FIELD [0001] The present description relates to the field of injection molding.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A problem affecting automotive or other vehicular ball joints is that conventional ball joints are heavy due to major components (such as the ball and/or the socket) being constructed entirely or at least principally of metal-containing materials. To resolve this problem, JPH10151931 discloses a link rod for stabilizer and manufacture thereof, comprising a resin material.

SUMMARY

[0003] The inventors have recognized that injection-molded bearing components are weak in proximity to a weld line (also known as a knit line or meld line, for example) in the component. It is therefore a goal of the present disclosure to provide a means for mitigating the weakening effect of the weld line.

[0004] According to examples of the present disclosure, an injection-molded component is provided, including a reinforcing insert embedded across a weld line of the injection-molded component. [0005] The use of an insert can provide strengthening which may mitigate the weakening effect of the weld line.

[0006] The reinforcing insert may include a metal.

[0007] At least one surface of the reinforcing insert may be textured, to improve adhesion of the reinforcing insert to the adjacent material. [0008] At least a portion of the reinforcing insert may be curved.

[0009] The reinforcing insert may define a closed path.

[0010] The reinforcing insert may be embedded adjacent to a cavity provided in the injection-molded component

[0011] According to examples of the present disclosure, a female bearing portion may be provided, including an injection-molded component as described earlier herein. A cavity may be provided in the injection-molded component, and this cavity may be configured to receive at least a portion of a male bearing portion.

[0012] Such a female bearing portion may have a reduced weight and/or mass and/or manufacturing cost than a female bearing portion which uses full metal construction, while mitigating the effects of the weld line which may be present from injection molding.

[0013] According to examples of the present disclosure, a bearing may be provided. The bearing may include a female bearing portion as described earlier herein at least partially surrounding a male bearing portion.

[0014] Use of such a female bearing portion may allow for the bearing be relatively light and/or cheap to manufacture while mitigating the effects of the weld line which may be present from injection molding.

[0015] At least one portion of the male bearing portion and at least one portion of the female bearing portion may be movable relative to one another along or about at least one axis. At least a portion of the reinforcing insert may be arranged obliquely or perpendicularly the at least one axis.

[0016] The bearing may include a liner. The liner may be disposed between the female bearing portion and the male bearing portion. [0017] The reinforcing insert may surround at least a portion of the female bearing portion and/or at least a portion of the male bearing portion.

[0018] The bearing may be a ball-joint. The female bearing portion may include a socket, and the male bearing portion may include a ball. The reinforcing insert may at least partially surround the socket. [0019] According to examples of the present disclosure, a suspension linkage may be provided, including a bearing as described earlier herein.

[0020] According to examples of the present disclosure, a vehicle may be provided, including a bearing as described earlier herein.

[0021] According to examples of the present disclosure, bearing portion may be fabricated according to a method including the following steps:

[0022] disposing at least a portion of a reinforcing insert within a mold, and [0023] molding at least a portion of the bearing portion around the at least a portion of the reinforcing insert by injecting a resin-containing material into the mold such that a weld line of the bearing portion forms obliquely or perpendicularly to the at least a portion of the reinforcing insert.

[0024] The method may be suitable for fabricating a male bearing portion and/or a female bearing portion, such as the female bearing portion as described earlier herein, for example. [0025] An injection-molded component as described earlier herein may constitute the at least a portion of the bearing portion molded in step "b" above.

[0026] According to examples of the present disclosure, a bearing as described earlier herein may be fabricated according to a method including the following steps: [0027] fabricating a female bearing portion, and

[0028] assembling the female bearing portion with a male bearing portion.

[0029] The male and/or female bearing portion(s) may be fabricated according to the method of fabricating a bearing portion as described earlier herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0030] The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of aspects of the disclosure in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 shows a plan view of a bearing;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of the bearing shown in Figure 1;

[0033] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along III-III of the bearing shown in Figure 2;

[0034] Figure 4 shows a suspension linkage;

[0035] Figure 5 shows a vehicle. [0036] While aspects of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular embodiment(s) described. On the contrary, the intention of this disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. [0038] The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings. The detailed description and the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict illustrative aspects and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The illustrative aspects depicted are intended only as exemplary. [0039] In Figure 1, a bearing 200 is shown. As seen in Figure 1, the bearing 200 includes a male bearing portion 230 and a female bearing portion 220.

[0040] As seen in Figure 4, such a bearing 200 may form part of a suspension linkage 2, such as a stabilizer linkage, for example. As such, the suspension linkage 2 may be reinforced at least in a region of the bearing 200.

