Ball joint device for vehicle and vehicle suspension

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a ball joint device (10) for a vehicle, the ball joint device (10) comprising: a ball stud (13), the ball stud (13) comprising a joint ball (14) and a stud portion (15), the stud portion (15) comprising a threaded hole (17); a joint housing (18), wherein the joint ball (14) is mounted in the joint housing (18); a vehicle part (11), said vehicle part (11) comprising a recess (12), into which at least a part of the connection section (15a) of the stud part (15) is forcibly inserted; and a screw (20) fixed within the threaded hole (17) such that it attaches the vehicle component (11) to the ball stud (13); wherein the recess (12) and / or the at least part of the connecting section (15a) comprises a structured surface (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to ball joint arrangements for vehicles and vehicle suspensions. Background Technology

[0002] Ball joint devices typically consist of a ball cavity or socket and a ball stud with a spherical head that inserts into the ball cavity or socket. Using such ball joint devices to engage components allows for multi-planar pivoting between components, and therefore allows for a wider range of motion compared to other types of joint devices. For this reason, many applications utilize these joint devices. For example, ball joint devices are used in vehicle suspensions (including steering components).

[0003] Typically, ball joint studs require a certain length to allow them to be attached to one of the components to be connected, for example, using a pinch bolt. However, this length of ball joint stud requires space and can limit installation space. For example, in vehicle suspension, ball joint studs may limit the available wheel size at certain mounting locations or components of the suspension. Furthermore, long ball joint studs increase weight. When assembling ball joint assemblies that include components to be connected to each other, using shorter ball joint studs and / or other attachment designs can be challenging.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a space-saving and weight-saving ball joint device that is easy to assemble. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The subject matter of this disclosure at least partially addresses or mitigates this problem.

[0006] According to a first aspect, a spherical joint device for a vehicle is provided, the spherical joint device comprising:

[0007] - Ball stud, the ball stud includes a joint ball (also called a joint ball or ball head) and a stud portion, the stud portion including a threaded hole;

[0008] - Connector housing, wherein the connector ball is installed within the connector housing;

[0009] - A vehicle component, the vehicle component including a recess, wherein at least a portion of the connecting section of the stud is positively inserted into the recess; and

[0010] - A screw, which is fastened in the threaded hole such that the screw attaches the vehicle component to the ball-head stud;

[0011] Wherein, the recess and / or at least a portion of the connecting segment includes a structured surface.

[0012] Therefore, a type of ball joint device is provided that uses screws and ball-head studs to attach vehicle components to a joint housing. The screw can be advantageously fastened inside the stud portion by providing a threaded hole within it. Specifically, the screw can be inserted and tightened along the length of the stud portion. Thus, the stud portion can be advantageously used to attach screws therein. Compared to other solutions (such as clamping bolts), the stud portion can thus be set to a shorter length, and therefore has less weight and less space constraint.

[0013] However, the inventors further discovered that assembling ball joint devices can be challenging. Specifically, when screws are tightened into threaded holes, the ball stud may rotate during tightening, and due to the limited accessibility of the joint housing within the confined space of the vehicle suspension, it can be difficult to hold the joint housing in place. To address this, the recesses within the vehicle components and / or the connecting sections of the stud portions that are at least partially forced into the recesses include structured surfaces. Unlike flat surfaces, structured surfaces provide locking for at least a portion of the vehicle components and / or connecting sections during screw tightening, thereby significantly simplifying assembly and avoiding potential safety issues due to assembly failures (e.g., screws not being fully tightened). However, structured surfaces do not necessarily only facilitate assembly. For example, structured surfaces can strengthen the attachment of vehicle components to the stud portions.

[0014] The connector housing may be or includes a ball joint or ball socket. The connector housing may be attached to or integrally formed with another vehicle component, or is typically another vehicle component. For example, the other vehicle component may be a control arm, steering knuckle, or any other component of the vehicle suspension, including suspension, linkage, and / or steering components. Vehicle suspension should be understood herein to include any suspension, linkage, and steering components attached to the wheels of a vehicle. Vehicle suspension can be particularly, but not only, road vehicle suspension, including automobiles and trucks.

