Study on the influence of tooth surface wear on the lubrication performance of double involute gear transmission

In order to improve the lubrication performance and reduce tooth surface wear (TSW) of double involute gears (DIGs), this study comprehensively considers the mutual influence relationship between tooth surface wear, gear pair meshing characteristics, and lubrication characteristics. A calculation model for tooth surface wear of double involute gears under mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) is established, and a calculation method for the lubrication characteristics of DIGs considering the effect of tooth surface wear is proposed. Based on this, the distribution of tooth surface wear in DIGs is investigated, along with the impact of TSW on the lubrication characteristics between meshing tooth surfaces under varying operating conditions, tooth waist order parameters, and tooth surface roughness parameters. Research findings indicate that the influence of TSW on DIGs' lubrication characteristics is closely associated with accumulated wear depth. Tooth surface wear can deteriorate the lubrication state, and has a significant impact on the lubrication characteristics near meshing in and out positions. Under low velocity, high torque, and large roughness conditions, TSW exerts a greater effect on the lubrication characteristics. However, when there are changes in tooth waist order parameters, its impact on overall lubrication performance becomes relatively small.