ball joint

Abstract

A ball joint comprising a housing (2) comprising a housing opening (4), to which a central axis (5) extending in an axial direction (z) and passing through the housing opening (4) is assigned, a ball stud (12) comprising a joint ball (11), which is movably mounted in the housing (2) with its joint ball (11) and extends therefrom through the housing opening (4), and a locking ring (13) fixedly seated in the housing (2), encircling the central axis (5) and supporting the joint ball (11) in the axial direction (z), which delimits a locking ring opening (25) through which the ball stud (12) extends, wherein the locking ring opening (25) is larger in a longitudinal direction (x) running transversely to the central axis (5) than in a transverse direction (y) running transversely to the central axis (5) and to the longitudinal direction (x),and the locking ring (13) covers the joint ball (11) and / or a ball socket (7) receiving the joint ball (11) for axial support of the joint ball (11) in the axial direction (z), characterized in that the axial overlap is increased by means of the locking ring (13) in the transverse direction (y), whereby an additional surface area is available for axial support and a surface pressure in the axial direction (z) is reduced.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ball joint with a housing comprising a housing opening, to which a central axis extending in an axial direction and passing through the housing opening is assigned, a ball stud comprising a joint ball, which is movably mounted in the housing with its joint ball and extends out of it through the housing opening, and a locking ring which is firmly seated in the housing, surrounds the central axis and supports the joint ball in the axial direction and delimits a locking ring opening through which the ball stud extends.

[0002] Such a ball joint is used, for example, in the chassis of a motor vehicle and is known, for example, from DE 10 2015 211 005 A1.

[0003] From DE 10 2008 002 207 a ball joint is known, wherein a housing opening formed by means of a locking ring is elongated or oval.

[0004] To provide axial support for the ball joint, the locking ring axially covers the ball joint and / or a ball socket that accommodates the ball joint. This overlap decreases with increasing deflection of the ball stud relative to the housing, meaning that greater deflection results in a reduced ability to axially support the ball joint while the ball joint remains otherwise unchanged. Reducing the overlap reduces the axial load-bearing capacity of the ball joint. To compensate for this reduction in load-bearing capacity, the ball joint is often made larger. Due to the limited space available in motor vehicles, however, a larger joint is undesirable. Furthermore, a larger joint increases the weight of the vehicle and thus fuel consumption. Finally, increasing the size of the joint increases the manufacturing costs due to the increased material required.

[0005] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of being able to increase the axial load capacity of a ball joint as mentioned above without significantly enlarging the joint.

[0006] This object is achieved by a ball joint according to claim 1. Preferred developments of this ball joint are given in the subclaims and in the following description.

[0007] The ball joint mentioned at the outset with a housing comprising a housing opening, to which a central axis extending in an axial direction and through the housing opening is assigned, a ball stud comprising a joint ball, which is movably mounted in the housing with its joint ball and extends out of it through the housing opening, and a locking ring which is firmly seated in the housing, surrounds the central axis and supports the joint ball in the axial direction, which delimits a locking ring opening through which the ball stud extends, is further developed in particular in that the locking ring opening is larger in a longitudinal direction running transversely to the central axis than in a transverse direction running transversely to the central axis and to the longitudinal direction.

[0008] This makes it possible to achieve the desired deflection of the ball stud relative to the housing in the longitudinal direction, while increasing the axial overlap and thus the axial load capacity of the ball joint in the transverse direction. This is possible because in many practical applications, the deflection of the ball stud relative to the housing is maximum in only one direction and significantly less in other directions. A circular locking ring opening is therefore not absolutely necessary.

[0009] The increased axial overlap in the transverse direction leads in particular to an additional surface area that is available for axial support, so that the surface pressure in the axial direction can be reduced. This also advantageously leads to a reduction in wear. The additional surface area is particularly advantageous for measuring spring stiffness after wear tests and can also be referred to as an additional adjustment element. Although the ball joint must generally be installed oriented and / or directed due to the non-circular locking ring opening, this is acceptable due to the space, weight and cost advantages. In particular, directed installation should not pose a problem with an integrated ball joint, even if the installation is purely force-fitting.

