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Tripod constant velocity joints are used in the driveshafts of front wheel drive vehicles. Thrust force generated by this joint causes lateral vibration in these vehicles. This paper surveys some methods for reducing the thrust force based on the mechanisms inducing the thrust force, focusing on a method that creates dual contact between a roller and groove. This method has the advantage of requiring only a few design modifications, but its thrust force reduction mechanism has yet to be clarified. Therefore, a theory was constructed to describe the induction of thrust force by this method through the application of sliding velocities generated between the roller and dual contact groove. Subsequently, the effect of the thrust force reduction was investigated. This paper also describes the appropriateness of this theory. It was validated by comparing theoretical results with computational results based on a multibody dynamics approach and with experimental results of a prototype joint equipped with the dual contact grooves.

Tripod constant velocity joints are used in the driveshaft of front wheel drive vehicles. Thrust force generated by this joint causes lateral vibration in these vehicles. To determine the mechanisms inducing the thrust force, a detailed model is constructed based on a multibody dynamics approach. Although the joint is equipped with three rollers and grooves, this model consists of the principal parts for one roller and groove in order to precisely analyze frictional phenomena occurring between the roller and the groove. These principal parts are defined as rigid bodies and are connected by force elements of contact and friction. The appropriateness of this model is verified by comparing computational and experimental results and it is clarified that the principal factors inducing the thrust force are three kinds of sliding friction force at the point of contact between the roller and the groove. This paper also describes the reason why the third rotating order component of the thrust force is induced by one roller and groove.

A tripod constant velocity joint is used in the driveshaft of front wheel drive vehicles. Thrust force generated by this joint causes lateral vibration in these vehicles. To analyze the thrust force, a detailed model is constructed based on a multibody dynamics approach. This model includes all principal parts of the joint defined as rigid bodies and all force elements of contact and friction acting among these parts. This model utilizes a new contact modeling method of needle roller bearings for more precise and faster computation. By comparing computational and experimental results, the appropriateness of this model is verified and the principal factors inducing the second and third rotating order components of the thrust force are clarified. This paper also describes the influence of skewed needle rollers on the thrust force and evaluates the contribution of friction forces at each contact region to the thrust force.