Ball Joint Housing Double-Layer Wall Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joint housings for ball joints require significant manufacturing effort to achieve stability and long service life, and often require additional components for assembly and sealing.
Innovation Solution
A joint housing with a sheet-metal part featuring a double-layer circumferential wall portion at the axial end, which provides enhanced stability and allows for easy assembly on a carrier element using a radial tab that can form a U-shaped receptacle for a sealing bellows, reducing the need for separate mounting elements and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-layer sheet-metal part is used for the joint housing, then the manufacturing effort is reduced, but the joint stability and load-bearing capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-layer to a double-layer sheet-metal construction at the axial end region. This dimensional change in wall structure provides enhanced stability and load-bearing capacity while maintaining manufacturability through integrated forming processes
Solution Approach 2:
The double-layer construction is applied locally only at the axial end region where the joint pin passes through, rather than throughout the entire housing. This localized approach provides enhanced stability where needed while minimizing manufacturing complexity
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional mounting elements are used to secure the joint housing on the carrier element, then the connection stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting elements (radial tabs) are integrated directly into the sheet-metal housing structure during forming, eliminating the need for separate mounting components. The housing and mounting features become a single integrated part, reducing complexity while maintaining connection stability
Solution Approach 2:
The radial tabs are formed as part of the housing structure itself, enabling the housing to provide its own mounting functionality without requiring additional external components. The structure serves multiple functions: housing containment and carrier element attachment
3Quantity of substance
If the circumferential wall portion is made thinner to reduce material usage, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the structural strength and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure transitions from single-layer to double-layer construction at the axial end region, effectively doubling the material thickness where structural demands are highest. This provides enhanced durability and service life while maintaining overall material efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in a stable and durable joint housing with reduced manufacturing effort, enabling a firm and easily producible connection between components, and simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for additional fixing elements, while maintaining high load-bearing capacity.
Implementation Method 1
the sheet-metal part is formed with two layers at the axial end of the circumferential wall portion
Implementation Method 2
an edge of the sealing bellows is introduced into the U-shaped receptacle and clamped to the joint housing by deformation of the receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a joint housing (10) of a ball joint (12), comprising a sheet-metal part (14) for accommodating a ball head (16), which is substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to a joint axis (A) and includes a circumferential wall portion (18), wherein the circumferential wall portion (18) includes a housing opening (26) at an axial end (24), through which a joint pin (28) can extend, wherein the sheet-metal part (14) is formed with two layers at this axial end (24) of the circumferential wall portion (18). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for mounting such joint housing (10) on a carrier element (34).