Simplified retention and drive features for ball joints

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a simplified retention and drive feature for a ball joint. A suspension assembly for a vehicle may be provided. The suspension assembly may include: a strut that may operably couple a wheel of the vehicle to a body of the vehicle; a stabilizer bar; and a stabilizer bar link that may operably couple the stabilizer bar to the strut. The stabilizer bar link may include a first ball joint, a second ball joint, and a shaft that may extend therebetween. The first ball joint and the second ball joint may include a first threaded shaft and a second threaded shaft, respectively, which may extend through respective first and second receiving apertures. The base of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft may include a non-circular perimeter. A perimeter of one of the first receiving aperture and the second receiving aperture may be complementary to the non-circular perimeter to hold one of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft in place while the fastener may be tightened thereon.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments relate generally to suspension components and, more particularly, to a structure for securing a ball joint to a vehicle with an easier installation procedure. Background Art

[0002] Due to the relative lack of complexity and ease of manufacture of the MacPherson strut, many modern vehicles may utilize a MacPherson strut suspension design or a variation thereof. The MacPherson strut configuration may include various suspension components, which may include, but are not limited to, struts, stabilizer bars (i.e., anti-roll bars or anti-roll bars), and stabilizer links. The stabilizer links may include ball joints, which may operably couple the stabilizer links to the struts and stabilizer bars, respectively. In this regard, the stabilizer bars may be operably coupled to corresponding struts disposed on each side of the vehicle via corresponding stabilizer links.

[0003] The ball joint of a stabilizer bar link can typically include a threaded shaft that can extend through receiving structures on both the strut and the stabilizer bar so that a fastener can be threaded onto the threaded shaft and tightened thereon to operably couple the stabilizer bar link to the strut and the stabilizer bar, respectively. The fastener can typically be driven onto the threaded shaft using a holding and driving tool that can substantially hold the threaded shaft stationary while tightening the fastener around it to speed up the assembly process. However, this requires the use of a dedicated tool and a dedicated threaded shaft or multiple tools in order to tighten the fastener onto the threaded shaft. Therefore, it may be desirable to simplify the ball joint for securing the stabilizer bar link to the suspension assembly to improve the efficiency of the holding and driving installation process and simplify the holding and driving installation process without compromising the strength of the ball joint. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to an exemplary embodiment, a suspension assembly for a vehicle suspension system of an exemplary embodiment may be provided. The suspension assembly may include a strut that may operably couple a wheel of the vehicle to a body of the vehicle, a stabilizer bar that may operably couple to the strut to reduce body roll, and a stabilizer link that may operably couple the stabilizer bar to the strut. The stabilizer link may include a first ball joint that may operably couple the stabilizer link to the strut, a second ball joint that may operably couple the stabilizer link to the stabilizer bar, and a shaft that may extend from the first ball joint to the second ball joint. The strut may include a stabilizer link bracket, and a first receiving aperture may be formed in the stabilizer link bracket to operably couple to the first ball joint. A second receiving aperture may be formed at an end of the stabilizer bar to operably couple to the second ball joint. The first and second ball joints may include first and second threaded shafts, respectively, that may extend through respective ones of the first and second receiving apertures and be operably coupled to fasteners on opposite sides of the respective ones of the first and second receiving apertures. The base of one of the first and second threaded shafts may include a non-circular periphery. The periphery of one of the first and second receiving apertures may be complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of one of the first and second threaded shafts to hold one of the first and second threaded shafts in place while the fastener may be tightened thereon.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, an upper ball joint assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle may be provided. The upper ball joint assembly may include a receiving aperture, the receiving aperture operably coupled to a strut, a ball joint, the ball joint may include a threaded shaft for extending through the receiving aperture, and a fastener for operably coupling the threaded shaft to the receiving aperture. The base of the threaded shaft may include a non-circular periphery. The periphery of the receiving aperture may be complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the threaded shaft to hold the threaded shaft in place while the fastener may be tightened thereon.

