Worm gear and worm return clearance measuring tool

Abstract

The utility model provides a worm gear and worm backlash measuring tool, which relates to the technical field of precision machining equipment, and comprises a measuring base, a worm gear body and a worm body, a supporting stand column is arranged at the center of the top surface of the measuring base, a mounting disc is welded on the surface of the supporting stand column, and a photoelectric sensor is arranged on the surface of the supporting stand column. Two sets of electric control telescopic frames are arranged on the surface of the measuring base, arc-shaped supporting brackets are arranged on the top faces of the electric control telescopic frames, an index plate is arranged on the side faces of the arc-shaped supporting brackets, arc-shaped clamping arms are slidably connected to the surface circumference of the index plate, and limiting nuts are arranged outside the arc-shaped clamping arms. The use cost is greatly reduced; the application range is expanded; meanwhile, the arc-shaped clamping arms ensure that the worm main body is stable and free of deviation in the measurement process through a locking mechanism of a limiting nut and accurate rotation control of a stepping motor, mechanical errors are reduced, the photoelectric sensor can obtain more accurate return clearance data, and therefore the requirement for high-precision measurement is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of precision machining equipment technology, and in particular to a tooling for measuring the return clearance of worm gears. Background Technology

[0002] According to Chinese Publication No. CN106404391B, a device for measuring the transmission backlash of a worm gear transmission system is disclosed. A rotary transformer is supported by a bracket, and a connecting mechanism connects the rotary transformer and the worm gear. The rotary transformer measures the rotation angle of the worm gear under test, and the controller calculates the transmission backlash of the worm gear based on the rotation angle. This device can be used not only to measure the transmission backlash of worm gear transmission systems but also to measure the transmission backlash of shaft systems such as gear transmissions. This invention utilizes the self-locking characteristic of worm gear transmissions, eliminating the need to fix the worm gear. It measures the backlash of the worm gear transmission by measuring the rotation angle of the worm gear, resulting in simple operation, low cost, small error, and higher measurement accuracy.

[0003] The aforementioned patent documents and prior art have the following technical problems:

[0004] 1. In existing worm gear backlash measurement fixtures, the clamping device is usually a fixed design. Custom-made fixtures are required for worm gear assemblies of different sizes, resulting in insufficient versatility and increased manufacturing and usage costs. Furthermore, traditional clamping methods are prone to workpiece displacement during measurement due to uneven clamping force or loosening, affecting the accuracy and stability of backlash measurement.

[0005] 2. Existing worm gear backlash measurement fixtures mostly rely on manually adjusting the workpiece position and rotation angle, and manually reading the data using tools such as vernier calipers or dial indicators. This method is not only cumbersome and time-consuming, making it difficult to meet the needs of batch testing, but also prone to introducing errors through manual adjustment and reading, resulting in low repeatability and reliability of measurement results, making it difficult to meet the requirements of modern manufacturing for efficient and high-precision measurement. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing worm gear tooling in terms of poor adaptability and low efficiency of manual operation, and to propose a worm gear return clearance measuring tooling.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a worm gear return clearance measuring fixture, comprising a measuring base, a worm gear body, and a worm body. A support column is provided at the center of the top surface of the measuring base. An mounting plate is welded to the surface of the support column. A photoelectric sensor is provided on the surface of the support column. Two sets of electrically controlled telescopic frames are provided on the surface of the measuring base. An arc-shaped support bracket is provided on the top surface of the electrically controlled telescopic frame. An indexing plate is provided on the side of the arc-shaped support bracket. An arc-shaped clamping arm is circumferentially slidably connected to the surface of the indexing plate. A limiting nut is provided on the outside of adjacent arc-shaped clamping arms, and the inner wall of the arc-shaped clamping arm abuts against the end surface of the worm body.

[0008] Preferably, the surface of the measuring base is provided with mutually perpendicular T-shaped grooves and movable grooves, and the T-shaped grooves and movable grooves are evenly distributed in a straight line array along the surface of the measuring base. The bottom end of the electrically controlled telescopic frame is slidably connected to the T-shaped grooves.

