Wiper actuation linkage system
By designing the socket and locking device of the ball and socket assembly, the problem of the need for power tools to assemble the ball and socket joints in the prior art is solved, and the tool-free manual assembly of the connecting rod and crank is realized, which improves assembly efficiency and reduces costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380082595.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-02
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-08
AI Technical Summary
The assembly of ball joints of existing windshield wiper systems requires the use of power tools, which makes assembly cumbersome and time-consuming, making it difficult to efficiently complete on the vehicle assembly line.
Using ball and socket assembly, including socket and ball head stud, allows the connecting rod to be manually articulated to the crank without tools, and the ball part is secured using a locking device by designing a movable first section and locking slot.
Toolless assembly of connecting rods and cranks is realized, simplifying the assembly process, reducing transportation and installation costs, and improving assembly efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN120282904A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a windshield wiper actuation linkage system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a ball and socket assembly for connecting a connecting rod of the windshield wiper actuation linkage system and to a method of assembling the connecting rod to the windshield wiper actuation linkage system. Background Art
[0002] Windshield wiper systems are commonly used on motor vehicles to clean the windshield of the vehicle. The windshield wiper system includes a drive unit and a wiper actuation linkage system that converts the rotational motion of the drive unit into a reciprocating motion of at least one wiper arm. A wiper blade is attached to the wiper arm for wiping the windshield of the vehicle. Typically, the wiper actuation linkage system includes one or more connecting rods or connecting rods, one or more cranks, and one or more pivot assemblies. For example, each longitudinal end of the connecting rod is hinged to a corresponding crank by means of a ball and socket mechanism.
[0003] Typically, the ball joint is assembled when the windshield wiper system is assembled. This typically means that a socket attached to or otherwise incorporated into the connecting rod is pressed onto a corresponding ball, attached to or otherwise incorporated into the crank arm. This typically requires a power-assisted (i.e., hydraulic or pneumatic) tool (e.g., a press), and is therefore typically performed before the windshield wiper system is installed on the vehicle.
[0004] It is also common that windshield wiper systems known in the art further include a frame tube or other such support structure for supporting the pivot assembly and the wiper motor and maintaining their positions relative to each other.
[0005] The components of known windshield wiper actuation linkage systems are arranged so that the entire windshield wiper actuation linkage system can be delivered to the customer as an integral piece for mounting it on a vehicle. However, in order to reduce shipping costs and to facilitate the assembly process, it may be necessary to deliver the two pivot assemblies separately, with the result that the connecting rod elements of the windshield wiper system must be assembled after mounting it on the vehicle.
[0006] Therefore, to perform the installation of a ball joint as described above, an assembly line worker must use a power tool (e.g., pneumatically operated pliers) to apply the force required to assemble the joint. This is tedious and time consuming, especially in an assembly line environment. Summary of the invention
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wiper actuation linkage system which addresses or at least mitigates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art as discussed above.
[0008] More precisely, the object of the present invention is to provide a wiper actuation linkage system in which the connecting rod is fixed to the drive crank by means of a ball and socket joint without the use of tools.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wiper actuation linkage system that facilitates the easy assembly of the wiper actuation linkage system onto a motor vehicle while reducing the number of components of the wiper actuation linkage system.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a wiper actuation linkage system in which the pivot components of the wiper actuation linkage system can be easily connected to each other without the use of any tools, such that the pivot components can be delivered to the consumer as two separate parts.
[0011] To this end, the present invention relates to a wiper actuation linkage system for a windshield wiper system, the wiper actuation linkage system comprising: at least one connecting rod extending between its longitudinal ends; and at least one crank, the longitudinal ends of the at least one connecting rod being hinged to the at least one crank by means of a ball and socket assembly, the ball and socket assembly comprising a socket and a ball stud configured to be fixed to the crank.
[0012] According to the present invention, the socket comprises a body portion adapted to receive the spherical portion of the ball stud therein, and the socket further comprises at least one locking groove configured to receive a locking means for retaining the spherical portion inside the socket.
