Computerized generation and meshing simulation of a backlash-adjustable face-gear drive with a tapered involute pinion

Abstract

This paper focuses on the face-gear drive with a tapered involute pinion. Two types of pinion geometries are derived: 1) the profile crowned pinion implemented by a crowned rack-cutter, and 2) the double-crowned pinion by a generating worm. The tooth surfaces and the limiting conditions of the pinion and the face-gear are obtained based on the meshing and geometry theories. The tooth contact analysis (TCA) and stress analysis are performed to evaluate the performance of the presented face-gear drive. The results indicate that the backlash adjusting of the face-gear drive can be achieved by axially moving the pinion. The application of double-crowned pinion modifies the contact patterns on the gear surfaces, providing lower contact and bending stresses compared with the face-gear drive using a profile crowned pinion. Both the profile crowned and double-crowned pinions can relieve the edge contact effects. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the results.