Effect of Rim and Web Thickness on Tooth Root Stress of Spur Gear

Abstract This study investigated the impact of spur gear rim and web thickness on root stress. A finite-element analysis model (FEM) was utilized and validated through a gear-bending test. Four gears with different rim and web specifications, including a solid gear, were designed and tested using strain gages to measure their root stress. The 3D FEM was validated by comparing the measured root stresses with that analyzed by the developed FEM. Using this model, a parametric study was conducted by varying the web position, pressure angle, and module to investigate the effect of the backup ratio on the root stress ratio of the gear. A stress-ratio map was generated based on the results. This stress-ratio map was compared with the rim thickness factor (Y₁ Y B) for external spur gears specified in ISO 6336-3. The comparison reveals that the rim thickness factor specified in ISO 6336 is overly conservative compared to values obtained in this study. Our results suggest that the thickness of both the rim and web should be considered to reduce the weight of spur gears. These findings can be applied to the design of lightweight spur gears.