Gear (Part I)

Introduction:

In the transmission of motion or power between two shafts, the slipping of a belt or drive is a common phenomenon. The velocity ratio of the system is reduced due to the effect of slipping. In precision machines, in which a definite velocity ratio is of importance (as in watch mechanism), the only positive drive is by gears or toothed wheels. A friction wheel with the teeth cut on it is known as gear or toothed wheel. The usual connection to show the toothed wheels is by their pitch circles. The motion and power transmitted by gears is kinematically equivalent to that transmitted by frictional wheels or discs.

The following are the major pros and cons of the gear drive as compared to other drives, i.e. belt, rope and chain drives:

Advantages

1. It transmits exact velocity ratio.

2. It can be used to transmit large power.

3. It can be used for small centre distances of shafts.

4. High efficiency and has reliable service.

Disadvantages

1. It is costlier than other drives.

2. The error in cutting teeth may cause vibrations and noise during operation.

3. It requires suitable lubricant and reliable method of applying it, for the proper operation of gear drives.

Classification of Gears

1.      According to the position of axes of the shafts.

The axes of the two shafts between which the motion is to be transmitted, may be

(a) Parallel,

(b) Intersecting, and

(c) Non-intersecting and non-parallel.

2.      According to the peripheral velocity of the gears.

The gears, according to the peripheral velocity of the gears, may be classified as :

(a) Low velocity,

 (b) Medium velocity, and

 (c) High velocity.

3.      According to the type of gearing.

The gears, according to the type of gearing, may be classified as :

(a) External gearing,

(b) Internal gearing, and

(c) Rack and pinion.

4.      According to the position of teeth on the gear surface.

 The teeth on the gear surface may be

(a) Straight,

(b) Inclined, and

 (c) Curved.

Terms used in Gears

1. Pitch circle.
It is an imaginary circle which by pure rolling action, would give the same motion as the actual gear.

2. Pitch circle diameter. 
It is the diameter of the pitch circle. The size of the gear is usually specified by the pitch circle diameter. It is also called as pitch diameter.

3. Pitch point. 
It is a common point of contact between two pitch circles.

4. Pitch surface. 
It is the surface of the rolling discs which the meshing gears have replaced at the pitch circle.

5. Pressure angle or angle of obliquity. 
It is the angle between the common normal to two gear teeth at the point of contact and the common tangent at the pitch point. It is usually denoted by φ. The standard pressure angles are 1 14 /2° and 20°.

6. Addendum. 
It is the radial distance of a tooth from the pitch circle to the top of the tooth.

7. Dedendum. 
It is the radial distance of a tooth from the pitch circle to the bottom of the tooth.

8. Addendum circle. 
It is the circle drawn through the top of the teeth and is concentric with the pitch circle.

9. Dedendum circle. 
It is the circle drawn through the bottom of the teeth. It is also called root circle.

Note: Root circle diameter = Pitch circle diameter × cos φ, where φ is the pressure angle.

10. Circular pitch. 
It is the distance measured on the circumference of the pitch circle from a point of one tooth to the corresponding point on the next tooth. 

11. Diametral pitch. 
It is the ratio of number of teeth to the pitch circle diameter in millimetres.

12. Module. 
It is the ratio of the pitch circle diameter in millimetres to the number of teeth. 

13. Clearance. 
It is the radial distance from the top of the tooth to the bottom of the tooth, in a meshing gear. A circle passing through the top of the meshing gear is known as clearance circle.

14. Total depth. 
It is the radial distance between the addendum and the dedendum circle of a gear. It is equal to the sum of the addendum and dedendum.

15. Working depth. 
It is radial distance from the addendum circle to the clearance circle. It is equal to the sum of the addendum of the two meshing gears.

16. Tooth thickness.
It is the width of the tooth measured along the pitch circle.

17. Tooth space. 
It is the width of space between the two adjacent teeth measured along the pitch circle.

18. Backlash. 
It is the difference between the tooth space and the tooth thickness, as measured on the pitch circle.

19. Face of the tooth. 
It is surface of the tooth above the pitch surface.

20. Top land. 
It is the surface of the top of the tooth.

21. Flank of the tooth. 
It is the surface of the tooth below the pitch surface.

22. Face width.
It is the width of the gear tooth measured parallel to its axis.

23. Profile. 
It is the curve formed by the face and flank of the tooth.

24. Fillet radius. 
It is the radius that connects the root circle to the profile of the tooth.

25. Path of contact. 
It is the path traced by the point of contact of two teeth from the beginning to the end of engagement.

26. Length of the path of contact. 
It is the length of the common normal cut-off by the addendum circles of the wheel and pinion.

27. Arc of contact. 
It is the path traced by a point on the pitch circle from the beginning to the end of engagement of a given pair of teeth. The arc of contact consists of two parts, i.e.

(a) Arc of approach. 
It is the portion of the path of contact from the beginning of the engagement to the pitch point.

(b) Arc of recess. 
It is the portion of the path of contact from the pitch point to the end of the engagement of a pair of teeth.