Method for manufacturing a ball joint, ball joint and bearing shell for such a ball joint

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a ball joint (2) comprising the process steps of providing a bearing shell (16) having a side wall section (46) for delimiting a receiving space (48) in a radial direction (8) with an opening (50) pointing in a first axial direction (4) and a bottom wall section (58) for delimiting the receiving space (48) in a second axial direction (6) opposite to the first axial direction (4), inserting a ball head (24) of a ball stud (18) through the opening (50) into the receiving space (48) of the bearing shell (16) and inserting the bearing shell (16) with the ball stud (18) into an interior (28) of a joint housing (20) by deforming the side wall section (46) in a radial direction (10) inwards through the joint housing (20).In the side wall section (46) of the provided bearing shell (16) at least one slot (90) is provided, wherein the deformation of the side wall section (46) by the joint housing (20) takes place by reducing a slot width (b) of the slot (90). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a ball joint (2) and a bearing shell (16) for use in the method or the ball joint (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a ball joint. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a ball joint and a bearing shell for such a ball joint for use in the aforementioned method.

[0002] From DE 10 2023 130 400 A1, a method for manufacturing a ball socket assembly is known. In the known method, a plastic bearing shell is used, which essentially comprises a side wall section for delimiting a receiving space in the radial direction with an opening pointing in a first axial direction, and a bottom wall section for delimiting the receiving space in a second axial direction opposite to the first. In the initial form of the known bearing shell, the side wall section and the bottom wall section already occupy the position in which they are later installed within the joint housing, and in which a ball head within the receiving space is engaged by the side wall section in the first axial direction and supported by the bottom wall section in the second axial direction.To enable non-destructive demolding of the plastic bearing shell during manufacturing, for example by injection molding, and to simplify the subsequent insertion of the ball head into the receiving space through the opening, axially extending slots are provided in the side wall section. To create the ball joint, the ball head of a ball stud is first inserted into the receiving space through the opening in the second axial direction. This occurs with elastic expansion of the opening, which is facilitated by the slots in the side wall section. Once the ball head reaches its intended position within the receiving space, the side wall section springs back radially inwards to its initial position, resting against the ball head and engaging it in the first axial direction.Thus, after the ball head is inserted into the receiving space, the bearing shell returns to its original shape. Subsequently, the bearing shell, together with the ball stud, is inserted into the interior of a joint housing, which essentially corresponds to the outer shape of the bearing shell, before the bearing shell is fixed in its intended position by partially deforming the joint housing.

[0003] From DE 20 2019 104 213 U1, another method for manufacturing a ball joint is known. This method also uses a bearing shell with a side wall section and a bottom wall section. However, in contrast to the manufacturing method described above, the bearing shell has an initial shape that does not correspond to its installed shape within the ball joint. Specifically, the side wall section is essentially cylindrical and circumferentially closed. During the manufacturing process of the ball joint, the ball head of the ball stud is inserted into the receiving space of the bearing shell through the opening that points in the first axial direction.The bearing shell, with the ball stud still relatively loosely arranged within it, is then inserted into the interior of a joint housing in the first axial direction. The inner surface of the joint housing, facing the interior, interacts with the side wall section in such a way that the side wall section is deformed radially inwards by the joint housing. In this deformed state, the side wall section engages behind the ball stud in the first axial direction, while the ball stud is supported against the bottom wall section in the opposite, second axial direction. Once this target position is reached, the bearing shell is fixed in its target position within the joint housing by means of a housing cover, which is attached to the joint housing.

[0004] A similar method is described in DE 10 2010 005 314 A1, in which the bearing shell has a side wall that defines the receiving space for the ball head in the radial direction. The side wall is cylindrical and circumferentially closed, and is deformed radially inwards by being inserted into the joint housing.

[0005] Another similar method is described in DE 10 2023 201 495 B3, in which the rod end is inserted axially into the receiving space of the bearing shell, and the bearing shell, together with the rod end inserted into it, is then inserted into the joint housing in the same axial direction. In this process, an annular surface of the bearing shell, which bounds the receiving space radially, is deformed radially inwards. The annular surface is formed as a closed circumferential surface.

[0006] In the method known from EP 0 082 638 A1, the bearing shell with an internal ball head is also inserted into a cup-shaped housing in the same axial direction in which the ball head was previously inserted into the bearing shell. However, a side wall section of the bearing shell that radially defines the receiving space for the ball head is not deformed in this process, and this side wall section is again formed as a closed circumferential element. Radially outside the side wall section, the bearing shell has an outer groove wall, so that a circumferential groove is formed between the side wall section and the outer groove wall. Inserting the bearing shell into the housing deforms the outer groove wall, which is provided with axial slots, in order to clamp a seal located in the groove between the outer groove wall and the side wall section.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to further develop a method for manufacturing a ball joint of the generic type in such a way as to ensure the targeted production of ball joints with predefined properties on the one hand and higher load-bearing capacity and improved aging behavior on the other. Furthermore, the present invention aims to create a ball joint that is easy to manufacture, enables high load-bearing capacity, and exhibits improved aging behavior. Finally, the present invention aims to create an advantageous bearing shell for a ball joint that can be advantageously used in the inventive method or the inventive ball joint.

