Device for sealing the interior space of a homokinetic universal joint

Claim 2

Device for sealing the lubricant-containing interior of a homokinetic universal joint for two rotary shafts comprising a bellows-type packing ring having larger and smaller diameter ends, a movable ring portion located between said larger and said smaller diameter ends and a backwardly curved ring portion located between said larger end and said movable ring portion, a ring flange coaxial to said packing ring and adapted for mounting on one of the two shafts, said ring flange having a peripheral surface whereon the larger diameter end of said packing ring is secured, the smaller diameter end of said packing ring being adapted for mounting on the other of the two rotary shafts, and stiffening means abutting the outer surface of said backwardly curved ring portion of said packing ring, said stiffening means serving for bracing said packing ring at said backwardly curved ring portion in a region radially beyond the surface of the lubricant ring formed in rotating condition of the joint against outward bulging thereof due to hydraulic pressure exerted thereon by said lubricant ring.

Claim 3

Sealing device according to claim 1 wherein said stiffening means comprises a stiffening ring having an inner contour corresponding to the outer contour of said packing ring at said backwardly curved ring portion thereof and secured to said outer surface portion of said packing ring.

Claim 4

Sealing device according to claim 2 wherein said stiffening ring is secured by vulcanization to said outer surface portion.

Claim 5

Sealing device according to claim 2 wherein said stiffening ring is secured by adhesive to said outer surface portion.

Claim 6

Sealing device according to claim 1 wherein said stiffening means forms a portion of said ring flange.

Claim 7

Device for sealing the lubricant-containing interior of a homokinetic universal joint for two rotary shafts comprising a bellows-type packing ring having larger and smaller diameter ends, a ring flange coaxial to said packing ring and adapted for mounting on one of the two shafts, said ring flange having a peripheral surface whereon the larger diameter end of said packing ring is secured, the smaller diameter end of said packing ring being adapted for mounting on the other of the two rotary shafts, and stiffening means abutting against an outer surface portion of said packing ring at the larger diameter end thereof, said stiffening means serving for bracing said packing ring in the region radially beyond the surface of the lubricant ring formed in rotating condition of the joint against outward bulging thereof due to hydraulic pressure exerted thereon by said lubricant ring, said larger diameter securing end oF said packing ring extending in the axial direction of said packing ring, and said packing ring adjacent said larger diameter securing end thereof being initially curved backwards so as to form a backwardly projecting fold extending axially in the sealed interior of the joint, and including a stiff ring located at the inner side of said packing ring for further bracing said packing ring in the region thereof radially beyond said surface of said lubricant.

Claim 8

Device for sealing the lubricant-containing interior of a homokinetic universal joint for two rotary shafts comprising a bellows-type packing ring having larger and smaller diameter ends, a ring flange coaxial to said packing ring and adapted for mounting on one of the two shafts, said ring flange having a peripheral surface whereon the larger diameter end of said packing ring is secured, the smaller diameter end of said packing ring being adapted for mounting on the other of the two rotary shafts, and stiffening means abutting against an outer surface portion of said packing ring at the larger diameter end thereof, said stiffening means serving for bracing said packing ring in the region radially beyond the surface of the lubricant ring formed in rotating condition of the joint against outward bulging thereof due to hydraulic pressure exerted thereon by said lubricant ring, said larger diameter securing end oF said packing ring extending in the axial direction of said packing ring, and said packing ring adjacent said larger diameter securing end thereof being initially curved backwards so as to form a backwardly projecting fold extending axially in the sealed interior of the joint, and including a stiff ring located at the inner side of said packing ring for further bracing said packing ring in the region thereof radially beyond said surface of said lubricant.

Claim 9

Sealing device according to claim 6 wherein said stiff ring is integral with said ring flange.

Claim 10

Sealing device according to claim 6 wherein said lubricant ring is located so far inwardly in the interior of the universal joint that a considerable length of said backwardly curved portion of said packing ring is located outside said surface of said lubricant ring, said stiff ring being in bracing abutment with said backwardly curved portion substantially to the level of said lubricant ring surface.

Claim 11

Sealing device according to claim 1 including a protective sheet member extending from said stiffening means for protecting said packing ring from external effects.

Claim 12

Sealing device according to claim 9 wherein said protective sheet member is substantially in the form of a sleeve.

Claim 13

Sealing device according to claim 9 wherein said protective sheet member is substantially in the form of an umbrella.

Claim 14

Sealing device according to claim 9 wherein said protective sheet member is integral with said stiffening means.

Claim 15

Sealing device according to claim 9 wherein said protective sheet member is firmly connected to said stiffening means.