to the present invention. Figures 1 to 4 In contrast to the closure element 1 of EMBODIMENT 1 , the closure element 28 shown here has a projection 30 on the side surface 3 .

[0047] The protuberance 30 is approximately T-shaped or mushroom-shaped in terms of its cross section. The protuberance 30 serves to form an additional form-fitting connection, in particular between the closing element 28 and the receptacle 29. The protuberance 30 forms a groove 31 or an undercut together with the side surface 3. The groove 31 is designed in an annular manner and radially surrounds the longitudinal center axis 5 of the closing element 1. The receptacle 29 or the plastic material of the receptacle 29 engages in the groove 31 radially with respect to the longitudinal center axis 5. A reliable form fit between the receptacle 29 and the closing element 28 is thus ensured.

[0048] List of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1 Closing element

[0050] 2 Accommodation

[0051] 3 Side

[0052] 4 Edge

[0053] 5 Longitudinal centerline

[0054] 6 Electronic components

[0055] 7 Outer edge

[0056] 8 Locking opening

[0057] 9. Retaining element

[0058] 10 Locking tab

[0059] 11 Side area

[0060] 12 Side area

[0061] 13 Side area

[0062] 14 Cover area

[0063] 15 Spring contact

[0064] 16 Ball joint

[0065] 17 Connector internal parts

[0066] 18 Connector housing

[0067] 19 Chassis components

[0068] 20 Opening

[0069] 21 Sealing bellows

[0070] 22 Shell edge

[0071] 23 Retention slot

[0072] 24 Joint Ball

[0073] 25 Connector pin

[0074] 26 Magnet

[0075] 27 Connector housing

[0076] 28 Closure element

[0077] 29 Accommodation

[0078] 30 ridge

[0079] 31 slots

Claims

1. A closure element for a ball joint (16) in a vehicle, comprising: a top side, the top side having a radially outward annular edge, the annular edge being connected to a joint housing, the joint housing defining a longitudinal center axis and having an opening at an axial end, the top side of the closure element extending radially, the annular edge being received in the opening and being fixed to the joint housing such that the top side completely surrounds the opening and defines a joint interior of the ball joint, the top side defining an outer side of the closure element axially facing away from the joint interior; as well as a receiving portion, the receiving portion being connected to the top side of the closure element and having a side surface extending axially from the top side in a direction away from the joint interior and extending beyond the axial range of the joint housing, the side surface of the receiving portion forming a receiving portion area, the receiving portion receiving the electronic component (6) in the receiving portion area, the annular edge being fixed to the joint housing so that the top side radially extends completely through the opening and is axially located between the receiving portion area, the receiving portion on the outer side of the closure element and the joint interior of the ball joint, and axially separates the joint interior from the electronic component in the receiving portion area, The receptacle is made from a plastic material and is injection-molded onto the outer side of the closure element.

2. The closure element according to claim 1, characterized in that The side surface (3) of the closing element having the receiving portion is designed as an outer side and / or a top side, and the side surface (3) is a surface or a plane.

3. The closure element according to claim 2, characterized in that An edge (4) of the closure element projects radially beyond the receptacle relative to a longitudinal center axis (5) of the closure element, the edge (4) being designed to hold the closure element on a connection housing (18).

4. The closure element according to claim 3, characterized in that A material-fit connection is formed between the side surface (3) of the closing element and the receiving portion, an adhesion promoter is arranged between the side surface (3) of the closing element and the receiving portion, and / or the side surface (3) of the closing element is pretreated by means of a plasma process in a region provided for contact with the receiving portion.

5. The closure element according to claim 4, characterized in that A positive connection is formed between the closure element and the receptacle, wherein the positive connection is achieved by means of an undercut of the closure element.

6. The closure element according to claim 5, characterized in that The side surface (3) of the closure element has a protrusion (30) which is T-shaped or mushroom-shaped in cross section and is arranged at the center of the longitudinal center axis (5) of the closure element, and the receiving portion is radially engaged in the groove (31) of the protrusion (30) relative to the longitudinal center axis (5) of the closure element to form the form-fitting connection.

7. The closure element according to claim 6, characterized in that At least one groove is arranged in the closure element, through which the plastic material of the receptacle extends and / or which is filled with the plastic material of the receptacle in order to form a positive connection.

8. The closure element according to claim 7, characterized in that The receiving portion is designed to cooperate with a retaining element (9) for fixing the electronic component (6) in the receiving portion, and the receiving portion and the retaining element (9) can be fixedly connected to each other via a snap connection and / or a card and connection.

9. Closure element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Designed as a closure cap or closure ring and made of metal.

10. A ball joint with a closure element according to any one of the preceding claims, the ball joint having a joint housing (18), wherein: The closure element is fixed in the joint housing (18), and the ball joint has a joint inner part (17) which is movably mounted in the joint housing (18), wherein the side (3) of the closure element having the receptacle faces away from the joint inner part (17).

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