Ball joint and chassis comprising such a ball joint

Abstract

The invention relates to a ball joint (1) comprising a joint inner part (9) which has a joint ball (12) and a joint pin (8), a joint housing (7), in which the joint ball (12) is movably mounted in an articulated manner, said joint pin (8) extending out of the joint housing (7), and a sensor device (4) for determining the position and / or orientation of the joint inner part (9) with respect to the joint housing (7). The sensor device (4) has a signal transmitter (11) and a signal receiver (5), wherein the signal transmitter (11) is arranged in the joint ball (12), and the signal receiver (5) is arranged on the joint housing (7). In order to allow a position-oriented assembly to be ensured, the ball joint (1) is characterized in that a first position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal transmitter (11) and a signal transmitter receiving area (13) formed in the joint ball (12), and a unique positional orientation of the signal transmitter (11) with respect to the joint inner part (9) is produced by inserting the signal transmitter (11) into the signal transmitter receiving area (13) in a form-fitting manner.

Description

[0001] Ball joint and chassis with such a ball joint

[0002] The invention relates to a ball joint with an inner joint part comprising a joint ball and a joint pin, and with a joint housing in which the joint ball is mounted for articulation, with the joint pin extending out of the joint housing. The invention also relates to a sensor device for determining a position and / or orientation of the inner joint part relative to the joint housing. The sensor device comprises a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, with the signal transmitter being arranged in the joint ball and the signal receiver being arranged on the joint housing. Furthermore, the invention relates to a chassis with such a ball joint.

[0003] Such a ball joint is known from DE 102016 215 416 A1.

[0004] Suitably designed sensor devices can be used to determine the relative position of the inner joint part to the joint housing. The detected relative position can be used to determine the vehicle's ride height relative to a road surface and / or a currently realized steering angle.

[0005] Depending on the specific design of the sensor device and / or the signal generator, it may be necessary for the sensor device to be mounted at least partially in a specified orientation. This may be necessary, for example, due to required calibration. It may be necessary for the signal receiver and / or the signal generator to be mounted in a specified orientation. Without further measures, this may complicate installation or easily result in undesirable deviations in the orientation during installation.

[0006] The object underlying the invention is to further develop a ball joint and / or a chassis of the type mentioned above in such a way that position-oriented assembly is ensured. In particular, an alternative embodiment is to be provided. The object underlying the invention is achieved with a ball joint according to claim 1 and by means of a chassis according to claim 9. Preferred developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims and in the following description.

[0007] Accordingly, the ball joint has an inner joint part. In particular, the ball joint is designed for a chassis of a vehicle or motor vehicle. Preferably, the ball joint connects a first chassis component to another chassis component in an articulated manner. The inner joint part has a joint ball and a pivot pin. In particular, the inner joint part is designed as a ball pivot. Furthermore, the ball joint has a joint housing, wherein the joint ball of the inner joint part is mounted in an articulated manner in the joint housing. The pivot pin extends out of the joint housing. The ball joint also has a sensor device for determining a position and / or orientation of the inner joint part relative to the joint housing. This sensor device has a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, wherein the signal transmitter is arranged in the joint ball and the signal receiver is arranged on the joint housing.

[0008] According to the invention, a first position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal transmitter and a signal transmitter receptacle formed in the joint ball, wherein the clear position orientation of the signal transmitter in relation to the inner joint part results due to a positive insertion of the signal transmitter into the signal transmitter receptacle.

[0009] The advantage here is that the unique positional orientation formed between the sensor and the sensor mount results in a predetermined alignment of the sensor relative to the inner joint part. This unique orientation is achieved by position-oriented mounting and / or position-oriented insertion of the sensor into the sensor mount of the inner joint part. This simplifies directional or position-oriented assembly. In particular, the sensor and the sensor mount are rotationally and tilt-proof relative to each other due to the first position-oriented arrangement.

[0010] Ball joints can be used in a variety of ways in vehicle construction. In particular, ball joints are used in the chassis to connect chassis components such as control arm components, wheel carriers, tie rods, or the like to one another or to the vehicle body or an axle carrier attached to it. The joint housing, which is open at least on one side, can have a housing recess. The inner joint part or the joint ball can be pivotally mounted relative to the joint housing in the housing recess. The pivot pin can protrude from a housing opening in the joint housing. A bearing shell is preferably arranged between the joint housing and the joint ball assigned to the inner joint part. This bearing shell reduces friction and thus wear on the joint despite the sometimes high operational loads.