[0008] This problem is solved by the features specified in claims 1, 6 and 10. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] The inventive method for manufacturing a ball joint comprises the following process steps. First, a bearing shell is provided, which has a side wall section for delimiting a receiving space in the radial direction with an opening pointing in a first axial direction, and a bottom wall section for delimiting the receiving space in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction. The bearing shell is preferably a one-piece bearing shell and / or a bearing shell made of a plastic material, wherein the bearing shell can, for example, be formed as an injection-molded part. Subsequently, a ball head of a ball stud is inserted through the opening into the receiving space of the bearing shell. Following this, the bearing shell receiving the ball head, together with the ball stud, is inserted into the interior of a joint housing.The provided joint housing is preferably a one-piece joint housing and / or a joint housing made of metal. The inner wall formed by the joint housing and the initial shape of the bearing shell that receives the ball head of the ball stud are designed such that the bearing shell with the ball stud is inserted into the interior of the joint housing by deforming the side wall section radially inwards through the joint housing. This results in the initial shape of the provided bearing shell differing from its installed shape within the joint housing.In contrast to the method known from DE 20 2019 104 213 U1, in which the side wall section is formed as a closed circumferential element, the side wall section of the bearing shell provided according to the invention includes at least one slot, so that the deformation of the side wall section by the joint housing occurs radially inwards, reducing the slot width. In this way, relatively uncontrolled deformation of the side wall section, as is the case with a circumferentially closed circumferential side wall section, can be avoided, so that the method according to the invention allows for the targeted production of ball joints that exhibit the desired predefined properties, such as load-bearing capacity.In contrast to the method known from DE 10 2023 130 400 A1, a ball joint can also be created that allows for a higher load-bearing capacity, especially since the slot width is reduced by deforming the side wall section radially inwards through the joint housing, which is equivalent to increasing the bearing surface area of ​​the bearing shell in relation to the ball head. Furthermore, this has the advantage that a plastic material of the bearing shell is no longer as prone to creep due to load or temperature as is the case with the known bearing shell, where a large slot width, due to manufacturing processes, is the same in the initial state and in the installed state of the bearing shell.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the slot width is reduced by at least 50%, preferably 100%, by deformation. This reduction in slot width from the original slot width need not affect the entire length of the slot; however, it is particularly preferred if the reduction is achieved in at least 50%, preferably 100%, of the slot length.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the bearing shell is inserted in the first axial direction into the axially continuous interior of the joint housing. In other words, in this embodiment a joint housing is provided into which the bearing shell can be inserted with the opening facing into the interior, so that the ball stud can exit the interior behind the joint housing in the first axial direction.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the bearing shell is inserted into the interior of the joint housing in the first axial direction, with the end face of an edge of the side wall section surrounding the opening supported by a support projection of the joint housing. By supporting the edge of the side wall section surrounding the opening not merely radially against the joint housing, but rather end-face against the support projection of the joint housing when the bearing shell is inserted, an advantageous deformation of the bearing shell is promoted. This deformation involves the side wall section being pressed more strongly against the side of the ball head pointing in the first axial direction, while the bottom section is pressed more strongly against the side of the ball head pointing in the second axial direction.Furthermore, the support projection forms a barrier during subsequent operation of the joint housing thus manufactured, counteracting the creep of the plastic bearing shell in the first axial direction and thus preventing aging. The support projection of the provided joint housing is preferably a circumferentially extending, optionally fully circumferential, support projection.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the bearing shell is inserted into the interior of the joint housing in the first axial direction, supported in the first axial direction by a radially projecting support section of the bearing shell against the joint housing. The radially projecting support section can, for example, be a circumferentially circumferential, optionally fully circumferential, support section. Furthermore, it is preferred if the support section projects radially outwards.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the aforementioned radially projecting support section of the provided bearing shell is designed such that the bearing shell is inserted into the interior in the first axial direction under spring-loaded axial support of the bearing shell via the support section on the joint housing. In this way, the bearing shell can be positioned while compensating for any manufacturing tolerances of the joint housing and the bearing shell, and a desired position of the bearing shell within the joint housing can be achieved in which the finished ball joint exhibits the desired predefined properties.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, after the bearing shell has been inserted into the interior of the joint housing, a housing cover is attached to the joint housing in order to support the inserted bearing shell in the second axial direction against the housing cover. The housing cover is preferably attached to the joint housing with direct support against the bearing shell.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the bearing shell is inserted into the interior of the joint housing by pressing it into the interior in the first axial direction. It is preferred that the bearing shell be inserted by force-controlled pressing in the first axial direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it has proven advantageous if the insertion or pressing of the bearing shell into the interior in the first axial direction is carried out via the aforementioned housing cover. In this way, the corresponding tool can act on the housing cover in the first axial direction, while the housing cover acts on the bearing shell in the first axial direction to insert or press it into the interior.Thus, not only the bearing shell, but also the housing cover itself reaches its intended position after the bearing shell has been inserted and can then simply be attached to the joint housing.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the bearing shell is inserted not in the first axial direction, but in the second axial direction into the interior of the joint housing, wherein the interior of the provided joint housing is limited in the second axial direction. This is also referred to as a substantially cup-shaped joint housing, into which the bearing shell, together with the ball stud and the bottom wall section, is inserted in the second axial direction. The insertion of the bearing shell preferably takes place with the bottom wall section supported against the joint housing or a base of the cup-shaped joint housing. In this embodiment as well, it is preferred if the insertion is carried out with support in the axial direction, here in the second axial direction, against the joint housing by a radially projecting support section of the bearing shell.In order to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the joint housing and bearing shell, it is also preferred if the bearing shell is inserted under spring support of the bearing shell in the axial direction via the support section on the joint housing.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, in which the provided joint housing has an interior limited in the second axial direction in the sense of a cup-shaped joint housing, a support ring is attached to the joint housing in order to support the inserted bearing shell in the first axial direction and thus to lock it in its intended position within the interior.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the bearing shell can be inserted into the interior of the cup-shaped joint housing in the second axial direction by pressing the bearing shell into the interior in the second axial direction, preferably under force control. This pressing can be carried out directly via the ball stud, or alternatively or additionally via the support ring to be attached to the joint housing.

[0020] The ball joint according to the invention comprises a bearing shell with a side wall section for delimiting a receiving space in the radial direction, the receiving space having an opening pointing in a first axial direction, and a bottom wall section for delimiting the receiving space in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction. Furthermore, the ball joint comprises a ball stud with a ball head, which is arranged in the receiving space of the bearing shell, and a joint housing. The bearing shell is preferably formed in one piece and / or made of plastic. The joint housing is preferably formed in one piece and / or made of metal. The joint housing has an interior space into which the bearing shell with the ball stud is arranged by deforming the side wall section radially inwards through the joint housing.The side wall section has at least one slot, the slot width of which is reduced by deformation of the side wall section. This reduction in slot width results in a higher load-bearing capacity by increasing the bearing surface area of ​​the bearing shell in relation to the ball head, while also effectively preventing creep of the plastic material within the bearing shell. Furthermore, the ball joint is relatively easy to manufacture and reliably achieves the desired, predefined properties.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the ball joint according to the invention, the slot width is reduced by at least 50%, preferably 100%, by deformation. This reduction of the slot width from the original slot width need not affect the entire length of the slot; however, it is particularly preferred if said reduction is present in at least 50%, preferably 100%, of the slot length.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the ball joint according to the invention, the joint housing has a support projection against which an edge of the side wall section surrounding the opening in the bearing shell is supported at its end face. The support projection is preferably circumferential, and particularly preferably fully circumferential.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the ball joint according to the invention, the joint housing has a guide projection for tapering the interior, against which the outer surface of the deformed side wall section is supported in the radial direction. Thanks to the guide projection, the deformed side wall section is not only supported in the radial direction to maintain the deformation, but the guide projection can also act as a guide to selectively move the side wall section into the desired position in the radial direction inwards during the manufacture of the ball joint. The aforementioned guide projection is preferably provided on the joint housing such that the previously mentioned support projection follows the guide projection in the first axial direction. The guide projection is preferably circumferential, optionally fully circumferential.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment of the ball joint according to the invention, the joint housing has a stop against which a radially projecting support section of the bearing shell is supported in the first axial direction. Thus, the radially projecting support section, which is preferably circumferential, optionally fully circumferential, and / or projecting outwards in the radial direction, serves to position the bearing shell within the interior of the joint housing, thereby simplifying manufacturing. It is preferred that the radially projecting support section of the bearing shell is supported axially by the support section on the joint housing, with the bearing shell being resiliently supported, in order to compensate for manufacturing tolerances on the part of the joint housing and the bearing shell, at least during the production of the ball joint.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment of the ball joint according to the invention, a housing cover is also provided, which is attached to the joint housing. The housing cover is designed such that the bearing shell is supported in the second axial direction, optionally via the support section and / or edges of support ribs of the bearing shell. The bearing shell is preferably supported directly against the housing cover.

