Pivot ball joint for motor vehicles and manufacturing process

Abstract

The invention relates to a pivot ball joint (11) comprising a spherical element and a tail (13) with a groove (15), and a clip element (19) extending from the end of the tail (13), the clip element (19) comprising a foot (39) with two ends and at least one elastic arm (21) arranged at one end of the foot (39), the elastic arm(s) (21) being deformable between a folded position and a deployed rest position. The invention also relates to a vehicle demonstrating such a ball joint and methods for its manufacture and assembly. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Figure 8

Description

Title of the invention: Pivot ball joint for motor vehicle and manufacturing method

[0001] The invention lies in the field of motor vehicles and relates to the connection between a pivot ball joint and a pivot arm in a wheel ball joint system for a motor vehicle. The subject of the invention is a pivot ball joint capable of being mounted and held in a pivot support housing, and a method of manufacturing such a pivot ball joint. In particular, the invention relates to pivot ball joints provided with safety means for checking the assembly of the pivot stem through the housing of a steering pivot. The subject of the invention is also a motor vehicle comprising such a pivot ball joint and its method of mounting.

[0002] The pivot links at the suspension triangle are part of the steering system of a motor vehicle. These pivot links are usually located at the front of the vehicle forming a pivoting assembly along an axis.

[0003] The steering of a vehicle is a crucial element for automobiles, requires particular sensitivity and thus requires manufacturers to be attentive to the safety and reliability of the assembly of the various components forming the vehicle. These steering elements are particularly critical for the safety of passengers and it is therefore necessary to ensure the conformity of the assemblies of these different elements. The steering of a motor vehicle is composed in particular of ball joints assembled in pivots to provide the necessary degrees of freedom to the wheels of the vehicle allowing them to pivot but also to tilt.

[0004] An example of a ball joint is illustrated in document EP0352945A2. This document shows a ball joint having a ball tail placed in a hole of a mounting element such as a pivot arm. The rod has two cylindrical parts, the first part having a smaller diameter than the second. The hole also has parts with outer diameters corresponding to the housing. A clamping bolt passes through a clamping hole and crosses the housing so as to engage in a groove of the stud shank and position the shank.

[0005] Another example is given by document US 11254176B1 which presents an adjustable ball joint for coupling a steering knuckle to a suspension arm of a vehicle. The device presented makes it possible to adjust the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the ball joint relative to the vertical axis of the steering knuckle and the upper and lower control arms of a motor vehicle.

[0006] Reference will be made to Figures 1 to 5. [Fig.l] shows in a vehicle 1 the location of ball joint systems 3, in the case of front steering wheels. A ball joint system 3 is illustrated in [Fig.2]. In a known manner, the vehicle cradle is connected to the body by means of suspension arms, generally called suspension wishbones 9, thus forming the front axle. The suspension wishbones 9 are connected to the wheels by means of pivot arms 5. The assembly forms a pivot connection thanks to the presence of a pivot ball joint (not visible in [Fig.2]).

[0007] Referring to [Fig. 3] it can be seen that the pivot ball joint 11 comprises a spherical element 33 and a tail 13 with a groove 15. The spherical element 33 is retained, by a locking means 53, in a cavity 35 of the suspension triangle 9 allowing the rotation of the pivot ball joint 11 according to three degrees of freedom. The spherical element 33 is protected by a sealing bellows 27 against various external aggressions such as: water, dust, and chemical aggressions. A deflector 17 protecting the pivot ball joint 11 from the heat emanating from a brake disc (not shown) and from possible projections during braking of the motor vehicle may also be present.

[0008] The ball joint shank 13 rising from the spherical element 33 is retained in a slotted housing 7 in the pivot arm 5. Its locking in position in the housing is ensured by a clamping screw (not shown) inserted in the groove 15 and passing through a pair of eyelets 23 arranged on either side of the slot in the housing 7. [Fig. 3] shows a correct arrangement of the ball joint shank 13 in the housing 7. It can be seen that while the pivot shank passes through the lower mouth 47 of the housing 7, it does not pass through its upper mouth 49.

[0009] In some cases, during vehicle assembly, the ball joint tail is not pushed in sufficiently. In the case illustrated in [Fig.4] it can be seen that the ball joint tail 13 partially obstructs the screw passage holes formed by the eyelets 23, which makes the factory assembly time either impossible or longer and more expensive, and harms the overall quality of the vehicle.

