阅读说明：本技术 具有致动器致动型调节装置和带有一件式部件本体的传输元件的涡轮增压器 (Turbocharger with actuator-actuated adjustment device and transmission element with one-piece component body ) 是由 D·黑利施 C·基尔施纳 N·齐博尔 于 2019-08-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于燃烧发动机的涡轮增压器(1),该涡轮增压器具有：调节装置(50),其用于使其操作行为与燃烧发动机的操作行为相匹配；致动型致动器(60)；以及传输元件(70),其一方面联接到致动型致动器(60)且另一方面联接到调节装置(50)。传输元件(70)具有一件式部件本体(73),该一件式部件本体在每种情况下沿着纵向轴线(75)从第一联接点(62)延伸到第二联接点(52),并且在其端区域中的每一者中具有用于联接到致动型致动器(60)和调节装置(50)的联接元件(71、72),其中,相应的联接元件(71、72)被设计为部件本体(73)的整体部分,其呈部件本体(73)中的球形接头连接件(80)的球形容座(82)的形式。(The invention relates to a turbocharger (1) for a combustion engine, comprising: -adjusting means (50) for matching the operating behaviour thereof with the operating behaviour of the combustion engine; an actuator (60) of the actuation type; and a transmission element (70) coupled on the one hand to the actuator (60) and on the other hand to the adjustment device (50). The transmission element (70) has a one-piece component body (73) which extends in each case along a longitudinal axis (75) from the first coupling point (62) to the second coupling point (52) and has in each of its end regions a coupling element (71, 72) for coupling to the actuating actuator (60) and the adjusting device (50), wherein the respective coupling element (71, 72) is designed as an integral part of the component body (73) in the form of a spherical receptacle (82) of a spherical joint connection (80) in the component body (73).)

1. A turbocharger (1) for a combustion engine, wherein the turbocharger has:

adjusting means (50) for matching the operating behavior thereof to the operating behavior of the combustion engine,

an actuator (60) of the actuating type for actuating the adjusting device (50), and

a transmission element (70) which is coupled directly or indirectly to the actuator-type actuator (60) at a first coupling point (62) on the one hand and to the regulating device (50) at a second coupling point (52) on the other hand, for transmitting a manipulated variable of the actuator-type actuator (60) to the regulating device (50),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the transmission element (70) has a one-piece component body (73) which extends in each case along a longitudinal axis (75) from the first coupling point (62) to the second coupling point (52), and wherein, in each of its end regions facing the first coupling point (62) or the second coupling point (52), the component body (73) has a coupling element (71, 72) for coupling to the actuator-type actuator (60) and the adjusting device (50), wherein the respective coupling element (71, 72) is designed as an integral part of the component body (73) in the form of a spherical receptacle (82) of a spherical joint connection (80) in the component body (73).

2. The turbocharger (1) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the component body (73) is designed as a one-piece sheet metal part produced from a metal sheet or a sheet metal strip by a stamping and bending method or a stamping and deep-drawing method or a deep-drawing method.

3. Turbocharger (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one separate spring element (76) or spring element formed on the component body (73) is provided in each case in order to fix the respective joint ball (81) in the spherical receptacle (82) of the respective spherical joint connection (80) of the transmission element (70).

4. A turbocharger (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one bead and/or protrusion (74) is formed on the component body (73) of the transmission element (70) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (75) of the component body (73) in order to stabilize the component body (73).

5. Turbocharger (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the spherical receptacle (82) of the respective coupling element (71, 72) is designed as a cylindrical pot-shaped recess with a pot bottom (83), a pot wall (84) and a circular shoulder or opening (85) in the pot bottom (83) as a ball seat for the joint ball (81), and the pot wall (84) has at least one pot wall aperture (84 a) for receiving the spring element (76) for fixing the joint ball (81).

6. Turbocharger (1) according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the spherical receptacle (82) of the respective coupling element (71, 72) is designed as a circular opening in the component body which serves as a ball seat for the joint ball (81), wherein in each case on both sides of the ball seat one fixing tab (86) on the component body (73) is turned over in the direction of the joint ball (81), wherein the respective fixing tab (86) has at least one fixing tab aperture (86 a) for receiving the spring element (76) for fixing the joint ball (81).

