Self-lubricating ball pin of automobile steering system
By designing placement and flow channels within the ball pin, the wear problem caused by insufficient lubrication is solved, achieving self-lubrication and sealing effects, extending the service life of the ball pin, and improving sealing performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing automotive steering ball pins are prone to wear when insufficient lubrication, leading to friction and impact noise, and are difficult to self-lubricate, affecting their service life.
A self-lubricating ball pin was designed. By setting a placement cavity and a guide cavity inside the ball seat, the lubricating oil is squeezed into the guide cavity by the elastic push plate and enters the spherical groove through the oil inlet to achieve the self-lubricating effect. At the same time, the sealing effect is enhanced by the sealing ring and the dust cover to prevent dust from entering.
It achieves self-lubrication of the ball pin, extends its service life, reduces maintenance frequency, and improves sealing performance, preventing dust from entering and affecting its use.
Smart Images
Figure CN224120533U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive steering ball pin technology, specifically a self-lubricating ball pin for an automotive steering system. Background Technology
[0002] The steering ball joint, also known as a ball joint, is a key component in a car's suspension and steering system. It connects the steering knuckle and control arm, bears the vehicle's weight and the impact forces during steering, and is the core component connecting the car's wheels and axles via the main ball joint. The steering ball joint consists of a solid ball and a round rod; the ball and the ball seat move together to achieve steering at the car's wheel hub.
[0003] Car steering ball pins require lubrication during use to reduce wear on the ball head and extend their service life. Insufficient lubrication can cause friction and impact inside the ball pin, producing noise. In such cases, lubricating oil needs to be added by the operator, as it is difficult to achieve self-lubrication of the ball pin, which affects the actual use of the car. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a self-lubricating ball pin for an automotive steering system to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a self-lubricating ball joint for an automotive steering system, comprising a ball seat, the outer side of which is fixedly connected to a steering tie rod, a spherical groove inside the ball seat, a ball pin head inside the spherical groove, the ball pin head being fixedly connected to one end of a ball pin rod, a placement cavity inside the ball seat, a push plate inside the placement cavity, an elastic element sleeved inside the placement cavity, a guide cavity at the bottom of the ball seat, an oil inlet at the center of the ball seat, a dust cover sleeve on the outer side of the ball pin rod, an oil injection pipe fixedly connected to the outer side of the ball seat, a sealing sleeve fixedly connected to the upper surface of the ball seat, a sealing ring one fixedly connected to the side of the ball seat, a sealing plate fixedly connected to the outer side of the ball pin rod, and a sealing ring two fixedly connected to the inner wall of the sealing plate.
[0006] Preferably, the inside of the spherical groove is connected to the oil inlet, and the ball pin head is movably engaged with the ball seat through the spherical groove.
[0007] Preferably, the placement cavity is an annular groove, the inner wall of the placement cavity slides with the push plate, the elastic element is located above the push plate, the placement cavity is connected to the oil inlet through the guide cavity, and the guide cavity is evenly and symmetrically distributed at the bottom of the placement cavity.
[0008] Preferably, the oil injection pipe is connected to the interior of the placement cavity, a one-way valve is fixedly installed inside the oil injection pipe, and the oil injection pipe is located below the push plate and close to the bottom surface of the placement cavity.
[0009] Preferably, the two ends of the dust cover are respectively connected and fixed to the ball seat and the sealing plate, and the inner wall of the sealing ring abuts against the outer side of the sealing plate.
[0010] Preferably, the sealing plate has an annular groove inside for installing the second sealing ring, the second sealing ring has an air bladder inside, and the first sealing ring also has an air bladder inside.
[0011] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0012] This invention utilizes the ball pin's ability to rotate and engage with the ball seat during use. Over time, the lubricating oil in the spherical groove will be consumed and evaporated. A push plate is used to squeeze the lubricating oil at the bottom of the placement cavity into the guide cavity. Through the guide cavity, the lubricating oil enters the spherical groove through the oil inlet for lubrication. This allows the ball pin to achieve self-lubrication during use, effectively extending the service life of the ball pin and the interval between maintenance and repair.
[0013] This utility model also provides an initial dustproof seal at the connection between the ball pin and the ball seat using a dustproof sleeve. When the ball pin moves, it rotates and generates a lot of heat. The heat causes the airbag to expand, making the sealing ring two fit more tightly with the sealing plate. The sealing ring one works in the same way. This avoids the problem of gaps easily forming in the sealing ring during the movement of the ball pin, which would allow dust to enter. This effectively enhances the sealing effect of the ball pin and prevents dust from entering the ball pin and affecting its use. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;
[0015] Figure 2 This is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 3 This is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the present invention;
[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of this utility model.
