Comparative analysis of numerical methods for the determination of contact pattern of spiral bevel gears

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a comparison of numerical methods for determining the contact pattern of Gleason-type bevel gears. The mathematical model of tooth contact analysis and the finite element method were taken into consideration. Conclusions have been drawn regarding the usefulness of the considered methods and the compatibility of results. The object of the analysis was a bevel gear characterised by an 18:43 gear ratio and arc tooth line, and manufactured according to the spiral generated modified-roll method.

Design/methodology/approach

The mathematical model of tooth contact analysis consists of both the mathematical model of tooth generating and the mathematical model of operating gear set. The first model is used to generate tooth flanks of the pinion and the ring gear in the form of grids of points. Then, such tooth surfaces are used for the tooth contact analysis performed with the other model. It corresponds to the no-load gear meshing condition. The finite element method model was built on the basis of the same tooth flanks obtained with the former model. The commercial finite element method software Abaqus was used to perform two instances of the contact analysis: a very light load, corresponding to the former no-load condition, and the operating load condition. The results obtained using the two models, in the form of the contact pattern for no-load condition, were compared. The effect of heavy load on contact pattern position, shape and size was shown and discussed.

Findings

The mathematical models correctly reproduce the shape, position and size of the contact pattern; thus, they can be reliably used to assess the quality of the bevel gear at the early stage of its design.

Practical implications

Determination of the correct geometry of the flank surfaces of the gear and pinion teeth through the observation of contact pattern is a fundamental step in designing of a new aircraft bevel gear.

Originality/value

A possibility of the independent use of the mathematical analysis of the contact pattern has been shown, which, thanks to the compatibility of the results, does not have to be verified experimentally.

Citation

Marciniec, A., Pacana, J., Pisula, J.M. and Fudali, P. (2018), "Comparative analysis of numerical methods for the determination of contact pattern of spiral bevel gears", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 90 No. 2, pp. 359-367. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-08-2016-0133