[0009] Preferably, the top surface of the support column has an installation through hole, the worm gear body is connected to the surface of the support column through the installation through hole, and the two ends of the worm gear body abut against the surface of the arc-shaped support bracket.

[0010] Preferably, a guide rail is vertically bolted to the outer side of one of the electrically controlled telescopic frames, and an adjusting bracket is slidably connected to the surface of the guide rail. The adjusting bracket extends and retracts in the vertical direction, and a stepper motor is connected to the top of the adjusting bracket. The output shaft of the stepper motor is connected to the center position of the back of the indexing plate.

[0011] Preferably, the indexing plate has a T-shaped limiting groove on the circumference of the side surface near the arc-shaped support, and there are three or four sets of T-shaped limiting grooves. A limiting spring is connected to one end of the T-shaped limiting groove, and the end of the limiting spring is connected to the surface of the arc-shaped clamping arm. The outer wall of the arc-shaped clamping arm is provided with a thread that meshes with the inner wall of the limiting nut.

[0012] Preferably, a magnetic groove is formed on the back of the indexing plate from the center to the edge, and a limiting nut is magnetically connected inside the magnetic groove, with adjacent limiting nuts having different diameters.

[0013] Preferably, a controller is bolted to the surface of the measuring base, and the electric telescopic frame is internally controlled and adjusted by a cylinder. The controller is electrically connected to the electric telescopic frame and the photoelectric sensor.

[0014] Beneficial effects

[0015] In this invention, a modular clamping and driving system composed of an electrically controlled telescopic frame, an arc-shaped support bracket, an indexing plate, an arc-shaped clamping arm, and a stepper motor significantly improves adaptability and measurement accuracy. The electrically controlled telescopic frame utilizes T-shaped and movable slides to achieve two-dimensional position adjustment. Combined with the sliding of the arc-shaped clamping arm within the T-shaped limiting groove and the elastic tension of the limiting spring, it can flexibly adapt to worm gear bodies of different diameters and lengths. This avoids the limitations of traditional tooling that requires custom-made fixtures for each specification, greatly reducing usage costs and expanding the application range. At the same time, the arc-shaped clamping arm, through the locking mechanism of the limiting nut and the precise rotation control of the stepper motor, ensures that the worm gear body is stable and without deviation during the measurement process, reducing mechanical errors and enabling the photoelectric sensor to acquire more accurate return clearance data, thereby meeting the requirements of high-precision measurement.

[0016] In this invention, an automated measurement and data acquisition system is constructed using a controller on the measuring base, a cylinder-driven electrically controlled telescopic frame, and photoelectric sensors on the supporting columns. This significantly improves operational efficiency and data reliability. The controller centrally manages the height adjustment of the telescopic frame and the signal acquisition of the sensors. Users only need simple operations to complete workpiece positioning and gap measurement. The smoothness of the cylinder drive further simplifies the adjustment process, reduces tedious manual intervention steps, and enables the tooling to exhibit higher efficiency in batch testing. In addition, the real-time electrical connection between the photoelectric sensors and the controller, combined with the automated rotation control of the stepper motor, forms a closed-loop feedback mechanism for data acquisition, avoiding manual reading errors and ensuring consistent and reliable measurement results, fully meeting the requirements of modern manufacturing for high precision and automation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional axonometric drawing of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram showing the connection between the worm gear body and the worm shaft body of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This is an isometric view of the connection between the worm gear body and the worm shaft body of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the surface connection structure of the indexing plate of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a disassembled structural diagram of the back of the indexing plate of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the indexing plate of this utility model.

