FAIL SAFE BALL JOINT

摘要

The present invention relates to a steering metallic ball joint mechanism which eliminates undesirable ball socket separation resulting in complete loss of vehicle control. Further, the present invention aims to improve the ball socket separation force in the steering ball joint mechanism subsequently improving vehicle safety. In one aspect, the steering ball joint mechanism is provided with an integral retainer seat on a ball stud to improve ball socket separation force, said ball stud and integral retainer seat forms a single entity. In another aspect, the steering ball joint mechanism is provided with retainer seat positioned in between ball pin and top of bearing cup. The simple construction and application of the retainer seat on a ball joint mechanism aides to retain defined steering linkage configuration even when undesirable excess wear has occurred which can be identified by the user before ball socket separation occurs.

主权项

1. A steering ball joint mechanism includes socket housing [1] with a stem [2]; at least one ball pin [3] with a spherical head [4] encapsulated in top metallic bearing cup [6] and the socket housing [1]; at least one end cap [7] with or without grease nipple provision; an elastic device [5] positioned between the top metallic bearing cup [6] and end cap [7], and a boot [9] mounted on the socket housing [1] encapsulating the ball pin [3], characterized in that said ball pin [3] with spherical head [4] is provided with integral retainer seat [10], and
wherein the ball pin [3] with integral retainer seat [10] is positioned in the socket housing [1], wherein the bearing cup [6] is positioned in between the ball pin [3] with integral retainer seat [10] and socket housing [1], wherein the end cap [7] is positioned above the bearing cup [6], wherein the end cap [7] positioned between the elastic device [5] and socket housing [1] is crimp closed [8] to avoid disassociation of parts during operation, andwherein the steering ball joint mechanism with integral retainer seat [10] improves ball socket separation force.