Ball bowl and steering ball pin assembly

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of automobile parts, in particular to a ball bowl and a steering ball pin assembly, the ball bowl comprises a bowl body, the bowl body is provided with a containing cavity used for containing a ball head, the containing cavity is provided with an opening, the side wall of the bowl body is provided with sectioning grooves in the circumferential direction of the opening, and the sectioning grooves are communicated with the opening. And the sectioning groove extends from the opening to the other end of the bowl body. According to the technical scheme, the split groove is formed in the opening of the bowl body, the split groove can absorb expansion and extension of materials when the materials are heated, the stability of a fit clearance between the ball pin and the ball bowl can be guaranteed after assembly, and therefore a good steering function is kept, and insertion is more convenient when the ball pin and the ball bowl are assembled. The steering ball pin assembly comprises the ball bowl, so that the stability of the fit clearance between the ball pin and the ball bowl can be ensured, a better steering function is kept, and the steering ball pin assembly is easier to assemble.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of automobile parts, more particularly to a ball bowl and a steering ball pin assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] The steering gear assembly is an important part of the automobile for steering according to the intention of the driver, and the steering ball pin assembly is a pivotal part connecting the steering gear assembly and the wheel assembly. The steering ball pin assembly is an important way to transmit the steering torque, and the installation of the steering ball pin assembly must have a certain swing angle to meet the requirements of wheel jumping and steering. Figure 11 As shown in the figure, the steering ball pin assembly usually includes a ball pin 200, a ball bowl 100, a ball seat 300 and a pressing plate 400, the ball bowl 100 is installed in the ball seat 300, the pressing plate 400 is connected to the bottom of the ball seat 300 and abuts against the ball bowl 100, the ball head 210 of the ball pin 200 is installed in the ball bowl 100, and the ball head 210 can be deflected in the ball bowl 100.

[0003] The cooperation structure and gap requirement of the above-mentioned parts are extremely important, and the existing ball bowl may have a large cooperation interference between the ball pin after assembly, which affects the steering function. UTILITY MODEL CONTENTS

[0004] To overcome the problem that the cooperation interference between the ball pin and the ball bowl after assembly affects the steering function in the prior art, the first aspect of the utility model provides a ball bowl, so that the ball bowl and the ball pin have good steering function after assembly, and are easier to assemble.

[0005] The second aspect of the utility model provides a steering ball pin assembly.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the utility model adopts the technical scheme of a ball bowl, which comprises a bowl body, the bowl body has a cavity for accommodating a ball head, the cavity is provided with an opening, a split groove is formed on the side wall of the bowl body along the circumference of the opening, and the split groove extends from the opening to the other end of the bowl body.

[0007] In the technical scheme of the utility model, the split groove is arranged at the opening of the bowl body, which can absorb the material expansion and extension when heated, and can ensure the stability of the cooperation gap between the ball pin and the ball bowl after assembly, so as to maintain good steering function and facilitate the insertion of the ball pin and the ball bowl during assembly.

[0008] Further, the split grooves are uniformly distributed along the circumference of the opening.

[0009] In the scheme, the plurality of split grooves evenly distributed in the circumferential direction can better absorb the material expansion when heated, thereby improving the stability of the fitting gap between the ball pin and the ball bowl, and facilitating the assembly between the ball pin and the ball bowl.

[0010] Further, the depth of the split groove is 1 / 2 to 4 / 5 of the height of the side wall of the bowl body.

[0011] In the scheme, by setting a reasonable height of the split groove, the stability of the fitting gap between the ball pin and the ball bowl is improved.

[0012] Further, an oil storage groove is formed on the inner side wall of the bowl body.

[0013] In the scheme, the oil storage groove can be used to store lubricating oil, so as to ensure that the ball bowl and the ball pin have good steering function after assembly.

