Ball Joint Housing and Ball Sheet Uneven Interface Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ball joints in stabilizer links face issues with the ball sheet sliding over the housing due to inadequate joining force, leading to friction and displacement, either from strong or weak joining between the resin housing and ball sheet, which affects the stability and functionality of the ball joint.
Innovation Solution
A ball joint design featuring a ball stud with a ball part that is swingably and rotationally supported by a housing, where the ball sheet has uneven parts such as recessed or projecting shapes that fit into corresponding parts on the housing, enhancing the joining strength and preventing sliding, while the uneven parts are strategically located to maintain even rotational torque resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the resin housing and ball sheet are strongly joined together through injection molding, then the joining force between housing and ball sheet increases, but the ball sheet cannot slide over the housing when the ball part swings
Solution Approach 1:
The ball sheet's outer surface is segmented into multiple uneven parts (projecting parts and recessed parts) that create discrete engagement points with the housing, allowing controlled sliding while maintaining overall joining strength
Solution Approach 2:
The ball sheet has different surface qualities: the uneven parts provide strong joining engagement with the housing, while the smooth inner surface maintains low friction for ball part sliding
2Ease of operation
If the resin housing and ball sheet are weakly joined together, then the ball sheet can slide over the housing, but the ball sheet may be displaced from its appropriate position
Solution Approach 1:
The uneven parts on the ball sheet create multiple discrete engagement points with corresponding fitting parts on the housing, providing stable positioning while allowing controlled sliding motion
Solution Approach 2:
The uneven parts act as intermediary engagement features between the ball sheet and housing, mediating between the need for strong joining and the need for sliding capability
Data Source
AI summary
A ball joint comprises: a ball stud which includes a stud part on one end side connected to a structure and a ball part on the other end side; a housing which oscillatably and rotatably supports the ball part of the ball stud; and a ball sheet disposed between the housing and the ball part. The ball sheet includes a recessed/protruding part formed of at least one of a recessed portion and a protruding portion on a surface facing the housing. The housing includes a fitting part having at least one of a protruding shape and a recessed shape each of which fits to the recessed/protruding part.