Gas spring ball joint and method for manufacturing the same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A ball joint assembly for a gas spring, the ball joint assembly comprising:
- a ball joint comprising an inner wall that defines a cavity having at least one open end;
a ball stud comprising a support ball, the ball stud being coupled to the ball joint such that at least a portion of the support ball is disposed within the cavity;
a gap preventing member disposed between the inner wall and the support ball to inhibit movement of the support ball relative to the inner wall;
a support member installed on the inner wall proximate to the gap preventing member, wherein the support member prevents the gap preventing member from leaving the cavity; and
a means for reinforcing the support member, wherein the reinforcing means is disposed between the support member and the open end.
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Abstract
A ball joint of a gas spring and a method for manufacturing the ball joint are disclosed. A gap preventing member is mounted to a support ball of a ball stud inserted into a ball insertion recess of an end socket and an adhering member which adheres the gap preventing member is provided, so that the ball joint maintains the operational force normally even after the generation of wear due to a long time use. Further, by manufacturing the ball joint by pressing and welding, the manufacturing cost is reduced and the manufacturing process is simplified.
43 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A ball joint assembly for a gas spring, the ball joint assembly comprising:
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a ball joint comprising an inner wall that defines a cavity having at least one open end;
a ball stud comprising a support ball, the ball stud being coupled to the ball joint such that at least a portion of the support ball is disposed within the cavity;
a gap preventing member disposed between the inner wall and the support ball to inhibit movement of the support ball relative to the inner wall;
a support member installed on the inner wall proximate to the gap preventing member, wherein the support member prevents the gap preventing member from leaving the cavity; and
a means for reinforcing the support member, wherein the reinforcing means is disposed between the support member and the open end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for manufacturing a ball joint of a gas spring, the method comprising:
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shearing a material so that the material is cut so as to have the length of an end socket of the ball joint;
bending the material so that a first and a second edge of the material meet to form a ball insertion recess;
inserting a support ball of a ball stud into the ball insertion recess; and
welding the first and second edges together. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for manufacturing a gas spring, the gas spring comprising a cylinder, a piston rod coupled to the cylinder, the piston rod having a support ball, a ball joint assembly having an inner wall defining a cavity that is open at its bottom, the support ball being disposed within the cavity, a gap prevention means, and a fixing means, the method comprising:
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shearing a material so that the material is cut so as to have the length of the cavity;
bending the material so that a first and a second edge of the material meet to form the inner wall;
inserting the support ball into the cavity; and
welding the first and second edges together. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A gas spring comprising:
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a cylinder;
a piston rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed within the cylinder, the second end comprising an inner wall defining a ball insertion recess open at its top and its bottom;
a ball stud including a support ball and a bolt portion, the support ball being disposed within the ball insertion recess, the bolt portion being disposed outside of the ball insertion recess;
an upper and a lower backup ring disposed between the support ball and the inner wall for preventing the formation of a gap between the support ball and the inner wall;
a wave washer supporting the upper and lower backup rings, the wave washer being installed at a lower end of the lower backup ring; and
a means for inhibiting movement of the wave washer, the inhibiting means being installed at the lower end of the wave washer, wherein a flat surface is formed in the support ball, an engaging recess being defined within a central portion of the flat surface, the engaging recess being adapted to receive an engaging tool. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification