DE102023206238A1 - Ball joint and chassis with such a ball joint - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a ball joint (1) with an inner joint part (9) which has a joint ball (12) and a joint pin (8), and with a joint housing (7) in which the joint ball (12) is mounted in a joint-movable manner, wherein the joint pin (8) extends out of the joint housing (7), and with a sensor device (4) for determining a position and/or orientation of the inner joint part (9) in relation to the joint housing (7), the sensor device (4) has a signal transmitter (11) and a signal receiver (5), wherein the signal transmitter (11) is arranged in the joint ball (12) and the signal receiver (5) is arranged on the joint housing (7). In order to ensure position-oriented assembly, the ball joint (1) is characterized in that a first position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal transmitter (11) and a signal transmitter receptacle (13) formed in the joint ball (12), wherein the clear position orientation of the signal transmitter (11) in relation to the inner joint part (9) results due to a positive insertion of the signal transmitter (11) into the signal transmitter receptacle (13).

Description

The invention relates to a ball joint with an inner joint part that has a joint ball and a joint pin, and with a joint housing in which the joint ball is mounted in a joint-movable manner, with the joint pin extending out of the joint housing, and with a sensor device for determining a position and/or orientation of the inner joint part in relation to the joint housing, the sensor device has a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, with the signal transmitter being arranged in the joint ball and the signal receiver on the joint housing. The invention further relates to a chassis with such a ball joint.

Such a ball joint is known from DE 10 2016 215 416 A1 known.

Suitably designed sensor devices can be used to determine a relative position of the inner joint part to the joint housing. Using the detected relative position, a height of the vehicle in relation to a road surface and/or a currently realized steering angle can be determined.

Depending on the specific design of the sensor device and/or the signal generator, it may be necessary for the sensor device to be mounted at least partially in a predetermined orientation. This may be necessary, for example, in view of a required calibration. It may be necessary for the signal receiver and/or the signal generator to be mounted in a predetermined orientation. Without further measures, this may make installation more difficult or undesirable deviations in the orientation may easily arise during installation.

The object underlying the invention is to further develop a ball joint and/or a chassis of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that position-oriented assembly is ensured. In particular, an alternative embodiment is to be provided.

The object underlying the invention is achieved with a ball joint according to claim 1 and by means of a chassis according to claim 9. Preferred developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims and in the following description.

Accordingly, the ball joint has an inner joint part. In particular, the ball joint is designed for a chassis of a vehicle or motor vehicle. Preferably, the ball joint connects a first chassis component in an articulated manner to another chassis component. The inner joint part has a joint ball and a joint pin. In particular, the inner joint part is designed as a ball pin. Furthermore, the ball joint has a joint housing, wherein the joint ball of the inner joint part is mounted in an articulated manner in the joint housing. The joint pin extends out of the joint housing. The ball joint also has a sensor device for determining a position and/or orientation of the inner joint part in relation to the joint housing. This sensor device has a signal transmitter and a signal receiver, wherein the signal transmitter is arranged in the joint ball and the signal receiver is arranged on the joint housing.

According to the invention, a first position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal generator and a signal generator receptacle formed in the joint ball, wherein the clear position orientation of the signal generator in relation to the inner joint part results due to a positive insertion of the signal generator into the signal generator receptacle.

The advantage here is that the clear positional orientation formed between the signal generator and the signal generator holder results in a predetermined alignment of the signal generator in relation to the inner joint part. This clear alignment is achieved by position-oriented assembly and/or position-oriented insertion of the signal generator into the signal generator holder of the inner joint part. This simplifies directional or position-oriented assembly. In particular, the signal generator and the signal generator holder are fixed to one another in a rotationally fixed and tilt-proof manner due to the first position-oriented arrangement.

Ball joints can be used in many different ways in vehicle construction. In particular, ball joints are used in the chassis to connect chassis components such as control arm components, wheel carriers, tie rods or the like to one another or to the vehicle body or an axle carrier attached to it. The joint housing, which is open on at least one side in particular, can have a housing recess. The inner joint part or the joint ball can be pivotally mounted in the housing recess relative to the joint housing. The joint pin can protrude from a housing opening of the joint housing. A bearing shell is preferably arranged between the joint housing and the joint ball assigned to the inner joint part, which bearing shell reduces the friction and This reduces wear and tear on the joint despite the sometimes high operational loads.

