Ball head connecting structure and height sensor

Abstract

The utility model provides a ball head connection structure and a height sensor, and the structure comprises a ball head bolt which comprises a bolt rod and a ball head part. The elastic clamping groove structure comprises a side wall extending in the installation direction and an elastic limiting feature piece located at the tail end of the side wall. A first clamping groove and a second clamping groove which are arranged in the installation direction and communicate with each other are formed in the elastic clamping groove structure. The opening of the first clamping groove is larger than that of the second clamping groove; the second clamping groove is matched with the ball head part; after the ball head bolt and the elastic clamping groove structure are installed, the ball head part is movably connected with the inner side wall of the second clamping groove; and the elastic limiting characteristic piece is propped against the ball stud. According to the technical scheme, firm connection between the ball stud and the elastic clamping groove structure and flexible rotation of the ball stud are achieved, meanwhile, the elastic limiting feature piece is designed, and connection between the ball stud and the elastic clamping groove structure is further reinforced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of automotive sensors, in particular to a ball head connection structure and a height sensor. Background Art

[0002] The existing height sensors adopt a relatively complex connection structure, usually requiring additional connection parts of the ball head to be connected with the swing arm. This kind of ball head structure has the following problems: First, the structure is complex, increasing the assembly difficulty; Second, the connection method between this kind of ball head and the swing arm may become loose after long-term use; Third, the rotation of the ball head is not flexible and is prone to jamming, thus affecting the accuracy and reliability of the sensor.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a ball head connection structure and a height sensor to improve the assembly between the swing arm and the ball head, enhance the connection stability and flexibility of the product, and at the same time avoid the problem that the detection accuracy of the height sensor decreases due to connection jamming. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] In order to overcome the above technical defects, the utility model provides a ball head connection structure and a height sensor. Two-stage snap components of a first slot and a second slot are designed in an elastic slot structure. After installation, the ball head part is snapped into the second slot, realizing the firm connection between the ball head bolt and the elastic slot structure and the flexible rotation of the ball head bolt. At the same time, an elastic limit feature is also designed to further strengthen the connection between the two.

[0005] The utility model discloses a ball head connection structure, including a ball head bolt and an elastic slot structure that are mutually adapted;

[0006] The ball head bolt includes a bolt rod and a ball head part;

[0007] The elastic slot structure includes a side wall extending along the installation direction and an elastic limit feature at the end of the side wall; a first slot and a second slot that are arranged and communicated along the installation direction are provided in the elastic slot structure; the opening of the first slot is larger than the opening of the second slot; the second slot is adapted to the ball head part;

[0008] After the ball head bolt and the elastic slot structure are installed, the ball head part is movably connected to the inner side wall of the second slot; the elastic limit feature abuts against the ball head bolt.

[0009] Optionally, there is at least a grease layer between the second slot and the ball head part.

[0010] Optionally, the elastic limit feature and the side wall of the elastic slot structure are integrally formed.

[0011] Optionally, the elastic limiting feature is an elastic tongue. When the elastic tongue abuts against the spherical head,

[0012] the first card slot is used to accommodate the deformed elastic tongue.

[0013] Optionally, after installation, the elastic tongue abuts against the spherical head or the connection between the spherical head and the bolt rod.

[0014] Optionally, the cross-section of the elastic card slot structure encloses a square and a semicircle, and are arranged in sequence along the installation direction to respectively form the cross-section of the first card slot and the cross-section of the second card slot.

[0015] The present utility model also discloses a height sensor, which includes a connecting rod, a swing arm movably connected to one end of the connecting rod, a connecting rod bracket movably connected to the other end of the connecting member, and a height sensing component. The height sensor component is snap-connected to the swing arm, and further includes: the ball head connection structure according to any one of the foregoing embodiments of the present utility model. The ball head connection structure includes: a first ball head connection structure and a second ball head connection structure;

[0016] One end of the connecting rod is connected to the swing arm through the first ball head connection structure; the other end of the connecting rod is connected to the connecting rod bracket through the second ball head connection structure.

