IT,Sligo Computer Aided Design Gears

Gears

Gears are just one of a number of standard engineering components which are used to
transmit rotary motion (power) from one component to another. They tend to be used
where space is limited, where precise transmission ratios are required, or where torque
levels are high. They are also ideal were there is a change in axis direction or rotation.
Other devices in the power transmission family include belt drives and chain drives
however they are not so compact and they have lower torque capacity.

A number of configurations exist depending on the relative motions required. These

include.
 Spur gears (between parallel shafts)
 Helical gears (gives smoother transmission between parallel shafts)
 Bevel gears (where shafts are at an 90 degrees to other and in line)
 Rack and pinion (converts rotary to linear motion)
 Worm and wheel (Shaft at 90 degrees to each other but out of line)

Gear types:
Spur gears are the most common type of gears.
They have straight teeth, and are mounted on
parallel shafts. Sometimes, many spur gears are
used at once to create very large gear reductions.

The teeth on helical gears are cut at an angle to

the face of the gear. When two teeth on a helical
gear system engage, the contact starts at one end
of the tooth and gradually spreads as the gears
rotate, until the two teeth are in full engagement.

Bevel gears are useful when the direction of a

shaft's rotation needs to be changed. They are
usually mounted on shafts that are 90 degrees
apart, but can be designed to work at other angles
as well.

Worm gears are used when large gear reductions

are needed. It is common for worm gears to have
reductions of 20:1, and even up to 300:1 or greater.

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Involute Spur gears:

Spur gears are analogous to two cylinders in rolling contact (Pitch cylinders). Gear teeth
are added to these pitch cylinders to facilitate the transmission of motion without
slippage. Gear teeth therefore extend both above and below the “Pitch” circle.
The most widely used tooth form for spur gears is the involute profile as this facilitates
smooth rolling contact between gear teeth. An involute gear in mesh is shown below
with gear tooth terminology shown on the right.

The following terms define a gear:

D Pitch Circle: Size (diameter) of theoretical rolling cylinder. MxN
M Module: An indicator of gear size; not a physical measurement, D
but rather, a ratio of the number of teeth to the gear diameter. M  N
(For gears to be compatible they must have the same module).
N Number of teeth on the gear.  D
N  
 M
Add Addendum: Height of gear teeth above pitch circle. aM
Ded Dedendum: Depth of gear teeth below pitch circle de  1.25M
C Circular pitch: The distance between corresponding points on D
adjacent teeth, measured along the pitch circle. C  M
N
t Tooth thickness: The thickness of the tooth where it intersects C
the pitch circle. t
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 Pressure angle: When gear teeth come in contact the contact
force will be normal to the gear teeth faces. This angle is usually
20o to the tangent line.
Do Base circle: A theoretical circle from which the involute is
constructed. (or for the purposes of this exercise, the circle on
which the gear tooth profile arc centre lies).

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Module:

Gear-tooth size as a function of the module

Gear trains:
When gears are assembled the result is referred to as 'gear train'. The driving gear is
referred to the Pinion and driven is referred to as the gear. Gear trains are used :
1. To implement a speed change
2. To change the direction of rotation
3. To create a mechanical advantage, increase torque.
speed gear diameterpinion

speed pinion diametergear
speed gear teethpinion

speed pinion teethgear
2 n n
 2  1
1 N N

Therefore if N > n this will result in a speed reduction, while if N < n this will result in an
increase in speed.

Types of Gear trains:

Spur gear trains use straight spur,
helical or herringbone gears to
connect parallel shafts.

Bevel gears are used to connect

shafts that would intersect if
extended.

In addition to spur and bevel gears,

planetary gear arrangements are
employed in certain circumstances,
as are the “rack and pinion” and
work arrangements, as shown
opposite.