Vibration and noise radiation analysis for a gear reducer considering meshing impact

A dynamic model of a cylindrical gear reducer was developed in consideration of time-varying mesh stiffness, gear errors and meshing impact in gear meshing process. Dynamic load of bearings was taken as an excitation. Noise radiation of the gear reducer was calculated by using FEM/BEM, and then the noise spectrum of the gearbox was obtained. The effect of meshing impact on the noise of the gearbox was analyzed and the factors affecting the noise of the gearbox were presented. The effect of gear error and operating load on vibration and noise radiation were studied, and the rule of noise radiation versus gear error and operating load was obtained. The results provided a useful theoretical guideline for design of gearboxes.