Joint connection part and assembly method between the coupling rod and slide part of a linear guide

Abstract

This provides a joint connection between the coupling rod and the sliding part of a linear guide that allows for rapid assembly. [Solution] The present invention relates to a joint connection between a coupling rod 110 and a slide portion 120 of a linear guide, comprising a ball head 111 that can be connected to or connected to the coupling rod 110 so as to rotate together with the coupling rod 110, a ball socket formed in the slide portion 120, and an access opening into which the ball head 111 can be inserted into the ball socket, the access opening having two opposing lateral boundary portions parallel to each other, and the ball head 111 having two planar sides parallel to each other, the distance between the two planar sides corresponding to the distance between the lateral boundary portions at most, the present invention relates to an assembly method for this type of joint connection.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a joint connection between a coupling rod and a slide part of a linear guide. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for assembling this kind of joint connection.

Background Art

[0002] Joint connections in which a ball head is inserted into a ball socket are actually known. This kind of ball socket can be arranged, for example, on the slide part of a linear guide, whereby the coupling rod can be connected to this slide part via the joint connection. The ball head typically has a spherical outer contour, whereby the coupling rod can pivot in three spatial directions with respect to the slide part.

[0003] In order to hold the ball head in the joint socket, after the ball head has been inserted into the joint socket, a boundary element is inserted into the slide part, which ensures that the ball head can no longer leave the ball socket. This kind of boundary element can be, for example, a retaining ring or a grooved ring. It is also possible to insert a metal sheet or a bolt into the slide part that partially closes the access opening to the joint socket, whereby the ball head can no longer leave the joint socket.

[0004] The insertion of additional boundary means into the slide part is cumbersome and specifically leads to delays and additional costs during the assembly of this kind of joint connection.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] <00000Against this backdrop, an object of the present invention is to provide a joint connection between a linear guide coupling rod and a sliding portion that has a simple design and allows for cost-effective and rapid assembly. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide an adjustment device for a vehicle component that is movable relative to the vehicle body and has this type of joint connection. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for assembling the joint connection mentioned above.

[0006] This objective is achieved, according to the present invention, by a joint connector having the features of claim 1, an adjustment device having the features of claim 12, and a method for assembling the joint connector described in claim 13.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention is based on the idea of ​​providing a joint connection between a coupling rod and a sliding portion of a linear guide, the joint connection having a ball head that can be connected to or is connected to the coupling rod so as to conjoint rotation together with the coupling rod. Furthermore, the joint connection comprises a ball socket formed in the sliding portion. The sliding portion has an access opening through which a ball head can be inserted into the ball socket, and this access opening has two opposing lateral boundary portions, each oriented linearly and parallel to each other. The ball head has two planar sides oriented parallel to each other, and the distance between the two planar sides corresponds to the distance between the lateral boundary portions at most.

[0008] This creates a technical advantage, for example, that the access opening and the ball head are geometrically designed so that the two components, namely the ball head and the ball socket, can be joined in a specific orientation relative to each other. To achieve this, the ball head partially deviates from its spherical outer contour by providing two planar sides oriented parallel to each other. In other words, the ball head is flattened on both sides.

[0009] Therefore, the access openings preferably have lateral boundaries that are separated from each other by a distance smaller than the diameter of the ball socket or ball head. If the ball head is oriented so that its planar side is parallel to the lateral boundaries of the access openings, the ball head can be inserted into the ball socket through the access openings. By subsequently rotating the ball head, it is locked in the ball socket. In this position, the lateral boundaries of the access openings prevent the ball head from coming out of the ball socket due to movement along its main axis of rotation, specifically, vertical movement.

