Ball pin connector
AssigneeKongsberg Automotive AB
InventorPatrik SUNDBERG
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AssigneeKongsberg Automotive AB
InventorPatrik SUNDBERG
Estimating the term…
A ball pin connector includes a sleeve-like housing having a cavity with an elastic ball bearing. The elastic ball bearing is axially moveable between a lifted up position, and a lower locking position. Cooperating surface structures are provided on an inner wall of the housing and on an outer wall of the elastic ball bearing as a plurality of projecting surface structures arranged circumferentially distributed with gaps in between such that in a first rotational state of the elastic ball bearing within the housing the projecting surface structures are aligned to be able to come into engagement such that the elastic ball bearing is held in the lifted up position, and such that in a second rotational state of the elastic ball bearing the projecting surface structures of the elastic ball bearing are aligned with gaps of the projecting surface structures of the housing.
A ball pin connector comprising:
The ball pin connector according to claim 13, wherein the lower protrusions form part of the protrusions arranged to act on inclined sliding surfaces of the double arrows to rotate the elastic ball bearing within the housing cavity.
The ball pin connector according to claim 13, wherein the protrusions on the inner wall of the housing further comprise a plurality of upper protrusions located vertically above the double arrows on the ball bearing.
The ball pin connector according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of upper and lower protrusions on the inner wall of the housing and the projecting double arrows on the outer wall of the elastic ball bearing are arranged such that, when the elastic ball bearing is in the first rotational state and is moved upwardly relative to the housing, the upper protrusions contact upper inclined surfaces portions of the double arrows to rotate the elastic ball bearing within the housing in a first step towards the second rotational state, and in that, when the elastic ball bearing is moved downwardly again, the lower protrusions contact lower inclined surface portions of the first arrows of the double arrows to rotate the elastic ball bearing further in a second step to the second rotational state.
The ball pin connector according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of upper and lower protrusions on the inner wall of the housing and the projecting double arrows on the outer wall of the elastic ball bearing are arranged such that, when the elastic ball bearing is in the second rotational state and is moved upward relative to the housing, the upper protrusions contact upper inclined surface portions of the double arrows to rotate the elastic ball bearing within the housing in a first step, and in that, when the elastic ball bearing is moved downwardly again, the lower protrusions contact lower inclined surface portions of the double arrows to rotate the elastic ball bearing further in a second step to the first rotational state in which the lower protrusions are engaged in the engagement areas of the double arrows.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.