On the mixed EHL characteristics, friction and flash temperature in helical gears with consideration of 3D surface roughness
Industrial Lubrication and Tribology
ISSN: 0036-8792
Article publication date: 21 November 2018
Issue publication date: 25 January 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the tribological performance of helical gear pairs with consideration of the properties of non-Newtonian lubricant and the real three-dimensional (3D) topography of tooth flanks.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory for infinite line contact, this paper proposes a complete model for involute helical gear pairs considering the real 3D topography of tooth flanks and the properties of non-Newtonian lubricant. Film thickness, contact load and contact area ratios at the mid-point of contact line are studied for each angular displacement of pinion. Both the total friction coefficient and surface flash temperature are calculated after obtaining the values of pressure and subsurface stress. Then, the influences of input parameters including rotational speed and power are investigated.
Findings
During the meshing process, contact load ratio and area ratio of the two rough surface cases first increase and then decrease; the maximum flash temperature rise (MFTR) on the gear is lower than that on the pinion first, but later the situation converses. For cylindrical gears, on the plane of action, there is a point or a line where the instantaneous friction reduces to a minimum value in a sudden, as the sliding–rolling ratio becomes zero. When rotational speed increases, film thickness becomes larger, and meanwhile, contact load ratio, coefficient of friction and MFTR gradually reduce.
Originality/value
A comprehensive analysis is conducted and a computer program is developed for meshing geometry, kinematics, tooth contact, mixed EHL characteristics, friction, FTR and subsurface stress of involute helical gear pairs. Besides, a numerical simulation model is developed, which can be used to analyze mixed lubrication with 3D machined roughness under a wide range of operating conditions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the support from National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos 51405316 and 51435001) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 2017SCU12021). Comments and suggestions from reviewers and the editor are deeply appreciated. The authors wish to thank Dr Yanyan Huang for her help.
Citation
Yang, Y., Li, W., Wang, J. and Zhou, Q. (2019), "On the mixed EHL characteristics, friction and flash temperature in helical gears with consideration of 3D surface roughness", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 71 No. 1, pp. 10-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-04-2017-0113
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited