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Understanding the differences between gear types is critical for achieving the necessary power transmission in mechanical applications. There are a lot of factors to consider when picking a suitable gear for your parts, such as precision grade standard, proportions, permitted efficiency and engine power, need for heat treating and teeth grinding, and more. But first, what is a gear?
A gear is a machine element with teeth that are cone-shaped or cut around cylindrically with equal spacing. By meshing two of these components, they can transmit forces and rotations from the main shaft to the driven shaft. Gears come in various shapes and sizes, such as spur gears, helical gears, bevel gears, worm gears, gear racks, etc. These gears can be categorized based on the orientation of their axes, such as parallel shafts, intersecting shafts, and non-intersecting shafts.
This article focuses on two well known gears ' worm gear and bevel gear.Let's know their differences in terms of benefits, downsides, and applications. In order to fully comprehend how they differ, let us first define what those two gears are.
A worm gear, also known as a worm drive, is a gear structure consisting of a shaft with a spiral thread, or a (screw that looks like a worm) that engages with the drives a toothed wheel or the worm wheel. Worm gears are commonly used when significant speed reductions are required. The manufacturer can adjust the rotational speed of a worm gear configuration, which is ultimately determined by the number of threads or starts and teeth on the gearbox.
Worm gears use a sliding effect to transmit movement force at right angles. It changes the rotational movement by 90° and the plane of movement also changes due to the position of the wheel. Frequently, the two components are made of different materials, typically a steel worm and a brass wheel.
Bevel gears have tooth-bearing faces that are conically shaped, and the axes of the two shafts intersect. They are typically mounted on shafts 90° apart, but they can also be designed to work at other angles.
Bevel gear units have two main components: the pinion and the gear, which transform right-angle movements. It makes use of angular gear teeth. Several teeth make contact simultaneously, and the entire tooth width of the interlocking teeth transmits force as the gears turn.
The following are the advantages and disadvantages of using worm gears and bevel gears units:
Both gears are used in various applications, but they specialize in different areas.
Worm gears are used in many applications requiring low speed and relatively high power amplification. They can be found in everyday household items as well as heavy machinery. Worm gears have numerous advantages over other modes of transmission, especially when speed reduction is required. Here are a few examples of products and appliances that use worm gears:
Bevel gears are typically used in mechanical settings since they can transfer energy from linear to sheer power. The following are some examples of items and products that used bevel gears:
Worm gears are one of the most common and cost-effective methods of reducing rotational speed, and they are used in a wide range of simple and complex mechanisms. Meanwhile, bevel gears are power transmission components used to reverse the direction of shaft rotation, reduce speed, and increase torque between non-parallel rotating shafts. To achieve the precision required, you must find a company that can accommodate your specifications.
Superior Gearbox Company custom-designs high-quality gear drives and gear boxes that meet even the most stringent clients' requirements for various industries and applications for over 45 years. From high performance manufactured bevel gear drives, worm speed reducers, helical gear motors, and other gearbox components, you can count on our team to deliver only the superior output for the product you need when you need it.
Our outstanding engineering and design, sourcing, turning, machining, assembly and testing capabilities as well as our excellent customer service and tight teamwork, can ensure that we can find you the best solutions for you gearbox or gear drive needs for any application.
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This article provides a comprehensive look at bevel gears, include the following information:
A bevel gear is a toothed rotating component that transfers mechanical energy or shaft power between shafts that intersect at an angle, including perpendicular. It changes the axis of rotation and can modify the torque, either increasing or decreasing it, while inversely affecting the angular speed.
A bevel gear resembles a truncated cone, with teeth cut into its lateral surface that mesh with the teeth of other gears. The gear that supplies the shaft power is known as the driver gear, while the gear that receives the power is called the driven gear. Typically, the driver and driven gears have different numbers of teeth to create a mechanical advantage. The gear ratio is defined as the ratio of the number of teeth on the driven gear to the number on the driver gear, while the mechanical advantage refers to the ratio of the output torque to the input torque. This relationship is expressed by the following equation:
\begin{equation} \ MA = \frac{T_b}{T_a} = \frac{r_b}{r_a} = \frac{N_b}{N_a} \end{equation}
The mechanical advantage (MA) is determined by the relationship between various factors including the torques (τb and τa), the radii (rb and ra), and the number of teeth (Nb and Na) of the driven and driver gears, respectively. From the equation, it is evident that increasing the number of teeth on the driven gear results in a larger output torque.
