Abstract
Ball-type constant-velocity joints are extremely important components of the front wheel drive systems of cars. However the method to analyze the characteristics of this type of joint has not been established. The authors previously presented papers on the analysis based on statics, in that no frictional forces inside the joints were taken into account. Recently the authors presented advanced analysis based on dynamics, in which the frictional forces were considered. In this paper the numerical analyses of a ball fixed joint (BJ) and a double offset joint (DOJ) used for the front wheel drive of a car are carried out using the simultaneous equations induced in the former analysis and the simultaneous differential equations induced in the latter analysis. Contact forces acting inside DOJ are measured using piezoelectric sensors. The results of the numerical analyses based on dynamics show better coincidence with the measured value than those based on statics.
