| 摘要 |
A ball joint (10) includes a socket (30) defining a pivot center (32), a bearing (38) in the socket (30), and a stud (40). The stud (40) has a ball end portion (42) received in the bearing (38) and a shank portion (50) projecting from the socket (30). The stud (40) further has a longitudinal axis (56) extending through the pivot center (32). The bearing (38) supports the stud (40) in the socket (30) for pivotal movement about the pivot center (32) and for rotational movement about the axis (56) by a predetermined amount. The ball joint (10) further includes an annular seal (70) having an intermediate portion (88) extending between first and second end portions (72, 74) of the seal (70). The seal (70) is made from an elastic material. The first end portion (72) is fixed to the socket (30). The second end portion (74) is fixed to the shank portion (50) and is pivotable and rotatable with the stud (40). The intermediate portion (88) has a plurality of flutes (111) that provide excess material to enable rotation of the stud (40) about the axis (56) relative to the socket (30) by the predetermined amount. <IMAGE> <IMAGE> |
