An analysis of misaligned spline couplings

Abstract

The evolution of slip and pressure between the teeth of involute side-fit spline couplings subjected to a steady torque and a rotating misalignment has been studied, using the boundary integral element method. Results show that the tooth load and pressure oscillate during shaft rotation while the teeth undergo a complex cycle of slip. Approximate formulae are provided in order to describe the pressure and wear behaviour of the coupling in terms of dimensionless parameters. The wear pattern on a spline tooth was correctly predicted.