[0026] To create a ball joint that ensures particularly secure support of the bearing shell within the joint housing even under higher loads, in a further preferred embodiment of the ball joint according to the invention, the housing cover has an outer edge that is fixed to the joint housing and at least one cover section that projects beyond the outer edge in the first axial direction, wherein the bearing shell is supported in the second axial direction against the cover section that projects in the first axial direction. The cover section that projects beyond the outer edge of the housing cover in the first axial direction is preferably designed to be substantially frustoconical in shape to enhance the aforementioned advantage.

[0027] Another advantageous embodiment of the ball joint according to the invention relates to a ball joint with a joint housing that has an interior space limited in the second axial direction, thus a cup-shaped joint housing. In this embodiment, the bottom section of the bearing shell is supported on the joint housing in the second axial direction. It is preferred if the joint housing further comprises a stop against which a radially projecting support section of the bearing shell is supported in the second axial direction. The support section is an opening-side support section of the bearing shell, which is therefore provided in the region of the opening of the bearing shell, optionally at the edge of the side wall section surrounding the opening.It is preferred if the opening-side support section is supported in the axial direction via the support section against the stop of the joint housing under spring-loaded support of the bearing shell.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment of the ball joint according to the invention, a support ring is attached to the housing, against which the bearing shell is supported in the first axial direction, optionally via its support section. The bearing shell is preferably supported directly on the support ring.

[0029] The bearing shell according to the invention for a ball joint has a side wall section for delimiting a receiving space in the radial direction with an opening pointing in a first axial direction through which a ball head of a ball stud can be inserted into the receiving space, and a bottom wall section for delimiting the receiving space in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction. The bearing shell is particularly suitable for use in the method according to the invention and for use in the ball joint according to the invention, wherein at least one slot is provided in the side wall section for this purpose.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention, it has a support section projecting radially outwards, optionally circumferential or fully circumferential. The support section has a first support side for axial support against a joint housing, wherein a radially inner support side section is set back relative to a radially outer support side section. This has the advantage that the bearing shell is initially or primarily supported in the axial direction against a stop of the joint housing via the radially outer support side section, thereby better securing the bearing shell against rotation within the joint housing and ensuring a reliable seal between the support section and the joint housing.Furthermore, the radially outer support section, which protrudes in the axial direction compared to the radially inner support section, enables, at least when inserting the bearing shell into the joint housing, a resilient support of the bearing shell in the axial direction on the joint housing, as previously described with reference to the inventive method or the inventive ball joint, in order to compensate for manufacturing tolerances on the side of the joint housing or the bearing shell itself during the manufacturing of the ball joint.

[0031] In a further preferred embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention, the support section has an axial extension that is larger in a radially inner region of the support section than in a radially outer region of the support section, in order to achieve a geometry of the support section that has the aforementioned advantages and optionally enables advantageous support against a housing cover or support ring of the ball joint. This also effectively creates a type of film joint through the radially inner region, which promotes the aforementioned resilient support.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention, the support section has a second support side facing away from the first support side for support against a housing cover or support ring.

[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention, the first support side and / or the second support side is at least partially inclined relative to a flat plane and / or is essentially designed in a frustoconical shell shape to enable advantageous support on the joint housing and / or advantageous support on a housing cover or support ring of a ball joint.

[0034] To enable advantageous deformation of the bearing shell by the joint housing itself when it is inserted into the joint housing of a ball joint, as already described above with reference to the method according to the invention, the side wall section in a particularly preferred embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention has an axial section in which the wall thickness of the side wall section is less than the wall thickness in adjacent axial sections of the side wall or bottom wall section. This axial section is preferably provided in a region of the side wall section in which the so-called equator of the ball head is later to be arranged.It is preferred that the axial section is shaped such that it deforms radially outwards under axial load on the side wall section, optionally increasing the radial dimensions of the receiving space in the region of the axial section. This allows the bearing shell to be deformed particularly advantageously when installed in a joint housing, especially since the side wall section and the bottom wall section can be pressed particularly strongly against the axially directed sides of an inserted ball head, while the equatorial region of the ball is relieved of load or kept clear.

[0035] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention, the aforementioned axial section is designed such that an inner surface facing the receiving space projects outwards or is convex in a radial direction relative to the inner surface of the adjacent axial sections in order to achieve the desired deformation under axial load of the side wall section. Alternatively or additionally, an outer surface of the axial section facing away from the receiving space is designed such that it projects outwards or is convex in a radial direction in order to easily achieve the desired outward deformation of the axial section in a radial direction. It is understood that this advantage is particularly pronounced when both the inner and outer surfaces of the axial section are shaped in the manner described.Furthermore, if the outer surface of the axial section is shaped accordingly, it is preferred that the outer surface of the axial section does not protrude outwards in a radial direction beyond the outer surface of the adjacent axial sections or is not bulged outwards in a radial direction in order to provide the axial section with sufficient space for deformation in a radial direction outwards when the bearing shell is inserted into a joint housing by deformation of the same.

[0036] In a further advantageous embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention, the at least one slot extends in the axial directions in the side wall section. It is preferred if the at least one slot extends to an edge of the side wall section surrounding the opening, so that the edge surrounding the opening is not closed in the circumferential direction. If the aforementioned support section of the bearing shell is provided on the opening side of the bearing shell, it is alternatively or additionally preferred if the at least one slot extends through the support section provided on the opening side, so that the support section would not be closed in the circumferential direction in this case. Alternatively or additionally, the slot is further configured such that it extends into or through the aforementioned axial section.For example, the slot extending into the axial section could end within the axial section; however, it is preferred that the slot extends through the axial section to support the deformability of both the axial section and the side wall section.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention, two or more slots, optionally an odd number, are provided in the side wall section at uniform circumferential intervals. An odd number of slots has proven particularly advantageous here, since, with uniform circumferential spacing, they are not diametrically opposed to one another, thus enabling more uniform support of a ball head within the receiving space of the bearing shell.

