Ball joint with one-way deflection deformation characteristics

Abstract

The application discloses a spherical hinge with one-way deflection deformation characteristics, which comprises a metal core shaft in the innermost layer, a metal outer sleeve in the outermost layer, a rubber body connecting the core shaft and the outer sleeve into an integrated whole, flat squares at both ends of the core shaft for assembly, limiting mechanisms arranged on both sides of the two flat squares and connected to the outer sleeve, and an included angle between a line connecting the centers of the two limiting mechanisms on the same side of the flat square and an axis of the assembly hole on the flat square being 90+ / -5 DEG. When the core shaft is displaced, the limiting mechanisms are arranged on both sides of the flat square, the displacement of the flat square is prevented through the limiting mechanisms, and then the displacement of the core shaft is prevented. Meanwhile, the limiting mechanisms are connected to the outer sleeve, the relative displacement between the limiting mechanisms and the outer sleeve is prevented, the displacement of the core shaft and the outer sleeve in the direction is avoided, and the one-way deflection deformation characteristics are realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a ball joint, and more specifically to a ball joint having unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics. Background Technology

[0002] Ball joints, as a widely used connection structure, typically consist of an innermost metal core, a middle rubber layer, and an outermost metal sleeve. They generally possess six degrees of freedom of deformation, making them extensively used in flexible connections and vibration damping components of various mechanical devices. However, in certain linkage mechanisms, it is necessary to allow for large deformation in some directions while restricting deformation in others to achieve specific control functions. Current ball joint structures usually prioritize durability to improve lifespan, with less consideration given to unidirectional deformation characteristics, thus failing to meet application requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention addresses the limitation of current ball joints in achieving specific control functions through structural design by proposing a ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics to meet specific application requirements.

[0004] The technical means adopted by this invention to solve the above problems is as follows: a ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics, comprising a ball joint body in which a mandrel and a sleeve are vulcanized together by a rubber body; the mandrel has flat sections for assembly at both ends; each of the two flat sections has a limiting mechanism connected to the sleeve on both sides; the angle between the line connecting the centers of the two limiting mechanisms on both sides of the same flat section and the axis of the assembly hole on the flat section is 90±5°. The limiting mechanisms avoid the two ends of the assembly hole to prevent interference during assembly.

[0005] Furthermore, the limiting mechanism includes a wear-resistant limiting block near the flat side, a fixing block connected to the outer sleeve, and a rubber layer connecting the wear-resistant limiting block and the fixing block into a whole. The connection between the fixing block and the outer sleeve ensures that there is no relative displacement between the limiting mechanism and the outer sleeve.

[0006] Furthermore, in the initial state, the outer diameter of the outer jacket is larger than the outer diameter of the fixed block.

[0007] Furthermore, in the initial state, the difference between the outer diameter of the outer jacket and the outer diameter of the fixed block is greater than 0.5.

[0008] Furthermore, there is a gap between the limiting mechanism and the flat shaft. This ensures that the limiting mechanism does not interfere with the displacement of the mandrel in another direction.

[0009] Furthermore, the gap (Gap) is calculated as follows: Gap = A1 × (cotα2 - cotα1) + Δ, where: A1 is the distance from the center of the mandrel assembly hole to the farthest contact point of the wear-resistant limiting block; angle α2 is the maximum allowable angle between the mandrel and the outer sleeve in the limiting direction; angle α1 is the minimum allowable angle between the mandrel and the outer sleeve in the limiting direction; the difference between the two angles represents the maximum allowable angle change between the mandrel and the outer sleeve in the limiting direction; Δ is the lifespan compensation amount, determined based on the wear rate of the selected wear-resistant limiting block material and the design life of the ball joint. This avoids excessive gap that could cause excessive displacement of the mandrel in this direction, thus failing to achieve the effect of limiting displacement.

[0010] Furthermore, the rubber body is located between the outer sleeve and the mandrel body in the middle part of the mandrel, and the rubber layer is located between the flat square and the fixing block.

[0011] Furthermore, the rubber layer is bonded to the rubber body as a single unit, simplifying the vulcanization process.

