Self-aligning tripod joint tulip cover and constant velocity joint incorporating same

摘要

A self-aligning tripod joint tulip cover for interconnecting an irregularly shaped non-circular tulip body and a shaft mounted spider assembly, as well as a closed tripod constant velocity joint incorporating the self-aligning tripod joint tulip cover, the tulip body, and the shaft mounted spider assembly. The self-aligning tripod joint tulip cover is provided with a first flange engageable with the outer surface of the irregularly shaped non-circular tulip body and a second flange engageable with a boot, the second flange being generally concentric with the first flange but having a substantially smaller maximum diameter. An inwardly oriented flange extends from the self-aligning tulip cover between the first and second flanges, the inwardly oriented flange being engageable with a flat front surface of the irregularly shaped non-circular tulip body to form a seal therebetween. The first flange is crimped for interconnection with the irregularly shaped non-circular tulip body.