[0038] In a further advantageous embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention, the bottom wall section is arranged radially within a second side wall section, which follows the side wall section in the second axial direction. In this embodiment, the aforementioned support section is preferably arranged on the second side wall section, optionally on an end section of the second side wall section that points in the second axial direction.

[0039] According to a further preferred embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention, two or more support ribs extend between an inner surface of the second side wall section and an outer surface of the bottom wall section. The support ribs preferably extend in the radial directions of the bearing shell. The support ribs enable the bottom wall section to be formed not from a solid material with only a shell-shaped inner surface facing the receiving space, but rather as a shell-shaped structure overall, while the support ribs ensure the required stiffness of the shell-shaped bottom wall section. Furthermore, the support ribs can suitably provide targeted support against a housing cover of a ball joint.

[0040] In a further advantageous embodiment of the bearing shell according to the invention, it is preferred if an edge of the support ribs pointing in the second axial direction is arranged in a plane with the second support side and / or is flush with the second support side of the support section. In this way, the bearing shell can be supported on a housing cover both via the second support side of the radially projecting support section and via the aforementioned edges of the support ribs. Furthermore, it is preferred if the aforementioned plane in which the edge of the support ribs and the second support side of the support section are arranged essentially corresponds to a frustoconical shell-shaped plane, so that the bearing shell can advantageously interact with the aforementioned housing cover of the ball joint according to the invention, the cover section of which should also be essentially frustoconical in shape.

[0041] According to the invention, the use of the bearing shell according to the invention is also provided for in the method according to the invention or in the ball joint according to the invention.

[0042] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a cutaway side view of a first embodiment of the ball joint according to the invention in exploded view, Fig. 2 a first perspective view of the bearing shell made of Fig. 1 in a unique position, Fig. 3 a second perspective view of the bearing shell made of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a side view of the bearing shell from the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 in cutaway view, Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 partial illustrations of the ball joint from Fig. 1 to illustrate the process steps of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention, Fig. 8 an enlarged view of section A in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 an enlarged view of section B in Fig. 7, Fig. 10 an enlarged view of section C in Fig. 7, Fig. 11 a cutaway side view of a second embodiment of the ball joint according to the invention in exploded view, Fig. 12 a first perspective view of the bearing shell made of Fig. 11 in a unique position, Fig. 13 a second perspective view of the bearing shell made of Fig. 12, Fig. 14 a side view of the bearing shell from the Fig. 11, Fig. 12 to Fig. 13 in cutaway view, Fig. 15 to Fig. 18 partial illustrations of the ball joint from Fig. 11 to illustrate the process steps of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0043] Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the ball joint 2 according to the invention. Fig. In Figure 1, as well as in the following figures, the opposing axial directions 4, 6, the opposing radial directions 8, 10 and the opposing circumferential directions 12, 14 of the ball joint 2 and the components of the ball joint 2 are indicated by corresponding arrows.

[0044] The ball joint 2 essentially consists of a bearing shell 16, a ball stud 18, a joint housing 20, and a housing cover 22. The ball stud 18 has a ball head 24 and a shaft 26 extending axially 4 from the ball head 24. The joint housing 20, which is formed in one piece and made of metal, has an interior 28, the interior 28 being continuous, extending from a lower opening 30 pointing in the first axial direction 4 to an upper opening 32 pointing in the second axial direction 6. Extending from the upper opening 32, the joint housing 20 has a circumferentially closed stop 34 pointing in the second axial direction 6, which can also be described as a stepped interior surface of the joint housing 20.The side of the stop 34 pointing in the second axial direction 6 is essentially arranged in a plane spanned by the radial directions 8, 10. Further along the interior 28, starting from the stop 34, a guide projection 36 extends inwards in the radial direction 10, causing the interior 28 to taper in the first axial direction 4. Continuing in the first axial direction 4, a support projection 38 of the joint housing 20 extends inwards in the radial direction 10 beyond the guide projection 36, with both the guide projection 36 and the support projection 38 forming a closed circumferential circumference 12, 14.

[0045] The housing cover 22 is essentially plate-shaped and preferably formed from a sheet metal or metal part. However, the housing cover 22 does not extend in a flat plane defined by the radial directions 8, 10. Rather, the housing cover 22 has an outer edge 40 extending outwards in the radial direction 8 and circumferentially 12, 14, a first cover section 42 extending radially 10 from the outer edge 40 and also circumferentially 12, 14, and a central second cover section 44. The first cover section 42 projects from the outer edge 40 in the first axial direction 4, and in the illustrated embodiment, the first cover section 42 is essentially frustoconical in shape to form a correspondingly shaped support surface for the bearing shell 16, as will be explained in more detail later.The central second cover section 44, however, is set back in the second axial direction 6 relative to the first cover section 42 in order to create a distance between the housing cover 22 and the bearing shell 16 in the installed state of the bearing shell 16 within the ball joint 2 according to . Fig. 7 in the area of ​​the second cover section 44 to be achieved.

[0046] The construction of the bearing shell 16 is described below with reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 described in more detail.

[0047] The bearing shell 16 is formed in one piece. The bearing shell 16 is also made of a plastic material. Furthermore, it is preferred that the bearing shell 16 is formed as an injection-molded part. In addition, the bearing shell 16 is shaped such that no further bearing shell is required for the secure support of the ball head 24 within the ball joint 2, as described in more detail later. Therefore, the ball joint 2 is one that has only a single-piece bearing shell 16.

[0048] The bearing shell 16 has a first side wall section 46, which essentially defines a receiving space 48 for receiving the ball head 24 in the radial direction 8 to the outside. The first side wall section 46 has an opening 50 pointing in the first axial direction 4, through which the ball head 24 of the ball stud 18 can be inserted into the receiving space 48 in the second axial direction 6. The opening 50 pointing in the first axial direction 4 is surrounded by an end edge 52 of the first side wall section 46, which has an end face 54 that points at least partially in the first axial direction 4.

[0049] In the second axial direction 6, a second side wall section 56 adjoins the first side wall section 46. Both the first side wall section 46 and the second side wall section 56 are essentially tubular or sleeve-shaped, whereby the inner and outer diameters of the tubular or sleeve-shaped side wall sections 46, 56 can vary considerably in their direction of extension, namely the axial directions 4, 6.

