Process for Manufacturing a Ball and Socket Joint and Ball and Socket Joint Manufactured According to that Process

Abstract

A process for manufacturing a ball and socket joint and a joint manufactured according to that process are provided for a simple manufacture of a completely assembled ball and socket joint with a low torque and overturning moment. The joint housing is manufactured in an injection or casting process, in which the joint ball with the bearing shell placed on it is surrounded by a metallic material or a plastic. The joint shell is provided with a bulge, which behaves elastically with respect to the pressure acting during the injection or casting process and arches slightly outwardly after the conclusion of the injection or casting process. It is achieved as a result that the joint shell does not lie over its entire area on the joint ball after the injection or casting process.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A process for manufacturing a ball and socket joint, the process comprising the steps of:
 providing a pivot pin with a joint ball formed at one end;   providing a joint housing accommodating said joint ball and with an essentially spherical joint shell arranged between said joint ball and said joint housing ( 7 ), wherein said joint housing is prepared in an injection or casting process, in which said joint ball with said joint shell placed on it is surrounded with a metallic material or a plastic;   providing a sealing system with a sealing bellows in an assembly process following the injection or casting process, and wherein said joint shell is provided in at least one area with a bulge, which behaves elastically against the pressure acting during the injection or casting process and bulges outwardly relative to its otherwise spherical shape after the conclusion of the injection or casting process, so that said joint shell does not lie over its entire area on the joint ball after the preparation of said joint housing.   
   
   
       12 . A process in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the ball and socket joint is surrounded with the metallic joint housing and a metallic cover is prepared between said joint ball and said joint housing in the course of the injection or casting process. 
   
   
       13 . A process in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said joint housing is provided with a shaft for connection to other units in the course of the injection or casting process by also extrusion coating a tube or a rod. 
   
   
       14 . A process in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein a shaft stub is injected integrally in one piece with said joint housing and said stub is connected to a tube or a rod by driving said tube or a rod in the shaft stub in the cold or hot state after the conclusion of the injection or casting process. 
   
   
       15 . A ball and socket joint comprising:
 a pivot pin with a joint ball formed at one end of a shaft;   a joint housing which accommodates said joint ball, said joint housing comprising metal or plastic formed in an injection or casting process and said joint housing being open on one side;   a permanently lubricated essentially spherical joint shell arranged between said joint ball and said joint housing; and   a sealing bellows which seals the open side of said joint housing in the area of the transition between said joint ball and said shaft of said pivot pin, wherein said shaft projects from said joint housing, said joint ball having a pole and in an area of said pole of said joint ball, said joint shell has a outwardly arched bulge providing a bulge region of which a gap remains between an inner contour of said joint shell and said joint ball after the conclusion of the injection or casting process, in which said joint ball and said joint shell, to be placed on said inner contour, are extrusion coated together with said joint housing.   
   
   
       16 . A ball and socket joint in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said joint shell has ribbing in the region of said bulge on an inner surface facing said joint ball. 
   
   
       17 . A ball and socket joint in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said joint shell is essentially spherical and a plurality of said ribs extend in a radiating pattern on the inner surface of said outwardly arched bulge starting from a pole of said joint shell, and a plurality of additional ribs are arranged in parallel to one another as well as to an equator of said joint ball extending at right angles to said ribs. 
   
   
       18 . A ball and socket joint in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said joint shell on the inner surface of said outwardly arched bulge has a plurality of ribs which intersect at right angles relative to a surface projection of the spherical surface. 
   
   
       19 . A ball and socket joint in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein one or more said ribs are arranged on the outer surface of said joint shell facing away from said joint ball to form a means for securing against rotation. 
   
   
       20 . A ball and socketjoint in accordance with  claim 15 , further comprising a ring with a section projecting from the opening of said joint housing to form a seat for said sealing bellows. 
   
   
       21 . A ball and socket joint in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein said ring is inserted in the area of the opening of said joint housing between said joint housing and said joint shell.