WO2018007232A1

WO2018007232A1 - A mechanical joint

Info

Publication number: WO2018007232A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/066106
Authority: WO
Inventors: Miles Barnaby Gerrard
Original assignee: Miles Barnaby Gerrard
Priority date: 2016-07-04
Filing date: 2017-06-29
Publication date: 2018-01-11

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a mechanical joint configured for interconnecting a first part and a second part substantially working as a planar joint, comprising: an elongated force transferring member having a first end having a predefined curvature, a flexible retaining member interconnecting the first end to two surrounding anchor points connected to a first part thereby suspending the elongated force transferring member from the first end via the flexible retaining member and a connection point disposed on the elongated force transferring member configured for connecting the mechanical joint to the second part, wherein relationships between the predefined curvature of the elongated force transferring member, the location of the connection point and a relative positioning of the surrounding anchor points with respect to the first end are chosen such that the connection point may translate between the surrounding anchor points in a direction parallel or essentially parallel to an axis defined by the surrounding anchor points.

Description

A mechanical joint

The present invention relates to a mechanical joint configured for

interconnecting a first part and a second part.

The mechanical joint in principle operates as a planar or gliding joint allowing sliding or gliding movement(s) or translation(s) in a plane or essentially in a plane. Background of the invention

Known planar joints are complex and expensive systems which often are susceptible to wear and tear inter alia as the joints include two or more surfaces in sliding or gliding contact. US2206291 discloses such known mechanical joint.

Brief description of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive mechanical joint offering low friction and low wear and wherein the mechanical joint in effect behaves as a planer joint.

Disclosed herein is a mechanical joint configured for interconnecting a first part and a second part. The first part may constitute a stationary component and the second part may constitute a component allowed to translate with respect to the first part via the mechanical joint.

The mechanical joint includes:

- an elongated force transferring member defining a major axis and a first end having a predefined curvature,

- a flexible retaining member interconnecting the first end to two

surrounding anchor points connected, directly or not, to the first part thereby suspending the elongated force transferring member from the first end via the flexible retaining member,

- a connection point disposed on the elongated force transferring

member, the connection point is configured for connecting the mechanical joint to the second part thereby connecting the first and the second parts,

wherein relationships between:

- the predefined curvature of the elongated force transferring member,

- a distance along the major axis between the first end of the elongated force transferring member and the connection point configured for connecting the mechanical joint to the second part, and

- a relative positioning of the surrounding anchor points with respect to the first end

are chosen such that the connection point may translate between the surrounding anchor points in a direction parallel or essentially parallel to an axis defined by the surrounding anchor points.

By this, a mechanical joint is provided which provides relative large translation of the connection point in the direction parallel to the axis defined by the surrounding anchor points in comparison to the physical size of the mechanical joint while offering low friction while also avoiding any sliding movement between components causing wear and thereby limiting the operational lifetime of the joint. The translation of the connection point, between the surrounding anchor points in a direction parallel or essentially parallel to an axis defined by the surrounding anchor points, under load may be linear in the said direction for at least 10 times the distance that it is linear in directions perpendicular or normal to the said direction. Furthermore, the stiffness ratio between a movement in directions parallel or essentially parallel to an axis defined by the surrounding anchor points and movement in directions perpendicular or normal to the said direction may be 10 - 20:1 , preferably 15:1 as minimum ratio of stiffness of the joint.

In one or more embodiments, the mechanical joint further may include:

- a further elongated force transferring member defining a major axis and a first end having a predefined curvature, and

- a further flexible retaining member interconnecting the first end of the further elongated force transferring member to two surrounding anchor points belonging to the further elongated force transferring member. Wherein the two surrounding anchor points may be connected to the first part thereby suspending the further elongated force transferring member from the first end via the further flexible retaining member.

A further connection point may be disposed on the further elongated force transferring member. The further connection point may be configured for connecting the mechanical joint to the second part thereby connecting the first and the second parts in a connection axis defined by the two connection points belonging to the two elongated force transferring members.

The two elongated force transferring members may be configured to be pivotally connected to each other in, or around, the connection axis thereby interconnecting the elongated force transferring members in a coaxial connection point.

