DRIVESHAFT BOOT GUARD FOR VEHICLES
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a driveshaft boot guard for vehicles, and, in particular, to a driveshaft boot guard to prevent damage of constant velocity (CV) joint boot in Macpherson Type strut systems in 5 vehicles.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] In the vehicles, a plurality of mechanisms is used for transmitting power from the drive source to the wheels. These mechanisms, for example, a wheel bearing apparatus for rotatably and holding the wheel, the power from the driving 10 source to the drive shaft for transmitting to the wheels. The wheel support bearing assembly and the drive shaft are joined with constant velocity joint for transmitting the power to wheel at any angle. The constant-velocity joints (CV joints) allow a drive shaft to transmit power through a variable angle, at constant rotational speed, without an appreciable increase in friction or play. These joints 15 are mainly used in front wheel drive vehicles, and many modern rear wheel drive cars with independent rear suspension typically use CV joints at the ends of the rear axle half shafts and increasingly use them on the prop-shafts (drive shafts).
[003] Further, constant-velocity joints are protected by a rubber boot cover, a 20 CV gaiter, usually filled with molybdenum disulfide grease. Cracks and splits in the boot cover will allow contaminants in, which would cause the joint to wear quickly.
[004] Fig. 1a, fig. 1b, and fig. 1c illustrate problems in the boot due to crack and damage by stone. When there is any crack in the boot, the grease or lubricant 25 inside the boot start falling down which causes quick wear of the CV joint. Further, it also causes efficiency loss in the vehicle. In the figures, 101a, 101b, and 101c illustrate the cut and damages in the boot cover of the CV joint of the driveshaft
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[005] Korean Patent application KR1020150091811A titled “Boot protecting kit of a constant velocity joint for a driving shaft” relates to a boot protecting kit of a constant velocity joint for a drive shaft, which can protect a boot until a drive shaft is mounted on a vehicle. The present invention, a boot protecting kit of a constant velocity joint for a drive shaft protects a boot connected to a middle shaft, and comprises: a protective cover covering the boot by placing a gap with the boot; and a detachable unit attaching and detaching the protective cover to and from the middle shaft. The present boot guard Boot Guard is mounted on Drive shaft itself which rotates along with driveshaft.
[006] Though these prior arts protect the boot of the CV joint as they are intended for, but each has its own drawbacks and limitations. The Korean patent application illustrates a boot guard which is mounted on the driveshaft which will rotate along with the rotation of the driveshaft. Therefore, it adds extra weight on the driveshaft which effects the rotation and mass of the driveshaft. Further, due to 5 extra weight on the drive shaft increase the vibration tendency, because of additional rotating mass. It may deform while rotating at high speed. If there is any deformation in the boot guard, it will generate vibrations which will directly impact the vehicle and vibration reduces the efficiency of the vehicle. During repairing of the boot guard, the complete drive shaft assembly has to be dis-10 assemble to replace or repair the boot guard which is time consuming and cumbersome. Therefore, these known systems do not provide effective protection to the boot cover of the CV joint. Therefore, a simple, inexpensive, easy to install and uninstall, boot guard is required which can effectively protect the boot of the CV joint in the wheel assembly of the vehicle. 15
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[007] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a boot guard for protecting a boot of CV joint of the vehicle.
[008] Another object of the present subject matter is to mount the boot guard with the help of Macpherson strut in the wheel assembly. 20
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[009] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a boot guard which is easy to assemble and dis-assemble from Macpherson strut and lower arm ball joint.
[0010] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a simple, light weight, and low cost boot guard for protecting the boot cover of the CV joint from 5 the rock, stone, mud during driving and suspension articulation of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present subject matter disclosed herein relates to a driveshaft boot guard for protecting boot cover of constant velocity (CV) joint of driveshaft from stone, mud, and rock. The driveshaft boot guard includes a semi cylindrical body to 10 cover complete lower, front and back side of boot cover of the CV joint of the driveshaft. The semi cylindrical body has upper mounting leg which mounted on knuckle bracket of Macpherson strut. Further a lower mounting leg provided on outer circumference of the semi cylindrical body which mounted on lower arm ball joint. The driveshaft boot guard is mounted on the knuckle bracket and lower 15 arm ball joint with the help of nuts to protect the rubber boot cover.
