This study presents a dynamic model of a universal joint (U-Joint) with radial clearance, focusing on the rigid unilateral frictional contacts at the crosspiece and yoke interfaces.Unlike previous models that neglect crosspiece inertia and interface friction, this work incorporates these effects using a set-valued impact law based on Signorini's condition with Coulomb friction, capturing the complex nonsmooth dynamics introduced by radial clearance.Numerical simulations of a 2 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) shaft system reveal the critical influence of clearance on U-Joint dynamic behavior, including impact-induced oscillations, quasi-periodic motion, and chaotic dynamics, which are essential for accurate driveline modeling and real-time control in automotive, aerospace, and precision medical applications.
This study presents a dynamic model for a universal joint (U-Joint) with radial clearance, addressing rigid unilateral frictional contacts at the crosspiece and yoke interfaces. By integrating crosspiece inertia and interface friction, the methodology utilizes a set-valued impact law grounded in Signorini's condition with Coulomb friction, accounting for non-smooth dynamics caused by radial clearance. Numerical simulations of a 2 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) shaft system highlight the significant effects of clearance on U-Joint dynamics, including impact-induced oscillations, quasi-periodic motion, and chaotic dynamics. This framework is essential for accurate modeling and control in automotive, aerospace, and medical applications.
This paper employs the following methods:
- Set-valued impact law
- Mathematical modeling
- Numerical simulations
The following datasets were used in this research:
- Capture of non-smooth dynamics
- Influence of clearance on dynamic behavior
- Demonstration of chaotic dynamics
The authors identified the following limitations:
- Limited studies on U-Joint systems with radial clearances
- Complexity in accurately capturing impulsive impacts
- Number of GPUs: None specified
- GPU Type: None specified
- Compute Requirements: None specified