In some embodiments, however, it may be preferred to connect the two elongated force transferring members in a manner defining two connection points which may be offset. The relationship between:

- the predefined curvatures of the two elongated force transferring

members, and

- the distances along each major axis between the first ends of each elongated force transferring member and the connection axis configured for connecting the mechanical joint to the second part, and

- the relative positioning of the two pairs of surrounding anchor points with respect to each of the first ends, each pair of surrounding anchor points belonging to an elongated force transferring member, may be chosen such that the connection axis may translate between the surrounding anchor points in a direction parallel or essentially parallel to each of the axes defined by the two pairs of surrounding anchor points. The translation of the connection axis along the major axes defined by the elongated force transferring members thereby is restricted. By this, a mechanical joint is provided which have high resistance to translation of the first and second part in both directions parallel with the major axis.

The mechanical joint according to the present invention removes or constrains one degree of freedom between the first and the second parts, i.e., the mechanical joint constrains translation in a direction parallel or essentially parallel with the major axis.

Alternatively the joint may, in accordance with the stiffness properties of the joint, allow for minor translations in directions parallel or essentially parallel with the major axis.

When applying a force to either the first or second part, the elongated force transferring member(s) may roll or move along the suspended flexible retaining member(s) such that the connection points translate between the surrounding anchor points in a direction parallel to, or essentially parallel to, an axis defined by each pair of the surrounding anchor points. The elongated force transferring mennber(s) may be provided with a peripheral groove configured for receiving or guiding the flexible retaining members. By this, the flexible retaining members are guided on the peripheral faces of the elongated force transferring member(s).

The flexible retaining member may be coupled or fixed to the elongated force transferring member at the first end of the elongated force transferring member - in a coupling point. The coupling point preferably may be disposed along the major axis. The major axis thereby may be defined by the connection point and the coupling point.

The flexible retaining members may, in some embodiments, be provided as single continuous or open toothed belt(s), which combines all the flexibility in one part, facilitates the coupling point fixing and allows both elongated members to be in the same plane.

When the mechanical joint is installed between a first part and a second part, the flexible retaining member(s) may be maintained in pretension.

In one or more embodiments the two elongated force transferring members may be essentially identical.

In one or more embodiments, the mechanical joint may define a virtual centre of movement convergent with the connection point and/or the connection axis when no external force is applied to the mechanical joint.

The joint may be configured such that, when no external force is applied to the mechanical joint:

- the first perpendicular axis may be parallel or convergent with the

major axis, and - a second perpendicular axis may be parallel with the axis defined by the surrounding anchor points, and

- a third perpendicular axis may be convergent with the major axis. The resulting connection between the first part and the second part may be as if the joint included:

- a ball joint between the two parts, with its centre at the virtual centre point of movement, and

- a planar joint allowing for translation in a plane defined by the axis of the connection points and the direction of translation of the connection points between the anchor points.

In one or more embodiments, the predetermined curvature of the first end of the elongated force transferring members may be oval shaped, such as elliptical.

In one or more embodiments the elongated force transferring members may constitute cams, ovals or ellipses. In one or more embodiments, the elongate force transferring members may be arranged in convergent or offset planes. Each plane may include respectively the major axis and the surrounding anchor points belonging to at least one elongate force transferring member. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the elongate force transferring members be arranged as coplanar members; e.g. in embodiments wherein a single toothed belt is applied as the flexible retaining member.

In one or more embodiments the translation of the connection axis between the surrounding anchor points in a direction parallel to the axis defined by the surrounding anchor points may be provided or established by rotation of the elongated force transferring member relative to the second part. In one or more embodiments the translation between the surrounding anchor points in a direction parallel to the axis defined by the surrounding anchor points is a curved translation having a centre of rotation outside the physical mechanical joint.

The translation of the connection point(s) between the surrounding anchor points may then either be a linear translation or a slightly curved translation. In one or more embodiments, a support structure may be arranged or interposed between the flexible retaining members and the first part.

The support structure may then be fixed to the suitable fastening means. In one or more embodiments the first part or the support structure comprises a confinement defining in its interior a cavity and wherein the flexible retaining members is configured to be connected to two opposite surfaces of the cavity at the surrounding anchor points. In one or more embodiments the support structure is made of a resilient material such as spring steel.

In one or more embodiments the support structure may be configured for being elastically compressed in order to couple the flexible retaining member to the surrounding anchor points.

In one or more embodiments the mechanical joint as described above, may be configured for use in a vehicle suspension system.