[0011] In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit scope of the present subject matter. 20
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the 25 accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with
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embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0013] Fig. 1a, fig. 1b, and fig. 1c illustrate problems in the boot guard due to crack and damage by stone;
[0014] Fig. 2a illustrates structure of boot guard for protecting the CV joint of the 5 drive shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0015] Fig. 2b illustrates front view of the boot guard for protecting the CV joint of the drive shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0016] Fig. 2c illustrates side view of the boot guard for protecting the CV joint 10 of the drive shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0017] Fig. 2d illustrates top view of the boot guard for protecting the CV joint of the drive shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0018] Fig. 3 illustrates mounting of the boot guard on the boot of the drive shaft 15 with Macpherson strut system near wheel system of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0019] Fig. 4a illustrates the wheel system with Macpherson strut without boot guard, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0020] Fig. 4b illustrates the mounting of the boot guard on the boot of the drive 20 shaft with Macpherson strut system near wheel system of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0021] Fig. 5a illustrates the driveshaft with boot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter;
[0022] Fig. 5b illustrates the driveshaft with boot guard, in accordance with an 25 embodiment of the present subject matter; and
[0023] Fig. 6a, fig. 6b, and fig. 6c illustrate the assembly of boot guard on the driveshaft boot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
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[0024] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein. 5
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0025] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a driveshaft boot guard for protecting boot cover of the Constant velocity (CV) joint of the drive shaft with wheel. The present driveshaft boot guard has a semi-cylindrical body which covers complete lower surface of the boot cover of the CV joint. The semi 10 cylindrical body protects the boot cover of the CV joint. The boot cover of CV joint is made of rubber or TPE (plastic) which has lubricant inside. Further, the boot cover is prone to quick damage from the stone hitting or mud deposition. The driveshaft boot guard further has two mounting legs, i.e., upper mounting leg and lower mounting leg. The upper mounting leg provided at one end of the semi 15 cylindrical body. The upper mounting leg is mounted on knuckle bracket of Macpherson strut assembly. The lower mounting leg is mounted on lower arm ball joint. The present driveshaft boot guard is easy to install and un-install during repairing and replacement. In the present driveshaft boot guard, there is no need to dis-assemble the driveshaft boot guard during service of the driveshaft boot. 20
[0026] Conventionally, a boot guards are mounted on the driveshaft which will rotate along with the rotation of the driveshaft. The boot guard adds extra weight on the driveshaft which effects the rotation and mass of the driveshaft. Extra weight on the drive shaft increases the vibration tendency. It may deform while rotating at high speed. If there is any deformation in the boot guard, it will 25 generate vibrations which will directly impact the vehicle and vibration reduces the efficiency of the vehicle. During repairing of the boot guard, the complete drive shaft assembly has to be dis-assemble to replace or repair the boot guard which is time consuming and cumbersome. Therefore, these systems do not provide effective protection to the boot cover of the CV joint. 30
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[0027] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those 5 skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the 10 concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the 15 following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0028] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject 20 matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0029] Fig. 2a illustrates structure of boot guard for protecting the boot cover of the CV joint of the drive shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present 25 subject matter. The CV joint is covered with a rubber cover which is called as boot cover. The boot cover restricts entry of dust and other foreign particles in the CV joint which may affect efficiency of the CV joint. The driveshaft boot guard 200 has a semi-cylindrical body 202. The semi cylindrical body 202 covers lower and side part of the boot cover which is more prone towards stone and mud during 30
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driving and suspension articulation of the vehicle. The semi cylindrical body 202 has substantial width to cover the boot cover of the CV joint. Further, the driveshaft boot guard 200 has two mounting legs, i.e., upper mounting leg 204 and the lower mounting leg 206. The upper mounting leg 204 provided at one end 202a of the semi cylindrical body 202. The upper mounting leg 204 is a straight 5 mounting leg. The upper mounting leg 204 has a mounting hole 204a to mount the driveshaft boot guard 200 with the knuckle bracket of the Macpherson strut. The lower mounting bracket 206 has two portions, i.e., upper portion 206a and lower portion 206b. The lower mounting leg 206 extends outward from circumference of the semi cylindrical body 202 at an angle which can be optimized from vehicle 10 to vehicle depending upon suspension configuration.
[0030] The lower mounting leg 206 has a bend in across the length of the lower mounting leg 206. The upper portion 206a is above the bent and connected with the circumference of the semi-cylindrical body 202 of the driveshaft boot guard 200. Whereas the lower portion 206b extends substantial perpendicular to the 15 upper portion 206a of the lower mounting leg 206. The lower portion 206b of the lower mounting leg 206 has a mounting hole 206c to mount the driveshaft boot guard 200 to the lower arm ball joint of wheel assembly. The driveshaft boot guard 200 is mounted on the knuckle bracket and lower arm ball joint to protect the boot cover of the CV joint. Further, the driveshaft boot guard 200 is light 20 weight and protects the boot cover of the CV joint from damage due to hitting of stones while driving and suspension articulation of the vehicle. The driveshaft boot guard 200 may be made of any suitable material which provides necessary tensile strength. A few experimented material with dimensions of the driveshaft is given below: 25
Material
Thickness
Weight (per piece)
Sheet Metal (CR EDD)
1.5 mm
150 gms
Plastic (LLDPE)
3 mm
42 gms
[0031] Fig. 2b illustrates front view of the boot guard for protecting the CV joint of the drive shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject
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matter. The front view of the driveshaft boot guard 200 illustrates the straight structure of the upper mounting leg 204. Fig. 2c illustrates side view of the boot guard for protecting the CV joint of the drive shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The side view of the driveshaft boot guard 200 illustrates the angular extension of the upper portion 206a from the 5 semi cylindrical body 202. Further it also illustrates the bending of the lower mounting leg 206 and extension of the lower portion 206b in substantial perpendicular direction from the upper portion 206a. Fig. 2d illustrates top view of the boot guard for protecting the CV joint of the drive shaft, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. 10
[0032] Fig. 3 illustrates mounting of the driveshaft boot guard on the boot cover of CV joint of the drive shaft with Macpherson strut system near wheel system of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In the present driveshaft boot guard assembly 300, a Macpherson strut 300a mounted in wheel assembly with a knuckle bracket 302. Further, a driveshaft 304 is 15 connected to the wheel assembly with a boot cover and CV joint to provide power to the wheel assembly. In the present driveshaft boot guard assembly 300, a driveshaft boot guard 200 provided on the boot cover of the CV joint of driveshaft 304 to protect the boot cover. From upper side, the driveshaft boot guard 200 mounted at knuckle bracket 302. From lower side, the driveshaft boot guard 200 20 mounted on lower arm ball joint 306.