[0012] Furthermore, the widths of the fixing block, the rubber layer, and the wear-resistant limiting block are all equal along the axial direction of the assembly hole.

[0013] Furthermore, the width of the limiting mechanism along the axial direction of the assembly hole is greater than the height of the flat bar along the axial direction of its assembly hole.

[0014] Furthermore, in the free state, both ends of the limiting mechanism extend beyond the two ends of the flat square along the axial direction of its mounting hole.

[0015] Furthermore, the distance between the wear-resistant limiting block and the ball joint body is greater than the allowable axial displacement value of the mandrel. This avoids interference with the axial displacement of the mandrel.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. This invention provides limiting mechanisms on both sides of the flat section. When the mandrel is displaced, the limiting mechanisms prevent the flat section from shifting, thereby preventing the mandrel from shifting as well. Simultaneously, by connecting the limiting mechanisms to the outer sleeve, relative displacement between the limiting mechanisms and the outer sleeve is prevented, thus avoiding displacement of the mandrel and the outer sleeve in this direction, thereby achieving unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics.

[0017] 2. By setting a gap between the limiting mechanism and the flat square, the present invention allows the mandrel to still be relatively displaced with the outer sleeve along the axis of the assembly hole, thus ensuring the deformation capability of the ball joint in this direction. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 1; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view; Figure 3 for Figure 1Side view diagram; Figure 4 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of a portion; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the mandrel structure in Example 1; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the dimensions of Example 1; In the diagram: 1. Outer sleeve, 2. Rubber body, 3. Mandrel, 31. Mandrel body, 32. Flat square, 33. Assembly hole, 4. Limiting mechanism, 41. Fixing block, 42. Rubber layer, 43. Wear-resistant limiting block. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only, representing schematic diagrams rather than actual physical objects, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent. To better illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings. Example 1

[0020] A ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, it includes an outer sleeve 1, a rubber body 2, a spindle 3, and a limiting mechanism 4. The spindle 3 is located in the innermost layer of the ball joint, the outer sleeve 1 is located in the outermost layer of the ball joint, and the rubber body 2 is located between the spindle 3 and the outer sleeve 1 to vulcanize and bond the spindle 3 and the outer sleeve 1 to form the main body of the ball joint. There are four limiting mechanisms 4 in total, which are symmetrically arranged in pairs at both ends of the axial direction of the outer sleeve 1 and are located on both sides of the flat square of the spindle 3.

[0021] like Figure 5 As shown, the mandrel 3 includes a mandrel body 31 located in the middle and flat sections 32 at both ends. Each flat section 32 has a mounting hole 33 in the middle for mounting a ball joint. In this embodiment, the mandrel body 31 is a cylindrical structure, and the flat sections 32 are cubic structures with chamfers on all four sides to avoid sharp corners. However, the specific shapes of the mandrel body 31 and the flat sections 32 are not particularly limited; other shapes can be selected according to the performance requirements of the ball joint, such as using a spherical mandrel body 31. Figure 1 As shown, the line connecting the centers of the two limiting mechanisms 4 at the same flat surface 32 is perpendicular to the axis of the mounting hole 33 on the flat surface 32 (of course, it is also possible for the two lines to be nearly perpendicular, such as when the included angle between them is 90±5°), so that the limiting mechanism 4 will not affect the assembly of the ball joint.