[0010] In the case illustrated in [Fig.5], the ball joint tail is not sufficiently pushed in, but assembly is possible since the end of the ball joint tail 13 is arranged under the screw passage holes formed by the eyelets 23. The screw can be inserted and tightened but the assembly is not compliant and there is a risk of danger if the defect is not identified. Indeed, such incorrect assembly leads after a few kilometers to a possible exit of the ball joint tail from its housing resulting in a loss of control of the vehicle.

[0011] In order to ensure correct assembly, certain dedicated tools are sometimes developed but most often generate additional constraints in terms of time, handling and costs. Furthermore, certain tools may not be compatible with certain vehicle models.

[0012] Thus, there is a need for a solution to secure a lock of a pivot ball joint in a pivot arm.

[0013] Document FR2709520A1 presents a device for fixing the rod of a ball joint in a slotted housing of a front axle pivot of a motor vehicle, using a screw passing through holes in the element. This device is placed on the deflector protecting the ball joint and comprises a retractable or foolproof means placed on the path of the tightening screw, movable by the ball joint rod and preventing the installation of this screw until its groove is in coincidence with the passage holes of said screw. This fixing device limits the risk of tightening being carried out while the ball joint rod is not correctly in place in the housing, in particular when this rod is incompletely retracted so that the groove does not reach the level of the passage holes of the screw. The solution presented in this document is interesting but not entirely satisfactory.In fact, the retractable means is an elastic strip which deforms when the tail is inserted into the housing. In doing so, it exerts a force opposite to the direction of insertion and therefore increases the risk of incorrect positioning. Furthermore, it does not allow you to easily see whether the assembly is correct or not; for this, you must try to insert the tightening screw into the eyelets of the housing.

[0014] The present invention aims to overcome at least one of the problems set out above. In particular, one aim of the present invention is to provide a solution for securing the locking of a pivot ball joint in a pivot arm by limiting the risks of incorrect mounting of a ball joint tail through the housing of said pivot arm and / or, in the event of such incorrect mounting, to easily detect it.

[0015] To this end and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a pivot ball joint comprising a spherical element and a tail with a groove, the pivot ball joint being remarkable in that it further comprises a clipping element extending from the end of the tail, the clipping element comprising a foot with two ends and at least one elastic arm arranged at one of the ends of the foot, the elastic arm(s) being deformable between a folded position and a deployed rest position.

[0016] As will be clearly understood from reading the definition just given, the invention proposes to provide a pivot ball joint with means for, on the one hand, positioning the tail in the housing of the pivot arm and, on the other hand, retaining it in position until the moment of locking by the clamping bolt. The invention is remarkable in that, to do this, the clipping element will cooperate with the upper mouth of the housing. The operator can then visually check that the tail is correctly engaged since in such a case the clipping element, or at least its elastic arm(s), will come out of the housing and deploy to bear on the upper mouth.

[0017] According to preferred embodiments, the pivot ball joint is remarkable in that the clipping element is fixed to the end of the tail by screwing its foot onto a thread extending from the end of the tail or by inserting its foot into a hole provided at the end of the tail; preferably into a tapped hole, said foot further having an external thread.

[0018] Preferably, the hole presented at the end of the tail.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the foot of the clipping element comprising an external surface, the ball joint is remarkable in that the clipping element is fixed to the end of the tail by inserting its foot into a hole and in that said foot comprises a stop on its external surface coming into contact with the end of the tail so as to define a distance between the elastic arm and the end of the tail.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the clipping element is made of a plastic or metallic material, preferably of a plastic material.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the clipping element comprises at least two elastic arms and the diameter presented by the elastic arms in the deployed position is greater than the diameter of the tail.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the foot of the clipping element is fixed to the end of the tail by screwing and the clipping element further comprises an imprint intended to cooperate with a screwing tool for its fixing on the tail.

[0023] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a pivot ball joint comprising a spherical element and a shank, remarkable in that the pivot ball joint is according to the first aspect and in that the method comprises a step of fixing a clipping element to the end of the shank; preferably by screwing or by gluing.

[0024] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a ball joint system defined by: a pivot arm comprising a split housing, a suspension triangle, a pivot ball joint comprising a tail with a groove, the vehicle being remarkable in that the pivot ball joint is according to the first aspect, and in that the tail is inserted into the housing so that the or at least one of the elastic arms of the clipping element is deployed outside of said housing.

[0025] Preferably, the housing comprising an upper mouth and a lower mouth, the vehicle is remarkable in that the elastic arm(s) of the clipping element are sized to bear on the external periphery of the upper mouth of the housing when they are in the deployed position.

