External rolling diaphragm overmoulded high speed constant velocity joint boot

Abstract

A constant velocity joint boot assembly includes a boot-can having an axially extending main cylindrical body, a radially extending transition portion, an axially extending and generally cylindrical mounting portion. The radially extending transition portion intersects the axially extending main cylindrical body and the generally cylindrical mounting portion. A flexible boot member may be attached to an inner surface of at least two of the cylindrical body, the transition portion and the mounting portion at a coupling region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A constant velocity joint boot comprising:
 a boot-can having an axially extending main cylindrical body;   a radially extending transition portion;   an axially extending and generally cylindrical mounting portion, wherein the radially extending transition portion intersects the axially extending main cylindrical body and the generally cylindrical mounting portion; and   a flexible boot member attached to an inner surface of at least two of the cylindrical body, the transition portion and the mounting portion at a coupling region.   
     
     
         2 . The constant velocity joint boot of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible boot is configured as a unitary body with out apertures. 
     
     
         3 . The constant velocity joint boot of  claim 1 , wherein the boot-can is configured as a unitary body. 
     
     
         4 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible boot and the boot-can are coupled at an approximate length of at least 8.5 mm to 14.5 mm across at least two of the main cylindrical body, the radially extending transition portion and the cylindrical mounting portion. 
     
     
         5 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible boot has a cross section that is approximately 1.5 mm to 3 mm thick at the coupling region. 
     
     
         6 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible boot includes an angled projection positioned adjacent an intersection between the radially extending portion and a generally cylindrical axially extending mounting portion. 
     
     
         7 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 1 , wherein the boot is overmoulded to the boot-can. 
     
     
         8 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is at least one of an angle greater than 90° and an angle less than 90°. 
     
     
         9 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the main cylindrical body, the radially extending transition portion and the cylindrical mounting portion is generally rigid. 
     
     
         10 . A constant velocity joint sealing system, comprising:
 a constant velocity joint, the joint having an inner joint member, and an outer joint member connected to said inner joint member; and   a constant velocity joint boot assembly, the boot assembly having a flexible boot adhered to a boot-can at a coupling region, the coupling region having at least one axially extending surface and at least one radially extending surface intersecting the axially extending surface at an angle, wherein the flexible boot is selectively compressible to form a seal when the boot-can is fixedly secured with the outer joint member.   
     
     
         11 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 9 , wherein the two regions include a predetermined dimensional coupling region. 
     
     
         12 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible boot and the boot-can are adhered at an approximate length of at least 8.5 mm to 14.5 mm across at least two of the main cylindrical body, the radially extending transition portion and the cylindrical mounting portion. 
     
     
         13 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible boot has a cross section that is approximately 1.5 mm to 3 mm thick at the coupling region. 
     
     
         14 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible boot includes an angled projection positioned adjacent an intersection between the radially extending portion and a generally cylindrical axially extending mounting portion. 
     
     
         15 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible boot is configured as an external rolling diaphragm. 
     
     
         16 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 9 , wherein the angle is approximately 90°. 
     
     
         17 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 9 , wherein the angle ranges from 70°-110°. 
     
     
         18 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible boot is a unitary body without apertures, and the boot-can is a unitary body. 
     
     
         19 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 9 , wherein the constant velocity joint and the joint boot assembly are sealed and resilient to pressure differentiations when fixedly secured together, such that no atmospheric vent is included. 
     
     
         20 . The constant velocity joint system of  claim 9 , wherein the angle is at least one of an angle greater than 90° and an angle less than 90°.