Patent · US Active

Ball and socket joint for a vehicle

US9545828B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by

5References

11Claims

0Family size

Assignee

ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG · DE

Inventors

Bernd Grannemann · Espelkamp, DE
Martin Rechtien · Damme, DE

Key dates

Filing date	Mar 19, 2013
Grant date	Jan 17, 2017
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 25, 2033

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T403/20
WIPO fieldMechanical elements
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A ball joint for a vehicle, with a ball pin that has a joint ball, a joint housing that encloses the joint ball and is provided with a pin opening, in which the joint ball of the ball pin is fitted and able to move. The ball pin extends out of the joint housing through the pin opening. An actuator can press a pressure element, in an axial direction, against the joint housing in such a manner that pressure can be exerted by the joint housing and the pressure element onto the joint ball. The actuator acts upon a spring which acts upon the pressure element. The length of the spring can be measured by a displacement sensor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.