The influence of variation in position of output shaft to load on the cardan joint cross shaft

Abstract

In this paper, the analysis of the influence of variation in position of output shaft to load on the Cardan joint cross shaft in power transmitters is shown. Cardan shafts are the systems that provide alterations of angles between axes of the shafts, which are involved in the power transmission, so as theirs relative translations. Those properties make Cardan shafts very suitable for using in power transmitters, especially at motor vehicles. The kinematic of power transmitters with Cardan joints is highly specific in relation to variation in position of the axis of the output and input shafts. Those variations in positions cause the alterations of the maximal stresses at the branches of the Cardan joint cross shaft and, also, at its bases. The analysis of the motions at this power transmitter is presented in the first part of the paper and also, the diagrams of relations between the specific kinematic values are given. The analytical calculation of the stresses at the cross shaft of the Cardan joint, as function of the angular position of the shaft is done. The second part of the paper deals with forming of the analytic, so as with numeric calculation of stresses in the critical section of the cross shaft. The results obtained by numeric and analytic method are evaluated and the conclusions about stress concentration and stress distribution for different positions of Cardan joints are done.