Week 8 - Universal Joint

Objective - To perform a transient structural analysis on a double universal joint with a spring using three different materials

Case 1 - Structural Steel

Case 2 - Stainless Steel

Case 3 - Titanium alloy

The three materials must be used on the joint with the springs alone.

Procedure -

Create Transient structural analysis and in engineering data select the material structural steel.

Structural Steel.

Import the geometry and check in SpaceClaim for any irregularities.

Then open Ansys mechanical and assign the structural steel material to all components.

Joints

Fixed - Body to Ground Joint - The spring at the end it provided a fixed joint

Revolute - Body to Ground Joint

Revolute - Body to Ground Joint

Revolute - Body to Body Joint is given to all the Pins and Gears.

Mesh - Mesh the whole geometry with 4mm element size and set adaptive sizing to no.

Analysis Settings - The simulation runs for 5 steps. So, the number of steps is set as 5.

Large deflection set to on, auto time stepping to off, defined by time and time step set to 0.1s. In Output control set all output to yes.

Joint - Rotation - the revolute joint of the gear is provided a rotation of 150 degrees.

Run the simulation and results obtained.

Result - The analysis runs successfully and results obtained.

Case 1 - Structural Steel is assigned for all the parts of the assembly.

Total Deformation Max - 38.637 mm

Equivalent Stress Max - 1478.9 Mpa

Equivalent Stress at Joint Max - 5.9309 Mpa

Case 2 - Stainless Steel is assigned on the joint with the springs alone.

Total Deformation Max - 38.637 mm

Equivalent Stress Max - 1430.3 Mpa

Equivalent Stress at Joint Max - 5.9248 Mpa

Case 3 - Titanium alloy is assigned on the joint with the springs alone.

Total Deformation Max - 38.637 mm

Equivalent Stress Max - 723.16 Mpa

Equivalent Stress at Joint Max - 5.8387 Mpa

Conclusion -

• Structural Steel experiences maximum stress due to the highest Young's Modulus. Stress is Directly proportional to Young's Modulus. So, the maximum value is in Structural Steel and the minimum value is in Titanium Alloy
• Total Deformation is the same in all the cases due to the equal amount of rotation given.