The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 25, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 15, 2009
Dirk Maehlmann, Vechta, DE;
Frank Schmeink, Neuenkirchen-Vorden, DE;
Benjamin Ziebart, Wallenhorst, DE;
Horst Pott, Espelkamp, DE;
Christian Rziczny, Neuenkirchen, DE;
Michael Heuer Gen Hallmann, Ostercappeln, DE;
Philippe Milos, Damme, DE;
Wolfgang Kleiner, Wagenfeld, DE;
Reinhard Buhl, Bohmte, DE;
Jurgen Schmitz, Karlshuld, DE;
Dirk Maehlmann, Vechta, DE;
Frank Schmeink, Neuenkirchen-Vorden, DE;
Benjamin Ziebart, Wallenhorst, DE;
Horst Pott, Espelkamp, DE;
Christian Rziczny, Neuenkirchen, DE;
Michael Heuer Gen Hallmann, Ostercappeln, DE;
Philippe Milos, Damme, DE;
Wolfgang Kleiner, Wagenfeld, DE;
Reinhard Buhl, Bohmte, DE;
Jurgen Schmitz, Karlshuld, DE;
ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Friedrichshafen, DE;
Abstract
A ball joint with a housing formed entirely by a cold forming method. The housing having an inner chamber for receiving the joint ball of a ball pin and an opening through which the ball pin extends, and a contact area on the outer surface area of the housing forms a seal with a bellows. A forming section of the housing secures the joint ball within the inner chamber such that the joint pall can both rotate and pivot. Following completion of the housing, the material displaced during the cold forming method creates the forming section of the housing. The method for producing a ball joint comprises the steps of producing a metallic housing blank with a thickening formed by compression, forming the outer contour of the housing by compression, shaping the inner contour of the housing through dishing, and using the displaced material for creating the forming section.