[0017] Optionally, the first ball head connection structure includes: a first elastic card slot structure provided at one end of the connecting rod, and a first ball head bolt provided at one end of the swing arm; after installation, one end of the connecting rod is movably connected to the swing arm through the first ball head connection structure;

[0018] The second ball head connection structure includes a second elastic card slot structure provided at the other end of the connecting rod, and a second ball head bolt connected to the connecting rod bracket; after installation, the other end of the connecting rod is movably connected to the connecting rod bracket through the second ball head structure.

[0019] After adopting the above technical solutions, compared with the prior art, the following beneficial effects are achieved:

[0020] 1. By selecting the elastic card slot structure, and designing two-stage snap components, namely the first card slot and the second card slot, and the elastic limiting feature in the elastic card slot structure, separate connecting components are omitted. At the same time, this structure also ensures firm snap connection without loosening and flexible and free rotation without jamming.

[0021] 2. The grease layer can reduce the noise during rotation, and further ensure the flexibility of rotation. Description of the Drawings

[0022] Figure 1Schematic cross-sectional view of the ball joint structure during the assembly process according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 Enlarged cross-sectional view of the ball joint structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 Schematic cross-sectional view of the ball joint structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 4 Schematic structural view of the height sensor according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Reference numerals:

[0027] 1 - connecting rod;

[0028] 2 - swing arm;

[0029] 3 - connecting rod bracket;

[0030] 4 - ball joint structure;

[0031] 401 - ball head bolt;

[0032] 4011 - ball head part;

[0033] 4012 - bolt rod;

[0034] 402 - elastic card slot structure;

[0035] 4021 - side wall;

[0036] 4022 - first card slot;

[0037] 4023 - second card slot;

[0038] 4024 - elastic limiting feature part;

[0039] 41 - first ball joint structure;

[0040] 411 - first elastic card slot structure;

[0041] 42 - second ball joint structure;

[0042] 421 - second elastic card slot structure;

[0043] 422 - second ball head bolt; Detailed implementation manners

[0044] The advantages of the present utility model will be further elaborated below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0045] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, and examples thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. On the contrary, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0046] The terms used in the present disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The singular forms "a", "the", and "said" used in the present disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0047] In the description of the present utility model, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "inner", "outer", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present utility model.

[0048] In the description of the present utility model, unless otherwise specified and defined, it should be noted that the terms "installed", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection, or it may be the communication inside two elements. It may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0049] In the subsequent description, the suffixes such as "module", "component", or "unit" used to represent elements are only for the convenience of describing the present utility model, and they do not have a specific meaning in themselves. Therefore, "module" and "component" can be used interchangeably.

[0050] One aspect of the present utility model provides a ball head connection structure. Refer to Figure 1 , which shows a schematic structural diagram of a ball head connection structure conforming to the present utility model. The ball head connection structure 4 includes: a ball head bolt 401 and an elastic card slot structure 402 that are mutually adapted;

[0051] The ball head bolt 401 includes a bolt rod 4012 and a ball head portion 4011.

[0052] The elastic card slot structure 402 includes a side wall 4021 extending along the installation direction and an elastic limit feature 4024 located at the end of the side wall 4021; a first card slot 4022 and a second card slot 4023 are arranged and communicated along the installation direction in the elastic card slot structure 402; the opening of the first card slot 4022 is larger than the opening of the second slot; the second card slot 4023 is adapted to the ball head 4011. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the elastic card slot structure 402 encloses a square and a semicircle, which are arranged in sequence along the installation direction to form the cross-section of the first card slot 4022 and the cross-section of the second card slot 4023 respectively; that is, in a preferred example: the first card slot 4022 is a cylindrical cavity structure, and the second card slot 4023 is an approximate spherical or hemispherical cavity structure. After the ball head bolt 401 and the elastic card slot structure 402 are installed, the ball head 4011 is movably connected to the inner side wall 4021 of the second card slot 4023; the elastic limit feature 4024 abuts against the ball head bolt 401. This solution realizes firm clamping and is not easy to loosen, and flexible and free rotation without jamming. Preferably, the top end of the ball head 4011 can be set as a plane, so that after installation, there is a gap between the ball head 4011 and the elastic card slot structure 402, which can improve the rotation flexibility. Preferably, a grease layer is provided at least between the second card slot 4023 and the ball head 4011 to play a lubricating role, thereby further improving the rotation flexibility of the ball head 4011; at the same time, it also reduces the noise generated by rotational friction.

