Offset Face Gear Drives: Tooth Geometry and Contact Analysis

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed investigation on the manufacturing, tooth geometry and contact characteristics of face gear drives with offset axes. In the paper, the tooth geometry of offset face gears is analytically determined by simulating the conjugate motion between the gear and the cutting tool in the generation process. Design criteria are established for the optimal tooth element proportions of offset face gears that avoid tooth undercutting and pointing. The tooth surface geometry of the gear member of the drive is modified by using a shaper that resembles the pinion in profile but has a few more teeth than the pinion to localize the tooth contact. The contact characteristics of the offset face gears are analyzed by a tooth contact analysis (TCA) program that simulates the meshing process of the gear drive assembled under misalignment. An example of offset face gear design and contact analysis is included in the paper.