Methods for Creating Designs of Cardan Gears of Increased Resource for Land Vehicles and Agricultural Machinery

Spatial cardan mechanisms designed to transmit rotational motion between shafts, having angular displacement, differ in a variety of design solutions. Cardan gears are an articulation of one or more universal joints and tubular shafts.  They compensate for axial movements, and also transmit torque at constant or variable angles between the connected units. During operation, the cardan transmission must function satisfactorily during the established service life, i. e., meet all the requirements arising from the peculiarities of its use. Therefore, the problem of improving cardan gears, increasing their reliability and ergonomicity on the basis of new design solutions optimized for dynamic parameters, materials used, manufacturing, assembly and operation technologies is relevant for modern technology. The paper presents a systematic approach to the creation of a new generation of cardan gears based on research in the field of operating conditions, materials science, materials technology, optimal design. It is shown that according to the results of the research, a new series of gimbal gears with improved technical characteristics has been created.