Brief description of the drawings Figures 1 a-c show a mechanical joint according to a first aspect of the invention comprising one elongated force transferring member and one flexible retaining member. Figures 2a-c show a mechanical joint according to a second aspect of the invention comprising two elongated force transferring members and two flexible retaining members.

Figure 3 shows a mechanical joint according to the second aspect the invention comprising a support structure comprising a confinement surrounding the mechanical joint.

Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of the mechanical joint shown in figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a mechanical joint according to the second aspect of the invention connecting a first and a second part.

Figure 6 illustrates the presence of a centre point of movement in a mechanical joint according to the second aspect of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a mechanical joint according to an aspect of the invention wherein the flexible retaining member constitutes a toothed belt. Figure 8 shows a mechanical joint according to an aspect of the invention wherein the flexible retaining member constitutes a toothed belt.

Detailed description of the invention

Figures 1 a-c show a mechanical joint 1 according to a first aspect of the invention. As can be seen, the mechanical joint includes an elongated force transferring member 10 and a flexible retaining member 20. The mechanical joint is configured for interconnecting not shown first and second parts.

Figures 2a-c show a mechanical joint 1 according to a second aspect of the invention including a further and opposed elongated force transferring member 10 and a further flexible retaining member 20 configured for interconnecting a not shown first part 2 and a not shown second part 3 (see figure 5). The mechanical joint 1 thereby may include two elongated force transferring members 10 and two flexible retaining members 20.

In the first and the second aspects of the invention, the flexible retaining member 20 may constitute an elongate flexible retaining member such as, in combination or not, a belt or a toothed belt, a flexible wire, a flexible strip of spring steel or a flexible woven fabric tape such as carbon fibre fabric tape or similar. By "flexible" is meant a retaining member which is flexible in bending in one or more directions. Preferably the retaining member is not flexible in tension, such that the retaining member has an essentially constant length.

The flexible retaining member 20 is configured for, directly or not, connecting the mechanical joint 1 to the first part 2 (see figure 5) in two or a pair of anchor points 30 connected, directly or not, to the first part 2.

In both the first and second aspect of the invention, the elongated force transferring member 10 is configured for connecting the mechanical joint 1 to the second part 3 (see figure 5) in a connection point 14 disposed on the elongated force transferring member 10. The elongated force transferring member 10 comprises a first end 12 having a predefined curvature 13 and defines a major axis 1 1 extending through the connection point 14 and the first end 12. In the illustrated embodiments, the elongated force transferring member 10 is shaped as an ellipse such that the predefined curvature 13 at the first end 12 is elliptical. In the illustrated embodiments, the connection point 14 is disposed on the elongated force transferring member 10 near a second end 18 of the elongated force transferring member 10.

In both the first and second aspect of the invention, the flexible retaining member 20 interconnects the first end 12 of the elongated force transferring member 10 in a coupling point 21 to the two surrounding anchor points 30 belonging to the elongated force transferring member 10. The two

surrounding anchor points 30 are connected, directly or not, to the first part thereby suspending the elongated force transferring member 10 from the first end 12 via the flexible retaining member 20.

The coupling point 21 may be disposed centrally on the flexible retaining member 20 and/or disposed centrally on the first end 12 of the elongated force transferring member 10. The major axis 1 1 may then extend through the connection point 14 and the coupling point 21 on the first end 12. The elongated force transferring member 10 may be fixed to the flexible retaining member 20 in the coupling point 21 .

In both the first and second aspect of the invention, the relationships between - the predefined curvature 13 of the elongated force transferring

member 10, and

- a distance 17 along the major axis 1 1 between the first end 12 of the elongated force transferring member 13 and the connection point 14 is configured for connecting the mechanical joint 1 to the second part 3, and - a relative positioning of the surrounding anchor points 30 with respect to the first end 12

are chosen such that the connection point 14 may translate between the surrounding anchor points 30 in a direction parallel to, or essentially parallel to, an axis 31 defined by the surrounding anchor points 30, i.e. at least one pair of surrounding anchor points 30.

In the second aspect of the invention, the mechanical joint 1 defines a connection axis 15; see e.g. figures 4 and 5, defined by the two connection points 14 being perpendicular to the plane comprising the major axis 1 1 and the surrounding anchor points 30. The two elongated force transferring members 10 are then placed back-to-back and are configured to be pivotally connected to each other in, or around, the connection axis 15. In the second aspect of the invention, translation of the connection axis 15 along the major axes 1 1 , defined by the elongated force transferring members 10, is restricted.