7. Turbocharger (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the spherical receptacle (82) of the respective coupling element (71, 72) is formed by two ball seat tabs (87) which are cut out of the component body (73), which are opposite one another and which are bent upwards out of the plane of the component body (73) in the opposite direction to the joint ball (81) as spherical receptacles (82) for the joint ball (81), and on both sides of the spherical receptacle (82) in each case one fixing tab (86) which is turned in the direction of the joint ball (81) is formed on the component body (73), wherein the respective fixing tab (86) is turned in the direction of the joint ball so far that it rests resiliently against the joint ball and thus serves as a means for fixing the respective joint ball (81) in the spherical receptacle (82) The integrated spring element (77).

8. Turbocharger (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the spherical receptacle (82) of the respective coupling element (71, 72) is formed by a ball cap (88), the spherical cap is formed in the component body (73) in the direction opposite to the joint ball (81), as a spherical receptacle (82) for the joint ball (81), and on both sides of the spherical receptacle (82), in each case one fixing tab (86) which is turned over in the direction of the joint ball (81) is formed on the component body (73), wherein the respective fixing tab (86) is turned so far in the direction of the joint ball (81), so that it rests resiliently against the joint ball (81) and thus acts as an integrated spring element (77) for fixing the respective joint ball (81) in the spherical receptacle (82).

Technical Field

The invention relates to a turbocharger for a combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle, wherein the turbocharger has an adjusting device for matching its operating behavior to that of the combustion engine, said device being actuated by means of an actuating actuator.

Background

In order to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions while achieving the same or even increased power of combustion engines, in particular internal combustion engines in motor vehicles, it is increasingly the case to take as a starting point a small-volume engine concept (so-called miniaturisation concept), which is equipped with a turbocharger for the purpose of increasing power.

The operating principle of the turbocharger is as follows: the energy contained in the exhaust gas flow is used to increase the pressure in the intake tract of the combustion engine and in this way to bring about a better charging of the combustion chamber with atmospheric oxygen and thus to enable more fuel (gasoline or diesel) to be converted per combustion process, that is to say to increase the power of the combustion engine.

For this purpose, the turbocharger has an exhaust gas turbine arranged in the exhaust gas tract of the internal combustion engine, a fresh air compressor arranged in the intake tract, and a rotor bearing arranged therebetween. The exhaust gas turbine has a turbine housing and a turbine wheel arranged therein, which is driven by the exhaust gas mass flow. The fresh air compressor has a compressor housing and a compressor wheel arranged therein, which builds up a charging pressure. The turbine wheel and the compressor wheel are jointly rotationally arranged on opposite ends of a common shaft (this common shaft is referred to as the rotor shaft) and thus form a so-called turbocharger rotor. The rotor shaft extends axially between the turbine wheel and the compressor wheel through a rotor bearing arranged between the exhaust gas turbine and the fresh air compressor and is mounted rotatably in the rotor bearing in the radial direction and in the axial direction relative to the rotor shaft axis. According to this configuration, the turbine wheel driven by the exhaust gas mass flow drives the compressor wheel via the rotor shaft, whereby the pressure in the intake tract of the internal combustion engine is increased behind the fresh air compressor relative to the fresh air mass flow and thus a better filling of the combustion chamber with atmospheric oxygen is ensured.

The turbines and compressors are turbomachines and, due to the laws of physics, have an optimum operating range which is in each case dependent on the overall dimensions and design, which optimum operating range is characterized by the mass throughput, the pressure ratio and the rotational speed of the respective impeller.

In contrast, the operation of combustion engines (in particular internal combustion engines) in motor vehicles is characterized by dynamic changes in load and operating range.

In order to now be able to adapt the operating range of the turbocharger to the changing operating range of the combustion engine and thus ensure the desired response behavior as quickly as possible without significant delays (turbo lag), the turbocharger is equipped with additional regulating devices, such as so-called Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) or wastegate devices (WG) on the exhaust gas or turbine side, and overrun air recirculation or blow-off devices on the feed gas or compressor side. These serve to minimize the inert behavior of the turbocharger and thus to minimize the delayed response behavior and to avoid damaging operating conditions.

Depending on the speed of the internal combustion engine and the exhaust gas mass flow, the wastegate valve or the variable turbine geometry is set as a function of the load requirements in such a way that the speed and the pressure ratio of the turbine wheel and the compressor wheel (in particular at the exhaust gas turbine) can be kept within the desired operating range of the turbocharger 1.