[0024] Legend:

[0025] 1. Measuring base; 2. Support column; 3. Mounting plate; 4. Mounting through hole; 5. Controller; 6. T-shaped slide rail; 7. Moving slide rail; 8. Worm gear body; 9. Worm wheel body; 10. Photoelectric sensor; 11. Arc-shaped support bracket; 12. Electrically controlled telescopic frame; 13. Guide rail; 14. Adjusting bracket; 15. Stepper motor; 16. Indexing plate; 17. T-shaped limit groove; 18. Limiting spring; 19. Arc-shaped clamping arm; 20. Limiting nut; 21. Magnetic suction groove. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the technical means, creative features, and achieved objectives and effects of this utility model easier to understand, the present utility model is further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and not all of them. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments described in the implementation plan without creative effort are all within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0027] The specific embodiments of this utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific Implementation Example 1:

[0029] Reference Figures 1 to 7A worm gear return clearance measuring fixture includes a measuring base 1, a worm gear body 9, and a worm body 8. A support column 2 is located at the center of the top surface of the measuring base 1. A mounting plate 3 is welded to the surface of the support column 2. A photoelectric sensor 10 is mounted on the surface of the support column 2. Two sets of electrically controlled telescopic frames 12 are mounted on the surface of the measuring base 1. A controller 5 is bolted to the surface of the measuring base 1. The internal adjustment of the electrically controlled telescopic frames 12 is controlled by a cylinder. The controller 5 is electrically connected to the electrically controlled telescopic frames 12 and the photoelectric sensor 10. The top surface of the electrically controlled telescopic frames 12 has an arc-shaped... The support bracket 11 has an indexing plate 16 on its side. An arc-shaped clamping arm 19 is circumferentially connected to the surface of the indexing plate 16. A limiting nut 20 is provided on the outside of adjacent arc-shaped clamping arms 19, and the inner wall of the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 abuts against the end surface of the worm gear body 8. The measuring base 1 serves as the support platform for the entire fixture, bearing all functional components. The support column 2 and mounting plate 3 are used to fix the worm gear body 9, ensuring its stability during measurement. The photoelectric sensor 10 is responsible for detecting the core data of the return clearance. The electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 and the arc-shaped support... The support 11, indexing plate 16, and arc-shaped clamping arm 19 together constitute the support and drive system of the worm gear body 8, realizing its positioning, clamping, and rotation functions. The support column 2 above the measuring base 1 fixes the worm gear body 9 to the center position via the mounting plate 3. The two sets of electrically controlled telescopic frames 12 adjust the height of the arc-shaped support 11 by lifting and lowering it to align it with both ends of the worm gear body 8. The arc-shaped support 11 provides basic support. The indexing plate 16 drives the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 to slide and clamp the end of the worm gear body 8. The limit nut 20 locks the clamping arm to ensure... The clamping mechanism is stable. The worm gear body 8 rotates under the drive of the indexing plate 16 and meshes with the worm wheel body 9. The photoelectric sensor 10 captures the change in the gap between the two and completes the measurement. The indexing plate 16 is driven to rotate, which drives the worm gear body 8 to move in both directions. The photoelectric sensor 10 records the gap data. The structure is compact and the components have clear division of labor. The support column 2 and the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 fix the worm wheel and worm gear respectively to ensure that the positions of the two are stable during measurement. The sliding connection design between the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 and the indexing plate 16 enhances the adaptability to the worm gear body 8 and initially realizes universality.

[0030] The measuring base 1 has mutually perpendicular T-shaped slide grooves 6 and movable slide grooves 7 on its surface, and both T-shaped slide grooves 6 and movable slide grooves 7 are evenly distributed in a linear array along the surface of the measuring base 1. The bottom end of the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 is slidably connected to the T-shaped slide grooves 6. The T-shaped slide grooves 6 and movable slide grooves 7 provide the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 with the freedom of horizontal movement, allowing its position to be flexibly adjusted according to the length and diameter of the worm gear body 8, enhancing the adaptability of the tooling and solving the fixing requirements of workpieces of different sizes. The T-shaped slide grooves 6 and movable slide grooves 7 are distributed in a grid pattern. The T-shaped slide grooves 6 restrict the sliding direction of the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12, and the movable slide grooves 7 provide... For auxiliary positioning, the bottom of the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 is embedded in the T-shaped slide groove 6. By sliding and adjusting the distance between the two sets of telescopic frames, the arc-shaped support bracket 11 is aligned with both ends of the worm gear body 8. According to the length of the worm gear body 8, the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 is slid along the T-shaped slide groove 6 to the appropriate position. If it is necessary to fine-tune the angle or lateral position, the movable slide groove 7 is used for auxiliary adjustment. After fixing the telescopic frame, the height can be adjusted through its electrically controlled lifting function. The grid-like slide groove design gives the tooling two-dimensional adjustment capability, greatly improving the adaptability to worm gear bodies 8 of different specifications. The sliding connection operation is simple, reducing installation time and improving measurement efficiency.

