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Common occasions for cross universal drive shaft SWC
2023-10-30

Our company is engaged in cross drive shafts, universal couplings, and universal drive shafts. Among them, 

SWC is widely used, is stable, and has a short processing and manufacturing cycle. Today, I will popularize 

technical knowledge about this universal shaft:


The full name of the universal shaft is "Universal Coupling", which is the basic component of transmission. 

The characteristics of universal joint coupling are large angular compensation capability, compact structure and 

high transmission efficiency. When there is an angle between the shafts, the two connected shafts can rotate 

continuously, and torque and motion can be transmitted reliably. In front-engine rear-wheel drive vehicles, the 

universal joint shaft transmission device is installed between the transmission output shaft and the drive axle 

main reducer input shaft; in front-engine front-wheel drive vehicles, the transmission shaft is omitted and the 

universal joint shaft is installed at the front The bridge between the axle shaft and the wheels is responsible for 

driving and steering.

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A device that transmits power between two axes whose relative positions constantly change during operation. 

Its function is to connect the output shaft of the transmission with the input shaft of the main reducer that is not 

on the same straight line, ensuring that power can still be transmitted reliably when the angle and distance 

between the two shafts change frequently. The structure and function of the Universal Shaft are a bit like the 

joints of human limbs, allowing the angle between the connecting parts to change within a certain range. In order 

to meet the angle changes caused by power transmission, steering adaptation and up and down jumps during car 

operation, the drive axle and half shaft of a front-drive car are usually connected with a universal shaft. However, 

due to the limitation of axial size, the deflection angle needs to be large. A single universal joint shaft cannot make 

the instantaneous angular velocities of the output shaft and input shaft equal, and it is easy to cause vibration, 

aggravate damage to parts, and generate a lot of noise. Therefore, it should be used in constant velocity universal 

joint shafts.

辊道万向联轴器 (15).JPG

Let’s talk about the application of Cardan shafts in automobiles in the following aspects:


1. In order to reduce the impact of shaft coaxiality errors, manufacturing and assembly errors caused by frame 

deformation on power transmission, a universal transmission device must be installed.


2. Disconnect the drive axle half shaft: the main reducer housing is fixed on the frame, the axle housing swings up 

and down, the half shaft is segmented, and a universal shaft must be used. The steering shaft of some cars is 

equipped with a universal transmission device, which is beneficial to the overall layout of the steering mechanism. 

Between the transmission (or transfer case) and the drive axle: In general, the transmission, clutch and engine of 

car are integrated on the frame, and the drive axle is connected to the frame through the suspension. The angle 

and distance between the transaxle input shaft and the transmission output shaft will vary depending on load 

changes and vehicle Changes due to bounce caused by driving on uneven roads.


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