The minimum number of teeth to avoid undercut on involute spur and helical gears depends on the pressure angle, among some other geometrical parameters. Higher number of teeth is required if the pressure angle becomes smaller. However, the contact ratio may be increased by reducing the pressure angle, which means the load is distributed along a longer line of contact. In many cases, even if undercut arises and teeth are weakened, both effects may result in higher load capacity for the gears. This paper presents a study on the influence of the pressure angle on the contact ratio, and through it on the length of contact and the load capacity, including a discussion on the condition to improve the load capacity by reducing the pressure angle beyond the undercut limit.
Load capacity evaluation for single lap joints applied in the railway vehicles
