Title:
BALL JOINT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2012/154916
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a housing, a bearing disposed in the housing, and a ball stud supported within the housing by the bearing. The bearing includes at least a first bearing member formed from a first material and a second bearing member formed from a second dampening material attached to at least a portion of an outer surface of the first bearing member. The first bearing member has a bidirectional slot formed therein which is configured to allow the ball stud to articulate in a first direction and restrict and dampen articulation in a second direction which is generally transverse to the first direction.
Inventors:
BELLEAU RYAN MARK (CA)
HOLIERHOEK MIKE (CA)
HOLIERHOEK MIKE (CA)
Application Number:
PCT/US2012/037240
Publication Date:
February 21, 2013
Filing Date:
May 10, 2012
Export Citation:
Assignee:
TRW AUTOMOTIVE US LLC (US)
BELLEAU RYAN MARK (CA)
HOLIERHOEK MIKE (CA)
BELLEAU RYAN MARK (CA)
HOLIERHOEK MIKE (CA)
International Classes:
F16C11/08; B60G7/00; B62D1/18; F16C11/06
Foreign References:
| US7083356B2 | 2006-08-01 | |||
| US4332500A | 1982-06-01 | |||
| JP2008286342A | 2008-11-27 | |||
| US4613251A | 1986-09-23 | |||
| US6413003B1 | 2002-07-02 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
PAVELKO, Douglas, V. (Sobanski & Todd LLC, One Maritime Plaza, US)
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