[0018] In the diagram: 1. Ball seat; 2. Steering tie rod; 3. Spherical groove; 4. Ball pin head; 5. Ball pin rod; 6. Placement cavity; 7. Push plate; 8. Elastic element; 9. Guide cavity; 10. Oil inlet; 11. Dust cover; 12. Oil injection pipe; 13. One-way valve; 14. Sealing sleeve; 15. Sealing ring one; 16. Sealing plate; 17. Sealing ring two; 18. Airbag. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0020] Please see Figure 1-4 This utility model provides a technical solution: a self-lubricating ball joint for an automotive steering system, including a ball seat 1, the outer side of which is welded and fixed to a steering tie rod 2. A spherical groove 3 is formed inside the ball seat 1, and the ball pin head 4 is movably engaged with the ball seat 1 through the spherical groove 3. The upper surface of the ball seat 1 is welded and fixed to a sealing sleeve 14. An arc-shaped groove for fitting the outer side of the ball pin head 4 is formed in the center of the sealing sleeve 14. The sealing sleeve 14 effectively enhances the sealing effect between the ball pin head 4 and the top of the spherical groove 3, and the arc-shaped groove of the sealing sleeve 14 prevents interference with the movement of the ball pin head 4. The sealing sleeve 14 allows the spherical groove 3 to communicate with the oil inlet 10 while forming a relatively sealed cavity, preventing the lubricating oil injected into the oil inlet 10 from being squeezed out and wasted.
[0021] The ball pin head 4 is welded and fixed to one end of the ball pin rod 5. The outer side of the ball pin rod 5 is welded and fixed to the sealing plate 16. The inner wall of the sealing plate 16 is welded and fixed to the sealing ring 17. One end of the ball pin rod 5 is provided with a thread for connection. The sealing effect of the top of the ball pin head 4 is enhanced by the sealing plate 16 and the sealing ring 17. A dust cover 11 is fitted on the outer side of the ball pin rod 5. The dust cover 11 is a retractable corrugated sleeve. The two ends of the dust cover 11 are respectively connected and fixed to the ball seat 1 and the sealing plate 16 by clamps. The inner wall of the sealing ring 15 abuts against the outer side of the sealing plate 16. The sealing ring 15 enhances the sealing effect of the bottom of the ball pin rod 5.
[0022] An annular groove is formed inside the sealing plate 16 for installing the second sealing ring 17. The second sealing ring 17 is bonded and fixed to the annular groove. An air bladder 18 is set inside the second sealing ring 17. An air bladder 18 is also set inside the first sealing ring 15. The air bladder 18 contains a temperature-sensitive gas. Heating by the ball pin 5 causes the gas inside the air bladder 18 to expand, thereby making the second sealing ring 17 expand and fit more tightly against the sealing plate 16, preventing gaps from appearing during the rotation of the ball pin head 4.
[0023] The ball seat 1 has an internal placement cavity 6, which is an annular groove. The inner wall of the placement cavity 6 slides with the push plate 7. An elastic element 8 is fitted inside the placement cavity 6, located above the push plate 7. A guide cavity 9 is formed at the bottom of the ball seat 1, and the placement cavity 6 is connected to the oil inlet 10 through the guide cavity 9. The guide cavities 9 are evenly and symmetrically distributed at the bottom of the placement cavity 6. The presence of several guide cavities 9 can enhance the efficiency of lubricating oil addition. An oil inlet 10 is formed at the center of the ball seat 1. The use of the ball pin head 4 will cause the lubricating oil to be consumed and evaporated. The elastic force of the elastic element 8 causes the push plate 7 to move downwards, squeezing the lubricating oil at the bottom of the push plate 7 into the guide cavity 9. Then, it enters the spherical groove 3 through the oil inlet 10 to achieve a self-lubricating effect, avoiding the problem of lubricating oil consumption and inability to replenish the ball pin head 4 in time. Lubricating oil can be added into the placement cavity 6 by inserting the oil gun head into the oil filling pipe 12. An air hole is opened on the outside of the ball seat 1 and communicates with the placement cavity 6 to balance the pressure of the push plate 7 moving inside the placement cavity 6. Filter cotton is installed inside the air hole.
