Recent swarm intelligence techniques for optimal spur gear design

Abstract

The gear tooth profile significantly influences the key operating parameters of gear pairs. By appropriately modifying the tooth profile, the vibration and noise of the gear system can be greatly reduced. In this study, four advanced optimization techniques are applied to determine the optimal geometric parameters of a cylindrical spur gear. The optimization problem is formulated with three mixed design variables: the profile shift coefficients and the normal pressure angle. The three objectives include minimizing the maximum specific sliding, sliding velocity, and nominal stresses at the pinion tooth root. Kinematic and geometric constraints, such as contact ratio, tooth thickness, and interference, are also considered to ensure an optimal spur gear design. The simulation results demonstrate that the algorithms employed are highly competitive for precision gear design optimization.