On the other hand, there is an excess of compressor power in the operating phases in which the power of the combustion engine is rapidly reduced, also due to the inertia of the turbocharger, and this may lead to "compressor surge". Such conditions particularly require increased mechanical loads on the components of the turbocharger and the compressor, and can even lead to damage of the corresponding components. It is important to avoid this situation during operation.

In order to avoid such operating states, on the one hand, the exhaust gas is conducted via a wastegate arrangement through the turbine of the turbocharger into an exhaust gas discharge line and the already compressed fresh gas is discharged downstream of the compressor or expanded via a further bypass valve arrangement and recirculated into the intake region upstream of the compressor.

Since the corresponding settings of the adjusting device have to be controlled or regulated in turn in accordance with the operating point, corresponding actuator-type actuators are used for the operating point-dependent settings of the adjusting device. For this purpose, preferably pneumatic or electromechanical actuators are used, which specify linear or rotary mechanical manipulated variables. These must then be transmitted in turn to the regulating device. For this purpose, transmission elements are used in a known manner, which are coupled directly or indirectly to the respective actuator-type actuator on the one hand and to the respective regulating device on the other hand, for transmitting a manipulated variable of the actuator-type actuator to the regulating device. High demands are made on these transmission elements with regard to functional reliability, simple assembly and compensation of positional tolerances of the parts to be connected.

On the other hand, as turbochargers are now being used in large numbers, they are increasingly subject to mass production requirements in order to simplify construction to the greatest extent, to ease production and assembly and to reduce overall costs.

Disclosure of Invention

The basic object of the invention is therefore to specify a turbocharger which is distinguished by high operational reliability and at the same time by a simplified construction and reduced costs.

Said object is achieved by a turbocharger having the features according to patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and refinements can be used individually or in combination with one another without they relate to mutually exclusive alternatives, and form the subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a turbocharger for a combustion engine is presented, having: adjusting means for matching their operating behavior to the operating behavior of the combustion engine; an actuator of an actuating type for actuating the adjustment device; and a transmission element which is coupled directly or indirectly to the actuator-type actuator at a first coupling point on the one hand and to the regulating device at a second coupling point on the other hand, for transmitting a manipulated variable of the actuator-type actuator to the regulating device.

The turbocharger is characterized in that the transmission element has a one-piece component body which extends in each case along a longitudinal axis 75 from the first coupling point 62 to the second coupling point, and wherein, in each of its end regions facing the first coupling point or the second coupling point, the component body has a coupling element for coupling to an actuator-type actuator and an adjusting device, wherein the respective coupling element is designed as an integral part of the component body (73) in the form of a spherical receptacle (82) of a spherical joint connection (80) in the component body (73).

With such an embodiment of the turbocharger, a cost advantage can be achieved by using the described transmission element and its simple construction and uncomplicated production and assembly.

Advantageous embodiments of the turbocharger according to the invention are distinguished by the fact that: the component body of the conveying element is designed as a one-piece sheet metal part produced from a metal sheet or a sheet metal strip by a stamping and bending method or a stamping and deep-drawing method or a deep-drawing method. This is achieved, for example, by the following steps: first, the two-dimensional basic geometry of the component body is stamped from a sheet billet and then the final three-dimensional shape is imparted to the body in one or more continuous bending and/or deep drawing dies. A die combining all the required stamping and bending or deep drawing functions is also possible. This embodiment is distinguished by low costs of material and production, especially in the case of large series.

As a further embodiment of the turbocharger, in each case at least one separate spring element or spring element formed on the component body is provided in order to fix the respective joint ball in the spherical receptacle of the respective spherical joint connection of the transmission element. It is possible, for example, after insertion of the joint ball into the spherical receptacle, to insert a separate spring element under preload into an aperture provided for this purpose in the component body in the region of the spherical receptacle in which the joint ball is locked or secured against falling out in the spherical receptacle. In another example, it is also possible to form the spring element or spring elements in one piece with the component body in each case, for example in the form of fixing tabs which fit around the joint ball over its maximum circumference (maximum circumference) and rest resiliently against the joint ball under preload. The respective fixing tab is designed in such a way that, for mounting the joint ball in the spherical receptacle, the tab can be bent upwards in the elastic range in such a way that the joint ball can be inserted.

In this way, a robust ball joint connection is provided which requires only a few individual component elements or no component elements at all, which in turn has a positive effect on the cost. Furthermore, in this way, any play in the ball joint connection is eliminated, thereby making it possible to avoid vibration noise in operation and minimize wear.