In both the first and second aspect of the invention, translation of the connection axis 15 may either be a linear translation or a curved translation having a centre of rotation outside the physical mechanical joint 1 .

In both the first and second aspect of the invention, the translation of the connection axis 15 may be obtained by applying an external force to either the first and/or the second part 2, 3 connected in the connection point 14 and/or the connection axis 15.

Figures 1 b-c and figures 2b-c show how the connection point 14 may translate between the surrounding anchor points 30 in a direction parallel to at least one axis 31 defined by a pair of the surrounding anchor points 30. The distance that the connection point 14 may translate between the surrounding anchor points 30 may, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, correspond at least up to 50% of the width of the mechanical joint 1 . The width being defined by the distance between the surrounding anchor points 30.

The mechanical joint including the geometries of the force transferring members etc. as well as any pretension applied to/by the flexible retaining members may be configured such that stiffness of the resulting connection remains linear or essentially linear during translation along the direction 31 . In particular, the stiffness, or resistance to displacement under load, may linear in direction 31 for at least 10 times the distance that it is linear in direction 1 1 . The linear translation of the connection axis 15 may, in accordance with the invention, be obtained by the provision of an ellipse shaped curvature 13 at the first end 12 such that, when rolling or moving the first end 12 along the suspended retaining member 20, a point, which preferably is the connection point 14, on the elongate force transferring member 10 can be found which moves in a straight line as the first end 12 rolls.

Figure 3 shows a mechanical joint 1 according to the second aspect of the invention. As can be seen, the joint includes two opposed elongated force transferring members 10 and two flexible retaining members 20 configured for interconnecting the first part 2 and the second part 3. The mechanical joint includes a support structure 4 defining a confinement 5 in its interior configured for accommodating the two opposed elongated force transferring members 10. Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the mechanical joint 1 shown in figure 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the confinement 5 defines within its interior an oval cavity 6 having two opposite surfaces or sections 7 configured for receiving the end of the flexible retaining members 20 in anchor points 30. The confinement 5 may, as an equal alternative, form part of the first part 2 or the second part 3.

The confinement 5 may facilitate convenient assembly of the two anchor points into one part. The confinement 5 therefore may be considered optional. In some embodiments, the convenience rendered by the

confinement 5 may equally be provided by embodying one of the first or the second parts with a confining structure equally adapted for convenient assembly of the two anchor points. The support structure 4 may be configured to be connected or fixed to the first part 2 by suitable fastening means 8 such as bolts, screws or rivets etc., see figure 5.

Upon connecting the support structure 4 to the first part 2, the support structure 4 may be compressed in the direction parallel to the axis 31 defined by the surrounding anchor points 30, i.e. the surrounding anchor points 30, belonging to one pair of surrounding anchor points, may be compressed towards each other. The flexible retaining members 20 may each be provided with two anchor elements; one anchor element at each end of the flexible retaining member 20. The anchor elements may constitute interlocking elements 9 configured for accommodation in the anchor points 30 provided in the first support structure 4. The mechanical joint 1 may, as shown e.g. in figure 4, include a connection assembly 50 interconnecting the two elongated force transferring members 10 while facilitating pivotal connection between the two elongated force transferring members 10 in, or around, the connection axis 15.

The connection assembly 50 may constitute a bush including a common inner cylindrical part 51 and outer rings 52 maintained with respect to the inner cylindrical part 51 by means of corresponding resilient material such as rubber. In other not shown embodiments, the connection assembly may include roll or glide bearings.

Figure 4 furthermore shows how the two connection points 14 may be convergent with the connection axis 15. Figure 5 shows a mechanical joint 1 according to the second aspect of the invention where the joint is interconnecting a first part 2 and a second part 3, i.e. figure 5 shows the mechanical joint according to the present invention in an operative state. The second part 3 may be pivotally connected to the mechanical joint 1 in the connection axis 15 by means of suitable fastening means 8 such as bolts, screws or rivets etc. The second part 3 may, as shown in figures 5 and 6, be embodied as a fork defining an interior configured for at least partially accommodating the joint.

