Finite Element Analysis of a Spur Gear Considering Mass Relief Strategies

Abstract

This paper deals with analyzing the structural influence of mass reliefs in spur gears. For this purpose, a system composed of pinion and a gear was designed, such that for gear several geometries were designed with different reliefs shapes and soul thicknesses. From the proposed geometries, finite element analysis (FEA) was performed, and the tooth stresses of each model were compared with the solid gear. From the results, it was observed that the tooth stresses are reduced in some cases. Besides, from the aforementioned cases, it is possible to observe that the maximum stresses may take place in its core instead of the teeth (rim area). On the other hand, based on other cases, the core thickness plays an important role as a criterion that defines the local stress.