Trw Fahrwerksysteme Gmbh & Co. Kg

Wolfgang Prickler

Lothar Broszat

Theo Heep

Hans-Joachim Schutt

Christian Wutzler

Matthias Kaussen

The invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint composed of a ball pivot (1) and a joint housing (3), in which the coupling ball (1a), is supported, such that it can be twisted and tilted to a limited extent, by a plastic bearing shell (2). The bearing shell (2) supports the coupling ball (1a) both above and below the equator (1b) of the ball, at least in the region of a bearing surface (2a',2c') in the form of an annular segment of a sphere. In order to create a mountable ball-and-socket joint, which guarantees the creation and retention of defined joint characteristics over the entire service life of the joint, at least the part of the bearing shell (2) supporting the surface of the coupling ball (1a) lying below the equator (1b) of the ball is divided into at least two sections (2a), each hinge delimited by a film hinge (2b), which together form a bearing surface (2a') in the form of an annular segment of a sphere.

Ball-and-socket joint

The invention pertains to a ball joint comprising a housing (1) provided with a cylindrical receptacle opening (1a) and a gudgeon (2) arranged in a ball socket (3) made of plastic such that it is able to rotate and pivot within a limited range, wherein the outer surface (3b) of the ball socket that corresponds with the inner diameter of the receptacle opening (1a) is, after the assembly process, fixed in the radial direction and secured in the axial direction by means of annular shoulders (3c,4a), one of which (3c) is situated on an annular flange that surrounds the opening (3a) of the ball socket (3) on the side of the gudgeon. In order to ensure a secure, i.e., large-surface, fixing of the ball socket (3) on the housing (1) in the axial direction despite a simplified manufacture, the annular shoulder (4a) that cooperates with the upper side of the housing (1) is arranged on a ring (4) connected with the ball socket (3), preferably in an inseparable manner by means of ultrasonic welding.

Growing community of inventors

Kaarst, Germany

Wolfgang Prickler