Patent Publication Number: US-2023158999-A1

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

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371 U.S. National Phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2021/054728 filed Feb. 25, 2021 (published as WO2021175702), which claims priority benefit to French Application No. 2002064 filed on Mar. 2, 2020, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention lies in the field of wiper actuating linkage systems. The present invention relates in particular to a ball joint housing support for a connecting rod of such a system. The invention also relates to a corresponding connecting rod and to the method of assembling it with such a support. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A motor vehicle is conventionally equipped with wipers for wiping and washing the windscreen and avoiding disruption to the driver&#39;s view of his surroundings. These wipers generally comprise an actuating arm for actuating a wiper blade, which effects an angular back-and-forth movement. The wiper blades, which are generally elongate, carry blade rubbers made of a resilient material. In operation, these blade rubbers rub against the windscreen and evacuate the water by removing it from the driver&#39;s field of view. The actuating arm of each wiper blade is connected, by its opposite end from the blade, to a linkage system in order to be driven in rotation. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The linkage system comprises at least one connecting rod, each longitudinal end of which is articulated to a crank that rotates as one with a drive shaft of a wiper, and more particular the arm thereof. 
     Each longitudinal end of the connecting rod carries a ball joint housing in which a crank pin is mounted so as to form a connection of the ball joint type. The crank pin itself is secured to one end of a crank, an opposite end of which is secured to a drive shaft of a wiper. 
     The linkage system may have a simplified configuration, namely may be a tubeless control linkage with a driveshaft that forms the axle of a blade carrier on the driver side and with a rotational-guidance bearing for a driveshaft that forms the axle of a wiper on the passenger side, the connecting rod connecting the two axles. Other configurations are known. For example, there may be a conventional control linkage with a driveshaft controlling two axles for two different connecting rods. 
     Furthermore, the crank pin can be force-fitted into an internal cavity of the ball-joint housing. It can be held in the cavity by snap-fastening, or using an additional retaining piece. 
     The ball joint housing may be overmolded onto the connecting rod or may be locked to the connecting rod, for example being locked on by snap-fastening or using an additional device. The assembly of the connecting rod requires several movements and therefore involves multiple applications of assembly forces to secure the crank pin to the ball joint housing and then to lock the assembly to the connecting rod. 
     According to another known solution, the ball joint housing can be in the form of two half-housings assembled around the crank pin. The ball-joint housing can then be joined to the connecting rod by snap-fastening. The snap-fastening force thus has a dual function of, on the one hand, keeping the connecting rod on the ball joint housing and, on the other hand, keeping the ball-joint housing on the crank pin. However, when the connecting rod is in use, there is a risk of the accidental disassembly of the connecting rod when the forces in the connecting rod are too high. 
     Moreover, depending on the configuration of the ball joint housing, the assembly of the linkage system on motor vehicle assembly lines may require very specific tooling such as pliers, crimpers for example for crimping the ball joint housing to the crank pin. This additionally requires positioning and also alignment forces for assembling the various parts of the connecting rod of the linkage system. Such an assembly may therefore prove to be complex. 
     One objective of the invention is to at least partially alleviate these disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a solution that makes it possible to reduce the forces involved in assembling a connecting rod with a ball-joint housing intended to accept a crank pin secured to a crank, while at the same time limiting the risk of accidental disassembly of the connecting rod when in use in a wiper actuating linkage system. 
     A further objective of the invention is to allow simple assembly of the connecting rod with the ball-joint housing, which can be carried out manually without the aid of specific tools, on motor vehicle assembly lines. 
     To this end, one subject of the invention is a 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 and configured to be received in a complementary orifice on the connecting rod. According to the invention, the support is configured to be assembled by rotation with the connecting rod. 
     The support advantageously comprises at least one rotational-guidance element guiding the rotation of the connecting rod about the longitudinal axis of the ball joint housing into a final assembly position. 
     The support advantageously comprises 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. 
     The support advantageously comprises at least one rotation-blocking element configured to prevent the connecting rod from rotating out of the final assembly position. 
     Thus, the support for the ball-joint housing can perform both a function of rotationally guiding the corresponding connecting rod and a function of maintaining the position and of blocking the rotation thereof. 
     The guidance and/or retention and/or rotation-blocking functions may be performed by the one same element or by a number of distinct elements. The rotation-blocking function may be achieved by snap fastening. 
     The overmolding of the ball joint housing onto the connecting rod, as is performed in certain solutions of the prior art, can be eliminated. Likewise, there is no longer a need to deliver the connecting rod, the crank pin on the crank and the ball joint housing to the end customer such as a motor manufacturer as three separate parts for them to manually assemble. The solution of the invention allows the delivery, ready for assembly, of, on the one hand, the connecting rod on its own and, on the other hand, the ball-joint housing carried by the support and already assembled onto the crank pin on the crank. The connecting rod can be effortlessly assembled with the ball-joint housing support according to the invention by the end customer. 
     In addition, delivering the ball joint housing already attached to the crank pin means that this pre-assembly can be delivered ready lubricated and that a ball-joint housing seal can be fitted between the crank and the ball-joint housing, thus improving the sealing of the ball joint housing on the crank pin. 
     The ball-joint housing support may also have one or more of the following features described below, considered separately or in combination. 
     The support may be produced in one piece with the ball joint housing. 
