The objective of this investigation is to develop a procedure for the three dimensional stress analysis of the hypoid gear and pinion. The proposed approach is based on combination of the investigation of the geometry of gear tooth surfaces, interaction between meshing gears, and application of the finite element method. A method for the tooth generation of the hypoid gear and the pinion is developed. The computerized simulation of meshing between tooth surfaces or between tooth surface and tooth edge of the gears is performed. The contact forces for a loaded gear drive have been determined. Elliptical distribution of contact forces along the major axis of the contact ellipse is considered. A three dimensional finite element procedure is used to determine the stresses of the gear and the pinion. The use of this finite element procedure is demonstrated using the eight nodal solid element, including non-conforming element shape functions. A numerical example is discussed for the comparison of maximum bending stresses obtained by the proposed approach and some other approaches. The sharing of load and real contact ratio have been discussed. The reduction of bending stresses by the modification of the fillet has been analyzed. |