[0015] A ball-end stud may have at least a connecting ball and a stud portion as part of the ball-end stud. The stud portion has a stud shape and may be generally cylindrical. At least a portion of the stud portion, particularly the part of the connecting section that is forcibly inserted into a recess in the vehicle component, may have a tapered or conical shape. The screw may have a shank including an external thread corresponding to the internal thread of a threaded hole for fastening the screw therein. Furthermore, the screw may have a head for securing the screw against or at the surface of the vehicle component.

[0016] Typically, a stud portion may include one or more sections, one of which is a connecting section that connects the stud portion to a vehicle component. Specifically, the outer surface of the connecting section of the stud portion may contact the vehicle component. One or more other sections of the stud portion may be provided for other purposes, such as for attaching a sealing element, such as a sealing sleeve, to it. The threaded hole may extend only a portion or the entire length through the stud portion. Furthermore, the threaded hole may also extend partially or completely through the connecting ball in length. Thus, the threaded hole may have only one opening at the stud portion, or alternatively, two openings, one at the stud portion and one in the connecting ball.

[0017] In one example, a structured surface can be configured to restrict rotation of the ball-end stud relative to a vehicle component during screw tightening. Specifically, the structured surface can be configured to prevent or substantially prevent rotation of the ball-end stud relative to the vehicle component during screw tightening. For this purpose, for example, the surfaces of recesses and / or connecting segments that contact each other can be primarily structured, i.e., structured for more than half of their surface area. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the surfaces of recesses and / or connecting segments can be configured as structured elements or shapes with significant dimensions (e.g., height) to enable restriction or prevention of ball-end stud rotation.

[0018] In one example, the structured surface can be a knurled surface. A knurled surface provides gripping to the connection, preventing screws from rotating during assembly and making the connection stronger. A knurled surface can include several protrusions extending along one or more lines, distributed in another pattern, or randomly distributed on the knurled surface.

[0019] In one example, a structured surface may include multiple protrusions. For example, the number of protrusions may be tens, hundreds, thousands, or more. Protrusions can have any geometry or shape. For example, protrusions may be separate from each other or interconnected. Protrusions may typically extend in height from the surface toward their respective opposing surfaces that they contact in the ball joint assembly.

[0020] In one example, the height of the protrusion can be in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, for example, in the range of 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm. Using this range, it has been found that advantageous constraints on the rotation of the ball-end stud and advantageous attachment between the vehicle component and at least a portion of the connection section of the stud can be achieved. At the same time, the protrusion is not too large, thus eliminating the need for large torques on the screw to connect or negatively impacting the connection, for example, by making it difficult for the screw to be fully inserted and tightened into the threaded hole of the stud.

[0021] In one example, the protrusion may be slotted into the opposing surfaces of at least a portion of the connecting section and / or the recess. Thus, the protrusion can plastically deform at least a portion of the connecting section and / or the recess at their respective surfaces, creating a notch into which the protrusion can be fitted. This allows for very reliable restriction of the rotation of the ball stud and a secure attachment between the vehicle component and at least a portion of the connecting section of the stud.

[0022] In one example, the connecting segment may include a tapered shaft segment that can be forcibly inserted into a recess. The recess may also be tapered to provide forced insertion of the tapered shaft segment into it. The tapered shaft segment allows for easy and intuitive manufacturing as well as a robust, forced fit within the recess.

[0023] In one example, the tapered shaft segment may have an inclined surface with an angle of inclination of 2 to 8 degrees relative to the central axis of the tapered shaft segment. In other words, the angle of inclination of the tapered shaft segment may be a value in the range of 2 to 8 degrees relative to the central axis and / or intermediate axis of the tapered shaft segment, particularly in the range of 4 to 6 degrees.

[0024] In one example, the tapered shaft segment can be press-fitted into the recess. In other words, at least a portion of the connecting segment, particularly the tapered shaft segment, can be forcibly inserted into the recess via, for example, a press fit. For this purpose, the external dimensions of the connecting segment, particularly the external dimensions of the tapered shaft segment, such as the outer diameter, can be larger than the internal dimensions of the recess, such as the inner diameter, for example by 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or more, for example, in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 mm. This provides a particularly secure connection.

[0025] In one example, the tapered shaft segment may include a structured surface. However, the structured surface is not limited to the tapered shaft segment, but may also be provided on other portions or surfaces of the connecting segment, such as on the flange segment as described herein.

