The following definitions and illustrations are intended to establish common nomenclature and terminology for universal joints and driveshafts used in various driveline applications. In addition, useful guidelines are included for the application of universal joints and driveshafts. For more specific details, see Universal Joint and Driveshaft Design Manual, AE-7.

Drivetrain Standards Committee

Investigation of the Vehicle Ride Vibration Effect on the Driveline Fluctuations

2002-01-306511/18/2002

One of the main causes of the torsional and bending fluctuations of the driveline is the angularity of the driveshaft and its universal joints. Most of the previous studies of the driveline vibrations have considered constant and equal angularities of these joints. However, the exact equality of the angularity is very difficult to maintain for ground vehicles under different ride vibration modes. This paper is concerned with the coupling between the driveline fluctuations and the ride vibrations of the rear drive vehicles. The coupled motions, which are; drive axle suspension deformation and vehicle body pitch angle and their derivatives, have been used to study the driveshaft and output shaft bending and torsional fluctuations. The results have showed that the fluctuations of the driveshaft due to the base angularity of the joints are superimposed by another fluctuation due to the bounce and pitch of the vehicle body. Also, the results showed that the output shaft is torsionally

Rabeih, E. M. A, El-Demerdash, S. M.

Evaluation Method for Vibratory Forces Caused by Propeller Shaft

1999-01-176305/17/1999

This paper describes a bench test evaluation method for vibratory forces caused by a propeller shaft. Most of the vibratory forces are usually generated at the joints of a propeller shaft. They are classified as vibratory forces of axial, radial and moment directions. Axial force can be easily evaluated by measuring the load washer outputs. On the contrary, radial and moment forces can not be analyzed enough clearly even though the outputs are measured, because the load washer for both forces is the same and the outputs depend on the sum of these forces. In this paper, an algorithm for the evaluation method is described. In this method the outputs, as a sum of the forces, are by computation translated separately into kinds of forces which are generated at each joint. The translated results are calculated using an inverse matrix of influence coefficients between the forces and the outputs. Using this method, the evaluation is effective for analyzing the mechanism of the forces.

Ono, Koichiro

High Speed Fixed Constant Velocity Joint for Automotive Driveshaft Applications

98083402/23/1998

A fixed ball Constant Velocity joint has been developed and optimized specifically for automotive driveshafts with articulation angles greater than those permissible with cardan joints. The joint was developed both as an NVH solution to cardan joints and as a lightweight replacement for the centered double cardan joint which exists in many light truck applications today. The joint offers NVH improvements against cardan joints due to its CV nature, and significant improvement when compared to centered double cardan driveshafts because of reduced overhang, improved runout control, compact design and a 20% weight reduction. Internal geometry of the joint has been optimized to minimize heat generation during operation. The joint has been successfully endurance tested running at 75 kilowatts at angles of 10.

Johnson, Rory

Analysis of an Automotive Driveline with Cardan Universal Joints

95089502/01/1995

A detailed methodology is presented in this paper for a complete assessment of various forces, torques, and kinematic effects due to universal joint angularities and shaft yoke phasing. A modular approach has been adopted wherein constitutive equations represent each of the key elements of a driveline namely the driveshaft, coupling shaft, universal joint, and the transmission/axle shafts. Concentrated loads are used wherever loads are being transferred between the elements of a driveline. Local matrices are developed for the equilibrium of the respective driveline members. The local matrices are then assembled into a global matrix and solved for the kinematic state of the complete driveline. A 6x15 matrix has been developed to represent a general shaft in the system and a 6x10 matrix has been developed for a universal joint cross. This gives us a complete picture of all the loads on all driveline members. The calculated bearing loads can then be used to appropriately design or select

Szadkowski, Andrew, Prange, Edward, Vedam, Kumar, Naganathan, Nagi G.

High Speed Constant Velocity Joints for Car and Light Truck Driveshafts

95089102/01/1995

This paper reviews the Constant Velocity Joint technology available for Passenger Car and Light Truck driveshafts. It discusses performance requirements of various driveline configurations and analyses design characteristics and application limits of high speed constant velocity joints. A new generation of driveshaft joints is introduced and novel joint concepts are presented.

