ZHANG Rui

WU Xutang
School of Mechanical Engineering,
Xi'an Jiaotong University,
Xi'an 710049, China

Abstract: When the noncircular gear pair is applied to the continuously variable transmission (CVT) with gear, the transmission ratio function is discontinuous. In accordance with this unique characteristic, a new approach to design and analyze noncircular gears with discontinuous pitch curve is proposed. The design courses of various noncircular gear pairs with discontinuous pitch curve are unified based on the numerical algorithm of spline fitting and “fairing boundary condition”. According to the particularity of discontinuous pitch curve, the rules and procedures for teeth distribution are recommended. It is explained in detail why the undercut is formed and how to manage the undercut based on meshing principle. In addition, the calculation formulas for each tooth profile segment are also derived. If the tooth profile data are calculated, the measurement and the incision process for noncircular gear can be conducted and the CAD simulation can be achieved easily. To ensure the continuity of the transmission, the transmission interference of the tooth which is located at the pitch curve joint point is managed by utilizing Bézier curve with CAD software. And the contact ratio of gear pair is obtained. The case study shows that this approach is successful and opens up a new way for the design of noncircular gear.

Key words: Noncircular gears  Continuously variable transmission (CVT)  Tooth profile