Design method of end worm gear drive, including tooth curve geometry and improved lubrication angle formula

Abstract

End worm gear drives are characterized by their multi-tooth contact, compact contour, and theoretical potential to overcome some inherent flaws of cylindrical worm drives. However, quantitative basic research on end worm gear drives is currently inadequate, which hinders the development of this transmission. This work focuses on the computational design of end worm gear drives and proposes a new Niemann-type design. Meshing models of the proposed drive are established, and its engagement theory is deduced systematically. Based on the derived tooth surface equations, an innovative research methodology for the tooth curve geometry of the end worm gear is created, and the tooth curve in the worm gear reference plane is proved to be a spiral. An improved formula for the lubrication angle is developed, which can provide more rational numerical results for the angle. Theoretically, the modified formula is universally applicable for line contact drives and can be used to quantitatively investigate the lubrication level between the teeth for the proposed drive. Simulation outcomes demonstrate the favorable characteristics of the transmission, including broad conjugate areas, even contact lines, and fine global lubrication state.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

end worm gear / tooth curve geometry / lubrication angle / meshing characteristic / nonlinear equation

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52075083 and 52205069), the Open Fund of the Key Laboratory for Metallurgical Equipment and Control of Education Ministry in Wuhan University of Science and Technology, China (Grant Nos. MECOF2022B04 and MECOF2023B01), and the 2023 AGMA Foundation Scholarship Program, USA.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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2024 Higher Education Press