[0013] Advantageously, due to the configuration of the ball and socket assembly of the present invention, the connecting rod can be assembled to the crank without the use of any clamping devices or tools, i.e., by an assembly line worker using only his / her hands.
[0014] Furthermore, since the connecting rod is hinged to the crank manually and without the use of any tools, it is possible for the pivot components of the linkage system to be easily connected to each other by manual assembly. Thus, the components of the wiper actuation linkage system can be delivered to the consumer as loose parts, which are assembled onto the vehicle on the final assembly line, rather than being installed as individual unwieldy sub-assemblies that require complex, expensive and cumbersome tools for assembly and installation.
[0015] Preferably, the body portion comprises a substantially spherical internal cavity having a closed first end and an open second end opposite the closed first end, the internal cavity receiving the spherical portion of the ball stud.
[0016] Preferably, the socket comprises a movable first section and a fixed second section, the first and second sections together constituting the body portion.
[0017] Preferably, the first section of the body part has a reduced thickness compared to the second section of the body part.
[0018] Accordingly, the first section is configured to be deflectable back and forth in the radial direction, thereby facilitating the easy assembly of the connecting rod and the crank. In other words, the operator can simply push the connecting rod onto the spherical part with his hand, and the spherical part flexes the first section outwards, thereby receiving the spherical part inside the socket without using any tools.
[0019] In a possible variant, the locking device includes an elongate member and a stop member that extends from the elongate member at the end of the elongate member.
[0020] When inserted into the socket, once the spherical part is received inside the housing of the socket, the locking device prevents the snap-fit part (i.e., the first zone) from moving outwards, thereby firmly retaining the ball stud inside the socket.
[0021] Preferably, at least one locking groove is arranged adjacent to the body part and extends along the outer periphery of the snap-fit part of the body part.
[0022] According to a possible embodiment, at least one locking groove has a form complementary to the form of the elongate member.
[0023] According to a possible variant, the first section is configured to deform radially outwards from a rest position during the assembly and / or disassembly of the spherical part and the socket.
[0024] According to a possible variant, the stop member of the locking device is configured to abut against a stop surface of the socket when the elongate member is fully inserted into at least one locking groove.
[0025] In this way, both the first section of the body part and the locking device are substantially immovable; the locking device abuts against the stop surface to prevent the locking device from disengaging and thus prevent the release of the first section.
[0026] According to a possible variant, at least one locking groove is formed as a through hole or a blind hole.
[0027] According to a possible variant, the socket is overmolded onto the longitudinal end of at least one connecting rod.
[0028] According to a possible variant, when the locking device is inserted into at least one locking groove, the closed first end of the socket and the stop member of the locking device are substantially flush.
[0029] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a windshield wiper device that includes a wiper actuation linkage system according to the foregoing.
[0030] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, which vehicle comprises a windscreen wiper device according to the foregoing.
[0031] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a method of assembling a connecting rod and a crank of a wiper actuation linkage system according to the foregoing description, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a spherical portion of the crank into a socket of the connecting rod such that when the spherical portion is received inside a body portion of the socket, a first movable section of the body portion is displaced radially outwards; and securing the spherical portion within the internal cavity by inserting an elongate portion of a locking means into at least one locking groove such that the first movable section of the body portion is blocked from moving radially outwards.