[0031] The top surface of the support column 2 has a mounting through hole 4. The worm gear body 9 is connected to the surface of the support column 2 through the mounting plate 3 or the mounting through hole 4. The two ends of the worm body 8 abut against the surface of the arc-shaped support bracket 11. The mounting through hole 4 and the mounting plate 3 together enable flexible installation of the worm gear body 9, which is especially suitable for worm gears with shafts. The arc-shaped support bracket 11 provides stable support for the worm body 8, ensuring that it meshes correctly with the worm gear body 9. Working principle: The mounting through hole 4 allows the shaft of the worm gear body 9 to pass through the support column 2, and the mounting plate 3 is locked to it by bolts or other fasteners. On the column surface, the arc-shaped support 11 fits against the cylindrical end of the worm body 8, supporting both ends and keeping it horizontal. The shaft of the worm wheel body 9 is inserted into the mounting through hole 4 and fixed by the mounting plate 3. The position of the arc-shaped support 11 is adjusted so that it supports both ends of the worm body 8 and contacts the meshing surface of the worm wheel body 9. After checking that the two are aligned, subsequent clamping and measurement are performed. The design of the mounting through hole 4 facilitates the installation of the worm wheel with shaft, expanding the application range of the tooling. The fit between the arc-shaped support 11 and the worm reduces shaking and ensures the stability of the measurement.

[0032] A set of electrically controlled telescopic frames 12 is vertically bolted to the outside of a guide rail 13. An adjusting bracket 14 is slidably connected to the surface of the guide rail 13, and the adjusting bracket 14 extends and retracts vertically. A stepper motor 15 is connected to the top of the adjusting bracket 14. The output shaft of the stepper motor 15 is connected to the center of the back of the indexing plate 16. The guide rail 13 and the adjusting bracket 14 provide adjustable height support for the stepper motor 15, ensuring its precise connection with the indexing plate 16. The stepper motor 15 drives the indexing plate 16 to rotate, realizing precise motion control of the worm gear body 8. The guide rail 13 is fixed to the outside of the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12, and the adjusting bracket 14 slides up and down along the rail to adjust the stepper motor. The height of stepper motor 15 is at the center of the back of indexing plate 16. The output shaft of stepper motor 15 is coaxially connected to indexing plate 16. The rotation of indexing plate 16 is controlled by precise step angle, which drives the worm gear body 8 to move. According to the height of worm gear body 8, slide adjustment bracket 14 to align stepper motor 15 with indexing plate 16. After fixing adjustment bracket 14, start stepper motor 15 and set forward and reverse rotation angles. The rotation of indexing plate 16 drives arc-shaped clamping arm 19 and worm gear body 8 to move synchronously. Stepper motor 15 provides automated rotation control, which improves measurement accuracy and repeatability. The height adjustability of adjustment bracket 14 ensures flexible adaptation between motor and indexing plate 16 and enhances the versatility of tooling.