     The support is configured to collaborate with a connecting rod of elongate overall shape. 
     According to one aspect, the support defines a receptacle configured to at least partially receive the connecting rod in the final assembly position. This receptacle may comprise at least two receptacle parts. 
     According to one embodiment, the receptacle comprises 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. 
     The housing may comprise a second part extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ball joint housing, configured to receive a longitudinal portion of the connecting rod in the axial continuation of the longitudinal end. 
     The support has for example a contour delimiting the receptacle in the overall shape of a U. 
     According to another aspect, the support has an elongate overall shape. This elongate shape extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ball-joint housing. 
     The support is for example of oblong overall shape. 
     The receptacle defined by the support may have an elongate overall shape. 
     According to one option, the support has an opening on one side of the receptacle, particularly a long side of the elongate shape, so as to allow the connecting rod to be inserted into the receptacle. 
     The support comprises for example a bottom wall from which the ball-joint housing extends. 
     The first part of the receptacle may comprise at least one rotational-guidance surface for guiding the longitudinal end of the connecting rod. 
     According to one embodiment, the rotational-guidance surface has an at least partially circular or cylindrical or spherical shape. 
     A rotational-guidance surface may be formed by the external cylindrical wall of the ball joint housing. 
     Another rotational-guidance surface that is at least partially circular may be formed on the bottom wall of the support, distinct from the cylindrical wall of the ball-joint housing. 
     The rotational-guidance surface or surfaces provided at the first part of the receptacle are advantageously centred on the ball-joint housing. 
     The first part of the receptacle may have an at least partially spherical overall shape. 
     The first part of the receptacle defines for example at least a first angular sector configured to be arranged facing the longitudinal end of the connecting rod in a first assembly position. 
     The first part of the receptacle defines for example at least a second angular sector configured to be arranged facing the longitudinal end of the connecting rod in the final assembly position. 
     The angular sectors are advantageously configured to allow the connecting rod to rotate by an amplitude of the order of 90° between the first angular sector and the second angular sector. 
     According to another aspect, the receptacle comprises at least one retaining tab having a bearing surface configured to bear against the connecting rod in the final assembly position. 
     The first part of the receptacle may comprise at least one retaining tab in the region of the second angular sector and having a bearing surface configured to bear against the longitudinal end of the connecting rod in the final assembly position. 
     The second part of the receptacle may comprise at least one retaining tab having a bearing surface configured to bear against the longitudinal portion of the connecting rod in the final assembly position. 
     At least one of the bearing surfaces forms a surface that reacts load along the longitudinal axis of the ball-joint housing. 
     According to one embodiment, the second part of the receptacle has two opposite sides, one on each side of a bottom wall. The two sides may have different thicknesses along the longitudinal axis of the ball joint housing. 
     At least one of the tabs is provided on the thickest side of the second part of the receptacle. 
     According to yet another aspect, 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. 
     The rotation-blocking and retaining surfaces are for example planar or substantially planar. 
     Advantageously, the support comprises a guide ramp configured to be in contact with the connecting rod during assembly by rotation of the support with the connecting rod. This then ensures linear-to-planar contact between the connecting rod and the ball-joint housing support during rotation. 
     The guide ramp can be arranged in such a way as to rotationally guide the longitudinal portion of the connecting rod in the axial continuation of the longitudinal end of the connecting rod. 
     According to another aspect, the support may comprise a leg delimiting one side of the second part of the receptacle and exhibiting the guide ramp. Such a leg may extend, from the first part of the receptacle, transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ball joint housing. This leg offers the support some flexibility along the axis of the ball-joint housing in the event of force applied by the connecting rod during assembly by rotation, particularly against the guide ramp. Thus, the support deforms during the rotational movement until it comes to rest on the other side of the connecting rod to provide snap fastening. 
     The leg is for example chamfered at its end, thereby defining the guide ramp. 
     Finally, the ball joint housing has an internal cavity configured to receive a complementary crank pin. 
     The invention also relates to a connecting rod for a wiper actuating linkage system. The connecting rod has an elongate overall shape and one longitudinal end comprises an orifice configured to receive a complementary ball-joint housing. 
     The connecting rod may have one or more of the following features described below, considered separately or in combination. 
     According to one aspect, the connecting rod may in particular be configured to be assembled by rotation with a ball-joint housing advantageously provided on a ball joint housing support as defined hereinabove. 
     The connecting rod may have at least one contact surface configured to collaborate with a rotational-guidance element on the ball-joint housing, advantageously on the ball joint housing support, during assembly by rotation with the ball-joint housing, advantageously with the ball-joint housing support. 
     The connecting rod may have at least one contact surface configured to collaborate with the ball-joint housing support, and in particular with a complementary retaining element on the ball joint housing support in a final assembly position. 
     The connecting rod may comprise a contact surface on a longitudinal end edge of the connecting rod configured to come to bear against a retaining tab in the region of the second angular sector of the receptacle first part of the support. 
     The connecting rod may comprise a contact surface on a longitudinal end edge of the connecting rod configured to come to bear against a retaining tab in the region of the receptacle second part of the support. 
     In a variant or in addition, the connecting rod may comprise two lateral contact surfaces of the connecting rod which are configured to come to bear against two opposite rotation-blocking and retaining surfaces of the receptacle second part of the support. 
     The longitudinal end edge of the connecting rod may be rounded. 
