U-joint, the more popular name for universal joints is used. It can be also called universal coupling or Cardan joint and Hooke’s Joint, among others. It is an mechanical connection between two rotating shafts that are not parallel but interconnected. You can use it to transmit rotational power at an angle that is greater than with flexible couplings. It can also transmit motion and torque.
You can make universal joints for all kinds of power transmission systems. These joints can be used in many different applications. They are used for food processing, replacing expensive gearboxes, drives and other applications. They are used in connection power take-off shafts for off-highway tractor that use drawn machinery like rotary mowers or feed grinders.
A universal joint, as mentioned in the beginning of this article is also known as a Cardan joint or Hooke’s joint. This is the oldest and most widely used type of universal joint. This joint is extremely popular in automobile applications. The joint transmits high torque at low radial loads. It does have some drawbacks. This is because these u joints are difficult to adjust for parallel offsets and axial misalignment. Due to its design, even a properly lubricated Cardan joint will need maintenance and could leak lubricant.
You can assign universal joints to any of the following three types: U-joints with a non-constant velocity, U-joints with a near constant velocity, and U-joints that have a constant velocity. It is the most simple and complex unit. The most common uses are for connecting the differential to an automobile or truck’s drive shaft. These are used extensively in mobile equipment, agricultural machinery and industrial machinery.
The second type, which is the most popular, has two Cardan joints that produce a constant velocity. This second group compensates for speed fluctuations by the second.
We now move on to the third type: U-joints of constant velocity. Because of their constant velocity properties, this type of joint is said to operate at higher speeds and more efficiently than the two other types. They do have some disadvantages. They are also more complicated and costly. They are also lighter than those with constant velocity.
The above shows that the universal joints are also an essential mechanical component. The universal joint plays an important part in power transmission. Knowing more is important.