[0026] Advantageously, the housing comprising an upper mouth and a lower mouth, the foot of the clip-on element comprising at least one external part rising from the end of the tail, the vehicle is remarkable in that the upper mouth has a diameter smaller than that of the lower mouth, in that the housing has an internal shoulder forming a stop against which the end of the tail is placed and in that the external part of the foot shows a length greater than or equal to the distance between the internal shoulder and the external periphery of the upper mouth of the housing.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method for mounting a motor vehicle, according to the third aspect, the method comprising: a) providing a pivot ball joint comprising a spherical element and a tail with a groove, and a pivot arm comprising a slotted housing with eyelets; b) inserting the tail into the housing; and c) assembling by inserting a clamping screw into the groove of the pivot ball joint and into the eyelets of the housing and tightening by cooperation with a nut; The method being remarkable in that the pivot ball joint is according to the first aspect and in that the insertion step b) is carried out so that the elastic arm(s) of the clipping element are deployed outside said housing after having passed through it.

[0028] Each characteristic introduced by the expression “preferably” or “according to an embodiment” or “advantageously” given in relation to one of the aspects of the invention applies to all the other aspects of the invention.

[0029] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description given with reference to the plates of figures on which:

[0030] [Fig.l] is a front view of a motor vehicle.

[0031] [Fig.2] shows an isometric view of the ball joint system.

[0032] [Fig.3] shows a correct assembly of a ball joint tail in a housing of pivot arm.

[0033] [Fig.4] is a figure similar to [Fig.3] but in which the tail is insufficiently engaged in its housing and partially obstructs the screw passage holes formed by the eyelets.

[0034] [Fig.5] is a figure similar to [Fig.3] but in which the tail is insufficiently engaged in its housing but without obstructing the screw passage holes formed by the eyelets.

[0035] [Fig.6] shows an example of an embodiment of a pivot ball joint according to the invention.

[0036] [Fig.7] illustrates the step of fixing by screwing a clipping element to the end of a ball joint tail.

[0037] [Fig.8] is a figure similar to [Fig.3] but in which the pivot ball joint is according to the invention.

[0038] [Fig.9] is a close-up view showing a shoulder in the pivot arm housing.

[0039] [Fig. 10] is a view similar to [Fig. 2] but in which the pivot ball joint is according to the invention.

[0040] In the following description, the term "comprise" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it allows the presence of other elements in the pivot ball joint or the motor vehicle or other steps in the method to which it relates. It is understood that the term "comprise" includes the terms "consist of". The terms "external" and "internal" will designate respectively that which is oriented towards the outside of the vehicle and towards the inside of the vehicle.

[0041] In the present description, the term "longitudinal", the term "longitudinally", the term "transverse", and the term "transversely" are used according to the reference frame of the vehicle, in the mounting configuration. The term "longitudinal" corresponds to the main direction of movement of the vehicle. The term "transverse" corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the main direction of movement of the vehicle. The term "front" refers to the main direction of movement of the vehicle. The term "rear" designates the opposite of the front of the vehicle.

[0042] The terms "tail" and "ball joint tail" may be used synonymously.

[0043] In this description, the technical characteristics are defined in the assembly configuration of the assembly unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0044] Throughout the description, the various figures use the same reference signs to designate identical or similar entities. The pivot ball joint, the motor vehicle and their manufacturing and assembly methods will be described jointly.

[0045] Figures 1 to 5 having been commented on in the introductory part, reference will now be made to Figures 6 and 7 illustrating an example of embodiment of a pivot ball joint according to the invention and its manufacturing method.

[0046] As can be seen in [Fig. 6], the pivot ball joint 11 comprises a spherical element 33 and a tail 13 with a groove 15. According to the invention, the pivot ball joint 11 is remarkable in that it further comprises a clipping element 19 extending from the end of the tail 13, the clipping element 19 comprising a foot 39 with two ends and at least one elastic arm 21 arranged at one of the ends of the foot 39, the elastic arm(s) 21 being deformable between a folded position and a deployed rest position. In [Fig. 6], the clippable element 19 comprises two diametrically opposed elastic arms 21.

[0047] The clipping element 19 will advantageously be made of a plastic or metallic material, preferably of a plastic material, for example polyethylene or polypropylene. Preferably, the clipping element is made in a single block, which can be made by casting.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the clipping element is made in two parts and comprises a first part formed by the foot comprising a stop and a second part formed by its elastic arm(s). This embodiment is particularly suitable when the clipping element is made of two different materials, preferably steel for the foot and plastic for the elastic elements. In this embodiment, the two elements can be assembled by screwing, gluing or snap-fastening.

