Adjustable ball joint assembly for automotive chassis

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of automobile parts field, a kind of adjustable ball head assembly for automobile chassis, including ball head outer sleeve and outer connecting rod, the outer wall of ball head outer sleeve is fixedly connected with outer connecting rod, the inner wall of ball head outer sleeve outside is processed thread hole, the inner wall of ball head outer sleeve upper end is connected with upper bushing thread, the inner wall of ball head outer sleeve lower end is connected with lower bushing thread, the lower end of upper bushing is inserted with lower bushing, the upper end of upper bushing is connected with dustproof mechanism. By spring and gasket elastic compensation in adjusting mechanism, automatically eliminate gap after wear, guarantee steering accuracy, connecting ring and rubber sleeve in dustproof mechanism are closely matched, sealed dustproof, avoid impurity to intrude into upper bushing, lower bushing, protect the surface of spherical body, upper bushing, lower bushing are bolted with ball head outer sleeve, without overall disassembly, reduce maintenance cost, prolong the life of assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of automotive parts, specifically to an adjustable ball joint assembly for automotive chassis. Background Technology

[0002] A chassis ball joint, also known as a universal joint, is a spherical connection that enables power transmission between different shafts. In front-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles, it is installed between the transmission output shaft and the drive axle final drive input shaft. The chassis ball joint allows the steering mechanism to smoothly perform steering actions, ensuring driving stability and comfort.

[0003] For example, the adjustable ball joint assembly for automotive chassis with authorization announcement number "CN202326689U" solves the problem of existing adjustable ball joint assemblies for automotive chassis requiring frequent replacement of ball joints and bushings, causing time and economic losses for users. The aforementioned existing adjustable ball joint assembly for automotive chassis uses a connecting rod located in the inner cavity of a threaded sleeve, with the threaded sleeve threadedly connected to the inner cavity of the cylindrical outer shell. The large end of the conical spring connects to the lower bushing, and the small end connects to the inner end face of the outer end cap of the threaded sleeve. However, the existing structure does not explicitly mention a dustproof design, making it prone to increased wear due to the intrusion of impurities. Moreover, the adjustment relies solely on the cooperation of the thread and the spring, resulting in limited precision compensation. After wear, it is difficult to accurately return to its original position, ultimately leading to large vibrations, easy loosening, and shortened service life. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems of existing adjustable ball joint assemblies for automobile chassis, which are prone to excessive vibration, loosening, and shortened service life due to the intrusion of impurities. Therefore, this invention proposes an adjustable ball joint assembly for automobile chassis.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: an adjustable ball joint assembly for an automobile chassis, comprising a ball joint sleeve and an external connecting rod, wherein the outer wall of the ball joint sleeve is fixedly connected to the external connecting rod, a threaded hole is machined on the inner wall of the outer side of the ball joint sleeve, the inner wall of the upper end of the ball joint sleeve is threadedly connected to an upper bushing, the inner wall of the lower end of the ball joint sleeve is threadedly connected to a lower bushing, the lower end of the upper bushing is inserted into the lower bushing, and a dustproof mechanism is connected to the upper end of the upper bushing.

[0006] This feature: The upper and lower bushings are connected to the inner wall of the ball head outer sleeve by a threaded connection. The upper and lower bushings are interlocked, which can also improve the stability of the connection between the two.

[0007] Preferably, the dustproof mechanism includes a connecting ring, the lower end of which is fixedly connected to the upper bushing, and the inner wall of the connecting ring is machined with a groove, the inner wall of which abuts against the rubber sleeve.

[0008] This feature: The dustproof mechanism effectively prevents external dust, mud, and other impurities from entering the ball joint sleeve, avoiding wear on internal parts and extending the service life of the ball joint assembly.

[0009] Preferably, the inner wall of the rubber sleeve is in contact with the pin, and the end of the pin is connected to an adjustment mechanism.

[0010] This feature ensures that the rubber sleeve fits snugly against the pin, allowing it to adapt to the pin's rotation while maintaining a continuous seal, thus further enhancing dustproof performance.

[0011] Preferably, the adjusting mechanism includes a ball, the inner wall of which is fixedly connected to a pin, the outer wall of which abuts against a tray, the lower end of which abuts against a spring, and the lower end of which abuts against a washer.

[0012] This setting: The adjustment mechanism can apply a continuous and stable preload to the ball through the elastic force of the spring. When the ball wears down during movement, causing the gap to increase, the spring can automatically compensate to ensure that the ball and the tray always maintain a good contact state, thereby maintaining the steering accuracy and stability of the ball head assembly.

[0013] Preferably, the lower end of the gasket is fitted with the lower bushing.

[0014] This feature: The tight fit between the shim and the lower bushing ensures that the spring pressure is evenly transmitted to the lower bushing, preventing localized stress concentration that could cause deformation of the lower bushing. It also provides a stable support base for the spring, ensuring that the adjustment mechanism maintains good adjustment accuracy and structural stability during long-term use.

[0015] Preferably, the upper bushing is threadedly connected to the ball head outer sleeve by bolts.

