Patent ID: 7048461
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: F16C,G01B,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A ball joint assembly comprising: a socket including an internal socket chamber, an opening that extends through a first axial end of the socket and connects to the socket chamber; an electrically conductive structure closing the second axial end of the socket; an electrically conductive ball stud having a head portion received in the socket chamber and a shank portion extending through the opening and outward of the first axial end of the socket; a bearing member received in the socket chamber and enabling the ball stud to tilt relative to the socket, the bearing member being electrically conductive and providing an electrical connection between the structure and the ball stud; and an electrically non-conductive biasing member interposed between the structure and the bearing member, the biasing member urging the bearing member away from the structure such that, in response to a predetermined amount of wear within the ball joint assembly, the electrical connection between the structure and the ball stud is discontinued, the electrically conductive structure is electrically insulated from the socket when the electrical connection between the structure and the ball stud is discontinued.