Protective bellows particularly for a motor vehicle front wheel drive
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a new protective bellows for universal joints, particularly for front wheel drives of motor vehicles and further to a protective element of polymer material for universal joints, transmission side, such as thermoplastic, silicone, etc. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     The increasingly frequent use of catalytic converters on motor vehicles raises a new problem concerning the behavior at high temperature of a bellows which may be located near by. 
     The use of materials of the silicone type, for example, makes it possible for the bellows to withstand an increase in temperature due to heat radiation. Nevertheless, these materials with a low modulus of elasticity remain unstable when undergoing centrifugal forces. This involves a new geometry able to to withstand the combined conditions of high temperatures and high rotational speeds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In contrast with the wheel side bellows, the present invention is not subject to a steering lock angle, but only possible oscillations on the order of + or -20°. 
     In addition, the absence of a &#34;tulip&#34; makes possible a very compact design, assuring for it a significant savings of grease weight and an excellent dynamic stability, regardless of the flexibility of the material. 
     This invention has as its object to solve the problems mentioned above, relative to high temperatures and resultant stresses of undergoing a centrifugal force, while respecting the operational necessities of the drive mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of the bellows of the invention in position on the drive shaft, and 
     FIG. 2 is an exterior view of the bellows of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to FIG. 1, it is seen that the geometry of the bellows is defined to assure the following points: 
     Each of its ends 1-2 comprises profiles suited respectively to the surfaces of bowl 3 and shaft 4 of the drive on which it is mounted without prestressing. 
     Between these two ends, the profile of the bellows is subdivided into two distinct parts: 
     part 5 being conical, 
     the other part 7 being cylindrical. 
     Conical part 5, whose wall in a variant can be vertical, assures the joining of the bowl 3 side securing zone with cylindrical part 7 of the bellows. Near bowl 3, it assures a minimal volume of grease. The fact that the wall of the conical part 5 forms an angle between 0° and 25° determines an optimal behavior in centrifuging. To the right of bowl 3, a rib 6 is provided whose purpose is to protect conical zone 5 in view of the internal aggressiveness of a sheet metal hood. It also makes it possible to better position the bellows on bowl 3 by acting as a stop and contributes to increasing the rigidity in this part. 
     Conical element 5 can optionally be reinforced by a circular boss 10 so that it is protected from the outside edges of a &#34;three-lobed tulip&#34; 11. At the base of cone 5, a hinge zone 8 assures the cone-cylinder junction. The free space of the drive serves for articulation for the bellows in this part 8. This latter, itself, rests on smooth and lubricated shaft 4 of the drive. 
     Cylindrical section 7 of the bellows has an inside diameter on the order of 4 mm greater than the outside diameter of shaft 4. This design makes it impossible for the bellows to become destabilized at high speed since it is supported by shaft 4 on the inside. 
     In addition, it is possible to add guide lugs 9 that rest on lubricated shaft 4 which cause no damage to the bellows. The volume of grease in the cylindrical part 7 remains very low. 
     To make possible the necessary axial movement for the bellows on the side of the transmission, small folds 12 are added whose outside diameter does not exceed twice that of shaft 4. In addition to this function, the above arrangement assures an increased rigidity over the entire length of cylindrical part 7 of the bellows. This design makes it possible to stabilize the latter regardless of its length. 
     Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.