In particular, a movable and/or articulated mounting of the inner joint part in the joint housing is understood to mean a pivoting mobility, tilting mobility and/or rotational mobility. “Tilting” or “tilting” of the inner joint part is understood to mean in particular a movement of the inner joint part relative to the joint housing, in which a change in an angle enclosed between a longitudinal axis of the inner joint part and a housing longitudinal axis of the joint housing occurs. The tilting or tilting preferably takes place around the center of the joint ball. The or a tilt angle of the inner joint part is in particular the or an angle enclosed between the longitudinal axis of the inner joint part and the housing longitudinal axis. In the non-tilted position of the inner joint part, the tilt angle is preferably zero and/or the longitudinal axis of the inner joint part coincides with the housing longitudinal axis.

The term “rotating” or “twisting” of the inner joint part is understood to mean, in particular, a movement of the inner joint part in which the inner joint part is rotated relative to the joint housing about the longitudinal axis of the inner joint part.

Preferably, an articulated connection between two components refers to a connection of the two components by means of a joint such that the two components can be rotated relative to one another about at least one axis of rotation. Articulated connections about exactly one axis of rotation, exactly two axes of rotation or exactly three axes of rotation are therefore possible. An articulated connection does not allow any translational movement of the two components relative to one another.

According to a further embodiment, a second position-oriented arrangement is formed between the pivot pin and a pivot receptacle. In this case, due to a form-fitting insertion of the pivot pin into the pivot receptacle, the clear position orientation of the pivot pin in relation to the pivot receptacle results. In particular, the pivot receptacle is assigned to a chassis component and/or formed in a chassis component. Due to the clear position orientation formed between the pivot pin and the pivot receptacle, a predetermined orientation of the inner joint part in relation to the pivot pin receptacle results. In this case, this clear orientation results from a position-oriented assembly and/or a position-oriented insertion of the pivot pin into the pivot receptacle. This further simplifies directed or position-oriented assembly. In particular, due to the combination of the first position-oriented arrangement between the signal generator and the signal generator receptacle in the joint ball of the inner joint part with the second position-oriented arrangement, a clear positional orientation is easily achieved with regard to the signal generator and the inner joint part, preferably in relation to the chassis component with the pin receptacle. In particular, the inner joint part and the pin receptacle are fixed to one another in a rotationally fixed and tilt-proof manner due to the second position-oriented arrangement.

According to a further development, a further position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal receiver and the joint housing. In particular, due to a positive connection between a signal receiver housing and the joint housing, the clear position orientation of the signal receiver in relation to the joint housing results. Due to the clear position orientation formed between the signal receiver and the joint housing, a predetermined orientation of the signal receiver in relation to the joint housing results. In particular, due to the combination of the first position-oriented arrangement, the second position-oriented arrangement and the further position-oriented arrangement, a position-oriented assembly is easily achieved with regard to the interaction of the signal transmitter and signal receiver. This simplifies the initial assembly as well as the replacement of components, for example during repairs. In particular, the sensor device can be calibrated in a vehicle chassis before the initial assembly, whereby due to the predetermined position-oriented assembly of the signal transmitter, joint pin and signal transmitter, the relative alignment of these components to one another can be restored after at least partial separation after calibration and during the initial assembly in the chassis. In particular, the signal receiver and the joint housing are fixed to each other in a rotationally fixed and tilt-proof manner due to the further position-oriented arrangement.

According to a further embodiment, an outer circumference of the signal generator has a circular segment and a first form-fitting segment. The circular segment can be designed in a C-shape. In particular, the first form-fitting segment is designed as a flat first surface. The signal generator receptacle has an inner circumference that corresponds in shape to the outer circumference of the signal generator, with an inner cylinder surface segment and a second form-fitting segment. In particular, the inner cylinder surface segment is designed to correspond in shape to the circular segment and/or for the form-fitting reception and/or insertion of the circular segment of the signal generator. Preferably, the second form-locking segment is designed as a flat second surface. In particular, the second form-locking segment is designed to correspond in shape to the first form-locking segment of the signal generator and/or to form-fit and/or insert the first form-locking segment. Preferably, the circular segment and the inner cylinder surface segment or the first form-locking segment and the second form-locking segment abut one another.