[0032] Additional advantages, features and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] To complete the specification and to better understand the present invention, a set of drawings is provided. The drawings form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the invention which should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but only as examples of how the invention may be implemented. These drawings include the following features:
[0034] Figure 1 A perspective view of a wiper module according to the prior art is shown, which wiper module has a wiper actuation linkage system, in particular including a frame tube;
[0035] Figure 2 An exploded view of a wiper actuation linkage system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which wiper actuation linkage system includes a connecting rod, a ball socket assembly, a crank and a locking means;
[0036] Figure 3a Shows Figure 2 A perspective view of a socket of a ball socket assembly of a wiper actuation linkage system;
[0037] Figure 3b Shows Figure 3a A perspective bottom view of the socket;
[0038] Figure 4a Shows Figure 2 A perspective view of a ball stud of a ball socket assembly of a wiper actuation linkage system;
[0039] Figure 4b Shows Figure 2 A perspective view of a locking means of a wiper actuation linkage system;
[0040] Figure 5a Shows Figure 2Perspective view of the wiper actuation linkage system;
[0041] Figure 5b showing the Figure 2 wiper actuation linkage system in an assembled unlocked configuration; and
[0042] Figure 5c a cross-sectional view showing a part of the Figure 5b assembly shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description
[0043] The description set forth below in connection with the accompanying drawings is intended as an illustrative description of one or more exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not necessarily intended to represent the only embodiments of the invention, nor is it necessarily presented in a limiting fashion as the only embodiments of the invention.
[0044] Furthermore, in some instances, in order to provide an understanding of the disclosed subject matter, the description includes specific details. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components may be shown in simplified or schematic form or omitted altogether in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the disclosed subject matter.
[0045] References throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, operation, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" throughout the specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, a particular feature, structure, characteristic, operation, or function may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Further, it is intended that embodiments of the disclosed subject matter cover modifications and variations of the described embodiments.
[0046] In the following description, the terms longitudinal, vertical, or transverse refer to the orientation of the connecting rods of the wiper actuation linkage system. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the longitudinal extension direction of the connecting rods, which is parallel to the axis Ox of the orthogonal reference system represented, for example, Figure 2 in
[0047] Windshield wiper systems are commonly used on motor vehicles to clean the vehicle's windshield, for example, to remove rain, dust, etc. that may accumulate on the windshield during normal use of the vehicle. Figure 1A perspective view of an exemplary wiper module having a wiper actuation linkage system according to the prior art is shown.
[0048] The windshield wiper system includes Figure 1 the wiper module 100 shown in detail below. The wiper module 100 includes a drive unit and a wiper actuation linkage system 101 that transfers the drive from the wiper motor 110 of the drive unit to a pair of wiper arms (not shown in the figure), thereby providing reciprocating movement of the wiper arms. A wiper blade (not shown in the figure) is attached to the wiper arm for wiping the windshield of the vehicle. The wiper blade is placed in contact with the windshield so that the wiper blade can wipe the windshield of the vehicle. The wiper actuation linkage system 101 is provided to move the wiper arm between a first limit (sometimes referred to as the "inner wipe position") near the bottom of its trajectory close to the windshield and a second limit (sometimes referred to as the "outer wipe position") of its trajectory. Optionally, some embodiments are also capable of moving the wiper arm to a third storage position, sometimes referred to as the "parking position", when the system is deactivated.
[0049] The wiper actuation linkage system 101 includes a first connecting rod 105a that transfers the drive from the wiper motor 110 to a first drive crank 115a and, via a second connecting rod 105b, to a second drive crank 115b. One longitudinal end 120a of the first connecting rod 105a is linked to the second end 125a of the first drive crank 115a. Further, one longitudinal end 120b of the second connecting rod 105b is linked to the second end 125a of the first drive crank 115a. The other longitudinal end 130b of the second connecting rod 105b is linked to the second end 135b of the second drive crank 115b.
[0050] A first wiper arm (not shown in the figure) is fixed to a first pivot shaft 140a, and a second wiper arm (not shown in the figure) is fixed to a second pivot shaft 140b. The reciprocating motion of the two connecting rods 105a, 105b is converted into the reciprocating movement of the first wiper arm and the second wiper arm via the pivot shafts 140a, 140b. The first wiper arm rotates about a rotation axis A of the first pivot shaft 140a, and the second wiper arm rotates about a rotation axis B of the second pivot shaft 140b.
