Ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle

• US 20070059091A1
• Filed: 10/01/2004
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen), ZF Lemforder Metallwaren AG
• Original Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen), ZF Lemforder Metallwaren AG
• Inventors: Klank, Michael, Spratte, Joachim
• Application Number:
  US10/595,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20070059091A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/27
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/0647 Special features relating to adjustment for wear or play; Wear indicators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/20 with indicator or inspection means

Abstract

A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle has a ball pivot (3), which has a pin (2) and a joint ball (1). The ball pivot (3) is arranged with its joint ball (1) rotatably and pivotably in a recess (4) provided in a housing (5), and extends from this housing (5) through a pin opening (6), and with a sensor, which is a moisture sensor (12) and is in connection with the recess (4).

Claims

1. A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle, the ball and socket joint comprising:

a ball pivot with a pin and a joint ball;

a housing having a recess, said ball pivot being arranged with said joint ball rotatably and pivotably in said recess provided in said housing and extending out of said housing through a pin opening; and

a moisture sensor in operative connection with said recess.

2. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein said moisture sensor is fastened in or at the housing.

3. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 1, wherein said moisture sensor is arranged in said recess.

4. A ball and socket joint in accordance with, claim 1, wherein said moisture sensor is arranged in an area of the housing facing away from said pin opening.

5. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a protective wall provided with passage openings and arranged between said moisture sensor and said recess.

6. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 5, wherein said passage openings extend around a central wall area.

7. A ball and socket joint in accordance with, claim 1, wherein said moisture sensor has two electrodes, between which a material, which is sensitive to moisture from an electrical point of view, is arranged.

8. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 7, wherein said moisture-sensitive material is a moisture-sensitive dielectric.

9. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 7, wherein said moisture-sensitive material is formed by a hygroscopic layer.

10. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 7, wherein said moisture-sensitive material consists of polyamide film or aluminum oxide.

11. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 7, further comprising:

a lubricant introduced into the recess and the moisture-sensitive material is formed by at least part of said lubricant.

12. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 7, wherein said electrodes are designed as bent metal plates.

13. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 7, wherein said electrodes are formed by galvanic layers or conductive coatings.

14. A ball and socket joint in accordance with, claim 1, wherein said joint ball is arranged in the housing via the intermediary of a bearing shell.

15. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 14, wherein said moisture sensor is provided at the bearing shell.

16. A ball and socket joint in accordance with, claim 1, wherein said moisture sensor is arranged at a sensor assembly unit housing.

17. A ball and socket joint for a motor vehicle, the ball and socket joint comprising:

a ball pivot with a pin and a joint ball;

a housing defining a recess, said joint ball being seated in said recess of said housing for rotatable and pivotable movement in said recess, said pin extending out of said recess of said housing through a pin opening; and

a moisture sensor connected to said housing for sensing a degree of moisture in said recess.

18. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 17, wherein said moisture sensor is fastened indirectly or directly to said housing and said moisture sensor is arranged in operative connection with an area of the housing facing away from said pin opening.

19. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 17, further comprising:

a protective wall provided with passage openings and arranged between said moisture sensor and said recess.

20. A ball and socket joint in accordance with claim 19, wherein said passage openings extend around a central wall area.