[0016] This feature: The use of bolts makes the connection between the upper bushing and the ball head sleeve more secure and reliable, while also facilitating installation and disassembly.

[0017] Preferably, the lower bushing is threadedly connected to the ball head outer sleeve by bolts.

[0018] This feature, which also uses bolted connections between the lower bushing and the ball joint sleeve, not only further enhances the overall structural stability, ensuring that the connection will not loosen due to vibration or other factors during vehicle operation, but also provides convenience for later maintenance and replacement.

[0019] Preferably, the outer wall of the pin is threaded to the connector, and the lower end of the connector is movably connected to the rubber sleeve.

[0020] This setting: The threaded connection between the connector and the pin allows for flexible adjustment of the connector's position on the pin according to actual installation requirements, while the movable connection between the connector and the rubber sleeve further limits the position of the rubber sleeve.

[0021] The adjustable ball joint assembly for automotive chassis proposed in this utility model has the following advantages: the elastic compensation of springs and shims in the adjustment mechanism automatically eliminates the gap after wear, ensuring steering accuracy; the connecting ring and rubber sleeve in the dustproof mechanism are tightly fitted to seal and prevent dust, preventing impurities from entering the upper and lower bushings and protecting the surface of the ball; the upper and lower bushings are bolted to the ball joint outer sleeve, eliminating the need for overall disassembly, reducing maintenance costs, and extending the life of the assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the middle ball head outer sleeve structure; Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the central adjustment mechanism; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the upper and lower bushing structures; Figure 5 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the center pin and ball assembly; Figure 6 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the rubber sleeve; Figure 7 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the connecting component.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Ball head sleeve, 2. External rod, 3. Threaded hole, 4. Upper bushing, 5. Lower bushing, 6. Dustproof mechanism, 601. Connecting ring, 602. Groove, 603. Rubber sleeve, 7. Pin, 8. Adjustment mechanism, 801. Ball, 802. Tray, 803. Spring, 804. Washer, 9. Connector. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings: Please see Figure 1-7In this embodiment, an adjustable ball joint assembly for an automobile chassis includes a ball joint sleeve 1 and an external rod 2. The outer wall of the ball joint sleeve 1 is fixedly connected to the external rod 2. A threaded hole 3 is machined on the inner wall of the outer side of the ball joint sleeve 1. The inner wall of the upper end of the ball joint sleeve 1 is threadedly connected to the upper bushing 4. The inner wall of the lower end of the ball joint sleeve 1 is threadedly connected to the lower bushing 5. The lower end of the upper bushing 4 is inserted into the lower bushing 5. A dustproof mechanism 6 is connected to the upper end of the upper bushing 4.

[0025] The dustproof mechanism 6 includes a connecting ring 601. The lower end of the connecting ring 601 is fixedly connected to the upper bushing 4. The inner wall of the connecting ring 601 is machined with a groove 602. The inner wall of the groove 602 abuts against the rubber sleeve 603. The rubber sleeve 603 is made of aging-resistant and highly elastic rubber material, which causes corrosion and wear to the internal components such as the upper bushing 4, lower bushing 5, and adjustment mechanism 8, thereby ensuring the normal operation and service life of the ball head assembly.

[0026] The inner wall of the rubber sleeve 603 fits against the pin 7. The end of the pin 7 is connected to an adjustment mechanism 8. The adjustment mechanism 8 includes a ball 801. The inner wall of the ball 801 is threadedly connected to the ball 801. The outer wall of the ball 801 abuts against the tray 802. The lower end of the tray 802 abuts against the spring 803. The tray 802 is made of high-strength wear-resistant material. Its contact surface with the ball 801 is precision machined to ensure stable support and low friction during the rotation of the ball 801. The lower end of the spring 803 abuts against the washer 804. The spring 803 is made of alloy spring steel with good elastic recovery performance. The appropriate elastic coefficient can be designed according to the actual working conditions to provide just the right preload. The washer 804 is made of metal material with moderate hardness and certain toughness. Its surface is rust-proofed to effectively resist corrosion in humid environments and extend the service life of the washer. The spring 803 and shim 804 in the adjustment mechanism 8 provide elastic compensation and automatically eliminate the gap after wear, ensuring steering accuracy. The connecting ring 601 in the dustproof mechanism 6 fits tightly with the rubber sleeve 603 to seal and prevent dust, preventing impurities from entering the upper bushing 4 and lower bushing 5 and protecting the surface of the ball 801. The upper bushing 4 and lower bushing 5 are bolted to the ball head outer sleeve 1, eliminating the need for overall disassembly, reducing maintenance costs, and extending the assembly life.

[0027] The lower end of the gasket 804 is in contact with the lower bushing 5. The upper bushing 4 is threadedly connected to the ball head sleeve 1 by bolts. The lower bushing 5 is threadedly connected to the ball head sleeve 1 by bolts. The outer wall of the pin 7 is threadedly connected to the connector 9. The lower end of the connector 9 is movably connected to the rubber sleeve 603.