[0041] Although Figure 4 shows the suspension linkage 2 as a stabilizer linkage, and as having two substantially identical bearings 200, arranged at the extremities of a slender central body 22, oriented in substantially the same direction as one another, neither the type of suspension linkage 2, nor the quantity of bearings 200 in the suspension linkage 2, nor the resemblance of bearings 200 to one another (when multiple are present), nor the position of the bearing(s) relative to other components of the suspension linkage 2 (or to other bearings 200 when multiple are present), nor the characteristics of other components of the suspension linkage 2 besides the bearing(s) 200, nor the orientation of the bearing (s) relative to other components of the suspension linkage 2 (or to other bearings 200 when multiple are present) is intended to be limiting. Moreover, although Figure 4 shows the central body 22 as being formed monolithically with the female bearing portion 220, such a formation is not intended to be limiting.

[0042] An automobile (see Figure 5) is a non-limiting example of a vehicle 1, which may include such a bearing 200, possibly as part of a stabilizer linkage or other suspension linkage 2. Such a vehicle 1 may be reinforced at least in a region of the bearing 200.

[0043] For the purposes of the present disclosure, a bearing 200 is a mechanism that imposes a kinematic pair between two or more objects. Non-limiting examples of kinematic pairs include a revolute pair, a cylindrical joint, a prismatic joint, a screw pair, and a spherical joint, such as the ball joint presented herein.

[0044] For example, if a revolute pair is imposed between a male bearing portion and a female bearing portion the male and female bearing portions are rotatable relative to one another about one axis, but substantially immobilized in rotation about the remaining axes, and immobilized in translation along all three axes. For example, in a hinge, the pintle of the male bearing portion is received in the gudgeon of the female bearing portion, allowing rotation of the male and female bearing portion about the axis of the pintle, but opposing translation of the male and female bearing portions relative to one another. [0045] For example, in a cylindrical joint, the male and female bearing portions may translate relative to one another in a direction that is parallel or tangential to their respective contact surfaces, but is substantially limited in terms of translation along and rotation about axes orthogonal thereto. For example, a piston of a male bearing portion is received in the cylinder of the female bearing portion, allowing translation along the axis of the cylinder, but opposing translation along and rotation about axes orthogonal thereto. When the piston and cylinder have circular cross sections as taken normal to the axis along which translation occurs, rotation of the piston relative to the cylinder about the translation axis is also possible. [0046] On the other hand, when the piston and cylinder have non-circular cross- sections as taken normal to the axis of the cylinder, rotation about the translation axis is opposed. This is a non-limiting example of a prismatic joint.

[0047] For example, if a screw pair is imposed between a male bearing portion and a female bearing portion, rotation about and translation along a given axis accompany one another. For example, applying a rotation of the male bearing portion relative to the female bearing portion about an axis may cause translation of the male bearing portion relative to the female bearing portion, possibly along the same axis. Alternatively or additionally, applying a translation of the male bearing portion relative to the female bearing portion along an axis may cause rotation of the male bearing portion relative to the female bearing portion, possibly along the same axis.

[0048] For example, in a spherical joint, the male bearing portion may be rotatable relative to the female bearing portion about as many as three mutually orthogonal axes, but translation of the male bearing portion relative to the female bearing portion along a given axis may be opposed. For example, in a ball joint, a ball of the male bearing portion may be rotatable in a socket of the female bearing portion about three mutually orthogonal axes, but substantially immobilized in translation along these axes (notwithstanding mechanical play between components in the bearing such as the male and female bearing portions, or a liner arranged therebetween - if present). A ball joint is a non-limiting example of a spherical joint. [0049] In Figure 2, the bearing 200 visible in Figure 1 is shown in cross-section taken along line II-II, revealing that a portion of the male bearing portion 230 is received in a cavity of the female bearing portion 220. The geometry of the cavity and the portion of the male bearing portion 230 received therein dictates the manner in which the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions cooperate with one another. [0050] In Figure 2, the bearing 200 is shown as including a male bearing portion 230 that is movable relative to a female bearing portion 220 along or about one or more axes 301, 302, 303. Although Figures 1 & 2 show axis 301 as being coincident with lines II-II and III-III, this coincidence is not intended to be limiting. The mobility of male 230 and female 220 bearing portions relative to one another along or about this or these axes 301, 302, 303 arises from cooperation between the male bearing portion 230 and the female bearing portion 220.