[0051] Figure 1The wiper actuation linkage system 101 presented in [document] further includes a first pivot shaft housing 150a and a second pivot shaft housing 150b. The first pivot shaft housing 150a and the second pivot shaft housing 150b respectively support a first pivot shaft 140a and a second pivot shaft 140b. The first pivot shaft 140a has a first rotation axis A, and the first pivot shaft 140a rotates around the first rotation axis in the first pivot shaft housing 150a. The second pivot shaft 140b has a second rotation axis B, and the second pivot shaft 140b rotates around the second rotation axis in the second pivot shaft housing 150b.
[0052] The first pivot shaft 140a is fixed to the first end 135a of the first drive crank 115a, and the second pivot shaft 140b is fixed to the first end 135b of the second drive crank 115b. The wiper motor 110 is coupled to the windshield wiper drive linkage 101 via a coupling element 155. The coupling element 155 is linked to the second longitudinal end 130a of the first connecting rod 105a.
[0053] The wiper module 100 further includes a frame tube 160, which is used to support the first pivot shaft housing 150a, the second pivot shaft housing 150b, and the wiper motor 110. In particular, the wiper motor, as well as the first pivot shaft housing 150a and the second pivot shaft housing 150b, are permanently fixed to the frame tube 160.
[0054] The first connecting rod 105a and the second connecting rod 105b are driven by the wiper motor 110 to perform reciprocating linear movement. The reciprocating linear movement of the second connecting rod 105b is converted into the reciprocating movement of the second drive crank 115b. The movement of the second connecting rod 105b towards the second drive crank 115b causes the second drive crank 115b to rotate around the rotation axis B of the second pivot shaft 140b. Accordingly, the reciprocating linear movement of the first connecting rod 105a is converted into the reciprocating movement of the first drive crank 115a. The first drive crank 115a rotates around the rotation axis A of the first pivot shaft 140a.
[0055] Therefore, in the wiper actuation linkage systems known in the prior art, its various different components are arranged such that the entire windshield wiper actuation linkage system can be delivered to the consumer as a single pre-assembled and indivisible unit ready to be installed on a vehicle.
[0056] The assembly of these components is usually completed when manufacturing the wiper actuation linkage system, and thus techniques that can typically only be accomplished by using large, cumbersome, and / or non-portable tools are employed in its assembly. This is especially true for the ball-and-socket joints used on the connecting rods, whose assembly requires a high level of clamping force applied by, for example, a hydraulic press. In any case, such tools are not suitable for use on the vehicle final assembly line.
[0057] Accordingly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a wiper actuation linkage system in which a connecting rod is assembled to a drive crank without the need to use any additional tools.
[0058] For the sake of brevity, the explanation is provided herein by reference to a single connecting rod. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the explanation provided herein is also applicable to a wiper actuation linkage system employing multiple connecting rods. Similarly, for the sake of brevity, the explanation is provided herein by reference to a single drive crank. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the explanation provided herein is also applicable to a wiper actuation linkage system including multiple drive cranks and is equally applicable to such cranks attached to a pivot shaft or a wiper motor output shaft.
[0059] Figure 2 A exploded view of a connecting rod, a ball and socket assembly, a crank, and a locking device of a wiper actuation linkage system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In particular, Figure 2 a connecting rod 201 extending between a first longitudinal end 203 and a second longitudinal end 205 along a longitudinal axis X, a crank 207 configured to be assembled together with the connecting rod 201, a ball and socket assembly including a socket 209 and a ball stud 211, and a locking device 213 are shown. Each of the above components will be described in more detail below.
[0060] Figure 3a A perspective view of the socket of the ball and socket assembly of a wiper actuation linkage system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3b An embodiment of the present invention is shown Figure 3a A perspective bottom view of the shown socket is shown.
[0061] In one possible configuration, the socket 209 is configured to be overmolded onto a recessed portion provided at the first longitudinal end 203 and / or the second longitudinal end 205 of the connecting rod 201. In another possible configuration, the socket 209 and the connecting rod 201 may be provided as separate components to be subsequently assembled together.
