Ball joint structure with ball pin having oil reservoir

Abstract

A ball pin with a grease storage groove ball hinge structure, comprising a ball seat, a ball sleeve and a ball pin, the ball seat is provided with a containing groove, and one side of the containing groove is provided with a slot, the ball sleeve is located in the containing groove, and the outer circumferential wall of the ball sleeve abuts against the inner circumferential wall of the containing groove, the ball sleeve is provided with a spherical groove, and one side of the spherical groove is provided with an opening, the opening of the spherical groove and the slot of the containing groove are located on the same side, the ball pin has a ball head end, and the ball head end is rotatably inserted into the spherical groove, the outer surface of the ball head end is provided with a plurality of grease storage grooves, and the plurality of grease storage grooves are distributed in a circumferential interval with the axis of the ball pin as the center. Compared with the prior art, the above scheme realizes effective storage of lubricating grease by opening a plurality of grease storage grooves on the outer surface of the ball head end of the ball pin, and since the plurality of grease storage grooves are distributed in a circumferential interval with the axis of the ball pin as the center, the grease storage grooves can supplement lubricating grease to each position of the outer surface of the ball head end of the ball pin in the subsequent use process, and the rotational stability of the ball head end of the ball pin relative to the ball sleeve of the ball seat is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of ball joint structures, and more specifically to a ball joint structure with an oil reservoir in the ball pin. Background Technology

[0002] The ball joint structure (or ball joint rod) of an automobile chassis is a key connecting component in the steering and suspension systems, typically consisting of a ball seat and a ball pin. The ball head of the ball pin is housed within the ball sleeve of the ball seat, allowing for multi-directional rotation of the ball pin relative to the ball seat. To ensure smooth rotation between the ball head of the ball pin and the ball sleeve of the ball seat and to reduce wear, lubricating grease needs to be applied between them.

[0003] In existing technologies, lubricating grease is typically applied directly to the inner surface of the ball joint sleeve or the outer surface of the ball head end during assembly, and then the ball head end is pressed into the ball joint sleeve. However, in actual use, because the ball pin is subjected to loads in different directions, as the ball head end rotates continuously within the ball joint sleeve, the lubricating grease is easily squeezed away from the contact area, resulting in insufficient local lubrication. This, in turn, exacerbates the wear between the ball head end and the ball joint sleeve, affecting transmission stability and significantly shortening the service life of the ball joint structure. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem in the prior art where, due to the ball joint being subjected to loads in different directions, as the ball head rotates continuously within the ball sleeve, the lubricating grease is easily squeezed out of the contact area, resulting in insufficient local lubrication. This, in turn, exacerbates the wear between the ball head and the ball sleeve, affecting not only transmission stability but also significantly shortening the service life of the ball joint structure.

[0005] To solve the above problems, this utility model provides a ball joint structure with an oil storage groove in the ball pin, including a ball seat, a ball sleeve, and a ball pin. The ball seat has a receiving groove and an opening on one side of the receiving groove. The ball sleeve is located in the receiving groove and its outer peripheral wall abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the receiving groove. The ball sleeve has a spherical groove and an opening on one side of the spherical groove. The opening of the spherical groove and the opening of the receiving groove are located on the same side. The ball pin has a ball head end and the ball head end is rotatably inserted into the spherical groove. The outer surface of the ball head end has multiple oil storage grooves, which are circumferentially spaced around the axis of the ball pin.

[0006] Compared with the prior art, the above solution achieves effective collection of lubricating grease by opening multiple oil reservoirs on the outer surface of the ball head end of the ball pin. Since the multiple oil reservoirs are circumferentially spaced around the axis of the ball pin, they can replenish lubricating grease to various positions on the outer surface of the ball head end of the ball pin during subsequent use, ensuring the rotational stability of the ball head end of the ball pin relative to the ball sleeve of the ball seat.

[0007] In an improved embodiment, the oil reservoir is S-shaped, which allows it to hold more lubricating grease, and the curved oil reservoir facilitates the spread of lubricating grease to the outer surface of the ball head end of the ball pin.

[0008] In an improved embodiment, the outer surface of the ball head end is provided with an annular groove extending circumferentially around the axis of the ball pin. The annular groove connects all the oil reservoirs, so that when the lubricating grease in any oil reservoir is insufficient, the other oil reservoirs can replenish the oil reservoir through the annular groove.

