Dynamic Behavior of a Driveline with Universal Joints

Nowadays universal joint drive(UJD) is an essential part in a machine to transmit the rotational motion, although it can be also used to transmit the intermittent drives. But only a uniform rotational motion on the average will be concerned in this paper. For the particular kinematics condition of a universal joint(UJ), torsional and bending vibrations are produced excessively in an elastic driveline incorporating UJ, in addition to those by the external or the process conditioned excitations due to the oscillating driving or load torque. Damages in a driveline component or excessive dynamic forces or disturbances can be caused in driveline system as a consequence. In case that defects are not directly developed, the annoying noise of high frequencies is eventually accompanied. This paper presents the analysis of exciting mechanisms of vibration in a driveline and some results from the recent research works.