Experimental and Numerical Investigations on the Influence of Tooth Friction in Spur and Helical Gear Dynamics

A model based upon a finite element procedure is introduced for analyzing the influence of tooth friction on spur and helical gear dynamics. The equations of motion are solved by combining a time-step integration method with several iterative algorithms aimed at satisfying normal and tangential contact conditions. Comparisons between simulated and measured quasi-static bearing forces are satisfactory and largely validate the theoretical developments. Results also reveal the potentially significant contribution of tooth friction to gear vibration and noise. Simulations are then extended to high speeds and the interest of considering both transmission error and tooth friction excitations to achieve silent gears is discussed.