Types Of Joints

Couplings are devices that connect two shafts together at the ends so they can transmit power. These don't allow for disconnection while in operation unless they accidentally slip because you've exceeded their torque limit. They are either rigid, flexible, or u-joint.

universal joints are commonly referred to by a lot of different names. These include U-joints, Cardan joint, Hooke's joint, and universal couplings. These are mechanical connections between rotating shafts, which usually intersect instead of being parallel. With these joints rotating power has a much bigger angle than it would have with a flexible coupling. They also transmit torque and motion.

Why Using Cardan Joints is Popular

Invented by Robert Hooke somewhere between 1667 and 1675, today many different types of power transmission systems use u-joints. This includes food processing, expensive gearboxes, off-highway tractors. Rotary grass mowers, and feed grinders. The reason they're so popular is they transmit a lot of torque without much in the way of a radial load. For this reason, they're oftentimes used in the power transmission.

Three Categories of Universal Joints

There are three categories of U-joints. These include:

Non-constant velocity joints are the simplest, least complex unit. Typical uses for these include drive shafts and differentials in cars and trucks, as well as mobile equipment, and farm and industrial machinery. In other words, they're best used in static applications.

Near-constant velocity joints have two back-to-back Cardan joints. The second joint compensates for the first one's speed variations by using a self-centring internal steel ball.

Constant velocity Cardan joints tend to run more smoothly at higher speeds thanks to their constant velocity characteristics.

Two Types of Cardan Joints

It's important to understand that there are also three main types of these joints available. These include:

Block and pin joints are heavy-duty because they have a large hole yolk and a small hole yolk that are pin and block in style.

Bearing and cross joints are permanently lubricated with specially designed inner seals that are both weather and corrosion resistant. They use cross-shaped joints that have four bearings at each of these different points.

Ball and socket joints use a rotating ball within a socket for shaft rotation.

How to use Universal Couplings

The use of a single universal joint is never recommended. This is because changes in speed when the shaft turns limits their use to low speeds. For this reason, it's recommended that you use a pair of universal joints.

The Importance of Universal Joints

Today, mechanics who are located all over the world have come to appreciate the many uses for Cardan joints. When they're working with various types of drive shafts they know they must have some type of understanding for these. This isn't only because they play an important role here but also because these joints really do make the mechanic's life easier. So, while this serves as a simple introduction to these devices, anyone who wants to work as a mechanic should take some time to get to know these parts intimately.