A drivetrain assembly for a motor vehicle including a venting system. The drivetrain assembly includes an output shaft from a vehicle prime moreover component such as a transmission or transaxle. The output shaft is coupled to a propeller shaft through a constant velocity joint (CVJ) assembly. A flexible sealing boot encloses the CVJ between the output shaft and the propeller shaft. Internal components of the CVJ are vented by a first longitudinal passageway exposed to the internal volume of the CVJ extending longitudinally along the output shaft. A second radial passageway joins the longitudinal passageway and extends to the radially outer surface of the output shaft forming a second aperture. The passageways combine to provide pressure equalization between the CVJ internal volume and the atmosphere. An optional semi-permeable membrane may be mounted at the second aperture.

An axle assembly for a driving wheel of a vehicle allows a wheel-side joint and a shaft to be rotated separately from a boot while driving so as to prevent generation of friction noise of the boot. The axle assembly includes the shaft rotated by receiving driving force from a powertrain; an axle housing disposed to pass through a center of a steering knuckle connected to a steering apparatus; a wheel bearing mounted between the steering knuckle and the axle housing; a joint bearing mounted on an outer part of the shaft; and a boot unit configured to have a first end coupled to an outer race of the joint bearing and a second end coupled to an outer race of the wheel bearing so as to form a space filled with a lubricant outside the shaft.

In at least some implementations, a constant velocity joint includes a first rotational member and a boot can assembly coupled to the first rotational member. The boot can assembly includes a boot can, a boot and a seal carried by the boot can and arranged to engage and seal against the first rotational member when the boot can assembly is coupled to the first rotational member. The boot and seal may be formed from the same piece of material and may be bonded to the boot can. The boot and seal may be overmolded onto the boot can.

A constant velocity joint includes an external joint part including internal ball tracks, an internal joint part including external ball tracks assigned to the internal ball tracks, and a ball cage holding balls. The external joint part is connectable to a connecting part and sealed by a closure cap on the side facing this connecting part. The internal joint part is an integral internal joint part connected permanently to a shaft piece, sealed on this side towards the external joint part by a flexible sealing element, hardened, and has a protruding welding attachment for an adapter on its free end. The welding attachment outer diameter is larger than the smallest integral internal joint part outer diameter. In a method, the sealing element is mounted over the integral internal joint part free end and connected to the external joint part, the adapter subsequently welded near the welding attachment.

A gaiter (4) for a lubricated joint (1) comprises a sidewall structure (9) defining an enclosure (5) for receiving a lubricant and a passageway (24) for conveying a gas. In use, the passageway (12) conveys gas in isolation from said enclosure (5). Gaiters (4) in accordance with the invention find application in vehicle central tire inflation systems (CTIS).

The claimed invention is directed to a novel composite half shaft. More specifically, the claimed invention provides for the integration of a continuous velocity joint within the hollow tubular portion of the axle shaft, which permits for a longer lightweight composite hollow shaft. The use of the lightweight material over additional length results in an overall weight reduction. Additional benefits include reduced unsprung weight in vehicles, improved mileage for gas powered vehicles and increased range for electric vehicles. The use of composite materials in place of a solid or hollow metal axle bar results in improved noise, vibration and harshness (“NVH”) characteristics over conventional half shafts..

A bellow seal of a fluid dispensing system is disclosed. The bellow seal having a generally circular cross section includes a first end having a first diameter. The bellow seal further includes a second end having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the first end. The bellow seal further includes a contoured external surface extending between the first end and the second end. The external surface includes a cylindrical portion extending from the first end, an undulating portion, (which includes a convex portion extending from the cylindrical portion and a concave portion extending from the convex portion), and a tapered portion extending from the concave portion to the second end. The bellow seal further includes a flexible region defined between a first point located on the cylindrical portion and a second point located on the concave portion.

A drive shaft (1) includes a telescopic shaft (3) having an outer tubular shaft (9) and an inner tubular shaft (11) inserted slidable into the outer shaft (9). A lubrication system is further provided, including: a lubricant receiving chamber (39) housed in the inner shaft (11); a lubricant distribution block (41) housed in the inner shaft (11); lubricant supply ports (11.9) for supplying lubricant from the lubricant distribution block (41), through a tubular wall of the inner shaft (11), towards a gap between the inner shaft (11) and the outer shaft (9); at least a lubricant transferring duct (47.1; 47.2) from the receiving chamber (39) to the distribution block (41). wherein the supplying ports (11.9) are distributed in at least two positions offset in direction of the axis (A-A) of the telescopic shaft (3).

A drive shaft assembly includes a drive shaft that includes a first cylindrical end having a first diameter, a cylindrical portion having a second diameter, and a second cylindrical end having the first diameter. A first distal end of the drive shaft includes a first distal spherical indentation. A first adapter cap includes a first tapered inner aperture and a first seal disposed within a first groove formed in a circumference of the first tapered inner aperture. The first tapered inner aperture is configured to receive the first cylindrical end of the drive shaft and the first seal forms a seal with the cylindrical portion of the drive shaft having the second diameter. A first adapter includes a first distal spherical indentation. A first distal spherical ball is removably attached to the first distal spherical indentation.

A constant velocity joint boot assembly includes a boot that may be positioned around a constant velocity joint on a vehicle. The boot has a longitudinal cut. Thus, the boot may be selectively placed around the constant velocity joint when the constant velocity joint is mounted to the vehicle. A zipper is coupled to the boot. The zipper closes the boot around the constant velocity joint. The zipper extends beyond the first end of the boot and the second end of the boot to define a pair of free ends of the zipper. Each of the free ends of the zipper is rolled up when the zipper is closed. Thus, the zipper may resist being contaminated thereby enhancing functionally of the zipper over time.