A suspension operation system includes: a suspension that includes a plurality of links supporting a wheel, at least one or more of the links having an actuator increasing or decreasing its length in an axial direction; a control device that supplies a drive signal to the actuator to control operation of the suspension; and a suspension operation terminal that operates the suspension. The suspension operation terminal includes: a detector that detects operation input information to the suspension operation terminal; and a communicator that transmits information about a target posture of the wheel, the information being based on the operation input information, to the control device as an operation command. The control device includes: a first calculator that calculates the length of the actuator on the basis of the operation command; and a drive circuit that produces the drive signal on the basis of information from the first calculator.

A ball joint includes an outer race having an exterior surface extending from an outer axial end to an inner axial end thereof and having an interior that has an opening proximate the outer axial end. The ball joint includes a ball with a stem extending therefrom. The ball is disposed in the interior area with the stem extending out of the opening. The ball joint has an anti pull-out collar disposed around the outer race and located entirely beyond a center point of the ball towards the outer axial end of the outer race. The anti pull-out collar has a radial thickness configured to prevent radial expansion of the outer race.

A joint connector of a railway vehicle comprises a concave joint (22) and a convex joint (21). A traction load transfer section and/or a compression load transfer section are provided between the concave joint and the convex joint. The traction load transfer section and the compression load transfer section are detachable assembled in the concave joint. The service life of the concave joint is prolonged due to the arrangement of the traction load transfer section and the compression load transfer section.

The ball joint manufacturing method for manufacturing a ball joint including a ball stud which includes a substantially spherical metal ball section, and a resin housing rotatable accommodating the ball section of the ball stud, includes: a step of forming the housing to cover an outer periphery of the ball section; an induction heating step of subjecting the ball section to induction heating in a state in which the ball section is accommodated in an accommodation section of the housing until the temperature of the ball section reaches a predetermined target temperature; and a cooling step of cooling the ball section which has been subjected to the induction heating, wherein a torque adjustment step including the induction heating step and the cooling step is repeatedly performed.

A socket assembly includes a housing having an inner bore extending along a central axis between a closed first end and an open second end. At least one bearing is disposed in the inner bore, wherein the at least one bearing has a bearing surface and a support surface opposite the bearing surface. The socket assembly also includes a ball stud having a shank portion extending outwardly from the housing through the open second end and a ball portion disposed in the inner bore. At least one preload washer biases the at least one bearing into engagement with the ball portion of the ball stud. The at least one preload washer has an outer coating of a low friction, heat insulating material.

The ball joint assembly includes a housing with an inner wall that surrounds an axially extending open bore. A ball portion of a ball stud is received in the open bore of the housing, and a shank portion of the ball stud projects out of the open bore. A pair of bearings are disposed in the inner bore of the housing and are interposed between the ball portion and the inner wall. Each bearing has a curved bearing surface which slidably contacts the ball portion for allowing the ball stud and the housing articulate relative before use. Each bearing also has an outer surface that slidably contacts the inner wall. A pair of biasing elements bias the bearings in opposite directions against the ball portion of the ball stud such that the ball stud is movable relative to the housing in the axial direction before use of the assembly.

A ball socket assembly, bearing therefor, and method of construction thereof are provided. The ball socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore extending between a closed first end region and an open second end region. A fiber-reinforced bearing is disposed in the inner bore. The bearing has a lower portion presenting a lower bearing surface having a first radius of curvature and an upper portion presenting an upper bearing surface having a second radius of curvature that is greater than the first radius of curvature. The lower bearing surface and the upper bearing surface surround a ball cavity in which a spherical ball portion of a ball stud is disposed. The housing second end region is plastically deformed radially inwardly to impart a bias on the bearing upper portion to fix the bearing and the ball portion in the housing. The bias causes the second radius of curvature to be biased substantially equal to the first radius of curvature.

A ball socket assembly and method of construction thereof is provided. The ball socket assembly includes a housing having an inner surface surrounding an inner bore. The inner bore extends from an open first end to an open second end. A groove extends into the inner surface adjacent the second end. A ball stud having a ball portion is disposed in the inner bore with a shank portion of the ball stud extending through the open first end. A cover plate assembly is fixed to the housing. An outer piece of the cover plate assembly has an outer periphery and a through opening. The outer periphery is fixed in the groove. An inner piece of the cover plate assembly is fixed in the through opening. The inner piece includes an opening configured for receipt of a lubricant fitting.

Adjustable and rebuildable ball joint assemblies are disclosed. Methods for installation, adjustment, and rebuilding ball joint assemblies are described. In some embodiments, the ball joint assembly includes a washer with tabs to restrain rotation of the cap relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the ball joint assembly includes a locking mechanism to restrain rotation of the bearing relative to the housing.

A supporting arrangement for an eccentric member (8) of an adjusting arrangement (6) of a connecting rod (2) of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine having at least one piston rod (18) that is guided displaceably by a piston (20) and a seal member (24) is connected to the supporting piston (20) in a supporting cylinder (12, 14) which is provided in the connecting rod (2) and has a longitudinal axis (16). The supporting piston (20) enclosing at least one cylinder chamber (22) with the supporting cylinder (12, 14). A side (28) of the the supporting piston (20) that is directed toward the cylinder chamber (22) has a brake piston (30) that can be moved in the longitudinal axis (16). The brake piston (30) is mounted on the supporting piston (20) and can be prestressed by a spring (32).