Experiment to determine effects of dynamic parameters to propeller shaft strength

Abstract

Propeller shafts on automobile are used to transmit the torque from the gearbox to rear axle
drive. While vehicles moves on uneven ground, oscillation will be generated on the
suspension system, making the propeller shaft’s incline angle always change in the vertical
plane, leading to the propeller shaft’s dynamic parameters and loads in the system also
changes. The largest load manifesting when resonance occurs can damage the propeller
shaft, thus in the design, installation and operation this phenomenon should be avoided.
This article presents the experiment to determine the relationships between dynamic
parameters and propeller shaft strength parameters. The experiment used open-power
testing stand with IVECO 81kW diesel drive motor and the MP100S load generation
mechanism. Experimental cases include changes in tilt angle, axle length, and turn round
speed at load modes corresponding to the actual vehicle load mode. The results of the
experiments have determined the value of stress and strain on the shaft in the above
cases. The experiment results can be used as reference material for the calculations of
designing and manufacturing to ensure the adequate reliability of propeller shafts.