Contact analysis of spiral bevel gears based on finite element model

To make analysis on gears whose tooth surfaces have micron level changes, the finite element method based on high-precision finite element model is proposed. The theoretical formulas of tooth surfaces are converted into numerical algorithm, the coordinates of nodes and finite mesh elements of the gears are obtained based on the finite element theory and program syntax of finite element software, and the high-precision finite element model of a pair of gears is built. Through analysis of spiral bevel gears with high contact ratio, the simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental ones. The bending stress curves show the same shape and accordant changing trend, but the contact patterns show the same location and changing trend. The finite element analysis with high-precision modeling could reflect the changes of stresses and contact pattern caused by modification to the surfaces of gears in micron level.