Patent Application
20070297850
The invention relates to a ball joint device of the type used in automotion, to the manufacturing process of said ball joint device as well as the apparatus wherein the device is manufactured according to the process.
Various embodiments describing the ball joint devices are known in the state of the art.
Nevertheless, the embodiments proposed in the state of the art require a precise adjustment both in the manufacture and in the later assembly of the components of the device. This high degree of precision in the manufacture is necessary because it could even happen that the assembly is not possible if the tolerances of the components are too wide or if, even in the event that they are more restrictive, the manufactured pieces do not comply with said design tolerances; these tolerances will also have a repercussion in the performance of the device.
The ball joint devices with unsuitable tolerances cause a series of inadmissible defects. These defects, in addition to being observable in a recently manufactured device, entail a premature deterioration of the device, shorten its working life and affect the use of the device.
Another feature that the ball joint devices must have is tightness. The tightness must be assured through the adjustment of the components themselves of the ball joint, the design and manufacture tolerances of said components yet again being important, such as through the use of auxiliary elements. These auxiliary elements are usually dust seals with their corresponding retaining or closing elements joining said dust seals with the remaining components of the ball joint device.
Another additional feature which the ball joint devices must have is modularity, this being understood as the ability to form a module which is integrated in a system of which said ball joint device forms part. The devices known in the state of the art have a design and construction which do not facilitate this ability to be integrated in a system in a manner that can be easily adapted to different systems because they require the system itself to be modified for this.
The present invention proposes a ball joint device, a process for manufacturing said ball joint device and an apparatus in which the ball joint device is manufactured by said process solving the drawbacks present in the state of the art set forth previously.
The design of the joining means and the areas in contact of the components of the ball joint device in the joining surfaces assures the tightness required in this type of devices.
The relation between the casing and the seating also allows the casing to be designed such that it can be adapted to different applications according to the system in which the ball joint device is going to be incorporated.
The present invention also relates to the manufacturing process of a joining and stress-transmitting element or link or compass including the present ball joint device. The joining elements manufactured according to the present invention, the material forming the arm or link is over-injected on the previously manufactured ball joint device, in contrast to the usual manufacturing practice, wherein the arm or link is formed first and afterwards a ball joint device or other component is coupled to the ends of the arm.
Given that the over-injected material cools and ends up solidifying on the ball joint by means of the manufacturing process of the invention, there is always an adjustment between the bowl and the ball joint, therefore the dimensional tolerances as regards the diameter of the ball joint are not as demanding. This also allows lowering the manufacturing costs of the ball joint.
The manufacturing process of the invention also allows manufacturing the channel for the dust seal in the same over-injection operation.
The device of the invention also allows any type of material for the over-injection as long as said material is compatible, or does not damage the ball joint. To that respect, the more resistant the material of the ball joint, the greater the reinforcement of the material of the bowl or housing of the head of the ball joint.
According to a first aspect, the invention describes a ball joint device comprising:
In the device of the invention, the casing can further comprise a plurality of channels in an inner surface of the housing, said channels being configured so as to allow distribution of a lubricant between the first ball joint portion and the inner surface of the housing.
Additionally, the invention can further comprise a dust seal for protecting the ball joint device. The invention may also have a first sealing ring so as to clamp a first end of the dust seal to the ball joint.
Likewise, the dust seal can further comprise a plurality of ring-shaped grooves acting as a labyrinthine seal on a contact surface between the first end and the ball joint so as to assure tightness between the dust seal and the ball joint.
According to the invention, the casing can be of a material selected from:
The casing can comprise a body formed by a plurality of pieces.
In the device of the invention:
On the other hand, the dust seal can be of an elastomeric material selected from:
Likewise, the sealing rings can be of a material selected from:
A second aspect of the invention refers to the process for manufacturing by over-injection the previously described device:
Said apparatus can comprise:
The process can further comprise, in the over-injection position, the steps:
A third aspect of the invention refers to an apparatus for manufacturing the device by means of the process previously described, wherein said apparatus further comprises coupling means for:
A series of drawings will be briefly described below which will aid in better understanding the invention and which are expressly related with an embodiment of said invention set forth as a non-limiting example of the same.
A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with the help of drawings. Thus, according to the embodiment, the ball joint device can comprise:
The casing 1 can further comprise a plurality of channels 12 in an inner surface of the housing 10, said channels 12 being configured so as to allow distribution of a lubricant between the first ball joint portion 21 and the inner surface of the housing 10.
An embodiment of the invention can further comprise a dust seal 3 for protecting the ball joint device. In this case, the device of the invention can further comprise:
The dust seal 3 can further comprise a plurality of ring-shaped grooves acting as a labyrinthine seal on a contact surface between the first end 31 and the ball joint 2 so as to assure tightness between the dust seal 3 and the ball joint 2.
The device of the invention can further comprise clamping means to clamp a second end 32 of the dust seal 3, said clamping means comprising:
The casing 1 can be of a material selected from:
It is also possible that the material of the housing for the first ball joint portion or head is more resistant/harder than the material of the rest of the casing. To that end, a first hard material can be injected to form the housing, by way of an anti-wear surface hardening layer and a second “structural” material to form the body of the casing. As an alternative, or even as a complement to the injection of the first hard material, a “post-injection” surface treatment can be given to the housing.
The body of the casing 1 can be formed by a plurality of pieces.
In the device of the invention:
On one hand, the dust seal 3 can be of an elastomeric material selected from:
On the other hand, the sealing rings 41, 42 can be of a material selected from:
A second aspect of the invention refers to the process for manufacturing by over-injection the previously described device:
Said apparatus can comprise:
The process can further comprise, in the over-injection position, the steps:
The vacuum-generating step a) can comprise:
The process of the invention can further comprise a prior sub-step a0) for reaching a prior temperature T0 comprised between 20° C. and 120° C. in the outer surface to be over-injected.
The step b) of over-injection material introduction can comprise:
The step c) of overpressure generation can comprise:
The process of any part of the invention can further comprise previously drying the surface to be over-injected.
The previous drying step can comprise reaching a drying temperature T′Ø comprised between 20° C. and 150° C. in the surface to be over-injected for a drying time t′0 comprised between 1s and 120s.
The process of the invention can also comprise subsequently curing the over-injected surface.
The curing step can comprise reaching a subsequent temperature Tn comprised between 20° C. and 150° C. in the over-injected surface for a subsequent time comprised between 1s and 120s.
A third aspect of the invention refers to an apparatus for manufacturing the previously described device by means of the also previously described process wherein said apparatus further comprises coupling means 120 for:
The apparatus can further comprise connecting means 130 located in the containment means 100, to allow generating a pressure selected from vacuum pressure and overpressure in the cavity 110.
Additionally, the apparatus can further comprise:
On the other hand, the apparatus can also comprise: introduction means 210 for introducing the over-injection product in the cavity 110 through the entrance means 200.
Optionally, the apparatus can also comprise:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06380166.6 | Jun 2006 | EP | regional |
