High-performance ball and socket joint with low torques

摘要

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 ).