The noise characteristics of gearboxes are an essential quality feature. Here, the gear meshing is a major source of excitation. The transmission in the form of structure-borne sound to the housing surface determines the decisive air-borne sound emission. Therefore, primary measures like an improved toothing design are indispensable and well-known requirements for quite operation. However, in the case of increased demands, additional secondary measures are necessary to enhance the acoustic transmission behavior. Which mechanisms in which form and combination lead to success is the motivating question of this work.
To answer this question, a simulation methodology will be developed to allow a reliable and practical calculation in the early design process. Thus, a systematic optimization of the overall noise characteristics is possible, even for different gear types. For this purpose, a virtual prototype is first created, which is able to accurately describe both linear and nonlinear vibration behavior. Particular importance is attached to the significant influence of the complex interaction between the numerous components. The resulting calculation model then serves as the basis for investigations of noise-reducing adjustments. The focus here is on effects like damping, insulation and/or anti-oscillation. Realizable and valuable mechanisms are derived from the simulation results and evaluated using the developed simulation technique. Promising solutions are then mathematically abstracted to be able to consider them as influencing variables in simpler and more efficient algorithms.