[0033] Fig. 4a illustrates the wheel system with Macpherson strut without boot guard, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Present figure illustrates the wheel assembly without driveshaft boot guard. The present assembly has knuckle bracket 402, boot cover 404 and lower arm ball joint 406. 25 This assembly is more prone towards the damage of boot cover due to stone and mud. Fig. 4b illustrates the mounting of the boot guard on the boot of the drive shaft with Macpherson strut system near wheel system of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In the present
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figure, a driveshaft boot guard 200 mounted on the knuckle bracket 402 from upper side and on the lower arm ball joint from the lower side.
[0034] Fig. 5a illustrates the driveshaft with boot cover only, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The boot cover 502 is made of rubber which is vital and vulnerable in natural. Whereas Fig. 5b illustrates the 5 driveshaft boot cover protected by driveshaft boot guard 200. The boot cover 502 of the CV joint is made of rubber which is vulnerable to crack and quick damage due to stone hitting and mud deposition during driving and suspension articulation.
[0035] Fig. 6a, fig. 6b, and fig. 6c illustrate the assembly of boot guard on the 10 driveshaft boot, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 6a illustrates mounting of driveshaft boot guard 200 on the lower arm ball joint 604 with the help of mounting tool. The lower mounting leg of the driveshaft boot guard 200 is mounted on the lower arm ball joint 604. Fig. 6b illustrates mounting of upper mounting leg of the driveshaft boot guard 200 on the knuckle 15 bracket of the Macpherson strut system. The driveshaft boot guard 200 is mounted on the mounting hole available in the knuckle bracket 606. The driveshaft boot guard 200 is mounted on the knuckle bracket with a mounting tool 608. Fig. 6c illustrates mounting or assembly of drive shaft 610 on the wheel system.
[0036] The present driveshaft boot guard provides proper protection to rubber 20 boot cover of the CV joint of drive shaft. The boot cover of the drive shaft is exposed to rocks, sticks, stones, mud due to position of the driveshaft during driving and suspension articulation. Therefore, the present driveshaft boot guard covers the boot cover completely from the lower, front and back side of the vehicle. 25
[0037] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component 30
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of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.

We claim:
1. A driveshaft boot guard (200) for protecting boot cover of constant velocity (CV) joint of driveshaft from stone, mud, and rock, the driveshaft boot guard (200) comprising:
a semi cylindrical body (202) to cover boot cover (502) of the CV 5 joint of the driveshaft (502a);
upper mounting leg (204) provided at one end of the semi cylindrical body (202); and
lower mounting leg (206) provided on outer circumference of the semi cylindrical body (202). 10
2. The driveshaft boot guard (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein lower portion (206b) of the lower mounting leg (206) bends in middle and extends substantial perpendicular to upper portion (206a) of the lower mounting leg (206). 15
3. The driveshaft boot guard (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper mounting leg (204) has a mounting hole (204a) to mount the driveshaft boot guard (200) to knuckle bracket (302, 402) of Macpherson strut (300a).
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4. The driveshaft boot guard (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower portion (206b) of the lower mounting leg (206) has a mounting hole (206c) to mount the driveshaft boot guard (200) on lower arm ball joint (306).
5. The driveshaft boot guard (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper 25 mounting leg (204) mounted on the knuckle bracket (302, 402).
6. The driveshaft boot guard (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driveshaft boot guard (200) is made of sheet metal.
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7. The driveshaft boot guard (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driveshaft boot guard (200) is made of plastic material.
8. The driveshaft boot guard (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower mounting leg (206) is extending outward from the circumference of the semi 5 cylindrical body (202) at an angle optimized from vehicle to vehicle depending upon suspension configuration.
9. A driveshaft boot guard assembly for protecting boot cover (502) of 10 constant velocity (CV) joint of driveshaft from stone, mud, and rock, the driveshaft boot guard assembly comprising:
a Macpherson strut (300a) with knuckle bracket (302); a arm ball joint (406); and 15 a driveshaft boot guard (200) mounted with the knuckle bracket (302) of the Macpherson strut (300a) at upper side and with the arm ball joint (406) at side.