[0010] The central axis preferably runs through the center of the joint ball. A direction or any direction running perpendicular to the central axis and / or the axial direction is referred to as a radial direction.

[0011] The housing preferably comprises a housing interior. The ball stud with its joint ball is preferably movably mounted within the housing interior. Advantageously, the housing interior, particularly in the axial direction, transitions into the housing opening.

[0012] The locking ring is seated, for example, in the housing opening and / or in the housing interior. The locking ring is preferably seated in a region of the housing interior facing the housing opening. For example, the locking ring is seated, in particular in the axial direction, between the joint ball and the housing opening. The locking ring is preferably seated, in particular in the axial direction, between the joint ball and an inner shoulder of the housing, which is provided in particular in the region of the housing opening. The locking ring is advantageously supported in the axial direction on the inner shoulder. The locking ring preferably bears against the inner shoulder, preferably with its end face facing away from the joint ball, in particular in the axial direction. The inner shoulder is preferably annular.

[0013] The locking ring preferably covers the joint ball in the axial direction. The locking ring opening is preferably oval and / or elliptical and / or designed as an elongated hole, for example in a ring plane running transversely to the central axis. The projection of the locking ring opening onto a projection plane running transversely to the central axis is preferably oval and / or elliptical and / or designed as an elongated hole. Advantageously, the central axis runs centrally through the housing opening and / or the locking ring opening. The housing opening is preferably larger than the locking ring opening. Preferably, the locking ring opening and the housing opening are provided one behind the other and / or consecutively in the axial direction. Advantageously, the locking ring opening is located between the joint ball and the housing opening in the axial direction.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the housing comprises a housing edge that defines the housing opening, which is preferably bent inward and / or preferably engages over the locking ring in the axial direction. Thus, the locking ring is secured in the housing in the axial direction, particularly in a form-fitting manner. The bending of the housing edge is preferably achieved by pressure-loaded rollers and is therefore also referred to as rolling. The inner shoulder is formed in particular by the inwardly bent housing edge.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the end face of the locking ring facing away from the joint ball lies in a face plane running transversely to the central axis, which is also referred to, for example, as the outer face plane. This has the advantage that conventional techniques for closing the ball joint, such as rolling, can be used.

[0016] According to a further development, the outer peripheral surface of the locking ring is rotationally symmetrical and / or circular and / or circular-cylindrical, in particular with respect to the central axis. This preferably applies over the entire axial extent of the locking ring. This makes it possible, for example, to design the housing opening and / or the housing interior and / or the region of the housing interior facing the housing opening to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to the central axis, which is associated with cost advantages in housing production. Preferably, the housing opening and / or the housing interior and / or the region of the housing interior facing the housing opening is or are rotationally symmetrical and / or circular and / or circular-cylindrical, in particular with respect to the central axis. The outer peripheral surface of the locking ring preferably bears against an inner peripheral surface of the housing.Advantageously, this inner peripheral surface of the housing, particularly with respect to the central axis, is rotationally symmetrical and / or circular and / or circularly cylindrical. This inner peripheral surface of the housing is preferably provided in the housing opening and / or in the housing interior and / or in the region of the housing interior facing the housing opening.

[0017] According to a further development, the joint ball is mounted in the housing with the interposition of a spherical socket, in particular in a movable manner. The joint ball is preferably seated, in particular in a sliding manner, in the spherical socket. The spherical socket is advantageously arranged in the housing interior. The ball stud is preferably mounted with its joint ball in an articulated manner in the housing and / or in the spherical socket. Advantageously, the ball stud is mounted with its joint ball in a rotatable and / or deflectable manner in the housing and / or in the spherical socket. The spherical socket is preferably made of plastic, in particular of a thermoplastic. The plastic is, for example, free of fibers. Alternatively, the plastic is, for example, mixed with and / or reinforced with fibers which, for example, comprise glass fibers. Advantageously, the spherical socket is rotationally symmetrical, in particular with respect to the central axis.