[0062] Further, the socket 209 of the present invention may optionally be made of a low-friction material (such as a low-friction polymer, such as PTFE, or an oil-impregnated polymer, such as PET or nylon), which does not require the application of additional lubricant to the socket 209 before assembly. Additionally, as can be seen in Figure 2 the socket 209 is designed to extend along a longitudinal axis X that is in line with the axis of the connecting rod 201. This particular design of the socket 209 helps to minimize the overall width of the connecting rod 201.
[0063] The socket 209 generally includes a housing 214 ( Figure 3aas shown), which is configured to receive the ball of the ball and socket joint. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing is constituted by a body portion 215( Figure 3b as shown). The body portion 215 cooperates with the spherical portion 217 by receiving the spherical portion 217 of the stud 211 therein.
[0064] To this end, the body portion 215 includes an internal cavity 219( Figure 3b as shown), which has a closed first end 220a( Figure 3a as shown) and an open second end 220b( Figure 3b as shown) opposite to the closed first end 220a. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the body portion extends along an axis Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. That is, the body portion is defined along the vertical axis Z. Further, the internal cavity 219 of the body portion 215 is sized to receive and cooperate with the spherical portion 217 of the stud 211. By way of non-limiting example, the internal cavity has a generally spherical shape to cooperate with the spherical portion 217 of the stud 211 having a spherical shape.
[0065] The socket 209 includes means for allowing the insertion and removal of the spherical portion 217 of the stud 211. To this end, the socket 209 includes a first zone 222( Figure 3b as shown) of the body portion 215, which extends over a corner sector of the body portion 215. The remaining portion of the body portion 215 is referred to as the second zone 224. Thus, the first zone 222 and the second zone 224 together constitute the body portion 215.
[0066] The first zone 222 of the body portion 215 has a reduced thickness compared to the second zone 224 and is configured to be deformable or deflectable in the radial direction from its rest position under the application of a force, particularly during the assembly of the spherical portion 217 into the socket 209 and / or the disassembly of the spherical portion. In particular, it will be seen that when the snap fit portion extends along the transverse axis (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the socket 209), the first zone can deflect along the longitudinal axis of the socket 209.
[0067] In the present embodiment, the first zone 222 and the second zone 224 are defined from each other by a slit or notch formed in the body portion 215, as Figure 3b visible. This is advantageous as it obtains a maximum degree of flexibility in the first zone 222. However, in other embodiments, it may be preferred to form the first zone 222 integrally with the second zone 224.
[0068] In one aspect, the socket 209 further includes at least one locking groove, such as a locking groove 227 extending along the vertical axis Z. In one example, the at least one locking groove 227 may be arranged adjacent to the body portion 215 and extend along the outer periphery of the first region 222 of the body portion 215. In one example, the at least one locking groove 227 is formed as a blind hole. In another example, the at least one locking groove 227 is formed as a through hole.
[0069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the socket 209 further includes Figure 4b the locking device 213 shown, which is configured to firmly hold the spherical portion 217 inside the housing 214, as will be described in the following paragraphs.
[0070] The locking device 213 includes an elongate member 225a and a stop member 225b that extends from the elongate member at one of the ends of the elongate member 225a. As can be seen in Figure 4a the elongate member 225a extends along the vertical axis Z. The at least one locking groove 227 has a shape complementary to the shape of the elongate member 225a of the locking device 213 such that the at least one locking groove 227 receives the elongate member 225a of the locking device 213.
[0071] The locking device 213 may be retained in the locking groove 227 by friction and / or a simple interference fit. Alternatively, it may be preferred to employ a forced retention device (such as a pawl, locking pin, or security wire) to prevent undesired disassembly of the joint.
[0072] When the locking groove 227 is empty, the first region 222 of the body portion 215 can deflect radially outward freely, thereby allowing the spherical portion 217 of the ball stud 211 to be fully inserted into the socket 209.
