Design optimisation of mating helical gears with profile shift using nature inspired algorithms

Abstract

ABSTRACT Profile shift of the gear significantly affects its form, zone, stress factors, transversal and face load factors. In this paper, an optimum solution to the problem of mating helical gears design considering profile shift is given. The objective of the problem is to minimise volume taking into account tooth root bending strength, contact pressure, face width, and addendum modification coefficients as constraints. The design variables, namely, the module, the face width, the number of teeth, and profile shift coefficients of both gears are considered. Nature-inspired algorithms, namely, Simulated Algorithm (SA), Fire Fly Algorithm (FA), Cuckoo Search (CS), Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) and Teaching Learning-Based Optimisation (TLBO) algorithms are employed. Results of simulation with and without profile shift, performance of various algorithms are analysed and validated with literature. Results show that CS and PSO algorithms give the best optimum volume. They also significantly reduce volume by 1.91%, when compared to literature. CS algorithm gives the best optimum design parameters. Furthermore, results show the volume of the mating helical gears with profile shift is much lesser than the pair without profile shift.