[0010] The ball head and access opening design according to the present invention significantly simplifies the assembly of the joint connection. This avoids additional steps such as inserting the boundary element into the sliding part after inserting the ball head into the ball socket. This simplified assembly results in corresponding cost savings in the assembly process.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the joint connection according to the present invention, the planar side of the ball head is oriented parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the connecting rod. Generally, it is not essential that the connecting rod has a linear or symmetrical shape. Rather, the connecting rod can also have a curved shape. However, the connecting rod usually has, at each of its ends, an articulation point for the ball head, specifically a ball head eye, and an eyelet for connection to other components. The linear connection between the center of the ball head articulation point (ball head eye) and the center of the eyelet defines the central longitudinal axis of the connecting rod.

[0012] In an advantageous further development of the present invention, the planar side surface is oriented parallel to the main axis of rotation of the ball head. Preferably, the ball head has a main axis of rotation which is preferably oriented perpendicular to the coupling rod. Specifically, when the ball head is inserted into the ball socket, the main axis of rotation of the ball head can be oriented perpendicular to the linear direction of movement of the sliding portion.

[0013] The ball head may also have a planar base surface oriented parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the coupling rod and perpendicular to the principal axis of rotation of the ball head. The planar base surface may also be positioned in a plane perpendicular to the plane containing the planar side surface. Preferably, the planar base surface is formed on the opposite side of the coupling rod. The planar base surface may also be oriented parallel to the outer surface of the coupling rod.

[0014] Complementarily to the planar base of the ball head, the ball socket may also have a planar bottom. When the ball head is inserted into the ball socket, the planar base and the planar bottom can be in planar contact. However, there may also be a distance between the planar base and the planar bottom. In either case, the planar base ensures that the movement of the ball head is restricted to one spatial direction. This is particularly effective when the planar base is in permanent contact with the planar bottom. In this case, the movement of the ball head is possible only along a single axis, i.e., the principal axis of rotation of the ball head.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the joint connection according to the present invention, the ball socket has a preloading device for applying a radial preload to the ball head. The radial preload ensures that the ball head maintains its position within the ball socket. This facilitates further assembly of the joint connection in a larger assembly, such as a vehicle adjustment device. This type of adjustment device can specifically be provided for a vehicle door or vehicle flap, for example, a tailgate.

[0016] Specifically, when the joint connection is part of the adjustment device, the preloading device simplifies the assembly of the adjustment device to the vehicle component. The preloading device ensures that the coupling rod maintains its position relative to the sliding part, thereby eliminating the need for the coupling rod to be manually guided or held during the final assembly of the adjustment device equipped with the joint connection in the vehicle. Thus, the adjustment device equipped with the joint connection described herein can be assembled particularly easily, and therefore, in subsequent further assembly steps, a corresponding cost reduction can be achieved by eliminating the need for additional assembly aids that would otherwise be required.

[0017] According to another further preferred embodiment, the preloading device may have a plurality of bearing tongues that are at least partially spaced apart from each other and define lubricant pockets. Specifically, two bearing tongues that are precisely opposite each other may be provided, and these bearing tongues apply a radial preloading force to the ball head. Lubricant pockets may be provided adjacent to the bearing tongues, and these lubricant pockets may contain a lubricant, such as oil or grease. The lubricant pockets may be designed as elongated channels extending within the ball socket, preferably along the spherical inner contour of the ball socket. The lubricant pockets may radiate outward in a star shape from the bottom surface of the ball socket. The lubricant pockets act as reservoirs for the lubricant, ensuring that the ball head is permanently lubricated within the ball socket.

[0018] In this regard, further technical advantages of the parallel, planar sides of the ball head become apparent. The parallel, planar sides can form a kind of insertion ramp for the bearing tongue when the ball head rotates within the ball socket, thereby pushing the bearing tongue outward upon contact with the planar sides. The bearing tongue elastically bends outward, and when the bearing tongue is in contact with the spherical outer surface of the ball head, the elastic return force of the bearing tongue adjusts the preload force acting on the ball head. This makes it particularly easy to adjust the radial preload during assembly.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the joint connection according to the present invention, the boundary of the access opening is formed by the lateral boundary surface of the slide portion. In other words, the access opening may have two parallel boundary surfaces that are integral parts of the slide portion. For example, the slide portion may be manufactured using an injection molding process, and the lateral boundary surface of the slide portion is formed during injection molding.

