Cylindrical Gear Mesh Stiffness Model: Considering Tooth Profile, Roughness, and Contact

A Model for Determining Mesh Stiffness of Cylindrical Gears: Considering Tooth Profile, Roughness, and Contact

This paper proposes a novel model for determining the mesh stiffness of cylindrical gears. The model accounts for the critical influences of tooth profile, tooth surface roughness, and tooth contact pattern on mesh stiffness.

Key Model Features:

• Tooth Profile Modeling: Employs a modified involute curve, capturing the effects of tooth undercut and tooth tip relief for enhanced accuracy.
• Surface Roughness: Integrates the Greenwood-Williamson model to consider the impact of asperity contact and elastic deformation on surface roughness.
• Contact Pattern Analysis: Leverages Hertzian contact theory to model tooth contact, considering elastic deformation and contact pressure's influence on mesh stiffness.

Model Validation and Applications:

The model's robustness is validated using experimental data from a set of cylindrical gears with varying tooth profiles and surface roughnesses. Results demonstrate that the model accurately predicts gear mesh stiffness under different operating conditions.

This proposed model offers significant value in several ways:

• Optimized Gear Design: Enables engineers to select optimal tooth profiles and surface roughness parameters to achieve desired mesh stiffness for specific applications.
• Performance Prediction: Allows for the prediction of how changes in operating conditions (load, speed, lubrication) affect gear mesh stiffness.

This research provides a powerful tool for enhancing the design and analysis of cylindrical gears, leading to improved performance, durability, and reliability in various mechanical systems.