Article citation information:

Medvecká-Beňová, S. Designing pitch curves of non-circular gears. Scientific Journal of Silesian University of Technology. Series Transport. 2018, 99, 105-114. ISSN: 0209-3324. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20858/sjsutst.2018.99.10.

 

 

Silvia MEDVECKÁ-BEŇOVÁ[1]

 

 

 

DESIGNING PITCH CURVES OF NON-CIRCULAR GEARS

 

Summary. The paper examines the design and generation of gear drives with non-circular gears. Gearings with a changing transmission gear ratio are used for the purposes of practical experimentation, even though “standard” gearings with a constant transmission gear ratio are used more often. In this paper, the author presents the design for the shape of a pitch outline for a specific requirement, that is, continuous change in gear ratio during one rotation. The gearing is designed such that the pitch curve is composed of an ellipse. The article also presents some kinematic properties of the designed non-circular gearing.

Keywords: gear; non-circular; ellipse; pitch outline; variable transmission ratio

 

 

1. INTRODUCTION

 

Gearboxes belong to the most used transmission mechanisms. The history of gears is probably as old as civilization itself. The earliest description of gears was written in the fourth century BCE by Aristotle, who wrote that the “direction of rotation is reversed when one gear wheel drives another gear wheel”. In practice, the most commonly used “standard” toothed gears are characterized by a constant gear number and circular wheel shape. Non-circular gears are not well known, even though the idea behind them originates from the pioneers of engineering thought. For example, such gears were sketched by Leonardo da Vinci (Fig. 1) [1], while, in the late 19th century, Franz Reuleaux ordered a series of non-circular gear models from the Gustav Voigt Mechanische Werkstatt in Berlin to help with the study kinematics. These historical gears comprised simplified tooth shapes and, for this reason, the meshing conditions were not always correct.

 

davicni1

 

Fig. 1. Sketch by Leonardo da Vinci [1]

 

Non-circular gears are presented as a curiosity from the gear industry history, due to their complex design and manufacturing difficulties. Nowadays, performance modelling and simulation software, advanced CNC machine tools and non-conventional manufacturing technologies enable non-circular gear design and manufacture.

As mechanisms used to generate variable motion laws, in comparison with cams, linkages, variable transmission belts, Geneva mechanisms and even electrical servomotors, non-circular gears are remarkable due to their advantages, such as the ability to produce variable speed movements in a simple, compact and reliable way, the lack of gross separation or decoupling between elements, fewer parts in the design phase, and the ability to produce high strength-to-weight ratios [2-4].

The applications of non-circular gears include textile industry machines, for improving machine kinematics resulting in process optimization [5,6], window shade panel drives, for introducing vibrations that interfere with natural oscillations and cancelling them out [7], high-torque hydraulic engines for bulkhead drives [8-11], and mechanical presses, for optimizing work cycle kinematics. They are also used as high-power starters, mechanical systems (providing progressive torque for easier start-ups of machines, where progressive torque helps to overcome the start-up inertia) and forging machines (optimizing the work cycle parameters and reducing pressure dwell time). The use of non-circular gears in industry certifies their effective performance, while prompting new ideas for improved working conditions. Non-circular gears are also used on oval gear flowmeters [12], which are categorized as positive displacement flow technology devices. Positive displacement flow technology allows for precise flow measurements of most clean liquids, regardless of media conductivity.

The generation of non-circular gears is usually developed from a hypothetical basis, such as the law of driven gear motion, variation in the gear transmission ratio, and the design of the driving gear pitch curve [13-14]. The studies for the design and manufacture of non-circular helical gears are highly limited.

The first step in the non-circular gear virtual design process is the generation of the conjugate pitch curves, starting from a predesigned law of motion for the driven element or a predesigned geometry for the driving gear pitch curve. The current paper is dedicated to this problem.

