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US 12,459,319 B2Granted
Rear toe link including inner ball joint with press-fit stud
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorCollin R. Lockhart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ball joint for a rear toe link includes a ball joint housing including a cylindrical wall, a first surface extending between the cylindrical wall at a first end thereof, and a bore in the first surface. A stud includes a head, a shoulder extending from the head, and a shaft extending from the shoulder. The shoulder is inserted into the bore in the first surface of the ball joint housing and the head is arranged adjacent to an inner side of the first surface. A ball/rod portion includes a ball and a rod extending from the ball.
Claims16
A ball joint for a rear toe link, comprising:
- a ball joint housing including a cylindrical wall, a first surface extending orthogonally between the cylindrical wall at a first end thereof, and a bore positioned centrally in the first surface;
- a stud including a head, a shoulder extending from the head, and a shaft extending from the shoulder, the head having a first diameter, the shoulder having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, and the shaft having a third diameter that is smaller than the second diameter;
- wherein the shoulder is inserted into the bore in the first surface of the ball joint housing and the head is arranged adjacent to an inner side of the first surface;
- a ball assembly including a ball and a rod extending from the ball, the ball being arranged in the ball joint housing and the rod extending outside of the housing;
- and
- a molded insert arranged in the ball joint housing between the ball of the ball assembly and the head of the stud, the molded insert including a base that forms a barrier between the ball of the ball assembly and the head of the stud.
3 more elements
A method for manufacturing a ball joint for a rear toe link, comprising:
- providing a ball joint housing including a cylindrical wall, a first surface extending orthogonally between the cylindrical wall at a first end thereof, and a bore arranged centrally in the first surface;
- providing a stud including a head, a shoulder extending from the head, and a shaft extending from the shoulder, the head having a first diameter, the shoulder having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, and the shaft having a third diameter that is smaller than the second diameter;
- press fitting the shoulder of the stud into the bore in the first surface of the ball joint housing with the head arranged adjacent to an inner side of the first surface;
- arranging a ball of a ball assembly in the ball joint housing, a rod of the ball assembly extending from the housing;
- and arranging a molded insert in the ball joint housing between the ball of the ball assembly and the head of the stud, the molded insert including a base that forms a barrier between the ball of the ball assembly and the head of the stud.
2 more elements
A rear toe link comprising:
- an inner ball joint comprising:
- a ball joint housing including a cylindrical wall, a first surface extending orthogonally between the cylindrical wall at a first end thereof, and a bore arranged centrally in the first surface;
- a stud including a head, a shoulder extending from the head, and a shaft extending from the shoulder, the head having a first diameter, the shoulder having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter, and the shaft having a third diameter that is smaller than the second diameter,
- wherein the shoulder is inserted into the bore in the first surface of the ball joint housing with the head adjacent to an inner side of the first surface;
- a ball assembly including a ball and a rod extending from the ball, wherein the ball of the ball assembly is arranged inside of the ball joint housing and the rod extends outside of the ball joint housing, and wherein a second end of the cylindrical wall curves inwardly around the ball;
- and
- a molded insert arranged in the ball joint housing between the ball and the head of the stud, the molded insert including a base that forms a barrier between the ball of the ball assembly and the head of the stud;
- and an outer ball joint attached to the rod of the ball assembly.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.