Classification of transmission shafts

Transmission shafts can be classified differently according to their important components, universal joints. If according to whether the universal joint has obvious elasticity in the direction of torsion, it can be divided into rigid universal joint transmission shaft and flexible universal joint transmission shaft. The former relies on the hinged connection of parts to transmit power, while the latter relies on elastic parts to transmit power and has the effect of cushioning and damping. Rigid universal joints can be divided into unequal velocity universal joints (such as cross-shaft universal joints), quasi-constant velocity universal joints (such as double-linked universal joints, three-pin shaft universal joints) and constant velocity universal joints (such as ball cage universal joints, ball fork universal joints). Constant velocity and unequal velocity refer to whether the angular velocity of the driven shaft is equal when it rotates with the driving shaft, of course, the average rotational speed of the driving shaft and the driven shaft is equal. The universal joint in which the angular velocity of the main and driven shafts is still equal when the angle between the two axes changes, which is called a constant velocity universal joint or a universal joint with equal angular velocity. They are mainly used in wheel transmissions such as steering drive axles, disconnected drive axles, etc., and are mainly used for power transmission in cars. When the car is rear-wheel driven, the cross-shaft universal joint transmission shaft is often used, and for some high-end cars, there are also constant velocity ball heads; When the car is front-wheel driven, the constant velocity universal joint is often used - the constant velocity universal joint is also a kind of transmission shaft, but the name is different.