[0073] However, once the locking device 213 is inserted into the locking groove 227, the locking device 213 blocks the outward movement of the first region 222. Thus, once the spherical portion 217 is received inside the socket 209, inserting the locking device 213 into the locking groove 227 blocks the first region 222 from deflecting radially outward. Since the first region 222 can no longer deform radially outward, the spherical portion 217 is effectively blocked within the socket 209. In this way, the ball and socket joint between the connecting rod 201 and the crank 207 is effectively fixed.
[0074] Further, the operator can use the stop member 225b to hold the locking device 213 during the assembly and disassembly of the locking device 213 and additionally serve as a pressing surface on which the assembly line worker can apply force. In such embodiments, the socket 209 can further include a stop surface 229, and the stop member 225b of the locking device 213 is configured to abut against the stop surface 229 of the socket 209 when the elongated member 225b is fully inserted into at least one locking groove 227. In particular, the stop surface 229 can be made complementary to the shape of the stop member 225b in order to enhance the retention of the locking device 213 and provide a neat visual aspect.
[0075] Figure 5a A perspective view of a connecting rod according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is assembled to the crank of a wiper actuating linkage system by means of a ball socket assembly and a locking device set in a locked position. Figure 5b A perspective view of a connecting rod according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which is assembled to the crank of a wiper actuating linkage system by means of a ball socket assembly and a locking device set in an unlocked position. Figure 5c A perspective view of an embodiment according to the present invention is shown Figure 5b A cross-sectional view of a part of the shown assembly.
[0076] During the assembly of the connecting rod 201 to the ball stud 211 of the crank 207, the connecting rod 201 is mounted on the ball portion 217 provided on the crank 207 by placing the socket 209 provided at the longitudinal end of the connecting rod 201 on the ball portion 217. When the ball portion 217 is received inside the inner cavity 219, the first region 222 of the body portion 215 deflects radially outward.
[0077] Once the ball portion 217 is fully received inside the inner cavity 219, the first region 222 will return to its initial position by virtue of its elasticity; however, although the inner cavity 219 is in a generally spherical form, the ball portion 217 is not fixed inside the socket 209 because the first region 222 is still free to deflect radially outward at this time and allows the ball portion 217 to move out of the socket 209.
[0078] Subsequently, the ball portion 217 is firmly retained inside the socket 209 by locking the ball socket joint using the locking device 213. The locking device 213 is inserted into the locking groove 227 such that the elongated member 225a of the locking device 213 is fully received inside the locking groove 227. As can be seen in Figure 5c the presence of the elongated member 225a of the locking device 213 (once fully inserted into the locking groove 227) will prevent the first region 222 from being able to deflect radially outward, thereby preventing the ball portion 217 of the ball stud 211 from disengaging from the socket 209.
[0079] Preferably, when the elongate member 225a of the locking device 213 is fully inserted into at least one locking groove 227, the closed end 220a of the socket 209 and the stop member 225b of the locking device 213 are at substantially the same level, as can be seen in Figure 5a .
[0080] Advantageously, with the configuration of the ball and socket assembly of the present invention, an operator at an assembly line can easily assemble and disassemble the connecting rod 201 and the crank 207 without using any clamping devices or tools; the worker only needs to place the socket 209 of the connecting rod 201 on the spherical portion 217 of the ball stud 211 and push the locking device 213 into the locking groove 227 in place with his / her hand.
[0081] Furthermore, since the connecting rod 201 can be manually assembled without using any tools, it is possible that the pivot assemblies of the linkage system can be easily connected to each other by manually assembling the connecting rod 201 and the crank 207. Thus, the pivot assemblies can be delivered to the consumer as separate components rather than as a single integral wiper actuating linkage system as shown in Figure 1 the prior art.
[0082] Accordingly, after the pivot assemblies are separately installed on the vehicle, the connecting rod can be manually assembled to the linkage system. Further, the frame tube or support structure that supports the pivot assemblies and the wiper motor can be omitted from the linkage system because the connecting rod and the crank can be assembled or disassembled independently of the pivot assemblies.
[0083] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is in no way limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations can be made within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the different embodiments described herein can be freely combined to obtain new combinations.