[0026] In one example, the connecting section may also include a flange section configured as a limiting stop for the vehicle component. The flange section may be directly adjacent to the tapered shaft section. The flange section may extend laterally relative to the tapered shaft section, particularly substantially vertically. "Substantially vertical" takes into account the inclination of the tapered shaft section, for example, in the range of 2 to 8 degrees, such that the flange section can be arranged at an angle of, for example, 82 to 98 degrees relative to the tapered shaft section. When the connecting section with the tapered shaft section is forcibly inserted into the recess, the insertion process can stop when the flange section, acting as a limiting stop, abuts against the vehicle component including the recess.

[0027] In one example, the flange segment may include a structured surface. However, the structured surface may not be limited to the flange segment, but may also be provided on other portions or surfaces of the connecting segment, such as on the tapered shaft segment.

[0028] In one example, the screw may include a spherical head. Furthermore, the vehicle component may include a spherical socket. The spherical head can be forcibly inserted into the spherical socket. In other words, the screw head may have at least partially a spherical shape or geometry, and the socket on the vehicle component (e.g., in the form of a recess) may have a corresponding spherical shape or geometry, particularly for forced engagement. Therefore, compared to, for example, a flat screw head and a flat surface of the vehicle component, the surface area in the connection between the screw head and the socket is increased, thereby allowing for a particularly strong and reliable connection.

[0029] In one example, the ball joint assembly may also include a control arm for the vehicle's suspension. The control arm may include a joint housing. The vehicle component may be a steering knuckle for the vehicle suspension. However, alternative arrangements of the joint housing with other suspension or steering components besides the control arm, and other vehicle components besides the steering knuckle, may be used in the ball joint assembly.

[0030] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle suspension including a ball joint device according to a first aspect of this disclosure is provided.

[0031] Generally, any type of vehicle suspension can be used, such as, but not limited to, MacPherson strut suspension, double wishbone suspension, multi-link suspension, etc.

[0032] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle may be provided that may include the ball joint device of the first aspect of this disclosure or the vehicle suspension of the second aspect of this disclosure.

[0033] Generally, a vehicle can be any type of vehicle, such as, but not limited to, road vehicles, especially cars or trucks.

[0034] Note that the examples above can be combined with each other, regardless of the aspects involved.

[0035] These and other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent and clear with reference to the examples described below. Attached Figure Description

[0036] Examples of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the following figures.

[0037] Figure 1 A portion of the vehicle's front suspension is shown;

[0038] Figure 2 a shows a ball joint device used in the front suspension of the vehicle;

[0039] Figure 2 b shows Figure 2 Details of the structured surface in a;

[0040] Figure 3 Another ball joint device for use in the front suspension of a vehicle is shown;

[0041] Figure 4 An alternative ball joint device for the upper control arm of the front suspension of the vehicle is shown as an example; and

[0042] Figure 5 An alternative ball joint device for the lower control arm of a vehicle front suspension is shown as an example. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The accompanying drawings are merely schematic representations and are intended to illustrate examples of this disclosure only. Identical or equivalent elements are generally provided with the same reference numerals.

[0044] Figure 1 A portion of a vehicle suspension 1 is shown, specifically a portion of the front suspension in this example. The vehicle suspension 1 has a tire 2 attached thereto via a steering knuckle 30. The steering knuckle 30 is further attached to an upper ball joint assembly 10 and a lower ball joint assembly 10 and / or at least partially attached to the upper ball joint assembly 10 and the lower ball joint assembly 10, which in turn are attached to a control arm 40. The upper control arm 40 is exemplarily shown as a shock absorber 50 with a coil spring 60 further attached to the vehicle suspension 1. Generally, for illustrative purposes, in Figure 1 Only some components and exemplary arrangements of the vehicle suspension 1 are shown. The vehicle suspension 1 can be configured differently. Figure 1 The vehicle suspension shown includes, but is not limited to, MacPherson strut suspension, double wishbone suspension, multi-link suspension, etc.

