Elastic hydrodynamic lubrication analysis for a sine movable tooth drive

The sine movable tooth drive has small radial dimension such that the heat, caused by friction, becomes an important factor in deciding its load-carrying ability. It is important to determine the amount of tooth lubrication in order to reduce the heat caused by the friction. This study provides equations for the meshing performance and provides the forces for the sine movable tooth drive. Using these equations, the minimum oil film thickness for the drive system is investigated. Results show that the minimum film thickness between the movable tooth and input shaft or shell changes periodically along the input shaft rotation angle. A large movable tooth radius and a movable tooth rotation radius could increase the film thickness between the movable tooth and the input shaft or the shell. In addition, a large speed ratio could increase the film thickness between the movable tooth and the input shaft, but this would also decrease the film thickness between the movable tooth and the shell. A large sine amplitude could increase the film thickness between the movable tooth and the input shaft, but this does not change the film thickness between the movable tooth and the shell. Under normal operation speeds, the hydrodynamic lubrication condition occurs between the movable tooth and the input shaft, and the partial membrane hydrodynamic state occurs between the movable tooth and the shell.