[0014] Further, the oil storage groove comprises a first groove body, a second groove body and a third groove body, the first groove body is formed in the middle of the bottom of the inner side wall of the bowl body, the second groove body extends from the first groove body to the periphery, the third groove body is annularly formed along the inner side wall of the bowl body, and the end of the second groove body is in communication with the third groove body.

[0015] In the scheme, by setting the first groove body, the second groove body and the third groove body which are sequentially communicated in different directions, the lubricating oil is distributed in the cavity of the bowl body, so as to have a better lubricating effect.

[0016] Further, an edge pressing part for abutting against the ball seat and the pressing plate is arranged on the outer side of the end of the bowl body away from the opening.

[0017] In the scheme, the edge pressing part can position the ball bowl after installation, so as to ensure the installation precision and the sealing property.

[0018] The utility model also provides a steering ball pin assembly, including any one kind of ball bowl of first aspect, still include ball pin, ball seat and pressing plate, the ball seat has the installation channel which passes through along the first direction, the ball bowl is matched and is connected in the installation channel, the opening of the ball bowl is towards the first direction, the pressing plate is closed and is connected in the end of installation channel from the end away from the opening and with the ball bowl abuts, the ball pin has the ball head, the ball head is matched and is connected in the cavity of the ball bowl.

[0019] In the scheme, since the ball bowl provided in the first aspect of the utility model is adopted, the stability of the fitting gap between the ball pin and the ball bowl can be ensured, so as to maintain good steering function, and the assembly is easier.

[0020] Further, the mounting channel of the ball seat is provided with a limiting groove, the limiting groove has a first abutting portion and a second abutting portion, the pressing edge portion of the ball cup abuts against the first abutting portion, and the circumferential edge of the pressing plate abuts against the second abutting portion and presses the pressing edge portion.

[0021] In the scheme, the pressing edge portion is pressed in the limiting groove by the pressing plate, the installation precision is high, the stable matching relationship between the ball pin and the ball cup can be maintained, and the sealing performance is good.

[0022] Further, the second abutting portion is located away from the center axis of the mounting channel relative to the first abutting portion.

[0023] In the scheme, the length of the first abutting portion in the radial direction is smaller than that of the second abutting portion, that is, a two-stage limiting step is formed in the limiting groove, and the sealing performance of the connection is improved.

[0024] Further, the end face edge of the pressing plate abuts against the ball cup, and the end face middle portion of the pressing plate has a compensation gap relative to the ball cup.

[0025] In the scheme, the compensation gap is arranged, so that the impact elastic deformation can be compensated when the ball pin is subjected to an axial impact force, and the fatigue damage and impact noise of the steering ball pin assembly are reduced.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the ball cup has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] First, the ball cup is provided with a split groove at the opening of the bowl body, the split groove can absorb the material expansion and extension when heated, the stability of the matching gap between the ball pin and the ball cup can be ensured after assembly, the steering function is good, and the ball pin is more convenient to insert during assembly.

[0028] Second, the ball cup is provided with an oil storage groove on the inner side wall of the bowl body, which can be used for storing lubricating oil, so that the ball cup and the ball pin have good steering function after assembly.

[0029] Third, the ball cup is provided with a pressing edge portion, which can position the ball cup after installation, so as to ensure the installation precision and the sealing performance.

[0030] Fourth, the steering ball pin assembly is provided with a limiting groove in the ball seat, the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion of the limiting groove form a two-stage limiting step, the sealing performance of the connection between the ball seat, the ball cup and the pressing edge portion is improved, and the possibility of lubricating oil leakage is reduced.

