High-performance ball and socket joint with low torques

Abstract

A process is provided for manufacturing a ball and socket joint that has a ball pivot (2) that is composed of a pivot pin (3) with an essentially spherical ball head (4) arranged or made integrally in one piece on one side. A bearing shell (5) is provided as well as a preformed plastic film as a thin-walled ball socket (7) with a joint surface (8) enclosing the ball head at least partially. A lubricant (9) is introduced between the surface of the ball head (4) and the joint surface (8) of the thin-walled ball socket (7). According to the process, the thin-walled ball socket (7) is filled first with the lubricant (9). The ball head (4) of the ball pivot (2) is then introduced into the thin-walled ball socket (7) filled with lubricant (9), and the ball head (4) provided with the thin-walled ball socket (7) is subsequently introduced into the housing (10). Finally, the free space between the thin-walled ball socket (7) and the housing (10) is filled up with a material to form a bearing shell (5). The ball and socket joint (1) is formed with a preformed plastic film as a thin-walled ball socket (7).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.