BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY

摘要

The ball socket assembly includes a housing with an open interior which extends along an axis. A bearing is disposed in the open interior of the housing and has a curved primary contact surface which surrounds the axis and surrounds a stud ball opening. A stud ball is disposed in the opening and is in sliding contact with the primary contact surface for allowing rotation of the stud ball relative to the bearing. The stud ball has an equator and is in sliding contact with the bearing on both sides of the equator. A stud is operably connected with the stud ball. A shoe is further provided and has a pair of supplemental contact surfaces that are biased against the stud ball. The shoe provides the stud with a predetermined rotational torque and also adjusts for wear in the assembly to maintain the performance of the socket assembly.

主权项

1. A ball socket assembly, comprising:
a housing which extends along an axis between opposing first and second ends and has an open interior which opens to at least one of said ends; a bearing disposed in said open interior of said housing and having a curved primary contact surface which surrounds said axis and surrounds a stud ball opening; a stud ball disposed in said opening and in sliding contact with said primary contact surface of said bearing for allowing rotation of said stud ball relative to said bearing; said stud ball having an equator and being in sliding contact with said bearing on both sides of said equator; a stud formed as a separate piece from said stud ball and operably connected with said stud ball; and a shoe having at least one supplemental contact surface which is curved and wherein said at least one supplemental contact surface is biased against said stud ball.