New method for loaded tooth contact analysis (LTCA) of spiral gears with friction

The concept of flexibility tensor was proposed to reduce amount of computation and ensure computational precision of the finite element method (FEM). The flexibility tensor of finite element mesh nodes on working surface of tooth for two members of spiral bevel gear drive was calculated by FEM. Using the two-element interpolation, the flexibility factors of tooth contact points in meshing on arbitrary directions can be obtained conveniently. The linear programming procedure for the elastic contact with friction between multi-pairs of teeth was presented, which is solved by the loading increment method. The load and friction distribution and loaded transmission error for a pair of spiral bevel gear as an illustrative example were given. It is shown that the method is effective and efficient.