FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THREE-STAGE PLANETARY GEAR TRAIN FOR ROAD VEHICLE WINCH

In the winch system of an off-road vehicle, the planetary gear train (PGT) is very significant for the mechanical transmission which connects the electric drive motor to the winch drum. It’s primary function to provide the necessary torque and speed required to efficiently transfer power from the high- speed, low-torque electric motor to the low-speed, high-torque drum. The compact design, high load capacity, and efficiency of the planetary gear make it an ideal choice for this application, ensuring reliable operation in demanding conditions where traction forces are significant. For these reasons, it is necessary to perform an analysis of a three-stage planetary gear using the finite element method. The planetary gear is composed of three stages which is all of them type 1AI connected in series. During the design of the gear, to enable the functionality and reliability of the gear, it is necessary to consider the stress-strain state of the gears. FEM tooth root stress analysis was performed for sun and planetary gears, as one of the most critical elements of the transmission. It was demonstrated that the stresses at the gear contact points are within acceptable limits, with no risk of failure.