Kinematic Analysis and Simulation of the Double Roller Tripod Joint

The kinematic model of the double roller tripod joint is established in order to analyze its kinematic characteristics and provide theoretical basis for its application and improvement. By means of spatial coordinate transformation, the translational and rotational motion equations of the rollers relative to the tracks and trunnions, the motion equation of the center of the tripod and the equations of the input/output angular displacement error and bending angle are derived. The motion simulation of the double roller tripod universal joint was carried out in ADAMS so as to verify the established kinematic model. The results show that the rollers of the double roller tripod joint only have periodic translational motions relative to the tracks while the rollers have both periodic translational and rotational motions relative to the trunnions. The tripod’s center does the circular motion on the tripod plane with the angular velocity 3 times of the input angular velocity. The input/output angular displacement error and bending angle have volatility, and their fluctuating frequency are 3 times of the input rotational frequency. Hence, the double roller tripod joint is a quasi-constant-velocity joint whose rollers only do pure rolling motion in the tracks.