[0049] The clipping element may be integral with the ball joint tail. In such a case, the pivot ball joint may be produced by additive manufacturing. However, in a preferred embodiment, the clipping element 19 is fixed to the end of the tail 13. This fixing may be done by any means including gluing, screwing and snap-fastening.

[0050] Advantageously, the ball joint tail 13 comprises at its end fixing means complementary to the fixing means shown by the clipping element 19. For example, in the case of fixing by gluing, the tail 13 may show a hole 43 at its end into which the foot of the clipping element 19 will be inserted. It will be understood that the hole is advantageously a blind hole.

[0051] In the case of screw fixing, the foot of the clipping element may have a tapped hole and be screwed onto a thread extending from the end of the tail (not shown). Preferably, it is the tail 13 of the ball joint which has a tapped hole 43 at its end. The foot 39 of the clipping element 19 shows an external thread 45 and the fixing is done by screwing the foot 39 into the hole 43. This configuration is illustrated in Figures 6 to 8.

[0052] When the foot 39 is fixed to the end of the tail 13 by screwing, it will be advantageous for the clipping element 19 to further comprise an imprint 37 intended to cooperate with a screwing tool for fixing the clipping element 19 on the tail 13. The assembly of the clipping element 19 on the tail 13 by screwing is illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0053] In all cases, it is important to ensure that the elastic arms 21 of the clipping element 19 are arranged at a given distance from the end of the tail 13. In the case where the foot 39 of the clipping element 19 is inserted into a hole 43 at the end of the tail 13, it will be advantageous for said foot 39 to comprise a stop 41 on its external surface coming into contact with the end of the tail 13 so as to define a distance E between the elastic arm(s) 21 in the rest position and the end of the tail 13. It will also be advantageous to define a distance C between the elastic arm(s) 21 in the rest position and the middle of the groove 15.

[0054] Referring now to [Fig.8], we can see a ball joint system according to the invention in which the tail 13 of a pivot ball joint 11 comprising a clipping element 19 is engaged in the housing 7 of a pivot arm 5. The housing 7 comprises an upper mouth 49 and a lower mouth 47.

[0055] It is understood that when the tail 13 is inserted, the elastic arms 21 are folded and that they deploy when they emerge from the upper mouth 49 of the housing 7. They then bear on the external periphery of the upper mouth 49, holding the pivot ball 11 in position in the housing 7 until the assembly is locked by a clamping screw (not shown) cooperating through the eyelets 23 of the housing 7. The elastic arms 21 are therefore configured and dimensioned for this purpose. For example, when, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, the clipping element 19 comprises at least two elastic arms 21, the diameter presented by the elastic arms in the deployed position will be greater than the diameter of the tail 13 or more preferably than the diameter of the upper mouth 49.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 8], the upper mouth 49 and the lower mouth 47 of the housing 7 have the same diameter. However, in a preferred embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 9], the upper mouth 49 has a diameter smaller than that of the lower mouth 47, so that the housing 7 has an internal shoulder 51 forming a stop against which the end of the tail 13 is placed. Such a configuration contributes to the correct positioning of the ball joint tail 13 in the housing 7. In such a case, it will be advantageous for the external part of the foot 39 (i.e. the part not inserted into the hole of the ball joint tail 13) to have a length greater than or equal to the distance between the internal shoulder 51 and the external periphery of the upper mouth 49 of the housing, in order to allow the deployment of the elastic arms.

[0057] The ball joint system 3 of a vehicle according to the invention is illustrated in [Fig. 10]. It is understood that the ball joint tail is inserted into the housing 7 so that the or at least one of the elastic arms 21 of the clipping element 19 is deployed outside of said housing. By comparing [Fig. 10] and [Fig. 2], it is understood that the invention offers a simple and direct means of visualizing the conformity of the assembly. The assembly is compliant, that is to say that the groove of the ball joint tail is aligned with the eyelets of the housing, when the clipping element has emerged from the upper mouth of the housing and has deployed its elastic arms. In other cases, the ball joint tail is not correctly engaged in the housing.

