Global
GKN crosstrack™
GKN Driveline has unveiled its crosstrack™ technology, a new innovation in automotive ball plunging constant velocity joints (CVJs) to be used in automotive driveshafts to improve driveline noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
Plunging joint SC
"We’ve seen improvements in the specific design parameters that impact the way you feel about driving your vehicle," said Al Deane, global engineering director for GKN Driveline Driveshafts.
The specific features of crosstrack™ are:
Lower lash, or play, in driveshaft applications that reduces the driveline ‘clunk’ noise that the driver may hear or feel
Lower radial clearances in propshaft applications that significantly reduces rotating imbalance
Lower plunge resistance for driveshaft applications that can help reduce vibrations of the powertrain when stationary
For crosstrack™, GKN Driveline has developed a unique combination in sets of tracks as a design principle for ball plunging joint. For use in both sideshaft and propshaft products, GKN Driveline has combined the known benefits of sets of straight ball tracks with that of angled ball tracks.
Rob Rickell, sideshaft engineering director commented that, "the sideshaft crosstrack™ technology, named SC joint, originated as a concept by GKN Driveline’s Advanced Product Development Group in response to NVH concerns. Customers have called for decreased lash, or play, and reduced plunge effort that is related to new requirements, for example with automated manual transmissions. The design can also be applied on other automatic transmission drivelines where NVH is a key parameter for the driver."
"The propshaft crosstrack™ technology, named PC joint, originated as a concept by GKN Driveline’s Advanced Product Development Group in response to customer needs to solve NVH concerns on propshafts that require very low plunge efforts without affecting lash, or play," stated Dan Booker, propshaft engineering director. As with sideshafts, these requirements represent an increasing trend by vehicle manufacturers for propshafts on independent suspension light truck and sport utility vehicles (SUV).
"The crosstrack™ technology will become an important new addition for GKN Driveline to extend its product range offering options to solve customer vehicle problems," Al Deane said. Most vehicles have a minimum of (two) plunging CVJs and some SUVs have up to (eight) per vehicle.
For more information download brochure "Driveshafts Technology"