CV Joint Boot Grooves for Crack-Resistant Connector Fastening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boot designs for tri-lobe constant-velocity joints are prone to cracking or seal failure due to bulky fastening regions, which can lead to connector breakage or bending issues when fastened, especially when the material is too soft or hard.
Innovation Solution
The boot features a first fastening region with at least two parallel grooves of parabolic cross-section in lobe and guide regions, providing even force distribution and material thickness, along with reinforcement ribs and sealing lips to prevent bending and cracking, and a pleated region for enhanced flexibility and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If parallel slots are provided in tri-lobe regions to allow connector fastening, then the connector can be installed, but the exposed rib between slots bends or breaks the connector during fastening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces straight slots with curved grooves that have a parabolic cross-section. This curvature allows the grooves to accommodate the connector during fastening while the parabolic shape distributes forces evenly, preventing the rib between grooves from bending or breaking the connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the grooves, specifically giving them a parabolic cross-section with specific depth variations. The grooves have different depths in different regions (deeper in lobe regions, constant in connecting regions), which optimizes force distribution and prevents connector damage during fastening.
2Strength
If the fastening region is made bulky to provide material reinforcement, then the connector can be fastened securely, but the connector tends to crack when fastened in place
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing material reinforcements (bulges) only in specific locations where needed for sealing and strength, rather than making the entire fastening region bulky. The reinforcements are positioned in lobe regions to compensate for radius differences, while connecting regions maintain constant thickness to prevent connector cracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material thickness parameter locally - thicker in lobe regions for reinforcement and sealing, constant thickness in connecting regions to prevent connector cracking. This controlled variation in thickness provides both strength and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A boot can be fastened to a joint housing with a seal. The boot includes a first and a second fastening region, and a pleated region between them. The first fastening region comprises lobe regions and/or guide regions, and connecting regions and a connector seat region, which comprises at least two grooves in at least the lobe regions and/or the guide regions, starting from the connector seat region surface, said grooves being parabolic when viewed in the cross sections and having different depths inside the lobe regions and/or the guide regions.