 

 

2. conditions OF proper meshing 

 

The industry standard involute tooth shape has been chosen for use in non-circular gears. Thus, the existing involute gearing standards and methods can be adopted and applied. The design of correct meshing must be based on the basic conditions that are imposed on gearing. The tooth profiles, which form a shape bond, must have a designed continuous meshing. Otherwise, in order to transmit a uniform rotary motion from one shaft to another by means of gear teeth, the normals to the profiles of these teeth at all points of contact must pass through a fixed point (point P in Fig. 2.) in the common centre line (O1O2 in Fig. 2.) of the two shafts. The fixed point is, of course, the pitch point; and, for involutes, the normals (line n in Fig. 2.) fall onto the line of action. The instantaneous normals to the profiles of these teeth at all points of contact must pass through a fixed point in the common centre line of the two shafts to transmit any rotary motion from one shaft to another by means of gear teeth t. The pitch curves (k1 and k2 in Fig. 2.) correspond to the pitch circles in “standard” circular gears.

 

obr-2-polsko-2018

 

Fig. 2. Condition of the meshing of non-circular gears

 

Fig. 3 depicts non-circular gears as two rollers rolling together without slippage, provided there it is no addendum modification and the nominal axle distance (parameter a in Fig. 3.) is used. Roll lines (pitch curves) are divided into z parts, which are p long, where z is the gear’s number of teeth and p is the pitch. The gear is represented by two pitch curves k1 and k2 with centres in points O1 and O2. The variable pitch curve radii, r1(φ) and r2(φ), of the non-circular gears are determined by the required course of the transmission ratio i and therefore the ram kinematics:

                                                                                            (1)

where ω1(φ) and ω2(φ) are the angular velocity functions for Gears 1 and 2, respectively.

With a given constant centre distance:

                                                                                                         (2)

the transmission function ψ´(φ) describes the relation between the pitch curves of the non-circular gears. In the case of an aperiodic non-circular gear, angular positions of the members are limited [17-19]. Usually, a specific ratio function is used, for example, a logarithmic function.

 

obr-3-polsko-2018

 

Fig. 3. Example of non-circular pitch curves

 

 

3. Eccentric Elliptical Gearing

 

3.1. Characteristic of non-circular gearing

 

The generation of this non-circular gear was developed from a hypothetical basis, such as the law of driven gear motion, variation in the gear transmission ratio and the design of the driving gear pitch curve. This model of non-circular gear was designed for a variable transmission ratio in the range u=0.25 to 4.0. This transfer should be formed by two identical wheels with the number of teeth z1=z2=40 and gearing module mn=4 mm, where distance a=160 mm, and for one direction of rotation.

 

3.2. Design of pitch curves

 

The first step in the non-circular gear design process is the generation of the pitch curves, starting from a predesigned law of motion for the driven element or a predesigned geometry for the driving gear pitch curve. For a non-standard gearing, an eccentric elliptical gear drive with a continuously changing transmission gear ratio was applied; that is, the ellipse was used as the pitch curve (Fig. 4.). For the given distance, the pitch ellipse had a large half-axis ae=80 mm, which is half of the axial distance. The position of ellipse focus was determined by considering the desired continuously changing transmission gear ratio. For the given variable transmission ratio in the range u=0.25 to 4.0, the position of the ellipse focal point (centre point O of rotation) is determined by the ratio lengths x1: x2, which are equal to 1:4. The second half-axis, be=64 mm, is determined by the distance from the focus point ae=80 mm for the transmission ratio u=1.

obr-4-polsko-2018

 

Fig. 4. Pitch ellipse for gear ratio u=0.25 to 4

 

In this case, one of the conditions of a correct mesh is that the measurements of the pitch on the ellipse pitch must be kept constant. A geometric separation of the pitch ellipse into 40 identical sections (the number of teeth z1=z2=40) is mathematically much more difficult than in the case involving standard gear pitch circles.

 

obr-5-polsko-2018

Fig. 5. Design of the non-circular pitch curves

 

Fig. 5 presents the pitch ellipses of a designed eccentric elliptical gear drive with a continuously changing transmission gear ratio for given parameters. Torque transmission ensures shape-bonding between the meshing gears. The gearing consists of two identical gears. The toothed number is shown for the drive wheel; for the driven wheel, this numbering is the same. Wheels are designed for only one direction of rotation. The pitch ellipses must meet the condition that, for each tooth, the sum of the radii is equal to the axial distance (Tab. 1.).

                                                                                                                (3)

where r1-i and r2-j are the radii of mesh points.

