ABSTRACT
The attainment of uniform load distribution across the face width of the gears is an important part of the gear drive engineering. This chapter discusses the design of gear drive elements, which influence the load distribution across the face width and between the meshing teeth. In spur gears, a pliable disc facilitates better alignment of the teeth. Pinions with low numbers of teeth are especially compliant because the diameter of their body is relatively small as compared with the tooth module. If the teeth are surface hardened, the load capacity is limited by the bending strength of the teeth and is nearly proportional to the tooth module. Large gears can hardly be made solid because the thickness of material does not allow it to achieve the required high strength, and the weight itself may cause problems in production, transportation, and service.