[0050] In the radial direction 10 within the second side wall section 56, a bottom wall section 58 of the bearing shell 16 is also arranged, which serves to delimit the receiving space 48 in the second axial direction 6. The bottom wall section 58 is essentially spherical, forming a corresponding spherical support surface for the ball head 24 facing the receiving space 48. Due to the spherical shape of the bottom wall section 58, a clearance 60 is created in the radial direction 8, 10 between an upper section of the second side wall section 56 located in the second axial direction 6 and the bottom wall section 58.In order to nevertheless achieve secure support for the relatively thin-walled bottom wall section 58, several support ribs 66 extend between the inner side 62 of the second side wall section 56, which points radially inwards 10, and an outer side 64 of the spherical bottom wall section 58, which faces away from the receiving space 48. The support ribs 66 extend, as can be seen in particular from . Fig. 3 evident, in radial direction 8, 10 between the inside 62 of the second side wall section 56 and the outside 64 of the bottom wall section 58 forming an edge 68 pointing in the second axial direction 6.

[0051] Furthermore, the bearing shell 16 has a support section 70 that projects outwards in the radial direction 8 and is closed in the circumferential direction 12, 14. The support section 70 has a first support side 72 for subsequent support in the axial direction 4 against the stop 34 of the joint housing 20, wherein the first support side 72 points in the first axial direction 4 in the illustrated first embodiment. In addition, the support section 70 has a second support side 74 facing away from the first support side 72, which in the illustrated first embodiment serves for subsequent support against the housing cover 22 and thus points in the second axial direction 6.

[0052] As especially from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the first support side 72 has a support side section 76 located radially inside 10 and a support side section 78 located radially outside 8 from the inner support side section 76, wherein the inner support side section 76 is set back relative to the outer support side section 78, here set back in the second axial direction 6. It is also evident from Fig. Figure 4 shows that the axial extent a1 of a radially 10 inner region of the support section 70 is smaller than the axial extent a2 of a radially 8 outer region of the support section 70. Thanks to the support section 70 being designed in this way, a resilient support of the support section 70 is possible when the bearing shell 16 is inserted into the joint housing 20, in order to compensate for any manufacturing tolerances on the side of the bearing shell 16 and / or the joint housing 20, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0053] Furthermore, the second support side 74 is at least partially inclined relative to a flat plane spanned by the radial directions 8, 10. In the specific first embodiment, the second support side 74 is shaped like a frustoconical shell to allow it to be supported over a flat surface by the previously described first cover section 42 of the housing cover 22. Moreover, the edge 68 of the support ribs 66 pointing in the second axial direction 6 is at least partially arranged in a plane, here the frustoconical shell-shaped plane, of the second support side 74, in order to ensure that both the second support side 74 and a section of the edges 68 can be securely supported on the housing cover 22 in the second axial direction 6. It should also be noted that the first support side 72, similar to the second support side 74, can also be arranged in a frustoconical shell-shaped plane, but in the opposite direction to the second support side 74, as shown in the figure. Fig. 4 emerges.

[0054] The first side wall section 46 further comprises an axial section 80 in which the wall thickness of the first side wall section 46 is formed between an axial section 82 of the first side wall section 46 adjacent on one side and an axial section 84 of the first side wall section 46 or of the second side wall section 56 or of the bottom wall section 58 adjacent on the other. This axial section 80 serves to advantageously deform the first side wall section 46 when the bearing shell 16 is inserted into the joint housing 20. For this purpose, the axial section 80 is shaped such that, under axial load 4, 6 or corresponding compression in the radial direction 8, it deforms outwards in a controlled manner, preferably increasing the radial dimension of the receiving space 48 in the region of the axial section 80.In the specific embodiment, an inner surface 86 facing the receiving space 48 is formed as projecting outwards and convex in a radial direction 8 relative to an inner surface of the adjacent axial sections 82, 84. Furthermore, an outer surface 88 of the axial section 80 facing away from the inner surface 86 is formed as projecting outwards and convex in a radial direction 8, wherein the outer surface 88 of the axial section 80, as in particular shown in . Fig. 4 shown, preferably not projecting or being curved outwards in the radial direction 8 beyond the outer surface of the adjacent axial sections 82, 84, at least as long as the bearing shell 16 is in its position in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. The initial form shown in Figure 4 is not affected. Rather, it is preferred if the outer surface 88 of the axial section 80 is set back inwards in the radial direction 10 relative to the outer surfaces of the adjacent axial sections 82, 84, in order to promote a subsequent deformation of the axial section 80 outwards in the radial direction 8.

[0055] Regarding the previously mentioned support section 70, it should also be mentioned that its second support side 74 merges flush into the edge 68 of the support ribs 66, and that the support section 70 is also arranged on an end section of the second side wall section 56 pointing in the second axial direction 6 in order to achieve advantageous support on the first cover section 42 of the housing cover 22, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0056] Although the first side wall section 46 is essentially tubular or sleeve-shaped, it nevertheless has at least one slot 90. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, five slots 90 are formed in the first side wall section 46, thus an odd number of slots 90, which are also arranged at uniform intervals from one another in the circumferential direction 12, 14. The slots 90 extend essentially in the axial directions 4, 6 of the bearing shell 16. Thus, in the first axial direction 4, the slots 90 extend to the edge 52 and to the end face 54 of the edge 52, so that each slot 90 can also be described as an end-face incision.Starting from the end face 54, the slots 90 extend into the axial section 80 of the first side wall section 46, and in the illustrated embodiment even beyond the axial section 80 in the second axial direction 6, thus effectively passing through the axial section 80. Although the slots 90 terminate in the second axial direction 6, they transition into grooves 92 formed in an inner surface 94 of the bottom wall section 58 facing the receiving chamber 48.

[0057] The slots 90 have a slot width b, wherein in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. Figure 4 shows the initial state of the still undeformed bearing shell 16. The slot width b does not necessarily have to be constant over the entire length of the respective slot 90, although this can be seen in the figures. In principle, however, it can be advantageous if the slot width b increases in the first axial direction 4 in the illustrated initial state of the bearing shell. Moreover, the slots 90 had a slot length l, which in Fig. 4 is indicated.

[0058] Moreover, in particular, the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. As can be seen from Figure 4, the outer diameter of the first side wall section 46 initially increases in the first axial direction 4, starting from the axial section 80, and then decreases again towards the edge 52 or the end face 54. This is intended to simplify the insertion of the bearing shell into the interior 28 of the joint housing 20 and to support the desired deformation of the first side wall section 46 during the insertion process in the manufacture of the ball joint 2.