[0031] Five, the utility model discloses a steering ball pin assembly, through setting up compensation gap between pressing plate and ball bowl, when ball pin is subjected to axial impact force, can compensate the impact elastic deformation, reduce the fatigue damage and impact abnormal sound of steering ball pin assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 It is the structural diagram of ball bowl of the utility model;

[0033] Figure 2 It is the structural diagram of bottom perspective of ball bowl of the utility model;

[0034] Figure 3 It is the structural diagram of overhead perspective of ball bowl of the utility model;

[0035] Figure 4 It is Figure 3 A-A sectional view of ball bowl of the utility model and containing pressing plate;

[0036] Figure 5 It is Figure 3 B-B sectional view of ball bowl of the utility model and containing pressing plate;

[0037] Figure 6 It is the explosion drawing of steering ball pin assembly of the utility model;

[0038] Figure 7 It is the partial sectional view of steering ball pin assembly along the axial section of ball pin;

[0039] Figure 8 It is Figure 7 The enlarged view of C;

[0040] Figure 9 It is the partial sectional view of ball seat;

[0041] Figure 10 It is the structural diagram of pressing plate;

[0042] Figure 11 It is the explosion drawing of the existing steering ball pin assembly;

[0043] Figure 12 It is the partial sectional view of the existing steering ball pin assembly along the axial section of ball pin.

[0044] In the drawings: 1, bowl body; 11, cavity; 12, opening; 13, split groove; 14, oil storage groove; 141, first groove body; 142, second groove body; 143, third groove body; 15, pressing edge part; 16, reinforcing rib; 100, ball bowl; 200, ball pin; 210, ball head; 300, ball seat; 310, installation channel; 320, limiting groove; 321, first abutment part; 322, second abutment part; 330, limiting shoulder; 400, pressing plate; 410, sunken platform; L, compensation gap. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The accompanying drawings are only intended to illustrate the present application and should not be construed as limiting the present application; some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged or reduced for better illustrating the present application, and the size of the actual product is not represented; it is understandable for those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions in the drawings may be omitted. The positional relationship described in the drawings is only intended to illustrate the present application and should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0046] In the drawings of the present application, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components; in the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "long" and "short" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, therefore the terms describing the positional relationship in the drawings are only intended to illustrate the present application and should not be construed as limiting the present application, and for those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0047] The technical scheme of the present application will be further described in detail below with specific embodiments and in conjunction with the drawings:

[0048] Embodiment 1

[0049] Reference Figures 1 to 5 The present embodiment discloses a ball bowl 100, which comprises a bowl body 1, the bowl body 1 has a cavity 11 for accommodating a ball head, the cavity 11 is provided with an opening 12, a split groove 13 is arranged on the side wall of the bowl body 1 along the circumference of the opening 12, and the split groove 13 extends from the opening 12 to the other end of the bowl body 1.

[0050] In the present embodiment, in combination with Figure 6 By arranging the split groove 13 at the opening 12 of the bowl body 1, the split groove 13 can absorb the material expansion when heated, and can ensure the stability of the assembly gap between the ball pin 200 and the ball bowl 100 after assembly, so as to maintain good steering function, and the ball pin 200 is more convenient to insert when assembling with the ball bowl 100. The bowl body 1 can be made of POM (polyoxymethylene resin) material, which has the advantages of good wear resistance and small thermal expansion coefficient. The split groove 13 can be arranged along the radial direction through the side wall of the bowl body 1.

[0051] As shown in Figure 11 , it is an exploded view of the existing steering ball pin assembly, Figure 11 , it is Figure 12 , it is Figure 11Partially sectional view along the axial section of the ball pin 200. Through the inventor's research, it is found that because the existing ball cup 100 is a solid structure, and part of the ball cup 100 is made of nylon material, the thermal expansion coefficient is large, and after thermal expansion, the interference amount with the ball pin 200 is increased, and the lubricating grease is unevenly distributed during operation, which may cause abnormal noise and a decrease in steering efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the structure of the ball cup 100.

[0052] With reference to Figures 1 to 3 , a plurality of split grooves 13 are provided, and each split groove 13 is uniformly distributed along the circumference of the opening 12. Uniformly distributing a plurality of split grooves 13 along the circumference can better absorb the material expansion when heated, thereby improving the stability of the fitting gap between the ball pin 200 and the ball cup 100, and facilitating the assembly between the ball pin 200 and the ball cup 100. For example, in the present embodiment, the number of split grooves 13 is six, and in other embodiments, the number of split grooves 13 can be adjusted adaptively.

