Wear-resistant automobile ball hinge structure

Abstract

This invention relates to a wear-resistant automotive ball joint structure, comprising: a ball seat with a ball-and-socket mounting cavity; a ball socket embedded within the ball-and-socket mounting cavity; a ball pin with a ball head at its end, embedded into the ball socket along the axial direction of the ball pin; and a cover plate fixedly connected to the ball seat at the opening of the ball-and-socket mounting cavity, simultaneously pressing against the end face of the ball socket to restrict the movement of the ball head within the ball socket; the outer wall of the ball socket, from its opening end towards the bottom, sequentially comprises a ball-and-socket mating surface, a notch, an outer annular groove, and an outer cylindrical surface of the ball socket, wherein the notch and the outer annular groove deform and converge the ball-and-socket mating surface during cover plate installation. This invention, by providing two annular grooves on the inner and outer walls at the midpoint of the ball socket's axial direction, can withstand greater radial loads, and the inner surface of the ball socket fits the ball head more closely; the evenly distributed lubricating oil grooves and oil groove recesses provide comprehensive lubrication of the ball head, reducing the torque during ball head rotation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive ball joint technology, and in particular to a wear-resistant automotive ball joint structure. Background Technology

[0002] Ball joints are a type of movable connection structure used in automotive chassis control arm connections. Based on their installation position and force application, ball joints can be divided into two categories: axial force ball joints and radial force ball joints. Radial force ball joints primarily bear forces perpendicular to the axis. Besides fulfilling force transmission requirements, ball joint structures must also provide degrees of freedom; the ball joint can rotate and swing relative to the control arm body. Therefore, ball joints must also meet wear resistance requirements, and the torque of the ball joint's movement cannot be too large. Insufficient lubrication of the ball joint head will affect the smoothness of the control arm's movement. Solving the lubrication problem between the ball joint head and the ball socket is a current challenge. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a wear-resistant automotive ball joint structure. By setting two annular grooves on the inner and outer walls at the middle position of the ball socket in the axial direction, it can withstand a larger radial load and the inner surface of the ball socket fits the ball head better. It is provided with evenly distributed lubricating oil grooves and oil groove recesses, which can provide comprehensive lubrication to the ball head and reduce the torque when the ball head rotates.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: to provide a wear-resistant automotive ball joint structure, comprising:

[0005] The ball seat has a ball socket mounting cavity.

[0006] A ball socket is embedded inside the ball socket mounting cavity;

[0007] A ball pin, wherein the end of the ball pin is provided with a ball head, which is embedded into the ball socket along the axial direction of the ball pin;

[0008] A cover plate is provided at the opening of the ball socket mounting cavity and is fixedly connected to the ball seat, while simultaneously pressing the end face of the ball socket to restrict the movement of the ball head inside the ball socket.

[0009] The outer wall of the ball socket is provided with a ball socket mating surface, a notch, an outer annular groove and an outer cylindrical surface of the ball socket in sequence from its opening end to the bottom. The notch and the outer annular groove cause the ball socket mating surface to deform and shrink when the cover plate is installed.

[0010] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, the bottom of the ball socket mounting cavity is provided with a pressing groove, and the bottom of the ball socket is provided with an anti-rotation pressing edge, which is pressed and embedded in the pressing groove by a cover plate.

[0011] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, the bottom of the ball socket is provided with a number of recesses 1 evenly arranged around the circumference near the edge of the anti-rotation pressure edge, and each of the recesses 1 is provided with a corresponding reinforcing rib 1, which are radially distributed.

[0012] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, an oil storage space is left between the cover plate and the center of the bottom of the ball socket; a cavity is provided at the center of the bottom of the ball socket, which is spliced ​​with the upper surface of the cover plate to form an oil storage space, and a large amount of grease is stored inside the cavity, which is conducive to the exchange of grease.

[0013] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, the bottom of the ball socket is provided with a number of evenly arranged pits II around the circumference near the middle position of the oil storage space, and a number of reinforcing ribs II are formed between adjacent pits II, and the number of reinforcing ribs II are distributed radially.