[0022] like Figures 2-4As shown, the limiting mechanism 4 includes an outermost fixing block 41, an innermost wear-resistant limiting block 43, and a rubber layer 42 between the fixing block 41 and the wear-resistant limiting block 43. The fixing block 41 and the wear-resistant limiting block 43 are vulcanized and connected into a whole through the rubber layer 42. Overall, the rubber body 2 adheres the cylindrical outer sleeve 1 to the outside of the cylindrical structure 31 of the mandrel 3, while the fixing block 41 is connected to the outer sleeve 1 to ensure the relative position between the fixing block 41 and the outer sleeve 1 is fixed. The limiting mechanism 4 will not be displaced relative to the outer sleeve 1, thereby ensuring that the mandrel 3 cannot slide relative to the outer sleeve 1 in this direction. In this embodiment, in order to facilitate processing, reduce production costs, and improve efficiency, the fixing block 41 adopts an arc-shaped structure. Its inner diameter is equal to the inner diameter of the outer sleeve 1, while its outer diameter is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the outer sleeve 1. This avoids scratching the outer surface of the fixing block 41 during the pressing operation and also avoids deformation of the limiting mechanism that may occur during the pressing process. Preferably, in the initial state, the center of the outer circumference of the fixing block and the center of the outer surface of the outer sleeve are both located on the axis of the mandrel cylindrical structure, which facilitates processing. More preferably, while ensuring strength, the difference between the outer diameter of the outer sleeve and the outer diameter of the fixing block is preferably 0.5 or more. Simultaneously, the rubber layer 42 is also designed as a thin arc shape to match the shape of the fixing block 41. Of course, when the fixing block 41 has other shapes, such as when the contact surface between the fixing block 41 and the rubber layer 42 is flat, the rubber layer 42 is also correspondingly set to a flat shape. Furthermore, the thickness of the rubber layer 42 should not be too large; it only needs to achieve a connecting effect. If the rubber layer 42 is too thick, it will undergo significant compression under load, resulting in a large relative displacement between the wear-resistant limiting block 43 and the fixing block 41, failing to achieve a good blocking effect. The surface of the wear-resistant limiting block 43 near the rubber layer 42 is also arc-shaped, while its surface near the flat square 32 is flat. Of course, the specific shapes of these two surfaces of the wear-resistant limiting block 43 are determined by the shape of the sidewall of the flat square 32 and the shape of the inner wall of the fixing block 41. For example... Figure 3 As shown, there is a tiny gap between the flat block 32 and the wear-resistant limiting block 43, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the gap Gap is calculated as follows: Gap = A1 × (cotα2 - cotα1) + Δ, where: A1 is the distance from the center of the mounting hole 33 of the mandrel 3 to the farthest contact point of the wear-resistant limiting block 43; angle α2 is the maximum allowable angle between the mandrel 3 and the outer sleeve 1 in the limiting direction; angle α1 is the minimum allowable angle between the mandrel 3 and the outer sleeve 1 in the limiting direction; the difference between the two angles represents the maximum allowable angle change between the mandrel 3 and the outer sleeve 1 in the limiting direction; Δ is the lifespan compensation amount, which is determined based on the wear rate of the selected wear-resistant limiting block 43 material and the design lifespan of the ball joint. When the ball joint is under load, and the mandrel 3 deforms relative to the outer sleeve 1 along the axial direction of the mounting hole 33, a friction pair is formed between the side of the flat square 32 and its corresponding surface of the wear-resistant limiting block 43. The existence of the gap can ensure the deformation capacity of the ball joint in the axial direction of its mounting hole 33.

[0023] In this embodiment, the fixing block 41 is integrally formed with the outer sleeve 1, creating a single structure. Therefore, when the outer sleeve 1 and the mandrel 3 are vulcanized into a single unit, the fixing block 41 and the wear-resistant limiting block 43 can be vulcanized and bonded simultaneously. Furthermore, the design that the fixing block 41 and the outer sleeve 1 have the same inner diameter allows for the use of a simpler vulcanization mold. Figure 2 As shown, the rubber layer 42 and the rubber body 2 are connected as a single unit, rather than being separated into multiple independent parts. This reduces the need for sealing the rubber within the mold during vulcanization and allows the rubber to fill the spaces occupied by the rubber body 2 and rubber layer 42 through only one or two inlets, simultaneously completing the vulcanization process and greatly simplifying the vulcanization operation. In this embodiment, the free-form surfaces at both ends of the rubber body 2 adopt a concave structure, and the axial height of the rubber body 2 is less than the axial height of the mandrel body 31. In this case, the distance L between the end face of the wear-resistant limiting block 43 near the rubber body 2 and the adjacent end face of the mandrel body 31 should be greater than the allowable axial displacement value of the mandrel 3 to avoid interference with the axial displacement of the mandrel 3. When the free-form surfaces at the two end faces of the rubber body 2 adopt an outward convex structure, that is, when the axial height of the rubber body 2 is greater than the axial height of the spindle body 31, the distance between the end face of the wear-resistant limiting block 43 near the rubber body 2 and its adjacent end face of the rubber body 2 should be greater than the allowable axial displacement value of the spindle 3.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the widths of the fixing block 41, rubber layer 42, and wear-resistant limiting block 43 along the axial direction of the mounting hole 33 are all equal. This structure also simplifies the sealing of the rubber during vulcanization. Moreover, in the free state, the width of the limiting mechanism 4, composed of the fixing block 41, rubber layer 42, and wear-resistant limiting block 43, in this direction is greater than the height of the flat square 32 along the axial direction of its mounting hole 33. At the same time, both ends of the limiting mechanism 4 extend beyond the ends of the flat square 32 in this width direction. Thus, when the mandrel 3 undergoes a certain displacement along the axial direction of the mounting hole 33, the flat square 32 still has a large area or all of its surface in contact with the limiting mechanism 4, ensuring the limiting effect. In use, when the ball joint is loaded, the rubber body 2 undergoes elastic deformation, and the mandrel 3 and the outer sleeve 1 deflect relative to each other. However, due to the limitation of the friction pair, the deflection can only occur along the friction pair plane, and not perpendicular to the friction pair plane, thereby realizing the unidirectional deflection deformation characteristic of the ball joint.

