Technical Field

The present invention relates to a ball joint employed in V-Torque Rod, Torque Rod and other similar components used in the suspension systems of heavy commercial vehicles.

I n particu lar, the invention relates to a locking ball joint developed to prevent snap ring dislocation known as ring displacement in bushings employed in V-Torque Rod, Torque Rod and other similar components used in the suspension systems of heavy commercial vehicles, and having locking forms formed on the side cover comprised . Background Art

Components used in the suspension systems of heavy commercial vehicles are very critical for the functions they perform. Failures that may occu r in such systems may lead to severe resu lts, particularly when the vehicle is travelling. Moving parts on which the vehicle is positioned are coupled to the vehicle body via the suspension system. As vehicles are positioned on the moving parts, such systems may be exposed to different forces from different directions (radial, axial, torsional and cardanic forces induced from the moving parts). Forces ind uced from the moving parts are directly transmitted to the ball joint and repair kits in the V-Torque Rod, Torque Rod and other similar suspension components, and may u ltimately lead to the dislocation of snap rings used as assembly components in such systems as a result of highly intensive negative forces. Dislocation of the snap ring causes breakdown and disruption of the ball joint housing it. As the dislocation of the snap ring also leads to disru ption and dislocation of the ball joint, this failure severely jeopardizes the d riving safety if it occu rs while the vehicle is in motion.

I n the backgrou nd art, various developments made to prevent undesired dislocation of the snap ring located in the ball joint are known. In known bushing assemblies, since the geometry of the snap ring slot is not in a form that would resist to the tendency of the snap ring to dislocate, developments were made to insert additional locking assemblies into the slot in an aim to retain the snap ring in place and prevent its dislocation. I n this sense, snap ring slots manufactured in various types are inserted into the slot in an aim to build a resistance against the tendency of the snap ring to dislocate. For example, in patent application no TR2013/10150, a snap ring lock assembly developed to prevent the dislocation of the snap ring is disclosed. The ring lock was structured in various forms to provide resistance against the tendency of the snap ring to dislocate, and employed in current applications. Despite such use is intended to prevent the dislocation of the snap ring, many factors such as deformation, elastic modulus and dislocation risk, which may occur in the structural material of locking assemblies used, appear as actual risks in the use of said locking assemblies. Furthermore, since insertion of the snap ring lock into the slot is an additional procedure adding to the operational cost, it should cautiously be considered in batch production. A study of developments made within the scope of applications of the prior art reveals that a critical point is neglected. This is manufacturing the snap ring slot in a geometrical form that would resist against the dislocation of the snap ring. In this respect, manufacturing the ball joint in a geometrical form that would prevent the dislocation of the snap ring without need to snap ring locks would overcome all problems of snap ring displacement experienced in the background art so far.

Having studied all technical literature and patent applications in the background art, the identified apparent need to a locking ball joint comprising locking forms built on the side cover of the ball joint to restrict the snap ring's direction of movement has made it necessary to make a development in the technical field concerned. Object and Brief Description of the Invention

The object of the invention is to prevent snap ring dislocation known as snap ring displacement in bushings employed in V-Torque Rod, Torque Rod and other similar components used in the suspension systems of heavy commercial vehicles.

The object of the invention is to eliminate the problem of the ball joint's premature disruption caused by the dislocation of the snap ring. As the dislocation of the snap ring also leads to disruption and displacement of the ball joint, it is intended to eliminate the safety risks that would arise both for the driver and vehicle in case said failure occurs.

Another object of the invention is to impart a longer service life to ball joints thanks to the prevention of snap ring displacement, and hence to ensure longer service intervals. One further object of the invention is to ensure reduced manufacturing costs by manufacturing the ball joint in a geometrical form that would prevent dislocation of the snap ring without the need to snap ring locks. By eliminating the need to additional parts, service life of the bushing has been extended. To achieve the objects described above, the invention relates to a locking ball joint employed in V-Torque Rod, Torque Rod and other similar components used in the suspension systems of heavy commercial vehicles, developed to prevent snap ring dislocation due to axial, torsional and cardanic forces induced from the moving parts; and comprises side cover locking form introduced on the side cover to restrict the snap ring's direction of movement, by the snap ring leaning action, in an aim to resist against the tendency of the snap ring to dislocate.

In order to realize all abovementioned advantages that are further described exhaustively below, the present invention offers many conveniences thanks to its said functions.

The structural and characteristic properties of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the illustrations below, therefore, assessment should be based on these illustrations and the detailed description.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. la shows a perspective view of the V-Torque Rod with the ball joint. Fig. lb shows a perspective view of the Torque Rod with the ball joint. Fig. 2a shows a sectional view of the ball joint (V-Torque Rod). (Prior art) Fig. 2b shows a sectional view of the ball joint (Torque Rod). (Prior art)

Fig. 3 shows the dislocation direction of the ball joint on the Torque Rod (lateral view). (Prior art)

Fig. 4 shows the dislocation direction of the ball joint on the Torque Rod (top view). (Prior art)

Fig. 5 shows the dislocation direction of the ball joint on the Torque Rod (top view) together with the snap ring dislocation direction. (Prior art)

Fig. 6a shows a sectional view of the locking ball joint (V-Torque Rod). Fig. 6b shows a sectional view of the ball joint (Torque Rod).