[0011] In particular, a movable and / or articulated mounting of the inner joint part in the joint housing is understood to mean pivoting, tilting, and / or rotating mobility. "Tilting" or "tilting" of the inner joint part is understood to mean, in particular, a movement of the inner joint part relative to the joint housing, during which a change in an angle enclosed between a longitudinal axis of the inner joint part and a longitudinal axis of the joint housing occurs. The tilting or tilting preferably occurs around the center of the joint ball. The tilt angle of the inner joint part is, in particular, the angle enclosed between the longitudinal axis of the inner joint part and the longitudinal axis of the housing. In the non-tilted position of the inner joint part, the tilt angle is preferably zero and / or the longitudinal axis of the inner joint part coincides with the longitudinal axis of the housing.

[0012] "Rotating" or "twisting" of the inner joint part refers, in particular, to a movement of the inner joint part in which the inner joint part is rotated relative to the joint housing about the inner joint part's longitudinal axis. Preferably, an articulated connection between two components refers to a connection of the two components by means of a joint such that the two components can be rotated relative to each other about at least one axis of rotation. Thus, articulated connections about exactly one axis of rotation, about exactly two axes of rotation, or about exactly three axes of rotation are possible. An articulated connection does not permit any translational movement of the two components relative to each other.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, a second position-oriented arrangement is formed between the pivot pin and a pivot receptacle. Due to the positive insertion of the pivot pin into the pivot receptacle, the pivot pin is uniquely positioned relative to the pivot receptacle. In particular, the pivot receptacle is assigned to a chassis component and / or formed in a chassis component. Due to the unique positional orientation formed between the pivot pin and the pivot receptacle, a predetermined alignment of the inner joint part relative to the pivot pin receptacle results. This unique alignment results from position-oriented assembly and / or position-oriented insertion of the pivot pin into the pivot receptacle. This further simplifies directed or position-oriented assembly.In particular, due to the combination of the first position-oriented arrangement between the signal transmitter and the signal transmitter receptacle in the joint ball of the inner joint part with the second position-oriented arrangement, a clear positional orientation is easily achieved with regard to the signal transmitter and the inner joint part, preferably in relation to the chassis component with the pin receptacle. In particular, the inner joint part and the pin receptacle are fixed to one another in a rotationally and tilt-resistant manner due to the second position-oriented arrangement.

[0014] According to a further development, a further position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal receiver and the joint housing. In particular, a positive connection between a signal receiver housing and the joint housing results in the clear positional orientation of the signal receiver in relation to the joint housing. Due to the clear positional orientation formed between the signal receiver and the joint housing, a predetermined alignment of the signal receiver in relation to the joint housing results. In particular, due to the combination of the first position-oriented arrangement, the second position-oriented arrangement and the further position-oriented arrangement, a simple position-oriented assembly is achieved with regard to the interaction of the signal transmitter and signal receiver. This simplifies initial assembly as well as the replacement of components, for example during repairs.In particular, the sensor device can be calibrated even before initial installation in a vehicle's chassis. Due to the predefined position-oriented assembly of the signal transmitter, pivot pin, and signal transmitter, the relative alignment of these components to one another can be restored after at least partial separation following calibration and during initial assembly in the chassis. In particular, the signal receiver and the joint housing are fixed to one another in a rotationally and tilt-resistant manner due to the further position-oriented arrangement.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, an outer circumference of the signal generator has a circular segment and a first positive-locking segment. The circular segment can be C-shaped. In particular, the first positive-locking segment is designed as a flat first surface. The signal generator receptacle has an inner circumference whose shape corresponds to the outer circumference of the signal generator, with an inner cylindrical surface segment and a second positive-locking segment. In particular, the inner cylindrical surface segment is designed to correspond in shape to the circular segment and / or for the positive-locking reception and / or insertion of the circular segment of the signal generator. Preferably, the second positive-locking segment is designed as a flat second surface. In particular, the second positive-locking segment is designed to correspond in shape to the first positive-locking segment of the signal generator and / or for the positive-locking reception and / or insertion of the first positive-locking segment.Preferably, the circular segment and the inner cylindrical surface segment or the first form-fitting segment and the second form-fitting segment abut one another.

