TECHNICAL FIELD : The present invention relates to an arrangement for mounting a first component in relation to a second component, wherein said second component comprises a through hole, wherein said first component comprises an end section which is provided with threads and is adapted to be guided into and inserted through said hole in said second component and is adapted to be locked by means of a locking nut. The invention also relates to a method for mounting a first component in a second component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION : In various contexts, there is a demand for mounting devices for mounting and connecting different components in relation to each other. For example, in the field of vehicles, there is a demand for arrangements and methods for mounting ball joints, which are utilized when mounting for example link rods, tie rods, stabilizers and similar components which form part of the wheel suspension of the vehicle in question.

For example, ball joints can be utilized in a front wheel suspension in a passenger car or a commercial vehicle, more precisely between a steering arm on a wheel axle and a suspension arm or a tie rod. In this case, the ball joint is mounted by means of a ball joint bolt, the one end section of which is essentially ball-shaped and rests in a ball joint housing which is connected with the suspension arm or the tie rod. In this case, the opposite end section of the ball joint bolt is provided with threads and is adapted to be mounted in a through hole in the steering arm. In this manner, advantages are provided in so far as the ball joint provides an opportunity to compensate for irregularities in the roadway when driving the vehicle.

When mounting a previously known ball joint bolt, its threaded end section is inserted through a corresponding, through hole from one side of the component in question (e. g. a steering arm) and is anchored on the opposite side of the component by means of a castle nut. Normally, for a correct mounting, a split pin is also utilized which is inserted through a through hole in the bolt after tightening the castle nut. In this manner, a safety arrangement is provided by means of which the castle nut is prevented from being gradually unscrewed from the bolt and falling out of its mounting.

One drawback as regards the previously known method which is described above relates to the fact that it constitutes a complicated mounting method where the castle nut first must be tightened by means of a suitable tightening force. Then, the split pin must be mounted by being inserted through the bolt. During this process, it is often difficult finding the hole in the nut which is intended for the split pin. Often, this can result in repeated tightenings of the nut, which in turn results in losses of time and cost. Moreover, it is perceived as difficult and time-consuming to have to mount the split pin.

Thus, it can be stated that today's methods of mounting ball joint bolts in vehicles result in problems regarding accessibility, time consumption and cost.

An additional drawback regarding the prior art regards to the fact that the castle nut normally is tightened to a predetermined tightening moment. After that, additional tightening is necessary so that the hole of the split pin comes into right position in order for the split pin to be able to be mounted. This in turn results in a risk of the tightening resulting in a locking moment which in this case cannot be predetermined in an exact manner.

A joint for mounting a bolt in a through hole in another component is shown in the US patent 5538356. The bolt comprises a cone-shaped bolt section which inclines inwards in an axial direction and is intended for co-operation with an internally cone-shaped sleeve element. This sleeve element is in turn constructed by a number of segments which extend around a certain sector of said conical bolt section. The object of this arrangement is to counteract rotary movements of the bolt in the hole.

The bolt is tightened by means of a nut, which in turn comprises a radially protruding flange which co-operates with an upper part of the sleeve element. Thus, when the nut is tightened, the sleeve element will be inserted into the hole, between the inside of the hole and said conical bolt section.

After tightening, the conical bolt section will occupy the space between the conical section of the bolt and the inside surface of the hole.

One drawback as regards the arrangement according to the US Patent 5538356 is that it comprises comparatively many parts and has a comparatively complicated structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION : The object of the present invention is to provide an improved arrangement for connecting a first component and a second component, particularly in the form of a first component in the form of a ball joint bolt and a second component in a wheel suspension system in a vehicle, by means of which the above-mentioned problems are solved in an efficient manner. This is achieved by means of an arrangement of the type which is mentioned initially, which is characterized in that said first component comprises an essentially cylindrical part having a slightly larger outside diameter than the inside diameter of said hole and being adapted for forced fit against the inside surface of said hole.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved by means of a method of the type which is mentioned initially, which is characterized in that it comprises fitting an essentially cylindrical part of said first component into said hole during forced fit against the inside surface of said hole during said locking.

By means of the present invention, several advantages are achieved. First, it can be stated that a lot of time can be saved in connection with the mounting and in addition, there is no need to use very expensive special purpose machineries.

By means of said cylindrical part, a forced fit is provided in said hole, which results in a rotary lock and a high strength in the joint. Moreover, an improved safety is provided by means of the forced fit, which results in that the ball joint can remain in place even if the nut should come loose.

