Joint housing for a live ball joint and live ball joint having the joint housing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector housing for a ball joint and a ball joint having the connector housing. Specifically, the connector housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30) for the ball joint has an outer side (5) of the connector housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30), wherein a U-shaped receiving groove (6) for receiving an edge section of a sealing bellows is constructed on the outer side (5) of the connector housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30), and the receiving groove (6) has a groove bottom (8), a first side (9) and a second side (10), wherein the two sides (9, 10) facing each other are spaced apart by the groove bottom (8), and the first side (9) is provided as a section of a structural element (11). In order to secure the edge section of the sealing bellows to the joint housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30) with the simplest and / or most cost-effective structure possible, the joint housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30) is characterized in that the second side (10) is provided by an annular tab (12) extending away from the outer side (5) of the joint housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connector housing for a ball joint, having an outer side of the housing, wherein a U-shaped receiving groove is formed on the outer side of the housing for accommodating an edge section of a sealing bellows, and the receiving groove has a bottom, a first side, and a second side, wherein the two sides facing each other are spaced apart by the bottom, and the first side is provided as a section of a structural element. Furthermore, this invention also relates to a ball joint having this connector housing. Background Technology

[0002] Such joint housings or such ball joints are known from document DE 10 2017 210 212 A1. Here, the joint housing, inserted into a through-hole of a structural element, is welded to the structural element. A receiving groove is formed by a recess on the outer side of the joint housing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of this invention is to improve the type of connector housing and / or ball joint described at the outset, so that the edge section of the sealing bellows can be fixed to the connector housing with the simplest and / or most cost-effective structure possible. Alternative embodiments are particularly intended to be provided.

[0004] The object of the present invention is achieved by the joint housing according to claim 1 and the ball joint according to claim 10. Preferred improvements of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims and the description below.

[0005] The connector housing is designed for use with ball joints. Ball joints have wide applications, for example, in the automotive manufacturing industry. Especially in chassis systems, ball joints are used to hinge chassis components (such as linkages, wheel carriers, tie rods, etc.) to each other, or to the vehicle body, or more precisely, to axle carriers fixed to the vehicle body. A ball joint may include a connector housing, particularly one-sidedly open, with a housing recess, and a connector interior supported within the housing recess, allowing for pivoting relative to the connector housing, such as a ball head pin, the pin section of which protrudes from the housing opening. A support bushing is arranged between the connector housing and the connector ball head assigned to the ball head pin, which reduces friction and thus reduces wear on the joint, even under high loads during operation. The ball joint can be constructed as a ball head pin type or a ball sleeve type. Accordingly, the connector interior can be a ball head pin or a ball sleeve.

[0006] The connector housing has an outer side, wherein a U-shaped receiving groove is constructed on the outer side of the connector housing to accommodate the edge section of the sealing bellows. The ball joint, in particular, has a sealing bellows.

[0007] To ensure the long-term, low-resistance mobility of the ball joint, structural measures are required to enable long-term lubrication, such as with joint grease, to reduce friction between relatively moving parts. In conventional joints, a sealing bellows serves as a grease reservoir. The sealing bellows particularly protects the joint area from external environmental factors such as contaminants, moisture, and mechanical stress. To achieve this, the sealing bellows can be constructed from a flexible, especially elastic, material, preferably an elastomer, as a hollow, tubular body with two open ends. Preferably, the sealing bellows has a shell-side edge section at its axial end facing the joint housing and a pin-side edge section at its end facing away from the joint housing and towards the interior of the joint, and has a shroud connecting these two edge sections. Here, the shroud can be designed in various ways; to ensure the mobility of the joint, a compressible and stretchable profile, such as a drum-shaped profile and / or a corrugated profile, can be used. In the latter case, the component is called a bellows, and if there are multiple folds, it is specifically called a multi-fold bellows.

