Second, the planet gear bearings need to play an active part in torque transfer. Planetary systems split the torque input from the sun 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 contact or tapered roller bearings, both which are created to withstand axial loads.
In planetary gearboxes, however, it’s a lot more difficult to create around these axial forces for just two related reasons. Initial, there is typically very little room in a planetary gearbox to incorporate the kind of bulky bearings that may tolerate high axial forces.

The existence of axial forces makes things very different for the bearings that support helical gears. But it is critical to make a distinction between fixed-axis and planetary gearboxes. In fixed-axis gearboxes, the additional axial forces total little more than a hassle. 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 play just a supporting role in the functioning of the gearbox. The bearings simply need to support the rotating gear shafts, however they do not really play an active function in torque transfer.

Helical Gears Place Greater Demand on Bearings

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