[0016] According to a further development, an outer circumference of the pivot pin has a truncated cone segment and a third form-fitting segment. The conical spherical segment preferably has a C-shaped cross-section in a plan view. In particular, the third form-fitting segment is designed as a flat third surface. The pin receptacle has an inner circumference that corresponds in shape to the outer circumference of the pivot pin and has a hollow truncated cone surface segment and a fourth form-fitting segment. In particular, the hollow truncated cone surface segment is designed to correspond in shape to the truncated cone segment and / or for the form-fitting reception and / or insertion of the truncated cone segment. Preferably, the fourth form-fitting segment is designed as a flat fourth surface. In particular, the fourth form-fitting segment is designed to correspond in shape to the third form-fitting segment and / or for the form-fitting reception and / or insertion of the third form-fitting segment.Preferably, the truncated cone segment and the hollow truncated cone surface segment or the third form-locking segment and the fourth form-locking segment abut one another.

[0017] According to a further embodiment, the joint housing is designed as a component of a first chassis component. Preferably, the first chassis component is designed as a chassis link. In particular, the joint housing is formed integrally with the first chassis component. For example, the joint housing can be manufactured as a section of the first chassis component. The joint housing can be manufactured during the manufacture of the first chassis component or after the manufacture of the first chassis component, for example by means of forming or machining. Alternatively, the joint housing is fastened to a first chassis component. In this embodiment, the joint housing is designed as an independent or separate component from the first chassis component. Such a joint housing can be fastened to the first chassis component in a form-fitting, material-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.In this embodiment, a clear position-oriented arrangement of the joint housing is preferably formed on the first chassis component.

[0018] Preferably, the pin receptacle is formed in a further chassis component. In particular, the further chassis component is designed as a wheel carrier or connected to a wheel carrier. For example, the further chassis component is designed as a flange that is fixedly attached to a wheel carrier. The pin receptacle can be designed as a recess or as a through-hole in the further chassis component.

[0019] In particular, the sensor device is designed to determine a steering angle. For this purpose, the signal transmitter can be designed as a magnet and the signal receiver as a magnetic field-sensitive sensor, preferably as a Hall sensor. In particular, the magnet is diametrically magnetized. However, the magnet can have a different magnet shape and / or magnetization. Preferably, the magnet, the magnet shape, and / or the type of magnetization require position-oriented mounting. In particular, position-oriented mounting of the signal transmitter and signal receiver and / or calibration of the sensor device is necessary. This is ensured by means of the position-oriented arrangement or arrangements according to the invention.

[0020] Of particular advantage is a chassis with a ball joint according to the invention, wherein the ball joint connects a first chassis component, in particular a chassis link, to a further chassis component, preferably a wheel carrier, in an articulated manner.

[0021] Preferably, the chassis is further developed according to the embodiments explained in connection with the ball joint according to the invention described here. Furthermore, the ball joint described here can be further developed according to the embodiments explained in connection with the chassis.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like, similar, or functionally identical components or elements. They show:

[0023] Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of a ball joint according to the invention,

[0024] Fig. 2 shows a section of a perspective, partially transparent side view of the ball joint according to the invention according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a section of a partially sectioned side view of the ball joint according to the invention according to Fig. 1,

[0025] Fig. 4 shows a section of a side view of an inner joint part for the ball joint according to the invention according to Fig. 1, and

[0026] Fig. 5 shows a section of a plan view of a pin receptacle for the ball joint according to the invention as shown in Fig. 1.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a perspective side view of a ball joint 1 according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the ball joint 1 is designed as a component of a vehicle's chassis (not shown in detail). The ball joint 1 is designed as a ball-and-socket joint. A first chassis component 2 is pivotally connected to another chassis component 3 by means of the ball joint 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the first chassis component 2 is designed as a chassis link, and the other chassis component 3 is designed as a flange for attachment to a wheel carrier (not shown in detail here).

