| The accuracy and the applicability range of finite element stress models of spur gear teeth are determined. The results show the single-tooth model is quite accurate, and thus to be preferred, for most conditions.; Contact stresses in meshing spur gear teeth are examined using the single-tooth model. The analysis is based on incremental finite element procedures which simultaneously determines the stresses and the contact region between the meshing teeth. The teeth themselves are modelled by two-dimensional plane strain elements. Friction effects are included with the friction forces assumed to obey Coulomb's law. The computational effort is reduced by treating the friction forces as known external tangential forces. The analysis also assumes that the displacements are small and that the tooth materials are linearly elastic. The analysis procedure is validated by comparing its results, for two contacting elastic semi-cylinders, with classical results obtained from the Hertz method. Excellent agreement is obtained. The results of meshing spur gear teeth demonstrate the practicality of using the finite element method for gear contact stress calculations.; Finally, fillet stresses of straight bevel gear teeth, whose contact force distributions are statically indeterminate, are presented. The possibility of using the incremental finite element techniques for three-dimensional gear contact problems is discussed. |
