초록 ▼

A power transmission device includes a housing, first and second shafts and a generally tubular boot. The housing has an aperture that at least the first shaft passes through. The first and second shafts are coupled together through a splined connection causing the shafts to rotate with one another

A power transmission device includes a housing, first and second shafts and a generally tubular boot. The housing has an aperture that at least the first shaft passes through. The first and second shafts are coupled together through a splined connection causing the shafts to rotate with one another while allowing axial translation between the shafts. The boot includes a first end engaged with the first shaft and a second end engaged with the second shaft. The first end of the boot includes a flange having an insert located therein. A portion of the first end biasedly engages the first shaft thereby eliminating the need for a clamp previously required.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A power transmission device comprising: a housing having an aperture; a first shaft drivingly coupled to a second shaft, said first and second shafts being axially movable relative to one another, each shaft at least partially extending through said aperture; a generally tubu

What is claimed is: 1. A power transmission device comprising: a housing having an aperture; a first shaft drivingly coupled to a second shaft, said first and second shafts being axially movable relative to one another, each shaft at least partially extending through said aperture; a generally tubular boot having a first end portion, a second end portion and at least one convolution positioned therebetween, said first end portion being engaged with said first shaft and said second end portion being engaged with said second shaft said first end portion including a generally radially extending flange having a generally circular insert at least partially encapsulated therein, said first end portion including a radially inwardly extending protrusion being biasedly engaged within an annular groove formed on said first shaft to retain said boot for rotation with said first shaft, said insert being located radially outward of said protrusion and at least a portion of said insert being axially aligned with said protrusion. 2. The power transmission device of claim 1, wherein said boot is injection molded from an elastomeric material. 3. The power transmission device of claim 2, wherein said insert includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, said elastomeric material extending through said insert apertures. 4. The power transmission device of claim 1, wherein said insert is completely encapsulated within said flange. 5. The power transmission device of claim 1, further comprising a seal radially disposed between and in engagement with said first shaft and said housing, said radially extending flange of said boot extending radially outwardly beyond said seal. 6. The power transmission device of claim 1, wherein said insert includes plastic. 7. The power transmission device of claim 1, wherein said insert includes circumferentially extending inner and outer legs interconnected by a substantially planar base, said planar base extending substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said first shaft. 8. The power transmission device of claim 1, wherein said insert has a radial extent greater than an axial extent. 9. A power transmission device comprising: a housing; a first shaft rotatably supported by said housing; a second shaft drivingly coupled with said first shaft, said second shaft being axially movable relative to said first shaft; and an elastomeric boot having a first end coupled to said first shaft and a second end coupled to said second shaft for rotation therewith, said boot being operable to axially expand and contract in concert with said first and second shafts, said first end of said boot having a radially extending flange with a substantially rigid insert positioned therein, said boot including a compressible portion biasedly engaging said first shaft to retain said first end of said boot on said first shaft, said insert having an inner circumferential limit positioned adjacent said compressible portion and an outer circumferential limit proximate an unsupported edge of said flange. 10. The power transmission device of claim 9, wherein said boot is injection molded from an elastomeric material. 11. The power transmission device of claim 10, wherein said insert includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, said elastomeric material extending through said insert apertures. 12. The power transmission device of claim 9, wherein said insert is completely encapsulated within said flange. 13. The power transmission device of claim 9, further comprising a seal radially disposed between said first shaft and said housing, said seal contacting at least a portion of said first shaft and said housing, said first end of said boot extending radially beyond said seal. 14. The power transmission device of claim 9, wherein said flange includes a radially inwardly extending protrusion positioned within an annular groove formed on said first shaft. 15. The power transmission device of claim 14, wherein said insert is located radially outward of said compressible portion and at least a portion of said insert is axially aligned with said protrusion. 16. The power transmission device of claim 9, wherein said inner circumferential limit and said outer circumferential limit define a radial extent greater than an axial extent of said insert. 17. A power transmission device comprising: a housing having an aperture with an end face surrounding said aperture; a first shaft rotatably supported by said housing and including a portion axially extending beyond said end face; a second shaft drivingly coupled with said first shaft, said second shaft being axially movable relative to said first shaft; and an elastomeric boot having a first end fixed to said first shaft and a second end fixed to said second shaft for rotation therewith, said first end of said boot having a radially extending flange with a rigid insert positioned therein, said boot including a compressible portion in snap-fit engagement with said first shaft to retain said first end of said boot on said first shaft, said insert having at least a portion radially aligned with said end face. 18. The power transmission device of claim 17, wherein said flange radially extends substantially adjacent to said end face to limit the ingress of contamination into said aperture. 19. The power transmission device of claim 18, further comprising a seal radially disposed between said first shaft and said housing, said flange being positioned adjacent to said seal. 20. The power transmission device of claim 19 wherein said compressible portion is radially positioned between said first shaft and said rigid insert. 21. The power transmission device of claim 17 wherein said radially extending flange is spaced apart from said housing to allow relative rotation therebetween.