[0059] Below, a first embodiment of the method for manufacturing a ball joint 2 is described with reference to the Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. 10 described.

[0060] First, the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 bearing shell 16 shown. Subsequently, the ball head 24 of the ball stud 18 is inserted in the second axial direction 6 through the opening 50 of the bearing shell 16 into the receiving space 48 of the bearing shell 16, in order to be inserted into the Fig. 5 position shown within the bearing shell 16, in which the ball head 24 can be loosely supported in the second axial direction 6 on the inside 94 of the bottom wall section 58.

[0061] The bearing shell 16 together with the ball stud 18 is then inserted through the upper opening 32 of the joint housing 20 in the first axial direction 4 into the interior 28 of the joint housing 20. Specifically, the bearing shell 16 is inserted in the first axial direction 4 by force-controlled pressing of the bearing shell 16 in the first axial direction 4 into the interior 28 of the joint housing 20. The pressing tool (not shown in detail) does not act directly with the bearing shell 16; rather, the pressing is carried out indirectly via the housing cover 22 arranged on the bearing shell 16. This cover is placed on the bearing shell 16 in the first axial direction 4, such that its first cover section 42 is supported on the second support side 74 of the support section 70 and on the edges 68 of the support ribs 66, while the central second cover section 44 remains spaced away from the bearing shell 16 in the axial directions 4, 6.

[0062] The shape of the interior 28 of the joint housing 20 and the shape of the bearing shell 16 are coordinated such that the described insertion of the bearing shell 16 into the interior 28 of the joint housing 20 takes place through the joint housing 20 by deforming the first side wall section 46 in a radial direction 10 inwards, whereby this in particular the Fig. 6. The deformation of the first side wall section 46 occurs by reducing the original slot width b of the slots 90. In other words, the edges of the respective slots 90 opposite each other in the circumferential direction 12, 14 are brought closer together by the deformation in order to achieve a larger support surface for the ball head 24. It is preferred if the slot width b is reduced by at least 50%, preferably 100%. In the latter case, the edges of the respective slots 90 are in contact with each other. The aforementioned reduction preferably affects at least 50% of the slot length l, optionally 100% of the slot length l, so that the slot 90 would be completely closed in the latter case.

[0063] The bearing shell 16 is inserted with end-face support of the edge 52 of the first side wall section 46 against the support projection 38 of the joint housing 20, as is shown in particular by the Fig. 6 in conjunction with Fig. 8 can be removed. Specifically, the end face 54 of the edge 52 is supported on the aforementioned support projection 38. Furthermore, the insertion is also carried out by supporting the radially projecting support section 70 of the bearing shell 16 against the stop 34 of the joint housing 20 in the first axial direction 4.

[0064] As in particular the Fig. 6 in conjunction with Fig. As can be seen from Figure 9, the outer support section 78 is supported in the first axial direction 4 against the stop 34, while the inner support section 76 is spaced from the stop 34 in the axial direction 4, 6. This provides, at least when the bearing shell 16 is inserted into the interior 28, a resilient support of the bearing shell 16 in the axial direction 4, 6 via the support section 70 against the stop 34 of the joint housing 20, especially since the support section 70 acts here like a spring joint, enabling the bearing shell 16 to be pressed even deeper in the first axial direction 4 into the interior 28 of the joint housing 20. In this way, manufacturing tolerances on the side of the joint housing 20 or on the side of the bearing shell 16 can be compensated for. This applies, for example, to the distance in the axial direction 4, 6 between the support projection 38 and the stop 34 of the housing.

[0065] The aforementioned guide projection 36 of the housing can be designed such that it supports or causes the first side wall section 46 to deform radially inwards 10. Alternatively, the guide projection 36 can also be designed simply to provide secure support for the already deformed first side wall section 46 in radially outwards 8.

[0066] The deformation of the first side wall section 46 by the joint housing 20 during the insertion of the bearing shell 16 is further advantageously supported by the previously described axial section 80. Thus, due to the previously described shape, the axial section 80 is deformed outwards in the axial direction 4, 6 and in the radial direction 8 by the load applied when pressing in the bearing shell 16, so that the expansion of the receiving space 48 increases outwards in the radial direction 8, in particular to expose the equatorial region of the ball head 24. Meanwhile, due to the deformation, the first side wall section 46 is pressed more strongly against the side of the ball head 24 pointing in the first axial direction 4, and the bottom wall section 58 is pressed more strongly against the side of the ball head 24 pointing in the second axial direction 6.

[0067] Subsequently, the housing cover 22 is fixed to the hinge housing 20, as shown in Fig. 7 can be seen. For this purpose, the housing can be deformed in such a way that it supports the outer edge 40 of the housing cover 22 in the second axial direction 6. The ball joint 2 thus completed is then Fig. 7 The bearing shell 16 is particularly securely supported in the second axial direction 6 on the first cover section 42 via the second support side 74 and the edges 68 of the support ribs 66. Not only the reduced slot width b, but also the support projection 38 counteract aging of the ball joint 2. In particular, the reduced slot width b prevents creep of the bearing shell 16. The support projection 38 also forms a barrier to limit creep of the bearing shell 16, especially since the support projection 38 largely prevents creep of the first side wall section 46 in the first axial direction 4 out of the interior 28 of the joint housing 20.

[0068] The Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17 to Fig. Figure 18 shows a second embodiment of the ball joint 2 according to the invention, the bearing shell 16, and the method for manufacturing such a ball joint 2. The embodiments according to the Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17 to Fig. 18 essentially correspond to the embodiments according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. 10, so that only the differences are discussed below, the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts and the preceding description applies accordingly.

[0069] As shown in the exploded view of the ball joint 2 in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 11, the second embodiment features a joint housing 20 with an interior space 28 that is limited in the second axial direction 6. This can also be described as a cup-shaped joint housing 20. In particular, the joint housing 20 has a base 96 that limits the interior space 28 in the second axial direction 6. The circumferential stop 34 of the joint housing 20, which extends in the direction 12, 14, points in the first axial direction 4. The same applies to the lower opening 30, through which the bearing shell 16 and the ball stud 18 must be inserted into the interior space 28.

[0070] As from the Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13 to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 14, the second side wall section 56 is omitted from the bearing shell 16, and the previously described support ribs 66 are also eliminated. This simplifies the construction of the bearing shell 16, whose bottom wall section 58, in the second embodiment, is to be supported directly on the side of the bottom 96 of the joint housing 20 facing the receiving space 28. For this purpose, the bottom wall section 58 and the side of the bottom 96 of the joint housing 20 facing the bottom wall section 58 have corresponding shapes.