Furthermore, the invention provides an exactly defined locking moment after tightening the locking nut in question. This is particularly provided when the invention is utilized with a locking nut having a conical thread. By means of this locking nut, an advantage is also provided in so far as no split pin needs to be used.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the appended, dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS : The invention will be explained in further detail below, with reference to a preferred embodiment example and the enclosed drawings, of which Fig. 1 shows the arrangement according to the present invention according to a first embodiment and in a disassembled condition,

Fig. 2 shows the arrangement according to the first embodiment, in a first condition during assembly of the arrangement, Fig. 3 shows the arrangement according to the first embodiment, in a second condition which prevails after assembly of the arrangement, Fig. 4 shows the arrangement according to a second embodiment and in a first condition during assembly, Fig. 5 shows the arrangement according to a second embodiment and in a second condition which prevails after assembly, Fig. 6 shows the arrangement according to the invention, according to a third embodiment and in a first condition during assembly, and Fig. 7 shows the arrangement according to the invention, according to a third embodiment and in a second condition which prevails after assembly.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS : Fig. 1 shows a side view of an arrangement according to the present invention. According to a preferred embodiment, the invention is intended for utilization in connection with vehicles and constitutes an arrangement for mounting a first component in the form of a ball joint bolt 1 in relation to a second component in the form of a vehicle component 2 in the form of, for example, a steering arm, which in turn is connected with one of the vehicle's wheel.

The invention is, however, not limited for utilization merely in connection with vehicles, but may in principle be utilized for all types of bolt joints where

there exists a desire to prevent the bolt from rotating. However, the invention is particularly suitable for utilization in connection with ball joints.

According to what is apparent from Fig. 1, which shows the invention according to a first embodiment and in a disassembled condition, the ball joint bolt 1 is intended to be mounted in a through hole 3 in said vehicle component 2. One of the end sections of the ball joint bolt 1 is provided with a first section in the form of an insertion part 4, while its other end section is provided with a ball (not apparent from Fig. 1) which in a known manner is intended to be mounted in a ball joint housing. The ball joint housing is in turn connected with an additional vehicle component, suitably in the form of, for example, a suspension arm or a tie rod of a per se previously known type.

Preferably, the insertion part 4 is formed with a considerably smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the through hole 3 and thus defines a play against the opening of the hole 3. The insertion part 4 is also provided with male threads 5 which are intended to co-operate with a nut 6, more precisely with (not shown) female threads of this nut 6.

Furthermore, the ball joint bolt 1 is provided with a second section in the form of a cylindrical part 7, which is intended to co-operate with the through hole 3. More precisely, it is a basic principle of the invention that the cylindrical part 7 is adapted for forced fit in the through hole 3 and to this end it is provided with an outside diameter which is slightly larger than the inside diameter of the hole 3. In a normal application, where the through hole 3 has an inside diameter which can be of the order of 20-40 mm, the outside diameter of the cylindrical part 7 is preferably one or a few hundredths of a mm larger than the inside diameter of the hole 3. According to what will be described in detail below, this results in that the cylindrical part 7-after

mounting the entire arrangement-will function as a rotary lock as regards the mounting of the ball joint bolt 1 in the hole 3.

The invention is, however, not limited to any specific dimensions, whether as regards the ball joint bolt 1, the hole 3 or the selection of diameter for the cylindrical part 7 and the hole 3. Thus, various solutions are possible within the scope of the invention as long as the cylindrical part 7 is formed as a rotary lock in the hole 3.

Furthermore, the ball joint bolt 1 preferably comprises a third section in the form of a conical part 8, which is intended to bear against and co-operate with a corresponding conical section 9 which is formed in the through hole 3, more precisely in the part of the hole 3 which is closest to the ball joint 1. In this case, the conical part 8 constitutes a load-distributing element which absorbs force which acts between the ball joint bolt 1 and the vehicle component 2 after mounting.

Apart from the conical section 9 in the hole 3, this is, according to what is apparent from Fig. 1, provided with an essentially cylindrical inside section 10, the length of which at least corresponds to the length of the above- mentioned cylindrical part 7 of the ball joint bolt 1. As mentioned above, the cylindrical inside section 10 is provided with a diameter which is slightly smaller than the corresponding outside diameter of the cylindrical part 7 of the ball joint bolt 1.

According to what will be apparent below, the invention is not limited to the fact the ball joint bolt and the hole comprise conical sections, but these details may in principle be omitted in some applications, e. g. where there are fewer demands regarding load-absorbing and load-distributing characteristics.

Fig. 2 shows a side view which corresponds to the embodiment according to Fig. 1, but which shows the invention in a condition during mounting. From Fig. 2, it is also indicated by means of broken lines that the ball joint bolt 1 ends with a ball 11 which is provided in a ball joint housing 12, which in turn is connected with an additional vehicle component, for example in the form of a suspension arm 12 which forms part of the wheel suspension of the vehicle in question.

Fig. 2 shows the invention in a position where the ball joint bolt 1 recently has been inserted into the through hole 3, wherein the insertion part 4 protrudes a small distance through the hole 3. In this condition, the above- mentioned locking nut 6 is suitably provided. Preferably, in connection with the invention, a type of nut is utilized which is provided with cone-shaped female threads. Such a type of locking nut is per se previously known and is based on the fact that the conical threads only allows tightening of the nut for a predetermined distance. After that, the locking nut 6 cannot be screwed any further. Preferably, the length of the protruding section 4 of the nut- together with the shape of the corresponding conical threads in the locking nut 6-is adjusted so that the locking nut 6 after complete tightening defines a predetermined locking moment which acts against the vehicle component in question.