[0006] In another exemplary embodiment, a lower ball joint assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle may be provided. The lower ball joint assembly may include: a receiving aperture, the receiving aperture being operably coupled to a stabilizer bar; a ball joint, the ball joint may include a threaded shaft for extending through the receiving aperture; and a fastener, the fastener being used to operably couple the threaded shaft to the receiving aperture. The lower ball joint assembly may operably couple a stabilizer bar link to the stabilizer bar at a flat end of the stabilizer bar. The base of the threaded shaft may include a non-circular periphery. The periphery of the receiving aperture may be complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the threaded shaft to hold the threaded shaft in place while the fastener may be tightened thereon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0008] Figure 1 A block diagram of a suspension assembly for a vehicle suspension system according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0009] Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of a suspension assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0010] Figure 3 depicts a close-up perspective view of a suspension assembly protruding an upper ball joint according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0011] Figure 4 shows a close-up perspective view of an upper ball joint and a stabilizer bar link bracket according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0012] Figure 5 shows a close-up perspective view of an upper ball joint and a stabilizer link bracket with fasteners removed, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0013] Figure 6 shows a side view of an upper ball joint and stabilizer link bracket with fasteners removed according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0014] Figure 7 shows a close-up perspective view of a stabilizer bar linkage bracket with an upper ball joint removed, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0015] Figure 8 shows a close-up perspective view of an upper ball joint with a stabilizer bar link bracket and fasteners removed, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0016] Fig. 9 shows a close-up perspective view of an upper ball joint with a stabilizer bar linkage bracket removed, according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0017] Fig.10 showing a close-up perspective view of a lower ball joint operably coupled to a stabilizer bar with fasteners removed according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0018] FIG. 11 shows a close-up perspective view of the upper ball joint and stabilizer link bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Some example embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all example embodiments are shown. In fact, the examples described and depicted herein should not be construed as limiting the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will meet applicable requirements. The same reference numerals always refer to the same elements. In addition, as used herein, the term "or" will be interpreted as a logical operator whose result is true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, an operable connection should be understood to involve a direct or indirect connection, in which case the connection enables the functional interconnection of components that are operably connected to each other.

[0020] Some exemplary embodiments described herein can address the above-mentioned issues. In this regard, for example, some embodiments can provide a ball joint assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle that can make the ball joint and the entire suspension system easier to install. Some embodiments can provide a ball joint assembly that can be installed without the need to use special holding and driving tools to tighten fasteners. Therefore, the installation of the ball joint assembly may require less effort, fewer special tools, less time, and therefore may be more efficient.

[0021] Figure 1 A block diagram of a suspension assembly 100 of a vehicle 110 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment, and Figure 2 A perspective view of a suspension assembly 100 of a vehicle 110 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 and Figure 2As can be seen in the figure, in some embodiments, the suspension assembly 100 may include a strut 120, a stabilizer bar 130, and a stabilizer bar link 140. The strut 120 may be operably coupled to a wheel 150 of the vehicle 110 and a body 160 (or chassis) of the vehicle 110. In this regard, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the strut 120 may be operably coupled to the wheel 150 through a plurality of intermediate components such as a knuckle and a hub, both of which are not shown in the drawings or described in detail herein for simplicity. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle 110 may include a unibody construction, in which case the body 160 may also serve as a frame or chassis of the vehicle 110. In such a case, the strut 120 may be operably coupled to the body 160. However, in some other exemplary embodiments, the vehicle 110 may include a body 160, which may be made separately from the frame or chassis and may be operably coupled to the frame or chassis (e.g., a body-and-frame split construction). In this regard, the strut 120 may be operably coupled to a frame or chassis rather than the body 160. In any case, the body 160 may not be limited to the visible outer shell portion of the vehicle 110, and thus in some cases, the body 160 may also include the frame or chassis. In some cases, the strut 120 may be a shock absorber / spring combination that may allow the wheel 150 to articulate up and down in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 121 of the strut 120. In this regard, the strut 120 may inhibit the articulation of the wheel 150, so that the movement of the wheel 150 may not directly translate into the movement of the vehicle 110. In doing so, the strut 120 may improve the ride quality perceived by passengers within the vehicle 110 by absorbing some of the force from the bumps caused by the articulation of the wheel 150. Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment, the suspension assembly 100 may be a form of MacPherson strut configuration. In this regard, strut 120 may also play a role in the steering of vehicle 110, and it may be operably coupled to a control arm and a steering knuckle, which may act as a steering pivot for wheel 150. Regardless, in some cases, strut 120 may be substantially cylindrical in shape and may include a spring (not shown) disposed about a damper through which longitudinal axis 121 may extend.