Figure 6 illustrates a virtual centre point of translation 40 provided by the mechanical joint 1 according to the second aspect of the invention.

Figures 7 and 8 show embodiments of the present invention wherein the flexible retaining member 20 constitute toothed belts. The toothed belts 20 are fixed, or indexed, with respect to the elongated force transferring members 10 at coupling points 21 and at surrounding anchor points 30.

The embodiments according to figures 7 and 8 represent embodiments employing only one endless belt. This, i.a., has the advantage that the complexity of the mechanical joint is reduced.

Although the embodiments according to figures 7 and 8 are the only embodiments shown to employ endless flexible retaining members 20, this may not in any way be taken as limited to these embodiment; endless belts, or endless retaining members, in whatever form, may equally be applied to any of the embodiments of the mechanical joint according to the present invention. In the mechanical joint according to figure 8, the elongated force transferring members 10 are, as shown, not interconnected in one single convergent or coincident connection point 14 as per some of the other embodiments of the mechanical joint described herein. In the embodiment according to figure 8, each elongated force transferring member 10 is connected to its respective offset connection point 14A, 14B and, consequently, the connection points are not coincident. By this, the mechanical joint according to figure 8 defines two connection axes 15.

According to other not shown embodiments of the present invention, pretension applied to the elongated force transferring members by the flexible retaining member(s) may be controlled by allowing the anchor points 30 to move or translate in directions resulting in varying tension applied to the flexible retaining member(s). The movement or translation of the anchor points 30 may be provided by means of not shown servos and/or linkages. The mechanical joint 1 defines a virtual centre point of movement 40 which may be convergent with the connection axis 15 when no external force is applied to the mechanical joint 1 . The virtual centre of movement 40 may, as shown in figure 6, define first, second and third perpendicular axis 41 , 42, 43, where:

- the first perpendicular axis 41 is parallel or convergent with the major axis 1 1 , and

- the second perpendicular axis 42 is parallel with the axis 31 defined by the surrounding anchor points, and

- the third perpendicular axis 43 is convergent with the major axis 1 1 .

The mechanical joint according to the present invention may be

characterised by one or more of following characteristics: - The joint may be rigid or demonstrate high resistance to translation of the connection axis 15 along the first perpendicular axis 41 as shown in figure 6.

- The joint may demonstrate low resistance to translation of the

connection axis 15 along the second and/or third perpendicular axis 42, 43 as shown in figure 6.

- The joint may demonstrate low resistance to rotational translation of the connection axis 15 about the virtual centre of movement 40 as shown in figure 6.

- The joint may demonstrate relatively large and/or optionally linear translational displacement of the connection axis 15 in the direction along the second perpendicular axis 42 as shown in figure 6.

The joint may demonstrate translational displacement of the connection axis 15 in the direction along the third perpendicular axis 43 as shown in figure 6. References

1 Mechanical joint

2 First part

3 Second part

4 Support structure

5 Confinement

6 Cavity

7 Opposite surfaces

8 Fastening means

9 Interlocking element

10 Elongated force transferring member

1 1 Major axis

12 First end

13 Predefined curvature

14 Connection point

15 Connection axis

17 Distance

18 Second end

20 Flexible retaining member

21 Coupling point

22 anchor element 30 Surrounding anchor points

31 Axis defined by the surrounding anchor points

40 Virtual centre point of movement

41 First perpendicular axis

42 Second perpendicular axis

43 Third perpendicular axis Connection assembly Common inner cylinder part Separate outer rings Rubber part

Claims

1 . A mechanical joint (1 ) configured for interconnecting a first part (2) and a second part (3), said mechanical joint (1 ) includes:

- an elongated force transferring member (10) defining a major axis (1 1 ) and a first end (12) having a predefined curvature (13),

- a flexible retaining member (20) interconnecting said first end (12) to two surrounding anchor points (30) connected, directly or not, to said first part (2) thereby suspending said elongated force transferring member (10) from said first end (12) via said flexible retaining member (20),

- a connection point (14) disposed on said elongated force transferring member (10), said connection point (14) is configured for connecting said mechanical joint (1 ) to the second part (3) thereby connecting the first and the second parts (2, 3),

wherein relationships between said predefined curvature (13) of said elongated force transferring member (10) and a distance (17) along said major axis (1 1 ) between said first end (12) of said elongated force

transferring member (10) and said connection point (14) configured for connecting said mechanical joint (1 ) to the second part (3) and a relative positioning of said surrounding anchor points (30) with respect to said first end (12) are chosen such that said connection point (14) may translate between said surrounding anchor points (30) in a direction parallel or essentially parallel to an axis (31 ) defined by said surrounding anchor points (30).