[0018] The ball socket preferably comprises, in particular on its side facing the housing opening, a ball socket opening through which the ball stud extends, in particular out of the ball socket. The ball socket advantageously comprises an overlap region surrounding and / or delimiting the ball socket opening, which overlaps the joint ball in the axial direction. The overlap region is preferably inclined inwardly in the direction of the housing opening relative to the central axis. In particular, the overlap region is or will be overlapped in the axial direction by the locking ring. The central axis advantageously runs, in particular centrally, through the ball socket opening.

[0019] The locking ring is preferably located, in particular in the axial direction, between the spherical socket and the housing opening. The locking ring is preferably located, in particular in the axial direction, between the spherical socket and the inner shoulder of the housing. The spherical socket is advantageously supported on the locking ring in the axial direction. The spherical socket preferably bears against the locking ring, preferably in or with its overlap region, in particular in the axial direction. The overlap region, together with the or an inner peripheral surface of the housing, advantageously delimits an annular space. The annular space is preferably delimited in the axial direction by the inner shoulder. The annular space is preferably provided in the housing interior. In particular, the locking ring is arranged in the annular space and / or the locking ring is located in particular in the annular space. The annular space is preferably wedge-shaped in cross-section.In particular, a side of the annular space facing the spherical shell and / or defined by the spherical shell can be straight in cross-section. Alternatively, the side of the annular space facing the spherical shell and / or defined by the spherical shell can be curved in cross-section, in particular curved inward.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the locking ring has a ring region facing away from the joint ball and a ring region facing the joint ball. In particular, each of the ring regions is ring-shaped. Preferably, the ring region facing the joint ball has an inner circumferential surface extending around the central axis. This inner circumferential surface is advantageously rotationally symmetrical, in particular with respect to the central axis. Preferably, the ring region facing the joint ball has the inner circumferential surface or surfaces that are rotationally symmetrical, in particular with respect to the central axis. The inner circumferential surface can be straight or curved in cross-section, in particular curved inwards or corresponding to a curved contour of the spherical shell. A transition can be present between the inner circumferential surface of the ring region facing away from the joint ball and the inner circumferential surface of the ring region facing the joint ball.In this case, the transition can achieve an alignment between the rotationally symmetric inner circumferential surface of the ring region facing the joint ball and the non-rotationally symmetric inner circumferential surface of the ring region facing away from the joint ball. In particular, the transition is designed to be non-rotationally symmetric.

[0021] The annular space and / or the closure ring can have a substantially wedge-like or wedge-shaped cross-section. Alternatively, the annular space and / or the closure ring can at least partially have a substantially rectangular cross-section. In particular, the annular space and / or the closure ring has a rectangular cross-section substantially in a transverse plane. The annular space and / or the closure ring can have a wedge-like cross-section substantially in a longitudinal plane. This cross-section can have a bevel that is aligned transversely to the central axis. The bevel is designed such that it widens outwards with increasing distance from the center of the joint ball. This results in a conically widening cross-section of the closure ring in a longitudinal plane.This allows for a larger angular range of movement of the ball stud, especially in the longitudinal direction. Thus, larger angular deflections can be achieved for the ball stud in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction. The locking ring can be designed as a flat ring. In particular, the height of the locking ring or flat ring is less than the width of the locking ring or flat ring.

[0022] The ring region facing the joint ball preferably has an outer circumferential surface running around the central axis. Advantageously, the or an outer circumferential surface of the ring region facing the joint ball is rotationally symmetrical and / or circular and / or circularly cylindrical, particularly with respect to the central axis. Preferably, the inner circumferential surface of the ring region facing the joint ball tapers with increasing distance from the center of the joint ball. Advantageously, the end face of the locking ring facing the joint ball and / or of the ring region facing the joint ball lies in an end face plane running transversely to the central axis, which is also referred to, for example, as the inner end face plane. The aforementioned measures are advantageous, particularly individually and / or in combination, since the locking ring can press the overlap area of ​​the spherical shell against the joint ball in the conventional manner.A specially designed spherical shell and / or a specially designed housing are particularly unnecessary for this purpose. The ring regions of the locking ring are preferably arranged axially, particularly directly, one behind the other and / or adjacent to one another and / or following one another. Advantageously, the ring regions of the locking ring merge into one another in the axial direction.

