A mesh stiffness method using slice coupling for spur gear pairs with misalignment and lead crown relief

The misalignment and lead crown relief make the tooth partial contact along the tooth width direction, which greatly affects the mesh characteristics. In this paper, a mesh stiffness model of spur gear pairs with misalignment and lead crown relief is proposed based on the slice theory, in which the slice coupling effect is presented. The slice coupling is simulated as a spring and the corresponding model is developed. Then, the solving procedure of the mesh stiffness model is studied. The deformation transfer model is derived between the springs in contact state and non-contact state. An iterative computation method is designed to calculate the mesh deformation of tooth pairs. Finally, the mesh stiffness model is validated by the finite element method for a spur gear pair with ideal tooth profile, misalignment and lead crown relief. Effects of the misalignment and lead crown relief on mesh stiffness of gear pairs are also studied. The results reveal that the proposed model is accurate, effective and efficient for spur gear pairs with ideal tooth profile, misalignment and lead crown relief. It is suggested that the slice coupling should be considered in mesh stiffness calculation of gear pairs with misalignment and lead crown relief. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.