[0022] The stabilizer bar 130 may be operably coupled to the strut 120 at a first end 131 of the stabilizer bar 130, and also operably coupled to another strut 120 at a second end 132 of the stabilizer bar 130, which may be disposed at an opposite side of the vehicle 110. The primary function of the stabilizer bar 130 may be to reduce the roll of the body 160 of the vehicle 110, particularly when turning. In this regard, during turning (and also during bumps), the body 160 of the vehicle 110 may tend to tilt laterally because the center of mass of the vehicle 110 may move toward one side of the vehicle 110 at the outer edge of the turn. When this occurs, the suspension assembly 100 on the outside of the vehicle 110 may compress during the turn. Thus, the stabilizer bar 130 may be operably coupled to the struts 120 on both sides of the vehicle 110, so that when the vehicle 110 turns, the struts 120 on both sides of the vehicle 110 may compress together to keep the vehicle 110 more level when turning. In other words, by preventing the outermost struts 120 from compressing more than the innermost struts 120 during cornering, the stabilizer bar 130 can keep the vehicle 110 more level when cornering. Therefore, the stabilizer bar 130 may also be referred to as an anti-roll bar, an anti-sway bar, an anti-roll bar, an anti-sway bar, or another similar type of naming preference. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the stabilizer bar 130 can extend substantially horizontally and substantially below the strut 120. In some cases, the majority of the length of the stabilizer bar 130 can be substantially tubular. As will be discussed below with reference to later figures, the first end 131 and the second end 132 of the stabilizer bar 130, where the stabilizer bar 130 can be operably coupled to the strut 120, can be pressed into the flat end 134 to correspondingly more easily operably couple to the stabilizer bar link 140.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As seen in FIG. 1 , the stabilizer link 140 can operably couple the stabilizer bar 130 to the strut 120. The stabilizer link 140 of some embodiments can include: a first ball joint 170, which can operably couple the stabilizer link 140 to the strut 120; a second ball joint 180, which can operably couple the stabilizer link 140 to the stabilizer bar 130; and a shaft 190, which extends from the first ball joint 170 to the second ball joint 180. In some cases, the first ball joint 170 can be an upper ball joint, and the second ball joint 180 can be a lower ball joint, which can be disposed below the first ball joint 170. Therefore, in the context of the stabilizer bar 130 described above, the stabilizer link 140 can transmit force to the stabilizer bar 130 via the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180) and the shaft 190 during cornering. As described above, the transferred force may be caused by the weight of the vehicle 110 exerted on the pillar 120 disposed on the outside of the vehicle 110. Therefore, in order to distribute the force to the pillar 120 disposed at the opposite side of the vehicle 110 (i.e., the inside during turning) to keep the vehicle 110 more level when turning, the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180) may need to be strong and durable connection points to withstand the repeated stress exerted on the components operably coupled thereto.

[0024] Reference now Figures 3 to 9 , the suspension assembly 100 may also include a stabilizer link bracket 200 operably coupled to the strut 120. The stabilizer link bracket 200 may be disposed outside of the strut 120 and may extend substantially away from the strut 120. In some cases, the stabilizer link bracket 200 may be permanently operably coupled to an outer surface of the strut 120. In other words, in some cases, the stabilizer link bracket 200 may be formed in a housing of the strut 120, while in other cases, the stabilizer link bracket 200 may be separately added to the strut 120, possibly welded to the strut 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the stabilizer link bracket 200 may extend substantially tangentially to the strut 120. In this regard, the stabilizer bar link bracket 200 can be offset from the longitudinal axis 121 of the strut 120, which can bring the stabilizer bar link bracket 200 closer to the first ball joint 170 to allow the first ball joint 170 to be operably coupled to the stabilizer bar link bracket 200 without applying excessive additional stress to the stabilizer bar link 140 or the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180).

