Internal Gears & Rack (internal-gears-rack)
Purpose
Screen internal spur gear pairs and rack-and-pinion drives for Lewis bending and simplified Hertzian contact stress.
Physics & theory
Internal gearing uses a pinion meshing inside a ring gear; rack drives convert rotation to linear motion. Tangential force at the pitch line is . Lewis bending uses a higher form factor for internal pinions than external gears. Contact stress uses Hertzian line-contact screening between pitch cylinders.
Governing equations
Numerical method
Closed-form Lewis and Hertz screening via solveInternalGearsRackEngine with type-specific form factors.
Inputs
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
gearType | internal or rack |
power, speed | Transmitted power and pinion rpm |
module, faceWidth, tooth counts | Geometry |
material | Yield and elastic properties |
Outputs
- Bending and contact safety factors, pitch diameters, pitch-line velocity.
Design codes & checks
- Indicative: Lewis + Hertz screening
- ISO: ISO 6336 reference context (screening)
Assumptions & limitations
- No microgeometry, scuffing or planetary kinematics. Rack uses representative mating radius for contact only.
References
- Shigley, J. E., & Budynas, R. G. Mechanical Engineering Design, Ch. 13–14.
- ISO 6336-1:2019 — gear rating principles.