CV Joint Boot Assembly With Impact-Absorbing Skirt Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Constant velocity joints in automobile drive axles face challenges in maintaining effective sealing and impact resistance, as existing boot designs fail to adequately absorb and reflect impact energy, leading to potential damage during joint rotation, angulation, and plunging.

Innovation Solution

The constant velocity joint boot assembly features a flexible boot with an engineered portion that includes a skirt with a retaining tab, integrally molded raised bumper, and composite insert molded raised bumper, designed to elastically absorb and reflect impact energy, preventing damage to the boot and joint components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional sealing boot design is used, then the boot provides basic sealing function, but it fails to adequately absorb and reflect impact energy, leading to potential damage during joint rotation, angulation, and plunging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidboot structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating an engineered portion with increased thickness and integrated bumpers into the boot structure. This engineered portion is positioned to absorb and reflect impact energy before it can damage the band clamp or outer member. The bumpers protrude into the constant velocity joint to provide advance protection during joint rotation, angulation, and plunging operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of manufacture

If the boot structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but the boot cannot effectively protect against impact damage to the band clamp and outer member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidimpact protection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple protective functions into a single integrated boot structure. The engineered portion combines increased thickness, integrated bumpers, and sealing functions in one component. This merging approach maintains ease of manufacture by using a single boot piece while achieving superior impact protection capability through the combined features of the engineered portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material principles by creating an engineered portion with different thickness characteristics than the rest of the boot. The engineered portion has increased thickness to provide impact energy absorption and reflection, while the rest of the boot maintains standard thickness for flexibility and sealing. This composite structure optimizes both manufacturing simplicity and impact protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the boot is made more robust to handle impacts, then impact resistance improves, but the boot becomes stiffer and less flexible during joint movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidflexibility during joint movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating an engineered portion with localized increased thickness and integrated bumpers only where impact protection is needed. The rest of the boot maintains standard thickness and flexibility to accommodate joint rotation, angulation, and plunging movements. This local enhancement provides impact resistance without compromising the overall flexibility required for joint operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 engineered boot design effectively absorbs and reflects impact energy, preventing damage to the band clamp and outer member of the constant velocity joint, ensuring reliable sealing and prolonged component life.

Implementation Method 1

an engineered portion that elastically absorbs and/or reflects impact energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11892039B2Energy absorbing constant velocity joint boot assembly

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORP

AI summary

A constant velocity joint boot assembly includes a flexible boot having a flexible portion extending between a first end and a second end along an axis. The first end is disposed about a portion of a constant velocity joint and the second end is disposed about a portion of a shaft assembly. The first end defines a skirt having an engineered portion that elastically absorbs and/or reflects impact energy.