Dynamic Modelling of Multibody Systems with Non-Linear Flexible Gear Joints

An approach to model multibody system with flexible non-linear gear joints is presented by discretizing the system into a set of finite elements. Joints between bodies are considered as some specific finite elements, instead that joints are treated as a set of nonlinear constraint equations. The flexibility of joints themselves and the complicated time-varing contact such as the gear meshing process can be easily considered. Revolution and gear joints are described. The approach has been coded into a program system, with which the non-linear dynamic analysis for flexible multibody can be carried out. A numerical example is given.