     According to another aspect, the connecting rod may have a flange ring bordering the orifice. This flange ring is configured to surround the complementary ball joint housing. 
     The flange ring is created for example by deforming a metal strip for forming the connecting rod, along a surface perpendicular to the surface of the metal strip. Such a flange ring, also known as a flanged edge, ensures that load is reacted in collaboration with the external cylindrical wall of the ball-joint housing. 
     The invention also relates to a wiper actuating linkage system comprising at least one ball joint housing support as defined hereinabove. 
     The linkage system comprises at least one connecting rod as defined hereinabove. 
     The linkage system advantageously comprises complementary rotational-guidance elements carried, on the one hand, by the connecting rod and, on the other hand, by the ball-joint housing support. 
     The linkage system comprises complementary retaining elements carried, on the one hand, by the connecting rod and, on the other hand, by the ball joint housing support, and configured to keep the connecting rod in a final assembly position in which it is assembled with the ball-joint housing support. 
     The linkage system comprises complementary rotation-blocking elements carried, on the one hand, by the connecting rod and, on the other hand, by the ball joint housing support, and configured to prevent the connecting rod from rotating out of the final assembly position. 
     The invention applies to any configuration of the linkage system, for example both to a conventional configuration and to a simplified configuration. 
     The invention also relates to method for assembling a connecting rod of a linkage system as defined hereinabove with a ball-joint housing support as defined hereinabove. 
     The method of assembly 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 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. 
     The method may also have one or more of the following features described below, considered separately or in combination. 
     The ball joint housing may be pre-assembled with the crank pin on the crank. 
     When the ball-joint housing engages in the orifice in the connecting rod, the longitudinal end of the connecting rod comes to face a first angular sector of a receptacle first part of the support. 
     The rotational movement may be of an amplitude of the order of 90°. 
     The rotational movement is for example performed until the longitudinal end comes to face a second angular sector of the receptacle first part of the support and until the longitudinal portion of the connecting rod is received in a receptacle second part of the support. 
     According to one particular aspect, during the rotational movement, the longitudinal portion of the connecting rod may be guided by at least one guide ramp on a leg defining the receptacle second part. The leg may deform so that it can snap fasten on the other side of the connecting rod. 
     Such assembly makes it possible to reduce assembly forces. In addition, the reaction of load is optimized notably thanks to the retaining tabs bearing against one or more contact surfaces of the connecting rod, and possibly thanks to a constant barrel around the crank pin mounted in the ball-joint housing and at least partially surrounded by the flange ring of the connecting rod. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages and features of the invention will become more clearly apparent from reading the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic perspective view of a wiper actuating linkage system of a motor vehicle. 
         FIG.  2    is a view on a larger scale of a part of the linkage system of  FIG.  1    showing one end of the connecting rod assembled with a ball-joint housing support accepting a crank pin on a crank according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view showing a ball-joint housing seal positioned between the ball joint housing support and the crank of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a view from beneath of the longitudinal end of the connecting rod assembled with the ball-joint housing support. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the ball-joint housing support of  FIGS.  2  to  4   . 
         FIG.  6    shows the connecting rod and the ball-joint housing support of  FIGS.  2  to  4    in a position of engagement of the ball joint housing in an orifice in the connecting rod during the assembly of the connecting rod with the ball joint housing support. 
         FIG.  7    shows the connecting rod and the ball joint housing support of  FIG.  6    in a final assembly position after rotation. 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of the ball-joint housing support of  FIGS.  2  to  7   . 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the ball-joint housing support of  FIGS.  2  to  8   . 
         FIG.  10    is an exploded view of one end of a connecting rod and of a ball joint housing support accepting a crank pin on a crank according to a second embodiment, prior to assembly. 
         FIG.  11    is a view of the longitudinal end of the connecting rod assembled with the ball-joint housing support accepting a crank pin on a crank according to the second embodiment, after rotation. 
         FIG.  12    is a partial view of connecting rod of the linkage system of  FIG.  1    according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  13    is a partial perspective view of the connecting rod of  FIG.  12   . 
         FIG.  14    shows the positioning of the ball-joint housing support according to the first embodiment with respect to the connecting rod, with the ball-joint housing receiving the crank pin on the crank and engaged in the orifice in the connecting rod prior to assembly by rotation of the connecting rod and of the ball-joint housing support. 
         FIG.  15    shows the ball-joint housing support according to the first embodiment in a first intermediate position with respect to the connecting rod receiving the ball joint housing during rotation. 
         FIG.  16    shows the ball joint housing support according to the first embodiment in a second intermediate position with respect to the connecting rod receiving the ball-joint housing during rotation. 
         FIG.  17    shows the positioning of the ball-joint housing support according to the first embodiment, receiving the crank pin on the crank, and of the connecting rod in the final assembly position after rotation. 
         FIG.  18    schematically depicts a step of engaging the connecting rod around the ball-joint housing receiving the crank pin on the crank and carried by the ball joint housing support according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG.  19    shows the positioning of the connecting rod receiving the ball-joint housing of  FIG.  18    prior to assembly by rotation of the connecting rod and of the ball-joint housing support. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In these figures, identical elements bear the same reference numerals. 
     The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Individual features of various embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments. 