[0028] Working principle: Basic component assembly: First, fix the outer rod 2 to the ball head sleeve 1, and machine the threaded hole 3 on the inner wall of the outer side of the ball head sleeve 1. Then, thread the upper bushing 4 and the lower bushing 5 to the inner walls of the upper and lower ends of the ball head sleeve 1 respectively, ensuring that the lower end of the upper bushing 4 and the lower bushing 5 are accurately inserted. Then, use bolts to further fix the upper bushing 4, the lower bushing 5 and the ball head sleeve 1 to enhance the overall stability.

[0029] Dustproof mechanism installation: Fix the lower end of the connecting ring 601 in the dustproof mechanism 6 to the upper bushing 4, insert the rubber sleeve 603 into the groove 602 on the inner wall of the connecting ring 601, and ensure that the rubber sleeve 603 is tightly against the inner wall of the groove 602.

[0030] Assembly of the adjusting mechanism and pin: Pass the pin 7 through the upper bushing 4 and the rubber sleeve 603, so that the inner wall of the rubber sleeve 603 fits against the pin 7. Connect the adjusting mechanism 8 to the end of the pin 7, fix the ball 801 to the pin 7, and make the outer wall of the ball 801 abut against the tray 802. Then, install the spring 803 and the washer 804 in sequence at the lower end of the tray 802, ensuring that both ends of the spring 803 abut against the tray 802 and the washer 804 respectively, and that the lower end of the washer 804 fits against the lower bushing 5. Finally, thread the connecting piece 9 to the pin 7, so that the lower end of the connecting piece 9 is movably connected to the rubber sleeve 603.

[0031] Usage Operation During vehicle operation, clockwise rotation of ball 801 causes it to move upward along pin 7, simultaneously moving tray 802 upward. The tray applies pressure to spring 803, compressing the spring, which then transmits the pressure to washer 804. The washer then acts on lower bushing 5. At this time, the preload of the ball within ball head sleeve 1 increases, making steering more stable. Counterclockwise rotation of ball 801 causes it to move downward along pin 7, moving tray 802 downward as well. The pressure on spring 803 decreases, causing it to gradually extend and reducing the pressure on washer 804. The preload of the ball decreases, making steering more flexible. Throughout the adjustment process, rubber sleeve 603 remains in close contact with pin 7. Even if the pin rotates or the ball moves up and down, the rubber sleeve can continuously block external dust, moisture, and other impurities from entering the ball head sleeve 1 through its own deformation, preventing impurities from adhering to the ball surface or entering the insertion part of upper bushing 4 and lower bushing 5, thus ensuring the normal operation and service life of the ball head assembly. Meanwhile, the upper bushing 4 and the lower bushing 5 are connected to the ball joint sleeve 1 by bolts. This connection method not only ensures the stability of the structure when the vehicle vibrates, but also allows the upper bushing 4 and the lower bushing 5 to be removed from the ball joint sleeve simply by unscrewing the bolts when the internal parts need to be maintained or replaced. This makes the operation convenient and greatly reduces the difficulty and cost of maintenance.

[0032] 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. An adjustable ball joint assembly for an automobile chassis, comprising a ball joint sleeve (1) and an outer rod (2), wherein the outer wall of the ball joint sleeve (1) is fixedly connected to the outer rod (2), characterized in that: The inner wall of the outer side of the ball head sleeve (1) is machined with a threaded hole (3). The inner wall of the upper end of the ball head sleeve (1) is threaded to the upper bushing (4). The inner wall of the lower end of the ball head sleeve (1) is threaded to the lower bushing (5). The lower end of the upper bushing (4) is inserted into the lower bushing (5). The upper end of the upper bushing (4) is connected to a dustproof mechanism (6).

2. The adjustable ball joint assembly for automobile chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dustproof mechanism (6) includes a connecting ring (601), the lower end of which is fixedly connected to the upper bushing (4), and the inner wall of the connecting ring (601) is machined with a groove (602), the inner wall of which abuts against the rubber sleeve (603).

3. The adjustable ball joint assembly for automobile chassis according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner wall of the rubber sleeve (603) is in contact with the pin (7), and the end of the pin (7) is connected to an adjustment mechanism (8).

4. The adjustable ball joint assembly for automobile chassis according to claim 3, characterized in that: The adjustment mechanism (8) includes a ball (801), the inner wall of which is fixedly connected to the pin (7), the outer wall of which is pressed against the tray (802), the lower end of which is pressed against the spring (803), and the lower end of which is pressed against the washer (804).

5. The adjustable ball joint assembly for automobile chassis according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lower end of the gasket (804) is in contact with the lower bushing (5).

6. The adjustable ball joint assembly for automobile chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper bushing (4) is threadedly connected to the ball head sleeve (1) by bolts.

7. The adjustable ball joint assembly for automobile chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower bushing (5) is threadedly connected to the ball head sleeve (1) by bolts.

8. The adjustable ball joint assembly for automobile chassis according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer wall of the pin (7) is threadedly connected to the connector (9), and the lower end of the connector (9) is movably connected to the rubber sleeve (603).

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