Load from one member to the other is transmitted along common, normal to contacting

surfaces, let n − n be the common normal to the pinion and gear teeth profiles repre-
sented by pp and gg. Let Fn be the force transmitted from pinion to gear along n − n.
Resolving this force along the tangent t − t and also along common line of centres (radial
component),
Ft = Fn cos ψ and Fr = sin ψ (1)

The component Ft produces driving torque (= Ft × R3 ) and is the useful component,

while the component Fr tends to separate the shafts at O2 and 03 apart. The component
Fr is undesirable as it produces bending in the shaft and increases bearing loads. From
purely load transmission point of view therefore, it is desirable to have pressure angle ψ
as small as possible (From other considerations however, a larger value of ψ is preferable).
If R2 , ω2 and t be the pitch circle radius. angular velocity and number of teeth on pinion
respectively and R3 , ω3 and T be the pitch circle radius, angular velocity and number of
teeth on gear respectively, then for common module m,
   
2R2 2R3
= =m (2)
t T

Further, from the definition of gear ratio,

T R3
Gear ratio G = = (3)
t R2
Again, for same pitch line velocity at pitch point,

vp = R2 ω2 = R3 ω3 (4)

Hence, from eqs. (3) and (4)

Gear ratioG = (T /t) = (R3 /R2 ) = (ω2 /ω3 ) (5)

o
The standard pressure angles are 14 12 and 20o

Example 1.1 A spur gear drive transmits a gear ratio of 4.0 over a centre distance of
500 mm. If module is 10 mm, determine the pitch circle diameters of pinion and gear. If
pinion transmits a torque of 6000 Ncm, find (i) pressure between the teeth and (ii) load
transmitted to bearing if pressure angle is 200 .

Solution

If D and d be the pitch circle diameters and T and t be the number of teeth on gear and
pinion respectively, then for a centre distance of C = 500 mm,

500 = (d + D)/2
1 1
= (mt + mT ) = (1 + T /t)
2 2
1
= (10)t(1 + G)
2
10
As gear ratio G = 4.0, above ratio gives,
500 × 2
t= = 20
10 × (1 + 4)
And therefor
T = G × t = 80
Therefore
d = 20 × m = 200 mm
and
D = 80 × m = 800 mm

Further, assuming 100% transmission efficiency,

(Torque × ω)p = (Torque × ω)g

Hence, Torque on gear = (ω2 /ω3 ) × 6000 = 2400 N.cm

If Ft and Fr be the tangential and radial components of tooth load on gear and Fn be
the load transmitted by pinion
 
Torque on gear 24000
Ft = = = 600 N
D/2 80/2

Again from Eq. 1

(Ft /Fr ) = coth ψ

Fr = Ft tan ψ = 600 × tan 20o
Fr = 218.4 N
Fn = Ft / cos ψ = 638.5 N

1.3 Motion transmitted by two curved surfaces

vAx is the velocity of point A as seen from body x and vAy is the velocity of point A seen
from body Y . A is the point of contact. We can write the following.

vAx = ωx OA

vAy = ωy P A

Along the common normal the component of these velocities are:

vAxn = vAx cos α

vAyn = vAy cos β

If the two surfaces are to remain in contact, these two components must be equal

vAx cos α = vAy cos β

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 Common normal

x y
O
vAy D
vAx



Q
P

X Y
A

Common tangent
to the curved surfaces

Figure 15:

ωx OA cos α = ωy P A cos β

But OA cos α = OC and P A cos β = P D. Therefore

ωx OC = ωy P D

ωx PD
⇒ = (6)
ωy OC

Further the triangles QOC and QDP are similar triangles

PD PQ
⇒ =
OC OQ

Hence expression 6 become

ωx PQ
= orωx OP = ωy QP
ωy OP
That is to say’
The ratio of the angular velocities of X and Y is inversely proportional to the ratio of
distances of P from O to Q or , the common normal at A intersects the line of centers
at P , which divides the center distance inversely as the angular velocity. Thus, if the
velocity ratio is to be constant, the contact surfaces must be so shaped that the common
normal intersects the line of centers at a fixed point P .
The motion transmitted from x to y will be identical to that transmitted by pure rolling
contacts between two cylindrical surfaces with axis through O and Q, and the line of
contact through P . P is the pitch point, and circles through P with OP and QP as
the radii are pitch circles. The above is the basic condition which must be satisfied by
profiles adopted for teeth of the gears.

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