[0008] The receiving groove has a bottom, a first side, and a second side. Preferably, the receiving groove is formed by the bottom, the first side, and the second side. The two sides facing each other are spaced apart by the bottom. Preferably, the two sides extend radially relative to the longitudinal central axis of the connector housing. The two sides may extend parallel to each other. The bottom extends particularly between the two sides and is parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the connector housing. The first side is provided and / or formed as a segment of a structural element.

[0009] According to the invention, the second side is provided by an annular tab extending outward from the connector housing.

[0010] Advantageously, by using an annular tab extending away from the outer side, it is unnecessary to construct a recess on the outer side to create a receiving groove and an edge section for accommodating the sealing bellows. This annular tab extending away from the outer side particularly enables alternative implementation schemes.

[0011] The maximum outer diameter of the connector housing is determined in particular by the annular tab. Preferably, the annular tab protrudes outward relative to the outer side of the connector housing, and / or protrudes radially and / or laterally and / or obliquely relative to the longitudinal central axis of the connector housing. The annular tab may be configured to be coaxial with the longitudinal central axis of the connector housing. The connector housing may be constructed rotationally symmetrically relative to its longitudinal central axis.

[0012] According to the improved design, the annular tab is an integral part of the connector housing. For example, the annular tab can be manufactured during the molding or production process of the connector housing.

[0013] The connector housing can be made of metal or sheet metal. In particular, the connector housing is manufactured by cold forming, preferably as an extruded housing, or by hot forging. The connector housing can be constructed in a can shape.

[0014] According to an alternative improvement, the annular tab is formed by an annular element. Here, the annular element is provided and / or formed as a component independent of the connector housing. In other words, the connector housing is the first component, and the annular element is the second component, wherein a receiving groove is formed based on the interaction of the connector housing and the annular element and their assembled state. For this purpose, the annular element is arranged and / or fixed to the outside of the connector housing to form the receiving groove. In particular, the annular element is press-fitted onto the outside.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the annular element is constructed as a ring and / or annular disk. Rings and / or annular disks are forms that can be easily and cost-effectively manufactured. In particular, the annular element is shape-fitted and / or force-transmittedly fixed within a locking groove on the outer side of the connector housing. For example, the annular element is pressed into and / or snapped into the locking groove. The locking groove can be constructed as an annular or quasi-annular recess on the outer side of the connector housing. Preferably, the annular element extends from the locking groove and extends beyond the outer side of the connector housing. Thus, the annular element constitutes an annular tab for constructing a receiving groove.

[0016] According to an alternative improvement, the annular element is constructed as an L-shaped ring with a first leg and a second leg. Here, the first leg forms the bottom of the receiving groove, and the second leg forms a second side surface. Specifically, the side of the first leg opposite to the groove bottom abuts against the outer section of the connector housing. Preferably, the annular element is shape-fitted and / or force-transmittingly fixed to the outer section of the connector housing. For example, the annular element is press-fitted onto the outer section of the connector housing.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the joint housing is constructed as a component independent of the structural elements. The structural elements may be formed of metal. In particular, the structural elements are flange components and / or chassis components.

[0018] In particular, the connector housing has a closed housing bottom. Preferably, the connector housing is arranged with the closed housing bottom facing forward in the through-hole of the structural element. Here, a stop section of the connector housing restricts or stops the insertion movement of the connector housing into the through-hole. The stop section abuts against the structural element, and / or the stop section closes against the structural element.

[0019] The connector housing may have an annular section, wherein the annular section of the connector housing is provided and / or configured to secure the connector housing in a through hole. In particular, the annular section is configured to be coaxial with the longitudinal central axis of the connector housing. The annular section of the connector housing has a rolled edge that interacts with the shape of the side of the structural element opposite to the stop section. Specifically, the annular section is rolled radially from the inside to the outside relative to the longitudinal central axis of the connector housing.

