Multi-physics investigations on the dynamics of differential hypoid gears

Abstract

Vehicular differential hypoid gears play an important role on the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) signature of the drivetrain system. Additionally, the generated friction between their mating teeth flanks under varying load-speed conditions is a source of power loss in a drivetrain while absorbing some of the vibration energy. This paper deals with the coupling between system dynamics and analytical tribology in multiphysics, multiscale analysis. Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) of elliptical point contact of partially conforming hypoid gear teeth pairs with non-Newtonian thermal shear of a thin lubricant film is considered, including boundary friction as the result of asperity interactions on the contiguous surfaces. Tooth contact analysis (TCA) has been used to obtain the input data required for such an analysis. The dynamic behavior and frictional losses of a differential hypoid gear pair under realistic operating conditions are therefore determined. The detailed analysis shows a strong link between NVH refinement and transmission efficiency, a finding not hitherto reported in literature.