Prior to this CV joint boot, workers on automotive assembly lines would use a pneumatic claw to expand a boot in order for it to fix over the car's axle joint. Now, with this redesigned boots linear pleating will allow it to umbrella open wide enough to slide over the axle joint. This will also be great for mechanics, because boot and axle maintenance will be fast, and removal of the entire axle for replacing a boot will be a thing of the past.
I was given the job of modeling and building the details and function for this expanding CV (constant velocity) joint, which is a part used on most modern cars and some trucks, with the exception of vehicles with straight axles. I was given detailed drawings and patents figures based my modeling from. The engineering was already well considered in the design, so that was extra work that I didn't have to do. This view as seen above, is a cutaway view of the axle joint and the boot.
Above are the engineers sketches with various views along with remarks, cross sections, and dimensions. I compiled a few for this page, but in reality there were pages of details. Also, which were critical for my modeling were the patent drawings.
Here are two sliced sections that show the pleating cuts.
Another shaded cutaway view of the boot and axle assembly.
This shaded cutaway view of the boot and axle assembly.