Conversely, a higher mechanical advantage reduces the output speed of the driven gear. This relationship is described by the following equation:
\begin{equation} \ MA = \frac{W_a}{W_b} \end{equation}
ωª and ωb are the driver and driven gears' angular speeds, respectively. In general, a gear ratio of 10:1 is recommended for a bevel gear set. For increasing the speed of the driven gears, a gear ratio of 1:5 is suggested.
Note that bevel gears are usually a paired set and should not be used interchangeably. Bevel gears are assembled in a specific way due to their inherent transmission of both thrust and radial loads, in contrast with spur gears which mostly transmit radial loads only. All bevel gears are assembled at the optimum position for best performance.
Efficiency is defined as the ratio of output power to input power. This differs from mechanical advantage, which focuses on amplifying forces or torques at the expense of speed. In bevel gears, power loss during transmission is primarily due to friction between the teeth surfaces and the loads on the bearings or housing. The efficiency of various types of bevel gears, compared to other gear types, is summarized in the table below.
Type of Gear Approximate Range of Efficiency Type of Load Imposed in Bearings Straight Bevel Gear 97 ' 99.5% Radial and thrust Spiral Bevel Gear 97 ' 99.5% Radial and thrust Zerol Bevel Gear 97 ' 99.5% Radial and thrust Hypoid Bevel Gear 90 ' 98% Radial and thrust External Spur Gears 97 ' 99.5% Radial Internal Gears 97 ' 99.5% Radial Worm Gear 50 ' 90% Radial and thrust Common Types of GearsBevel gears come in various types, classified by their tooth profile and orientation. More complex types, such as spiral and hypoid bevel gears, have emerged from advancements in manufacturing processes like CNC machining.
A straight bevel gear is the most basic type of bevel gear, featuring teeth arranged in a straight line that intersects at the gear's axis when extended. The teeth are tapered, with the outer part, or heel, being larger than the inner part, or toe. Straight bevel gears have instantaneous lines of contact, which allows for greater tolerance in mounting. However, they are prone to vibration and noise, limiting their use to low-speed and static loading applications. A common application of straight bevel gears is in the differential systems of automotive vehicles.
Straight bevel gears are also the easiest to manufacture. The earliest method involved using a planer with an indexing head. More efficient manufacturing techniques have been developed, including the Revacycle and Coniflex systems used by Gleason Works.
A spiral bevel gear is a more complex type of bevel gear, distinguished by its curved and oblique teeth. Unlike the straight teeth of bevel gears, the spiral tooth orientation provides more overlap between teeth, leading to gradual engagement and disengagement. This smoother operation results in reduced vibration and noise. Additionally, the increased contact area allows spiral bevel gears to handle higher loads, making them capable of achieving greater load capacities while being smaller in size compared to straight bevel gears with equivalent capacity.
One drawback of spiral bevel gears is the increased thrust load they generate, which necessitates the use of more costly bearings. Typically, a rolling element thrust bearing is required for spiral bevel gear assemblies. Additionally, spiral bevel gears are manufactured in matched sets, and gear sets with the same design are not interchangeable unless specifically made to be interchangeable. These gear sets can be either right-hand or left-hand.
Spiral bevel gear teeth are generally shaped using gear generating machines, a process that ensures high precision and finish. To achieve the desired tooth bearing, lapping is also performed to refine the teeth further.
Zerol bevel gears are a variation of straight bevel gears, developed by Gleason Works. Unlike straight bevel gears, Zerol bevel gears feature teeth that are curved along their length. They resemble spiral bevel gears in profile, but they differ in their spiral angle: Zerol bevel gears have a 0° spiral angle, whereas spiral bevel gears typically have a 35° spiral angle.