[0033] The indexing plate 16 has T-shaped limiting grooves 17 circumferentially formed on one side of its surface near the arc-shaped support 11. There are three or four sets of these T-shaped limiting grooves 17. A limiting spring 18 is connected to one end of each T-shaped limiting groove 17, and the end of the limiting spring 18 is connected to the surface of the arc-shaped clamping arm 19. The outer wall of the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 has threads that mesh with the inner wall of the limiting nut 20. The T-shaped limiting grooves 17 and the limiting spring 18 provide sliding and elastic return functions for the arc-shaped clamping arm 19, enhancing clamping flexibility. The threads and the limiting nut 20 achieve precise locking of the clamping arm, ensuring stable clamping force. The T-shaped limiting grooves 17 are distributed along the circumference of the indexing plate 16, and the bottom of the arc-shaped clamping arm 19... The clamping arm is embedded in the groove and its position can be adjusted by sliding along the groove. The limiting spring 18 connects the clamping arm to the end of the groove and provides tension so that the clamping arm is initially close to the worm body 8. After tightening the limiting nut 20, the thread on the outer wall of the clamping arm engages with the nut to fix the position of the clamping arm. According to the diameter of the worm, slide the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 to the appropriate position. The limiting spring 18 maintains the initial clamping. Tighten the limiting nut 20 to lock the clamping arm and ensure a firm clamping. When the indexing plate 16 rotates, the clamping arm drives the worm to move synchronously. The design of multiple T-shaped limiting grooves 17 and springs makes the clamping arm position adjustment more flexible and adaptable to worms of different sizes. The threaded locking mechanism enhances the clamping stability and prevents loosening during measurement.

[0034] A magnetic groove 21 is provided on the back of the indexing plate 16 from the center to the edge. A limiting nut 20 is magnetically connected inside the magnetic groove 21. The diameters of adjacent limiting nuts 20 are different. The magnetic groove 21 stores limiting nuts 20 of different diameters, which is convenient for quick replacement and positioning. Different diameter nuts are adapted to different clamping requirements, improving the flexibility of the tooling. The working principle is that the magnetic groove 21 is embedded with magnetic material, which attracts the limiting nuts 20 and prevents them from falling. According to the thread specification of the clamping arm, the corresponding diameter nut is taken out from the magnetic groove 21 and tightened to the outer wall of the clamping arm. According to the size of the worm gear, a suitable diameter limiting nut 20 is selected, removed from the magnetic groove 21, and screwed into the outer wall of the clamping arm to complete the locking. Unused nuts are magnetically stored in the groove. The design of the magnetic groove 21 facilitates nut management, improves operating efficiency, and has strong adaptability to multiple nut sizes, meeting diverse clamping needs.

[0035] Controller 5 centrally controls the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 and photoelectric sensor 10 to achieve automated operation. The cylinder provides power to the telescopic frame, ensuring smooth lifting and lowering. Controller 5 drives the cylinder via electrical signals, pushing the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 to rise and fall, adjusting the height of the arc-shaped support 11. The photoelectric sensor 10 transmits gap data to controller 5 for real-time display or storage. The controller 5 sets the height of the telescopic frame, and the cylinder executes the lifting and lowering action. During measurement, controller 5 receives signals from the photoelectric sensor 10 and records the gap value. The speed of stepper motor 15 can be adjusted via controller 5. If connected, automated control reduces human error and improves measurement consistency. Cylinder drive ensures smooth telescopic movement and enhances the durability of the tooling.

[0036] The support column 2 is fitted onto the worm gear body 9 via a mounting plate. The worm gear body 9 with its shaft is installed through the mounting through-hole 4. The indexing plate 16 and stepper motor 15 work together, and the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 clamps the end of the worm body 8 on the surface of the arc-shaped support bracket 11, causing the worm body 8 to rotate and mesh with the surface of the worm gear body 9. A photoelectric sensor 10 measures the return clearance between the worm gear body 9 and the worm body 8. The adjustable arc-shaped clamping arm 19 on the surface of the indexing plate 16 allows for clamping of worm bodies 8 of different sizes. Multiple magnetic slots 21 on the back and a limiting nut 20 work together to position the external arc-shaped clamping arm 19 after clamping, ensuring the worm body 8 remains connected. The system ensures stability, with the support column 2 and mounting through hole 4 adapted to the worm gear with shaft, and the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 and indexing plate 16 adapted to worms of different sizes, offering strong versatility. The stepper motor 15 precisely controls the rotation, and the photoelectric sensor 10 detects the gap in real time, ensuring reliable data. The multiple fixing mechanisms of the T-shaped limit groove 17, spring, and limit nut 20 ensure that the worm does not deviate during rotation. The controller 5 provides automatic adjustment, and the magnetic groove 21 facilitates nut replacement. The overall process is highly efficient. The electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 is combined with the slide, and the adjusting bracket 14 works in conjunction with the stepper motor 15, optimizing the simplicity of traditional tooling. A comprehensive analysis shows that each part is interconnected, forming a complete operating chain from the sliding adjustment of the base to the installation, clamping, driving, and measurement of the workpiece. Specific Implementation Example 2:

[0038] Reference Figures 1 to 7 Based on the content of the above specific embodiments, the following content is further disclosed:

[0039] The operational logic for measuring the return clearance of the worm gear body 9 and worm body 8 using photoelectric sensor 10 is based on the coordinated operation of automated control and real-time data acquisition. The entire process begins with workpiece installation, followed by modular clamping and drive system fixing and driving of the worm gear assembly. Photoelectric sensor 10 then captures the positional changes of both components during forward and reverse movements, and finally, controller 5 records and calculates the return clearance. The specific logic is as follows:

[0040] Workpiece installation and positioning: The worm gear body 9 is fixed to the mounting plate 3 of the support column 2, and the worm body 8 is clamped by the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 and the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 and meshes with the worm gear to ensure that both are in the initial measurement state.

[0041] Drive and motion control: Stepper motor 15 drives indexing plate 16 to rotate, which in turn drives worm gear body 8 to move in the forward and reverse directions, simulating meshing switching in actual work.

[0042] Clearance detection: Photoelectric sensor 10 monitors the displacement change of worm gear or worm in real time, capturing the idle stroke between the end of forward motion and the beginning of reverse motion.

[0043] Data processing: The controller 5 receives the signal from the photoelectric sensor 10, records the displacement difference and calculates the return clearance value, and displays the results or stores the data.

[0044] Measurement Principle: The principle of measuring the return clearance of a worm gear using an electrical sensor is based on optical displacement detection technology. It utilizes the photoelectric effect to capture the positional changes of moving parts and converts them into electrical signals to calculate the clearance. The specific principle is as follows:

[0045] Working mechanism of photoelectric sensor 10: Photoelectric sensor 10 is usually composed of a transmitter light-emitting diode and a receiver photosensitive element, which is installed on the surface of the support column 2 and faces the measurement area of ​​the worm gear body 9 or the worm body 8; the transmitter emits a light beam and the receiver detects the change in the reflected or blocked light signal;

[0046] Definition of backlash: Backlash refers to the idle stroke caused by tooth surface clearance in a worm gear assembly after the forward motion has stopped and before the reverse motion begins. It is usually manifested as an angle difference or displacement difference.

[0047] Measurement process: When the worm gear body 8 rotates forward to the limit position and is fully engaged under the drive of the stepper motor 15, it stops. The photoelectric sensor 10 records the position at this time as the reference point. Then, the reverse rotation begins. The photoelectric sensor 10 detects the moment when the worm wheel body 9 or the worm gear body 8 first undergoes actual displacement. The difference between the two is the return clearance. Through the high sensitivity of the photoelectric sensor 10, the small displacement can be converted into an electrical signal. The controller 5 calculates the clearance value based on the signal change.

[0048] The following are the specific operating steps for measuring the return gap using photoelectric sensor 10:

[0049] Sp1: Workpiece Installation: The shaft of the worm gear body 9 is inserted into the mounting through hole 4 on the top surface of the support column 2 and fixed by bolts on the mounting plate 3 to ensure that the center of the worm gear is aligned with the column. The T-shaped slide groove 6 of the base 1 is measured to slide the two sets of electrically controlled telescopic frames 12 and adjust them to the position corresponding to the length of the worm body 8 so that the arc-shaped support bracket 11 supports both ends of the worm. The cylinder is driven by the controller 5 to raise the telescopic frame until the worm meshes with the worm gear.

