Ball-joint housing support, corresponding connecting rod and corresponding joining method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023158999-A1
Application number	US-202117801563-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 25, 2021
Priority date	Mar 2, 2020
Publication date	May 25, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention relates to a support of a ball-joint housing for a connecting rod of a windshield wiper actuating linkage system, the support having a ball-joint housing that extends along a longitudinal axis (B) and is configured to be received in a complementary orifice in the connecting rod. According to the invention, the support is configured to be rotationally joined to the connecting rod. The invention also relates to a connecting rod configured to be rotationally joined to such a support, and to the corresponding joining method.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . Support for a ball-joint housing for a connecting rod of a wiper actuating linkage system, the support comprising a ball-joint housing extending along a longitudinal axis (B) and configured to be received in a complementary orifice on the connecting rod, characterized in that the support is configured to be assembled by rotation with the connecting rod, and comprises:
at least one rotational-guidance element guiding the rotation of the connecting rod about the longitudinal axis (B) of the ball-joint housing into a final assembly position, at least one retaining element configured to collaborate with the connecting rod and keep it in the final assembly position in which it is assembled with the support of the ball-joint housing, and at least one rotation-blocking element configured to prevent the connecting rod from rotating out of the final assembly position.

2 . Support according to claim 1 , defining a receptacle configured to at least partially receive the connecting rod having an elongate overall shape, in the final assembly position, the receptacle comprising:
a first part equipped with the ball-joint housing, configured to receive a longitudinal end of the connecting rod exhibiting the orifice complementary to the ball-joint housing, and a second part extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis (B) of the ball-joint housing, configured to receive a longitudinal portion of the connecting rod in the axial continuation of the longitudinal end.

3 . Support according to claim 2 , wherein the first part of the receptacle comprises at least one rotational-guidance surface for guiding the longitudinal end of the connecting rod.

4 . Support according to claim 2 , wherein the first part of the receptacle has an at least partially spherical overall shape and defines at least:
a first angular sector configured to be positioned facing the longitudinal end of the connecting rod in a first assembly position, and a second angular sector configured to be positioned facing the longitudinal end of the connecting rod in the final assembly position.

5 . Support according to claim 2 , wherein the receptacle comprises at least one retaining tab having a bearing surface configured to bear against the connecting rod in the final assembly position.

6 . Support according to claim 2 , wherein the second part of the receptacle has at least two opposite rotation-blocking and retaining surfaces between which the longitudinal portion of the connecting rod is configured to be received in the final assembly position.

7 . Support according to claim 2 , comprising a guide ramp configured to be in contact with the connecting rod during assembly by rotation of the support with the connecting rod.

8 . Support according to claim 7 , comprising a leg delimiting one side of the second part of the receptacle, extending, from the first part of the receptacle, transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis (B) of the ball-joint housing and exhibiting the guide ramp.

9 . Connecting rod for a wiper actuating linkage system, the connecting rod having an elongate overall shape and comprising at one longitudinal end an orifice configured to receive a complementary ball-joint housing, characterized in that the connecting rod is configured to be assembled by rotation with a support of a ball-joint housing according to claim 1 , and in that it exhibits:
at least one contact surface configured to collaborate with a rotational-guidance element of the support during assembly by rotation, and at least one contact surface configured to collaborate with a complementary rotation-blocking element and/or retaining element on the support in a final assembly position.

10 . Method for assembling a connecting rod of a wiper actuating linkage system, with a support for a ball-joint housing according to claim 1 , the connecting rod having an elongate overall shape and comprising at one longitudinal end an orifice configured to receive said ball-joint housing, said connecting rod further comprising:
at least one contact surface configured to collaborate with a rotational-guidance element of the support during assembly by rotation, and at least one contact surface configured to collaborate with a complementary rotation-blocking element and/or retaining element on the support in a final assembly position; wherein the method comprises the following steps: inserting the ball-joint housing into an orifice at one longitudinal end of the connecting rod using a relative translational movement along the longitudinal axis (B) of the ball-joint housing, effecting a movement of relative rotation between the support for the ball-joint housing and the connecting rod as far as a final assembly position in which the connecting rod is held against at least one retaining element on the support and blocked against rotation by at least one rotation-blocking element on the support.

Assignees

• Valeo Systemes Dessuyage

Inventors

• Girodot Cyrille
• Kuchly Nicolas

Classifications

• B60S1/24 Primary

  by rotary cranks · CPC title

• F16C11/0642

  Special features of the plug or cover on the blind end of the socket · CPC title

• F16C11/0695

  Mounting of ball-joints, e.g. fixing them to a connecting rod · CPC title

• F16C2326/09

  Windscreen wipers, e.g. pivots therefore · CPC title

• F16C11/106

  for ball joints · CPC title