Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Method of setting the pre-load for a ball socket joint
- Patent Title (中): 设置球窝接头预载的方法
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Application No.: US11332886Application Date: 2006-01-17
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Publication No.: US07644500B2Publication Date: 2010-01-12
- Inventor: George Schmidt , Larry Fitch , Donald Doherty
- Applicant: George Schmidt , Larry Fitch , Donald Doherty
- Applicant Address: US MI Southfield
- Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
- Current Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
- Current Assignee Address: US MI Southfield
- Agency: Dickinson Wright, PLLC
- Agent Robert L. Stearns
- Main IPC: B21K1/10
- IPC: B21K1/10 ; F16C11/00

Abstract:
A method for assembling a ball and socket assembly (10) includes loading a housing (14) with a resilient preload washer (28), an inner bearing (30), a ball stud (12) and an outer bearing (36). A loading tool (50) forcefully compresses the assembled components, as a unit, to an overload compression condition (54), and then reduces the compression until an ideal compression condition (56) is achieved. The outer bearing (36) is staked in position while the loading tool (50) holds the assembled components in the ideal compression condition (56). Following the staking operation, the loading tool (50) can be removed, and a final crimping operation permanently sets the outer bearing (36) in position and holds the articulating components in the ideal, pre-load clearance established. The subject method is particularly well-suited for high production set-ups in which precise pre-load clearances must be achieved at high through put rates.
Public/Granted literature
- US20070163100A1 Method of setting the pre-load for a ball socket joint Public/Granted day:2007-07-19
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