Deformation and Bending Stress Analysis of a Three-dimensional, Thin-rimmed Gear

This paper analyzed the deformations and bending stresses of a three-dimensional (3D), thin-rimmed gear (TRG) through using the finite element method (FEM) and a whole gear deformation model, The gear 's deformations and stresses at every part are analyzed in detail. In contrast with tooth bending deformations of a solid gear, 3D-TRG has not only tooth bending deformations, but also rim and web bending deformations. This paper found that the thin rim and web share about 70% deformations in the total deformations of the 3D-TRG and the gear tooth share only about 30%. It is also pointed out by this paper that not only the root stresses of the 3D-TRG are much greater than the solid gear because of the rim and web deformations, but also there are much greater stresses existing in the joint of the thin rim and the web. Especially, when the rim thickness becomes very thin, stresses at the joint shall become much greater than the root stresses, It is very necessary to regard the joint as the second critical stress point as well as the tooth root when to design 3D-TRG.