[0053] In a further solution, the opening width at the connection between the first card slot 4022 and the second card slot 4023 is related to and adapted to the size of the ball head 4011 at the connection after installation. In this way, the ball head 4011 can rotate flexibly in the second card slot 4023 while ensuring firm connection and no loosening.

[0054] Optionally, the elastic limit feature 4024 and the side wall 4021 of the elastic card slot structure 402 are integrated. Further optionally, the elastic limit feature 4024 is an elastic tongue. When the elastic tongue abuts against the ball head 4011, the first card slot 4022 is used to accommodate the deformed elastic tongue. Optionally, after installation, the elastic tongue abuts against the bolt rod 4012. Preferably, after installation, the elastic tongue abuts against the ball head 4011, or the connection between the ball head 4011 and the bolt rod 4012; at this time, compared with the elastic tongue abutting against the bolt rod 4012, with the elasticity of the elastic limit feature 4024 unchanged, the fixing effect of the elastic limit feature 4024 on the ball head 4011 is better. Specifically, the elastic card slot structure 402 is made of an elastic white plastic material.

[0055] Refer toFigures 1 - 3 During installation, a certain force is applied. Taking advantage of the characteristic that the elastic card slot structure 402 made of white plastic is prone to deformation under force, the ball head 4011 is pressed into the elastic card slot structure 402. The ball head 4011 successively overcomes the elastic force of the elastic limit feature 4024 and the elastic force of the abutting part, and gradually snaps into the second card slot 4023. When the ball head 4011 is pressed into position I, the elastic limit feature 4024 on the side wall 4021 of the elastic card slot structure 402 is pressed and deformed inward, and the ball head 4011 snaps into the first card slot 4022; when pressure is continuously applied and the ball head 4011 reaches position II, the abutting part at the junction between the first card slot 4022 and the second card slot 4023 in the elastic card slot structure 402 is pressed and deformed so that the ball head can continue to snap in; finally, when the ball head 4011 snaps into position III, the ball head bolt 401 and the elastic card slot structure 402 are installed. After the ball head 4011 is snapped in place, the elastic limit feature 4024 and the abutting part of the elastic card slot structure 402 return to their original shapes. At the same time, the elastic limit feature 4024 extends into the first card slot 4022 and abuts against the ball head 4011. Thus, the ball head 4011 is not easily disengaged from the elastic card slot structure 402, ensuring a firm connection between the two. At this time, the ball head 4011 is movably connected to the inner side wall 4021 of the second card slot 4023. The grease layer applied to the inner side wall 4021 of the second card slot 4023 or the outer wall of the ball head 4011 further ensures that the ball head 4011 rotates flexibly and freely in the second card slot 4023 without jamming, and at the same time can also reduce noise.

[0056] In summary, compared with the traditional ball head connection structure which has complex structure, is prone to looseness and inflexible rotation, etc., the present utility model ingeniously designs the communicating first card slot and second card slot, as well as the elastic limit feature on the elastic card slot structure. While eliminating the need for separate connecting components, it also ensures firm snapping and not easy to loosen, and flexible and free rotation without jamming. At the same time, based on the structural design of this elastic card slot structure, a grease layer can also be applied therein to reduce the noise during rotation.

[0057] Refer to Figure 4 In addition, the present utility model also discloses a height sensor, which includes a connecting rod 1, a swing arm 2 movably connected to one end of the connecting rod 1, a connecting rod bracket 3 movably connected to the other end of the connecting member, and a height sensing component. The height sensor component is snap-connected to the swing arm 2, and further includes: the ball head connection structure 4 according to any one of the foregoing embodiments of the present utility model. The ball head connection structure 4 includes: a first ball head connection structure 41 and a second ball head connection structure 42; one end of the connecting rod 1 is connected to the swing arm 2 through the first ball head connection structure 41; the other end of the connecting rod 1 is connected to the connecting rod bracket 3 through the second ball head connection structure 42.

