Nonlinear dynamics of a two-stage gear system with mesh stiffness fluctuation, bearing flexibility and backlash

This work investigates dynamics of a two-stage gear system involving backlash and time-dependent mesh stiffness. This paper mainly consists to develop a 12 degree of freedom gear dynamic model. The model consists of a two-stage spur gear, three shafts, and two inertias representing load and prime mover and three bearings. Gear contact is characterised by a periodically changing stiffness and a backlash which can lead to loss of the contact. The nonlinear dynamic response of the system is studied thanks to a technique of linearization which decomposes the nonlinear system into some linear systems satisfying some conditions. Each system is solved thanks to the Newmark iterative algorithm. The results obtained appear to be the phenomenon of loss of teeth contact because of the discontinuity of the kinematic movement between the motives and receiving components of the system. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.