3.3. Kinematic properties of non-circular gearing

 

In pursuit of kinematic ratios for the proposed gearings, we assumed the right mesh conditions. Kinematic conditions were processed for the drive wheel (centre of rotation at point O1) and the driven wheel (with the centre of rotation at point O2). On the relevant graph, the two gears are shown in a state of kinematic dependence (initially, on the horizontal axis of the wheel teeth). In Tab. 1, the dimensions of the spacing radii at the individual points of contact are designated as r1-i, respectively, while r2-j, where Index 1 applies to the drive wheel, Index 2 for the driven wheel, and Index i or j corresponds to the order number of the engaging tooth (Fig. 5) at one turn of the drive and driven wheel.

 

                                                                                                                                        Tab. 1.

The kinematic properties of elliptical gearing

 

Meshing teeth

input - output

Radius of mesh points

Centre distance

a=r1-i + r2-j (mm)  

Transmission ratio

ui=r2-j/r1-i

Rotational speed

ω2i1/ui (s-1)

r1-i (mm)

r2-j (mm)

          1-21

128

32

160

0.250

400

02-20

127.25

32.75

160

0.257

388. 550

03-19

125.08

34.92

160

0.279

358. 190

04-18

121.67

38.33

160

0.315

317. 428

05-17

117.24

42.76

160

0.365

274.181

  6-16

112.03

47.97

160

0.428

233.542

07-15

106.24

53.76

160

0.506

197.619

08-14

100.01

59.99

160

0.600

166.711

09-13

93.5

66.5

160

0.711

140.601

10-12

86.79

73.21

160

0.844

118.549

11-11

80

80

160

1

100

12-10

73.21

86.79

160

1.185

84.353

13-9

66.5

93.5

160

1.406

71.123

14-8

59.99

100.01

160

1.667

59.984

15-7

53.76

106.24

160

1.976

50.602

16-6

47.97

112.03

160

2.335

42.819

17-5

42.76

117.24

160

2.742

36.472

18-4

38.33

121.67

160

3.174

31.503

19-3

34.92

125.08

160

3.582

27.918

20-2

32.75

127.25

160

3.885

25.737

21-1

32

128

160

4

25

 22-40

32.75

127.25

160

3.885

25.737

 23-39

34.92

125.08

160

3.582

27.918

 24-38

38.33

121.67

160

3.174

31.503

 25-37

42.76

117.24

160

2.742

36.472

26-36

47.97

112.03

160

2.335

42.819

 

Fig. 6 represents the course of a continuously changing gear ratio in one mesh generated by an elliptical gear, which continuously varies in the range from u=0.25 to u=1.0 until u=4.0, and back. Thus, the gear ratio changes over the duration of one revolution. A gear ratio value that is less than 1.0 signifies that this is an overdrive, while a gear ratio value greater than 1.0 signifies a speed reduction.

Fig. 6. Transmission gear ratio

 

Fig. 7 shows the progress of the meshing radii at the individual points of contact, designated as r1-i, respectively, while r2-i, where Index 1 applies to the drive wheel, Index 2 to the driven wheel, and Index i or j corresponds to the order number of the tooth. 

 

obr7

 

Fig. 7. Radius of the mesh points

 

 

The rotational speed of the drive wheel gear and the driven wheel gear is constant for standard spur gears. For the designed elliptical gearing with variable transmission, the angular velocity of the driven wheel is not constant but changed according to the continuous changing of the gear ratio. This is shown in Fig. 8, where the angular velocity is on the drive wheel (ω1=100 s-1) and the driven elliptical wheel (ω2i).

 

 

Fig. 8. Rotational speed in non-circular gearing

 

 

3.4. Modification the pitch ellipse when changing the gear ratio

 

For changes in gear ratio, for example, the variable transmission ratio, in the range u=0.5 to 2, the modification of the pitch ellipse is necessary. Fig. 9 presents the shape of the pitch ellipse for the non-circular gear, which is defined by the number of teeth z1=z2=40 and gearing module mn=4 mm, where the distance a=160 mm and the gear ratio is u=0.5 to 2.