[0071] In the second embodiment, the radially projecting support section 70 is provided on the first side section 46. More precisely, the support section 70 is arranged in the region of the opening 50 of the bearing shell 16, extending outwards in the radial direction 8 from the edge 52. Since, unlike in the first embodiment, the bearing shell 16 is to be inserted into the joint housing 20 not in the first axial direction 4, but rather in the second axial direction 6, the first support side 72 of the support section 70 also points in the second axial direction 6 in order to engage with the bearing shell 20 as described in the first embodiment. Fig. The stop 34 described in section 11 can be supported. The second support side 74, which faces away from the first support side 72, points essentially in the first axial direction 4. The support section 70 can therefore also be referred to as an opening-side support section 70 of the bearing shell 16.

[0072] Since the support section 70 is now located in the area of ​​the slots 90, which extend in the first axial directions 4 to the edge 52 of the first side wall section 46, the support section 70 is also interrupted in the area of ​​the respective slot 90. Therefore, it can also be described as a circumferential support section 70, which, however, is not formed as a continuous circumferential section, but rather is segmented in order not to restrict the deformability of the first side wall section 46. Furthermore, the support section 70 has the features already described with reference to the first embodiment, such as the inner support side section 76 and the outer support side section 78, wherein the inner support side section 76 is set back in the first axial direction 4 relative to the outer support side section 78.The axial dimensions a1 and a2, as described with reference to the first embodiment, are also present in the second embodiment. Therefore, the support section 70 of the second embodiment also enables the previously described resilient support against the stop 34 of the joint housing 20, thus allowing for simple tolerance compensation.

[0073] Furthermore, it is from the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 shows that the outer diameter of the first side wall section 46 increases from the axial section 80 in the first axial direction 4 to the edge 52 or the support section 70 in order to achieve the desired deformation of the side wall section 46 by the joint housing 20 when the bearing shell 16 is inserted into the interior 28 of the joint housing 20 as described below.

[0074] In the second embodiment of the method for manufacturing the ball joint 2, the ball head 24 of the ball stud 18 is also inserted in the second axial direction 6 through the opening 50 into the receiving space 48 of the bearing shell 16, as described in the Fig. 15 can be seen.

[0075] The bearing shell 16, together with the ball stud 18, is then inserted or pressed into the interior 28 of the joint housing 20 through the lower opening 30 in the second axial direction 6, whereby a clamping force can be applied, for example, via the ball stud 18. During this process, the first side wall section 46 is again deformed, reducing the slot width b of the slots 90, as previously described. The bearing shell 16, together with the ball stud 18, is inserted while the outer surface 64 of the bottom wall section 58 is supported against the side of the bottom 96 of the joint housing 20 facing the receiving space 28. Furthermore, the first support side 72 of the support section 70 is again supported against the stop 34 of the joint housing 20, this time in the second axial direction 6.As in the first embodiment, the design of the support section 70 enables the bearing shell 16 to be resiliently supported against the stop 34 via the support section 70, thus again allowing for tolerance compensation. Furthermore, the axial section 80 described above can also advantageously deform outwards in the radial direction 8, while the slot width b of the slots 90 decreases inwards in the radial direction 10 due to the deformation or bending of the first side wall section 46.

[0076] To fix the bearing shell 16 thus inserted within the joint housing 20, a support ring 98 is also provided, which is pushed in the second axial direction 6 over the shaft 26 of the ball stud 18 in order to - as shown Fig. 17 shows that the second support side 74 of the support section 70 is to come into contact with the bearing shell. Alternatively or additionally, an axially acting pressing force 6 can be applied to the bearing shell 16 via the support ring 98.

[0077] Subsequently, the support ring 98 is attached to the joint housing 20, for example by reshaping the joint housing 20 in the area of ​​the lower opening 30, as shown in Fig. Figure 18 is shown. After fastening the support ring 98, the bearing shell 16 is permanently supported in the first axial direction 4 on the support ring 98. Reference symbol list Ball joint 2 4 first axial direction 6 second axial direction 8 radial direction 10 radial direction 12 Circumferential direction 14 Circumferential direction 16 bearing shell 18 ball studs 20 joint housings 22 Case covers 24 ball head 26 shaft 28 Interior 30 lower opening 32 upper opening 34 attacks 36 lead 38 Support projection 40 outer edge 42 first lid section 44 second lid section 46 first side wall section 48 Recording room 50 opening 52 Rand 54 Front 56 second side wall section 58 Floor wall section 60 free space 62 Inside 64 Outside 66 supporting ribs 68 edge 70 Support section 72 first support side 74 second support side 76 internal support side section 78 external support side section 80 Axial section 82 adjacent axial section 84 adjacent axial section 86 Inside 88 Outside 90 slots 92 Nut 94 Inside 96 Floor 98 Support ring a1 axial extension a2 axial extension b Slot width l Slot length

