Reasarch on Load Distribution of Different Involute Spline Clearance

Abstract

A spline coupling consists of a gear with external teeth inserted into another gear with internal teeth. The gap that exists in between the spline teeth is called gap clearance. There were a lot studies conducted on the spline design in various aspects, but no study focuses on the different spline gap clearances. This research aims to analyse the load distribution of different involute spline clearance. The project involved modelling an two actual involute splines coupling models that were identical except for the tolerance in the gap clearance. Finite element analysis was conducted to investigate load distribution along the tooth profile. The results show greater stress value on the spline coupling with maximum gap clearance. The spline coupling material’s stress versus number of cycles-to-failure (S-N) curve was used to determine the structural durability of each gap clearances under different loads. The spline coupling with zero gap clearance was found experiencing an infinite life, whereby an infinite number of cycles applied onto the spline coupling would not cause any failure to occur. On the other hand, the results of the simulation showed that the spline coupling with maximum gap clearance would fail after a few cycles applied to it.