     In the description, certain elements may be indexed, such as first element or second element, for example. In this case, this is merely indexing for differentiating and denoting elements that are similar but not identical. This indexing does not imply that one element takes priority over another and such denominations can easily be interchanged without departing from the scope of the present description. This indexing does not imply an order in time either. 
     Wiper Actuating Linkage System: 
     Reference is first of all made to  FIG.  1   , which shows a wiper actuating linkage system  10  of a motor vehicle, referred to as system  10  below. In the state mounted in a motor vehicle, the system  10  is generally fixed to the body  12  of the vehicle. 
     The control linkage configuration detailed hereinafter is a non-limiting example of a simplified control linkage. Naturally, the invention also applies to other configurations, notably to a conventional control linkage (not illustrated) with a motor controlling two axles for two different connecting rods. 
     According to the particular example of  FIG.  1   , the system  10  comprises a mounting plate  14  for supporting a rotational-guidance bearing for guiding the rotation of a drive shaft  16  of a first wiper (not shown). This first wiper comprises in the conventional way an actuating arm actuating a wiper blade (not shown). One longitudinal end of the actuating arm is secured to the drive shaft  16  and its opposite longitudinal end is connected to the wiper blade. The wiper blade carries a blade rubber intended to wipe the windscreen of the vehicle. 
     The system  10  also comprises at least one crank  18  and a connecting rod  20 . 
     The connecting rod  20  has a substantially rectilinear elongate overall shape extending along an axis of elongation A between the first longitudinal end  20   a  and a second longitudinal end  20   b.  The features of the connecting rod  20  will be specified hereinafter. 
     One end of the crank  18  rotates as one with the drive shaft  16  of the first wiper. The other end of the crank  18  is articulated to a first end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20 . 
     The system  10  comprises another mounting plate  22  for supporting an electric geared motor  23 , the output shaft  24  of which is intended to drive a second wiper (not shown). This second wiper, which is not shown, is similar to the one described above. 
     The system  10  has another crank  26 , one end of which rotates as one with the output shaft  24 . The other end of the crank  26  is articulated to a second longitudinal end  20   b  of the connecting rod  20 . 
     At least one or each end  20   a,    20   b  of the connecting rod  20  is articulated to a corresponding crank  18 ,  26 . In particular, at least one or each of the ends  20   a,    20   b  of the connecting rod  20  may be articulated via a support  27  comprising a housing known as the ball joint housing  28 , better visible in  FIG.  2   , and via a corresponding crank pin  30 , just a portion of which is visible in  FIG.  2   . The support  27 , also known as the ball-joint housing support, will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     In general, the crank pin  30  is designed to be received at least partially in a complementary internal cavity of the ball joint housing  28 , so as to form a connection of the ball joint type. The crank pin  30  may, by way of example, have a portion of spherical overall shape intended to be received in the ball-joint housing  28 . It may additionally comprise a portion of cylindrical overall shape visible in  FIG.  2    allowing connection to the corresponding crank. The crank pin  30  may for example be fixed by crimping to one end of the corresponding crank  18 . Thus, the connection between the crank pin  30  and the ball-joint housing  28  ensures the articulation between the connecting rod  20  and the corresponding crank, for example  18 . 
     On assembly, the crank pin  30  may extend in the same axial direction as the driveshaft  16  secured to the opposite end of the crank  18  ( FIG.  1   ), in the same sense of the direction or alternatively in the opposite sense of the direction, in other words upwards or downwards relative to the crank  18 , with reference to the orientation of  FIG.  2   . 
     A ball-joint housing seal  32  may be positioned around the, for example cylindrical, portion of the crank pin between the crank  18  for example and the ball joint housing  28 , as depicted in  FIG.  3   . That improves the sealing of the ball-joint housing  28  on the crank pin (which is no longer visible in  FIG.  3    because of the ball joint housing seal). 
     Moreover, two supports  27  for ball-joint housings  28  may be arranged identically on the two (driver and passenger) sides. Alternatively, the supports  27  for ball-joint housings  28  may be arranged symmetrically on the two sides. 
     Ball-Joint Housing Support: 
     As regards the ball joint housing support  27 , as already stated, it comprises the ball-joint housing  28  intended to receive the crank pin. Advantageously, the support  27  and the ball-joint housing  28  are produced in one piece. The support  27  for the ball-joint housing  28  forms a one-piece component. 
     The support  27 , and particularly the ball-joint housing  28 , may be made of plastic. 
     The support  27  of the ball-joint housing  28  may also be produced in several parts, for example in several different plastics materials, notably by co-molding, or may even incorporate at least a part that is non-plastic and for example made of metal. 
     The ball-joint housing  28  is intended to be mounted in an orifice  201  at one longitudinal end, for example  20   a,  of the connecting rod  20 . 
     In general, the ball joint housing  28  has an elongate shape extending along a longitudinal axis B. This longitudinal axis B is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the crank pin when it is received in the ball-joint housing  28 . 
     The ball joint housing  28  defines an internal cavity  280 , visible in  FIG.  4   , intended to at least partially receive the complementary crank pin. It has an overall shape that complements that of the crank pin that it is intended to receive. By way of example, the internal cavity  280  may have a spherical overall shape. The axis of revolution of the internal cavity  280  corresponds to the longitudinal axis B of the ball joint housing  28 . The ball-joint housing  28  may have an external shape (as opposed to the internal cavity  280 ) of a hat or of a bell. Any other shape may be envisioned. The ball joint housing  28  may thus for example be of conical shape. 
