Effects of Boundary Condition and Helix Angle on Meshing Performance of TI Worm Gearing

Abstract

To exactly describe the contact state and contact area of tooth surface of toroidal involute (TI) worm gearing, the authors introduced boundary condition into contact line analysis.With helix angle chosen as parameter, the criterion for the existence of meshing boundary line on the surface of TI worm gearing is derived. Results show that there can be four situations for meshing boundary line on the tooth surface of gear, namely, inexistence of meshing boundary line, a unique line, two lines, and two coincident lines. If the helix angle is equal to or slightly smaller than the bigger angle, which makes two meshing boundary lines superpose, a preferable meshing performance is obtained. Computer simulation proves the validity of the above conclusion.