[0025] The above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical solutions should also fall within the protection scope of the invention, which should be defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics, comprising a ball joint body in which a mandrel (3) and a jacket (1) are vulcanized integrally by a rubber body (2), wherein the mandrel (3) has flat squares (32) at both ends for assembly, characterized in that: Both sides of the two flat squares (32) are provided with limiting mechanisms (4) connected to the outer sleeve (1). The angle between the line connecting the center of the two limiting mechanisms (4) on both sides of the same flat square (32) and the axis of the mounting hole (33) on the flat square (32) is 90±5°. The limiting mechanism (4) includes a wear-resistant limiting block (43) near the side of the flat square (32), a fixing block (41) connected to the outer sleeve (1), and a rubber layer (42) that connects the wear-resistant limiting block (43) and the fixing block (41) into a whole. The rubber body (2) is located between the outer sleeve (1) and the mandrel body in the middle part of the mandrel (3). The rubber layer (42) is located between the flat square (32) and the fixing block (41), and the rubber layer (42) and the rubber body (2) are connected into a whole.

2. The ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics as described in claim 1, characterized in that: In the initial state, the outer diameter of the outer jacket (1) is larger than the outer diameter of the fixed block (41).

3. The ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics as described in claim 2, characterized in that: In the initial state, the difference between the outer diameter of the outer jacket (1) and the outer diameter of the fixing block (41) is greater than 0.

5.

4. The ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics as described in claim 1, characterized in that: There is a gap between the limiting mechanism (4) and the flat square (32).

5. The ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The gap Gap is calculated as follows: Gap = A1 × (cotα2 - cotα1) + Δ, where: A1 is the distance from the center of the assembly hole of the mandrel (3) to the farthest contact point of the wear-resistant limiting block (43); angle α2 is the maximum allowable angle between the mandrel (3) and the outer sleeve (1) in the limiting direction; angle α1 is the minimum allowable angle between the mandrel (3) and the outer sleeve (1) in the limiting direction; the difference between the two angles represents the maximum allowable angle change between the mandrel (3) and the outer sleeve (1) in the limiting direction; Δ is the life compensation amount, which is determined according to the wear rate of the selected wear-resistant limiting block (43) material and the design life of the ball joint.

6. The ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The widths of the fixing block (41), the rubber layer (42), and the wear-resistant limiting block (43) along the axial direction of the assembly hole (33) are all equal.

7. The ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The width of the limiting mechanism (4) along the axial direction of the assembly hole (33) is greater than the height of the flat square (32) along the axial direction of its assembly hole (33).

8. The ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics as described in claim 6, characterized in that: In the free state, both ends of the limiting mechanism (4) extend beyond the two ends of the flat square (32) along the axial direction of its mounting hole (33) in the width direction.

9. The ball joint with unidirectional deflection deformation characteristics as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The distance between the wear-resistant limiting block (43) and the ball joint body is greater than the allowable displacement value of the spindle (3) axial direction.

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