Finite Element (FE) Analysis of Meshing Performance of a Theoretical Assembling Symmetrical Bevel Gear Differential

The aim in this paper is to analyze tooth surface contact stress and transmission errors, verify existence of tooth end effect and discuss symmetry of symmetrical bevel gear differential (SBGD), etc. With this aim, a 3D elastic FE model of SBGD is established under the ANSYS software environment and its meshing characteristic is determined. Starting from here, by analyzing stress and circumferential displacement of tooth, the phenomena of stress concentration is acquired; the distribution of tooth surface contact stress is studied; tooth end effect is confirmed; transmission error is assessed. The analysis is ended by assessing the symmetry of SBGD. Research results provide valuable guidelines for the design of SBGD. The developing model method proposed in this paper makes it possible to study other complex gear mechanisms such as planetary gear system.