[0023] The ring region facing away from the joint ball preferably has an inner circumferential surface running around the central axis. Advantageously, the or an inner circumferential surface of the ring region facing away from the joint ball has a larger diameter in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction. Preferably, the inner circumferential surface of the ring region facing away from the joint ball is oval and / or elliptical and / or slot-shaped, for example in the ring plane or a ring plane running transversely to the central axis. Preferably, the projection of the inner circumferential surface of the ring region facing away from the joint ball onto the projection plane or a projection plane running transversely to the central axis is oval and / or elliptical and / or slot-shaped. Preferably, the ring region facing away from the joint ball and / or its inner circumferential surface defines the locking ring opening and / or the geometry or shape of the locking ring opening and / or the dimensions of the locking ring opening.Preferably, the ring region facing away from the joint ball has an outer circumferential surface extending around the central axis. Advantageously, the or an outer circumferential surface of the ring region facing away from the joint ball is rotationally symmetrical and / or circular and / or circularly cylindrical, particularly with respect to the central axis.

[0024] The locking ring is designed to be completely closed along its circumference, for example. Alternatively, the locking ring is designed as an open or slotted ring and / or is provided with a slot and / or a parting line. For example, the locking ring is made of wire. Preferably, the locking ring forms a one-piece and / or homogeneous and / or monolithic body. The locking ring is preferably made of metal, in particular of a ferrous material, such as steel.

[0025] According to a further development, the overlap area of ​​the spherical shell, in particular around the central axis or surrounding the central axis or coaxial with the central axis, is covered in the axial direction by the annular area facing the joint ball. Any further overlap of the overlap area of ​​the spherical shell in the axial direction preferably occurs in or only in the transverse direction by the annular area facing away from the joint ball and / or is preferably provided in or only in the transverse direction by the annular area facing away from the joint ball. In particular, the further overlap arises in an angular range of approximately ± 60° at right angles to the longitudinal direction. The spherical shell and / or the overlap area, in particular around the central axis, preferably bears against the annular area facing the joint ball and / or against its inner circumferential surface in the axial direction.Advantageously, the ball socket and / or the overlap area abuts the ring area facing away from the joint ball in the axial direction in the transverse direction. Preferably, the ball socket also abuts the ring area facing away from the joint ball in the axial direction in the longitudinal direction. In particular, the larger the overlap area in the transverse direction, the better. The overlap area, which essentially arises in the transverse direction, can be larger than the overlap area, which essentially arises in the longitudinal direction. This allows greater forces to be absorbed in the transverse direction than in the longitudinal direction.

[0026] Preferably, the inner surface of the ring region facing away from the joint ball is divided transversely into two axially superimposed surface regions, of which a first surface region faces the joint ball and a second surface region faces away from the joint ball. Preferably, the inner surface of the first surface region tapers with increasing distance from the center of the joint ball. In particular, the first surface region forms a continuation and / or extension of the inner peripheral surface of the ring region facing the joint ball. Preferably, the second surface region is inclined outwards in the axial direction and / or in the direction away from the joint ball relative to the central axis. Advantageously, the inner surface of the ring region facing away from the joint ball is inclined outwards in the longitudinal direction in the axial direction and / or in the direction away from the joint ball relative to the central axis.

