Periodic and chaotic dynamics of motor-driven gear-pair systems with backlash

Dynamics of gear-pair systems driven by motors and presenting speed-dependent moment resistance is investigated. First, a suitable mechanical model is developed, taking into account the gear mesh backlash and static transmission error as well as the essential non-linearities due to the bearing clearance and contact characteristics. In comparison with earlier related studies, the new element of the present work is that the model developed determines the system response by simply specifying the external loads, rather than by assuming an a priori value for the constant mean angular velocity of the gear shafts. In fact, models employed in earlier research studies are shown to be obtained as special cases of the present model. The study is completed by numerical results. First, classical response diagrams are presented, illustrating the effect of the most important parameters on the system response. Finally, direct integration of the equations of motion is also performed, demonstrating the existence of quasi-periodic and chaotic long time response for selected combinations of the system parameters.