Thus, with reference to Fig. 2, it is apparent that the locking nut 6 is tightened while the cylindrical part 7 of the ball joint bolt 1 engages with the inside wall of the hole 3. After tightening, the arrangement assumes a mounted condition which is apparent from Fig. 3. In this condition, the entire cylindrical part 7 has been fitted into the cylindrical part 10 in the hole 3 by means of forced fit, so that a rotary locking of the ball joint bolt 1 is provided.

After tightening, the locking nut 6 provides a predetermined tightening moment together with the threaded section 5 on the ball joint bolt 1. In

addition, the conical part 8 of the bolt 1 will co-operate with the corresponding conical section 9 in the hole 3 in a load-distributing manner.

Thus, after mounting the entire arrangement, the arrangement according to the invention provides a rotary lock of the ball joint bolt 1 in the hole 3. In addition, by means of the co-operation of the conical sections 8,9, a load- distributing effect is provided as regards the mounting of the ball joint bolt 1.

Furthermore, a simple and efficient mounting is provided without having to use any split pin.

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention, which illustrates the function of the invention during mounting of a ball joint bolt 1 which in principle is of the same type as the ball joint bolt which is shown with reference to Figs. 1-3. Furthermore, the ball joint bolt 1 is intended to be mounted in a vehicle component 2', e. g. a steering arm, which comprises a through hole 3'. This hole 3 is different from what has been explained above in so far as it is provided with two conical sections, more precisely a first conical section 14 which is directed towards the ball joint bolt 1 and a second conical section 15 which is directed away from the ball joint bolt 1, i. e. in the direction of the locking nut 6. Furthermore, the hole 3'is provided with a cylindrical section 16 between the conical sections 14,15. In this case, the length of the cylindrical section 16 essentially corresponds to the length of the cylindrical part 7 of the ball joint bolt 1.

The advantage as regards the arrangement according to Fig. 3 is that the vehicle component 2 provides mounting of the ball joint bolt 1 from any optional side, i. e. one single variant of the relevant vehicle component can in this case be utilized without having to consider how this is directed in relation to the ball joint bolt 1.

Fig. 5 shows the arrangement according to the second embodiment in a mounted condition. From the drawing, it is apparent that after mounting- wherein the locking nut 6 has been tightened until locking takes place, which defines a predetermined locking moment-the cylindrical part 7 of the bolt will be positioned, via forced fit, right in front of the cylindrical section 16 in the hole 3'. Furthermore, the conical part 8 of the bolt will bear against one of the conical sections 14 of the hole 3'. However, by means of the fact that the hole 3'is provided with two conical sections 14,15, the ball joint bolt 1 according to the second embodiment might just as well have been inserted from the opposite side of the hole 3'.

Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment, a ball joint bolt 1 is utilized which apart from an insertion part 4 with threads 5 also comprises a conical part 17. This conical part 17 is shaped in order to support a separate sleeve-like component 18, i. e. the conical part 17 on the ball joint bolt co-operates with a corresponding conical inside surface on the sleeve 18. Furthermore, the outside casing surface 19 of the sleeve 18 defines a cylindrical part which by analogy with what has been explained above is provided with an outside diameter which slightly exceeds the inside diameter of a corresponding through hole 3"in the vehicle component 2 in question. Also in this instance, the difference in diameter suitably amounts to one or a few hundredths of a mm.

Suitably, in this third embodiment, no conical section in the hole 3"is utilized. Instead, the entire inside diameter in the hole 3 is essentially the same along the entire hole 3". During mounting, the sleeve 18 is first put in place over the conical part of the ball joint bolt 1', whereupon the sleeve 18 and the bolt 1'are pressed into the hole 3. Furthermore, the different components are dimensioned so that the threaded section 5 protrudes a distance through the hole 3"in order to co-operate with the conical threads in the locking nut 6. Next, the locking nut 6 is tightened, wherein a fixed

locking moment is provided by analogy with what has been described above.

During the tightening, the sleeve 18, and in that way the bolt 1'as well, is locked against the inside wall of the hole 3'by means of forced fit. The condition in which the arrangement is mounted is apparent from Fig. 7.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments which are described above and shown in the drawings, but may be varied within the scope of the appended patent claims. For example, the invention can be used for various types of vehicles, e. g. commercial vehicles and passenger cars and in that case suitably for mounting of ball joints in wheel suspensions. In principle, the invention also can be utilized for other applications than vehicles where there is a demand for joints where there exists a problem with preventing a bolt from rotating.

Even if it is not necessary, the joint according to the invention can be supplemented with a split pin through a hole in the respective bolt. In this case, this results in an increased degree of safety.