[0020] Alternatively, the boundary of the access opening is formed by a cylindrical bolt inserted into the sliding portion. This type of cylindrical bolt increases the stability of the boundary, thereby providing a retaining function for the ball head. Furthermore, the cylindrical bolt can provide an additional preload to the ball head in the ball socket, and this preload force preferably acts parallel to the main axis of rotation of the ball head. Another advantage of the cylindrical bolt is that it maintains point contact with the spherical outer surface of the ball head, thereby reducing the frictional force that opposes the rotation of the ball head in the ball socket. This ensures that the joint connection can move smoothly.

[0021] The longitudinal axis of the cylindrical bolt is preferably oriented perpendicular to the linear direction of movement of the sliding portion. This orientation of the cylindrical bolt allows, for example, preferably, when the coupling rod is oriented perpendicular to the linear direction of movement of the sliding portion, a ball head connected to the coupling rod to rotate conjointly with the coupling rod to be inserted into the ball socket. By pivoting the coupling rod around the main axis of rotation of the ball head, the coupling rod can be oriented such that its central longitudinal axis is oriented parallel to the linear direction of movement of the sliding portion. In this process, the ball head rotates within the ball socket, thereby oriented the ball head such that its planar sides and the cylindrical bolt are no longer parallel but are positioned perpendicular to each other. This secures the ball head within the ball socket.

[0022] Cylindrical bolts can be made of metal to improve the stability of joint connections.

[0023] The present invention further relates to an adjustment device for a vehicle component that is movable relative to the vehicle body, specifically for a vehicle door or vehicle flap, having the joint connection described above. Preferred embodiments and advantages mentioned in relation to the joint connection described above also apply to the adjustment device described herein.

[0024] The present invention further relates to a method for assembling the previously described joint connection part. In the method according to the present invention, the coupling rod is oriented perpendicular to the linear movement direction of the slide part, and the ball head is positioned coaxially with respect to the insertion axis of the ball socket, whereby the planar side surface of the ball head is oriented parallel to the lateral boundary of the access opening. Subsequently, the ball head is inserted into the ball socket through the access opening, and the planar side surface of the ball head is guided by the lateral boundary of the access opening. Finally, the coupling rod is pivoted about the main rotation axis of the ball head by at least 20°, specifically at least 45°, preferably 90°, whereby the planar side surface of the ball head is not oriented parallel to the lateral boundary of the access opening.

[0025] The insertion axis of the ball socket preferably extends coaxially with respect to the access opening and / or the circular planar bottom surface of the ball socket. In order to insert the ball head into the ball socket, the insertion axis of the ball socket and the main rotation axis of the ball head are preferably positioned coaxially with each other or coinciding. Furthermore, the ball head and the access opening are rotated relative to each other such that the planar side surface of the ball head is oriented parallel to the lateral boundary of the access opening.

[0026] In a further development of the assembly method according to the present invention, the central longitudinal axis of the coupling rod is formed parallel to the linear movement direction of the slide part in step c).

[0027] The assembly method described herein simplifies the assembly of the joint connection part, thereby leading to significant cost reduction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. [Figure 1]Perspective rear view of an adjusting device with a joint configuration according to the present invention, according to a preferred exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] Perspective view of a connecting rod with a ball head according to FIG. 1. [Figure 3] Side view of the connecting rod according to FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Bottom view of the connecting rod according to FIG. 2. [Figure 5] Top view of the slide part according to FIG. 1. [Figure 6a] Top view of the joint connection part between the connecting rod and the slide part, where the connecting rod is inserted into the slide part but not yet locked. [Figure 6b] Cross-sectional view of the joint connection part according to FIG. 6a. [Figure 7a] Top view of the joint connection part according to FIG. 6, where the connecting rod is in the locked position. [Figure 7b] Cross-sectional view of the joint connection part according to FIG. 7a.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] FIG. 1 shows an adjusting device for vehicle parts that are movable relative to the vehicle body, specifically for vehicle doors or vehicle flaps. The adjusting device illustrated here has a joint connection part 100 that articulately connects the connecting rod 110 of the adjusting device to the slide part 120 of the linear guide. FIG. 1 shows the assembled state of the joint connection part 100.

