Gkn Automotive Gmbh

Dana Corporation

Jeffrey M Knodle

James A Duggan

Christopher C Cheney

A constant velocity type of universal joint includes a sealing structure that avoids the use of a flexible boot. The constant velocity joint includes a hollow outer joint member, an inner joint member disposed within the outer joint member, and a plurality of ball bearings extending into associated grooves formed in the inner and outer joint members to provide a rotational driving connection therebetween. A sealing assembly is provided for protectively enclosing the components of the joint. The sealing assembly includes an outer sealing member that is sealingly connected to the outer joint member. An outer surface of an inner sealing member is slidably and sealingly engaged with an inner surface of the outer sealing member. An annular flange provided on the inner sealing member slidably and sealingly engages an outer surface of an annular element. An inner surface of the annular element slidably and sealingly engages a shaft connected to the inner joint member. The outer sealing member, the inner sealing member, and the annular element cooperate to form a protective enclosure for the various components of the joint. A biasing element can be provided to positively urge the inner sealing element into sealing engagement with the outer sealing element. The protective enclosure is effective to prevent dirt, water, and other contaminants from contacting the various components of the joint, and to retain lubricant therein for such components.

Sealing assembly for constant velocity joint

A flexible boot assembly for protectively covering a constant velocity joint includes a flexible boot having an end portion that is molded about a flange portion of a rigid can. The flexible boot is preferably formed from an elastomeric material and can be integrally molded to a metallic can by an insert molding or other similar process. The metallic can includes a hollow cylindrical flange portion for positioning the can with respect to the constant velocity joint. The metallic can also includes a face portion having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough for mounting the boot assembly to the constant velocity joint. The inner surface of the metallic can includes a bead of a sealing material or a gasket for sealingly engaging the boot assembly to the adjacent face of the constant velocity joint. In another embodiment, the entire boot assembly is formed by using elastomeric material. In alternative embodiments, the entire boot assembly is formed from an elastomeric material. The boot assembly may or may not include the hollow cylindrical flange portion for positioning it with respect to the constant velocity joint.

Flexible boot assembly for a constant velocity joint

A constant velocity joint shaft and inner race combination is provided. The combination includes a shaft having an annular shoulder and a splined section generally adjacent to the shoulder. An inner race with a splined bore is fitted over the splined section of the shaft. A retaining member is provided to connect the inner race to the shaft. The retaining member has an annular body with a plurality of tabs extending in a forward axial direction to be crimped over the shaft annular shoulder. The retaining member also includes a plurality of elongated arms. The elongated arms extend from the annular body in a rearward axial direction completely through the inner race bore. The arms have an acutely bent finger at their extreme end to axially retain the inner race on the shaft. To ease assembly, the retaining member can be pre-assembled on the shaft.

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Ida, MI, United States of America

Jeffrey M Knodle