[0014] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, a number of oil grooves for lubrication are evenly arranged around the circumference on the inner sidewall of the ball socket, so that more grease can be stored inside the ball socket, ensuring the rotational lubrication effect between the ball socket and the ball head.

[0015] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, the ball socket has a cavity for accommodating the ball head. The cavity is divided into an upper inner circumferential surface and a lower inner circumferential surface from top to bottom. An inner annular groove is arranged at the connection between the upper inner circumferential surface and the lower inner circumferential surface. The inner annular groove and the outer annular groove are located at the same height and have the same size. At least two upper longitudinal oil grooves are evenly arranged on the upper inner circumferential surface. Multiple lower longitudinal oil grooves are evenly arranged around the circumference on the lower inner circumferential surface. At least one of the upper longitudinal oil grooves and the lower longitudinal oil groove is connected to the inner annular groove.

[0016] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, one end of each upper longitudinal oil groove extends to the opening of the ball socket, and the other end extends to the inner annular groove; one end of each lower longitudinal oil groove extends to the inner bottom of the ball socket, and the other end extends to the inner annular groove.

[0017] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, an oil storage space communicating with the lower longitudinal oil groove is provided at the center of the bottom of the ball socket.

[0018] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, the bottom of the ball socket is provided with a number of recesses II evenly arranged around the circumference near the middle position of the oil storage space, and a number of reinforcing ribs II are formed between adjacent recesses II, and the number of reinforcing ribs II are distributed radially.

[0019] The aforementioned reinforcing ribs 1 and 2 are radially distributed, and their main function is to greatly enhance the structural strength of the bottom edge area of ​​the socket; they can effectively prevent the bottom of the socket from sinking and deforming due to pressure, greatly enhance the overall structural strength of the bottom of the socket, and prevent deformation, cracking and other damage caused by stress concentration at the bottom edge of the socket.

[0020] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, the side of the ball socket is provided with two symmetrically distributed cuts, one end of which extends to the opening of the ball socket, and the other end extends to the outer annular groove and the inner annular groove.

[0021] As a supplement to the technical solution described in this invention, the bottom opening edge of the ball socket mounting cavity is provided with a riveting edge to press and fix the cover plate. By providing the riveting edge, the cover plate can be firmly pressed.

[0022] Beneficial effects: This invention relates to a wear-resistant automotive ball joint structure. By providing two annular grooves on the inner and outer walls at the midpoint of the ball joint's axial direction, it can withstand a larger radial load, and the inner surface of the ball joint fits the ball head more closely. The evenly distributed lubricating oil grooves and groove recesses provide comprehensive lubrication of the ball head, reducing the torque during ball joint rotation. Because the ball joint bears a larger radial load, it is less prone to deformation, and the torque is reduced by 20-30% compared to existing ball joints. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention from the main viewing direction;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ball socket described in this invention;

[0025] Figure 3 These are schematic diagrams of the ball socket structure at different angles according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a top view of the ball socket described in this invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the ball socket bottom of the present invention with respect to the first recess and the first recess.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the bottom of the ball socket according to the present invention, with respect to the second recess and the second recess.

[0029] Illustration: 1. Ball hinge, 2. Ball hinge opening, 3. Ball seat, 4. Ball head, 5. Pressing groove, 6. Riveted edge, 7. Cover plate, 8. Oil storage space, 9. Ball socket, 10. Chamber, 11. Inner spherical surface, 12. Ball socket mounting cavity, 13. Ball pin, 14. Axial direction, 15. Outer cylindrical surface of ball socket, 17. Ball socket mating surface, 18. Outer annular groove, 19. Anti-rotation pressing edge, 20. Ball socket opening, 31. Inner annular groove, 32. Upper inner circumferential surface, 33. Lower inner circumferential surface;

[0030] 16 / 38, Incision;

[0031] 21 / 22 / 23 / 24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28, Oil groove concave spots;

[0032] 29 / 30, Upper longitudinal oil groove;

[0033] 34 / 35 / 36 / 37, Lower longitudinal oil groove;