     The internal cavity  280  is dimensioned in such a way as to allow the insertion of the complementary crank pin into the internal cavity  280 . It is also advantageously dimensioned in such a way as to allow the crank pin to be retained in the ball-joint housing  28  when the linkage system is in the assembled state. 
     The internal cavity  280  is open at least at one axial end of the ball joint housing  28 . This provides access for inserting the crank pin into the ball-joint housing  28 . 
     The ball-joint housing  28  may or may not comprise a wall forming a cavity bottom wall, at the opposite axial end to the opening for the insertion of the crank pin. 
     Moreover, the support  27  generally exhibits a shape that complements the shape of the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20  with which it is intended to collaborate. 
     For example, the support  27  has an overall shape that is elongate along an axis of elongation A′. This elongate shape complements the shape of the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20 , which is for example of elongate shape. The support  27  is for example of oblong overall shape. 
     The axis of elongation A′ of the support  27  is transverse to the longitudinal axis B of the ball-joint housing  28 . 
     The support  27  is configured to be assembled by rotation with the connecting rod  20 . In particular, the support  27  and the connecting rod  20  may be intended to be assembled by a relative rotational movement through the order of 90°, or a quarter of a turn. 
     The assembly movement is intended to be performed from a first assembly position, in which the ball joint housing engages in the orifice  201  of the connecting rod  20 , as far as a final assembly position. In the final assembly position, as depicted in  FIGS.  2  to  4   , the axis of elongation A′ of the support  27  is coincident with the axis of elongation A of the connecting rod  20 . The assembly method will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
     In order to allow assembly by rotation, the support  27 , better visible in  FIG.  5   , advantageously comprises at least one rotational-guidance element guiding the rotation of the connecting rod about an axis of rotation as far as a final assembly position. The axis of rotation is coincident with the longitudinal axis B of the ball-joint housing  28 . 
     Such a rotational-guidance element is configured to collaborate with a complementary guidance element provided on the connecting rod (not depicted in  FIG.  5   ), as specified hereinafter. Such a rotational-guidance element on the support  27  may, non-exhaustively, be a guidance surface  271 ,  273 , which is for example at least partially circular, cylindrical or even spherical, or a guide ramp  275 . Particular examples are described hereinafter. 
     The support  27  also advantageously comprises at least one retaining element configured to collaborate with the connecting rod (not depicted in this  FIG.  5   ) and keep it in the final assembly position in which it is assembled with the support  27  of the ball joint housing. Such a retaining element is configured to collaborate with a complementary element on the connecting rod, as specified hereinafter. Such a retaining element on the support  27  may for example be a retaining tab  277 . Particular examples are described hereinafter. 
     The support  27  also advantageously comprises at least one rotation-blocking element configured to prevent the connecting rod from rotating out of the final assembly position. Such a blocking element is configured to collaborate with a complementary element on the connecting rod  20 , as specified hereinafter. The rotation blocking may for example be performed by one or more blocking and retaining surfaces  279  between which the connecting rod is intended to become wedged. One embodiment is described hereinafter. 
     The guidance, retention and rotation-blocking functions may be performed by the one same element or by a number of distinct elements. 
     In addition, the support  27  defines a receptacle  29  configured to at least partially receive the connecting rod  20  in the final assembly position. 
     The support  27  comprises for example a wall  291  forming a bottom wall of the receptacle  29 . The bottom wall  291  may or may not be perforated. 
     The receptacle  29  defined by the support  27  may define an overall shape that is elongate along the axis of elongation A′. 
     According to one option, the support  27  has an opening on one side of the receptacle  29 , particularly a long side of the elongate shape, so as to allow the connecting rod to be inserted into the receptacle  29 . 
     In addition, this receptacle  29  comprises for example a first part  29   a  and a second part  29   b.  The bottom wall  291  is, in this example, common to both of the two receptacle parts  29   a,    29   b.    
     The first part  29 a is equipped with the ball joint housing  28 . The latter extends from the bottom wall  291 , perpendicular to the overall plane defined by the bottom wall  291 , along the longitudinal axis B. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  5  to  7   , the first part  29   a  of the receptacle  29  is configured to receive the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20 . This first part  29   a  therefore has a shape that complements the shape of the longitudinal end  20   a.  Further, the first part  29   a  is configured in such a way as to allow this longitudinal end  20   a  to rotate about the ball joint housing  28 . It defines for example at least two locations between which the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20  can rotate. 
     By way of example, the first part  29   a  of the receptacle  29  has an at least partially spherical shape. 
     Furthermore, it defines for example at least two sectors facing which the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20  is intended to be positioned between two extreme assembly positions (which are depicted in  FIGS.  6  and  7   ). The sectors are of a shape that complements the shape of the end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20 . In this example with a spherical receptacle first part  29   a,  these are angular sectors  293 ,  295 . 
     A first angular sector  293  is configured to be positioned facing the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20  in a first assembly position, as depicted in  FIG.  6   . 
     A second angular sector  295  is configured to be positioned facing the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20  in the final assembly position, as depicted in  FIG.  7   . 
     The angular sectors are, for example, configured to allow the connecting rod  20  to rotate by an amplitude of the order of 90° between the first angular sector  293  and the second angular sector  295 . 