[0020] According to the improved design, the structural element has a cylindrical annular section defining the through hole. Here, the cylindrical annular section extends coaxially with the longitudinal central axis of the connector housing, away from the side of the structural element opposite to the bottom of the housing. Simultaneously, the cylindrical annular section forms and / or constitutes the bottom of a receiving groove.

[0021] According to an alternative implementation, the joint housing and the structural element are constructed as a single unit. Thus, the joint housing can be implemented as an integrated component of the structural element itself. The structural element can be a chassis component. In particular, the structural element is constructed as a flange for forming a flange joint.

[0022] The ball joint with a housing according to the invention has particular advantages, wherein the edge section of the sealing bellows is arranged in a receiving groove, and the edge section is secured and / or held in the receiving groove by a clamping ring, which is a separate and / or separately constructed component. In particular, the ball joint is configured to have a housing with the above-described design. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the same reference numerals refer to the same, similar, or functionally identical parts or elements. Wherein:

[0024] Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of the first connector housing according to the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 A cross-sectional side view of the second connector housing according to the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 3 A sectional side view of the third connector housing according to the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 4 A sectional perspective side view of the fourth connector housing according to the present invention is shown;

[0028] Figure 5 A cross-sectional perspective side view of another connector housing according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Figure 1A sectional side view of the first connector housing 1 according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the connector housing 1 is made of metal or sheet metal by cold forming. The connector housing 1 has a housing recess 2. A connector interior (not shown in detail here) may be supported in the housing recess 2, which is configured, for example, in the form of a ball-head pin, and is hinged relative to the connector housing 1. To minimize friction, a support bushing (also not shown in detail here) may be arranged and fixed in the housing recess 2.

[0030] The connector housing 1 has a housing opening 3 and a closed housing bottom 4 opposite to the housing opening 3. Thus, in this example, the connector housing 1 is constructed in a can shape.

[0031] The connector housing 1 has an outer side 5. Here, a U-shaped receiving groove 6 is constructed on the outer side 5 of the connector housing 1 to accommodate the edge section of the sealing bellows (not shown in detail here). Here, the opening of the receiving groove 6 points radially outward relative to the longitudinal central axis 7 of the connector housing 1.

[0032] The receiving groove is composed of a groove bottom 8, a first side surface 9, and a second side surface 10. The two sides 9 and 10, facing each other or opposite each other, are spaced apart by the groove bottom 8. Here, the groove bottom 8 is oriented transversely to the sides 9 and 10. The two sides 9 and 10 extend radially, i.e., laterally, relative to the longitudinal central axis 7, and in this embodiment are perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 7. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two sides 9 and 10 are designed to be parallel to each other. The groove bottom 8 is arranged between the two sides 9 and 10 and, in this embodiment, extends parallel to the longitudinal central axis 7. Alternatively, the groove bottom 8 may be constructed as a cone. The groove bottom 8 transitions to one of the two sides 9 and 10 at the mutually opposing sides. The first side surface 9 is provided and / or formed as a segment of structural element 11.

[0033] The second side 10 is provided and / or formed by an annular tab 12 extending away from the outer side 5 of the connector housing 1.

[0034] The maximum outer diameter of the connector housing, particularly the maximum outer diameter on the side of structural element 11 and receiving groove 6, is defined by an annular tab 12. Here, the annular tab 12 protrudes outward relative to the outer side 5 and radially or laterally relative to the longitudinal central axis 7. In this embodiment, the annular tab 12 is configured to be coaxial with the longitudinal central axis 7.

[0035] In this embodiment, the annular tab 12 is formed by an annular element 13. The annular element 13 is constructed as a component independent of the connector housing 1, wherein a receiving groove 6 is formed based on the outer side 5 of the connector housing 1 and the annular element 13 working together and being assembled with each other. For this purpose, the annular element 13 is arranged and fixed at the outer side 5.

