A computer based approach for evaluation of operating performances of bevel and hypoid gears

Two different methods have been proposed to determine the reference surfaces for the tooth contact analysis of bevel and hypoid gears. One is to use the theoretical tooth flank coordinate, for both pinion and gear, calculated from the machine settings. The other is to use the same theoretical tooth flank coordinate for the gear but the conjugate pinion. Based on these two methods, two different computer based simulation programs were developed. The transmission errors, path of contact and contact pattern were calculated and compared between the two methods, under both no load and loaded conditions. The results for the two methods were also compared with the experimental results and showed good agreement. The results for four gear sets with different composite error surfaces showed the power of the conjugate approach. However, each approach has features and problems, and thus the characteristics and scope of the two methods are compared and discussed.