[0058] Optionally, the first ball head connection structure 41 includes: a first elastic card slot structure 411 provided at one end of the connecting rod 1, and a first ball head bolt 401 provided at one end of the swing arm 2; after installation, one end of the connecting rod 1 is movably connected to the swing arm 2 through the first ball head connection structure 41; the second ball head connection structure 42 includes a second elastic card slot structure 421 provided at the other end of the connecting rod 1, and a second ball head bolt 422 connected to the connecting rod bracket 3; after installation, the other end of the connecting rod 1 is movably connected to the connecting rod bracket 3 through the second ball head structure. Specifically, the connecting rod 1 is press-fitted between the first elastic card slot structure 411 and the second elastic card slot structure 421 at both ends.

[0059] A height sensor provided by the present invention greatly improves the connection firmness of the ball head connection structure in the height sensor and the rotational flexibility of the ball head part, and also avoids the problem that the detection accuracy of the height sensor is reduced due to rotational jamming.

[0060] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present utility model have good implementability and are not any form of limitation to the present utility model. Any person skilled in the art may use the technical content disclosed above to modify or modify it into an equivalent effective embodiment. However, as long as it does not depart from the technical content of the technical solution of the present utility model, any modification, equivalent change or modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present utility model still falls within the scope of the technical solution of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A ball head connection structure, comprising a ball head bolt and an elastic card slot structure that are adapted to each other; characterized in that, The ball head bolt includes a bolt rod and a ball head portion; The elastic card slot structure includes a side wall extending along the installation direction and an elastic limiting feature at the end of the side wall; a first card slot and a second card slot which are arranged and communicated along the installation direction are provided in the elastic card slot structure; an opening of the first card slot is larger than an opening of the second card slot; The second card slot is adapted to the ball head portion; After the ball head bolt and the elastic card slot structure are installed, the ball head portion is movably connected to an inner side wall of the second card slot; the elastic limiting feature abuts against the ball head bolt.

2. The ball head connection structure according to claim 1, wherein a grease layer is at least located between the second card slot and the ball head portion.

3. The ball head connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the elastic limiting feature and a side wall of the elastic card slot structure are integral.

4. The ball head connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the elastic limiting feature is an elastic tongue, and when the elastic tongue abuts against the ball head bolt, the first card slot is used for accommodating the deformed elastic tongue.

5. The ball head connection structure according to claim 4, wherein after installation, the elastic tongue abuts against the ball head portion or a connection portion between the ball head portion and the bolt rod.

6. The ball head connection structure according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the elastic card slot structure encloses a square and a semicircle, and are arranged in sequence along the installation direction to respectively form a cross section of the first card slot and a cross section of the second card slot.

7. An altitude sensor, comprising a connecting rod, a swing arm movably connected to one end of the connecting rod, a connecting rod bracket movably connected to the other end of a connecting member, and an altitude sensing component, wherein the altitude sensing component is snap-connected to the swing arm, and is characterized in that it further includes: the ball head connection structure according to any one of claims 1-6, and the ball head connection structure includes: a first ball head connection structure and a second ball head connection structure; one end of the connecting rod is connected to the swing arm through the first ball head connection structure; the other end of the connecting rod is connected to the connecting rod bracket through the second ball head connection structure.

8. The altitude sensor according to claim 7, wherein the first ball head connection structure includes: a first elastic card slot structure provided at one end of the connecting rod, and a first ball head bolt provided at one end of the swing arm; after installation, one end of the connecting rod is movably connected to the swing arm through the first ball head connection structure; the second ball head connection structure includes a second elastic card slot structure provided at the other end of the connecting rod, and a second ball head bolt connected to the connecting rod bracket; after installation, the other end of the connecting rod is movably connected to the connecting rod bracket through the second ball head connection structure.

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