CV Joint Load-Distributing Washer for Leak-Resistant Boot Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching a boot to a constant velocity joint require additional handling and can cause stress and flexing, leading to grease leakage due to inadequate load distribution.
Innovation Solution
A load distributing washer with an annular disk and flange design is used between the boot adapter and fasteners, distributing torque and reducing the likelihood of boot flexing by aligning holes and press-fitting flanges for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual or two-hole washers are used for load distribution, then load distribution is improved, but additional handling by the installer is required and stress is increased in the joint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple washer functions into a single integrated component. The load distributing washer includes an annular disk with multiple bolt holes arranged in different patterns, allowing it to serve as both a load distribution element and a positioning element for multiple bolts simultaneously. This eliminates the need for separate individual or two-hole washers and reduces installer handling steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular disk washer is designed with universal applicability for constant velocity joints, featuring multiple bolt holes that can accommodate different bolt configurations. The washer serves multiple functions: load distribution across the boot material, positioning guide for bolt alignment, and structural support element, replacing what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
2Ease of operation
If additional handling is required for load distribution washers, then installation time increases, but stress on the joint decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The load distributing washer is pre-configured with multiple bolt holes in specific patterns during manufacturing, eliminating the need for installers to perform preliminary alignment or positioning actions. The washer arrives ready-to-install with all necessary features pre-established, reducing both handling complexity and installation time.
3Reliability
If load distribution is not provided, then the boot material flexes and grease leaks, but the structure becomes simpler
Solution Approach 1:
The annular disk washer acts as an intermediary element between the rigid joint body and the flexible boot material. It distributes the concentrated bolt loads across a wider area of the boot material, preventing localized stress concentrations that would cause flexing and grease leakage. This intermediary component protects the boot material while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A constant velocity joint includes a joint body, a boot adapter and a rubber boot, a plurality of fasteners for attaching the boot adapter to the joint body, the fasteners being receivable in a plurality of holes in the boot adapter and a plurality of holes in the joint body, a propeller shaft extending from the boot adapter, and a load distributing washer located between the boot adapter and the plurality of fasteners. The load distributing washer includes an annular disk having a first side and a second side, the annular disk having a clearance shape through which a boot portion of the boot adapter may be inserted, a flange extending perpendicularly from an outer edge of the second side of the annular face, and a plurality of fastener holes for receiving the plurality of fasteners for fixedly attaching the boot adapter to the joint body.