[0050] Sp2: Clamping and Alignment: According to the worm diameter, slide the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 on the surface of the indexing plate 16 to a suitable position, and use the T-shaped limiting groove 17 and the limiting spring 18 to initially clamp; take out the corresponding diameter limiting nut 20 from the magnetic suction groove 21 on the back of the indexing plate 16, tighten it to the thread on the outer wall of the clamping arm to ensure a firm clamping, and adjust the adjusting bracket 14 on the guide rail 13 to connect and fix the output shaft of the stepper motor 15 to the center of the back of the indexing plate 16;

[0051] Sp3: Initial state calibration: The controller 5 activates the photoelectric sensor 10, ensuring that its beam is aligned with the tooth surface of the worm gear body 9 or the end of the worm body 8. According to the sensor installation position, the controller 5 drives the stepper motor 15, causing the indexing plate 16 to slowly rotate the worm body 8 in the forward direction until it is fully engaged with the worm gear without further movement. The signal of the photoelectric sensor 10 at this time is recorded as the reference position and recorded as P1.

[0052] Sp4: Forward motion measurement: The controller sets the stepper motor 15 to rotate forward by a certain angle, such as 5° or 10°, depending on the workpiece specifications, driving the worm gear body 8 to rotate to the forward limit position. The electric sensor monitors the displacement change of the worm gear body 9 in real time and records the position when the forward rotation stops as P2.

[0053] Sp5: Reverse motion measurement: The controller switches the stepper motor 15 to rotate in the reverse direction. Starting from the forward limit position, it slowly rotates back. The photoelectric sensor 10 detects the moment when the worm gear body 9 or worm body 8 first undergoes actual displacement and records this position as P3. Due to the existence of return backlash, there is a free stroke between P3 and P2.

[0054] Sp6: Gap Calculation: The controller calculates the difference between P2 and P3 based on the signal from photoelectric sensor 10. If expressed in angle, the return gap is the angle difference of the stepper motor 15 rotation, such as |P2-P3|. If expressed in displacement, the displacement is converted through the sensor resolution, such as 0.01mm, and the calculation result is displayed on the screen in real time, such as "Return Gap: 0.05mm".

[0055] Sp7: Repeated verification: To ensure data reliability, repeat steps 4-6 at least three times and take the average value as the final return clearance value. If necessary, adjust the position of the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 or the electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 and remeasure to verify the consistency under different clamping conditions.

[0056] Installation position of photoelectric sensor 10: In actual use, the beam of photoelectric sensor 10 is perpendicular to the tooth surface of worm gear or the end of worm to capture the minimum change in meshing clearance. If higher accuracy is required, a second sensor can be added to monitor worm gear and worm respectively.

[0057] Control precision of stepper motor 15: The step angle of stepper motor 15 is 1.8° / step. Combined with a reduction gear and a transmission ratio of 1:10, it can achieve minute angle adjustments to ensure accurate capture of the reverse motion trigger point.

[0058] Environmental requirements: Strong light interference with the photoelectric sensor 10 must be avoided during the measurement process to ensure the stability of the detection signal.

[0059] In summary:

[0060] 1. A modular clamping and drive system consisting of an electrically controlled telescopic frame 12, an arc-shaped support bracket 11, an indexing plate 16, an arc-shaped clamping arm 19, and a stepper motor 15 significantly improves adaptability and measurement accuracy. The electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 utilizes a T-shaped slide 6 and a moving slide 7 to achieve two-dimensional position adjustment. Combined with the sliding of the arc-shaped clamping arm 19 within the T-shaped limiting groove 17 and the elastic tension of the limiting spring 18, it can flexibly adapt to worm gear bodies 8 of different diameters and lengths. This avoids the limitations of traditional tooling that requires custom-made fixtures for each specification, greatly reducing usage costs and expanding the application range. At the same time, the arc-shaped clamping arm 19, through the locking mechanism of the limiting nut 20 and the precise rotation control of the stepper motor 15, ensures that the worm gear body 8 is stable and without deviation during the measurement process, reducing mechanical errors and enabling the photoelectric sensor 10 to obtain more accurate return clearance data, thereby meeting the requirements of high-precision measurement.