[0027] An angular range of the joint and / or the ball stud can be undesirably limited due to a housing edge, in particular a rolled edge. In order to enable a greater angular extension or a larger angular range for the joint and / or the ball stud, the housing edge defining a housing opening can be displaced outwards with respect to the locking ring and / or below a height determined by the locking ring. In particular, the locking ring forms, preferably in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction, a stop for the joint and / or the ball stud that limits the angular range. For example, the locking ring can have a step facing away from the joint ball. The housing edge can engage in this step of the locking ring.

[0028] The housing is preferably made of plastic or metal. For example, the housing is made of a ferrous material, such as steel. The housing is advantageously designed to be rotationally symmetrical or approximately rotationally symmetrical, particularly with respect to the central axis.

[0029] The ball stud is preferably made of metal. For example, the ball stud is made of a ferrous material, such as steel. Advantageously, the ball stud is rotationally symmetrical or approximately rotationally symmetrical with respect to a ball stud axis. The ball stud axis preferably runs through the center of the joint ball.

[0030] The deflection of the ball stud relative to the housing and / or relative to the housing is given or defined in particular by an angle that is or will be enclosed between the central axis and the ball stud axis. In the non-deflected state of the ball stud, the ball stud axis preferably coincides with the central axis.

[0031] The ball joint is provided in particular for a vehicle, which is preferably a motor vehicle. Preferably, the ball joint is arranged in the chassis and / or in a wheel suspension and / or in an axle suspension of the or a vehicle. Advantageously, the housing is connected to a first vehicle component, wherein the ball stud is connected to a second vehicle component. In particular, the vehicle components are connected to one another by the ball joint, preferably in an articulated manner. Preferably, one of the components is formed by a wheel carrier or steering knuckle. Furthermore, another of the components is preferably formed by a control arm, which is in particular a chassis control arm. Preferably, the control arm forms a wishbone and / or support arm. Preferably, the ball joint forms a support joint.

[0032] The invention is described below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 a sectional view of a ball joint according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 an enlarged view of the Fig. 1 area marked A with a locking ring, Fig. 3 the representation according to Fig. 2, but rotated 90° around a central axis of the ball joint, Fig. 4 a schematic plan view of the locking ring and Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of a locking ring according to a modification.

[0033] Out of Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a ball joint 1 according to an embodiment, which comprises a housing 2 with an interior space 3 and a housing opening 4, wherein the interior space 3 is delimited in a region facing the housing opening 4 by a cylindrical inner circumferential surface 6 of the housing 2 extending around a central axis 5. The central axis 5 extends in an axial direction z. Furthermore, a longitudinal direction x and a transverse direction y are shown, wherein the longitudinal direction x extends transversely to the axial direction z and the transverse direction y extends transversely to the axial direction z and transversely to the longitudinal direction x. According to Fig. 1 the transverse direction y runs into the sheet plane.

[0034] Arranged in the interior space 3 is a spherical shell 7 which is open towards the housing opening 4 and which has, on its side facing the housing opening 4, an overlap region 8 which delimits a spherical shell opening 9 of the spherical shell 7. The overlap region 8 is further inclined inwards in the direction of the housing opening 4 relative to the central axis 5 and, together with the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 6 of the housing 2, delimits an annular space 10. A ball stud 12 comprising a joint ball 11 is slidably mounted in the spherical shell 7 and extends through the spherical shell opening 9 and the housing opening 4 out of the housing 2. The center point of the joint ball 11 is designated by the reference symbol M.

[0035] A locking ring 13 is inserted into the annular space 10 defined by the overlap region 8 and the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 6 of the housing 2. The locking ring 13 is axially secured between the spherical socket 7 and an inner shoulder 14 of the housing 2 provided in the region of the housing opening 4, the inner shoulder being formed by an inwardly bent housing edge 15 of the housing 2. The locking ring 13 is supported on the spherical socket 7 on its side facing away from the housing opening 4. Furthermore, the locking ring 13 is pressed axially against the spherical socket 7 by the inner shoulder 14, so that the latter is prestressed. The locking ring 13 has a cylindrical outer circumferential surface 16 bearing against the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 6 of the housing 2 and a contact surface 17 bearing against the overlap region 8 of the spherical socket 7 and inclined inwards in the direction of the housing opening 4 relative to the central axis 5.Surfaces 16 and 17 form a wedge in cross-section, with the cylindrical inner circumferential surface 6 of the housing 2 and the overlap area 8 of the spherical shell 7 also giving the annular space 10 a wedge-shaped cross-section. The locking ring 13 further has a free opening surface 18 facing the housing opening 4 and inclined outwardly in the direction of the housing opening 4 relative to the central axis 5. An enlarged view of the annular space 10 shown in FIG. Fig. 1 area marked A is made of Fig. 2 can be seen.