[0009] In an improved embodiment, a circular groove is provided on the outer surface of the ball end at a position between adjacent oil reservoirs. The circular groove serves to collect and replenish lubricating grease in the area between adjacent oil reservoirs.

[0010] In an improved embodiment, the receiving groove extends through the ball seat on the side away from the groove opening. The ball seat is provided with a cover detachably connected to the receiving groove on the side away from the groove opening. The groove opening side of the receiving groove gradually narrows. One side of the ball sleeve abuts against the cover and the other side abuts against the side wall of the groove opening side of the receiving groove, thereby achieving the assembly and fixation of the ball sleeve relative to the ball seat through the cover.

[0011] In an improved embodiment, the outer peripheral wall of the opening side of the ball sleeve is spherical, and the shape of the inner peripheral wall of the groove side of the receiving groove is adapted to the outer peripheral wall of the opening side of the ball sleeve to achieve sliding fit, thereby ensuring the structural stability of the ball sleeve in the receiving groove of the ball seat.

[0012] In an improved embodiment, the outer peripheral wall of the ball sleeve on the opening side is provided with multiple slots, which are distributed circumferentially along the opening and the direction of the slots is along the meridian direction of the ball sleeve. The slots enable the opening side of the ball head to have deformability, which facilitates the insertion of the ball head end of the ball pin. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a ball joint structure with an oil reservoir in the ball pin; Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of a ball joint structure with an oil reservoir in the ball pin. Figure 3 For along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of section AA in the middle; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a ball sleeve and a ball pin with an oil reservoir in a ball hinge structure; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a ball joint structure with an oil reservoir.

[0014] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures. 1. Ball seat; 11. Receiving groove; 12. Groove opening; 2. Ball sleeve; 21. Spherical groove; 22. Opening; 23. Slot; 3. Ball pin; 31. Ball head end; 32. Oil reservoir; 33. Annular groove; 34. Circular groove; 4. Cover. Detailed Implementation

[0015] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the following embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical principles of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments as needed to adapt to specific application scenarios.

[0016] In the following description of the embodiments, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0017] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0018] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0019] Please see Figures 1-5 The present invention provides a ball joint structure with an oil storage groove in the ball pin, comprising a ball seat 1, a ball sleeve 2 and a ball pin 3. The ball seat 1 is provided with a receiving groove 11 and a groove opening 12 on one side of the receiving groove 11. The ball sleeve 2 is located in the receiving groove 11 and the outer peripheral wall of the ball sleeve 2 abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the receiving groove 11. The ball sleeve 2 is provided with a spherical groove 21 and an opening 22 on one side of the spherical groove 21. The opening 22 of the spherical groove 21 and the groove opening 12 of the receiving groove 11 are located on the same side. The ball pin 3 has a ball head end 31 and the ball head end 31 is rotatably inserted into the spherical groove 21. The outer surface of the ball head end 31 is provided with a plurality of oil storage grooves 32, which are circumferentially spaced about the axis of the ball pin 3.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the above solution achieves effective collection of lubricating grease by opening multiple oil storage grooves 32 on the outer surface of the ball head end 31 of the ball pin 3. Since the multiple oil storage grooves 32 are circumferentially spaced around the axis of the ball pin 3, the oil storage grooves 32 can replenish lubricating grease at various positions on the outer surface of the ball head end 31 of the ball pin 3 during subsequent use, ensuring the rotational stability of the ball head end 31 of the ball pin 3 relative to the ball sleeve 2 of the ball seat 1.

[0021] As an improvement to the oil reservoir 32, the oil reservoir 32 is S-shaped, which can hold more lubricating grease, and the curved oil reservoir 32 facilitates the spread of lubricating grease to the outer surface of the ball end 31 of the ball pin 3.

[0022] Furthermore, the outer surface of the ball end 31 is provided with an annular groove 33 extending circumferentially around the axis of the ball pin 3. The annular groove 33 connects all the oil reservoirs 32, so that when the lubricating grease in any oil reservoir 32 is insufficient, other oil reservoirs 32 can replenish the oil reservoir 32 through the annular groove 33.

[0023] Furthermore, a circular groove 34 is provided on the outer surface of the ball end 31 at a position between adjacent oil reservoirs 32. The circular groove 34 serves to collect and replenish lubricating grease in the area between adjacent oil reservoirs 32.