[0025] The stabilizer link bracket 200 may include a first receiving aperture 210 disposed therein. In this regard, the first ball joint 170 may be operably coupled to the stabilizer link bracket 200 via the first receiving aperture 210. The first ball joint 170 may therefore include a first threaded shaft 175, and the second ball joint 180 may therefore include a second threaded shaft 185. The first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) may extend substantially away from the stabilizer link 140 in a direction, which in some cases may be substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the shaft 190. However, the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180) may be ball and socket type joints. Therefore, the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) may include a ball disposed at a lateral end thereof opposite to the threaded end. The balls of the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) can be operably coupled to sockets disposed in respective housings (171, 181) of the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180). The operably coupled balls to the sockets within respective housings (171, 181) of the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180) can enable the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) to freely pivot and rotate relative to respective housings (171, 181) of the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180). Therefore, the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) may not always be oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the shaft 190. In any case, the first threaded shaft 175 can extend through the first receiving aperture 210 disposed in the stabilizer link bracket 200 to operably couple the stabilizer link 140 to the strut 120. The fastener 220 may be threaded onto the first threaded shaft 175 on the opposite side of the stabilizer link bracket 200 from the stabilizer link 140, and thus onto the first receiving aperture 210, to removably operably couple the first ball joint 170 to the stabilizer link bracket 200. In some cases, a nut, a wing nut, a cap nut, etc. may be examples of the fastener 220 according to various exemplary embodiments.

[0026] As described above, the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) can freely pivot and rotate relative to the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180), respectively. Therefore, in the existing designs currently practiced, when tightening the fastener 220 onto the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185), the user may have to use a dedicated holding and driving tool, which will keep the corresponding threaded shaft of the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) stationary while driving the fastener 220 onto the threads of the corresponding threaded shaft of the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185), so that the corresponding threaded shaft of the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) does not rotate in the same direction as the fastener 220, which may cause the fastener 220 to not be properly tightened. In this regard, the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) of the current existing design may include retaining features respectively disposed at the axial ends of the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185), and the retaining features may be operably connected to a dedicated retaining and driving tool. Therefore, the tool can keep the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) stationary via their respective retaining features while driving the fastener 220. Figure 11 depicts an example of a threaded shaft of the prior art, in which the shaft may include a retaining feature 179 disposed at its axial end. As shown in Figure 11, the retaining feature 179 is generally disposed along the first longitudinal axis 172 of the first threaded shaft 175 or along the second longitudinal axis 182 of the second threaded shaft 185, and is generally disposed at its axial end, distal to the stabilizer link bracket 200 and the stabilizer bar 130, respectively.

[0027] In some cases, the retaining feature 179 will be an external retaining feature. Thus, the retaining feature 179 will extend outwardly along the first longitudinal axis 172 away from the first threaded shaft 175. Then, the retaining and driving tool will include a drill bit that will receive the retaining feature 179 therein to hold the first threaded shaft 175 stationary while driving the fastener 220 thereon. In some other cases, such as the case shown in FIG. 11 , the retaining feature 179 will be an internal retaining feature 179. In such cases, the retaining and driving tool will include a drill bit that will extend into the internal retaining feature 179 to hold the first threaded shaft 175 stationary while driving the fastener 220 thereon. In either case, the retaining feature 179 of the prior art design may be a weak point in some embodiments of the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180). In addition, in addition to the possibility of replacing the retaining features on the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) or on the retaining and driving tool, the special tools required to tighten the fastener 220 onto the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) may also reduce the efficiency of the prior art method of installing the suspension assembly 100. In another exemplary embodiment, a user installing the suspension assembly 100 may alternatively choose to utilize two separate wrenches to install the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180). In this regard, the first wrench can be used to hold the corresponding threaded shaft in the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) stationary, while the second wrench can be used to drive the fastener 220 onto the corresponding threaded shaft in the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185). This alternative method may not require the use of special tools, but may still be labor and time intensive, which may also reduce its efficiency.