Further embodiments of turbochargers are distinguished by the fact that: at least one bead (bead) and/or a projection is formed on the component body of the transmission element in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the component body in order to stabilize the component body. This makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the sheet metal while maintaining the same stability, for example against buckling under shear loads. This likewise contributes to a reduction in material costs and additionally to a reduction in weight.

The features and combinations of features of the embodiments according to the subject matter of the invention, which are described in detail above in the description, can also be used individually, partly or completely in combination with one another, or in order to supplement one another in the development of the subject matter according to the invention, insofar as they are not used alternatively or mutually exclusive.

Drawings

Corresponding and further embodiments of the turbocharger according to the invention are explained in more detail with the aid of the figures, in which:

fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a turbocharger according to the invention, having an adjusting device, an actuator of the actuating type and a transmission element;

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional representation of a transmission element of an embodiment of a turbocharger and a partial cutaway thereof;

fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional representation of a further transmission element of an embodiment of the turbocharger and a spring element for fixing the ball joint connection in two views and a partial section thereof;

fig. 4 shows a further three-dimensional illustration of a further transmission element of an embodiment of the turbocharger in two views and a partial sectional view thereof;

fig. 5 shows a further three-dimensional illustration of a further transmission element of an embodiment of the turbocharger in two views and with a partial section thereof.

Detailed Description

Throughout the figures, identical parts in terms of function and designation are denoted by the same reference symbols. When the terms "top", "above" or "upper side" and "bottom", "below" or "lower side" are used in describing the object shown in the figures, "top", "above" and "upper side" refer to the area facing away from the joint ball 81 in the case of the transmission element 70 and the member body 73, respectively, and refer to the area facing the ball seat in the case of the joint ball 81. "bottom", "below" and "underside" are used to denote correspondingly opposite areas.

Fig. 1 shows the basic configuration of an embodiment of a turbocharger 1 according to the invention with an exhaust gas turbine 20, a fresh air compressor designed as a radial compressor 30, and a rotor bearing unit 40 arranged therebetween.

The turbine housing 21 has a manifold connector 24 for connection to the exhaust manifold of the combustion engine, and an exhaust connector 27 for connection to an exhaust pipe. On the exhaust turbine 20, the following are also visible: an adjustment lever 51 having a second coupling point 52; a regulating device 50 (here, for example, a waste gate valve) is arranged inside the housing.

Furthermore, fig. 1 shows a fresh air compressor, which is embodied as a radial compressor 30. The compressor housing 31 has an intake manifold connector 34 for connection to the intake manifold of the combustion engine, and an intake connector connection 37 for connection to an intake connector of the combustion engine, via which fresh air can be drawn in from the outside, for example via a filter unit.

Arranged on the compressor housing 31 is an actuator 60 of the actuating type for actuating the adjusting device 50, which in this embodiment is designed as an electromechanical actuator drive with an output crank 61 having a first coupling point 62. A transmission element 70 is provided for transmitting the manipulated variable specified by the actuator 60 of the actuating type to the adjusting device 50, said transmission element being coupled here on the one hand to the actuator 60 of the actuating type via a first coupling point 62 of an output crank 61 and on the other hand to the adjusting device 50 via a second coupling point 52 of an adjusting rod 51.

The transmission element 70 has a one-piece component body 73 which in each case extends along a longitudinal axis 75 from the first coupling point 62 to the second coupling point 52, and wherein, in each of its end regions facing the first coupling point 62 or the second coupling point 52, the component body 73 has a coupling element 71, 72 for coupling to the actuator 60 of the actuating type and to the adjusting device 50, wherein the respective coupling element 71, 72 is designed as an integral part of the component body 73 in the form of a spherical receptacle 82 of a spherical joint connection 80 in the component body 73. As can be seen from fig. 1, in the embodiment of the turbocharger 1 shown, the transmission element 70 has a component body 73 at the opposite end of which coupling elements 71, 72 are arranged in each case, which are designed as spherical receptacles 82 of a spherical joint connection 80. Further, the illustrated component body 73 has a protrusion 74 that extends between the coupling points 52, 62 along a longitudinal axis 75 in a central region of the component body and provides increased stability to the component body 73 against buckling under shear loads.

In fig. 2, in view a), the transmission element 70 already illustrated in fig. 1 is then illustrated in isolation and on an enlarged scale, so that the details are more readily visible. The transfer element 70 has a part body 73 produced, for example, by a stamping and deep drawing method. Provided at each of the two opposite ends of the component body is a coupling element 71, 72 which is designed as a spherical receptacle 82 of a spherical joint connection 80.

