Sleeve for a constant velocity joint, arrangement consisting of both, use thereof, and associated production method

Abstract

The invention relates to a sleeve (1) for a constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13), comprising: a hollow sleeve body (1, 1b, 1c) having an outer circumferential surface (A), wherein the sleeve body (1a, 1b, 1c) has a passage (9) that has an inner circumferential surface (I) and is intended for receiving the constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13); wherein the passage (9) extends along an axial direction from a sleeve base (1a) of the sleeve body (1a, 1b, 1c), which forms a contact surface (Ia), belonging to the inner circumferential surface (I), for contact with an outer joint part (12) of the constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13), via a substantially rotationally symmetric bellows portion (1b) of the sleeve body (1, 1b, 1c) to a sleeve tip (1c) of the sleeve body (1a, 1b, 1c), which is designed to bear against an inner joint part (11) or against a shaft (11') rotationally fixedly connected to the inner joint part (11); wherein the sleeve body (1a, 1b, 1c) has a plurality of protuberances (6) which are situated inside the inner circumferential surface (I), project radially inwards and are arranged in the axial direction between the contact surface (Ia) and a portion of the inner circumferential surface (I) belonging to the bellows portion (1b); wherein the sleeve body (1a, 1b, 1c) has a plurality of radially inward-extending recesses (5) which are situated inside the outer circumferential surface (A) and each correspond to a protuberance (6) and each hollow out one of the protuberances (6); an associated arrangement, use and production method.

Description

[0001] Sleeve for a constant velocity joint, assembly of both, their use and associated manufacturing process

[0002] The present invention relates to a boot, also referred to as a joint boot, for a constant velocity joint, also referred to as a homokinetic joint, an assembly comprising a boot and a constant velocity joint, a related use, and a related manufacturing method. Conventional constant velocity joints (CV joints) typically comprise a boot made of an elastic material such as silicone or rubber, using a blow-molding process, and are used to seal internal components and lubricants against the external environment.

[0003] The sleeve has a passage for accommodating the constant velocity joint, in which the internal components, in particular the rolling elements and the associated rolling element tracks in the inner and outer parts of the joint are protected, or the loss of the lubricant located there by

[0004] Rotational forces are prevented. At the same time, a more or less flexible bellows section of the boot body ensures that the angling of the constant velocity joint from an extended position is not hindered by the boot. A disadvantage of the known boots is their high weight as a moving and sprung mass on the axle of the vehicle. In addition, the boot now increasingly has an additional task: in order to be able to create particularly compact joints and / or to avoid the need for subsequent mechanical processing such as caulking, the attachment of the mobility of the rolling elements in the rolling element track of the outer joint part is effected by the boot itself.The protrusions provided for this purpose, arranged within the inner circumferential surface, disadvantageously increase the material weight of the sleeve. At the same time, their desired contact interaction with the rolling elements requires a high degree of precision in the manufacturing process, which is impaired by material shrinkage. Furthermore, there is a general need to simplify the manufacturing process for sleeves, especially those with complex geometries, by enabling the sleeve to be manufactured reproducibly and precisely in as few processing steps as possible using fewer and simpler forming tools. Against this background, the present invention is based on the object of providing a comparatively lightweight, simple, precise, and reproducible sleeve that can be manufactured easily despite its multiple functionalities.This object is achieved by a sleeve for a constant velocity joint having the features of claim 1, as well as an arrangement comprising both, a corresponding use, and a corresponding manufacturing method having the features of the respective independent claims. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the respective subclaims.

[0005] It should be noted that the features listed individually in the following description can be combined with one another in any technically reasonable manner and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in conjunction with the figures.

[0006] It should further be noted that a conjunction "and / or" used hereinafter between two features and linking them together is always to be interpreted such that in a first embodiment of the subject matter according to the invention only the first feature can be present, in a second embodiment only the second feature can be present, and in a third embodiment both the first and the second feature can be present.