[0030] The connecting rod 110 has an eyelet 115 at one longitudinal end and a ball head eye 113 at the other longitudinal end. The straight line connecting the centers of the ball head eye 113 and the eyelet 115 forms the central longitudinal axis M of the connecting rod 110.

[0031] Furthermore, the main rotation axis R of the ball head 111 extends coaxially through the ball head eye 113, and the connecting end of the ball head in the ball head eye 113 can be seen in Figure 1. The connecting end of the ball head 111 is fixed within the ball head eye 113 to rotate conjointly with the ball head eye 113, for example by a welded connection.

[0032] The sliding portion 120 has a linear guide mount 129, which is oriented perpendicular to the main rotation axis R of the ball head 111. The linear guide mount 129 is substantially formed by a through hole in which a linear guide rod can be accommodated. The sliding portion 120 can move linearly along the linear guide rod, thereby creating a linear guide.

[0033] The linear guide mount 129, specifically together with the linear guide rod, determines the direction of movement of the slide portion 120. This movement is linear along the linear guide rod. This possible direction of movement of the slide portion 120 is referred to in this application as the linear movement direction L. The linear movement direction L is represented in Figure 1 by a double-headed arrow.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the coupling rod 110. The eyelet 115 and the ball head eye 113 can be seen. The ball head 111 can also be seen, and the ball head 111 is connected to the coupling rod 110 so as to rotate conjointly with the coupling rod 110. The ball head 111 is connected to the coupling rod 110 and is oriented such that its main axis of rotation R is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis M of the coupling rod 110.

[0035] The ball head 111 has a substantially spherical outer contour. However, the spherical outer contour is interrupted in several places. Specifically, the ball head 111 has two planar sides 112 oriented parallel to each other. Each planar side 112 extends into a plane oriented parallel to the principal axis of rotation R. Thus, the planar sides 112 form a flattened portion of the ball head 111.

[0036] Furthermore, the ball head 111 includes a flattened portion at the base, specifically a planar base surface 114. The planar base surface 114 extends perpendicularly to the main rotation axis R. The planar base surface 114 can have a circular shape, and the main rotation axis R extends through the center of the circular shape. Therefore, the planar base surface 114 is oriented concentrically with respect to the main rotation axis R.

[0037] In Figure 3, the planar base surface 114 is clearly visible. Preferably, the planar base surface 114 extends parallel to the central longitudinal axis M of the connecting rod 110. Specifically, the planar base surface 114 can be oriented parallel to the flat side of the connecting rod 110.

[0038] In the top view of Figure 4, the two parallel side surfaces 112 of the ball head 111 are clearly visible. The two planar side surfaces 112 extend within a plane oriented parallel to the central longitudinal axis M of the coupling rod 110. Specifically, the planar side surfaces 112, like the planar base surface 114, can have a circular contour or form a circular shape.

[0039] Figure 5 shows the slide portion 120, which is preferably formed as an injection-molded part made from a plastic material. The slide portion 120 preferably has a ball socket 121 above a linear guide mount 129 (not shown). The ball socket 121 has a planar bottom surface 124 that is substantially complementary to the planar base surface 114 of the ball head 111.

[0040] The spherical inner contour of the ball socket 121 is interrupted by two opposing bearing tongues 122, each defining a lubricant pocket 123 positioned laterally from the bearing tongue 122. Specifically, the lubricant pockets 123 form channels or lubricant reservoirs into which a lubricant, such as oil or grease, can be placed. In this way, permanent or long-term lubrication of the ball socket 121 is ensured.