[0024] In this embodiment, the side of the receiving groove 11 away from the opening 12 passes through the ball seat 1. The ball seat 1 is provided with a cover 4 that is detachably connected to the side of the receiving groove 11 away from the opening 12. The opening 12 side of the receiving groove 11 gradually narrows. One side of the ball sleeve 2 abuts against the cover 4 and the other side abuts against the side wall of the opening 12 side of the receiving groove 11, thereby achieving the assembly and fixation of the ball sleeve 2 relative to the ball seat 1 through the cover 4.

[0025] Regarding the connection between the cover 4 and the ball seat 1, the connection and fixation can be achieved by riveting. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the inner peripheral wall of the receiving groove 11 on the side away from the groove opening 12 is provided with an annular assembly groove, and the cover 4 is snapped into the assembly groove, thereby achieving a detachable connection between the cover 4 and the ball seat 1.

[0026] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral wall of the opening 22 side of the ball sleeve 2 is a convex spherical arc shape, and the inner peripheral wall of the groove 12 side of the receiving groove 11 is a concave spherical arc shape. The inner peripheral wall of the groove 12 side of the receiving groove 11 slides and fits against the outer peripheral wall of the opening 22 side of the ball sleeve 2, thereby ensuring the structural stability of the ball sleeve 2 in the receiving groove 11 of the ball seat 1.

[0027] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral wall of the opening 22 side of the ball sleeve 2 is provided with a plurality of slots 23. The plurality of slots 23 are distributed at intervals along the circumference of the opening 22, and the direction of the slots 23 is along the meridian direction of the ball sleeve 2. The slots 23 enable the opening 22 side of the ball head to have deformability, which facilitates the insertion of the ball head end 31 of the ball pin 3.

[0028] It should be noted that in the description of this application, the terms "inner" and "outer," etc., indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. This is only for the convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of this application. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, inner, and outer) are only used to explain the relative positional relationships and movement between components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0029] In the description of this application, the references to terms such as "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "in this embodiment," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0030] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A ball joint structure with an oil reservoir in the ball pin, characterized in that, The ball includes a ball seat (1), a ball sleeve (2), and a ball pin (3). The ball seat (1) has a receiving groove (11) and a slot (12) on one side of the receiving groove (11). The ball sleeve (2) is located in the receiving groove (11) and the outer peripheral wall of the ball sleeve (2) abuts against the inner peripheral wall of the receiving groove (11). The ball sleeve (2) has a spherical groove (21) and an opening (22) on one side of the spherical groove (21). The opening (22) of the spherical groove (21) and the slot (12) of the receiving groove (11) are located on the same side. The ball pin (3) has a ball head end (31) and the ball head end (31) is rotatably inserted into the spherical groove (21). The outer surface of the ball head end (31) is provided with multiple oil storage grooves (32). The multiple oil storage grooves (32) are circumferentially spaced around the axis of the ball pin (3).

2. The ball joint structure with an oil reservoir in the ball pin according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil storage tank (32) is S-shaped.

3. The ball joint structure with an oil reservoir in the ball pin according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The outer surface of the ball end (31) is provided with an annular groove (33) extending circumferentially around the axis of the ball pin (3), and the annular groove (33) connects all the oil storage tanks (32).

4. The ball joint structure with an oil reservoir in the ball pin according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The outer surface of the ball end (31) is provided with a circular groove (34) located between adjacent oil storage tanks (32).

5. The ball joint structure with an oil reservoir in the ball pin according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving groove (11) extends through the ball seat (1) on the side away from the opening (12). The ball seat (1) is provided with a cover (4) that is detachably connected to the side of the receiving groove (11) away from the opening (12). The opening (12) of the receiving groove (11) gradually narrows. One side of the ball sleeve (2) abuts against the cover (4) and the other side abuts against the side wall of the opening (12) of the receiving groove (11).

6. The ball joint structure with an oil reservoir in the ball pin according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer peripheral wall of the ball sleeve (2) on the side of the opening (22) is spherical arc-shaped, and the shape of the inner peripheral wall on the side of the groove (12) of the receiving groove (11) is adapted to the outer peripheral wall on the side of the opening (22) of the ball sleeve (2) to achieve sliding fit.

7. The ball joint structure with an oil reservoir in the ball pin according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer peripheral wall of the ball sleeve (2) on the side of the opening (22) is provided with a plurality of slots (23). The plurality of slots (23) are distributed at intervals along the circumferential direction of the opening (22), and the direction of the slots (23) is along the meridian direction of the ball sleeve (2).

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