[0045] Figure 2 a shows that it can be Figure 1An exemplary ball joint device 10 used in a vehicle suspension 1. This example ball joint device 10 includes a ball stud 13, wherein the ball stud 13 includes a joint ball 14 and a stud portion 15 having a threaded hole 17. Furthermore, the ball joint device 10 includes a joint housing 18, within which the joint ball 14 is mounted. Specifically, the joint ball 14 may be movably mounted inside the joint housing 18 such that it can rotate within it. Additionally, the ball joint device 10 includes a vehicle component 11, which may, for example, be a steering knuckle 30 of the vehicle suspension 1 or a portion thereof. The vehicle component 11 includes a recess 12 into which at least a portion of the connecting segment 15a of the stud portion 15 is forcibly inserted.

[0046] Furthermore, the ball joint assembly 10 includes a screw 20. The screw 20 has a screw head 21 and a screw shaft 22. The screw 20 is fastened within the threaded hole 17 of the stud portion 15, thereby attaching the vehicle component 11 to the ball stud 13.

[0047] When assembling the ball joint assembly 10, particularly when tightening the screw 20, the rotation of the ball stud 13 relative to the vehicle component 11 is restricted by the structured surface 16 located on at least a portion of the recess 12 and / or the connecting section 15a, and the connection strength between the vehicle component 11 and the ball stud 13 is increased. Specifically, the structured surface 16 may be arranged on the recess 12 (which refers to the surface of the vehicle component 11 forming the recess 12) and / or on the connecting section 15a, which may include the inclined surface of the tapered shaft section 15b, and / or on the surface of the flange section 15c of the stud portion 15, such as... Figure 2 As shown in a.

[0048] The tapered shaft segment 15b of the stud portion 15 can be fully or at least partially inserted (partially press-fitted) into the recess 12. In this example, the tapered shaft segment 15b has an inclined surface with an inclination angle α relative to the central axis A of the tapered shaft segment 15b in the range of 2 to 8 degrees, such as... Figure 2 As shown in a. The flange section 15c can be used as a limiting stop for the vehicle component 11 and is directly attached to or pressed against the lower surface of the vehicle component 11.

[0049] The ball joint assembly 10 also includes an optional sealing sleeve 19 disposed between the vehicle component 11 (particularly the flange section 15c) and the joint housing 18.

[0050] Figure 2Figure b illustrates an exemplary configuration of a structured surface 16 as a knurled surface disposed on a flange segment 15c. In this example, a plurality of protrusions 16a are arranged in a line along the flange segment 15c. However, as described above, the protrusions 16a of the structured surface 16 may further or alternatively be disposed on the tapered shaft segment 15b of the connecting segment 15a, the surface of the recess 12, and / or the surface of the vehicle component 11 opposite to the flange segment 15c. Furthermore, the protrusions 16a may be arranged in any other scheme or randomly besides one or more lines, including their orientation. Additionally, the protrusions 16a may have different dimensions or the same dimensions, including their height, length, and width.

[0051] Figure 3 An alternative spherical joint assembly 10 is shown without the tapered shaft section 15b and with a sealing sleeve 19 disposed between the vehicle component 11 and the joint housing 18. Furthermore, the screw 20 in this example has a spherical head 21 that is forcibly inserted into a spherical socket 11a. Therefore, compared to, for example, a flat screw head 21 and a flat surface of the vehicle component 11, the surface area in the connection between the screw head 21 and the socket 11a is increased, thereby allowing for a particularly strong and reliable connection.

[0052] Figure 4 As shown Figure 1 An exemplary ball joint device 10 for the upper control arm 40 is shown. Figure 5 As shown Figure 1 An exemplary ball joint device 10 for the lower control arm 40 is shown. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the diagram, the ball joint 14 is indicated by a dashed line within the joint housing 18. Furthermore, vehicle component 11 is shown as part of the steering knuckle 30 for connecting the corresponding control arm 40 to the steering knuckle 30.

[0053] As used herein, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase “at least one” or similar phrases (e.g., “one or more of”) relating to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more entities in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each entity specifically listed in the list of entities, and does not exclude any combination of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows for the optional presence of such entities other than those specifically identified in the list of entities referred to by the phrase “at least one” or similar phrases, whether related to or unrelated to those specifically identified entities. Therefore, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B" or equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B" or equivalently, "one or more of A and B", "one or more of A or B" or "one or more of A and / or B") can in one example refer to at least one (optionally including more than one) A, where B is absent (and optionally includes entities other than B); in another example, it refers to at least one (optionally including more than one) B, where A is absent (and optionally includes entities other than A); and in yet another example, it refers to at least one (optionally including more than one) A and at least one (optionally including more than one) B (and optionally includes other entities). In other words, the phrases "at least one," "one or more," and "and / or" are open-ended expressions that are both connected and separate in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B or C”, “one or more of A, B and C”, “one or more of A, B or C” and “A, B and / or C” can represent a single A, a single B, a single C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B and C together, and optionally any of the above combined with at least one other entity.

