CV Joint Boot Assembly With Adapter to Prevent Radial Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Constant velocity joint boots experience radial inversion due to circumferential loads from high-speed rotation and thermal expansion, leading to reduced durability and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A joint assembly with a flexible boot and adapter design, featuring a stepped portion with a chamfer on the outer race and a complementary outer race mating portion on the adapter, which prevents radial inversion by ensuring proper engagement and frictional contact, thereby enhancing the boot's durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the boot is made flexible to allow joint articulation, then the boot can accommodate joint movement, but the convolutions may radially invert under circumferential load
Solution Approach 1:
The boot is divided into multiple axially spaced annular convolutions or folds in the intermediate portion, allowing each convolution to independently accommodate joint articulation while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the boot to flex during joint movement without causing radial inversion of the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot is constructed from composite materials including plastic and elastomeric materials, combining the rigidity needed to maintain structural stability with the flexibility required for joint articulation. This composite construction prevents radial inversion while allowing necessary movement.
2Ease of operation
If the boot convolutions are allowed to flex during joint articulation, then the boot accommodates movement, but the convolutions become radially inverted causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The boot design incorporates dynamic characteristics through its convolutions that can flex and deform in a controlled manner during joint articulation. The convolutions are designed to accommodate movement through predetermined deformation paths that prevent radial inversion, allowing the boot to adapt dynamically to joint position changes while maintaining structural integrity.
3Temperature
If the boot is designed with convolutions to accommodate high-speed rotation, then the boot can handle thermal expansion, but the circumferential load causes radial inversion
Solution Approach 1:
The boot design incorporates parameter changes in the convolution geometry, including varying axial spacing and radial dimensions of different convolutions. These parameter variations allow the boot to accommodate thermal expansion and circumferential loads from high-speed rotation without causing radial inversion, thereby maintaining durability under varying operating conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively inhibits radial inversion of the boot, increasing its lifespan and durability by maintaining proper engagement and frictional contact during joint articulation.
Implementation Method 1
The outer race mating portion of the adapter is of a size and a shape that is complementary to the stepped portion and the chamfer portion of the axially outermost end of the second end portion of the outer race... ensures proper engagement and frictional contact, thereby enhancing the boot's durability
Data Source
AI summary
A joint assembly for a vehicle. The joint assembly incudes an outer race having a stepped portion with a chamfer portion circumferentially extending along an outer surface of an axially outermost end of a second end portion of the outer race. A first end portion of a flexible boot is connected to an outer surface of the outer race. Integrally connected to an inner surface of the boot is an adapter. Circumferentially extending from a first side of the adapter is an outer race mating portion having a size and shape complementary to the stepped and chamfer portions of the outer race. Extending radially inboard from the outer race mating portion is a substantially disc-shaped portion. A first side of the disc-shaped portion is in contact with the axially outermost end of the outer race and a second side is in contact with the inner surface of the boot.