[0051] In Figure 2, for example, a round, convex portion of the male bearing portion

230 that is received in the cavity of the female bearing portion 220. The roundness of this portion of the male bearing portion 230 permits rotation of the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions relative to one another about an axis 303 (seen in Figure 1).

[0052] When the convex portion of the male bearing portion 230 is spherical, then the male bearing portion 230 may also be rotatable relative to the female bearing portion 220 about axes 301 and 302, seen in Figures 1 & 2 respectively.

[0053] As seen in Figure 2, the cavity of the female bearing portion 220 may at least partially surround the portion of the male bearing portion 230 received therein. This arrangement may limit translational mobility of the cavity relative to the portion of the male bearing portion 230 received therein. [0054] In Figure 2, the cavity is a socket 221. A socket 221 is a non-limiting example of a cavity.

[0055] For example, in Figure 2, ball 231 of the male bearing portion 230 is received in the socket 221 of the female bearing portion 220. Such an arrangement allows the ball

231 to be rotatable relative to the socket 221 about three axes 301, 302, 303. As such, this arrangement may form a ball joint.

[0056] In Figure 2, the socket 221 at least partially surrounds the ball 231. As such movement of the ball 231 along axes 301, 302, 303 relative to the socket 221 may be limited or even prevented.

[0057] To limit contamination of the bearing 200 by introduction of detritus in between the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions, a boot 400 may be provided about the interface of the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions. The boot 400 may be materially flexible and/or mobile relative to one or more of the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions, so as to minimize interference with the relative mobility of the male bearing portion 230 relative to the female bearing portion 220. [0058] During cooperation of the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions, forces transmitted between the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions may cause one or more of the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions to fail. This failure may be catastrophic, as with rupture of one or more of the male 230 or female 220 bearing portions, or gradual, as with wear of a surface of one or more of the bearing surfaces of the male 230 or female 220 bearing portions, or as with fatigue of one or more of the male 230 or female 220 bearing portions.

[0059] As such, it may be desirable to provide a liner 240 between the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions. For example, in Figure 2, a liner 240 is provided between the ball 231 of the male bearing portion 230 and the socket 221 of the female bearing portion 220.

[0060] The liner 240 may prevent forces from being transmitted directly to the female bearing portion 220 from the male bearing portion 230. For example, in Figure 2, a force transmitted to the socket 221 by the ball 231 may pass through the liner 240. [0061] As seen in Figure 2, the liner 240 may also reduce local stresses in one or more of the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions, by distributing the force(s) transmitted through the liner 240 across a larger contact surface of the female bearing portion 220 and/or the male bearing portion 230. For example, in Figure 2, force transmission from the ball 231 to the liner 240 may occur over a smaller area than transmission of the same force from the liner 240 to the socket 221, leading to a reduction in stress applied to the socket 221, compared to direct transmission of the force from the ball 231 to the socket 221.

[0062] Additionally or alternatively, a liner 240 may offer desirable properties in terms of hardness and/or smoothness that could facilitate cooperation between the male bearing portion 230 and the female bearing portion 220. For example, the ball 231 and the socket 221 may be more smoothly rotatable relative to one another and/or exhibit reduced wear when a socket liner 240 is provided between the socket 221 and the ball 231.

[0063] In Figure 3, the bearing is presented in cross-section along line III-III and overlaid with arrows 211-213 indicating material flow during injection molding of a component 219. As a non-limiting example, the component 219 shown in Figure 3 is presented as belonging to a female bearing portion 220, or even being a female bearing portion 220. [0064] Compared to conventional metal construction, a bearing portion 220, 230 that includes an injection-molded component 219 may be lighter and/or cheaper to produce. As such, a bearing 200 including the bearing portion 220, 230 may be lighter and/or cheaper to produce than a bearing that lacks such an injection-molded component 219. When such a bearing 200 is used in a suspension linkage 2 (for example a stabilizer linkage) and/or a vehicle 1, these weight savings may lead to increased performance of the suspension linkage 2 and/or vehicle 1. Similarly, cost savings gleaned from the use of an injection-molded component 219 in a bearing portion 220, 230 may lead to reductions in the overall cost of producing a suspension linkage 2 and/or a vehicle 1.

