A wiper actuating assembly configured to actuate a windshield wiper arm includes an actuator and a linkage that connects the actuator to the wiper arm. Links of the linkage are joined by ball joints. The ball joints each include a ball stud and a ball socket. The ball portion of the ball stud has an annular ball groove that receives a retaining portion that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the ball socket. The ball groove and retaining portion cooperate to prevent withdrawal of the ball stud from the socket housing.

Closure element having two brackets which are substantially perpendicular or transverse with respect to one another. The closure element closes a ball socket, with the result that a pivot therein cannot be removed. To this end, it closes the opening of the ball socket. The ball socket and the pivot with the closure element form a secured ball joint which is used for wiping systems. The securing is carried out by the closure element being pushed onto the ball joint.

A hinge mechanism includes a hinge assembly connected with a first body and a second body to rotatably connect the first body and the second body, and a torque assembly mounted at the first body and connected with the hinge assembly. When the first body and the second body are relatively rotated to drive the hinge assembly, the hinge assembly drives the torque assembly to cause at least a part of the torque assembly to translate relative to the first body to provide a torque for the hinge assembly.

The invention concerns a crank pin for a connecting rod of a wiper-actuating linkage system, the crank pin being configured to be received in a complementary inner cavity of a ball joint of the linkage system, and comprising a truncated spherical portion having at least one spherical sector and at least one truncated sector. The invention also concerns a complementary ball joint. The invention also concerns a corresponding linkage system and the method for assembling a connecting rod of such a system.

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.

Provided is an air foil thrust bearing including a bump foil plate in which a plurality of bump foils are formed and an arrest ring protrudes in a thickness direction; and a top foil plate in which a plurality of top foils are formed, a through-hole penetrating through both sides of a second plate is formed in a position corresponding to the arrest ring, the top foil plate being stacked on the bump foil plate, wherein the arrest ring is inserted into and penetrates through the through-hole, the arrest ring is bent toward the top foil plate so that the second plate is caught in the arrest ring, and a time for a thrust runner to rise from the top foil at an early stage of starting a rotor as the arrest ring is spaced apart from the second plate.

A method for attaching a plastic barrel configured to guide an output shaft of a mechanical device to a housing for the mechanical device is disclosed. The housing includes a chimney delimited by an upper edge and a base, the chimney being arranged to partially surround the output shaft, the plastic barrel having a lateral protuberance. The method involves at least the following steps: inserting a first end of the plastic barrel into the chimney of the housing until the lateral protuberance axially abuts against the upper edge of the chimney, and at least partially deforming the first end of the plastic barrel in order to form an axial counter-abutment.

A method and system for permanently attaching a take-up screw for taking-up the axial clearance of the armature shaft of a windscreen wiper motor are disclosed. The take-up screw is screwed axially into a bore in the motor base (SM) until the screw reaches a stop position in relation to the armature shaft locked in the screw. At least one surface discontinuity is provided in the bore and/or the thread of the screw, allowing the screw to be screwed into the bore until it reaches the stop position. The screw is screwed into the bore until the stop position is reached and a screw- and/or motor base-deformation strain is applied at the discontinuity in order to deform the side surface of the screw and/or motor base (SM) and permanently attach the screw and/or motor base by wedging in the discontinuity.

A hinge mechanism includes a hinge assembly connected with a first body and a second body to rotatably connect the first body and the second body, and a torque assembly mounted at the first body and connected with the hinge assembly. When the first body and the second body are relatively rotated to drive the hinge assembly, the hinge assembly drives the torque assembly to cause at least a part of the torque assembly to translate relative to the first body to provide a torque for the hinge assembly.

The invention relates to a ball joint (10) for a wiper system, comprising a ball shell (12), a ball head (14) within the ball shell (12), a hinged rod (16) into which the ball shell (12) is inserted, and a securing means (18), wherein the securing means (18) engages around the hinged rod (16), in order to reduce an opening (20) in the ball shell (12) to a blocking distance (d), such that the ball head (15) can be removed from the ball shell (12). The invention further relates to a method for assembling the ball joint (10).