Modal Analysis of a Gearbox Housing
in Order to Avoid Resonance Frequencies
Attila Gerocs, Zoltan Korka, Vasile Cojocaru, and Calin-Octavian Miclosina
Abstract Housings, as essential parts of gearboxes, surround the inner parts—the
gears, support the bearings and ensure protection both to the inner parts in contrast to
the environment, and the working ambience against pollution with lubricant. Housings also transfer to the environment the vibrations produced during the gears engagement process, which, in case of resonance, become a source of the noise. Therefore, the decrease of noise radiated by gear transmissions is an important factor in
the control of environmental pollution. In this study, the natural frequencies of a
gear housing are established, both by Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) and by
finite element analysis (FEA), using two different software. Finally, for mapping the
resonance frequencies, the Campbell diagram is used.
1 Introduction
It is well known that the gearbox housing is one of the most important components
of the gear system and plays an important role in vibration and noise emission. As
its weight typically represents about 50% of the gearbox weight, optimizations of
shape and weight are of particular importance, leading to significant material and
cost savings. Furthermore, the vibration generated by the gear mesh is transmitted
through shafts and bearings to the housing. The vibration of the housing is perceived
as noise.
Optimization of the housing design is necessary in order to lower noise emission,
decreasing weight, reducing complexity, and subsequently the manufacturing costs.
By using the Finite Element Method (FEM), previous researches [1, 2] have investigated the possibilities to improve the housing dimensions and shape, focusing on the
A. Gerocs · Z. Korka (B) · V. Cojocaru · C.-O. Miclosina
Department of Engineering Sciences, “Eftimie Murgu” University of Resita, Traian Vuia Square,
No. 1-4, 320085 Resita, Romania
e-mail: z.korka@uem.ro
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
N. Herisanu and V. Marinca (eds.), Acoustics and Vibration of Mechanical
Structures—AVMS 2019, Springer Proceedings in Physics 251,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54136-1_34
343
in Order to Avoid Resonance Frequencies
Attila Gerocs, Zoltan Korka, Vasile Cojocaru, and Calin-Octavian Miclosina
Abstract Housings, as essential parts of gearboxes, surround the inner parts—the
gears, support the bearings and ensure protection both to the inner parts in contrast to
the environment, and the working ambience against pollution with lubricant. Housings also transfer to the environment the vibrations produced during the gears engagement process, which, in case of resonance, become a source of the noise. Therefore, the decrease of noise radiated by gear transmissions is an important factor in
the control of environmental pollution. In this study, the natural frequencies of a
gear housing are established, both by Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) and by
finite element analysis (FEA), using two different software. Finally, for mapping the
resonance frequencies, the Campbell diagram is used.
1 Introduction
It is well known that the gearbox housing is one of the most important components
of the gear system and plays an important role in vibration and noise emission. As
its weight typically represents about 50% of the gearbox weight, optimizations of
shape and weight are of particular importance, leading to significant material and
cost savings. Furthermore, the vibration generated by the gear mesh is transmitted
through shafts and bearings to the housing. The vibration of the housing is perceived
as noise.
Optimization of the housing design is necessary in order to lower noise emission,
decreasing weight, reducing complexity, and subsequently the manufacturing costs.
By using the Finite Element Method (FEM), previous researches [1, 2] have investigated the possibilities to improve the housing dimensions and shape, focusing on the
A. Gerocs · Z. Korka (B) · V. Cojocaru · C.-O. Miclosina
Department of Engineering Sciences, “Eftimie Murgu” University of Resita, Traian Vuia Square,
No. 1-4, 320085 Resita, Romania
e-mail: z.korka@uem.ro
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
N. Herisanu and V. Marinca (eds.), Acoustics and Vibration of Mechanical
Structures—AVMS 2019, Springer Proceedings in Physics 251,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54136-1_34
343