Another Method for a Stronger U-Joint

[dhc6twinotter]

Hey Everyone,

When I placed my last Bricklink order, I ordered the "Technic, Axle Connector Hub with 4 Bars" piece. I thought it was a cool piece, and I figured maybe I could make something useful with it. Right before bed last night, I came up with a u-joint that is much stronger than the LEGO Technic u-joints.

It works very well, and can bend about 45 degrees.

Daniel

Edited August 19, 2010 by dhc6twinotter

[Paul B Technic]

That looks much stronger then the standard Technic U joint. I wonder how much load it can handle.

Paul

[dhc6twinotter]

That looks much stronger then the standard Technic U joint. I wonder how much load it can handle.

Paul

Paul, I think the only way for it to fall apart would be if the blue pins worked themselves out, or if the base of one of the bars broke off. The bars are probably the weakest part. Overall, it seems pretty strong, but I haven't built a model to test it on (probably won't for a while--too many other projects).

If LEGO made a "Technic, Axle Connector Hub with 3 Axles" using 4 axles instead of 3, that would be even stronger.

[DLuders]

What would happen if you inserted a x202 "Technic, Pin Long without Friction Ridges Lengthwise" into the central hole of new 87082 "Technic, Pin Long with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and Center Pin Hole" ?

[dhc6twinotter]

What would happen if you inserted a x202 "Technic, Pin Long without Friction Ridges Lengthwise" into the central hole of new 87082 "Technic, Pin Long with Friction Ridges Lengthwise and Center Pin Hole" ?

Well, that's a great idea! That should be even stronger!

Only problem I see is that the pin with center hole has friction ridges. It would probably still work, but it may not spin as smoothly. It's a great idea, and worth a try!

EDIT: I gave the above method a try, and the friction ridges on the pin with hole have a negative effect and make it harder to spin the axles. It's a fantastic idea, and I wish it would work better. If only the pin with hole had no friction ridges...

Edited August 19, 2010 by dhc6twinotter

[Paul B Technic]

Paul, I think the only way for it to fall apart would be if the blue pins worked themselves out, or if the base of one of the bars broke off. The bars are probably the weakest part. Overall, it seems pretty strong, but I haven't built a model to test it on (probably won't for a while--too many other projects).

If LEGO made a "Technic, Axle Connector Hub with 3 Axles" using 4 axles instead of 3, that would be even stronger.

Thanks for that. I might look at building up something like that and seeing how it works.

Paul

[Zerobricks]

Nothing new, sorry...I used these joints back in my tatra 6x6 with PP wheels. The casing was a bit stronger though.

[backbone]

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=427719

[dhc6twinotter]

Nothing new, sorry...I used these joints back in my tatra 6x6 with PP wheels. The casing was a bit stronger though.

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=427719

Thanks! And here I thought I came up with something new...

How well did this joint work for you guys?

[grindinggears]

@ dhc6twinotter and DLuders

I have built my own U Joint some months ago and also used the Friction pin and the 3 studs long pin. The key to minimize the friction is to use this connector which is only half the width.

To make it even stronger you can replace the blue friction pins by 2 studs long axles and use cams as counterparts instead of pulley wheels.

If you want to see my U Joint here's the gallery and the forum thread

Anyway the strongest U-Joint ever made is imo ncjasno's one (look at the sides of the rear differential):

[backbone]

How well did this joint work for you guys?

This is not mine idea, that i posted. but i think it works very well:

Emilus is using 8 of those u joints in his Ginaf:

[Milan]

How well did this joint work for you guys?

Here is how this U joint works for me in a 3 kg Scania, tried it with a crane mounted on a back, cca 5kg total, it worked: