Radial ball joint for a vehicle

US10844900B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG · DE

Inventors

• Günter REDDEHASE · Brockum, DE
• Uwe Petersen · Espelkamp, DE
• Dirk Sokolihs · Porta Westfalica, DE
• Frank Hensel · Itzehoe, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 26, 2016
• Grant date: Nov 24, 2020
• Expiry date: Aug 15, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T403/32737
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A radial ball joint (1, 50, 70) for a vehicle having a housing (2, 51) for holding a joint ball (11) of a ball stud (6) so that the ball stud can rotate and pivot. An upper bearing shell (7), made from a steel sheet, is arranged between an inside wall (10) of the housing (2, 51) and the joint ball (11). The upper bearing shell (7) is in contact with the joint ball (11) over a contact zone (21) to provide the joint ball (11) with a circumferential slide bearing between its equator (12) and its upper pole (13). The upper bearing shell (7) is in the form of an annular, circumferentially closed drawn component and has in the contact zone (21) with the joint ball (11). A number of lubrication grooves (14), pass through a wall (20) of the upper bearing shell (7), in an embossment manner.