Analysis of Torsional Vibration Reduction on Automobile Cardan Shaft by using Composite Materials

Abstract

The Cardan shaft is of interest because it transfers torsional loads from the gearbox to the rear axle for vehicle motion. Central to the entire discipline of the Candan shaft is the concept of the dynamics of the Cardan shaft. This concept can be very complex because one head of the shaft is fixed to the gearbox, while the other end can move in the vertical plane when the vehicle is running on an uneven road. The Cardan shaft is twisted and bent at different rotational speeds. When the torsional oscillation frequency of the Cardan shaft coincides with one of its natural frequencies, it can induce resonance and causing structural damage. The paper presents the analysis of the Cardan shaft’s natural frequencies with two different materials: conventional sheet metal and composite material. The calculations can be used as the basis for designing the Cardan shaft in the vehicle powertrain system of the vehicles. These results further support the idea of using composite materials for the Cardan shafts in the automotive powertrain system, and composite materials for some other shaft parts in the vehicle.