[0007] Furthermore, the term "approximately" used herein indicates a tolerance range that is considered usual by a person skilled in the art. In particular, the term "approximately" is to be understood as a tolerance range of the related size of up to a maximum of + / -20%, preferably up to a maximum of + / -10%,

[0008] Furthermore, within the meaning of the present invention, relative terms used herein with respect to a feature, such as "larger", "smaller", "higher", "lower" and the like, are always to be interpreted in such a way that manufacturing and / or implementation-related size deviations of the feature in question, which lie within the manufacturing / implementation tolerances defined for the respective manufacture or implementation of the feature in question, are not covered by the respective relative term.In other words, according to the definition applicable herein, a size of a feature is only to be regarded as "larger", "smaller", "higher", "lower" and the like within the meaning of the present invention than a size of a comparison feature if the two compared sizes differ so significantly in their value that this difference in size certainly does not fall within the manufacturing / implementation-related tolerance range of the feature in question, but is the result of targeted action.

[0009] The invention relates to a boot for a constant velocity joint, which has a hollow boot body with an outer circumferential surface. The boot body forms a passage intended to at least partially accommodate the constant velocity joint, having an inner circumferential surface. The constant velocity joint is arranged, for example, coaxially with the passage. The outer circumferential surface and / or the inner circumferential surface are predominantly rotationally symmetrical, for example in the unloaded state, i.e., in the non-angled state of the constant velocity joint, or in the unassembled state of the boot.

[0010] According to the invention, the passage extends along an axial direction from a boot base of the boot body, which forms a contact surface belonging to the inner circumferential surface for contact with an outer joint part of the constant velocity joint, via a substantially rotationally symmetrical bellows section to a boot tip of the boot body, which is designed for contact with an inner joint part or with a shaft connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the inner joint part. Preferably, the contact surface of the boot body intended for contact with the outer joint part is not rotationally symmetrical.

[0011] For example, in addition to the cuff body, the cuff has a first binder, such as a clamp or a tensioning band, for wrapping around the outer circumferential surface belonging to the cuff foot and / or a second binder, such as a clamp or a tensioning band, for wrapping around the outer circumferential surface belonging to the cuff tip, so that these are non-positively fixed via the associated contact surface on the outer joint part or the joint part or on the shaft connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0012] According to the invention, the sleeve body has a plurality of protrusions arranged within the inner circumferential surface and in the axial direction between the contact surface and the section of the inner circumferential surface belonging to the bellows section, which protrude radially inward. According to the invention, the sleeve body has a plurality of radially inwardly extending recesses arranged within the outer circumferential surface and corresponding to one of the protrusions, each of which hollows out one of the protrusions, preferably without opening into the inner circumferential surface, thus forming, for example, a blind hole. This design not only ensures a reduction in weight but also reduces material shrinkage during the thermal forming process used to produce the sleeve.

[0013] Preferably, the cuff body is manufactured in a one-shot injection molding step, ie the cuff is formed only in a single molding injection molding tool without further tool changes.

[0014] Preferably, the cuff body is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer for weight reduction, simplified manufacturing, reduced production costs and improved durability.

[0015] Preferably, the protuberances are each arranged and designed to engage in one of several rolling body tracks of the outer joint part of the constant velocity joint and to stop the movement of a rolling body provided for torque transmission between the outer joint part and the inner joint part.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve body formed by the bellows section forms a sequence of at least two annularly extending depressions in the radial direction. The annular depressions are each separated by an annular elevation. It is further provided that, for the unloaded, i.e., non-assembled, sleeve body, for all depressions of the outer circumferential surface of the bellows section, the radially outer depression, which is therefore closer to the sleeve base, is offset axially in the direction of the sleeve tip relative to the next adjacent, radially inner depression, which is therefore closer to the sleeve tip.

[0017] Since, preferably in the bellows area, the inner circumferential surface follows the outer circumferential surface, providing a uniform wall thickness, the inner circumferential surface formed by the bellows section has a plurality of elevations arranged so as to correspond to the depressions in the outer circumferential surface, which are each separated by a depression arranged so as to correspond to the elevation on the outer circumferential surface. The elevation of the outer circumferential surface thus forms a circumferential, outward-projecting fold, and the depressions in the outer circumferential surface each form a circumferential, inward-projecting fold, which together provide the necessary flexibility of the sleeve for the joint angling with the constant velocity joint. It is further preferably provided that in the unloaded, i.e.For all elevations on the inner circumferential surface of the bellows section of the unassembled sleeve body, the radially outer elevation, which is therefore closer to the sleeve base, is offset axially in the direction of the sleeve tip compared to the next adjacent radially inner elevation, which is therefore closer to the sleeve tip.