[0028] The ball joint 1 has a sensor device 4. The sensor device 4 can be used to detect a relative position of the two chassis components 2, 3 to one another. In this exemplary embodiment, a steering angle can be determined using the sensor device 4. The sensor device 4 has a signal receiver 5 (not shown in detail here). The signal receiver 5 is arranged in a signal receiver housing 6. The signal receiver 5 and the signal receiver housing 6 are arranged on the first chassis component 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the first chassis component 2 forms a joint housing 7. Here, the joint housing 7 is designed as a one-piece or integral part of the first chassis component 2. The signal receiver 5 is arranged on the joint housing 7. A position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal receiver 5 and the joint housing 7.Due to the position-oriented arrangement of the signal receiver housing 6 and the joint housing 6 or the first chassis component 2, the clear position orientation of the signal receiver 5 in relation to the joint housing 6 or the first chassis component 2 is realized.

[0029] It can be seen that a pivot pin 8 of an inner joint part 9 extends from the joint housing 7 into a pivot receptacle 10 of the other chassis component 3. The pivot pin 8 is fixed in the pivot receptacle 10.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a section of a perspective, partially transparent side view of the ball joint 1 according to the invention shown in Figure 1. A signal transmitter 11 of the signaling device 4 can be seen, wherein the signal transmitter 11 interacts with the signal receiver 5. In this embodiment, the signal transmitter 11 is designed as a diametrically magnetized magnet. Furthermore, the signal transmitter 11 is arranged in a joint ball 12 of the inner joint part 9.

[0031] The signal transmitter 11 is arranged in a signal transmitter receptacle 13 formed in the joint ball 12. The signal transmitter receptacle 13 is formed here as a recess in the joint ball 12. Here, the arrangement of the signal transmitter 11 in the signal transmitter receptacle 13 is only indicated schematically.

[0032] As can be seen more clearly from the following figure, the signal transmitter 11 and the signal transmitter receptacle 13 are designed in such a way that a positive insertion of the signal transmitter 11 into the signal transmitter receptacle 13 results in a clear positional orientation of the signal transmitter 11 in relation to the inner joint part 9.

[0033] Figure 3 shows a section of a partially sectioned side view of the ball joint 1 according to the invention as shown in Fig. 1. A representation of the signal receiver 5 on the joint housing 7 has been omitted here. The joint housing 7 has a housing recess 14 in which the inner joint part 9 or the joint ball 12 is pivotally mounted relative to the joint housing 7. In this exemplary embodiment, a bearing shell 15 is arranged between the joint housing 7 and the joint ball 12. In this exemplary embodiment, an outer circumference of the signal transmitter 11 is formed by means of a circular segment 16 and a first form-fitting segment 17. According to this example, the first form-fitting segment 17 is designed as a flat first surface.

[0034] The signal generator receptacle 13 has an inner circumference corresponding in shape to the outer circumference of the signal generator 11, with an inner cylindrical surface segment 18 and a second form-locking segment 19. In this embodiment, the second form-locking segment 19 is formed as a flat second surface.

[0035] Due to the positive insertion of the signal generator 11 into the signal generator receptacle 13, the circular segment 16 and the inner cylindrical surface segment 18, on the one hand, and the first positive-locking segment 17 and the second positive-locking segment 19, on the other, are in contact with one another. This provides a simple and effective way of clearly orienting the signal generator 11 relative to the inner joint part 9.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a section of a side view of the inner joint part 9 for the ball joint 1 according to the invention according to Fig. 1. It can be seen that the inner joint part 9 or the pivot pin 8 extends out of a housing opening 20 of the joint housing 12.

[0037] In this embodiment, an outer circumference of the pivot pin 8 is formed by a truncated cone segment 21 and a third form-fitting segment 22. In this example, the third form-fitting segment 22 is designed as a flat third surface.

[0038] Figure 5 shows a section of a plan view of the pin receptacle 10 for the ball joint 1 according to the invention shown in Figure 1. The pin receptacle 10 has an inner circumference corresponding in shape to the outer circumference of the pivot pin 8 (not shown in detail here) according to Figure 4, with a hollow truncated cone surface segment 23 and a fourth form-locking segment 24. In this exemplary embodiment, the fourth form-locking segment 24 is designed as a flat fourth surface.