     Referring once again to  FIG.  5   , the second part  29   b  of the receptacle  29  extends longitudinally along the axis of elongation A′. This second part  29   b  is configured to receive, in the final assembly position, a longitudinal portion  20   c  of the connecting rod  20  extending in the axial continuation of the longitudinal end  20   a  thereof, as depicted in  FIG.  7   . 
     With reference to  FIG.  8   , the second part  29   b  of the receptacle  29  may comprise two opposite sides  297 ,  299  one on each side of the bottom wall  291 . These two sides  297 ,  299  have, for example, different thicknesses along the longitudinal axis B of the ball-joint housing  28 . 
     A first side  297  may have for example mainly the same thickness e 1  as the bottom wall  291 . A longitudinal end edge of this first side  297  may have a progressive thickness evolving from the first thickness e 1  to a second thickness e 2  that is greater than the thickness e 1  of the bottom wall  291 . This progressive thickness may be achieved using a chamfer. The inclination may be of the order of 20° to 70°, for example preferably around 60° , with respect to the overall plane defined by the bottom wall  291 . 
     The first side  297  may be separated from the bottom wall  291  by a slot, thus forming a leg giving the support  27  flexibility. This leg extends from the first part  29   a  of the receptacle  29  transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis B of the ball-joint housing  28 . 
     A second side  299  may have for example a thickness e 3  that is greater than the thicknesses e 1 , e 2  of the bottom wall  291  and of the first side  297 . 
     Moreover, the receptacle  29  may be configured to provide rotational guidance of the connecting rod. 
     To this end, the receptacle  29 , and particularly the second part  29   b  of the receptacle  29 , may comprise at least one rotational-guidance element such as the guide ramp  275 . This guide ramp  275  is defined for example by the progressive thickness. The guide ramp  275  may be provided on the smallest-thickness side  297  of the second part  29   b  of the receptacle  29 . 
     According to the particular example described hereinabove, the leg provided on the first side  297  exhibits such a guide ramp  275  at its free end, which is to say at the opposite end to the receptacle first part  29   a.  The guide ramp  275  is defined by the chamfer. 
     The guide ramp  275  is configured in such a way as to be in contact with the connecting rod, particularly a longitudinal portion in the continuation of the longitudinal end of the connecting rod, during the rotational movement for assembling the connecting rod with the ball-joint housing support  27 , thus ensuring linear-to-planar contact between the connecting rod and the ball-joint housing support  27 . 
     In addition, with reference to  FIG.  9   , the receptacle  29 , and particularly the first part  29   a  of the receptacle  29 , may comprise at least one rotational-guidance element such as the rotational-guidance surface or surfaces  271 ,  273  of the longitudinal end of the connecting rod (which is not depicted in this figure). The rotational-guidance surface or surfaces  271 ,  273  provided at the first part  29   a  of the receptacle  29  are advantageously centred on the ball joint housing  28 . 
     A rotational-guidance surface  271  may be formed by the external cylindrical wall of the ball joint housing  28 . This cylindrical rotational-guidance surface  271  is intended to collaborate with a complementary surface, for example a cylindrical surface around an orifice at the longitudinal end of the connecting rod, in which orifice the ball-joint housing  28  is intended to be engaged, as described hereinafter. 
     As an alternative or in addition, at least one rotational-guidance surface  273  may be formed on the bottom wall  291  of the support  27 . This is for example the surface of the bottom wall  291  in line with at least one angular sector  293 ,  295 . Such a guidance surface  273  may or may not be at least partially circular. 
     Moreover, the receptacle  29  may be configured to allow the connecting rod  20  to be retained in the final assembly position ( FIG.  7   ). 
     To this end, with reference to  FIGS.  7  to  9   , the receptacle  29  may comprise at least one retaining element such as a retaining tab  277 , having a bearing surface  278  against which the connecting rod  20  is configured to come to bear in the final assembly position. In particular, the connecting rod  20  is intended to be held against the bottom wall  291  and the bearing surface  278  of one or more retaining tabs  277 . 
     Such a retaining tab  277  may be provided at the first part  29   a  of the receptacle  29 . As an alternative or in addition, such a retaining tab  277  may be provided at the second part  29   b  of the receptacle  29 . 
     For example, the first part  29   a  of the receptacle  29  comprises at least one retaining tab  277 , for example two retaining tabs  277 , at the second angular sector  295 . These retaining tabs  277  may extend along a main axis of extension perpendicular to the axis of elongation N of the support  27  and to the longitudinal axis B of the ball joint housing  28 . 
     In that case, the bearing surface  278  of at least one or each retaining tab  277  is intended to bear against the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20  in the final assembly position. 
     In this example, this bearing surface  278  is a lower surface of the retaining tab  277 , along the longitudinal axis B of the ball joint housing, according to the orientation of the elements in  FIG.  8   . It forms a surface that reacts load along the longitudinal axis B of the ball joint housing  28 . 
     Likewise, with reference to  FIGS.  7  to  9   , the second part  29   b  of the receptacle  29  may comprise at least one retaining tab  277  having a bearing surface  278  against which the longitudinal portion  20   c  of the connecting rod  20  bears in the final assembly position. 