Similar to straight bevel gears, Zerol bevel gears do not generate significant thrust loads, allowing the use of plain contact bearings. They can be used as substitutes for straight bevel gears without requiring changes to the housing or bearings. Additionally, the curvature of Zerol bevel gear teeth provides a slight overlap, similar to that of spiral gears, resulting in smoother operation compared to straight bevel gears.
Zerol bevel gear teeth are produced using a rotary mill cutter, which imparts a lengthwise curvature to the teeth. These gears are manufactured with high precision and are often finished through lapping or grinding to achieve the desired surface quality.
A hypoid bevel gear is a specialized type of bevel gear where the shafts are neither intersecting nor parallel. The offset between the two gear axes is referred to as the "offset." The teeth of hypoid bevel gears are helical, similar to those in spiral bevel gears. When a hypoid bevel gear has no offset, it essentially functions as a spiral bevel gear. The manufacturing and shaping processes for hypoid bevel gears are comparable to those used for spiral bevel gears.
Due to the offset, the spiral angle of the smaller gear (pinion) in a hypoid bevel gear set can be greater than the spiral angle of the larger gear. This means that the number of teeth on the gears does not directly correlate with their pitch diameters or theoretical operating diameters. This allows for the use of larger pinions with specific sizes of driven gears, which strengthens the pinion and provides a higher contact ratio with the larger gear. As a result, hypoid gears can transmit more torque and operate at higher gear ratios. Additionally, the offset allows for bearings to be positioned on both sides of the gears since their shafts do not intersect. However, an increased offset can reduce the overall efficiency of the gear system.
Hypoid gears run more smoothly and produce less vibration compared to spiral gears. However, they come with a drawback: the significant amount of sliding that occurs across the teeth's face can increase friction and wear. This necessitates the use of specialized lubricating oils to ensure smooth operation and longevity.
Miter gears are a type of bevel gear with a gear ratio of 1:1, meaning both the driver and driven gears have the same number of teeth. As they do not provide a mechanical advantage, their primary function is to change the direction of rotation. Typically, miter gears have axes that intersect perpendicularly. However, in some assemblies, shafts may intersect at various angles, known as angular miter bevel gears. These angles can range from 45° to 120°. Miter bevel gears can have teeth that are straight, spiral, or Zerol.
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To gain a clearer understanding of gears and gear systems, it's essential to familiarize oneself with key terminology. The terms listed below describe various aspects of gears and their tooth profiles and are applicable to all types of gears, not just bevel gears.
The smaller gear in a bevel gear set that drives the larger gear.
The larger gear in a bevel gear set that is driven by the smaller pinion gear.
Also known as circular pitch, this is the distance between corresponding points on adjacent teeth of the same gear.
The diameter of the pitch circle, which is a critical design parameter for determining tooth thickness, pressure angles, and helix angles of the gear.
The ratio of the number of teeth to the pitch diameter of a gear.
The angle between the face of the pitch surface and the axis of the shaft.
The imaginary truncated cone where the base diameter corresponds to the pitch circle.
The angle between the line of force of the meshing teeth and the tangent to the pitch circle at the contact point. For proper meshing, gears must have the same pressure angle. The recommended pressure angle for straight bevel gears is 20°.
The angle between the shafts of the driver and driven gears.
The upper outline of the gear teeth, extending from the pitch circle to the top of the teeth.
The lower outline of the gear teeth, extending from the pitch circle to the bottom of the teeth.
The radial distance between the addendum and dedendum circles. Due to the slight taper of bevel gear teeth, this depth is not constant along the tooth. Addendum and dedendum angles are used to describe the teeth more accurately than the circles.
The angle between the top surface of the teeth (top land) and the pitch surface.
The angle between the bottom surface of the teeth (bottom land) and the pitch surface.
The variation in tooth depth along the face, measured perpendicular to the pitch surface.
