Research on Splash Lubrication Characteristics of a Spiral Bevel Gearbox Based on the MPS Method

In order to accurately and efficiently analyze the distribution law and motion status of lubricating oil in the spiral bevel gearbox of the electric multiple unit (EMU), a high-fidelity 3D CFD model of the spiral bevel gearbox of the EMU was established for the first time. The moving particle semi-implicit method was used to visualize the lubricating-oil flow field distribution characteristics of the gearbox. The distribution characteristics of lubricating oil in the gearbox with varying gear rotation speeds, initial lubricating-oil volume levels and oil temperatures were analyzed. It was found that the initial lubricating-oil volume is the factor with the largest influence, while the influences of gear rotation speed and oil temperature are relatively small. By analyzing the churning loss under various simulation conditions, it was found that the churning loss is positively correlated with the gear rotation speed and initial oil volume, and is more affected by the initial oil volume. The churning loss is negatively correlated with the oil temperature, and both are nonlinear relationships. The proportion of churning loss related to the driven gear is higher compared to that of the driving gear. These results can provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent optimization of the gearbox.