A novel energy-based numerical method for solving planet load sharing model considering elastic ring gear

Ring gear elasticity is seldom considered in the investigations of planet load sharing. To overcome this and give an accessible numerical algorithm for solving similar problems, this work proposes a rigid-flexible coupling load sharing model for spur planetary gears that combines a conventional load sharing submodel with a curved beam element submodel, where the minimum potential energy principle (MPEP) is adopted to iteratively find the status having the minimum total potential energy of the whole system as the final load sharing result. This model is first validated by comparing it with published literature, and then further analyzed through a series of parametric studies, which reveals the influences of single or combined factors on load sharing. Practical suggestions on the design and application of planetary gears are provided at the end.