The variation in space width along the face, measured on the pitch surface.
The variation in tooth thickness measured on the pitch surface.
The total depth of the teeth plus the clearance value.
The difference between the addendum of one gear and the dedendum of the mating gear.
The space between the mating gear teeth that exceeds their thickness. Different types of backlash are defined based on movement orientation:
The arc along the pitch circle.
The space between the surfaces of mating teeth.
The angular movement described by the backlash.
The linear movement perpendicular to the axis.
The linear movement parallel to the axis.
Backlash is crucial for preventing gear jamming due to contact. It allows lubricants to enter and protect the mating teeth surfaces and accommodates thermal expansion during operation.
The relationship between these terms is illustrated in the table of equations below.
Straight Bevel Gear Formulas (20° Pressure Angle, 90° Shaft Angle) To Find Having Formula Pitch diameter of pinion Number of pinion teeth and diametral pitch d = Np / Pd Pitch diameter of gear Number of gear teeth and diametral pitch D = Ng / Pd Pitch angle of pinion Number of pinion teeth and number of gear teeth γ = tan^-1(Np / Ng) Pitch angle of gear Pitch angle of pinion Γ= 90°-γ Outer cone distance of pinion and gear Gear pitch diameter and pitch angle of gear Ao = D / (2sinΓ) Circular pitch of pinion and gear Diametral pitch p = 3. / Pd Dedendum angle of pinion Dedendum of pinion and outer cone distance δp = tan-1(bop / Ao) Dedendum angle of gear Dedendum of gear and outer cone distance δg = tan-1(bog / Ao) Face angle of pinion blank Pinion pitch angle and dedendum angle of gear γo = γ + δg Face angle of gear blank Gear pitch angle and dedendum angle of pinion Γo = Γ + δp Root angle of pinion Pitch angle of pinion and dedendum angle of pinion γr = γ - δp Root angle of gear Pitch angle of gear and dedendum angle of gear Γr = Γ - δg Outside diameter of pinion Pinion pitch diameter of gear, pinion addendum, and pitch angle of pinion do = d +2aop cosγ Outside diameter of gear Pitch diameter of gear, gear addendum, and pitch angle of gear Do = D + 2aog cosΓ Pitch apex to crown of pinion Pitch diameter of gear, addendum, and pitch angle of pinion xo = (D/2) - aop sinγ Pitch apex to crown of gear Pitch diameter of pinion, addendum, and pitch angle of gear Xo = (d/2) - aog sinΓ Circular tooth thickness of pinion Circular pitch and gear circular tooth thickness t = p - T Chordal thickness of pinion Circular tooth thickness, pitch diameter of pinion and backlash tc = t - (t3/6d2) - (B/2) Chordal thickness of gear Circular tooth thickness, pitch diameter of gear and backlash Tc = T - (T3/6D2) - (B/2) Chordal addendum of pinion Addendum angle, circular tooth thickness, pitch diameter, and pitch angle of pinion acp=aop + (t2 cosγ / 4d) Chordal addendum of gear Addendum angle, circular tooth thickness, pitch diameter, and pitch angle of gear acg=aog + (T2 cosΓ / 4D) Tooth angle of pinion Outer cone distance, tooth thickness, dedendum of pinion, and pressure angle (3.438/Ao)(t/2)+bop tanφmin
Tooth angle of gear Outer cone distance, tooth thickness, dedendum of gear, and pressure angle (3.438/Ao)(T/2)+bog tanφmin
Spiral Bevel Gear Formulas (20° Pressure Angle, 90° Shaft Angle) To Find Having Formula Pitch diameter of pinion Number of pinion teeth and diametral pitch d = Np / Pd Pitch diameter of gear Number of gear teeth and diametral pitch D = Ng / Pd Pitch angle of pinion Number of pinion teeth and number of gear teeth γ = tan-1(Np / Ng) Pitch angle of gear Pitch angle of pinion Γ= 90°-γ Outer cone distance of pinion and gear Pitch diameter of gear and pitch angle of gear Ao = D / (2sinΓ) Circular pitch of pinion and gear Diametral pitch p = 3. / Pd Dedendum angle of pinion Dedendum of pinion and outer cone distance δp = tan-1(bop / Ao) Dedendum angle of gear Dedendum of gear and outer cone distance δg = tan-1(bog / Ao) Face angle of pinion blank Pitch angle of pinion dedendum angle of gear γo = γ + δg Face angle of gear blank Pitch angle of gear and dedendum angle of pinion Γo = Γ + δp Root angle of pinion Pitch angle of