[0024] The outer side of the ball seat 1 is welded and fixed to the oil injection pipe 12, and the side of the ball seat 1 is welded and fixed to the sealing ring 15. The oil injection pipe 12 communicates with the interior of the placement cavity 6. A one-way valve 13 is fixedly installed inside the oil injection pipe 12. The oil injection pipe 12 is located below the push plate 7 and close to the bottom surface of the placement cavity 6.
[0025] Working principle: During use, the ball pin 5 is connected and fixed to the control arm of the car steering system via a thread at one end. During vehicle operation, the ball pin head 4 rotates and rubs inside the spherical groove 3, generating a large amount of heat. This causes the ball pin head 4 to reach a high temperature of 200°C to 300°C. This high temperature causes the air bladder 18 inside the sealing ring 15 and sealing ring 17 to expand, resulting in a tight seal between sealing ring 15 and the inner wall of the dust cover 11, and a tight seal between sealing ring 17 and the outer side of the ball pin 5. This enhances the overall sealing effect of the ball pin and prevents damage due to friction. The rotation of the ball pin head 4 causes a gap to be generated, which, together with the dust cover 11, provides a good dustproof and waterproof effect. As the ball pin head 4 moves, the lubricating oil inside the spherical groove 3 is consumed and evaporated. The elastic force of the elastic element 8 causes the push plate 7 to move downward and squeeze the lubricating oil at the bottom of the push plate 7 into the guide cavity 9. Then, it enters the spherical groove 3 through the oil inlet 10 to achieve a self-lubricating effect, avoiding the problem of lubricating oil consumption and inability to be added in time when the ball pin head 4 is used. The lubricating oil can be added into the placement cavity 6 by inserting the oil gun head into the oil injection pipe 12.
[0026] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0027] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A self-lubricating ball pin for a steering system of a vehicle comprising a ball seat (1), characterized in that: The ball seat (1) is fixedly connected to the steering tie rod (2) on the outside. A spherical groove (3) is provided inside the ball seat (1). A ball pin head (4) is provided inside the spherical groove (3). The ball pin head (4) is fixedly connected to one end of the ball pin rod (5). A placement cavity (6) is opened inside the ball seat (1). A push plate (7) is provided inside the placement cavity (6). An elastic element (8) is sleeved inside the placement cavity (6). A guide cavity (9) is opened at the bottom of the ball seat (1). An oil inlet (10) is opened at the center of the ball seat (1). A dust cover (11) is sleeved on the outside of the ball pin rod (5). The ball seat (1) is fixedly connected to the oil injection pipe (12) on the outside. The upper surface of the ball seat (1) is fixedly connected to the sealing sleeve (14). The side of the ball seat (1) is fixedly connected to the sealing ring one (15). The outside of the ball pin rod (5) is fixedly connected to the sealing plate (16). The inner wall of the sealing plate (16) is fixedly connected to the sealing ring two (17).
2. A self-lubricating trunnion for a vehicle steering system according to claim 1, wherein: The inside of the spherical groove (3) is connected to the oil inlet (10), and the ball pin head (4) is movably engaged with the ball seat (1) through the spherical groove (3).
3. A self-lubricating trunnion for a vehicle steering system according to claim 1, wherein: The placement cavity (6) is an annular groove. The inner wall of the placement cavity (6) is slidably fitted with the push plate (7). The elastic element (8) is located above the push plate (7). The placement cavity (6) is connected to the oil inlet (10) through the guide cavity (9). The guide cavity (9) is evenly and symmetrically distributed at the bottom of the placement cavity (6).
4. A self-lubricating trunnion as defined in claim 1, wherein: The oil injection pipe (12) is connected to the interior of the placement cavity (6). A one-way valve (13) is fixedly installed inside the oil injection pipe (12). The oil injection pipe (12) is located below the push plate (7) and close to the bottom surface of the placement cavity (6).
5. A self-lubricating trunnion as defined in claim 1, wherein: The dust cover (11) is connected and fixed to the ball seat (1) and the sealing plate (16) at both ends respectively, and the inner wall of the sealing ring (15) abuts against the outer side of the sealing plate (16).
6. A self-lubricating trunnion as defined in claim 1, wherein: The sealing plate (16) has an annular groove for installing the second sealing ring (17) inside. The second sealing ring (17) is provided with an airbag (18) inside. The first sealing ring (15) is also provided with an airbag (18).