Claims

[1] Method for manufacturing a ball joint (2) comprising the process steps Providing a bearing shell (16) comprising a side wall section (46) for delimiting a receiving space (48) for receiving a ball head (24) of a ball stud (19) in a radial direction (8) with an opening (50) pointing in a first axial direction (4) and a bottom wall section (58) for delimiting the receiving space (48) in a second axial direction (6) opposite to the first axial direction (4), Inserting a ball head (24) of a ball stud (18) through the opening (50) into the receiving space (48) of the bearing shell (16) and Inserting the bearing shell (16) with the ball stud (18) into an interior (28) of a joint housing (20) by deforming the side wall section (46) in a radial direction (10) inwards through the joint housing (20), characterized by, that at least one slot (90) is provided in the side wall section (46) of the provided bearing shell (16), wherein the deformation of the side wall section (46) by the joint housing (20) is carried out by reducing a slot width (b) of the slot (90). [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the bearing shell (16) is inserted in the first axial direction (4) into the interior space (28) of the joint housing (20) which extends continuously in the axial direction (4, 6), preferably with end-face support of an edge (52) of the side wall section (46) surrounding the opening (50) on a support projection (38) of the joint housing (20), particularly preferably with support of a radially projecting support section (70) of the bearing shell (16) in the first axial direction (4) on the joint housing (20), optionally with resilient support of the bearing shell (16) in the axial direction (4, 6) via the support section (70) on the joint housing (20). [3] Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a housing cover (22) is attached to the joint housing (20) by supporting the inserted bearing shell (16) in the second axial direction (6), and / or wherein the insertion is carried out by pressing the bearing shell (16) into the interior (28) in the first axial direction (4), preferably via the housing cover (22), preferably by force control. [4] Method according to claim 1, wherein the bearing shell (16) is inserted in the second axial direction (6) into the interior space (28) of the joint housing (20) which is limited in the second axial direction (6), preferably by supporting the bottom wall section (58) on the joint housing (20), particularly preferably by supporting a support section (70) of the bearing shell (16) projecting in the radial direction (8) on the joint housing (20), optionally by providing resilient support of the bearing shell (16) in the axial direction (4, 6) via the support section (70) on the joint housing (20). [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein a support ring (98) is attached to the joint housing (20) in the first axial direction (4) while supporting the inserted bearing shell (16) and / or wherein the insertion is carried out by pressing the bearing shell (16) into the interior (28) in the second axial direction (6), preferably via the support ring (98), preferably by force control. [6] Ball joint (2) comprising a bearing shell (16) with a side wall section (46) for delimiting a receiving space (48) for receiving a ball head (24) of a ball stud (19) in a radial direction (8) with an opening (50) pointing in a first axial direction (4) and a bottom wall section (58) for delimiting the receiving space (48) in a second axial direction (6) opposite the first axial direction (4), a ball stud (18) with a ball head (24) arranged in the receiving space (48) of the bearing shell (16), and a joint housing (20) with an interior space (28), wherein the bearing shell (16) with the ball stud (18) is arranged in the interior space (28) through the joint housing (20) by deforming the side wall section (46) inwards in a radial direction (10), characterized by, that the side wall section (46) has at least one slot (90), wherein a slot width (b) of the slot (90) is reduced by deformation of the side wall section (46). [7] Ball joint (2) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the joint housing (20) a support projection (38) on which an edge (52) of the side wall section (46) surrounding the opening (50) is supported at its end face, and / or a guide projection (36) for tapering the interior (28) on which the outside of the deformed side wall section (46) is supported in the radial direction (8) and on which the support projection (38) preferably follows in the first axial direction (4), or / and has a stop (34) on which a radially projecting support section (70) of the bearing shell (16) is supported in the first axial direction (4), optionally with spring support of the bearing shell (16) in the axial direction (4, 6) via the support section (70) on the joint housing (20). [8] Ball joint (2) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized by, that a housing cover (22) is provided attached to the joint housing (20), on which the bearing shell (16) is supported in the second axial direction (6), optionally via the support section (70) and / or edges (68) of support ribs (66) of the bearing shell (16), wherein the housing cover (22) preferably has an outer edge (40) which is fixed to the joint housing (20) and at least one cover section (42) which projects from the outer edge (40) in the first axial direction (4), particularly preferably being formed in a substantially frustoconical shell shape, wherein the bearing shell (16) is supported in the second axial direction (6) on the cover section (42). [9] Ball joint (2) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the bottom wall section (58) is supported in the second axial direction (6) on the joint housing (20), wherein the joint housing (20) further has a stop (34) on which a radially projecting opening-side support section (70) of the bearing shell (16) is supported in the second axial direction (6), optionally with resilient support of the bearing shell (16) in the axial direction (4, 6) via the support section (70) on the joint housing (20), wherein a support ring (98) is particularly preferably attached to the joint housing (20), on which the bearing shell (16), optionally via its support section (70), is supported in the first axial direction (4). [10] Bearing shell (16) for a ball joint (2) comprising a side wall section (46) for delimiting a receiving space (48) for receiving a ball head (24) of a ball stud (19) in the radial direction (8) with an opening (50) pointing in a first axial direction (4) through which a ball head (24) of a ball stud (18) can be inserted into the receiving space (48), and a bottom wall section (58) for delimiting the receiving space (48) in a second axial direction (6) opposite the first axial direction (4), wherein the bearing shell (16) can be inserted into an interior (28) of a joint housing (20) by deforming the side wall section (46) in the radial direction (10) inwards through the joint housing, characterized by , that at least one slot (90) is provided in the side wall section (46) and that a slot width (b) of the slot (90) can be reduced by deforming the side wall section (46). [11] Bearing shell (16) according to claim 10, characterized by , that the bearing shell (16) has a radially outwardly projecting (8) and optionally circumferential support section (70) with a first support side (72) for axial support (4; 6) on a joint housing (20), wherein a radially inner support side section (76) is set back relative to a radially outer support side section (78), wherein the support section (70) preferably has an axial extension (a1, a2) which is larger in a radially inner region of the support section (70) than in a radially outer region of the support section (70), and / or has a second support side (74) facing away from the first support side (72) for support against a housing cover (22) or support ring (98), wherein the first support side (72) and / or the second support side (74) is particularly preferably inclined at least partially relative to a flat plane and / or is essentially shaped in a frustoconical shell shape. [12] Bearing shell (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the side wall section (46) has an axial section (80) in which the wall thickness of the side wall section (46) is less than the wall thickness in adjacent axial sections (82, 84) of the side wall or bottom wall section (46; 58), wherein the axial section (80) is preferably shaped such that it deforms outwards in the radial direction (8) when the side wall section (46) is subjected to axial load, optionally increasing the extent of the receiving space (48) in the radial direction (8) in the region of the axial section (80), and particularly preferably an inner side (86) of the axial section (80) projects outwards or is curved in a radial direction (8) relative to an inner side of the adjacent axial sections (82, 84) and / or an outer side (88) of the axial section (80) projects outwards or is curved in a radial direction (8), wherein the outer surface (88) of the axial section (80) may not project outwards or be curved in a radial direction (8) beyond the outer surface of the adjacent axial sections (82, 84). [13] Bearing shell (16) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by, that the slot (90) extends in the axial directions (4, 6) in the side wall section (46), preferably to an edge (52) of the side wall section (46) surrounding the opening (50) and / or through the support section (70) provided on the opening side and / or into or through the axial section (80), wherein particularly preferably two or more slots (90), optionally in odd numbers, are provided spaced evenly apart from each other in the circumferential direction (12, 14) in the side wall section (46). [14] Bearing shell (16) according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by , that the bottom wall section (58) is arranged in the radial direction (10) within a second side wall section (56) which follows the side wall section (46) in the second axial direction (6), wherein the support section (70) is preferably arranged on the second side wall section (56), optionally an end section of the second side wall section (56) pointing in the second axial direction (6), and particularly preferably two or more supporting ribs (66) extend between an inner side (62) of the second side wall section (56) and an outer side (64) of the bottom wall section (58), wherein an edge (68) of the support ribs (66) pointing in the second axial direction (6) may optionally be arranged in a plane with the second support side (74) and / or be flush with the second support side (74). [15] Bearing shell (16) according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by , that the bearing shell (16) is formed in one piece and / or is made of a plastic material and / or is an injection-molded part.

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