Variable stiffness joint assembly having a bushing assembly

Abstract

A bushing assembly for a variable stiffness joint assembly includes a bushing body. The bushing body is disposed about a shaft assembly. The bushing body has an inner bushing surface, an outer bushing surface that is spaced apart from the inner bushing surface, a first bushing face that extends between a first end of the inner bushing surface and a first end of the outer bushing surface, and a second bushing face that extends between a second end of the inner bushing surface and a second end the outer bushing surface.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A variable stiffness joint assembly, comprising:
 a shaft assembly including a shaft; 
 a first member extending along an axis, the first member having a first outer surface and a first inner surface extending between a first member first end and a first member second end, the first inner surface configured to engage an outer surface of the shaft, the first outer surface defining a first retention arm located proximate the first member first end and defining a second retention arm located proximate the first member second end; 
 a second member extending along the axis and at least partially received within the first member, the second member having a second outer surface extending between a second member first end and a second member second end that is operatively connected to a constant velocity joint assembly; 
 a bushing assembly disposed about the first member, the bushing assembly comprising:
 a bushing body extending radially between an inner bushing surface and an outer bushing surface and extending axially between a first bushing face and a second bushing face, the bushing body including a bushing member completely disposed between the first retention arm and the second retention arm, the inner bushing surface being disposed about the first outer surface of the first member; and 
 
 a sealing boot having a first boot end operatively connected to the bushing assembly, such that the bushing assembly is disposed between the first outer surface and the first boot end, and a second boot end operatively connected to the constant velocity joint assembly. 
 
     
     
       2. The variable stiffness joint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements and the second outer surface defines a plurality of second engagement elements that are arranged to selectively engage the plurality of first engagement elements. 
     
     
       3. The variable stiffness joint assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clamp disposed about the first boot end and is arranged to secure the sealing boot to the bushing assembly. 
 
     
     
       4. A bushing assembly for a variable stiffness joint assembly, the bushing assembly comprising:
 a bushing body disposed about a shaft assembly, the bushing body having an inner bushing surface, an outer bushing surface spaced apart from the inner bushing surface and including first and second retention arms, a first bushing face extending between a first end of the inner bushing surface and a first end of the outer bushing surface, and a second bushing face extending between a second end of the inner bushing surface and a second end of the outer bushing surface, the inner bushing surface defining a plurality of ridges that extend between the first bushing face and the second bushing face, the first and second retention arms being spaced apart from one another to receive a portion of another bushing body; and 
 a boot stop disposed proximate the first bushing face, the boot stop extending from the bushing body. 
 
     
     
       5. The bushing assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the bushing body is made of a composite material having a non-linear stiffness characteristic. 
     
     
       6. The bushing assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the boot stop extends from and is disposed perpendicular to the outer bushing surface. 
     
     
       7. The bushing assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of ridges extend towards the shaft assembly. 
     
     
       8. The bushing assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the outer bushing surface defines a second protrusion that engages a sealing boot that is at least partially disposed over the outer bushing surface. 
     
     
       9. The bushing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the boot stop is configured to engage an end of the sealing boot. 
     
     
       10. A bushing assembly for a variable stiffness joint assembly, the bushing assembly comprising:
 a first bushing member having a first inner surface that is configured to engage an outer surface of a shaft assembly and a first outer surface spaced apart from the first inner surface, each extending between a first bushing member first end and a first bushing member second end, the first outer surface defines a first retention arm disposed proximate the first bushing member first end and a second retention arm disposed proximate the first bushing member second end; and 
 a second bushing member completely disposed between the first retention arm and the second retention arm, the second bushing member having a second inner surface that is configured to engage the first outer surface and a second outer surface radially spaced apart from the first outer surface and is configured to engage a sealing boot, each axially extending between a second bushing member first end and a second bushing member second end, the first bushing member being rotatable relative to the second bushing member. 
 
     
     
       11. The bushing assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first inner surface defines a first protrusion that is configured to engage the outer surface of the shaft assembly. 
     
     
       12. The bushing assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first outer surface defines a second protrusion that extends towards the second bushing member. 
     
     
       13. The bushing assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the second inner surface defines a receiving groove that is configured to receive the second protrusion.