     Such a tab  277  is, for example, provided on the side  299  of greatest-thickness e 3  of the second part  29   b  of the receptacle  29 . As previously, the bearing surface  278  is a lower surface of the retaining tab  277 , along the longitudinal axis B of the ball joint housing, according to the orientation of the elements in  FIG.  8   . It forms a surface that reacts load along the longitudinal axis B of the ball-joint housing  28 . 
     Furthermore, the receptacle  29  may be configured to perform a function of preventing rotation of the connecting rod  20  once the ball joint housing support  27  and the connecting rod  20  are in the final assembly position ( FIG.  7   ). By way of example, the receptacle  29  may be configured to allow the connecting rod  20  to be snap-fastened into the receptacle  29  in the final assembly position. 
     According to one embodiment, the second part  29   b  of the receptacle  29  may have at least two opposite rotation-blocking and retaining surfaces  279  between which the longitudinal portion  20   c  of the connecting rod  20  is intended to be received in the final assembly position. These are, for example, planar surfaces  279 . 
     According to the particular embodiment described with a leg on the side  297  offering the support flexibility, this leg exhibits, for example, one of the opposite retaining surfaces at its free end. 
     Thus, during assembly by rotation, the longitudinal portion  20   c  of the connecting rod  20  is intended to slide against the guide ramp  275 . The leg on the side  297  of the second part  29   b  of the receptacle  29  deforms, because of the force applied by the connecting rod  20 , and snap fastens onto the other side of the connecting rod  20 . 
       FIGS.  2  to  9    show a first embodiment of the support  27  for the ball-joint housing  28 . This first embodiment is particularly suitable for an assembly with a corresponding crank pin on a crank, which crank pin is oriented upwards (with reference to the orientation in  FIG.  2   ), which is to say is intended to extend in the same sense of direction as the driveshaft secured to the other end of the crank. 
     A second embodiment of the support  27  for the ball-joint housing  28  is depicted in  FIGS.  10  and  11   , in a configuration already assembled with a crank pin on a corresponding crank  18 . This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described previously in that the support  27  is particularly suited to being assembled with a crank pin oriented downwards according to the orientation of the elements in  FIG.  10   , which is to say intended to extend in the opposite sense of direction to the driveshaft secured to the other end of the crank  18  when the linkage system is in the assembled state. 
     Those features of the support  27  that were described previously with reference to  FIGS.  2  to  9    also apply to the support  27  according to the second embodiment of  FIGS.  10  and  11   , and are not described again. 
     Connecting Rod: 
     As regards the connecting rod  20 , as previously described, it is intended to collaborate with a support  27  for a ball-joint housing  28  according to one or the other of the alternative forms described hereinabove. 
     The connecting rod  20  is for example produced by pressing a metal sheet. 
     This connecting rod  20  has an overall shape that is elongate along the axis of elongation A. At one longitudinal end  20   a  it comprises an orifice  201  configured to receive the complementary ball joint housing  28 . 
     This longitudinal end  20   a  has a rounded or substantially rounded end border  203 . 
     In the example of  FIG.  10   , the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20  is planar around the orifice  201 . 
     According to one particular embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  12  and  13   , the connecting rod  20  at its longitudinal end  20   a  may comprise a flange ring  205  bordering the orifice  201 . 
     This flange ring  205  is configured to at least partially surround the complementary ball-joint housing upon assembly of the connecting rod  20  with the ball-joint housing support. It has a shape that complements the shape of the external surface of the ball-joint housing. The flange ring  205  defines for example a cylindrical overall shape. Any other shape may be envisioned. According to an embodiment variant, the flange ring  205  could be conical in shape for example. 
     The flange ring  205  is created for example by deforming a metal strip for forming the connecting rod, along a surface perpendicular to the overall plane defined by the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20 . This flange ring  205  is also known as a flanged edge. 
     Such a flange ring  205  ensures that load is reacted in collaboration with the external cylindrical wall of the ball-joint housing, when the linkage system is in the assembled state. 
     According to one or the other of the alternatives of  FIGS.  10  to  13   , the body of the connecting rod  20 , with the exception of the longitudinal end  20   a  that has the orifice  201 , may have a U-shaped cross section. 
     Furthermore, the longitudinal end  20   a  and the longitudinal portion  20   c  in the continuation thereof may be widened relative to the rest of the body of the connecting rod  20 . 
     Such a connecting rod  20  is advantageously configured to be assembled by rotation with a ball joint housing support as described previously. 
     For this purpose, the longitudinal end  20   a  is configured in such a way as to collaborate in particular with the first part  29   a  of the receptacle  29  defined by the support  27  for the ball joint housing  28  (see  FIGS.  6  and  7   ). The rounded or substantially rounded end edge of the connecting rod  20  is for example intended to come to face one of the angular sectors  293 ,  295  in the two extreme assembly positions. 
     Complementing that of the support, the connecting rod  20  may comprise at least one rotational-guidance element. This may for example be the flange ring  205 , where provided, which is intended to collaborate with the cylindrical external surface of the ball-joint housing  28 , as depicted in  FIGS.  3  and  7   . 
     In addition, the connecting rod  20  has, at the longitudinal portion  20   c,  a contact surface  207  (see  FIG.  4   ) that is intended to face or more or less face the bottom wall  291  of the support  27  in the assembled state, which is intended to be in contact with the guide ramp  275  ( FIG.  5   ) provided on the support  27 . Such contact surfaces  207  may be formed by longitudinal edges of the connecting rod  20  in the longitudinal portion  20   c.    
