Patent ID: 7967687
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: F16D,F16J

Abstract:
1. A joint structure comprising: a constant velocity universal joint, a shaft displaceably coupled to said constant velocity universal joint, and a joint boot having an end in which said constant velocity universal joint is inserted and another end in which said shaft is inserted, wherein said joint boot comprises a large-diameter tube in which an outer circumferential wall of an outer member of said constant velocity universal joint is inserted and which is tightened around said outer circumferential wall by a first tightening member, a small-diameter tube which has an inner circumferential wall held in abutment against a circumferential side wall of said shaft when said shaft is inserted in said small-diameter tube and which is tightened around said circumferential side wall by a second tightening member, and a bellows interposed between said large-diameter tube and said small-diameter tube and progressively smaller in diameter from said large-diameter tube to said small-diameter tube; said joint boot includes a flexible portion disposed between said small-diameter tube and said bellows, said flexible portion being more flexible than said small-diameter tube; and said flexible portion flexes earlier than said small-diameter tube when said shaft is displaced to a position tilted with respect to said outer member, wherein said bellows of said joint boot has a peak closest to said small-diameter tube, said peak having a crest which is less flexible than said flexible portion; wherein said flexible portion of said joint boot is smaller in wall thickness than said small-diameter tube; wherein said flexible portion of said joint boot is smaller in wall thickness than said peak closest to said small-diameter tube.