Study on dynamic characteristics of asymmetric gear system with bidirectional transmission

With growing demand for efficient bidirectional gear transmissions in applications like new-energy vehicles and wind turbines, asymmetric gears, known for their unidirectional benefits, are gaining attention. However, their dynamic performance under bidirectional conditions is not well understood. This article introduces an integrated design and analysis method for asymmetric gear tooth profiles. Using addendum thickness constraints, a parametric design criterion is developed to create comparable models of symmetric and asymmetric gears. An analytical model for time-varying meshing stiffness in bidirectional operation is derived via an improved potential energy method. The dynamic equations are combined with the multi-body dynamics theory, and the dynamic responses of the two types of gears are compared through simulations and experiments. Results show that under bidirectional transmission, asymmetric gears experience lower vibration amplitudes and enhanced dynamic stability across the full speed range, confirming the optimization benefits of the asymmetric tooth profile. These findings provide a predictive framework for the dynamic characteristics of adaptable gear systems and offer engineering guidance for applications requiring reversible bidirectional transmission.