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).
“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 CVJ’s and some SUV’s have up to (eight) per vehicle.
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