Process and device for mounting ball and socket joints with at least one connecting piece

Process in accordance with one of the above claims, characterized in that

• the joining of the said ball and socket joint housing parts (3a, 3b) and the said connecting piece (4) is brought about by laser welding.

Process in accordance with one of the above claims, characterized in that

• the said connecting piece (4) is the suspension arm housing of a suspension arm of a motor vehicle.

Process in accordance with one of the above claims, characterized in that

• the said ball and socket joint housing parts (3a, 3b) are manufactured by a deformation process.

Device for mounting ball and socket joints with at least one said connecting piece, characterized in that

• at least one feed means is provided for feeding a said first ball and socket joint housing part into a mounting means, which is used to insert at least one ball pivot and a said bearing shell into the said first ball and socket joint housing as well as to feed a said second housing part (3a) [sic—Tr.Ed.] closing the ball and socket joint, and which is designed to feed the said connecting piece to the said ball and socket joint housing, and that at least one said joining means is present, which is suitable at least for joining the said housing part (3b) fed in last with the said connecting piece (4) via a corresponding connection.

Ball and socket joint with at least one said ball pivot (1), a said bearing shell (2), two said ball and socket joint housing parts (3a, 3b) as well as a said connecting piece (4), characterized in that

• the said first ball and socket joint housing part (3a) is held with the said second ball and socket joint housing part (3b) and the said connecting piece (4) in a positive-locking manner, and the said second ball and socket joint housing part and the said connecting piece (4) are connected to one another in substance, or
• that the said first ball and socket joint housing part (3a) is connected to the said second ball and socket joint housing part (3b) and to the said connecting piece (4) by a connection in substance.