According to a further development, an outer circumference of the pivot pin has a truncated cone segment and a third form-fitting segment. The cone segment preferably has a C-shaped cross-section in a plan view. In particular, the third form-fitting segment is designed as a flat third surface. The pin receptacle has an inner circumference that corresponds in shape to the outer circumference of the pivot pin and has a hollow truncated cone surface segment and a fourth form-fitting segment. In particular, the hollow truncated cone surface segment is designed to correspond in shape to the truncated cone segment and/or for the form-fitting reception and/or insertion of the truncated cone segment. Preferably, the fourth form-fitting segment is designed as a flat fourth surface. In particular, the fourth form-fitting segment is designed to correspond in shape to the third form-fitting segment and/or for the form-fitting reception and/or insertion of the third form-fitting segment. Preferably, the truncated cone segment and the hollow truncated cone surface segment or the third form-fitting segment and the fourth form-fitting segment lie against one another.

According to a further embodiment, the joint housing is designed as part of a first chassis component. Preferably, the first chassis component is designed as a chassis link. In particular, the joint housing is designed in one piece with the first chassis component. For example, the joint housing can be manufactured as a section of the first chassis component. The joint housing can be manufactured during manufacture of the first chassis component or after manufacture of the first chassis component, for example by means of forming or machining. Alternatively, the joint housing is attached to a first chassis component. In this embodiment, the joint housing is designed as an independent or separate component from the first chassis component. Such a joint housing can be attached to the first chassis component in a form-fitting, material-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. In this embodiment, a clear position-oriented arrangement of the joint housing on the first chassis component is preferably formed.

Preferably, the pin receptacle is formed in a further chassis component. In particular, the further chassis component is formed as a wheel carrier or connected to a wheel carrier. For example, the further chassis component is formed as a flange that is fixedly attached to a wheel carrier. The pin receptacle can be formed as a recess or as a through-opening in the further chassis component.

In particular, the sensor device is designed to determine a steering angle. For this purpose, the signal transmitter can be designed as a magnet and the signal receiver as a magnetic field-sensitive sensor, preferably as a Hall sensor. In particular, the magnet is diametrically magnetized. However, the magnet can have a different magnet shape and/or magnetization. Preferably, the magnet, the magnet shape and/or the type of magnetization require position-oriented assembly. In particular, position-oriented assembly of the signal transmitter and signal receiver and/or calibration of the sensor device is necessary. This is ensured by means of the position-oriented arrangement according to the invention or the position-oriented arrangements according to the invention.

Of particular advantage is a chassis with a ball joint according to the invention, wherein the ball joint connects a first chassis component, in particular a chassis link, to a further chassis component, preferably a wheel carrier, in an articulated manner.

Preferably, the chassis is further developed according to the embodiments explained in connection with the ball joint according to the invention described here. Furthermore, the ball joint described here can be further developed according to the embodiments explained in connection with the chassis.

• 1 eine perspektivische Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Kugelgelenks,
• 2 einen Ausschnitt einer perspektivischen, teilweise transparenten Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Kugelgelenks gemäß 1,
• 3 einen Ausschnitt einer teilweise geschnittenen Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Kugelgelenks gemäß 1,
• 4 einen Ausschnitt einer Seitenansicht eines Gelenkinnenteils für das erfindungsgemäße Kugelgelenk nach 1, und
• 5 einen Ausschnitt einer Draufsicht auf eine Zapfen-Aufnahme für das erfindungsgemäße Kugelgelenk nach 1.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The same reference numerals refer to the same, similar or functionally identical components or elements. They show:

• 1 a perspective side view of a ball joint according to the invention,
• 2 a section of a perspective, partially transparent side view of the ball joint according to the invention according to 1 ,
• 3 a section of a partially sectioned side view of the ball joint according to the invention according to 1 ,
• 4 a detail of a side view of an inner joint part for the ball joint according to the invention according to 1 , and
• 5 a detail of a plan view of a pin holder for the ball joint according to the invention according to 1 .

1 shows a perspective side view of a ball joint 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the ball joint 1 is designed as a component of a vehicle chassis (not shown in detail). The ball joint 1 is designed as a ball and socket joint. A first chassis component 2 is connected in an articulated manner to a further chassis component 3 by means of the ball joint 1. In this embodiment, the first chassis component 2 is designed as a chassis link and the further chassis component 3 is designed as a flange for attachment to a wheel carrier (not shown in detail here).

