An investigation on the design of formate and generate face milled hypoid gears

Abstract

Hypoid gears are transmission elements that transfer power and moment between shafts whose axes do not intersect. They are similar in structure to spiral bevel gears. However, there are many advantages compared to spiral bevel gears in terms of load carrying capacity and rigidity. Hypoid gear pairs are mostly used as powertrain on the rear axles of cars and trucks. Hypoid gears are manufactured by two essential methods called face-milling and face-hobbing, and there are mainly two relative kinematic movements (Formate (R) and Generate). In this study, the gears produced with the Face-milling method are discussed. Face milled hypoid gears can be manufactured with both Formate (R) and Generate, while pinions can only be manufactured with the Generate method. The most crucial factor that determines the performance of hypoid gears is the geometry of hypoid gears. The gear and pinion geometry is directly dependent on the tool geometry, machine parameters, and relative motion between the cradle and the workpiece. The gear geometry determines the contact shape and pressure during power transmission. In this study, the mathematical equation of the cutting tool is set. After that, using differential geometry, coordinate transformation, and the gearing theory, the mathematical equation of hypoid gear is obtained.