 

obr-9-polsko-2018

 

Fig. 9. Pitch ellipse for the gear ratio u=0.5 to 2

The position of ellipse focus is determined by considering the desired continuously changing transmission gear ratio. For the gear ratio in the range u=0.5 to 2, the position of the ellipse focal point (centre point O of rotation) is determined by the ratio lengths x1: x2, which are equal to 1:2. The second half-axis be=75.42 mm is determined by the distance from the focus point ae=80 mm for the transmission ratio u=1. The position of the pitch ellipse focus is consistent with the variable gear ratio.

 

 

4. CONCLUSION

 

This article describes how to optimize the design of pitch curves of non-circular gears for given parameters. Non-circular gearing consists of two identical gear wheels. For a non-standard gearing, an eccentric elliptical gear drive with a continuously changing transmission gear ratio was applied. The kinematic properties of this gearing are different from the properties of standard circular gears, i.e., spur gears. Thus, the gear ratio changes over the duration of one revolution.

Non-circular gears synthesize the advantages of circular gears and cam mechanisms, as well as offer a combination of high output power and excellent accuracy with continuously variable transmission. Non-circular gears have been applied to construction machinery, machine tools, and the automotive, aerospace and other fields.

 

 

References

 

1.        Walter Isaacson. 2017. Leonardo da Vinci. Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 1-4744-6676-7, 599.

2.        David Dooner, Seireg Ali. 1995. The Kinematic Geometry of Gearing. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-0-471-04597-7, 472.

3.        Kowalczyk Leon, Stanislaw Urbanek. 2003. “The geometry and kinematics of a toothed gear of variable motion”.  Fibres & Textiles in Eastern Europe 11, 3(42): 60-62.

4.        Zhang Xin, Shouwen Fan. 2016. “Synthesis of the steepest rotation pitch curve design for noncircular gear”. Mechanism and Machine Theory 102: 16-35. DOI: 10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2016.03.020.

5.        Mundo Domenico. 2006. “Geometric design of a planetary gear train with non-circular gears”. Mechanism and Machine Theory 41: 456-472.

6.        Figlus Tomasz, Marcin Stańczyk. 2014. “Diagnosis of the wear of gears in the gearbox using the wavelet packet transform”. Metalurgija 53(4): 673-676. ISSN: 0543-5846.

7.        Doege, Eckart, John Meinen, Tobias Neumaier. 2001. “Numerical design of a new forging press drive incorporating non-circular gears”. Journal of Engineering Manufacture 215: 467-471.

8.        Tong Shihhsi, Yang Daniel. 1998. “Generation of identical noncircular pitch curves”. Journal of Mechanical Design 120: 337-341.

9.        Bošanský Miroslav, Miroslav Vereš. 2012. Neštandardné ozubené prevody. Bratislava: STU v Bratislave. ISBN: 978-80-227-3717-5.

10.    Litvin Feonid et al. 2008. “Design and investigation of gear drives with non-circular gears applied for speed variation and generation of functions”. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 197: 3783-3802.

11.    Kapelevich Alexander. 2000. “Geometry and design of involute spur gears with asymmetric teeth”.  Mechanism and Machine Theory 35(1): 117-130.

12.    Liu, Youyu. 2015. “Study of optimal strategy and linkage-model for external non-circular helical gears shaping”. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science 229(3): 493-504.

13.    Dyakov I., O. Prentkovskis. 2008. “Optimization problems in designing automobiles”. Transport 23(4): 316-322.

14.    Rincon Femandez, Fernando Viadero, 2013. “A model for the study of meshing stiffness in spur gear transmissions”. Mechanism and Machine Theory 61: 30-58.

 

 

     This paper was written within the framework of the following grant projects: “VEGA 1/0290/18 - Development of New Methods of Determination of Strain and Stress Fields in Mechanical System Elements by Optical Methods of Experimental Mechanics”; “KEGA 041TUKE-4/2017 - Implementation of New Technologies Specified for the Solution of Questions Concerning Emissions of Vehicles and Their Transformation in the Educational Process in Order to Improve Quality of Education”; and “APVV-16-0259 - Research and Development of Combustion Technology Based on Controlled Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition in Order to Reduce Nitrogen Oxide Emissions of Motor Vehicles”.

 

 

Received 11.02.2018; accepted in revised form 19.05.2018

 

 

Scientific Journal of Silesian University of Technology. Series Transport is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License



[1] Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Košice, Letná 9, 042 00 Košice, Slovakia. Email: silvia.medvecka@tuke.sk.