[0053] With reference to Figure 4 , the depth of the split groove 13 is 1 / 2 to 4 / 5 of the height of the side wall of the bowl body 1. By setting a reasonable depth of the split groove 13, the stability of the fitting gap between the ball pin 200 and the ball cup 100 is improved. When the depth of the split groove 13 exceeds 1 / 2 of the height of the side wall of the bowl body 1, the depth of the split groove 13 exceeds the depth of the ball center of the ball head 210, which can reduce the difficulty of assembly.

[0054] With reference to Figure 1 , an oil storage groove 14 is provided on the inner side wall of the bowl body 1. By providing the oil storage groove 14, lubricating grease can be stored to ensure that the ball cup 100 and the ball pin 200 have good steering function after assembly.

[0055] The oil storage groove 14 can be distributed in different structural forms on the side wall of the bowl body 1. In the present embodiment, with reference to Figures 1 to 5 , the oil storage groove 14 includes a first groove body 141, a second groove body 142, and a third groove body 143, the first groove body 141 is provided in the middle of the bottom of the inner side wall of the bowl body 1, the second groove body 142 extends from the first groove body 141 to the periphery, the third groove body 143 is annularly provided along the circumference of the inner side wall of the bowl body 1, and the end of the second groove body 142 is in communication with the third groove body 143. By providing the first groove body 141, the second groove body 142, and the third groove body 143 which are sequentially communicated in different directions, the lubricating grease can be uniformly distributed in the cavity 11 of the bowl body 1, thereby achieving a good lubricating effect.

[0056] The first groove 141 is a substantially cylindrical groove, which can accommodate more lubricating grease at the bottom of the bowl body 1. Four second grooves 142 extend along the circumference of the first groove 141, which can spread and distribute the lubricating grease in all directions. The third groove 143 is annularly formed at the end of the second groove 142 along the circumference of the bowl body 1, and the third groove 143 communicates with the four second grooves 142. The first groove 141, the second groove 142 and the third groove 143 surround the ball head 210, which ensures that the ball bowl 100 and the ball pin 200 have good steering function after assembly.

[0057] With reference to Figure 1 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the outer side of the bowl body 1 away from the opening 12 is provided with a pressing edge 15 for abutting with the ball seat 300 and the pressing plate 400. The pressing edge 15 can position the ball bowl 100 after installation, which ensures the installation accuracy and sealing performance. In this embodiment, the pressing edge 15 is annularly distributed at the bottom edge of the bowl body 1.

[0058] With reference to Figure 2 , a plurality of reinforcing ribs 16 are arranged on the outer side of the bottom of the bowl body 1, and each reinforcing rib 16 extends radially from the outer side of the bottom of the first groove 141 to the pressing edge 15.

[0059] Embodiment 2

[0060] With reference to Figures 6 to 10 , the embodiment provides a steering ball pin assembly, which comprises the ball bowl 100 of embodiment 1, and further comprises a ball pin 200, a ball seat 300 and a pressing plate 400. The ball seat 300 has an installation passage 310 penetrating in a first direction, the ball bowl 100 is connected in the installation passage 310, the opening 12 of the ball bowl 100 faces the first direction, and the pressing plate 400 is connected to the end of the installation passage 310 away from the opening 12 and abuts with the ball bowl 100. The ball pin 200 has a ball head 210, which is connected in the cavity 11 of the ball bowl 100.

[0061] In this embodiment, since the ball bowl 100 disclosed in embodiment 1 is adopted, the stability of the fitting gap between the ball pin 200 and the ball bowl 100 can be ensured, so that the steering function is maintained and the assembly is easier.

[0062] With reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the installation passage 310 of the ball seat 300 is provided with a limiting groove 320, the limiting groove 320 has a first abutting portion 321 and a second abutting portion 322, the pressing edge 15 of the ball bowl 100 abuts with the first abutting portion 321, and the circumferential edge of the pressing plate 400 abuts with the second abutting portion 322 and presses the pressing edge 15.