[0039] The hollow truncated cone surface segment 23 is configured to correspond in shape to the truncated cone segment 21 of the pivot pin 8. Furthermore, the fourth form-locking segment 24 is configured to correspond in shape to the third form-locking segment 22 of the pivot pin 8. Thus, when the pivot pin 8 is inserted into the pin receptacle 10, the truncated cone segment 21 and the hollow truncated cone surface segment 23, on the one hand, and the third form-locking segment 22 and the fourth form-locking segment 24, on the other hand, abut one another. This creates a respective second position-oriented arrangement between the pivot pin 8 and the pin receptacle 10.

[0040] Due to the positive insertion of the pivot pin 8 into the pin receptacle 10, the clear positional orientation of the pivot pin 8 in relation to the pin receptacle 10 results. By combining the first position-oriented arrangement between the signal transmitter 11 and the signal transmitter receptacle 13 in the joint ball 12 of the inner joint part 9 with the second position-oriented arrangement between the pivot pin 8 and the pin receptacle 10, a clear positional orientation is easily achieved with regard to the signal transmitter 11 and the inner joint part 9.

[0041] Reference symbol

[0042] Ball joint first chassis component further chassis component sensor device signal receiver signal receiver housing

[0043] Joint housing Joint pin Inner joint part Pin holder Signal generator

[0044] joint ball

[0045] Signal transmitter holder Housing recess Bearing shell Circular segment First form-locking element Inner cylinder surface segment Second form-locking element Housing opening Truncated cone segment Third form-locking

[0046] Hollow truncated cone surface segment fourth form-locking element

Claims

Patent claims 1. A ball joint with an inner joint part (9) comprising a joint ball (12) and a joint pin (8), and with a joint housing (7) in which the joint ball (12) is mounted in a joint-movable manner, wherein the joint pin (8) extends out of the joint housing (7), and with a sensor device (4) for determining a position and / or orientation of the inner joint part (9) relative to the joint housing (7). The sensor device (4) comprises a signal transmitter (11) and a signal receiver (5), wherein the signal transmitter (11) is arranged in the joint ball (12) and the signal receiver (5) is arranged on the joint housing (7), characterized in that a first position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal transmitter (11) and a signal transmitter receptacle (13) formed in the joint ball (12).wherein the clear positional orientation of the signal transmitter (11) in relation to the inner joint part (9) results from a positive insertion of the signal transmitter (11) into the signal transmitter receptacle (13).

2. Ball joint according to claim 1, characterized in that a second position-oriented arrangement is formed between the pivot pin (8) and a pin receptacle (10), wherein the clear positional orientation of the pivot pin (8) in relation to the pin receptacle (10) results due to a positive insertion of the pivot pin (8) into the pin receptacle (10).

3. Ball joint according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a further position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal receiver (5) and the joint housing (7), in particular the clear position orientation of the signal receiver (5) in relation to the joint housing (7) results due to a positive connection between a signal receiver housing (6) and the joint housing (7).

4. Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer circumference of the signal transmitter (11) has a circle segment (16) and a first form-fitting segment (17), in particular the first form-fitting segment (17) is designed as a flat first surface, and the signal transmitter receptacle (13) has a shape corresponding to the outer circumference of the signal transmitter (11). Inner circumference with an inner cylindrical surface segment (18) and a second form-fitting segment (19), preferably the second form-fitting segment (19) is designed as a flat second surface.

5. Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized in that an outer circumference of the pivot pin (8) has a truncated cone segment (21) and a third form-fitting segment (22), in particular the third form-fitting segment (22) is designed as a flat third surface, and the pin receptacle (10) has an inner circumference corresponding in shape to the outer circumference of the pivot pin (8) with a hollow truncated cone surface segment (23) and a fourth form-fitting segment (24), preferably the fourth form-fitting segment (24) is designed as a flat fourth surface.

6. Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint housing (7) is designed as a component of a first chassis component (2) or is fastened to a first chassis component (2), in particular the first chassis component (2) is designed as a chassis link.

7. Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the pin receptacle (19) is formed in a further chassis component (3), in particular the further chassis component (3) is formed as a wheel carrier or is connected to a wheel carrier.

8. Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor device (4) is designed to determine a steering angle, in particular the signal transmitter (11) is designed as a magnet and the signal receiver (5) is designed as a magnetic field-sensitive sensor.

9. Chassis with a ball joint (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ball joint (1) connects a first chassis component (2), in particular a chassis link, to a further chassis component (3), preferably a wheel carrier, in an articulated manner.

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