[0018] Preferably, the sleeve body has a maximum wall thickness of less than 3 mm. The wall thickness is considered to be the geometrically shortest distance between the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface.

[0019] The weight of the cuff body is preferably less than 0.1 kg. According to a preferred embodiment, the protuberances are distributed along a circumferential direction relative to the axial direction and are arranged at equal distances from one another. Preferably, a maximum outer diameter of the cuff base is larger than a maximum outer diameter of the cuff tip, wherein the bellows section has an at least predominantly radial extension. A predominantly radial extension is understood to mean an exclusively radial extension or an extension in the axial direction that is smaller than the radial extension. In terms of absolute value, the radial extension is preferably at least twice as large, more preferably five times as large, as the axial extension.The predominantly radial extension simplifies the demoulding of the sleeve body produced in the forming tool, in particular the complexity of the inner tool required for demoulding, which is intended for the protrusion of the inner circumferential surface, is reduced.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve body forms a projection near the sleeve base, encircling the bellows section, protruding axially toward the bellows tip, preferably pointing exclusively in the axial direction. This projection serves to protect the bellows section. More preferably, the projection axially projects beyond at least one elevation of the outer peripheral surface of the bellows section.

[0021] Preferably, the depressions and the at least one elevation of the outer circumferential surface and / or the inner circumferential surface of the bellows section have a minimum rounding radius that is greater than 2 mm. More preferably, all depressions and elevations of the bellows section of both the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface have a minimum

[0022] Fillet radius greater than 2 mm.

[0023] Preferably, the bellows section has, in an axial section of the sleeve body, a wave-shaped cross-section, in particular forming the previously described depressions and elevations of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface.

[0024] The sleeve base preferably has radially inward-facing projections arranged within its contact surface for positive engagement with corresponding mating surfaces of the outer joint part, wherein the projections each have one or more recesses and / or openings. For example, the projections are provided to provide anti-twist protection. Preferably, in a non-rotationally symmetrical outer joint part, as is the case with a trilobe-shaped outer joint part, the projections are provided to compensate for the three evenly spaced constrictions on the outer circumference of the outer joint part.These projections serve to compensate for radius differences in the trilobed outer contour of the outer joint part and, at the same time, to provide a circumferential fastening area at the sleeve base with a constant radius, so that fastening elements such as clamps or tensioning straps, or more generally, ties, can be used to secure the sleeve. The recesses and / or openings provided in the projections according to the invention are intended to reduce the material thickness and the material shrinkage that occurs during the thermal forming process of manufacturing the sleeve, in particular the sleeve body. For example, the openings extend in the axial direction.

[0025] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a constant velocity joint and a sleeve in one of the previously described embodiments, wherein the constant velocity joint comprises an outer joint part and an inner joint part, and between the outer joint part and the inner joint part, a plurality of rolling elements for torque transmission, each guided in one of several rolling element tracks of the outer joint part. The protuberances are each arranged and designed to engage in one of the rolling element tracks and to stop the movement of one of the rolling elements.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the constant velocity joint has an outer joint part, the outer circumferential surface of which is intended to engage with the contact surface of the sleeve body and is not rotationally symmetrical.

[0027] The constant velocity joint is preferably a tripod joint.

[0028] The invention further relates to the use of the arrangement in one of the previously described embodiments, including the sleeve in one of the previously described embodiments, in a motor vehicle, preferably on an unsteered drive axle.

[0029] The invention further relates to a method for producing the cuff in one of the previously described embodiments, wherein the cuff body is produced in a one-shot injection molding step, preferably from a thermoplastic elastomer, ie the cuff is formed only in a single shaping injection molding tool without further tool changes.

[0030] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These figures schematically show:

[0031] Fig. 1 is a perspective partial sectional view of an embodiment of the arrangement 10 according to the invention;

[0032] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the cuff 1 according to the invention;

[0033] Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the partial sectional view shown in Figure 1;

[0034] Fig. 4 is a perspective internal view of a second embodiment of the cuff 1 according to the invention;

[0035] Fig. 5 is a perspective external view of the second embodiment of the cuff 1 according to the invention; Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the internal view shown in Fig. 4;

[0036] Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the exterior view shown in Figure 5,

[0037] In the different figures, parts that are equivalent in terms of their function are always provided with the same reference symbols, so that they are usually only described once.

