Load share and finite element stress analysis for double circular-arc helical gears

The authors analyze the tooth surface contact and stresses for double circular-arc helical gear drives. The geometry of such gear drives has been represented by the authors in their previous paper [1]. The proposed approach is based on application of (i) computerized simulation of meshing and contact of loaded gear drives, and (ii) the finite element method. Load share between the neighboring pairs of teeth is based on the analysis of position errors caused by surface mismatch and elastic deformation of teeth. The authors have investigated the conditions of load share under a load and determined the real contact ratio for aligned and misaligned gear drives, respectively. Elastic deformation of teeth and the stress analysis of the double circular-arc helical gears are accomplished by using the finite element method. The finite element models for the pinion and gear are constructed, respectively. Contact pressure is spread over elliptical area. The stress analysis for aligned and misaligned gear drives, respectively, has been performed. The numerical results have been compared with those obtained by other approaches.