DEVELOPMENT OF PLASTIC GEARS FOR POWER TRANSMISSION : Power Transmission Mechanism of Plastic Gears

Abstract

The plastic gears excel in the self-lubrication, the low noise and others over the steel ones. But they are not suitable for power transmission because of their low load carrying capacity and short lifetime. In the present paper, the power transmission mechanism of the plastic gears is clarified theoretically and experimentally. And then the causes for the melting and the partially large wear which occurs on the tooth surface are analyzed through the mechanism. As a result of these analyses, the plastic gears, whose contact ratio is more than two and whose tooth profile deflected by the load agrees with the normal involute, are recommended in order to increase the load capacity and the life time.