[0038] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an arrangement 10 according to the invention. The arrangement 10 according to the invention comprises a constant velocity joint 11, 12, 13 designed as a tripod joint and a sleeve 1 in a first embodiment according to the invention. The sleeve 1 forms an opening 9 delimited by its inner circumferential surface I, which defines a substantially rotationally symmetrical cavity in which the constant velocity joint 11, 12, 13 is arranged and at least partially received such that it extends coaxially with the opening 9 through the opening.In order to protect the constant velocity joint 11, 12, 13, in particular the tracks 15 for the rolling elements 13 as the torque-transmitting component of the constant velocity joint 11, 12, 13, from dirt and to prevent the loss of lubricant, the sleeve 1 is tightly sealed at one opening of the opening 9 with its sleeve base la of its one-piece sleeve body la, lb, lc resting on the outer joint part 12, while the sleeve 1 is tightly sealed at the other opening of the opening 9 with its sleeve tip lc of its one-piece sleeve body la, lb, lc on a shaft 11' which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the inner joint part 11. Cuff base la and cuff tip lc are each secured with a binder 14, such as a tensioning band, to the respective counterpart of the constant velocity joint 11, 12, 13, wherein in Figure 1, for the purpose of simplified visualization, only the binder 14 for fixing the cuff tip lc is shown.To compensate for the not strictly rotationally symmetrical outer circumferential surface of the outer joint part 12, also referred to here as the counter surface, the contact surface I belonging to the inner circumferential surface I of the sleeve base la. aradially inward-pointing projections, not shown in detail here, for compensating and adapting to the trilobe outer contour of the outer joint part 12 with its three constrictions 16 arranged evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. The one-piece design of the cuff body la, lb, lc with its flexible properties results on the one hand from its choice of material, here a thermoplastic elastomer, and on the other hand from its production in a one-shot injection molding process, but also from its structure. Thus, the cuff body la, lb, 1c extends on its course from the cuff foot la to the cuff tip lc over a bellows section lb, which has a predominantly radial extension with a wave-shaped cross-section in axial section and enables the cuff body la, lb, lc to follow an angling of the constant velocity joint la, lb, lc from the extended position in Figure 1.As can be seen from Figure 2, which shows a first embodiment of the cuff 1 according to the invention, the maximum outer diameter of the cuff base 1a is greater than a maximum outer diameter of the cuff tip 1c. The bellows section 1b connecting the two has an at least predominantly radial extension, with a smaller extension in the axial direction. The predominantly radial extension of the bellows section 1b simplifies the demolding of the cuff body 1a, 1b, 1c produced in the forming tool; in particular, the complexity of the inner tool provided for the protrusion of the inner circumferential surface 1, required for demolding, is reduced.

[0039] In particular, the outer circumferential surface A of the sleeve body la, lb, lc formed by the bellows section lb forms a sequence of at least two depressions 2 extending in a ring around the axis of the opening 9 in the radial direction. The annular depressions 2 are each separated by an annular elevation 3. It is further provided that in the unloaded, i.e. unassembled, sleeve body la, lb, lc, as shown in Figure 2, for all depressions 2 of the outer circumferential surface A of the bellows section lb, the respective radially outer depression 2, which is therefore closer to the sleeve base la, is offset axially in the direction of the sleeve tip lc relative to the next adjacent radially inner depression 2, which is therefore closer to the sleeve tip lc.Since, as can be seen in Figure 3, in the bellows area 1b the inner circumferential surface I follows the outer circumferential surface A, providing a uniform wall thickness, a plurality of elevations 3' are formed on the inner circumferential surface I formed by the bellows section 1b, which elevations correspond to the depressions 2 of the outer circumferential surface A and are each separated by a depression 2' arranged corresponding to the elevation 3 of the outer circumferential surface A. Thus, a circumferential, outwardly projecting fold is formed by the elevation 3 of the outer circumferential surface A and a circumferential inwardly projecting fold is formed by the depressions 2 of the outer circumferential surface A, which together provide the necessary flexibility of the sleeve 1 or the sleeve body 1a, 1b, 1c for the joint angling with the constant velocity joint 11, 12, 13. It is further provided that. the unloaded, i.e. unassembled, cuff body la, lb, 1c for all elevations 3 of the inner circumferential surface I of the bellows section lb, the radially outer elevation 3', which is therefore closer to the cuff base la, is offset axially in the direction of the cuff tip 1c compared to the next adjacent, radially inner elevation 3', which is therefore closer to the cuff tip 1c.