     Complementing that of the support, the connecting rod  20  may comprise at least one retaining element. For that purpose, the connecting rod  20  may have at least one contact surface configured to collaborate with the ball joint housing support, and in particular with a complementary retaining element on the ball-joint housing support in the final assembly position. 
     By way of example, the connecting rod  20  may at its longitudinal end have a contact surface  208  ( FIG.  12   ) configured to come to bear against a retaining tab  277  at the second angular sector  295  of the receptacle first part  29   a  of the support  27  (as indicated schematically in  FIG.  7   ). 
     As an alternative or in addition, the connecting rod  20  may exhibit a contact surface  208  ( FIG.  12   ) on a longitudinal edge of the connecting rod  20  configured to come to bear against a retaining tab  277  in the region of the receptacle second part  29   b  of the support  27  (as indicated schematically in  FIG.  7   ). 
     As an alternative or in addition, the connecting rod  20  may comprise two lateral contact surfaces  209  ( FIG.  12   ) which are configured to come to bear against the two opposite rotation-blocking and retaining surfaces  279  of the receptacle second part  29   b  of the support  27  (see  FIGS.  5  and  7   ). 
     Assembly Method: 
       FIGS.  14  to  17    depict steps in the assembling of a connecting rod  20  as depicted in  FIGS.  12  and  13    with a ball-joint housing support  27  according to the first embodiment of  FIGS.  2  to  9   . Similarly,  FIGS.  18  and  19    depict steps in the assembling of a connecting rod  20  with a ball-joint housing support  27  according to the second embodiment of  FIGS.  10  and  11   . 
     The assembly method described hereinafter can be applied to either one or the other of the embodiments. 
     A preliminary step of fixing the crank pin to the crank  18 , for example by screw-fastening, crimping or some other method, may be provided. The crank pin may be fixed by a portion, for example cylindrical portion, that is not intended to be surrounded by the ball-joint housing  28  on assembly. 
     Likewise, the ball-joint housing  28  may be pre-assembled with the crank pin on the crank  18 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  14    in the case of the first embodiment and to  FIG.  18    in the case of the second embodiment, the method may comprise a step for inserting the ball joint housing  28 , carried by the support  27 , into the complementary orifice  201  at the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20 . This insertion may be performed through a movement of relative translation along an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the ball joint housing  28 . The direction of insertion is indicated by the arrow F in  FIG.  18    regarding the second embodiment. The translational movement may, of course, take place in the other sense of direction. 
     The support  27  and the connecting rod  20  are then assembled in a first position depicted in  FIG.  14    in the case of the first embodiment and in  FIG.  19    in the case of the second embodiment. 
     In this first position, the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20  is arranged facing the first angular sector  293  of the first part  29   a  of the receptacle  29  defined by the support  27 . 
     Thereafter, a movement of relative rotation between the connecting rod  20  and the support  27  for the ball-joint housing  28  is performed as indicated schematically by the arrow R 1  in  FIG.  14    or R 2  in  FIG.  19   . This is, in particular, a quarter turn rotation. The arrows R 1 , R 2  are indicated schematically by way of illustration. The rotation may be performed in the other sense of direction. 
     During the rotational movement, the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20  may be guided by the collaboration of the surface bordering the orifice  201 , such as the flange ring  205 , where present, with the, for example cylindrical, external surface of the ball joint housing  28 . 
     As an alternative or in addition, the longitudinal portion  20   c  of the connecting rod  20  may be guided by the guide ramp  275  (see  FIG.  15   ). The longitudinal portion  20   c  continues the rotational movement (see  FIG.  16   ) and the leg on the side  297  of the receptacle second part  29   b  may for example deform to snap-fasten onto the other side of the longitudinal portion  20   c  of the connecting rod  20 , as depicted in  FIG.  17    in the case of the first embodiment or  FIG.  11    in the case of the second embodiment. 
     The support  27  and the connecting rod  20  are in a final assembly position in which the longitudinal end  20   a  of the connecting rod  20  is arranged facing the second angular sector  295  of the first part  29   a  of the receptacle  29  defined by the support  27 . In addition, in this position, the longitudinal portion  20   c  of the connecting rod  20  is received in the second part  29   b  of the receptacle. The connecting rod  20  is held by at least one retaining element, such as the retaining tabs  277  on the supports  27  and is blocked against rotation between the two opposite surfaces  279  of the support  27 . This makes it possible to obtain effective blocking against rotation in the final assembly position, limiting the risk of the connecting rod  20  being released by rotating relative to the support  27  for the ball joint housing  28 . 
     Thus, it is possible to have easy assembly of the connecting rod  20  with the support  27  for the ball-joint housing  28 , with no specific tool being required. The assembly by translational movement followed by rotation into the final assembly position is carried out with minimum forces on account of the guidance of the rotation between the connecting rod  20  and the support  27  for the ball joint housing  28 . This assembly can be carried out by an operator on a motor vehicle manufacturer assembly line, for example when they receive a linkage system made up of separate component parts. 
     In the final assembly position, the collaboration between the retaining tabs  277  and the contact surfaces of the connecting rod  20  ensures that load is reacted along the longitudinal axis B of the ball joint housing. The collaboration between the external surface of the ball-joint housing  28  and the flange ring  205  for example on the connecting rod  20 , ensures that load is reacted along the other axes.