[0034] 39 / 40 / 41 / 42 / 43 / 44 / 45 / 46 / 47 / 48 / 49 / 50, Reinforcing Rib 1;

[0035] 51 / 52 / 53 / 54 / 55 / 56 / 57 / 58 / 59 / 60 / 61 / 62, Reinforcing Rib Two;

[0036] 63 / 64 / 65 / 66 / 67 / 68 / 69 / 70 / 71 / 72 / 73 / 74, one pit;

[0037] 75 / 76 / 77 / 78 / 79 / 80 / 81 / 82 / 83 / 84 / 85 / 86, second pit. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present invention will be further illustrated below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that after reading the teachings of this invention, those skilled in the art can make various alterations or modifications to the invention, and these equivalent forms also fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0039] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wear-resistant automotive ball joint structure, such as... Figure 1-6 As shown, the ball hinge 1 includes:

[0040] Ball seat 3, wherein a ball socket mounting cavity 12 is provided on the ball seat 3;

[0041] The ball socket 9 is embedded inside the ball socket mounting cavity 12;

[0042] Ball pin 13, the end of which is provided with a ball head 4, is embedded into the ball socket 9 along the axial direction 14 of the ball pin 13;

[0043] The cover plate 7 is fixedly connected to the ball seat 3 at the opening of the ball socket mounting cavity 12 and simultaneously presses the end face of the ball socket 9 to restrict the ball head 4 to move inside the ball socket 9.

[0044] The outer wall of the ball socket 9, from its opening end to the bottom, is provided with a ball socket mating surface 17, a notch 16, an outer annular groove 18, and an outer cylindrical surface 15. The notch 16 and the outer annular groove 18 deform and close the ball socket mating surface 17 during the installation of the cover plate 7. The ball head 4 of the ball pin 13 enters the ball socket 9 from the ball socket opening 20 along the axial direction 14. Figure 2 As shown, when the ball socket 9 is pressed by the cover plate 7, the cut 16 is contracted by the outer annular groove 18, the inner wall of the ball socket 9 fits with the ball head 4, and the inner wall of the ball socket 9 is an inner spherical surface 11, which fits more tightly with the ball head 4.

[0045] The cut 16, the outer annular groove 18, the outer cylindrical surface 15 of the ball socket, and the mating surface 17 of the ball socket are all rounded transitions.

[0046] Among them, the ball socket 9 can be a thermoplastic injection molded part, such as... Figure 2-3 As shown, the ball socket mating surface 17 is spherical, with cutouts 16 and 38 on both sides. The bottom of the ball socket mating surface 17 has an outer annular groove 18 to facilitate the insertion of the ball head 4 into the ball socket 9. When the cover plate 7 is installed, the ball socket 9 can be pressed into the ball socket mounting cavity 12 of the ball seat 3. The ball socket mounting cavity 12 is also spherical. The ball socket mating surface is compressed and deformed to cover the ball head 4.

[0047] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 and 2 As shown, in order to prevent the ball socket 9 from rotating in the ball socket mounting cavity 12, the bottom of the ball socket 9 is provided with an anti-rotation pressing edge 19, and the bottom of the ball socket mounting cavity 12 is provided with a pressing edge groove 5 corresponding to the anti-rotation pressing edge 19. The thickness of the pressing edge groove 5 is less than that of the anti-rotation pressing edge 19. When the ball socket 9 is installed, the anti-rotation pressing edge 19 can be embedded into the pressing edge groove 5 for positioning. The anti-rotation pressing edge 19 is pressed tightly in the pressing edge groove 5 by the cover plate 7. The anti-rotation pressing edge 19 can effectively prevent the ball socket 9 from rotating and displacing in the ball socket mounting cavity 12, so that the ball socket 9 will not slip when the ball hinge moves.

[0048] The bottom of the ball socket 9 is evenly provided with a number of recesses 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, and 74 around the edge of the anti-rotation pressure edge 19. Each of the recesses 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, and 74 is provided with a corresponding reinforcing rib 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50.