[0036] As is particularly evident from Fig. 2, the locking ring 13 can be divided into a first ring region 19 facing the joint ball 11 and a second ring region 20 facing away from the joint ball 11, wherein the ring regions 19 and 20 are each ring-shaped and merge into one another at a transition 21 in the axial direction z. The transition 21 is formed by the transition of the contact surface 17 into the opening surface 18 according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The contact surface 17 forms an inner circumferential surface of the first ring region 19 and is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the central axis 5. The inner circumferential surface of the second ring region 20, which extends around the central axis 5, is, however, larger in the longitudinal direction x than in the transverse direction y.

[0037] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show sectional views of the ball joint in the zx plane, whereas Fig. 3 the view according to Fig. 2 in the yz-plane. According to Fig. 2, the inner surface of the second ring region 20 is formed by the opening surface 18, whereas according to Fig. 3 The inner surface of the second annular region 20 is defined by two surface regions 22 and 23, of which surface region 22 is referred to as the inner surface region 22 and surface region 23 as the outer surface region. The inner surface region 22 faces the joint ball, whereas the outer surface region 23 faces away from the joint ball 11. Furthermore, the surface regions 22 and 23 merge into one another in the axial direction z at or in a transition 24.

[0038] Out of Fig. 3 it can be seen that the inner surface of the second ring region 20, starting from the first ring region 19, initially tapers in the inner surface region 22 with increasing distance from the center point M of the joint ball 11 and only at the axial distance from the first ring region 19 in the outer surface region 23 is inclined outwards relative to the center axis 5. The surface region 22 forms a continuation and / or extension of the contact surface 17 of the first ring region 19. Thus, by means of the surface region 22 and the contact surface 17, a support area for the joint ball 11 is realized, which is larger in the transverse direction y than a support area exclusively according to the contact surface 17 in the longitudinal direction x according to Fig. 2.

[0039] At the transition 24 of the surface areas 22 and 23, the distance of the locking ring 13 to the central axis 5 is thus smaller than at the transition 21, so that the projection of the locking ring opening 25 delimited by the locking ring 13 onto a plane extending transversely to the central axis 5 forms an oval surface. This is Fig. 4, which shows a schematic plan view of the locking ring 13.

[0040] The locking ring opening 25 is larger in the longitudinal direction x than in the transverse direction y. Fig. 4, the inner circumferential line 26 of the closure opening, visible in plan view, is not in a plane, but has a smaller axial distance from the center point M of the joint ball 11 in the longitudinal direction x than in the transverse direction y. Furthermore, the axial overlap of the joint ball 11 by the closure ring 13 is greater in the transverse direction y than in the longitudinal direction x. However, the deflectability of the ball pivot 12 relative to the housing 2 is greater in the longitudinal direction x than in the transverse direction y.

[0041] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of a locking ring 13 according to a modification, wherein the locking ring has a slot 27 and is designed as a slotted or open ring. Apart from this difference, the locking ring according to Fig. 5 with the locking ring according to Fig. 1 to 4 are identical, so that for further description of the locking ring according to Fig. 5 on the locking ring according to the Fig. 1 to 4. In particular, the locking ring can be Fig. 5 the locking ring according to Fig. Replace 1 to 4.