[0040] As can also be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the outer circumferential surface A of the cuff body 1a, 1b, 1c forms a projection 4 that is close to the cuff base 1a, 1b, 1c, encircles the bellows section 1b, protrudes axially in the direction of the cuff tip 1c, and points exclusively in the axial direction. The projection 4 is designed such that it axially projects beyond all elevations 3 of the outer circumferential surface A of the bellows section 1a to protect the bellows section 1a.

[0041] As Figure 3 further shows, the sleeve body 1a, 1b, 1t has a plurality of protrusions 6 arranged within the inner circumferential surface 1 and in the axial direction between the contact surface 1a intended for contact with the outer joint part 12 and the section of the inner circumferential surface 1 belonging to the bellows section 1b, which protrude radially inward. These protrusions 6 of the inner circumferential surface 1 are each arranged and designed to engage one of a plurality of rolling body tracks 15 of the outer joint part 12 of the constant velocity joint 11, 12, 13 and to stop the movement of the rolling body 13 provided for torque transmission between the outer joint part 12 and the inner joint part 11.

[0042] A combination of Figures 2 and 3 reveals that the sleeve body 1a, 1b, 1e has a plurality of radially inwardly extending depressions 5 arranged within the outer circumferential surface A and each corresponding to one of the protuberances 6 of Figure 3, each hollowing out one of the protuberances 6 without terminating in the inner circumferential surface I, thus forming, for example, a blind hole. This configuration not only reduces weight but also reduces material shrinkage during the thermal forming process used to manufacture the sleeve 1. Consequently, a sleeve body 1a, 1b, 1c with a maximum wall thickness of less than 3 mm and a weight of less than 0.1 kg can be realized.

[0043] Figures 4 to 7 show a second embodiment of the inventive

[0044] Cuff 1. This cuff 1 also forms a From its inner circumferential surface

[0045] I limited opening 9, which defines a substantially rotationally symmetrical cavity intended for the partial accommodation of a constant velocity joint 11, 12, 13, as shown in Figure 1 in the arrangement according to the invention. The sleeve 1 is formed, in particular the contact surface I intended for contact with the outer joint part. B the inner circumferential surface I at one opening of the aperture 9 is tightly sealed with the outer joint part 12, while the sleeve 1 is further designed to tightly seal at the other opening of the aperture 9 with its sleeve tip 1c of its one-piece sleeve body 1a, 1b, 1c with a shaft IT that is non-rotatably connected to the inner joint part 11. To compensate for the not strictly rotationally symmetrical outer circumferential surface of the outer joint part 12, the contact surface I belonging to the inner circumferential surface I of the sleeve base 1a aradially inward-facing projections 7 for compensation and adaptation to the trilobic outer contour of the outer joint part 12, as shown in Figure 1 with its three constrictions 16 evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. The projections 7 have openings 8 extending in the axial direction and not opening into the inner circumferential surface I in order to reduce the material thickness of the projections 7 and the material shrinkage occurring during the production of the sleeve body 1a, 1b, 1c in the thermal forming process.

[0046] The one-piece design of the sleeve body la, lb, lc with its flexible properties results here, on the one hand, from its choice of material, here a thermoplastic elastomer, and on the other hand, from its production in a one-shot injection molding process, but also from its structure. Thus, the sleeve body la, lb, lc extends from the sleeve base la to the sleeve tip lc over a bellows section lb, which has a predominantly radial extension with a wave-shaped cross-section in axial section and enables the sleeve body la, lb, lc to follow an angling of the constant velocity joint la, lb, lc from the extended position in Figure 1. As can be seen from Figure 4, the maximum outer diameter of the sleeve base la is larger than a maximum outer diameter of the sleeve tip lc.The bellows section lb connecting the two has an at least predominantly radial extension, with a smaller extension in the axial direction. Due to the predominantly radial extension of the bellows section lb, the forming of the sleeve body la, lb, lc produced in the forming tool is simplified, in particular the complexity of the inner tool provided for the protrusion of the inner circumferential surface I required for demolding is reduced.

