An Energy-Based Load Distribution Approach for the Application of Gear Mesh Stiffness on Elastic Bodies

Abstract

This study introduces a new potential energy-based design method for simplifying elastic gear bodies in low- to mid-range frequency applications by bridging over the gear teeth with external stiffness elements. The advantage of the introduced method over more traditional approaches, which are either based on rigid gears or on replacing the teeth, is that the complex gear body and its dynamic behavior are preserved, albeit with fewer degrees of freedom. The method is demonstrated on a gear by replacing a single tooth under load and then validated numerically against a typical flexible gear model. The simulation results show good accuracy within the chosen frequency range and with a clear reduction in calculation time compared to the unreduced model. Furthermore, the extension and optimization potential of the results is discussed.