A phenomenological friction model of tripod constant velocity (CV) joints

Constant velocity (CV) joints have been favored for automotive applications, compared to universal joints, due to their superiority of constant velocity torque transfer and plunging capability. High speed and sport utility vehicles with large joint articulation angles, demand lower plunging friction inside their CV joints to meet noise and vibration requirements, thus requiring a more thorough understanding of their internal friction characteristics. In this paper, a phenomenological CV joint friction model was developed to model the friction behavior of tripod CV joints by using an instrumented CV joint friction apparatus with tripod-type joint assemblies. Experiments were conduced under different operating conditions of oscillatory speeds, CV joint articulation angles, lubrication, and torque. The experimental data and physical parameters were used to develop a physics-based phenomenological CV joint dynamic friction model. It was found that the proposed friction model captures the experimental data well, and the model was used to predict the external generated axial force, which is the main source of force that causes vehicle vibration problems.