Design Optimization of a Three-Stage Planetary Gear Reducer Using Genetic Algorithm

Abstract The multi-stage reducer, especially the planetary gear reducer, usually serves in heavy-duty machinery such as shield tunneling machine, tracked excavator, mining truck and crusher. Those application areas require great load capacity, long life, and high geometrical mechanical performance, and the high ratio so on. This paper first presents a novel architecture of three-stage reducer. To achieve those objectives collectively, this paper presents an optimization methodology based on genetic algorithm (GA). The geometrical volume is set as objective function. The gear module, teeth number, and gear face width are chosen as design variables, taking the life, geometrical spacing, efficiency and load capacity, etc. as constraints. The optimization results are satisfactory and can help designer to employ novel architecture by fulfilling requirements.