The ball joint connection 80 consists of an articulation ball 81 and a complementarily designed spherical receptacle 82 or ball seat, which is formed here by a circular shoulder or opening 85 in the pot bottom 83.

As will be seen from the partial sectional view of the spherical receptacle 82 in view B) of fig. 2, the respective spherical receptacle 82 is designed as a cylindrical pot-shaped recess with a pot bottom 83, a pot wall 84, and a circular shoulder or opening 85 in the pot bottom 83, as a seat for the joint ball 81 (indicated by a dashed line in this view). In this case, the pot wall 84 has at least one pot wall opening 84a for receiving a separate spring element 76 for fixing the joint ball 81. It can be seen that the spring element 76 is designed here, for example, as a curved spring clip which, after insertion into the pot wall opening 84a, fits around the joint ball 81 below the maximum circular circumference of the joint ball 81 and rests against the joint ball 81 under spring preload. In this way, the joint ball 81 is held against the ball seat in the pot bottom 83 without play by means of a spring element. The spring element 76, which rests against the joint ball 81 under spring force, generates by friction a reaction force for the rotational or pivotal movement of the joint ball 81 in its ball seat and thus advantageously additionally serves as a damping means.

Fig. 3 illustrates a transmission element 70 of a further embodiment of a turbocharger 1 according to the invention, which is an alternative to the embodiment in fig. 2. The embodiment of the transfer element 70 shown in fig. 3 is produced, for example, by a stamping and bending method and is characterized in that: the spherical receptacle 82 of the respective coupling element 71, 72 is in each case designed as a circular opening 85 at the respective end of the component body (73), which circular opening forms a spherical receptacle 82 or ball seat for the joint ball 81. On both sides of the spherical receptacle 82, respective fixing tabs 86, which are folded back in the direction of the joint ball 81, are formed on the component body 73, wherein the respective fixing tabs 86 have at least one fixing tab aperture 86a for receiving a separate spring element 76 for fixing the joint ball 81.

In view a) of fig. 3, the transmission element 70 is illustrated without the inserted spring element 76 and the fixing tab aperture 86a can be seen.

View B of fig. 3 shows the same transmission element 70 with an inserted spring element 76.

View C) of fig. 3 shows the corresponding spring element in an enlarged view. The spring element is embodied here as a fork-shaped leaf spring element.

Finally, similarly to view B) of fig. 2), view D) of fig. 3 shows a partial section through the coupling elements 71, 72 of this embodiment, from which the arrangement of the joint ball 81 (indicated here by a dashed line) and the fixing of the ball 81 in the spherical receptacle 82 or ball seat can be seen. Here too, the fixing tab apertures are arranged in the fixing tabs 86 in such a way that, when installed, the fork-shaped individual spring element 76 fits around the joint ball 81 below the maximum circular circumference of the joint ball 81 and rests against the joint ball 81 under spring preload. In this way, the joint ball 81 is once again held in the component body 73 by means of the spring element 76 without play against the ball seat. The spring element 76, which rests against the joint ball 81 under spring force, generates by friction a reaction force for the rotational or pivotal movement of the joint ball 81 in its ball seat and thus advantageously additionally serves as a damping means.

Fig. 4 shows a further transmission element 70 of a further embodiment of the turbocharger 1 according to the invention, which is an alternative to the embodiment shown previously in fig. 2 and 3. The transmission element 70 has a component body 73, which is produced, for example, by a stamping and bending method. Provided at each of the two opposite ends of the component body is a coupling element 71, 72 which is designed as a spherical receptacle 82 of a spherical joint connection 80. In particular, this embodiment is characterized by the fact that: the respective spherical receptacle 82 is formed by two ball seat tabs 87 cut out of the member body 73, facing each other and curving upward out of the plane of the member body 73 in a direction opposite the joint ball 81 and serving as spherical receptacles 82 or ball seats for the joint ball 81. On both sides of the spherical receptacle 82, respective fixing tabs 86, which are folded back in the direction of the joint ball 81, are formed on the component body 73, wherein the respective fixing tabs 86 are folded back in the direction of the joint ball to such an extent that they elastically rest against the joint ball 81 and thus serve as integrated spring elements 77 for fixing the respective joint ball 81 in the spherical receptacle 82.

