Method for manufacturing a bearing shell assembly and bearing shell assembly for a ball joint
AssigneeTRW Automotive GmbH
InventorSven-Helgi Orend
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for manufacturing a bearing shell assembly for a ball joint includes the following steps: a) a bearing shell having a plastic extension is produced; b) a spring element is arranged in a region of the plastic extension; and c) the spring element is fastened to the bearing shell by deformation of the plastic extension. The invention further relates to a bearing shell assembly for a ball joint, including a bearing shell and a spring element, the spring element being non-detachably connected with the bearing shell.
Claims24
A bearing shell assembly for a ball joint produced by a process comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a bearing shell having a plastic extension;
- b) arranging a spring element in a region of the plastic extension wherein the spring element is a plate spring or an assembly of several plate springs;
- and
- c) non-releasably fastening the spring element the bearing shell by a deformation process of the plastic extension which widens an external diameter of the plastic extension to thereby non-releasably fasten the spring element to the bearing shell.
A bearing shell assembly for a ball joint produced by a process comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an injection-molded bearing shell having an integral substantially hollow plastic extension having a free axial end;
- b) arranging a spring element in a region of the plastic extension wherein the spring element is a plate spring or an assembly of several plate springs;
- and
- c) non-releasably fastening the spring element the bearing shell by a deformation process of the plastic extension which widens an external diameter of the free axial end of the plastic extension to thereby non-releasably fasten the spring element to the bearing shell.
A bearing shell assembly for a ball joint produced by a process comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an injection-molded bearing shell having an integral substantially hollow plastic extension;
- b) arranging a spring element in a region of the plastic extension wherein the spring element is a plate spring or an assembly of several plate springs;
- and
- c) non-releasably fastening the spring element the bearing shell by one of a hot deformation or a cold deformation process of the plastic extension which widens an external diameter of the plastic extension to thereby non-releasably fasten the spring element to the bearing shell.
A ball joint comprising:
- a housing;
- a ball pin;
- a bearing shell having a plastic extension;
- a spring element arranged non-releasably on the plastic extension;
- and
- a housing cover fastened to the housing;
- wherein the spring element is prestressed between the housing cover and the bearing shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.