Understanding The Basics Of The Universal Joint Cross Bearing

According to the best Universal Joint Cross Manufacturers, the universal joint establishes a positive mechanical connection between several rotating shafts. It’s worth mentioning here that these shafts don’t remain parallel. Instead, they intersect each other. The purpose of these shafts is to transmit motion or power. At times, they deliver both at the same time, such as in vehicles or industrial machinery. Among all the different types of joints available, the Hooke joint or Cardan joint is the most common one. There are two yokes with one on each shaft. They remain connected by a cross-shaped intermediate member called the spider.

The applications

Some of the typical applications of universal joints include appliances, aircraft, instrumentation, control mechanisms, electronics, ordnance, medical and optical devices, textile machinery, sewing machines, radios, and tool drives. Various manufacturers use different materials to produce them. That’s why you will find universal joints made of steel as well as thermoplastic. The products made of steel have a specific load-bearing capacity that depends on their size. Thermoplastic varietals, on the other hand, are suitable for light industrial applications. They have a self-lubricating feature, apart from lightweight, resistant to corrosions, negligible backlash, and the power to accommodate high-speed operations. Understandably, the ones made of thermoplastic are more popular in today’s day and age.

The characteristics

The primary feature of a universal joint is the non-uniformity of motion transmission via the same. The angular-velocity ratio between the output and input shafts can differ cyclically at two cycles per revolution of the input shaft. Along with this fluctuation, there’s the corresponding angular acceleration issue that increases with the angle of operation. It can be almost as much as fifteen percent of the peak angular velocity, particularly in the case of an operating angle of thirty-degree. When you select a joint, you must consider the fluctuations of inertia torque, static torque, and system performance standards.

Dealing with transmission non-uniformity

You can eliminate the problem of non-uniformity by using two appropriately phased universal joints in series. In such instances, the velocity variation caused by one joint may end up canceling the other. It results in the transmission of constant angular velocity ration between two shafts. The fluctuation of the angular velocity of the intermediate shaft, however, is something that you can’t avoid under any circumstances. Even two universal joints kept in series also permit the coupling of two laterally displaced shafts. You should know here that single Cardan joints remain limited to intersecting shafts.

The advantages and disadvantages

Products sold by the Universal Joint Shaft Manufacturers have specific pros and cons that you should know about.

1. The advantages

• They make large angular displacements possible.
• The side-thrust on the bearings remains low.
• They remain stiff, even when the torsion is high.
• They have exceptionally high torque capacity.

2. The disadvantages

• They need constant lubrication to reduce wear and tear.
• Backlash can be quite difficult to control.
• The shafts have to be exactly on the same plane.
• The fluctuation of velocity and acceleration increases with the operational angle.

Final words

If you’re going to need universal joint cross bearings for your project, make sure that you purchase them from a reliable and renowned dealer.