[0065] As the female bearing portion 220 illustrated in Figure 3 cooperates with a male bearing portion 230 received in a cavity thereof (socket 221), a force may be transmitted to the female bearing portion 220 from the male bearing portion 230, and/or vice versa. This transmission may occur directly, as with direct contact between the male bearing portion 230 and the female bearing portion 220, or indirectly, as with a liner 240 provided to contact each of the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions. [0066] Although provision of a liner 240 between the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions may improve the ability of the male bearing portion 220 and/or the female bearing portion 230 to resist failure under a given load transmitted therebetween, the male 230 and/or female 220 bearing portion may still be at risk of failure due to transmission of a force between the liner 240 and one or more of the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions.

[0067] Without regard for the presence or absence of a liner 240 between the male bearing portion 230 and the female bearing portion 220, when the male bearing portion 230 and/or the female bearing portion 220 includes an area which is weaker than at least some of the rest of the bearing portion 230, 220, this force may lead to failure in this relatively weaker area. An area of a bearing portion 220, 230 may be weakened relative to its surroundings by the presence of a defect in the area, for example. Moreover, even if no such defect is detected as being present, it may nevertheless be desirable to reinforce an area in which such a defect would be likely to occur.

[0068] A weld-line is an example of a defect that can arise during injection-molding of a component. [0069] For example, as seen in Figure 3, injection-molding of the female bearing portion 220 from an injection site located near the right hand side of the image causes injected material to flow leftward 213 in the mold, towards a region of the mold where the cavity in the female bearing portion 220 is formed. As the injected material encounters this region of the mold, the injected material is made to diverge, leading to the formation of multiple flow fronts 211, 212, which converge downstream of this region relative to the injection site. Since this region corresponds to the cavity, and since the injection site in the mold corresponds an injection site of the injection-molded component 219, the flow fronts 211, 212 can also be understood to converge downstream of the cavity in the injection-molded component 219 relative to the injection site in the injection-molded component 219.

[0070] Convergence of flow fronts occurs along a surface, referred to hereafter as a convergence surface. When the flow fronts 211, 212 fail to adequately bond to one another during convergence, a weld line may form. For example, as seen in Figure 3, flow fronts 211, 212 converge around the cavity at a convergence surface, where weld line 210 would form.

[0071] Since the geometry of the mold, and the location of the injection site therein are known during injection molding, the location where flow fronts 211, 212 converge in the mold may be knowable. Thus, it may be knowable prior or during injection molding where a weld line 210 would form (when present) in the injection-molded component 219.

[0072] Although efforts can be made to prevent the formation of such defects (such as increasing the temperature of the mold and/or of the injected material, increasing the injection speed, modifying the injection flow pattern, or switching to an injected material with a lower viscosity and/or melting temperature), these efforts may not always be effective or appropriate for the component being injected.

[0073] For example, component or mold geometry may make alternative flow patterns undesirable or unsuitable, and/or mechanical performance requirements may dictate the use of a material which degrades under higher injection and/or mold temperatures, and/or which is unsuitable for higher injection speeds.

[0074] Moreover, even if such efforts were adequate for reducing the incidence of these defects, the regions in which the defects would otherwise form may continue to constitute areas of weakness in the injection-molded component. [0075] For example, even if a weld line 210 is not present in an injection-molded component 219, the convergence surface of the injection-molded component 219 may cause localized weakening of the injection-molded component 219.

[0076] In Figure 3, injection-molded component 219 (female bearing portion 220) is reinforced by providing a reinforcing insert 100. The reinforcing insert 100 may be embedded adjacent to the cavity, for at least local reinforcement of the cavity.

[0077] The reinforcing insert 100 may be metallic, and is at least partially embedded in material on at least two sides of the weld line 210. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term "material on (at least) two (or more) sides of a/the weld line" is equivalent to the terms "material on (at least) two (or more) sides of a/the convergence surface", "across a/the weld line", and "across a/the convergence surface".

[0078] By at least partially embedding the reinforcing insert 100 in material on at last two sides of the weld line 210, forces causing separation of material on either side of the weld line 210 may also place the reinforcing insert 100 under mechanical stress. Non-limiting examples of stresses applied to the reinforcing insert 100 include tensile stress and shear stress, and/or even bending stress.

[0079] Resistance of this stress by the reinforcing insert 100 may thereby prevent failure of the female bearing portion 221 along the weld line 210 or the convergence surface.

[0080] As can be seen in Figure 3, the ball 231 is arranged within the socket 221. A layer of material of the socket 221 is provided between the ball 231 and a reinforcing insert 100. The reinforcing insert 100 at least partially surrounds the socket 221, which may allow the socket to be reinforced against loads transmitted thereto from the ball 231.

[0081] When an optional liner 240 is provided between the ball 231 and the socket 221, this layer of material of the socket 221 separates the liner 240 from the reinforcing insert 100.

