Patent ID: 6514443
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: B29C,F16C

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a ball joint, the ball joint including a ball-ended spindle (21) having a ball (23) without a pole surface and a socket (29) with a connection piece or complete chassis strut, said method comprising the steps of:providing an injection molding tool (1) having a hollow space and a tubular core (14) extending into the hollow space, part of the hollow space defining a volume of the socket (29) with the connection piece (3) or complete chassis strut; surrounding the core (14) with a core puller (13) that extends into the hollow space of the injection molding tool (1); placing a spindle part (22) of the ball-ended spindle (21) into the tubular core (14) such that the ball (23) of the ball-ended spindle (21) is positioned in the hollow space of the injection molding tool (1); moving the core puller (13) relative to the core (14) so that the core puller (13) sealingly engages the ball (23) of the ball-ended spindle (21) and the core puller (13) is guided, in a sealed fashion, through a bore provided in the injection molding tool (1); filling the part of the hollow space of the injection molding tool (1) defining the volume of the socket (29) with the connection piece (3) or complete chassis strut with plastic material to directly coat the ball (23) of the ball-ended spindle (21) and simultaneously form the socket (29) and the connection piece (3) or complete chassis strut; and preventing plastic material from passing between the core puller (13) and the ball (23) of the ball-ended spindle (21) to define a clearance (4) for enabling pivotal movement of the ball-ended spindle (21) relative to the socket (29).