2. A mechanical joint according to claim 1 , wherein said mechanical joint further includes:

- a further elongated force transferring member (10) defining a major axis (1 1 ) and a first end (12) having a predefined curvature (13), - a further flexible retaining member (20) interconnecting said first end (12) to two surrounding anchor points (30) connected, directly or not, to the first part (2) thereby suspending said further elongated force transferring member (10) from said first end (12) via said further flexible retaining member (20),

- a further connection point (14) disposed on said further elongated force transferring member (10), said further connection point (14) is configured for connecting said mechanical joint (1 ) to the second part (3) thereby connecting the first and the second part (2, 3),

- a connection axis (15) comprising said two connection points (14) being perpendicular to a plane comprising said major axis (1 1 ) and said surrounding anchor points (30),

wherein said two elongated force transferring members (10) are configured to be pivotally connected to each other in, or around, said connection axis (15), and wherein relationships between said predefined curvatures (13) of said elongated force transferring members (10) and distances (17) along each major axis (1 1 ) between said first ends (12) of each elongated force transferring member (10) and said connection axis (15) configured for connecting said mechanical joint (1 ) to the second part (3) and said relative positioning of said two pairs of surrounding anchor points (30) with respect to each of said first ends (12), are chosen such that said connection axis (15) may translate between said surrounding anchor points (30) in a direction parallel or essentially parallel to each of said axes (31 ) defined by said two pairs of surrounding anchor points (30), and wherein translation of said connection axis (15) along said major axes (1 1 ) defined by said elongated force transferring members (10) is restricted.

3. A mechanical joint according to claim 2, wherein said two elongated force transferring members (10) are essentially identical.

4. A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, defining a virtual centre point of movement or translation (40) that is convergent with said connection point (14) and/or said connection axis (15) when no external force is applied to said mechanical joint (1 ) and defining a first, second and third perpendicular axis (41 , 42, 43), wherein, when no external force is applied to said mechanical joint (1 ):

- said first perpendicular axis (41 ) is parallel or convergent with said major axis (1 1 ),

- said second perpendicular axis (42) is parallel with said axis (31 ) defined by said surrounding anchor points (30), and

- said third perpendicular axis (43) is convergent with said major axis (1 1 ).

5. A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein said predetermined curvature (13) of said first end (14) is oval- shaped, such as elliptical.

6. A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein said elongated force transferring members (10) constitute cams, ovals or ellipses.

7. A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein said elongate force transferring members (10) may be arranged in convergent or offset planes.

8. A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein said translation of said connection axis (15) between said

surrounding anchor points (30) in a direction parallel to said axis (31 ) defined by said surrounding anchor points (30) is provided or established by a rotation of said elongated force transferring member (10) relative to said second part (3).

9. A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein said translation between said surrounding anchor points (30) in a direction parallel to said axis (31 ) defined by said surrounding anchor points (30) is a curved translation having a centre of rotation outside said physical mechanical joint (1 ).

10. A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein a support structure (4) is arranged or interposed between said flexible retaining members (20) and the first part (2).

1 1 . A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the first part (2) or said support structure (4) comprises a

confinement (5) defining in its interior a cavity (6) and wherein said flexible retaining members (20) is configured to be connected to two opposite surfaces (7) of said cavity (6) at said surrounding anchor points (30).

12. A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein said support structure (4) is made of a resilient material such as spring steel.

13. A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein said support structure (4) is configured for being elastically compressed in order to couple said flexible retaining member (20) to said surrounding anchor points (30).

14. A mechanical joint according to any one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein said flexible retaining member(s) (20) constitute(s) a belt or a toothed belt, a flexible wire, a flexible strip of spring steel or a flexible woven fabric tape such as carbon fibre fabric tape or similar.

15. A mechanical joint according to any one of the previous claims, configured for use in a vehicle suspension system.

16. A vehicle suspension system comprising a mechanical joint (1 ) according to any one of the previous claims.