[0028] To improve the installation efficiency of the stabilizer link 140, the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) can include a first base portion 177 and a second base portion 187, respectively. The first base portion (177) and the second base portion (187) can have a non-circular perimeter, and the first receiving aperture (210) and the second receiving aperture (230) can have a perimeter that is complementary in shape to the non-circular perimeter of the first base portion (177) and the second base portion (187). In this regard, for example, the first receiving aperture 210 and the first base portion 177 can serve as a retaining feature and can hold the first threaded shaft 175 in place while the fastener 220 can be tightened thereon. Therefore, the fastener 220 can be driven with a single, normal, non-dedicated tool (e.g., a wrench or a socket wrench).

[0029] Fig.10A perspective view of a second ball joint 180 operably coupled to a stabilizer bar 130 is depicted. As described above, the second threaded shaft 185 can include a second base portion 187 having a non-circular perimeter. In this case, a second receiving aperture 230 can be provided in the end of the stabilizer bar 130, wherein the stabilizer bar 130 has been flattened. The second receiving aperture 230 can also have a perimeter that can be complementary in shape to the non-circular perimeter of the second base portion 187. In this regard, the second receiving aperture 230 and the second base portion 187 can serve as a retaining feature and can hold the second threaded shaft 185 in place while the fastener 220 can be tightened thereon. Thus, the fastener 220 can be driven with a single, normal, non-dedicated tool (e.g., a wrench or socket wrench).

[0030] In some exemplary embodiments, the first ball joint 170 can be a component of a first ball joint assembly (or upper ball joint assembly), which can also include a first receiving aperture 210, the first ball joint 170, and a fastener 220. Similarly, the second ball joint 180 can be a component of a second ball joint assembly (or lower ball joint assembly), which can include a second receiving aperture 230, the second ball joint 180, and a fastener 220. In some cases, only the first receiving aperture 210 and the first base portion 177 can include a non-circular perimeter. In an exemplary embodiment, only the second receiving aperture 230 and the second base portion 187 can include a non-circular perimeter. In some cases, only the first receiving aperture (210) and the second receiving aperture (230) and the first base portion (177) and the second base portion (187) can include a non-circular perimeter.

[0031] In some cases, such as Figure 6As shown, the length (d) of the first base portion (177) and the second base portion (187) of the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185), which may include a non-circular periphery, may be less than the thickness (t) of the flat end 134 of the stabilizer bar link bracket 200 and the stabilizer bar 130, respectively. In this regard, since the threads of the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185) may extend to the position where the first base portion (177) and the second base portion (187) begin, the fastener 220 may be tightened until the end of the thread that can contact the stabilizer bar link bracket 200 or the stabilizer bar 130 to operably couple the stabilizer bar link 140 to the strut 120 and the stabilizer bar 130, respectively, without any gap or additional space to move the first ball joint (170) and the second ball joint (180). For similar reasons, in some other cases, the lengths of the first base portion (177) and the second base portion (187) of the first threaded shaft (175) and the second threaded shaft (185), which may include non-circular peripheries, may be equal to the thickness of the flat end 134 of the stabilizer bar link bracket 200 or the stabilizer bar 130, respectively.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment (e.g., the embodiment depicted in the accompanying drawings), the non-circular perimeter can be hexagonal. However, in other cases, the non-circular perimeter can be embodied in any number of shapes. For example, the non-circular perimeter can be a triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, octagon, cross, x-shape, plum blossom, or any other shape capable of resisting rotational forces.

[0033] Therefore, a suspension assembly for a vehicle suspension system of an exemplary embodiment may be provided. The suspension assembly may include a strut that may operably couple a wheel of the vehicle to a body of the vehicle, a stabilizer bar that may operably couple to the strut to reduce body roll, and a stabilizer link that may operably couple the stabilizer bar to the strut. The stabilizer link may include a first ball joint that may operably couple the stabilizer link to the strut, a second ball joint that may operably couple the stabilizer link to the stabilizer bar, and a shaft that may extend from the first ball joint to the second ball joint. The strut may include a stabilizer link bracket, and a first receiving aperture may be formed in the stabilizer link bracket to operably couple to the first ball joint. A second receiving aperture may be formed at an end of the stabilizer bar to operably couple to the second ball joint. The first and second ball joints may include first and second threaded shafts, respectively, that may extend through respective ones of the first and second receiving apertures and be operably coupled to fasteners on opposite sides of the respective ones of the first and second receiving apertures. The base of one of the first and second threaded shafts may include a non-circular periphery. The periphery of one of the first and second receiving apertures may be complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of one of the first and second threaded shafts to hold one of the first and second threaded shafts in place while the fastener may be tightened thereon.

