Influences of a Parallel Axis Gear on Pinion Load Distribution in a Planetary System

Automotive automatic transmissions have multiple axis configurations in which planetary gears transmit torque to a counter gear on another axis. Although general characteristics of a planetary gear (component level) have been studied, no specific investigations are available in literature explaining interactions between planetary and torque-transmitting gears (Full Unit or Sub-System). In this paper, a system FEA model (Using TM3D) of a Ravigneaux and a counter gear pair is introduced, exploring influences of system deflection in pinion load sharing to changes in gear root stress pattern. Additionally, by a series of strain gauge tests under a controlled test jig, reliability of the FEA model is verified. Finally, benefits of system-level FEA are explained by macro/micro-geometry optimization in the early design stage.