[0041] The bearing tongue 122 can be formed integrally with the sliding portion 120. The bearing tongue 122 is designed to be elastic or spring-elastic to the extent that it can bend radially outward. In a stationary state, the bearing tongue 122 protrudes slightly into the ball socket 121, so that when the ball head 111 is inserted, the bearing tongue 122 is pushed radially outward, exerting a radial elastic preload force on the ball head 111. In other words, the bearing tongue 122 has a spherical inner contour with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball head 111. This ensures that the ball head 111, when inserted, is secured within the ball socket 121 by the radial preload of the bearing tongue 122.

[0042] The slide portion 120 also has an access opening 125 that allows access to the ball socket 121 from the outside. The access opening 125 is basically circular in shape, and the diameter of the circular shape is larger than the diameter of the ball head 111. However, the circular shape of the access opening 125 is interrupted by two parallel boundary portions 126, which define the diameter of the access opening 125 in one spatial direction. In the embodiment shown herein, the boundary portions 126 are formed by two parallel cylindrical bolts 127 that are firmly inserted into the slide portion 120. The cylindrical bolts 127 can be formed, for example, by metal pins that can be inserted laterally into the slide portion 120 through corresponding holes. It is also possible to integrate the cylindrical bolts 127 into the slide portion 120 during the injection molding process, for example by overmolding them with the material of the slide portion 120.

[0043] The boundary portions 126 are positioned such that the distance between them is less than the diameter of the ball head 111. At the same time, the distance between the two boundary portions 126 corresponds to at least the distance between the two planar sides 112 of the ball head 111. In this way, it is ensured that the ball head 111 can be inserted into the ball socket 121 when it is properly oriented with respect to the access opening 125. When the ball head 111 is rotated about its main axis of rotation R in the inserted state, a vertical lock of the ball head 111 within the sliding portion 120 is inevitable. As soon as the two planar sides 112 are no longer oriented parallel to the boundary portions 126 of the access opening 125, the ball head 111 can no longer be lifted out of the ball socket 121 because the ball head 111 is stopped by the boundary portions 126, specifically the cylindrical bolt 127.

[0044] This makes the assembly of the joint connection 100 particularly easy. The corresponding assembly steps are illustrated in a clear manner as an example in Figures 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b.

[0045] The first assembly step is shown in Figures 6a and 6b. The coupling rod 111 is first oriented along its central longitudinal axis M such that its central longitudinal axis M is oriented perpendicular to the linear movement direction L of the slide portion 120. This orientation positions the ball head 111 coaxially with respect to the access opening 125. In this position, the planar side surface 112 of the ball head 111 extends parallel to the boundary portion 126. This allows the coupling rod 110 to move along the main rotation axis R of the ball head 111 in the direction of the slide portion 120, causing the ball head 111 to slide through the access opening 125 into the ball socket 121.

[0046] When the ball head 111 is seated in the ball socket 121, specifically when the spherical outer surface of the ball head 111 makes planar contact with the spherical inner surface of the ball socket 121, the coupling rod 110 can pivot about the main rotation axis R. In the joint connection portion 100 shown here, when the ball head 111 is in the inserted state (Figure 6b), there is a gap between the base surface 114 of the ball head 111 and the bottom surface 124 of the ball socket 121. However, it is also possible for the base surface 114 and the bottom surface 124 to be in contact.

[0047] For the bayonet-type lock of the joint connection 100, the coupling rod 110 is preferably pivoted at an angle of 90° around the main rotation axis R to take the position shown in Figure 7a. The planar side surface 112 of the ball head 111 pushes the bearing tongue 122 radially outward, and the elastic restoring force of the bearing tongue 122 then applies a corresponding preload force radially to the ball head 111. The two planar side surfaces 112 act similarly to the insertion inclined portion, thereby promoting the curvature of the bearing tongue 122.

