Socket Assembly with Movable Backing Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle suspension and steering systems, compression-style socket assemblies experience reduced surface contact between the ball stud and the lower bearing when radial loads are applied, leading to wear and reduced operating life due to the ball stud trying to 'walk up' the radius of the bearing.
Innovation Solution
A socket assembly design featuring a movable backing bearing with a curved surface and a radial ring, both in sliding contact with the ball stud, which supports radial and axial loads independently, along with an exit bearing with a biased third surface, and a dust boot with a spring for maintaining contact and lubrication, preventing the ball stud from shifting and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a compression-style socket assembly with a fixed backing bearing is used, then the structure is simple, but the ball stud walks up the radius of the bearing under radial loads, reducing surface contact area and increasing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The backing bearing is made movable relative to the housing, allowing it to float and self-center on the ball portion of the ball stud. This dynamic capability enables the backing bearing to maintain optimal contact with the ball stud under radial loads, preventing the ball stud from walking up the bearing radius and maintaining large surface contact area throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly is divided into separate functional components: a movable backing bearing for axial load support and self-centering, a radial ring for radial load support, and an exit bearing for additional support. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific load types, improving overall reliability while managing complexity through functional decomposition.
2Reliability
If the backing bearing is made movable to self-center on the ball stud, then surface contact area is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable backing bearing automatically self-centers on the ball portion of the ball stud through its own movement capability, without requiring external adjustment mechanisms or complex control systems. The bearing's floating design allows it to naturally position itself to maintain optimal contact area, achieving the desired effect through self-service rather than external intervention.
3Reliability
If the radial ring and exit bearing are added to support radial loads independently, then load distribution improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing system is segmented into distinct functional elements: the movable backing bearing for axial loads and self-centering, the radial ring for radial load support, and the exit bearing for additional support. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, managing complexity through modular functional decomposition while achieving superior load distribution.
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 maintains a large area of contact between the ball stud and the bearings, reducing wear and improving the operating life of the socket assembly by self-centering the backing bearing and distributing loads effectively, while the lubricant grooves and dust boot enhance durability and protection.
Implementation Method 1
the dust boot includes a spring which is at least partially embedded within a rubber body for biasing the third bearing surface of the exit bearing against the outer surface of the ball portion of the ball stud
Implementation Method 2
the first bearing surface, second bearing surface and third bearing surface all present a plurality of lubricant grooves for distributing a lubricant throughout said inner bore of said housing
Implementation Method 3
The backing bearing presents a curved first bearing surface which is in sliding contact with an outer surface of the ball portion of the ball stud
Data Source
AI summary
The socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore that extends from a closed end to an open end. A ball portion of a ball stud is received in the inner bore. A shank portion projects through the open end. A backing bearing is disposed in the inner bore and is movable in a radial direction relative to the housing. The backing bearing presents a first bearing surface which is in sliding contact with the ball portion. A radial ring with an annular shape is also disposed in the inner bore of the housing and presents a second bearing surface which is in sliding contact with an equator of the ball portion. An exit bearing is in the inner bore, and the exit bearing has a curved third bearing surface that is in sliding contact with an opposite hemisphere of the ball portion from the first bearing surface.