[0034] The suspension assembly of some embodiments may include additional features, modifications, extensions, etc. to achieve additional goals or enhance the performance of the suspension assembly. The additional features, modifications, extensions, etc. may be added in any combination with each other. The following is a list of various additional features, modifications, and extensions, which may be added individually or in any combination with each other. For example, the base of the first threaded shaft may include a non-circular periphery, and the periphery of the first receiving aperture may be complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the first threaded shaft. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the base of the first threaded shaft that may include a non-circular periphery may be less than the thickness of the stabilizer bar link bracket. In some cases, the length of the base of the first threaded shaft that may include a non-circular periphery may be equal to the thickness of the stabilizer bar link bracket. In an exemplary embodiment, the base of the second threaded shaft may include a non-circular periphery, and the periphery of the second receiving aperture may be complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the second threaded shaft. In some cases, the length of the base of the second threaded shaft that may include a non-circular periphery may be less than the thickness of the end of the stabilizer bar. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the base of the second threaded shaft that may include a non-circular periphery may be equal to the thickness of the end of the stabilizer bar. In some cases, the base of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft may include a non-circular periphery, and the periphery of the first receiving aperture and the second receiving aperture may be complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the length of the base of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft that may include a non-circular periphery may be less than the thickness of the end of the stabilizer bar link bracket and the stabilizer bar, respectively. In some cases, the length of the base of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft that may include a non-circular periphery may be equal to the thickness of the end of the stabilizer bar link bracket and the stabilizer bar, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the non-circular periphery may be hexagonal. In some cases, the non-circular periphery may be triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, octagonal, cross-shaped, x-shaped or plum blossom-shaped.

[0035] Thus, an upper ball joint assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle may be provided. The upper ball joint assembly may include: a receiving aperture, the receiving aperture being operably coupled to a strut; a ball joint, the ball joint may include a threaded shaft for extending through the receiving aperture; and a fastener for operably coupling the threaded shaft to the receiving aperture. The base of the threaded shaft may include a non-circular periphery. The periphery of the receiving aperture may be complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the threaded shaft to hold the threaded shaft in place while the fastener may be tightened thereon.

[0036] Therefore, a lower ball joint assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle can be provided. The lower ball joint assembly can include: a receiving aperture, the receiving aperture being operably connected to a stabilizer bar; a ball joint, the ball joint can include a threaded shaft for extending through the receiving aperture; and a fastener, the fastener is used to operably connect the threaded shaft to the receiving aperture. The lower ball joint assembly can operably connect a stabilizer bar link to the stabilizer bar at the flat end of the stabilizer bar. The base of the threaded shaft can include a non-circular periphery. The periphery of the receiving aperture can be complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the threaded shaft to hold the threaded shaft in place while the fastener can be tightened thereon.

[0037] A person skilled in the art of the invention who has benefited from the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings will think of many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that alternative embodiments may provide different combinations of elements and / or functions without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, as may be set forth in some of the appended claims, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those explicitly described above are also contemplated. Where advantages, benefits, or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be understood that such advantages, benefits, and / or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily to all example embodiments. Therefore, any advantages, benefits, or solutions described herein should not be considered to be critical, necessary, or essential to all embodiments or embodiments claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense, not for the purpose of limitation.