[0063] In the embodiment, the edge pressing part 15 is pressed in the limiting groove 320 by the pressing plate 400, which has high installation precision and can maintain stable cooperation between the ball pin 200 and the ball cup 100. Meanwhile, the sealing performance is good, and the possibility of lubricating grease leakage is reduced.

[0064] Reference Figure 8 、 Figure 9 The second abutting part 322 is located away from the central axis of the installation channel 310 relative to the first abutting part 321. Since the second abutting part 322 extends radially further away from the central axis of the installation channel 310 than the first abutting part 321, the first abutting part 321 and the second abutting part 322 form a two-stage limiting step in the limiting groove 320, and the pressing plate 400 can completely cover the edge pressing part 15 from bottom to top, thereby improving the sealing performance of the connection.

[0065] In the direction shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the first abutting part 321 is located on the upper side in the limiting groove 320, and the second abutting part 322 is located on the lower side. The semi-enclosed space formed by the first abutting part 321 matches the edge pressing part 15, and the semi-enclosed space formed by the second abutting part 322 matches the circumferential edge of the pressing plate 400. When the edge pressing part 15 and the pressing plate 400 are assembled with the ball seat 300, the limiting shoulder 330 at the bottom of the ball seat 300 is in an outwardly open state. At this time, the ball cup 100 is first placed into the installation channel 310 from the bottom of the ball seat 300, and the upper end surface of the edge pressing part 15 abuts against the first abutting part 321. Then, the pressing plate 400 is placed into the bottom, and the upper end surface of the pressing plate abuts against the lower end surface of the edge pressing part 15 and the second abutting part 322, so as to press the ball cup 100 into assembly. Finally, the limiting shoulder 330 at the bottom of the ball seat 300 is folded towards the middle, so that the limiting shoulder 330 abuts against the lower end surface of the pressing plate 400. After assembly, the sealing performance is good, and the leakage of lubricating grease from the installation gap of the pressing plate 400 is reduced.

[0066] As shown in Figure 11 and Figure 12 , Figure 11 is an exploded view of an existing steering ball pin assembly, Figure 12 is Figure 11 a partial cross-sectional view along the axial direction of the ball pin 200. It is found through research by the inventor that, due to insufficient axial limiting of the pressing plate 400 and the ball seat 300, the installation precision of the ball cup 100 is easily affected, which leads to over-tightening or insufficient pressing force of the ball cup 100. The former will squeeze the ball pin 200 and the ball cup 100, causing cooperation jamming, increasing the starting torque, and reducing the efficiency. The latter will cause insufficient sealing performance, and long-term operation will cause grease to squeeze out and leak from the gap, causing abnormal noise.

[0067] The steering ball pin assembly of the embodiment forms the first abutting part 321 and the second abutting part 322 through the limiting groove 320, is used for assembling the ball cup 100 and the pressing plate 400, and is high in installation precision and good in sealing performance.

[0068] Reference Figure 8 The thickness and the length in the radial direction of the pressing edge part 15 are all less than the corresponding sizes of the pressing plate 400, the size of the pressing edge part 15 is designed to be small in the embodiment, the assembly error caused by extrusion deformation of the pressing edge part 15 after installation can be reduced, and the installation precision is improved.

[0069] Embodiment 3

[0070] Reference Figures 6 to 10 The steering ball pin assembly of the embodiment is similar to that of embodiment 2, and the difference lies in that the end face edge of the pressing plate 400 abuts against the ball cup 100, and the middle part of the end face of the pressing plate 400 has the compensation gap L with the ball cup 100. By setting the compensation gap L, the elastic deformation of the impact can be compensated when the ball pin 200 is subjected to the axial impact force, and the fatigue damage and the impact abnormal sound of the steering ball pin assembly are reduced.