[0082] The reinforcing insert 100 may be provided in the injection-molded component 219 during fabrication of the injection-molded component 219. This may be accomplished, for example, by arranging at least a portion of the reinforcing insert 100 within a mold for the injection-molded component 219. The injection-molded component 219 may be molded therearound by injecting a resin-containing material into the mold. As such, the reinforcing insert 100 is at least partially embedded in the injection-molded component 219.

[0083] The flow pattern 211, 212, 213 of the resin-containing material may be such that a weld line 210 (if one were to form) would form obliquely or perpendicularly to the at least a portion of the reinforcing insert 100. Obliqueness or perpendicularity of the weld line 210 relative to the reinforcing insert 100 may allow the reinforcing insert to be embedded in material on two sides of the weld line 210 (if one were to form). [0084] As described earlier herein, the location of a weld line 210 or a convergence surface within an injection-molded component 219 may be knowable based on the location of the injection site on a mold for the injection-molded component 219 and the geometry of the mold or the component. The same may be true regarding the orientation of the weld line 210 or convergence surface.

[0085] The flow pattern 211, 212, 213 of the resin-containing material may be such that the flow fronts 211, 212 converge along a surface which oblique or perpendicular to the at least a portion of the reinforcing insert 100. Oblique or perpendicular orientation of the weld line 210, or the flow front convergence surface, to the reinforcing insert 100 may allow the reinforcing insert 100 to resist separation of material on either side of the weld line 210 (or the convergence surface), because the reinforcing insert 100 is at least partially embedded in the material on two sides of the weld line 210.

[0086] In the case of Figure 3, it can be deduced that a convergence surface would most likely be located downstream of the cavity (i.e. to the left hand side of the cavity as seen in Figure 3), and that therefore a weld line would be most likely to form in this same region. In other words, in Figure 3, the cavity may be located between the convergence surface (or weld line 210 formed therealong) and the injection site (from which the resin-containing material can be seen flowing leftward at 213).

[0087] It may thus be desirable to at least partially embed the reinforcing insert 100 in the resin-containing material downstream of the cavity relative to the injection site. In other words, at least a portion of the cavity may be located between at least a portion of the reinforcing insert 100 and the injection site.

[0088] Although in Figure 1, a female bearing portion 220 includes the injection- molded component 219, a male bearing portion 230 may additionally or alternatively include the injection-molded component. [0089] Alternatively, and without regard for whether the bearing portion 220, 230 is a male bearing portion 230 or a female bearing portion 220, the injection-molded component 219 may even constitute the bearing portion 220, 230.

[0090] Without regard for whether the bearing portion 220, 230 includes the injection- molded component 219 or the injection-molded component 219 constitutes the bearing portion 220, 230, the bearing portion may be fabricated by disposing at least a portion of the reinforcing insert 100 within a mold for the injection-molded component 219, and molding a resin-containing material therearound.

[0091] A bearing 200 may be fabricated using one or more bearing portions 220, 230 fabricated in this manner (i.e. so that a reinforcing insert is provided therein). For example, a female bearing portion 220 may be provided with a reinforcing insert 100, and assembled with a male bearing portion 230. The assembly of the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions may occur sequentially or simultaneously with injection of the resin-containing material. [0092] For example, in the bearing shown in Figure 2, a male bearing portion 230 is assembled with a female bearing portion 220 during injection of the resin-containing material. This may be accomplished, for example, by arranging the male bearing portion 230 in a mold used to injection mold the female bearing portion 220, and injecting a resin-containing material into the mold and around the male bearing portion 230.

[0093] For example, the ball 231 of the male bearing portion 230 is arranged in the mold used to injection mold the socket 221 of the female bearing portion 220, and a resin-containing material is injected into the mold, flowing towards a region of the mold where the ball 231 is situated and where the cavity will be formed (see 213), whereupon the flow diverges into multiple flow fronts 211, 212 which reconverge beyond the ball 231, thus forming a socket 221 that at least partially surrounds the ball 231.

[0094] Alternatively, a liner 240 may be arranged in the mold instead of the ball 231. Flow thus diverges into multiple flow fronts 211, 212 which reconverge beyond the liner 240, thus forming a socket 221 that at least partially surrounds the liner 240. Subsequent assembly of the ball 231 and the liner 240 causes the socket 221 to at least partially surround the ball 231.

