FEM analysis of the load distribution over the face width of helical gear pairs considering deviations, misalignments and deformations

The load carrying capacity of spur gears may be calculated by ISO 6336 using influence factors. The face load factor KHβ considers the impact of the nonuniform load distribution over the face width. Even if the gears had perfect geometry, the load would not distribute uniformly along the contact lines. The face load factor depends on deformations of all parts of the containing gearbox and mainly of the teeth, gears and shafts as well as on manufacturing and assembly deviations. A nonlinear multi-point meshing model was developed by Zhou et al (Ref. 1) for determining the face load factor of spur gears. Multiple non-linear springs were used along the path of contact and rigid bars connected the gear with the shaft, which was modeled by beam elements. The process was iterative, and the results were compared with those obtained by finite element analysis (FEA). Roda-Casanova et al (Ref. 2) investigated the face load factor in straight spur gears, as calculated by ISO using finite elements. They considered the shaft diameter, misalignment and center distance errors, as well as the position of the gears on the shaft. Results were compared with ISO 6336. Yuan et al (Ref. 3) developed a coupled loaded tooth contact analysis (LTCA) model and a Timoshenko beam element model of spur and helical gears. Both static and dynamic cases were investigated and compared with a 3-D finite element approach. Four supporting layouts were chosen considering the power flow and the position of the bearings and the gears on the shafts. Results showed the contact