[0042] In this embodiment, the slot 27 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x or in the transverse direction y. In alternative embodiments, the slot 27 can be arranged at any other location, for example, transverse to the longitudinal direction x and / or transverse to the transverse direction y. Reference symbol 1 ball joint 2 Ball joint housing 3 Interior of the housing 4 Housing opening 5 Central axis of the housing 6 Inner peripheral surface of the housing 7 ball shell 8 Coverage area of ​​the spherical shell 9 Ball shell opening 10 Annular space 11 Ball joint of the ball stud 12 ball studs 13 Locking ring 14 inner shoulder 15 Housing edge 16 Outer peripheral surface of the locking ring 17 Contact surface of the locking ring 18 Opening area of ​​the locking ring 19 first ring area of ​​the locking ring 20 second ring area of ​​the locking ring 21 Transition between the ring areas 22 inner surface area of ​​the second ring area 23 outer surface area of ​​the second ring area 24 Transition between the surface areas 25 locking ring opening 26 inner circumference line 27 slot x longitudinal direction y transverse direction z axial direction M Center of the joint ball

Claims

[1] Ball joint with a housing (2) comprising a housing opening (4), to which a central axis (5) extending in an axial direction (z) and passing through the housing opening (4) is assigned, a ball stud (12) comprising a joint ball (11), which is movably mounted in the housing (2) with its joint ball (11) and extends therefrom through the housing opening (4), and a locking ring (13) firmly seated in the housing (2), encircling the central axis (5) and supporting the joint ball (11) in the axial direction (z), which delimits a locking ring opening (25) through which the ball stud (12) extends, wherein the locking ring opening (25) is larger in a longitudinal direction (x) running transversely to the central axis (5) than in a transverse direction (y) running transversely to the central axis (5) and to the longitudinal direction (x),and the locking ring (13) covers the joint ball (11) and / or a ball socket (7) receiving the joint ball (11) for axially supporting the joint ball (11) in the axial direction (z), , characterized by that the axial overlap is increased in the transverse direction (y) by means of the locking ring (13), whereby an additional surface portion is available for axial support and a surface pressure in the axial direction (z) is reduced. [2] Ball joint according to claim 1, characterized by that the locking ring opening (25) is oval, elliptical or has an elongated hole. [3] Ball joint according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the outer peripheral surface (16) of the locking ring (13) is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the central axis (5). [4] Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking ring (13) has a circular cylindrical outer peripheral surface (16). [5] Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the end face of the locking ring (13) facing away from the joint ball (11) lies in an end face plane running transversely to the central axis (5). [6] Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the locking ring (13) covers the joint ball (11) in the axial direction (z). [7] Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the joint ball (11) is mounted in the housing (2) with the interposition of a ball socket (7) which has a ball socket opening (9) and a covering region (8) which delimits the ball socket opening (9), which covers the joint ball (11) in the axial direction (z) and is covered in the axial direction (z) by the locking ring (13), wherein the ball pin (12) extends through the ball socket opening (9). [8] Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the locking ring (13) has a ring region (20) facing away from the joint ball (11) and a ring region (19) facing the joint ball (11), which has an inner circumferential surface (17) that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the central axis (5), whereas the inner circumferential surface of the ring region (20) facing away from the joint ball (11) has a larger diameter in the longitudinal direction (x) than in the transverse direction (y), in particular there is a transition (24) between the inner circumferential surface of the ring region (20) facing away from the joint ball (11) and the inner circumferential surface of the ring region (19) facing the joint ball (11). [9] Ball joint according to claims 7 and 8, characterized bythat the overlap area (8) of the spherical shell (7) is covered by the ring area (19) facing the joint ball (11) around the central axis (5) in the axial direction (z) and that any further overlap of the overlap area (8) of the spherical shell (7) in the axial direction (z) is only provided in the transverse direction (y), in particular in an angular range of ± 60° at right angles to the longitudinal direction (x), by the ring area (20) facing away from the joint ball. [10] Ball joint according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the inner peripheral surface (17) of the ring region (19) facing the joint ball (11) tapers with increasing distance from the center point (M) of the joint ball (11).

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