[0038] According to the present invention, a suspension assembly for a vehicle suspension system is provided, the suspension assembly comprising: a strut, the strut being used to operably connect the wheel of the vehicle to the body of the vehicle; a stabilizer bar, the stabilizer bar being operably connected to the strut to reduce body roll; and a stabilizer link, the stabilizer link being used to operably connect the stabilizer bar to the strut, wherein the stabilizer link comprises: a first ball joint, the first ball joint being used to operably connect the stabilizer link to the strut; a second ball joint, the second ball joint being used to operably connect the stabilizer link to the stabilizer bar; and a shaft, the shaft extending from the first ball joint to the second ball joint, wherein the strut comprises a stabilizer link bracket, and a first receiving aperture is formed in the stabilizer link bracket to be operably connected to the first ball joint, wherein the second ball joint Two receiving apertures are formed at the ends of the stabilizer rod to be operably connected to the second ball joint, wherein the first ball joint and the second ball joint respectively include a first threaded shaft and a second threaded shaft, the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft extend through corresponding receiving apertures of the first receiving aperture and the second receiving aperture and are operably connected to fasteners on opposite sides of the corresponding receiving apertures of the first receiving aperture and the second receiving aperture, wherein a base of one of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft includes a non-circular periphery, and wherein a periphery of the one of the first receiving aperture and the second receiving aperture is complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of one of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft to hold one of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft in an appropriate position while the fastener is tightened thereon.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the base of the first threaded shaft comprises a non-circular periphery and the periphery of the first receiving aperture is complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the first threaded shaft.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the length of the base portion of the first threaded shaft including the non-circular periphery is smaller than the thickness of the stabilizer bar link bracket.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the length of the base portion of the first threaded shaft including the non-circular periphery is equal to the thickness of the stabilizer bar link bracket.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the base of the second threaded shaft comprises a non-circular periphery and the periphery of the second receiving aperture is complementary to said non-circular periphery of said base of said second threaded shaft.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the length of the base portion of the second threaded shaft including the non-circular periphery is smaller than the thickness of the end portion of the stabilizing rod.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the length of the base of the second threaded shaft including the non-circular periphery is equal to the thickness of the end of the stabilizing rod.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the base of the first and second threaded shaft comprises a non-circular periphery and the periphery of the first and second receiving apertures are complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the first and second threaded shafts, respectively.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the length of the base portion of the first and second threaded shafts including the non-circular periphery is less than or equal to the thickness of the stabilizer bar link bracket and the end portion of the stabilizer bar, respectively.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the non-circular perimeter is hexagonal.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the non-circular perimeter is a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, an octagon, a cross, an x-shape or a quincunx.

[0049] According to the present invention, an upper ball joint assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle is provided, the upper ball joint assembly having: a receiving aperture, the receiving aperture being operably connected to a strut; a ball joint having a threaded shaft for extending through the receiving aperture; and a fastener for operably connecting the threaded shaft to the receiving aperture, wherein the base of the threaded shaft includes a non-circular periphery, and wherein the periphery of the receiving aperture is complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the threaded shaft to hold the threaded shaft in place while the fastener is tightened thereon.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the strut includes a stabilizer link bracket, and a receiving aperture is formed in the stabilizer link bracket to operably couple to an upper ball joint assembly.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the length of the base portion of the threaded shaft including the non-circular periphery is less than or equal to the thickness of the stabilizer bar link bracket.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the non-circular perimeter is hexagonal.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the non-circular perimeter is a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, an octagon, a cross, an x-shape or a quincunx.

[0054] According to the present invention, a lower ball joint assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle is provided, the lower ball joint assembly having: a receiving aperture, the receiving aperture being operably connected to a stabilizer bar; a ball joint, the ball joint having a threaded shaft for extending through the receiving aperture; and a fastener, the fastener being used to operably connect the threaded shaft to the receiving aperture, wherein the lower ball joint assembly is operably connected to a stabilizer bar link and is operably connected to the stabilizer bar at a flat end of the stabilizer bar, wherein the base of the threaded shaft includes a non-circular periphery, and wherein the periphery of the receiving aperture is complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the threaded shaft to hold the threaded shaft in place while the fastener is tightened thereon.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the length of the base of the threaded shaft including the non-circular periphery is less than or equal to the thickness of the flat end of the stabilizing rod.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the non-circular perimeter is hexagonal.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the non-circular perimeter is a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, an octagon, a cross, an x-shape or a quincunx.

