Analysis of spur gears drilled with radial holes on teeth surface for effective weight reduction

Abstract

Optimizing the geometry for efficient material utilization and gear weight reduction involves strategically removing material from gear teeth. This present study examines the stresses induced in the gears featuring radial holes within the gear tooth focused on lightening the weight of conventional gears. Radial holes are introduced at varying depths from the top of the gear tooth. The analysis uses ANSYS to assess the stresses in a conventional gear tooth and also the tooth with radial holes. Examining stress magnitudes near the gear root under similar loading and boundary conditions is critical and interesting. A complementary photoelastic approach is implemented, and stress distribution in these gears is confirmed to ensure the findings of finite element analysis. This approach retains the stress distribution while achieving a notable 6.7% reduction in volume compared to a conventional AGMA spur gear. Moreover, these radial holes are envisaged to contribute to adequate gear lubrication and cooling through fluid motion. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering 2024.