[0049] To ensure proper lubrication between the ball socket 9 and the ball head 4, several oil grooves 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 are evenly arranged around the circumference of the inner wall of the ball socket 9, allowing for greater grease storage inside. The ball socket 9 has a chamber 10 to accommodate the ball head 4. This chamber 10 is divided into an upper inner circumferential surface 32 and a lower inner circumferential surface 33 from top to bottom. An inner annular groove 31 is arranged at the connection between the upper inner circumferential surface 32 and the lower inner circumferential surface 33. This inner annular groove 31 is at the same height and the same size as the outer annular groove 18. The inner circumferential surface 32 has two upper longitudinal oil grooves 29 and 30, and the lower inner circumferential surface 33 has four lower longitudinal oil grooves 34, 35, 36 and 37 evenly arranged around the circumference. By setting a large number of longitudinal oil grooves, lubricating grease can be evenly distributed on the inner surface of the ball socket 9, reducing the torque when the ball head 4 rotates. The slits 16 and 38 will narrow when the ball socket 9 is pressed and contracted by the cover plate 7, so that the width of the longitudinal oil grooves 29, 30, 34, 35, 36 and 37 remains consistent after installation, allowing lubricating grease to be smoothly added to the longitudinal oil grooves 29, 30, 34, 35, 36 and 37.

[0050] As a preferred embodiment, in order to allow the lubricating oil to circulate between the longitudinal oil grooves 29, 30, 34, 35, 36, and 37, one end of each upper longitudinal oil groove 29 and 30 extends to the ball socket opening 20, and the other end extends to the inner annular groove 31; one end of each lower longitudinal oil groove 34, 35, 36, and 37 extends to the inner bottom of the ball socket 9, and the other end extends to the inner annular groove 31; the inner annular groove 31, together with the upper longitudinal oil grooves 29 and 30 and the lower longitudinal oil grooves 34, 35, 36, and 37, forms a lubrication network, improving the overall lubrication effect on the outer surface of the ball head 4.

[0051] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, the bottom center of the ball socket 9 is provided with an oil storage space 8 that communicates with the lower longitudinal oil grooves 34, 35, 36, and 37. The oil storage space 8 can store excess lubricating grease and exchange it with the grease in the lower longitudinal oil grooves 34, 35, 36, and 37. When the ball head 4 rotates, it can always be in contact with the ball head 4 for lubrication.

[0052] The bottom of the ball socket 9 is evenly provided with a number of recesses 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 around the middle of the oil storage space 8. A number of reinforcing ribs 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 are formed between adjacent recesses. The number of reinforcing ribs 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62 are radially distributed.

[0053] Reinforcing ribs 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50, and reinforcing ribs 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, and 62 are radially distributed along the bottom of the ball socket 9. Their main function is to greatly enhance the structural strength of the bottom edge area of ​​the ball socket 9. Under long-term load-bearing conditions, they can effectively prevent the bottom of the ball socket 9 from indenting due to pressure, greatly enhance the overall structural strength of the bottom of the ball socket 9, and effectively disperse stress, preventing deformation, cracking, and other damage due to stress concentration at the bottom edge of the ball socket 9.

[0054] The recesses 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 and the second recesses 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 are evenly distributed around the circumference. These recesses, along with reinforcing ribs 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and second reinforcing ribs 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, work together to further enhance the structural strength and deformation resistance of the bottom edge of the ball socket 9. When subjected to external radial loads or other complex forces, the recesses can disperse and transfer some of the stress through their structural characteristics, sharing the load with the reinforcing ribs, effectively improving the working performance of the ball socket 9 under complex working conditions.

[0055] The ball socket 9 has two symmetrically distributed cuts 16 and 38 on its side. One end of the cuts 16 and 38 extends to the ball socket opening 20, and the other end extends to the outer annular groove 18 and the inner annular groove 31.

[0056] The outer annular groove 18 and the inner annular groove 31 are both circular arc grooves. The circular arc grooves eliminate stress concentration and prevent cracking when subjected to radial loads.