[0048] In the orientation of the connecting rod 110 shown in Figure 7a, the central longitudinal axis M of the connecting rod 110 extends parallel to the linear movement direction L of the sliding portion 120. In this orientation, the planar side surface 112 of the ball head 111 also extends parallel to the linear movement direction L. The boundary portion 126 of the access opening 125, specifically the cylindrical bolt 127, is oriented perpendicular to the linear movement direction L, so that the cylindrical bolt 127 prevents the movement of the ball head 111 along the main rotation axis R. As a result, the joint connection portion 100 is fixed in one direction along the main rotation axis R, specifically in a bayonet manner. As can be clearly seen in Figure 7b, the side surface 112 of the ball head 111 is preferably oriented parallel to the longitudinal movement direction L of the sliding portion 120 in the locked position.

[0049] As can be clearly seen from the combination of Figures 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b, the joint connector 100 described herein can be assembled particularly easily and quickly. This is a significant advantage when assembling the joint connector 100 at a vehicle manufacturer's facility, where this type of joint connector will be integrated into the production process of a vehicle, specifically a vehicle door or vehicle flap.

Claims

1. A joint connection portion (100) between a coupling rod (110) and a sliding portion (120) of a linear guide, the joint connection portion (100) having a ball head (111) that can be connected to or is connected to the coupling rod (110) so as to rotate conjointly with the coupling rod (110), and having a ball socket (121) formed in the sliding portion (120), wherein the sliding portion (120) has an access opening (125) through which the ball head (111) can be inserted into the ball socket (121), the access opening (125) has two opposing lateral boundary portions (126), each oriented linearly and parallel to each other, and the ball head (111) has two planar sides (112) oriented parallel to each other, the distance between the two planar sides (112) is at most the distance between the lateral boundary portions (126).

2. The joint connection portion (100) according to claim 1, wherein the planar side surface (112) of the ball head (111) is oriented parallel to the central longitudinal axis M of the connecting rod (110).

3. The joint connection portion (100) according to claim 2, wherein the planar side surface (112) is oriented parallel to the main rotation axis R of the ball head (111).

4. The joint connection portion (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ball head (111) has a planar base surface (114) oriented parallel to the central longitudinal axis M of the connecting rod (110) and perpendicular to the main rotation axis R of the ball head (111).

5. The joint connection portion (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ball socket (121) has a preloading device for applying a radial preload to the ball head (111).

6. The joint connection portion (100) according to claim 5, wherein the preloading device has a plurality of bearing tongues (122) that are at least partially spaced apart from each other and define a lubricant pocket (123).

7. The joint connection portion (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the boundary portion (126) of the access opening (125) is formed by the lateral boundary surface of the sliding portion (120).

8. The joint connection portion (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the boundary portion (126) of the access opening (125) is formed by a cylindrical bolt (127) inserted into the sliding portion (120).

9. The joint connection portion (100) according to claim 8, wherein the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical bolt (127) is positioned in a plane oriented perpendicular to the main rotation axis R of the ball head (111).

10. The joint connection portion (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical bolt (127) is oriented perpendicular to the linear movement direction L of the sliding portion (120).

11. The cylindrical bolt (127) is made of metal, the joint connection part (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

12. An adjustment device for a vehicle door or vehicle flap, which is movable relative to the body of a vehicle, having a joint connection portion (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for assembling a joint connection portion (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a) The coupling rod (110) is oriented perpendicular to the linear movement direction L of the sliding portion (120), and the ball head (111) is positioned coaxially with respect to the insertion axis of the ball socket (121), so that the planar side surface (112) of the ball head (111) is oriented parallel to the lateral boundary portion (126) of the access opening (125). b) The ball head (111) is inserted into the ball socket (121) through the access opening (125), and the planar side surface (112) of the ball head (111) is guided by the lateral boundary portion (126) of the access opening (125), c) A method in which the coupling rod (110) is pivoted by at least 20°, specifically at least 45°, preferably 90°, about the main axis of rotation of the ball head (111), so that the planar side surface (112) of the ball head (111) is not oriented parallel to the lateral boundary portion (126) of the access opening (125).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the central longitudinal axis M of the connecting rod (110) is oriented parallel to the linear movement direction L of the sliding portion (120) in step c).

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