[0054] In the context of this disclosure, any numerical values ​​indicated are generally associated with an accuracy interval that, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, still ensures the technical effectiveness of the features in question. As used herein, deviations from the indicated numerical values ​​are in the range of ±10%, and preferably ±5%. The aforementioned deviations from the indicated numerical range of ±10%, and preferably ±5%, are also indicated by the terms “about” and “approximately” used herein with respect to numerical values.

[0055] Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0056] List of reference numerals

[0057] 1. Vehicle suspension

[0058] 2 tires

[0059] 10. Ball joint assembly

[0060] 11 Vehicle Components

[0061] 11a bearing socket

[0062] 12 recess

[0063] 13 Ball-head studs

[0064] 14 Joint ball

[0065] 15. Stud section

[0066] 15a Connecting section

[0067] 15b Tapered Shaft Section

[0068] 15c flange segment

[0069] 16 Structured Surfaces

[0070] 17 Threaded hole

[0071] 18 Connector housing

[0072] 19 Sealing sleeve

[0073] 20 screws

[0074] 21 Screw head

[0075] 22 Screw Shaft

[0076] 30 Steering Knuckle

[0077] 40 control arm

[0078] 50 shock absorbers

[0079] 60 coil spring

[0080] A. Central axis of the tapered shaft segment

[0081] α Inclination angle

Claims

1. A ball joint arrangement (10) for a vehicle, the ball joint arrangement (10) comprising: - a ball stud (13) comprising a joint ball (14) and a stud portion (15), the stud portion (15) comprising a threaded hole (17); - a joint housing (18), the joint ball (14) being mounted within the joint housing (18); - a vehicle component (11) comprising a recess (12), at least a portion of a connecting section (15a) of the stud portion (15) being forcibly inserted into the recess (12); and - a screw (20) being fastened within the threaded hole (17) such that it attaches the vehicle component (11) to the ball stud (13); wherein the recess (12) and / or the at least a portion of the connecting section (15a) comprises a structured surface (16).

2. The ball joint device (10) according to claim 1, wherein The structured surface (16) is configured to limit a rotation of the ball stud (13) relative to the vehicle component (11) during a fastening of the screw (20).

3. The ball joint device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The structured surface (16) is a knurled surface.

4. The ball joint device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The structured surface (16) comprises a plurality of protrusions (16a).

5. The ball joint device (10) according to claim 4, wherein The protrusions (16a) have a height in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

6. The ball joint device (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein The protrusions (16a) are slotted into the at least a portion of the connecting section (15a) and / or an opposite surface of the recess (12).

7. The ball joint device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The connecting section (15a) comprises a conical shaft section (15b) which is forcibly inserted into the recess (12).

8. The ball joint device (10) according to claim 7, wherein The conical shaft section (15b) has an inclined surface with an inclination angle (a) relative to a central axis (A) of the conical shaft section (15b) in the range of 2 to 8 degrees.

9. The ball joint device (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein The conical shaft section (15b) is press-fitted into the recess (12).

10. The ball joint device (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein The conical shaft section (15b) comprises the structured surface (16).

11. The ball joint device (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein The connecting section (15a) further comprises a flange section (15c) which is configured as a limiting stop for the vehicle component (11).

12. The ball joint device (10) according to claim 11, wherein The flange section (15c) comprises the structured surface (16).

13. The ball joint device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The screw (20) comprises a spherical head (21) and the vehicle component (11) comprises a spherical socket (11a), the spherical head (21) being forcibly inserted into the spherical socket (11a).

14. The ball joint device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The ball joint arrangement (10) further comprises a control arm (40) for a vehicle suspension (1) of the vehicle, the control arm (40) comprising the joint housing (18), and wherein the vehicle component (11) is a steering knuckle (30) for the vehicle suspension (1).

15. A vehicle suspension (1) comprising the ball joint arrangement (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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