Self-Preloaded Ball Socket Bearing to Prevent Lock-Up

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ball socket assemblies in vehicle suspension and steering systems require tight manufacturing tolerances and are prone to locking up due to improper installation, which complicates the rotation and articulation of the ball stud and housing.

Innovation Solution

A ball socket assembly with bearings made of spring-like material, featuring a frustoconical bearing surface and a gap for self-preloading, allowing for axial motion during installation and relaxed manufacturing tolerances, eliminating the need for additional springs and reducing the risk of locking up.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tight manufacturing tolerances are used to establish slidable contact between bearing surfaces and ball portion, then rotation and articulation functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation and articulation functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing tolerances

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the bearing surface from a traditional curved surface to a frustoconical surface with a specific taper angle (15-30 degrees). This parameter change allows the bearing to self-align with the ball portion, eliminating the need for tight manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliable rotation and articulation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the spherical geometry of the ball portion in conjunction with the frustoconical bearing surface to create a self-aligning contact interface. The curvature of the ball portion naturally guides the frustoconical bearing surface into proper alignment, reducing dependency on precise manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional curved bearing surfaces are used, then articulation functionality is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases and tolerances are tighter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing cost and tolerancesVSAvoidarticulation functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If no gap is provided in the bearing, then structural integrity is improved, but installation tolerance decreases and locking up risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation tolerance and locking preventionVSAvoidbearing structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a gap in the bearing structure that acts as a cushion or buffer during installation. This gap allows for axial motion of the ball stud, preventing improper installation from causing the ball stud to lock up, while the spring-like material maintains structural integrity through elastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing is constructed from spring-like material that can flex and deform elastically. This flexibility allows the bearing to accommodate axial motion during installation through the gap, preventing locking up while maintaining structural integrity through the material's elastic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Force

If additional springs are added to achieve preload, then preload functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreload forceVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the bearing itself: the spring-like material provides both the structural support and the preload force, while the gap allows for installation tolerance. This merging eliminates the need for separate springs and reduces device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing is designed to self-preload through its own spring-like material and gap structure, without requiring external springs or additional components. The bearing automatically provides the necessary preload force while accommodating installation variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 self-preloaded design enhances installation tolerance, reduces the likelihood of locking up, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining effective articulation and rotation functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one bearing is made of a monolithic piece of a spring-like material and has a single gap and is flexed to preload the at least one bearing against the ball portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11396906B2Ball socket assembly with a preload bearing

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 FEDERAL MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC

AI summary

The ball socket assembly includes a housing which has at least one open end and an inner bore that extends along a central axis. The ball socket assembly further includes a ball stud that has a ball portion and a shank portion. The ball portion is disposed in the inner bore of the housing, and the shank portion extends out of the inner bore through the at least one open end. At least one bearing is disposed in the inner, and the at least one bearing has a bearing surface which is in direct contact with the ball portion of the ball stud. The at least one bearing is made of a monolithic piece of a spring-like material and has a single gap and is flexed to preload the at least one bearing against the ball portion.