A new modeling method is proposed to simulate the dynamic response of a two-stage gear transmission system using the finite element method (FEM). The continuous system is divided into four modules: shaft-shaft element, shaft-gear element, shaft-bearing element, and gear-gear element. According to the FEM, the model is built with each element assembled. Meanwhile, the model considers the time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS), bearing time-varying stiffness (BTVS), and the shaft flexibility. The Newmark integration method (NIM) is used to obtain the dynamic response of the spur gear system. Results show that vibration amplitude and the number of frequency components decrease after considering shaft flexibility through comparing the gear dynamic response under the condition of flexible shaft and rigid shaft. When the effect of bearing stiffness is considered, there will be a bearing passing frequency component in the frequency spectrum. In addition, the result shows that the simulation and experimental test of the frequency component are basically consistent. Furthermore, the theoretical model is validated against an experimental platform of the two-stage gear transmission system and the dynamic responses are compared under the condition of increasing speed. Additionally, the increase of shaft stiffness not only changes some of the dominant mode shapes (torsional mode shapes) but also makes the number of primary resonance speeds added. The method can be used to guide the design of gear systems.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.