[0095] Alternatively, the socket 240 and ball 231 may be assembled together prior to arrangement in the mold. Flow thus diverges into multiple flow fronts 211, 212 which reconverge beyond the liner 240 and the ball 231, thus forming a socket 221 that at least partially surrounds the liner 240 and/or the ball 231.

[0096] When assembly and injection are performed simultaneously, provision of a liner 240 between the male 230 and female 220 bearing portions may be desirable. For example, the liner 240 may prevent direct contact between the male bearing portion 230 and the resin-containing material of the female bearing portion 220. Preventing such contact may prevent the formation of adhesions between the male and female bearing portions 230, 220, and thus preserve mobility therebetween.

[0097] The liner 240 may contact the injected resin-containing material directly. Such contact may cause help to reduce or eliminate mobility of the liner 240 relative to the resin-containing material. Such reductions or eliminations may stabilize the overall bearing 200, and increase the performance of the bearing 200.

[0098] For example, in Figure 2, direct contact between the liner 240 and the resin- containing material of the female bearing portion 220 may promote the formation of adhesions therebetween and/or prevent or reduce mobility of the liner 240 relative to the female bearing portion 220. In so doing, translational mobility of the ball 231 relative to the socket 221 may be substantially reduced or even limited to whatever translational mobility may exist between the liner 240 and the ball 231.

[0099] Although not visible in the Figures for simplicity, at least one surface of the reinforcing insert 100 that contacts the resin-containing material may be textured. Texturing of such a surface may increase resistance of the reinforcing insert 100 to movement through the resin-containing material by providing more intimate contact therebetween. As a non-limiting example, this textured surface may belong to the reinforcing insert 100. It may even be desirable to provide texturing on every surface of the reinforcing insert 100 in contact with the resin-containing material. In particular, the textured surface may extend across the weld line, in order to render separation of the surrounding material at the weld line more difficult than if the surface(s) were untextured.

[0100] As a non-limiting example, the textured surface(s) may be knurled. [0101] As seen in Figures 2-3, at least a portion of the reinforcing insert 100 may be curved. For example, the reinforcing insert 100 may be curved so as to be arranged to at least partially surround features of the item in which the insert is arranged.

[0102] For example, as seen in Figure 3, the reinforcing insert 100 may be curved around the cavity, substantially about the axis 302 seen in Figure 2. [0103] For example, as seen in Figure 2, the reinforcing insert 100 may be curved around the cavity, substantially about the axis 303 and/or the axis 301 seen in Figure 1.

[0104] When at least a portion of the reinforcing insert 100 is curved, the curvature may be such that the reinforcing insert 100 defines a closed path, as seen in Figure 3. A closed path may allow for the insert to reinforce a region contained therein on all sides. For example as seen in Figure 3, the reinforcing insert 100 is curved so as to define a closed path surrounding the cavity of the bearing.

[0105] Alternatively, the curvature may be such that the reinforcing insert 100 does not define a closed path.

[0106] Regardless of whether the path is closed or not closed, the path may be substantially planar (i.e. provided in a single plane) or provided in multiple planes. [0107] Although Figures 2-3 show a path with substantially uniform curvature along the entire length of the curve, the path may alternatively be variable. Non-limiting examples of variable-curvature paths include undulations and curvilinear paths. Variable-curvature paths may improve bonding between the reinforcing insert 100 and the resin-containing material, such as by increasing the surface of contact therebetween.

[0108] Although Figures 2-3 show a socket liner 240 arranged between the male bearing portion 230 and the female bearing portion 220, a bearing 200 may lack such a socket liner. If no liner is provided between the male bearing portion 230 and the female bearing portion 220, a force may be transmitted therebetween directly.

[0109] Although application of this technique to a ball joint is shown, this technique may also be applied to any bearing type. [0110] Although application of this technique to an injection-molded part of a bearing portion is shown, this technique may be generalized to any weld line in any injection- molded component 219.

[0111] Although application of this technique to a weld line (or to a convergence surface) is shown, this technique may be generalized to any injection-molding defect (or any location where such defect is likely to occur) in an injection-molded component.

[0112] Although the described embodiments were provided as different exemplary embodiments, it is envisioned that these embodiments are combinable or, when not conflicting, the features recited in the described embodiments may be interchangeable. [0113] Throughout the description, including the claims, the term "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless otherwise stated. Likewise, the term "including a" should be understood as being synonymous with "including at least one". In addition, any range set forth in the description, including the claims should be understood as including its end value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for described elements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing or industry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of the terms "substantially" and/or "approximately" and/or "generally" should be understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances. [0114] Although the present disclosure herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure.

[0115] It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.