An Active Ease-Off Topography Modification Approach for Hypoid Pinions Based on a Modified Error Sensitivity Analysis Method

Abstract

A new active ease-off topography modification approach is proposed to improve the meshing performance of hypoid gears based on a fourth-order predesigned transmission error (PTE) model and a modified error sensitivity analysis method. Ease-off topography modifications that describe local deviations of pinion tooth surfaces can be conducted by converting the fourth-order PTE into equivalent deviations of pinion tooth surfaces. The modified error sensitivity analysis method is developed to investigate the effects of misalignments on the moving velocity of a contact point of a hypoid gear pair. The moving velocity of the contact point can describe transmission error (TE) curve shapes of ease-off tooth surfaces. The ease-off topography modification approach can achieve TE precontrol and modification curvature adjustment of the pinion for stable meshing performance of the hypoid gear pair. Moreover, pinion ease-off tooth surfaces are finished by a five-axis computer numerical control swarf-cutting machine tool. Swarf-cutting tests and TE measurement tests are conducted on hypoid gear pair specimens to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methodology.