Articulated Shafts

An articulated shaft, also known as a cardan shaft or drive shaft, is a mechanical component designed to transmit torque and motion between two shafts that are not in alignment or whose relative positions change during operation.
Key Characteristics and Function
• Misalignment Compensation: The primary function is to bridge gaps and compensate for angular, parallel, and axial misalignments (changes in distance) between the driving and the driven components.
• Joints: Articulated shafts achieve this flexibility through joints, typically one or more universal joints (U-joints).
• Telescopic Capability: Many articulated shafts feature a telescopic (length-adjustable) section, allowing the shafts length to vary, which is essential in applications like vehicle suspensions where the distance between components changes with movement.
• Applications: They are widely used in vehicles (e.g., in rear-wheel-drive cars to transmit power from the transmission to the differential), heavy machinery, and industrial equipment where flexible power transmission is necessary.
Mechanical Considerations
• Non-Uniform Motion: Standard universal joints cause slight variations in rotational speed during operation, generating torque components and vibrations, which places stress on connected motor shafts and bearings. This is typically managed by using a double-cardan joint system or balancing the assembly.
• Stress and Load: The joints and the shaft itself must be robust enough to withstand significant torque and bending moments caused by operational loads and changes in direction.