Kardaanit

Kardaanit, also known as cardan shafts or universal joints, are mechanical components that transmit rotational power between two shafts that are not perfectly aligned. They are essential in many automotive, industrial, and agricultural applications where the angle between the driving and driven shafts can change during operation. The most common type of kardaanit utilizes a cross-shaped joint, called a universal joint or Hooke's joint, at each end of a shaft. This joint allows for angular misalignment in two planes. As the angle of the joint increases, the output shaft's speed fluctuates relative to the input shaft's speed, creating what is known as velocity fluctuation. This is a characteristic of single universal joints.

To mitigate this velocity fluctuation and provide smoother power transmission, double kardaanit systems are often employed. These systems use two universal joints connected by an intermediate shaft. By carefully orienting the yokes of the universal joints, the velocity fluctuations of each joint can cancel each other out, resulting in a constant output speed even with significant angular differences. Kardaanit are typically made from strong steel alloys to withstand the high torque and stress they endure. They are critical for transferring power from a transmission to a differential in rear-wheel-drive vehicles, and in four-wheel-drive systems for connecting axles. Their design and construction are vital for the reliable operation of many mechanical systems.