Localised tooth contact analysis of single envelope worm gears with assembly errors

Abstract

This paper presents the basis of loaded tooth contact analysis and predicts the influence of assembly errors on localised contact stress distribution in single enveloping (cylindrical) worm gearing during a meshing cycle. A method for loaded tooth contact analysis, geometry and kinematics of such gear pairs is developed. The method accounts for the effects of tooth composite deflection caused by bending, shearing, foundation, tooth contact deformation and initial profile separation due to assembly errors. The method includes the determination of contact lines, load and stress distribution due to assembly errors. Because of the complex geometry of worm gear teeth, the tooth bending stiffness is calculated using the slicing technique developed earlier by the authors. Classical Hertz theory is used for calculating contact stress and deformation. A computer program based on the presented method has been developed and used to study the influence of errors on mating teeth contact. It is shown that the governing factors in loaded gears with assembly error are the mesh stiffness and the amount of error which is linked to load sharing between adjacent tooth pairs. A numerical example is presented to further clarify the outlined method.