Ball Joint Socket Structure for Easier Panel Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ball socket with a pre-mounted ball stud is difficult to mount to an anchor panel due to obstruction by locking pieces, making assembly cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A ball joint design featuring first and second protruding parts that can deform radially, with engagement parts extending sideways for easier mounting, and access passages for tool insertion to facilitate assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ball socket with pre-mounted ball stud is designed with locking pieces to secure the ball, then the ball holding reliability is improved, but the ease of mounting to the panel deteriorates due to obstruction of locking piece movement
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is divided into functionally independent protruding parts: first protruding parts for engagement with the panel opening and second protruding parts for holding the ball. This segmentation allows each part to perform its function independently without interfering with the other, enabling the ball to be held securely while the engagement parts can deform freely during mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The first protruding parts are designed to be deformable, allowing them to bend radially inward during the mounting process to clear the panel opening edge, then spring back to engage firmly. This dynamic behavior enables easy mounting while maintaining reliable engagement.
2Ease of operation
If the first protruding parts are designed to bend radially inward during mounting, then the ease of mounting is improved, but the engagement strength with the panel may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The first protruding parts are pre-designed with inherent radial flexibility and elastic recovery capability. During mounting, they temporarily deform inward to clear the opening, then automatically spring back to their original position to engage the panel edge, ensuring both easy mounting and strong engagement without requiring additional fastening operations.
3Reliability
If the second protruding parts are positioned to hold the ball securely, then the ball holding capability is improved, but the insertion force required for mounting increases due to resistance from the ball
Solution Approach 1:
The socket structure separates the ball holding function (second protruding parts) from the panel engagement function (first protruding parts). The second protruding parts are positioned and dimensioned to hold the ball securely, while the first protruding parts handle all deformation and engagement actions during mounting, preventing the ball from obstructing the mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The first protruding parts act as intermediaries between the panel opening and the second protruding parts. They deform radially inward to clear the opening path, allowing the ball and second protruding parts to pass through without resistance, then engage the panel to secure the assembly.
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 design reduces the required insertion force, enhances engagement, and improves assembly and disassembly ease, ensuring smooth and secure mounting to the panel.
Implementation Method 1
the first protruding parts and the second protruding parts are each capable of deforming to bend in a radial direction with respect to the axis
Implementation Method 2
an outer surface of the extension part is provided with an engagement part (15) that engages with an edge part of the opening
Implementation Method 3
tips of the second protruding parts are positioned more in the insertion direction than side edges of the extension parts on a side of the insertion direction
Data Source
AI summary
A ball joint includes a ball stud and a socket having a base portion that is annular about an axis extending in an insertion direction, multiple first protruding parts, and second protruding parts positioned between the first protruding parts. The second protruding parts rotatably hold the ball in cooperation with tips of the first protruding parts. The first protruding parts are each provided with an extension part that extends out sideways. An outer surface of the extension part is provided with an engagement part that engages with an edge part of the opening. The first protruding parts and the second protruding parts are each capable of deforming to bend in a radial direction with respect to the axis, and tips of the second protruding parts are positioned more in the insertion direction than edge parts of the extension part on a side of the insertion direction.