[0047] Here too, as Figure 5 shows, the outer circumferential surface A of the sleeve body la, lb, lc formed by the bellows section lb forms a sequence of at least two depressions 2 extending in a ring around the axis of the opening 9 in the radial direction. The annular depressions 2 are each separated by an annular elevation 3. It is further provided that in the unloaded, i.e. unassembled, sleeve body la, lb, lc, as shown in Figure 2, for all depressions 2 of the outer circumferential surface A of the bellows section lb, the radially outer depression 2, which is therefore closer to the sleeve base la, is offset axially in the direction of the mowing blade tip lc compared to the next adjacent radially inner depression 2, which is therefore closer to the sleeve tip lc.

[0048] Since, as can be seen in Figure 4, in the bellows area 1b, the inner circumferential surface 1 follows the outer circumferential surface A, providing a uniform wall thickness, a plurality of elevations 3' are formed on the inner circumferential surface 1 formed by the bellows section 1b, which elevations 3' are arranged corresponding to the depressions 2 of the outer circumferential surface A and are each separated by a depression 2' arranged corresponding to the elevation 3 of the outer circumferential surface A. Thus, a circumferential, outwardly projecting fold is formed by the elevation 3 of the outer circumferential surface A, and a circumferential, inwardly projecting fold is formed by the depressions 2 of the outer circumferential surface A, which together provide the necessary flexibility of the sleeve 1 or the sleeve body 1a, 1b, 1c for the joint angling with the constant velocity joint 11, 12, 13. It is further provided that in the unloaded, ieunassembled, cuff body la, 1b, lc for all elevations 3' of the inner circumferential surface I of the bellows section 1b, the radially outer elevation 3' which is therefore closer to the cuff base la is offset axially in the direction of the cuff tip 1c compared to the next adjacent, radially inner elevation 3' which is therefore closer to the cuff tip 1c.

[0049] As can also be seen from Figures 5 and 7, the outer peripheral surface A of the sleeve body la, 1b, lc forms a projection 4 that extends close to the sleeve base la, encircles the bellows section 1b, projects axially toward the sleeve at a point lc, and points exclusively in the axial direction. The projection 4 is designed such that it projects axially beyond all elevations 3 of the outer peripheral surface A of the bellows section la to protect the bellows section la.

[0050] As Figures 4 and 6 further show, the sleeve body 1a, 1b, 1c has a plurality of protrusions 6 arranged within the inner circumferential surface 1 and in the axial direction between the contact surface 1a intended for contact with the outer joint part 12 and the section of the inner circumferential surface 1 belonging to the bellows section 1b, which protrude radially inwards.These protuberances 6 of the inner circumferential surface I are each arranged and designed to engage in one of several rolling body tracks 15 of the outer joint part 12 of the constant velocity joint 11, 12, 13 and to stop the movement of the rolling body 13 provided for torque transmission between the outer joint part 12 and the inner joint part 11, as was shown for the first embodiment in Figure 3. From a combination of Figures 6 and 7 it can be seen that the sleeve body 1a, 1b, 1c has several recesses 5 which are arranged within the outer circumferential surface A and each correspond to one of the protuberances 6 of Figure 6 and extend radially inwards, which each hollow out one of the protuberances 6 without opening into the inner circumferential surface I, thus forming, for example, a shape of a blind hole.This design not only provides a weight reduction but also reduces material shrinkage during the thermal forming process used to manufacture the cuff 1. Consequently, a cuff body 1a, 1b, 1c with a maximum wall thickness of less than 3 mm and a weight of less than 0.1 kg can be realized.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Sleeve (1) for a constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13), comprising: a hollow-shaped sleeve body (1a, 1b, 1c) with an outer circumferential surface (A), wherein the sleeve body (1a, 1b, 1e) has a passage (9) intended for partially receiving the constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13) and having an inner circumferential surface (I); wherein the passage (9) extends along an axial direction from a sleeve base (1a) of the sleeve body (1a, 1b, 1c), which has a contact surface (I) belonging to the inner circumferential surface (I) a ) for engagement with an outer joint part (12) of the constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13), extends over a substantially rotationally symmetrical bellows section (lb) of the sleeve body (1, lb, le) to a sleeve tip (le) of the sleeve body (la, lb, 1c), which is designed for engagement with an inner joint part (11) or with a shaft (11') connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the inner joint part (11); Wherein the sleeve body (la, lb, 1c) has a plurality of protrusions (6) arranged within the inner circumferential surface (I), which protrude radially inwards and which extend in the axial direction between the contact surface (I a ) and a section of the inner circumferential surface (I) belonging to the bellows section (lb); wherein the sleeve body (la, lb, le) has a plurality of recesses (5) arranged within the outer circumferential surface (A) and each corresponding to a protuberance (6), extending radially thereto, each hollowing out one of the protuberances (6).

