A constant velocity joint is required to transfer torque from the drive shaft to the steering wheels. It is used in the construction of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles, construction and special wheeled vehicles.
The constant velocity joint (also known by the abbreviation SHRUS) is widely used in the designs of modern cars to transfer torque from the drive shaft to the steering wheel. The advantage of this mechanism is the ability to work at large angles of rotation of the wheel axle without reducing power and changing the rotational speed.
Design and scope
The use of CV joints made it possible to implement in practice the designs of cars with front and all-wheel drive. Used before the advent of CV joints, cardan drives have a limitation on the angle of rotation and are characterized by the worst performance.
Structurally, the CV joint is a movable unit consisting of a female and a male head, which have an inner and outer spherical surface, respectively. The transmission of torque is carried out using 6 balls, each of which can move along the grooves milled on the spherical surfaces of the heads. The balls are held by a common cage.
It is ball joints that are most widely used in modern cars, however, in a number of designs, other types are also used - paired cardan joints or cam ones. These hinges have reduced requirements for lubrication and cleanliness of contact surfaces, which determined their use as a drive for wheels of trucks and special equipment for construction.
Features of operation
The nature of the work of the constant velocity joint requires the use of a special lubricant with special additives. The location of the hinge in an area of intense environmental exposure requires a protective coating known as the boot. A rubber boot covers the contact pair, protecting it from the negative effects of dust and moisture. The tightness of the boot determines the service life of the joint, which, if used correctly, should correspond to the service life of the vehicle.
Constant velocity joints are produced both as part of vehicles and as separate components. If it is necessary to replace the hinge, the car owner can choose an original assembly unit, or purchase products from manufacturers specializing in the manufacture of this type of mechanism. CV joints are manufactured by companies such as Hola Auto Parts, Delphi Corporation and GKN.