Magirius, Stefan, Booker, Dan

TORAN™: A Comprehensive Simulation Tool for Driveline Torsionals

94232211/01/1994

A novel computer simulation program entitled TORAN™ has been developed by the Spicer Clutch Division of Dana Corporation. TORAN™ has been developed for use as an engineering tool for quick and interactive, yet a complete torsional analysis of heavy duty truck drivetrains. This will allow the design and application engineers to examine and predict the behavior of these drivetrains throughout practical ranges of frequencies and torques. TORAN™ is more than just another modification of similar existing programs. The Program, which includes a database of confidential data furnished by drivetrain component and OEM manufacturers and algorithms proprietary to the Spicer Clutch Division. The algorithm accommodates some substantial nonlinearities, such as clutch damper hysteresis and universal joint disturbances. Also included are several new modeling features describing geometrical configuration of axles, torsional properties of tires, etc. The Program can perform a complete modal analysis and

Szadkowski, Andrew, Naganathan, Nagi G.

Trunnion-Type Double Cardan onstant Velocity Steering Joint

93301611/01/1993

The parameters of a well designed vehicle steering system include a consistent torque effort at the steering wheel, a crisp and symmetric return to the straight ahead position, and a pleasing on-center feel. Historically, these features were more easily attained with a straight-line placement of the steering column relative to the gear connection. The trend toward vehicle downsizing, along with new vehicle requirements for crush zones and tighter package restraints, have necessitated the incorporation of multiple universal joint steering systems, thus making the features above more difficult to obtain. Moreover, operating angles continue to increase with the reduction of packaging space and imposed government motor vehicle safety standards. The solution presented herein introduces a small diameter, simplified double Cardan joint that, unlike multiple joint, high angle, single Cardan systems, will transmit rotational motion at near constant velocity with little or no torque variation

Doyle, Thomas J., Frutig, Edward A., Boyden, David E., Riccitelli, Martin G.

Dynamic Behavior of a Driveline with Universal Joints

91249111/01/1991

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.

Park, Bo Yong, Stühler, W.

New Variations of the Cardan Concept Increase Universal Joint Performance

91177709/01/1991

An increased demand for greater performance of universal joints has prompted the development of joints capable of long life at high speeds, high angles, and high loads. The Cardan joint has proven to be the only design capable of meeting all these demands. New variations of the Cardan and double Cardan concepts have shown the ability to increase universal joint performance. The purpose of this paper is to define the advantages of a new universal joint design based on the Cardan concept. By changing the shape and location of component parts of the Cardan and double Cardan designs, improvements in lubrication, vibration and misalignment can be obtained. Advantages in lubrication can be accomplished by replacing the internal Cardan cross or “spider” with an external ring. Vibration improvements over the double Cardan joint are obtained by replacing the external connecting yoke with an internal connecting member. Misalignment angles up to 90° are possible with less sacrifice to joint

Britton, James S., Cornay, Paul J.

An Atlas of Linkages for Independent Suspensions

91192509/01/1991

Number synthesis is an important tool in mechanism design. It permits the systematic enumeration of all possible candidate mechanisms for a given application thereby placing bounds on the technology. This paper describes the application of number synthesis to the structural synthesis of independent suspensions. An independent suspension must permit vertical motions of the wheel relative to the car body, while being fairly rigid in directions orthogonal to the vertical. This is best achieved by means of in-parallel linkages, i.e., suspensions consisting of one or more chains of links and joints connected in parallel between the wheel and the car body. We enumerate all possible single-degree-of-freedom in-parallel linkages with up to five chains. A single-degree-of-freedom linkage is one in which the configuration of the entire linkage is specified by a single parameter. The discussion is restricted to linkages with revolute, prismatic, cylindric, pin-in-sphere, and spherical joints

Raghavan, Madhusudan

Effect of Mounting Errors on Cardan-Type Universal Joint Kinematics

880483

02/01/1988

Homogeneous coordinate-transformation matrices are used to analyze a Cardan-type universal joint whose input and output shafts do not intersect because of mounting tolerance errors. It is found that such mounting errors induce double-frequency axial motion at the output joint of magnitude comparable to that of the error. To avoid this sliding motion it is important that the offset between the input and output axes which results from mounting errors be held to as close a tolerance as is possible.

Fischer, Ian S.