2. Cuff (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cuff body (1a, 1b, 1c) is manufactured in a one-shot injection molding step.

3. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cuff body (la, lb, le) is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer.

4. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface (I) intended to bear against the outer joint part (12) a ) of the cuff body (1, 1b, 1c) is not rotationally symmetrical, 5. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the Protrusions (6) each for engaging in one of several rolling body tracks (15) of the outer joint part (12) of the constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13) and for stopping the movement of a Torque transmission between the outer joint part and the inner joint part provided rolling body (13) are arranged and designed, 6. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a section of the outer circumferential surface (A) of the cuff body (1a, 1b, 1c) formed by the bellows section (1b) forms a sequence of at least two annularly extending depressions (2) in the radial direction, each of which is separated by an annular elevation (3), wherein in the unloaded cuff body (1a, 1b, 1e) for all depressions (2) of the outer circumferential surface (A) the radially outer depression (2) is offset axially in the direction of the cuff tip (2c) relative to the next adjacent, radially inner depression (2).

7. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cuff body (1a, 1b, 1c) has a maximum wall thickness of less than 3 mm.

8. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cuff body (1a, 1b, 1c) has a weight of less than 0.1 kg.

9. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the protuberances (6) are distributed along a circumferential direction and arranged at equal distances from one another.

10. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a maximum outer diameter of the cuff foot (1a) is greater than a maximum outer diameter of the cuff tip (le) and the Bellows section (1b) has an at least predominantly radial extension.

11. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer circumferential surface (A) of the cuff body (1a, 1b, 1c) forms a projection (4) close to the cuff base (1a), surrounding the bellows section (1b), projecting axially in the direction of the cuff tip (1c), preferably pointing exclusively in the axial direction.

12. Cuff (1) according to the two preceding claims, wherein the projection (4) projects axially beyond the at least one elevation (3) of the section of the outer circumferential surface (A) formed by the bellows section (1b).

13. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the depressions (2, 2') and the at least one elevation (3, 3') have a minimum rounding radius which is greater than 2 mm.

14. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bellows section (2a) in an axial section of the cuff body (1a, 1b, 1c) has a wave-shaped cross-section, preferably forming the depressions (2, 2') and the at least one elevation (3, 3').

15. Cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cuff foot (1a) has radially inwardly directed projections (7) arranged within its contact surface (13) for form-fitting engagement with corresponding counter surfaces of the outer joint part (12), wherein the projections (7) each have one or more depressions and / or openings (8), 16. Arrangement (10) comprising a constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13) and a sleeve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13) comprises an outer joint part (12) and an inner joint part (11) and between the outer joint part (12) and the inner joint part (11) for torque transmission several, each in a has rolling bodies (13) guided by a plurality of rolling body tracks (15) of the outer joint part (12), wherein the protuberances (6) are each arranged and designed to engage in one of the rolling body tracks (15) and to stop the movement of one of the rolling bodies (13).

17. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, wherein the constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13) has an outer joint part (12) whose contact surface (I a ) of the sleeve body (la, lb, 1c) is not rotationally symmetrical.

18. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, wherein the constant velocity joint (11, 12, 13) is a tripod joint.

19. Use of the arrangement (10) according to one of the preceding claims 16 to 18 in a motor vehicle, preferably on an unsteered drive axle.

20. A method for producing a cuff (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 15; wherein the cuff body (1a, 1b, 1c) is produced in a one-shot injection molding step, preferably from a thermoplastic elastomer.

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