Ball joint assembly having friction coated components and methods of assembling a ball joint assembly having defined gaps

US10247228B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. · JP
• ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG · DE

Inventors

• Jinghong Yu · Dublin, US
• Peter G. Langseth, III · Plain City, US
• Todd Andrew Fitz · Dublin, US
• Eric Walker · Dublin, US
• James W. Post, II · Dublin, US
• Bernd Grannemann · Espelkamp, DE
• Martin Rechtien · Damme, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 16, 2015
• Grant date: Apr 2, 2019
• Expiry date: Sep 23, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T403/32786
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A ball joint assembly includes a housing at least partially defining a cavity. A ball stud includes a head portion positioned within the cavity and a shaft extending from the head portion. A ball race having an inner surface is positioned within the cavity to define an interface between the inner surface of the ball race and an outer surface of the head portion. A solid friction coating is positioned within the interface. The solid friction coating is coupled to the inner surface of the ball race and/or the outer surface of the head portion of the ball stud. A piston can also be positioned within the cavity, wherein at least one gap is defined between the ball race and the piston and/or between the ball race and the housing. Methods of assembling a ball joint assembly are also disclosed.