[0036] In this embodiment, the annular element 13 is constructed as a ring and / or annular disk. The annular element 13, constructed in this manner, is shape-fitted and / or force-transmittedly fixed within a locking groove 14 on the outer side 5 of the connector housing 1. In this example, the annular element 13 is pressed into, i.e., snapped into, the locking groove 14. The locking groove 14 is shaped to fit the annular element 13 as an annular or near-annular recess on the outer side 5. Here, the annular element 13 extends out of the locking groove 14 and beyond the outer side 5 of the connector housing 1. Thus, the annular element 13 forms an annular tab 12 for constructing a receiving groove 6. The distance between the locking groove 14 and the first side 9 of the structural element 11 simultaneously determines the width of the groove bottom 8, i.e., the distance between the two sides 9 and 10.

[0037] In this embodiment, the connector housing 1 and the structural element 11 are constructed as separate components. Here, the structural element 11 is made of metal and, according to this example, is constructed as a flange component. The connector housing 1 is arranged with its closed housing bottom 4 facing forward within the through-hole 15 of the structural element 11, i.e., in this example, it is pressed into the through-hole 15. The insertion movement of the connector housing 1 into or partially through the through-hole 15 is limited by a stop section 16 of the connector housing 1. The stop section 16 abuts against the side 17 of the structural element 11. In this embodiment, the stop section 16 is constructed as a step on the outer side 5 of the connector housing 1. The stop surface of the stop section 16 extends radially relative to the longitudinal central axis 7, i.e., at a right angle to the longitudinal central axis 7. In the assembled state shown here, the stop section 16, i.e., its stop surface, abuts against the side 17 of the structural element 11 and is adjacent to the through-hole 15. In this embodiment, the side portion 17 not only serves as a stop for the stop section 16, but also forms a first side surface 9 for forming the receiving groove 6 adjacent to the stop section 16.

[0038] In this embodiment, the connector housing 1 has an annular section 18. The annular section 18 is an integral part of the connector housing 1. The annular section 18 is constructed within the region of the through hole 15 and surrounds the bottom 4 of the housing. The annular section 18 is provided and / or configured to secure the connector housing 1 in the through hole 15. In this example, the annular section 18 is configured to be coaxial with the longitudinal central axis 7. In the assembled state shown here, the annular section 18 is rolled to cooperate with the shape of the side 19 of the structural element 11 facing away from the stop section 16. Thus, in the assembled state shown here, where the connector housing 1 is secured in the through hole 15 of the structural element 11, the annular section 18 has a rolled edge 20. In this embodiment, the annular section 18, more specifically the rolled edge 20, is rolled radially from the inside out relative to the longitudinal central axis 7 of the connector housing 1.

[0039] Figure 2 A sectional side view of the second connector housing 21 according to the present invention is shown. The second connector housing 21 is based on... Figure 1The first joint housing 1 is largely identical. The same features are labeled with the same reference numerals. In this regard, to avoid repetition, refer also to the preceding description. However, according to... Figure 1 The first connector housing 1 is different from the first connector housing 1. Figure 2 The second connector housing 21 shown does not have a locking groove 14, and uses an annular element 22 instead of an annular element 13.

[0040] In this embodiment, the annular element 22 is constructed as an L-shaped ring with a first leg 23 and a second leg 24. The first leg 23 forms the bottom 8 of the receiving groove 6, and the second leg 24 forms the second side 10 of the receiving groove 6. Here, the side of the first leg 23 facing away from the bottom 8 abuts against the outer side 5 of the connector housing 21. In this example, the annular element 22 is press-fitted onto the outer side 5 of the connector housing 21. This section may be constructed as cylindrical as exemplarily shown here, or alternatively as conical. In the assembled state shown here, the annular element 22 abuts against the side 17 of the structural element 11, and is adjacent to the stop section 16. In other words, the end of the first leg 23 facing away from the second leg 24 abuts against the side 17 of the structural element 11.