Fig. 7a shows the specially-formed side cover view of the locking ball joint.

Fig. 7b shows the other specially-formed side cover view of the locking ball joint.

Fig. 8 shows the side cover lean & lock mechanism of the locking ball joint on the V-drawbar.

Fig. 9 shows the side cover lean & lock mechanism of the locking ball joint on the Torque Rod.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

10. V-Torque Rod

10.1 V body

10.2 Ring slot

20. Torque Rod

20.1 body

20.2 Snap Ring slot

30. Ball joint

30.1 Side Cover

30.2 Side Cover locking form

40. Ring

40.1 Side Cover movement direction of the snap ring

40.2 Upward movement direction of the snap ring

Detailed Description of the Invention

In the present detailed description, all technical features and structure of the locking ball joint (30) under the present invention will be detailed.

Fig. la shows a perspective view of the V- Torque Rod (10) with the ball joint (30), and Fig. lb shows a perspective view of the Torque Rod (20) with the ball joint (30). Moving parts on which the vehicle is positioned are coupled to the vehicle body via the suspension system. Forces induced from the moving parts are directly transmitted to the ball joint (30) and repair kits in the V- Torque Rod (10), Torque Rod (20) and other similar suspension components, and may ultimately lead to the dislocation of snap rings (40) used as assembly components in such systems as a result of highly intensive negative forces. Dislocation of the snap ring (40) from the snap ring slot (10.2,20.2) causes breakdown and disruption of the ball joint (30). Fig. 2a shows a sectional view of the ball joint (30) (V- Torque Rod (10), Prior art). As shown in the figure, such type of applications of the prior art offer no development relating to the dislocation of the snap ring (40) from the snap ring slot (10.2,20.2). Fig. 2b shows a sectional view of the ball joint (30) (Torque Rod (20), Prior art). Fig. 3 shows the dislocation direction of the ball joint (30) on the Torque Rod (20) (lateral view), and Fig. 4 shows the dislocation direction of the ball joint (30) on the Torque Rod (20). Fig. 5 shows the dislocation direction of the ball joint (30) on the Torque Rod (20) (top view) together with the snap ring (40) dislocation direction. The snap ring (40) in the snap ring slots (10.2,20.2) on the bodies (10.1,20.1) of the V- Torque Rod (10) and Torque Rod (20) as illustrated to retain the ball joint (30) from the mounted side cover (30.1) surface; moves in the lateral movement direction of the snap ring (40.1) and the upward movement direction of the snap ring (40.2) shown in Fig. 3.4 and Fig. 5 due to the radial, axial, torsional and cardanic forces induced from the moving parts, resulting in dislocation from the snap ring slots (10.2,20.2). Due to such movements of the snap ring (40) known as the displacement of the ring (40), the ball joint (30) is also disrupted and dislocated, requiring the need to make a development aimed at eliminating these disadvantages. Developments that would eliminate this disadvantage will be detailed in Figures 6,7,8 and 9. Fig. 6a shows the sectional view of the ball joint (30) used on the V- Torque Rod (10) built as a result of the development aimed at preventing the dislocation of the ring (40) from the ring slot (10.2,20.2). And Fig. 6b shows the sectional view of the ball joint (30) used on the straight drawbar (20). In order to prevent the dislocation of the snap ring (40) in both applications (V- Torque Rod (10), Torque Rod (20)) from the slots (10.2,20.2), a side cover locking form (30.2) has been introduced on the side cover (30.1) of the ball joint to restrict the direction of movement. Said side cover locking form (30.2) restricts the movement direction of the snap ring (40) without the need to any snap ring lock assembly, and prevents dislocation from the snap ring slot (10.2,20.2). Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b show specially-formed side cover (30.1) views of the ball joint. The side cover locking form (30) as shown may be made of solid bar, seamless and welded steel tube, sheet metal, cast, forged, aluminium, TPU and other plastic materials. As the snap ring (40) leans towards the side cover locking form (30.2) due to the forces induced to the side cover (30.1), a resistance is created against the dislocation of the snap ring (40) from the ring slot (10.2,20.2), and hence the snap ring (40) is prevented to dislocate from the snap ring slot (10.2,20.2) (see, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9). Hence, the ball joint (30) employed in the V-Torque Rod (10) and the Torque Rod (20) gains a self-locking capability, and thanks to the advantages provided, the service life of the V- Torque Rod (10) and the Torque Rod (20) is extended.

The locking ball joint (30) of the invention comprising the lateral sheet locking form (30.2) formed on the side cover (30.1) has been designed to carry out the abovementioned functions. Inventor reserves the right to modify the geometry of the form, provided the extent of protection is not altered. The extent of protection is determined by the claims, and will not be limited by the embodiments described above.