Abstract: Based on the round trip mapping algorithm with preserved geodesic curvature between a sphere and a plane, a novel analysis method is presented for bevel gearing with variable ratio, which can be regarded as an extension of the well-known back-cone method for circular bevel gearing to noncircular ones. By means of it, the analysis method, the design principle and the manufacturing technique well used on noncircular spur gears can be reasonably transplanted to bevel gearing. A case study shows the effectiveness of the new method.

Key words: Geodesic curvature, Mapping, Noncircular bevel gear, Pitch curve, Tooth profile