Contact fatigue model and life prediction of the compound motion curve-face gear pair

Abstract

Different from the common face gear pair fixed rotation motion between intersecting axes, the compound transmission of the curve-face gear is a new motion form, which can convert rotational motion into rotation and movement motion. To solve the contact fatigue life problem of this new motion form gear pair, a new contact fatigue life calculation method of the compound transmission curve-face gear pair was proposed. Based on the space gear engagement principle and the fracture mechanics theory, the theoretical contact fatigue model of the curve-face gear composite transmission was established. Considering that the contact load for every tooth is time-varying in the half-period of the curve-face gear, the contact fatigue life stage of the curve-face gear was divided into crack initiation and crack growth, and the crack growth fatigue life for each tooth was calculated using the finite element method. The curve-face gear pair was processed in the five-axis NC machining center and the compound transmission experiment platform of the curve-face gear was set up to measure the tooth surface dynamic contact stress, and the overall life of the curve-face gear was predicted. The comparison analysis between theoretical and experimental results verified the correctness of the theoretical contact fatigue calculation model.