pinion and dedendum angle pinion γr = γ - δp Root angle of gear Pitch angle of gear and dedendum angle of gear Γr = Γ - δg Outside diameter of pinion Pitch diameter, addendum, and pitch angle of pinion do = d +2aop cosγ Outside diameter of gear Pitch diameter, addendum, and pitch angle of gear Do = D + 2aog cosΓ Pitch apex to crown of pinion Pitch diameter of gear, pitch angle, and addendum of pinion xo = (D/2) - aop sinγ Pitch apex to crown of gear Pitch diameter of gear, pitch angle, and addendum of gear Xo = (d/2) - aog sinΓ Circular tooth thickness of pinion Circular pitch of pinion and circular pitch of gear t = p - TThere are four main methods of manufacturing gears. These are metal cutting, casting, forming, and powder metallurgy. Metal cutting is the most widely used process because of its dimensional accuracy. The second two, casting and forming, are used in special circumstances- for example, producing a large gear through casting, which reduces machining expenses by casting closer to the final shape. Another form of casting, known as injection molding, is used to manufacture plastic gears. Forming, on the other hand, can take the form of cold drawing or forging. Cold drawing involves a stock pulled or extruded into a series of dies to form the shape of the gear. Forging presses the stock against dies with the desired tooth configuration. Because of work hardening through continuous deformation, the resulting gear is harder, with a more contoured grain flow.
Gear cutting can be categorized into four distinct methods, summarized as follows:
Due to the conical shape of bevel gears, which introduces both depth and width taper, not all cutting techniques are applicable. For bevel gear cutting, metal cutting methods are generally classified into two categories: face hobbing and face milling.
Face Hobbing: Face hobbing is a continuous indexing gear generation process. This involves groups of cutting blades that cut all teeth gradually until the desired depth is achieved. As one blade group cuts one tooth, the next blade group enters the next tooth space. The cutting tool and the workpiece rotate simultaneously.
Face Milling: Face milling is a single indexing method where the cutting wheel or tool is fed to cut one tooth space and is then indexed to the next tooth location. The cutting tool and the workpiece are synched together to perform the cut. Each tooth is milled until all teeth are cut to the required depth. Face milling can be done by a two-tool planer, double rotary blade, single row mill cutter, or five-axis CNC milling machines.
Bevel gears offer a straightforward and effective solution for altering the axis of rotation in drivetrains. The choice of bevel gear type, as well as the manufacturing and finishing techniques, depends on the specific application. Below are some common applications of bevel gear systems.
The most popular application of bevel gears is in the differential of an automotive vehicle. The differential is the part of the front or rear axle assembly that allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds. This allows the vehicle to turn corners while maintaining handling and traction. The driveshaft is connected to the hypoid gear assembly, which consists of a pinion and a ring gear. The ring gear is mounted to the carrier with other bevel gears in a planetary gear train.
Bevel gears are utilized in heavy machinery for both propulsion, similar to an automotive differential system, and for driving auxiliary units.
In the aviation industry, bevel gears are employed in power transmission systems for helicopters and aircraft accessory gearboxes.
An example of industrial plant equipment that uses bevel gears is cooling tower fans. The motor is usually mounted at the deck of the cooling tower with the shaft axis oriented horizontally. A gearbox assembly reduces the speed and increases the torque while also reorienting the axis of rotation vertically.
In marine transmissions, bevel gears are frequently utilized as part of the stern drive system. Typically, two bevel gear sets are employed between the engine and the propeller.
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