On the Motion Characteristics of Tripode Joints. Part 2: Applications

Abstract

The theory developed in Part 1 has been applied to the determination of motion characteristics of two typical types of shaft couplings involving tripode joints. An ideal case of an exact constant-velocity coupling is first described and analyzed. The remainder of the paper focuses on a practical shaft coupling of the tripode-Rzeppa combination which is widely used in front-wheel drive vehicles. The results demonstrate that the displacement equation of this combination is a fourth-order polynomial in the tangent of the output crank angle, and this coupling does not provide a true constant-velocity joint, but rather an approximate one. Parameters affecting the velocity fluctuation and their influences are presented. In addition, it is found that there exists a definite phase lag of thirty degrees between the displacement and velocity curves at all times on the output shaft. Whenever possible, numerical results for the motion characteristics of the joint and its components are illustrated by computer-plotted graphs, which may also offer some insight into the behavior of the tripode joint.