[0071] As shown in Figure 11 , Figure 11 is an exploded view of an existing steering ball pin assembly, Figure 12 is Figure 11 a partial sectional view along the axial section of the ball pin 200. It is also found by the inventor that the ball pin 200 is prone to damage and abnormal sound when subjected to the axial impact.

[0072] In the embodiment, referring to Figure 7 and Figure 10 , the middle part of the pressing plate 400 forms the sunken table 410 which is concave downward, and the upper end face of the sunken table 410 and the lower end face of the ball cup 100 form the compensation gap L after the pressing plate 400 is assembled with the ball cup 100 and the ball seat 300. Compared with the existing steering ball pin assembly which is completely fitted between the ball cup 100 and the pressing plate 400, the steering ball pin assembly of the embodiment has the compensation gap L, the elastic deformation of the impact can be compensated, and thus the fatigue damage and the impact abnormal sound of the steering ball pin assembly are reduced.

[0073] Obviously, the above embodiments of the utility model are only examples for clearly illustrating the utility model, and are not the limitation on the embodiments of the utility model. For ordinary skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or changes can be made on the basis of the above description. Here, it is not necessary and impossible to exhaust all the embodiments. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the utility model should be included in the protection scope of the utility model claim.

Claims

1. A ball bowl, comprising a bowl body (1), said bowl body (1) having a cavity (11) for receiving a ball head (210), said cavity (11) having an opening (12), characterized in that: A segmented groove (13) is provided on the side wall of the bowl (1) along the circumference of the opening (12), and the segmented groove (13) extends from the opening (12) toward the other end of the bowl (1).

2. The spherical bowl according to claim 1, characterized in that: The segmented groove (13) is provided in multiple ways, and each segmented groove (13) is evenly distributed along the circumference of the opening (12).

3. The spherical bowl according to claim 1, characterized in that: The depth of the segmented groove (13) is 1 / 2 to 4 / 5 of the height of the side wall of the bowl (1).

4. The ball bowl according to claim 1, characterized in that: An oil storage tank (14) is provided on the inner wall of the bowl (1).

5. The spherical bowl according to claim 4, characterized in that: The oil storage tank (14) includes a first tank (141), a second tank (142) and a third tank (143). The first tank (141) is located at the bottom center of the inner wall of the bowl (1). The second tank (142) extends outward from the first tank (141) and the third tank (143) is located in a ring around the inner wall of the bowl (1). The end of the second tank (142) is connected to the third tank (143).

6. The ball bowl according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: The outer side of the bowl (1) away from the opening (12) is provided with a pressing edge (15) for abutting against the ball seat (300) and the pressure plate (400).

7. A steering ball joint assembly, characterized in that: The ball cup (100) as described in any one of claims 1-6 further includes a ball pin (200), a ball seat (300), and a pressure plate (400), wherein the ball seat (300) has an installation channel (310) extending in a first direction, the ball cup (100) is mated and connected in the installation channel (310), the opening (12) of the ball cup (100) faces the first direction, the pressure plate (400) is closed and connected to the end of the installation channel (310) from the end away from the opening (12) and abuts against the ball cup (100), and the ball pin (200) has a ball head (210) mated and connected in the cavity (11) of the ball cup (100).

8. The steering ball joint assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The ball seat (300) has a limiting groove (320) in the mounting channel (310). The limiting groove (320) has a first abutting part (321) and a second abutting part (322). The pressing edge part (15) of the ball cup (100) abuts against the first abutting part (321). The circumferential edge of the pressure plate (400) abuts against the second abutting part (322) and presses the pressing edge part (15).

9. The steering ball pin assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second abutment (322) is located away from the central axis of the mounting channel (310) relative to the first abutment (321).

10. The steering ball pin assembly according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that: The end face edge of the pressure plate (400) abuts against the ball cup (100), and there is a compensating gap (L) between the middle of the end face of the pressure plate (400) and the ball cup (100).

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