[0041] Figure 3 A sectional side view of the third connector housing 25 according to the present invention is shown. The construction of the third connector housing 25 is consistent with that according to... Figure 1 First connector housing 1 or according to Figure 2 The second connector housing 21 is similar. Identical features are labeled with the same reference numerals. For this purpose, to avoid repetition, please refer to the preceding description. However, unlike the first connector housing 1 or the second connector housing 21, Figure 3 The third connector housing 25 shown does not have an independently constructed annular element 13 or 22.

[0042] Instead, in this embodiment, structural element 11 has a cylindrical annular section 26 defining a through hole 15. The cylindrical annular section 26 is constructed as an integral part of structural element 11 and extends coaxially with the longitudinal central axis 7 of connector housing 25 away from the side 17 of structural element 11 opposite to the bottom 4 of housing. Here, the cylindrical annular section 26 forms the bottom 8 of receiving groove 6. (This is in contrast to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 Compared to the previous implementation scheme, the cylindrical annular section 26 extends the through hole 15 of the structural element 11 along the axial direction of the longitudinal central axis 7.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the annular tab 12 is constructed as an integral part of the connector housing 1. Here, the annular tab 12 forms a second side surface 10 for forming the receiving groove 6. Simultaneously, in this embodiment, a section of the second side surface 10 forms a stop surface 27. The stop surface 27 extends radially or laterally relative to the longitudinal central axis 7, corresponding to the second side surface 10. In the assembled state shown herein, the stop surface 27 abuts against the end face 28 of the cylindrical annular section 26. Thus, the insertion movement of the connector housing 1 into or partially through the through hole 15 is restricted by the stop surface 27 at the end face 28.

[0044] Figure 4 A sectional perspective side view of the fourth connector housing 29 according to the invention is shown. The same features are labeled with the same reference numerals. In this regard, to avoid repetition, reference may also be made to the foregoing description. Figures 1 to 3 Unlike other implementations, the connector housing 29 and structural element 11 are integrally constructed according to this embodiment. Thus, the connector housing 29 is implemented as an integrated component of the structural element 11 itself. In this example, the structural element 11 and the connector housing 29 constitute a flange connector.

[0045] In addition, with Figure 1 Consistent with the implementation scheme, the connector housing 29 is constructed in the receiving groove 6 by means of an annular element 13 designed as a ring and / or annular disk, wherein the annular element 13 is fixed within the locking groove 14. In this regard, reference may also be made to... Figure 1 Explanation.

[0046] Figure 5 A sectional perspective side view of another connector housing 30 according to the invention is shown. The same features are labeled with the same reference numerals. In this regard, to avoid repetition, reference may also be made to the foregoing description. Figure 4 Similar to the implementation scheme, the connector housing 30 and structural element 11 are integrally constructed according to this embodiment.

[0047] In addition, the construction of the connector housing 30 in relation to the annular element 12 is based on... Figure 2 The design scheme is consistent with that of the ring element 12, which is an L-shaped ring with a first leg 23 and a second leg 24. In this regard, reference can also be made to... Figure 2 Explanation.