[0058] Thus, the invention also relates to a method of mounting a motor vehicle 1, comprising the following steps: a. supplying a pivot arm 5 comprising a housing 7 split with eyelets 23, and a pivot ball joint 11 comprising a spherical element and a tail 13 with a groove 15, the pivot ball joint 11 an element clipping element 19 extending from the end of the tail 13, the clipping element 19 comprising a foot 39 with two ends and at least one elastic arm 21 arranged at one of the ends of the foot 39, the elastic arm(s) 21 being deformable between a folded position and a deployed rest position. b. inserting the tail into the housing 7 so that the elastic arm(s) 21 of the clipping element 19 are deployed outside said housing 7 after having passed through it; and c. assembly by inserting a clamping screw into the groove 15 of the pivot ball joint 11 and into the eyelets 23 of the housing and tightening by cooperation with a nut.

[0059] The vehicle 1 thus produced can be a vehicle with a thermal, electric or hybrid engine.

Claims

Claims

1. Pivot ball joint (11) comprising a spherical element and a tail (13) with a groove (15), the pivot ball joint (11) being characterized in that it further comprises a clipping element (19) extending from the end of the tail (13), the clipping element (19) comprising a foot (39) with two ends and at least one elastic arm (21) arranged at one of the ends of the foot (39), the elastic arm(s) (21) being deformable between a folded position and a deployed rest position.

2. Pivot ball joint (11) according to claim 1 characterized in that the clipping element (19) is fixed to the end of the tail (13) by screwing its foot (39) onto a thread extending from the end of the tail (13) or by inserting its foot into a hole provided at the end of the tail (13); preferably into a tapped hole (43), said foot further having an external thread.

3. Pivot ball joint (11) according to claim 1 or 2, the foot (39) of the clipping element (19) comprising an external surface, the ball joint is characterized in that the clipping element (19) is fixed to the end of the tail (13) by inserting its foot (39) into a hole (43) and in that said foot (39) comprises a stop (41) on its external surface coming into contact with the end of the tail (13) so as to define a distance between the elastic arm (21) and the end of the tail (13).

4. Pivot ball joint (11) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clipping element (19) is made of a plastic or metallic material, preferably of a plastic material.

5. Pivot ball joint (11) according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the clipping element (19) comprises at least two elastic arms (21) and in that the diameter presented by the elastic arms in the deployed position is greater than the diameter of the tail (13); and / or in that the foot (39) of the clipping element (19) is fixed to the end of the tail (13) by screwing and in that the clipping element (19) further comprises an imprint (37) intended to cooperate with a screwing tool for its fixing on the tail (13).

6. Method for manufacturing a pivot ball joint (11) comprising a spherical element and a tail (13), characterized in that the pivot ball joint (11) is according to one of claims 1 to 5 and in that the method comprises a step of fixing a clipping element (19) to the end of the tail (13); preferably by screwing or by gluing.

7. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a ball joint system (3) defined by: a pivot arm (5) comprising a slotted housing (7), a suspension triangle (9), a pivot ball joint (11) comprising a tail (13) with a groove (15), the vehicle (1) being characterized in that the pivot ball joint (11) is according to one of claims 1 to 5 and in that the tail (13) is inserted into the housing (7) so that the or at least one of the elastic arms (21) of the clipping element (19) is deployed outside said housing (7).

8. Vehicle (1) according to claim 7, the housing (7) comprising an upper mouth (49) and a lower mouth (47), the vehicle is characterized in that the elastic arm(s) (21) of the clipping element (19) are sized to bear on the external periphery of the upper mouth (49) of the housing (7) when they are in the deployed position.

9. Vehicle (1) according to claim 7 or 8, the housing (7) comprising an upper mouth (49) and a lower mouth (47), the foot (39) of the clip-on element (19) comprising at least one external part rising from the end of the tail (13), the vehicle is characterized in that the upper mouth (49) has a diameter smaller than that of the lower mouth, in that the housing (7) has an internal shoulder (51) forming a stop against which the end of the tail (13) is placed and in that the external part of the foot (39) has a length greater than or equal to the distance between the internal shoulder (51) and the external periphery of the upper mouth of the housing (7).

10. A method of assembling a motor vehicle, according to one of claims 7 to 9, the method comprising: a) providing a pivot ball joint (11) comprising a spherical element and a shank (13) with a groove (15), and a pivot arm (5) comprising a housing (7) split with eyelets (23); b) inserting the shank into the housing (7); and c) assembling by inserting a clamping screw into the groove (15) of the pivot ball joint (11) and into the eyelets (23) of the housing (7) and tightening by cooperation with a nut. The method being characterized in that the pivot ball joint (11) is according to one of claims 1 to 5 and in that the insertion step b) is carried out so that the elastic arm(s) (21) of the clipping element (19) are deployed outside said housing (7) after having passed through it.

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