[0057] As one way to install cover plate 7, such as Figure 1As shown, the bottom opening edge of the ball socket mounting cavity 12 is provided with a riveting edge 6 to press and fix the cover plate 7. By providing the riveting edge 6, the cover plate 7 can be firmly pressed.

[0058] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is generally based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention; the directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0059] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0060] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0061] The above provides a detailed description of a wear-resistant automotive ball hinge structure. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A wear-resistant automotive ball joint structure, comprising: Ball seat (3), wherein a ball socket mounting cavity (12) is provided on the ball seat (3); The ball socket (9) is embedded inside the ball socket mounting cavity (12); Ball pin (13), the end of which is provided with a ball head (4), which is embedded into the ball socket (9) along the axial direction (14) of the ball pin (13); The cover plate (7) is fixedly connected to the ball seat (3) at the opening of the ball socket mounting cavity (12) and simultaneously presses the end face of the ball socket (9) to restrict the ball head (4) to move inside the ball socket (9); The feature is that: the outer wall of the ball socket (9) is provided with a ball socket mating surface (17), a notch (16, 38), an outer annular groove (18) and a ball socket outer cylindrical surface (15) in sequence from its opening end to the bottom direction; the notch (16, 38) and the outer annular groove (18) cause the ball socket mating surface (17) to deform and shrink when the cover plate (7) is installed; The ball socket (9) has a chamber (10) for accommodating the ball head (4). The chamber (10) is divided into an upper inner circumferential surface (32) and a lower inner circumferential surface (33) from top to bottom. An inner annular groove (31) is arranged at the connection between the upper inner circumferential surface (32) and the lower inner circumferential surface (33). The inner annular groove (31) and the outer annular groove (18) are located at the same height and have the same size. At least two upper longitudinal oil grooves (29, 30) are evenly arranged on the upper inner circumferential surface (32). Multiple lower longitudinal oil grooves (34, 35, 36, 37) are evenly arranged around the circumference on the lower inner circumferential surface (33). At least one of the upper longitudinal oil grooves (29, 30) and the lower longitudinal oil grooves (34, 35, 36, 37) is connected to the inner annular groove (31).

2. The wear-resistant automotive ball hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the ball socket mounting cavity (12) is provided with a pressing groove (5), and the bottom of the ball socket (9) is provided with an anti-rotation pressing edge (19). The anti-rotation pressing edge (19) is pressed by the cover plate (7) and embedded in the pressing groove (5).

3. The wear-resistant automotive ball hinge structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the ball socket (9) near the edge of the anti-rotation pressure edge (19) is uniformly provided with a number of recesses (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74) around the circumference. Each of the recesses (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74) is provided with a corresponding reinforcing rib (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50). The reinforcing ribs (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50) are radially distributed.

4. The wear-resistant automotive ball hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the ball socket (9) is evenly provided with several oil grooves (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28) for lubrication.

5. The wear-resistant automotive ball hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of each upper longitudinal oil groove (29, 30) extends to the ball socket opening (20), and the other end extends to the inner annular groove (31); one end of each lower longitudinal oil groove (34, 35, 36, 37) extends to the inner bottom of the ball socket (9), and the other end extends to the inner annular groove (31).

6. The wear-resistant automotive ball hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball socket (9) has an oil storage space (8) at the bottom center that is connected to the lower longitudinal oil groove (34, 35, 36, 37).

7. The wear-resistant automotive ball hinge structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bottom of the ball socket (9) is near the middle of the oil storage space (8) and has several recesses (75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86) evenly arranged around the circumference. Several reinforcing ribs (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62) are formed between adjacent recesses. The reinforcing ribs (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62) are radially distributed.

8. The wear-resistant automotive ball joint structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball socket (9) has two symmetrically distributed cuts (16, 38) on its side. One end of the cuts (16, 38) extends to the opening (20) of the ball socket, and the other end extends to the outer annular groove (18) and the inner annular groove (31).

9. The wear-resistant automotive ball hinge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom opening edge of the ball socket mounting cavity (12) is provided with a riveted edge (6) to press and fix the cover plate (7).

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