The ball joint 1 has a sensor device 4. The sensor device 4 can be used to detect a relative position of the two chassis components 2, 3 to one another. In this exemplary embodiment, a steering angle can be determined using the sensor device 4. The sensor device 4 has a signal receiver 5, not shown in detail here. The signal receiver 5 is arranged in a signal receiver housing 6. The signal receiver 5 and the signal receiver housing 6 are arranged on the first chassis component 2. In this exemplary embodiment, the first chassis component 2 forms a joint housing 7. Here, the joint housing 7 is designed as a one-piece or integral part of the first chassis component 2. The signal receiver 5 is arranged on the joint housing 7. A position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal receiver 5 and the joint housing 7. Due to the position-oriented arrangement of the signal receiver housing 6 and the joint housing 6 or the first chassis component 2, the clear position orientation of the signal receiver 5 in relation to the joint housing 6 or the first chassis component 2 is realized.

It can be seen that a pivot pin 8 of an inner joint part 9 extends out of the joint housing 7 into a pivot receptacle 10 of the further chassis component 3. The pivot pin 8 is fixed in the pivot receptacle 10.

2 shows a section of a perspective, partially transparent side view of the ball joint 1 according to the invention according to 1 . A signal generator 11 of the signal device 4 can be seen, the signal generator 11 interacting with the signal receiver 5. In this embodiment, the signal generator 11 is designed as a magnet that is diametrically magnetized. Furthermore, the signal generator 11 is arranged in a joint ball 12 of the inner joint part 9.

The signal generator 11 is arranged in a signal generator receptacle 13 formed in the joint ball 12. The signal generator receptacle 13 is formed here as a recess in the joint ball 12. Here, the arrangement of the signal generator 11 in the signal generator receptacle 13 is only indicated schematically.

As can be better seen from the following figure, the signal generator 11 and the signal generator receptacle 13 are designed in such a way that a clear positional orientation of the signal generator 11 in relation to the inner joint part 9 results due to a positive insertion of the signal generator 11 into the signal generator receptacle 13.

3 shows a section of a partially sectioned side view of the ball joint 1 according to the invention according to 1 . A representation of the signal receiver 5 on the joint housing 7 is omitted here. The joint housing 7 has a housing recess 14 in which the inner joint part 9 or the joint ball 12 is mounted so as to be pivotable relative to the joint housing 7. In this embodiment, a bearing shell 15 is arranged between the joint housing 7 and the joint ball 12.

In this embodiment, an outer circumference of the signal generator 11 is formed by means of a circular segment 16 and a first form-fitting segment 17. According to this example, the first form-fitting segment 17 is designed as a flat first surface.

The signal generator holder 13 has an inner circumference corresponding in shape to the outer circumference of the signal generator 11 with an inner cylinder surface segment 18 and a second form-fitting segment 19. In this embodiment, the second form-fitting segment 19 is designed as a flat second surface.

Due to the positive insertion of the signal generator 11 into the signal generator holder 13, the circular segment 16 and the inner cylinder surface segment 18 on the one hand and the first positive locking segment 17 and the second positive locking segment 19 on the other hand are in contact with one another. This provides the clear positional orientation of the signal generator 11 in relation to the inner joint part 9 in a simple and effective manner.

4 shows a section of a side view of the inner joint part 9 for the inventive ball joint 1 according to 1 It can be seen that the inner joint part 9 or the joint pin 8 extends out of a housing opening 20 of the joint housing 12.

In this embodiment, an outer circumference of the pivot pin 8 is formed by means of a truncated cone segment 21 and a third form-fitting segment 22. In this example, the third form-fitting segment 22 is designed as a flat third surface.

5 shows a detail of a plan view of the pin holder 10 for the ball joint 1 according to the invention according to 1 . The pin holder 10 has a to the outer circumference of the pivot pin 8 (not shown here in detail) according to 4 a shape-corresponding inner circumference with a hollow truncated cone surface segment 23 and a fourth form-fitting segment 24. In this embodiment, the fourth form-fitting segment 24 is designed as a flat fourth surface.

The hollow truncated cone surface segment 23 is designed to correspond in shape to the truncated cone segment 21 of the pivot pin 8. Furthermore, the fourth form-locking segment 24 is designed to correspond in shape to the third form-locking segment 22 of the pivot pin 8. When a pivot pin 8 is inserted into the pin receptacle 10, the truncated cone segment 21 and the hollow truncated cone surface segment 23 and the third form-locking segment 22 and the fourth form-locking segment 24 are in contact with one another on the one hand, and the third form-locking segment 22 and the fourth form-locking segment 24 are in contact with one another on the other. This creates a or a second position-oriented arrangement between the pivot pin 8 and the pin receptacle 10.