[0048] Figure Labels

[0049] 1. Connector housing

[0050] 2 Housing recess

[0051] 3. Shell opening

[0052] 4. Bottom of the casing

[0053] 5. Outer side

[0054] 6. Receiving tank

[0055] 7. Longitudinal center axis

[0056] 8. Bottom of the tank

[0057] 9 First side view

[0058] 10 Second side view

[0059] 11 Structural Components

[0060] 12 stitching

[0061] 13 Ring elements

[0062] 14 Locking slots

[0063] 15 Through Holes

[0064] 16 Stop Section

[0065] 17. Side of structural element

[0066] 18-ring section

[0067] 19. Side of structural element

[0068] 20. Rolled edge

[0069] 21 Connector housing

[0070] 22 Ring element

[0071] 23 First leg

[0072] 24 Second leg

[0073] 25 Connector housing

[0074] 26. Cylindrical annular section

[0075] 27 Stop surface

[0076] 28 end face

[0077] 29 Connector housing

[0078] 30 Connector Housing

Claims

1. A connector housing for a ball joint, the connector housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30) having an outer side (5), wherein, A U-shaped receiving groove (6) for accommodating the edge section of the sealing bellows is constructed on the outer side (5) of the connector housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30), and the receiving groove (6) has a groove bottom (8), a first side (9) and a second side (10), wherein the two sides (9, 10) facing each other are spaced apart by the groove bottom (8), and the first side (9) is provided as a section of the structural element (11), characterized in that the second side (10) is provided by an annular tab (12) extending away from the outer side (5) of the connector housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30).

2. The connector housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The annular tab (12) is constructed as an integral part of the connector housing (29, 30), and the maximum outer diameter of the connector housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30) is determined in particular by the annular tab (12).

3. The connector housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The annular tab (12) is formed by annular elements (13, 22), wherein the annular elements (13, 22) are provided as components independent of the connector housing (1, 21, 29, 30), and the annular elements (13, 22) are arranged and / or fixed on the outer side (5) of the connector housing (1, 21, 29, 30) to form the receiving groove (6).

4. The connector housing according to claim 3, characterized in that, The annular element (13) is constructed as a ring and / or annular disk, and the annular element (13) is particularly shaped fit and / or force-transmittingly fixed in a locking groove (14) on the outer side (5) of the connector housing (1, 29), wherein the annular element (13) extends out of the locking groove (14) and extends beyond the outer side (5) of the connector housing (1, 29).

5. The connector housing according to claim 3, characterized in that, The annular element (22) is constructed as an L-shaped ring with a first leg (23) and a second leg (24). The first leg (23) forms the bottom (8) of the receiving groove (6), and the second leg (24) forms the second side (10). In particular, the side of the first leg (23) facing away from the bottom (8) is attached to the outer (5) section of the connector housing (21, 30). Preferably, the annular element (22) is fixed to the outer (5) section of the connector housing (21, 30) in a shape-fitting and / or force-transmitting manner.

6. The connector housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The joint housing (1, 21, 25) is constructed as a component independent of the structural element (11), or the joint housing (29, 30) is integrally constructed with the structural element (11), the structural element (11) being particularly constructed as a flange for forming a flange joint.

7. The connector housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The connector housing (1, 21, 25) is constructed as a component independent of the structural element (11), wherein the connector housing (1, 21, 25) is arranged with its closed housing bottom (4) facing forward in and / or pressed into the through hole (15) of the structural element (11), and the stop section (16) and / or stop surface (27) of the connector housing (1, 21, 25) abuts and / or abuts against the structural element (11) to restrict the insertion movement of the connector housing (1, 21, 25) into the through hole (15).

8. The connector housing according to claim 7, characterized in that, The connector housing (1, 21, 25) has an annular section (18) for fixing the connector housing (1, 21, 25) in the through hole (15), wherein the annular section (18) of the connector housing (1, 21, 25) is rolled to cooperate with the shape of the side (17) of the structural element (11) away from the stop section (16), and the annular section (18) is rolled radially from the inside to the outside, in particular relative to the longitudinal central axis (7) of the connector housing (1, 21, 25).

9. The connector housing according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The structural element (11) has a cylindrical annular section (26) defining the through hole (15), wherein the cylindrical annular section (26) extends coaxially with the longitudinal central axis (7) of the connector housing (25) away from the side (17) of the structural element (11) away from the bottom (4) of the housing, and the cylindrical annular section (26) constitutes and / or forms the bottom (8) of the receiving groove (6).

10. A ball joint having a joint housing (1, 21, 25, 29, 30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The edge section of the sealing bellows is arranged in the receiving groove (6), and the edge section of the sealing bellows is fixed and / or held in the receiving groove (6) by a clamping ring that is independent and / or constructed as a separate component.

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