Claims

1. A suspension assembly for a vehicle suspension system, the assembly comprising: a strut for operatively coupling a wheel of the vehicle to a body of the vehicle; a stabilizer bar operably coupled to the strut to reduce body roll; as well as a stabilizer link for operatively coupling the stabilizer bar to the strut, The stabilizer link comprises: a first ball joint for operably coupling the stabilizer bar link to the strut; a second ball joint for operably coupling the stabilizer bar link to the stabilizer bar; and a shaft extending from the first ball joint to the second ball joint, wherein the strut comprises a stabilizer link bracket, and a first receiving aperture is formed in the stabilizer link bracket to operably couple to the first ball joint, wherein a second receiving aperture is formed at an end of the stabilizer rod to be operably coupled to the second ball joint, wherein the first and second ball joints include first and second threaded shafts, respectively, the first and second threaded shafts extending through respective ones of the first and second receiving apertures and operably coupled to fasteners on opposite sides of the respective ones of the first and second receiving apertures, wherein a base of one of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft comprises a non-circular perimeter, and wherein a periphery of one of the first receiving aperture and the second receiving aperture is complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of one of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft to hold one of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft in place while the fastener is tightened thereon.

2. The suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the base of the first threaded shaft includes the non-circular periphery, and the periphery of the first receiving aperture is complementary to the non-circular periphery of the base of the first threaded shaft. 3 . The suspension assembly of claim 2 , wherein a length of the base portion of the first threaded shaft including the non-circular perimeter is less than or equal to a thickness of the stabilizer bar link bracket.

4. The suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the base of the second threaded shaft includes the non-circular perimeter, and the perimeter of the second receiving aperture is complementary to the non-circular perimeter of the base of the second threaded shaft. 5 . The suspension assembly of claim 4 , wherein a length of the base portion of the second threaded shaft including the non-circular periphery is less than or equal to a thickness of the end portion of the stabilizer bar.

6. The suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the bases of the first and second threaded shafts include the non-circular periphery, and the peripheries of the first and second receiving apertures are complementary to the non-circular peripheries of the bases of the first and second threaded shafts, respectively.

7. The suspension assembly of claim 6, wherein the length of the base of the first threaded shaft and the second threaded shaft including the non-circular periphery is less than or equal to the thickness of the stabilizer link bracket and the end of the stabilizer bar, respectively.

8. The suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-circular perimeter is a hexagon, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, an octagon, a cross, an x-shape, or a plum blossom shape.

9. An upper ball joint assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle, the upper ball joint assembly comprising: a receiving aperture operably coupled to the support post; a ball joint having a threaded shaft for extending through the receiving aperture; as well as a fastener for operably coupling the threaded shaft to the receiving aperture, wherein the base of the threaded shaft includes a non-circular periphery, and wherein the perimeter of the receiving aperture is complementary to the non-circular perimeter of the base of the threaded shaft to hold the threaded shaft in place while the fastener is tightened thereon.

10. The upper ball joint assembly of claim 9, wherein the support post comprises a stabilizer link bracket, and the receiving aperture is formed in the stabilizer link bracket to operably couple to the upper ball joint assembly.

11. The upper ball joint assembly of claim 10, wherein a length of the base of the threaded shaft including the non-circular perimeter is less than or equal to a thickness of the stabilizer bar link bracket.

12. The upper ball joint assembly of claim 9, wherein the non-circular perimeter is a hexagon, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, an octagon, a cross, an x-shape, or a plum blossom shape.

13. A lower ball joint assembly for a suspension system of a vehicle, the lower ball joint assembly comprising: a receiving aperture operably coupled to a stabilizer bar; a ball joint having a threaded shaft for extending through the receiving aperture; as well as a fastener for operably coupling the threaded shaft to the receiving aperture, wherein the lower ball joint assembly is operably coupled to a stabilizer link and is operably coupled to the stabilizer bar at a flat end of the stabilizer bar, wherein the base of the threaded shaft includes a non-circular periphery, and wherein the perimeter of the receiving aperture is complementary to the non-circular perimeter of the base of the threaded shaft to hold the threaded shaft in place while the fastener is tightened thereon.

14. The lower ball joint assembly of claim 13, wherein a length of the base of the threaded shaft including the non-circular perimeter is less than or equal to a thickness of the flat end of the stabilizer bar.

15. The lower ball joint assembly of claim 13, wherein the non-circular perimeter is a hexagon, a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, an octagon, a cross, an x-shape, or a plum blossom shape.

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