Due to the positive insertion of the pivot pin 8 into the pivot receptacle 10, the clear positional orientation of the pivot pin 8 in relation to the pivot receptacle 10 is obtained. By combining the first position-oriented arrangement between the signal transmitter 11 and the signal transmitter receptacle 13 in the joint ball 12 of the inner joint part 9 with the second position-oriented arrangement between the pivot pin 8 and the pivot receptacle 10, a clear positional orientation is obtained in a simple manner with regard to the signal transmitter 11 and the inner joint part 9.

reference sign

1

ball joint

2

first chassis component

3

additional chassis component

4

sensor device

5

signal receiver

6

signal receiver housing

7

joint housing

8

pivot pin

9

inner joint part

10

tenon mount

11

signal generator

12

joint ball

13

signal generator recording

14

housing recess

15

bearing shell

16

circle segment

17

first form-fitting element

18

inner cylinder surface segment

19

second form-fitting element

20

housing opening

21

truncated cone segment

22

third form closure

23

hollow truncated cone surface segment

24

fourth form-fitting element

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10 2016 215 416 A1 [0002]

Claims (9)

Ball joint with an inner joint part (9) which has a joint ball (12) and a joint pin (8), and with a joint housing (7) in which the joint ball (12) is mounted in a joint-movable manner, wherein the joint pin (8) extends out of the joint housing (7), and with a sensor device (4) for determining a position and/or orientation of the inner joint part (9) in relation to the joint housing (7), the sensor device (4) has a signal transmitter (11) and a signal receiver (5), wherein the signal transmitter (11) is arranged in the joint ball (12) and the signal receiver (5) is arranged on the joint housing (7), characterized in that a first position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal transmitter (11) and a signal transmitter receptacle (13) formed in the joint ball (12), wherein the clear position orientation of the signal transmitter is determined due to a form-fitting insertion of the signal transmitter (11) into the signal transmitter receptacle (13). (11) in relation to the inner joint part (9). ball joint after claim 1 , characterized in that a second position-oriented arrangement is formed between the pivot pin (8) and a pin receptacle (10), wherein the clear position orientation of the pivot pin (8) in relation to the pin receptacle (10) results due to a positive insertion of the pivot pin (8) into the pin receptacle (10). ball joint after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a further position-oriented arrangement is formed between the signal receiver (5) and the joint housing (7), in particular the clear position orientation of the signal receiver (5) in relation to the joint housing (7) results due to a positive connection between a signal receiver housing (6) and the joint housing (7). Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer circumference of the signal generator (11) has a circular segment (16) and a first form-fitting segment (17), in particular the first form-fitting segment (17) is designed as a flat first surface, and the signal generator receptacle (13) has an inner circumference corresponding in shape to the outer circumference of the signal generator (11) with an inner cylinder surface segment (18) and a second form-fitting segment (19), preferably the second form-fitting segment (19) is designed as a flat second surface. Ball joint according to one of the preceding Claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that an outer circumference of the pivot pin (8) has a truncated cone segment (21) and a third form-fitting segment (22), in particular the third form-fitting segment (22) is designed as a flat third surface, and the pin receptacle (10) has an inner circumference corresponding in shape to the outer circumference of the pivot pin (8) with a hollow truncated cone surface segment (23) and a fourth form-fitting segment (24), preferably the fourth form-fitting segment (24) is designed as a flat fourth surface. Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint housing (7) is designed as a component of a first chassis component (2) or is fastened to a first chassis component (2), in particular the first chassis component (2) is designed as a chassis link. Ball joint according to one of the preceding Claims 2 until 6 , characterized in that the pin receptacle (19) is formed in a further chassis component (3), in particular the further chassis component (3) is designed as a wheel carrier or is connected to a wheel carrier. Ball joint according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor device (4) is designed to determine a steering angle, in particular the signal transmitter (11) is designed as a magnet and the signal receiver (5) is designed as a magnetic field-sensitive sensor. Chassis with a ball joint (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ball joint (1) connects a first chassis component (2), in particular a chassis link, to a further chassis component (3), preferably a wheel carrier, in an articulated manner.

Images