Determination of Transmission Error and Mesh Stiffness in Spur Gear Pair using CAD-FEM Integration Approach

Abstract

Unwanted sound and sensations are key sources of excitations in gear drives. They developed because of Transmission Error (TE). TE is a consequence of geometric or engineering flaws like profile/pitch error etc. or distortions like spall, indentation, crack, rubs etc. arising due to the diverse load conditions. These distortions and various gear parameters like number of teeth, contact ratio, module, pressure angle etc. have huge effects on TE and produce changes in mesh stiffness. This demands to investigate the effects of these parameters on TE and mesh stiffness for the avoidance or early finding of causes of malfunctions in the transmission system using computer models using CAD-CAE (FEM) software. In this paper the TE and mesh stiffness is determined using CAD-FEM integration approach and the impact of some of the gear parameters, tooth tip radius and geometric flaw-pitch error is analyzed. The modeling of spur gears & assembly to form gear pair is done in CAD software SOLIDWORKS. The gear pair formed is then introduced into FEM software Ansys for simulation using transient structural analysis method to find angular deformations and then TE and mesh stiffness. Several charts are drawn amongst rotation angle of one of the gears (driver gear) and TE/mesh stiffness for different gear parameters. The work demonstrated the use of CAD-CAE integration approach and point out that all these parameters affect TE and mesh stiffness in a meaningful way.