Second, the planet gear bearings need to play an active function in torque transfer. Helical Gearbox planetary systems split the torque insight from sunlight gear amongst the planet gears, which transfer torque to a world carrier linked to the gearbox output. The bearings that support the planets on the carrier need to bear the entire brunt of this torque transfer.

Or, in extreme cases, they may select angular get in touch with or tapered roller bearings, both of which are made to withstand axial loads.
In planetary gearboxes, however, it’s a lot more difficult to design around these axial forces for two related reasons. First, there is typically hardly any space in a planetary gearbox to incorporate the kind of bulky bearings that may tolerate high axial forces.

The presence of axial forces makes things completely different for the bearings that support helical gears. But it’s important to make a distinction between fixed-axis and planetary gearboxes. In fixed-axis gearboxes, the additional axial forces total little more than an inconvenience. Gearbox designers will often upsize the bearings to accommodate the additional forces.

Since they won’t need to withstand any axial forces, spur gear bearings perform just a supporting role in the functioning of the gearbox. The bearings should just support the rotating equipment shafts, however they do not really play an active role in torque transfer.

Helical Gears Place Higher Demand on Bearings