Constant velocity joint plunge boot
AssigneeGKN Driveline North America, Inc.
InventorShen-Ling Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of forming a flexible component includes performing a stress analysis on potential configurations of the component. A desired as-molded shape can be selected from the configurations that were analyzed based upon the stresses resulting from manipulation.
Claims14
A method of manufacturing a flexible component for a joint assembly, comprising the steps of:
- selecting a desired first component having a first configuration that is manipulated into a second configuration when said first component is installed into an assembly, wherein the selected first component experiences a deformation of shape when manipulated into said second configuration resulting in induced stresses in selected portions of said first component;
- performing an analysis of said induced stresses in said first component, wherein said analysis is performed on said second configuration of said first component;
- selecting a desired configuration representative of a predetermined operational mode of said first component;
- and
- molding a second component, wherein said molding includes at least partially curing said second component generally in said desired configuration and said second component requires less manipulation from an as-molded shape than said first component for a similar operating mode.
A flexible boot for an articulating joint, comprising a curved portion, wherein said curved portion is formed in a desired configuration, wherein said desired configuration is determined by analyzing a plurality of potential configurations of a first component and selecting the desired configuration that results in a desired amount of stress in a deformed shape of the first component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.