Design and optimization of automotive cardan shafts for industrial applications with enhanced performance and durability

Abstract

A crucial part of a locomotive is the cardan shaft. A rear-wheel-drive vehicle's differential gear receives power from the engine through a spinning shaft known as a cardan shaft. The cardan shaft must turn at ever-changing angles between the gearbox and axle in order to function. High vibrations are experienced on it as a result of the constant rotation. This issue causes shafts to flex or distort. In this study, a cardan shaft's design and development are carried out. Although it is extensively beneficial in the locomotive industry, vibration is a significant issue with cardan shafts. Creo parametric software was used for developing the design, while Ansys was used to analyze it. Using Ansys software's modal analysis, verify the natural frequency. It is then contrasted with the different shaft cut-out geometries.