Segmented Rigid-Elastic Shaft Joint Boot Against Puncture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shaft joint boots made of single-piece flexible rubber material are prone to cuts or punctures, leading to grease leakage and contamination from water or debris ingress.

Innovation Solution

A boot design comprising a series of annular rigid rings and flexible rings, where each rigid ring increases in diameter along the central axis, with each ring connected by a flexible ring, providing enhanced protection and flexibility to accommodate joint movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single-piece flexible rubber boot is used to cover the shaft joint, then the boot can accommodate joint movement and pivot, but the boot is prone to cuts or punctures leading to grease leakage and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate joint movementVSAvoidresistance to cuts and punctures

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The boot is divided into multiple rigid ring segments (at least three) connected by flexible elements, rather than using a single-piece flexible boot. This segmentation allows each rigid ring to provide puncture resistance while the flexible connections maintain the ability to accommodate joint movement and pivoting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The boot combines rigid materials (for the rings that resist cuts and punctures) with flexible materials (for the connecting elements that allow movement). This composite structure integrates the advantages of both rigid and flexible materials to simultaneously achieve protection and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If rigid rings are used to protect against punctures, then protection is improved, but flexibility to accommodate joint movement may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against puncturesVSAvoidflexibility for joint movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid boot structure is segmented into multiple rings connected by flexible elements, distributing the rigidity where protection is needed while concentrating flexibility at the connection points, thereby maintaining overall adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The boot structure incorporates dynamic flexible connections between rigid rings, allowing the boot to adapt its rigidity and flexibility based on the operational requirements of joint movement while maintaining puncture resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12422000B2Rigid-elastic boot for shaft joint

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A boot for a shaft joint includes a plurality of rigid rings and a plurality of flexible rings. Each rigid ring has an annular shape disposed about a central axis of the boot. The rigid rings are arranged sequentially along the central axis. Each rigid ring is connected to an adjacent rigid ring by a corresponding one of the flexible rings.