Universal joint with protective shield

摘要

A constant velocity (CV) joint includes a shield to protect a J-boot from damage due to projectiles such as stones and to prevent ballooning. A rigid portion of the shield is fixed to a ring, which is adapted for fixation to a powertrain component such as a transmission. A flexible portion of the shield prevents projectiles from entering through the opening created by non-coincident axes of the shaft and ring. The flexible portion has a number of truncated conical panels with alternating orientation that accommodate the variable size opening by flexing in an accordion-like fashion.

主权项

1. A universal joint comprising:
a ring having a ring axis; a shaft coupled to the ring and having a shaft axis non-coincident with the ring axis; a flexible boot fixed to the ring and to the shaft; a rigid shield fixed to the ring and extending axially over the flexible boot; and a flexible shield fixed at an outer edge to the rigid shield and contacting the shaft at an inner edge.