Design and transmission performance analysis of planthopper hip joint gear

Abstract

To enhance the efficiency and load-carrying capacity of the jumping robot’s transmission system, the transmission characteristics of the planthopper hip gear were analyzed. The analysis revealed that the gear pair exhibited low transmission errors, high transmission efficiency, and significant torque capacity, making it suitable for high-speed, high-precision, and high-power density transmissions. A bionic design study of the jumping robot’s gear was conducted, drawing inspiration from the planthopper hip gear’s tooth shape and profile. A logarithmic spiral was assumed as the tooth profile based on its consistent pitch angle and curvature gradient characteristics. Parameters of the tooth profile of the bionic gear were calculated, and equations for the tooth surface were derived. A three-dimensional model of the bionic gear was constructed, and both its transmission efficiency and error were calculated. Using the finite element method, theoretical formulas for contact stress and bending stress in the bionic gear were deduced. The distribution characteristics of both bending and contact stress were analyzed, demonstrating that the bionic gear used in high-performance jumping robots possesses low transmission error, high transmission efficiency, and excellent contact strength, providing a theoretical foundation for enhancing their jumping capabilities.