An Improved Computational Method for Vibration Response and Radiation Noise Analysis of Two-Stage Gearbox

In this work, an improved computational method for the prediction of the vibration and noise of a gearbox that considers the flexibility of the shaft is developed. Based on the finite element method (FEM), a coupled dynamic model of a spur gear-shaft-bearing system is established, and the time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS), the time-varying bearing stiffness (TVBS), and the flexibility of the shaft are considered. The Newmark integration method (NIM) is utilized to obtain the dynamic load of the bearing. Furthermore, the proposed model is validated by experiments. The bearing load is then considered to be the excitation of the housing, and the radiated noise is calculated via the finite element method/boundary element method (FEM/BEM). The effects of the shaft flexibility on the bearing response and radiated noise are discussed based on the proposed method. The results demonstrate that, when the shaft flexibility is considered, the system undergoes the bending vibration of the shaft, and the vibration amplitude and excitation frequency components of the bearing load decrease significantly. Additionally, the main resonance mode of the gearbox is changed, and the radiated noise is enhanced. The effects of the input speed and shaft stiffness on the bearing response and radiated noise are also investigated. The results provide a theoretical basis for the further development of the vibration and noise reduction of gearboxes.