Patent ID: 7452155
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: F16C,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A ball and socket joint comprising: a ball and socket joint housing having a joint opening; a bearing shell made of an insulating material, said bearing shell being arranged in said housing, said bearing shell comprising two layers located one after another; a ball pivot made of an electrically conductive material, said ball pivot having a joint ball and a pivot, said joint ball being mounted in said bearing shell with said pivot projecting out of said housing through the opening of the joint; an electrode arranged directly between said two layers in said wall of said bearing shell and disposed at a spaced location from said joint ball, said electrode and said joint ball being electrically insulated against each other via said bearing shell; a duct extending from said electrode to outside of said bearing shell; and an electrical line provided in said duct and connected to said electrode as a sole electrical connection for said electrode.