Socket joint bearing
A bearing for a socket joint incorporates an internal grease groove pattern which may help to interlock an outer shell portion that is also used as a preload. The bearing includes a first grease groove extends along an inner shell surface and a second grease groove extends along the inner shell surface. At least one of the first grease groove or the second grease groove extend between one or more of the end side and the exit side of the inner shell surface, and the first grease groove and the second grease groove at least partially intersect at a groove junction. In one implementation, one or more grease grooves at least partially follow a geodesic path, and in another implementation, one or more grease grooves fluidly cooperate with a grease channel located in an overhanging retention lip of an outer shell portion.
1 . A bearing for a socket joint, comprising:
an inner shell surface configured to at least partially contact a stud of the socket joint, the inner shell surface extending at least partially between an end side and an exit side;
an outer shell portion located at least partially radially outward with respect to the inner shell surface;
a first grease groove extending along the inner shell surface;
a second grease groove extending along the inner shell surface, wherein at least one of the first grease groove or the second grease groove extend between one or more of the end side and the exit side of the inner shell surface, and wherein the first grease groove and the second grease groove at least partially intersect at a groove junction along the inner shell surface; and
a third grease groove that at least partially intersects with the first grease groove and the second grease groove to form a plurality of groove junctions.
2 . The bearing of claim 1 , wherein the inner shell surface is made of a metal-based material and the outer shell portion is made of a plastic-based material.
3 . The bearing of claim 1 , wherein the groove junction defines a side-mounted grease entry/exit point.
4 . The bearing of claim 1 , wherein an outer profile of the outer shell portion is configured to at least partially conform to an internal bore of a housing, the outer profile having an axially extending surface and a radially extending surface.
5 . The bearing of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell portion has an overhanging retention lip configured to engage an edge extending from the inner shell surface.
6 . The bearing of claim 5 , wherein the groove junction meets a grease channel in the overhanging retention lip.
7 . The bearing of claim 6 , wherein the grease channel has a bi-material guide surface.
8 . The bearing of claim 1 , wherein the groove junction has three or more offshoots.
9 . The bearing of claim 1 , wherein the groove junction has two or more offshoots that join at an edge of the inner shell surface.
10 . The bearing of claim 1 , wherein the first grease groove, the second grease groove, or both the first grease groove and the second grease groove at least partially follow a geodesic path.
11 . The bearing of claim 1 , wherein the first grease groove and the second grease groove extend into the inner shell surface to form a reservoir side and a backside, wherein the backside of each grease groove interlocks the outer shell portion.
12 . The bearing of claim 1 , comprising a fourth grease groove, wherein the first grease groove, the second grease groove, the third grease groove, and the fourth grease groove form a lattice pattern.
13 . A socket joint comprising the bearing of claim 1 .
14 . A bearing for a socket joint, comprising:
an inner shell surface configured to at least partially contact a stud of the socket joint, the inner shell surface extending at least partially between an end side and an exit side;
an outer shell portion located at least partially radially outward with respect to the inner shell surface;
a first grease groove extending along the inner shell surface; and
a second grease groove extending along the inner shell surface, wherein at least one of the first grease groove or the second grease groove extend between one or more of the end side and the exit side of the inner shell surface, and wherein the first grease groove and the second grease groove at least partially intersect at a groove junction along the inner shell surface, wherein an outer profile of the outer shell portion is configured to at least partially conform to an internal bore of a housing, the outer profile having an axially extending surface and a radially extending surface, and wherein a first grease channel is located at the axially extending surface, and a second grease channel is located at the radially extending surface.
15 . The bearing of claim 14 , wherein the groove junction is situated at the first grease channel.
16 . A socket joint comprising the bearing of claim 5 .
17 . A bearing for a socket joint, comprising:
an inner shell surface configured to at least partially contact a stud of the socket joint, the inner shell surface extending at least partially between an end side and an exit side;
an outer shell portion located at least partially radially outward with respect to the inner shell surface;
a first grease groove extending along the inner shell surface; and
a second grease groove extending along the inner shell surface, wherein at least one of the first grease groove or the second grease groove extend between one or more of the end side and the exit side of the inner shell surface, and wherein the first grease groove and the second grease groove at least partially intersect at a groove junction along the inner shell surface, wherein the outer shell portion has an overhanging retention lip configured to engage an edge extending from the inner shell surface, and wherein the overhanging retention lip has a bearing surface that at least partially conforms to a curvature of the inner shell surface.
18 . A socket joint comprising the bearing of claim 17 .