Finite element generalized tooth contact analysis of double circular arc helical gears

This paper investigates the load sharing of double circular arc helical gears considering the influence of assembly errors. Based on a load sharing formulae, a three-dimensional finite element tooth contact analysis (TCA) is implemented with commercial software package ANSYS. The finite element grid for the double circular arc gear contact model is automatically generated by using the APDL (ANSYS Parameter Design Language) embedded in ANSYS. The realistic rotation of gears is achieved by using a coupling degree-of-freedom method. Numerical simulations are carried out to exemplify the proposed approach. The distribution of contact stress and bending stress under specific loading conditions are computed and compared with those obtained from Hertz contact theory and empirical formulae to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed load sharing calculation formulae and TCA approach.