Automotive knowledge: What types of universal joints are there?

     In the automotive industry, a universal joint is a key component that can effectively transmit power between shafts on different axes. The common types of universal joints include cross axis, ball cage, and three-axis. Among them, the cross axis universal joint is widely used in passenger and freight vehicles, while the ball cage universal joint is more common in sedans.

     The cage type universal joint can be further divided into telescopic and fixed types based on the different structures of its inner and outer raceways. Telescopic type is usually used for inner universal joints, while fixed type is used for outer universal joints. The main components of this universal joint include alien wheels, ball cages, steel balls, and inner planetary wheels, and its power transmission path is clear and clear.

    The structure of the cage type universal joint is similar to that of ball bearings, both consisting of balls, cages, and inner and outer raceways. Its characteristic is that the axis connected by the inner star shaped shell of the universal joint has the ability to swing and retract. The telescopic ball cage universal joint, as an inner universal joint, is connected to the differential drive shaft flange through bolts, which can generate a certain amount of expansion and contraction in the axial direction, thereby compensating for the change in the axial length of the half shaft when the front wheel jumps.

     Fixed ball cage universal joint, suitable for external universal joints, is characterized by being non extendable in the axial direction, but with a large swing angle, which allows it to adapt to the jumping of independent suspension front wheels. The end of its spherical shell is designed as a spline shaft, which fits tightly with the front wheel hub.