To assemble the respective ball joint connection 80, the two fixing tabs 86 are bent apart in the elastic range to such an extent that the joint ball can be inserted into the ball seat. After insertion of the joint ball 81, the fixing tabs 86 rest under preload against the joint ball in the region below the maximum ball circumference and in this way hold it in the ball seat. Also in this embodiment, the fixing tab 86, which rests against the joint ball 81 under spring force, generates by friction a reaction force for the rotational or pivotal movement of the joint ball 81 in its ball seat and thus advantageously additionally serves as a damping means.

In view a) of fig. 4, the transmission element 70 is shown from the upper side, as a result of which the ball seat tabs 87 are clearly visible, which are cut out of the component body 73, are opposite one another and are bent upwards out of the plane of the component body 73 in the direction opposite the joint ball 81.

View B) of fig. 4 shows the same transmission element 70 from its underside and therefore the fixing tabs 86 on the part body, which are each turned over on both sides of the ball seat in the direction of the joint ball 81, are easily visible.

Finally, similarly to view B) of fig. 2 and view D) of fig. 3, view C) of fig. 4 shows a partial section through the coupling elements 71, 72 of this embodiment, from which again the arrangement of the joint ball 81 (indicated here by dashed lines) and the fixing of the joint ball 81 by means of the fixing tab 86 in the spherical receptacle 82 or ball seat can be seen. Here, the fixing tabs are folded in the direction of the joint ball 81 to such an extent that they rest resiliently against the joint ball 81 below the maximum diameter of the joint ball 81 and thus act as an integrated spring element 77 for fixing the respective joint ball 81 in the spherical receptacle 82.

Finally, fig. 5 shows a further transmission element 70 of a further embodiment of the turbocharger 1 according to the invention, which is an alternative to the embodiments previously shown in fig. 2, 3 and 4. The transmission element 70 shown here likewise has a component body 73, which is produced, for example, by a stamping and deep-drawing method. Provided at each of the two opposite ends of the component body 73 is a coupling element 71, 72 which is designed as a spherical receptacle 82 of a spherical joint connection 80.

In particular, this embodiment is characterized in that the spherical receptacle 82 is formed by a ball cap 88, which is formed upwards (i.e. in the opposite direction to the joint ball 81) in the component body as a spherical receptacle 82 or ball seat for the joint ball 81, for example by a deep-drawing method. Here too, on both sides of the spherical receptacle 82, fixing tabs 86 which are folded in the direction of the joint ball 81 are formed on the component body 73, wherein the respective fixing tab 86 is folded in the direction of the joint ball 81 to such an extent that it rests elastically against the joint ball 81 and thus acts as an integrated spring element 77 for fixing the respective joint ball 81 in the spherical receptacle 82.

Here too, in order to assemble the respective ball joint connection 80, the two fixing tabs 86 must be bent apart in the elastic range to such an extent that the joint ball can be inserted into the ball seat. After insertion of the joint ball 81, the fixing tabs 86 rest under preload against the joint ball in the region below the maximum ball circumference and in this way hold it in the ball seat. Also in this embodiment, the fixing tab 86, which rests against the joint ball 81 under spring force, generates by friction a reaction force for the rotational or pivotal movement of the joint ball 81 in its ball seat and thus advantageously additionally serves as a damping means.

In view a) of fig. 5, the transmission element 70 is shown from the upper side, as a result of which the ball cap 88, which is formed in the component body 73 and which forms a plane away from the component body 73 in the opposite direction to the joint ball 81 (i.e. upwards), is clearly visible.

View B) of fig. 5 shows the same transmission element 70 from its underside, as a result of which the spherical receptacle 82 or the corresponding ball seat and the fixing tabs 86, which are each turned in the direction of the joint ball 81, are formed on the component body 73 and serve as integrated spring elements 77 for fixing the joint ball 81 in the ball seat, are clearly visible.

Finally, similarly to views B), D) and C) of fig. 2, 3 and 4, view C) of fig. 4 shows a partial section through the coupling elements 71, 72 of this embodiment, from which again the arrangement of the joint ball 81 (indicated here by the dashed line) and the fixing of the joint ball 81 by means of the fixing tab 86 in the spherical receptacle 82 or ball seat can be seen. Here, the fixing tabs are folded in the direction of the joint ball 81 to such an extent that they rest resiliently against the joint ball 81 below the maximum diameter of the joint ball 81 and thus act as an integrated spring element 77 for fixing the respective joint ball 81 in the spherical receptacle 82.