[0061] 2. The automated measurement and data acquisition system, constructed by using a controller 5 on the measuring base 1, an electrically controlled telescopic frame 12 driven by a cylinder, and a photoelectric sensor 10 on the supporting column 2, significantly improves operational efficiency and data reliability. The controller 5 centrally manages the height adjustment of the telescopic frame and the signal acquisition of the sensors. Users only need simple operations to complete workpiece positioning and gap measurement. The smoothness of the cylinder drive further simplifies the adjustment process, reduces tedious manual intervention steps, and enables the tooling to exhibit higher efficiency in batch testing. In addition, the real-time electrical connection between the photoelectric sensor 10 and the controller 5, combined with the automated rotation control of the stepper motor 15, forms a closed-loop feedback mechanism for data acquisition, avoiding manual reading errors and ensuring consistent and reliable measurement results, fully meeting the requirements of modern manufacturing for high precision and automation.

[0062] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0063] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely preferred examples and are not intended to limit the utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A worm gear return clearance measuring fixture, comprising a measuring base (1), a worm gear body (9), and a worm body (8), characterized in that: The measuring base (1) has a support column (2) at the center of its top surface. The support column (2) has an installation plate (3) welded on its surface. The support column (2) has a photoelectric sensor (10) on its surface. The measuring base (1) has two sets of electrically controlled telescopic frames (12). The top surface of the electrically controlled telescopic frame (12) has an arc-shaped support bracket (11). The side of the arc-shaped support bracket (11) has an indexing plate (16). The indexing plate (16) has an arc-shaped clamping arm (19) circumferentially connected to its surface. The outer side of the adjacent arc-shaped clamping arm (19) has a limiting nut (20). The inner wall of the arc-shaped clamping arm (19) abuts against the end surface of the worm gear body (8).

2. The worm gear return clearance measuring fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of the measuring base (1) is provided with mutually perpendicular T-shaped slide grooves (6) and movable slide grooves (7), and the T-shaped slide grooves (6) and movable slide grooves (7) are uniformly arranged in a straight line array along the surface of the measuring base (1). The bottom end of the electrically controlled telescopic frame (12) is slidably connected to the T-shaped slide grooves (6).

3. The worm gear return clearance measuring fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top surface of the support column (2) is provided with an installation through hole (4). The worm gear body (9) is connected to the surface of the support column (2) through the installation plate (3) or the installation through hole (4). The two ends of the worm body (8) abut against the surface of the arc-shaped support bracket (11).

4. The worm gear return clearance measuring fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: A guide rail (13) is vertically bolted to the outside of a set of electrically controlled telescopic frames (12). An adjusting bracket (14) is slidably connected to the surface of the guide rail (13), and the adjusting bracket (14) extends and retracts in the vertical direction. A stepper motor (15) is connected to the top of the adjusting bracket (14), and the output shaft of the stepper motor (15) is connected to the center position of the back of the indexing plate (16).

5. The worm gear return clearance measuring fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The indexing plate (16) has a T-shaped limiting groove (17) on the circumference of the side surface near the arc-shaped support (11), and there are three or four sets of T-shaped limiting grooves (17). One end of the T-shaped limiting groove (17) is connected to a limiting spring (18), and the end of the limiting spring (18) is connected to the surface of the arc-shaped clamping arm (19). The outer wall of the arc-shaped clamping arm (19) is provided with a thread that meshes with the inner wall of the limiting nut (20).

6. The worm gear return clearance measuring fixture according to claim 5, characterized in that: The indexing plate (16) has a magnetic groove (21) on its back side from the center to the edge. The magnetic groove (21) is magnetically connected to a limiting nut (20), and the diameters of adjacent limiting nuts (20) are different.

7. The worm gear return clearance measuring fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measuring base (1) is bolted with a controller (5), and the electric telescopic frame (12) is internally controlled and adjusted by a cylinder. The controller (5) is electrically connected to the electric telescopic frame (12) and the photoelectric sensor (10).

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