A Load Distribution Model for Double-Planet Planetary Gear Sets

In this paper, a load distribution model for a double-planet planetary gear set is developed by modifying an existing single-planet planetary gear set model [1] to account for an additional planet to planet gear mesh and their impact on phasing relationship among different sun-planet, planet-planet and planet-ring gear meshes. Similar to the single-planet planetary gear set model, the double-planet planetary gear set model accounts for effects of various component and system level variations such as supporting conditions, gear tooth modifications, manufacturing errors and kinematic configurations. The double-planet planetary gear load distribution model is derived for both rigid and flexible ring gear rim, while only parametric studies for a rigid ring gear rim is presented in this paper to demonstrate load distribution characteristics of double-planet planetary gear sets with different planet bearing stiffness and combination of various types of manufacturing errors, including pin hole position error and runout errors.