[0084] In addition, by studying the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.
[0085] List of reference numerals
[0086] 201 Connecting rod
[0087] 203 First longitudinal end
[0088] 205 Second longitudinal end
[0089] 207 Crank
[0090] 209 Socket
[0091] 211 Ball stud
[0092] 213 Locking device
[0093] 214 Housing
[0094] 215 Body part
[0095] 217 Sphere part
[0096] 219 Internal cavity
[0097] 220a Closed end
[0098] 220b Open end
[0099] 222 First section
[0100] 224 Second section
[0101] 225a Elongated member
[0102] 225b Stop member
[0103] 227 Locking groove
[0104] 229 Stop surface
Claims
1. A wiper actuation linkage system for a windshield wiper system, comprising at least one connecting rod (201) extending between longitudinal ends (203, 205) of the at least one connecting rod; and At least one crank (207), wherein, the longitudinal ends of the at least one connecting rod are hinged to the at least one crank (207) by means of a ball and socket assembly, the ball and socket assembly comprising a socket (209) and a stud (211), the stud being configured to be fixed to the crank (207), characterized in that the socket (209) comprises a body portion (215) and at least one locking groove (227), the body portion being configured to receive a spherical portion (217) of the stud (211) therein, the at least one locking groove receiving a removable locking device (213) for retaining the spherical portion (217) inside the socket (209).
2. The wiper actuating linkage system according to claim 1, wherein, The body portion (215) comprises a substantially spherical inner cavity (219) having a closed first end (220a) and an open second end (220b) opposite the closed first end (220a), the inner cavity (219) receiving the spherical portion (217) of the stud (211).
3. The wiper actuation linkage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The socket (209) comprises a movable first section (222) and a fixed second section (224), the first and second sections (222, 224) together constituting the body portion (215).
4. The wiper actuating linkage system according to claim 3, wherein, The first section (222) of the body portion (215) has a reduced thickness compared to the second section (224) of the body portion (215).
5. The wiper actuation linkage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The locking device (213) comprises an elongate member (225a) and a stop member (225b), the stop member extending from the elongate member at an end of the elongate member (225a).
6. The wiper actuation linkage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one locking groove (227) is arranged adjacent to the body portion (215) and extends along an outer periphery of the first section (222) of the body portion (215).
7. The wiper actuating linkage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one locking groove (227) has a form complementary to a form of the elongate member (225a).
8. The wiper actuating linkage system according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein, The first section (222) is configured to deform radially outwards from a rest position during assembly and / or disassembly of the spherical portion (217) with the socket (209).
9. A wiper actuating linkage system as claimed in claim 5 in combination with any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, The stop member (225b) of the locking device (213) is configured to abut against a stop surface (229) of the socket (209) when the elongate member (225a) is fully inserted into the at least one locking groove (227).
10. The wiper actuation linkage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one locking groove (227) is formed as a through hole or a blind hole.
11. The wiper actuation linkage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The socket (209) is overmolded onto the longitudinal end (203) of the at least one connecting rod (201).
12. The wiper actuation linkage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, When the locking device (213) is inserted into the at least one locking groove (227), the closed first end (220a) of the socket (209) and the stop member (225b) of the locking device (213) are substantially flush.
13. A windshield wiper system for a vehicle, the windshield wiper system comprising a wiper actuation linkage system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12.
14. A vehicle comprising the windshield wiper system as claimed in claim 13.
15. A method of assembling a connecting rod (201) and a crank (207) of a wiper actuation linkage system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, the method comprising the steps of: - inserting the spherical portion (217) of the crank (207) into the socket (209) of the connecting rod (201) such that when the spherical portion (217) is received inside the body portion (215) of the socket (209), the movable first section (222) of the body portion (215) is displaced radially outwards; and - securing the spherical portion (217) within the internal cavity (219) by inserting the elongate portion (225a) of the locking device (213) into the at least one locking groove (227) such that the movable first section (222) of the body portion is prevented from displacing radially outwards.