Compact gear element, system comprising a gear element and use of a system comprising a gear element

Abstract

To provide a gear element that offers a high reduction ratio between two rotating components in a limited installation space, a gear element is proposed for power transmission from a first drive component (20) to a second drive component (21), wherein the gear element (100) has a substantially barrel-shaped gear element body (10) with an axis of rotation (A) and a circumferential surface (14), wherein the circumferential surface (14) has an engagement structure (15) for engagement of the first drive component (20) and the second drive component (21), wherein the engagement structure (15) is formed from a superposition of a first substructure (12) and a second substructure (13).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a gear element for power transmission from a first drive component to a second drive component, a system comprising such a gear element, and the use of such a system in a holder for a component.

[0002] Gearboxes are used in the prior art to transmit and transform mechanical forces between two components, for example, two components of a drive system. In this process, for instance, the rotation of a first component is transmitted to a second component, with gearboxes generally being designed to achieve a desired speed ratio between the two components.

[0003] For specific applications, it is necessary to achieve a high reduction ratio between components within a small installation space. A high reduction ratio from an external rotation to a central axis is usually only achievable through a complex gearbox design with multiple gear components, which in turn require more installation space.

[0004] An example of such an application is the positional adjustment of a component within a holding fixture, as commonly used in laboratories, which must be aligned along the three perpendicular axes by translation and rotation. Here, a component, for example a lens, is arranged in a holding fixture, which in turn is fixed to a substrate, such as a perforated plate. A laser beam can be guided through the component, and the beam path can be influenced by appropriately positioning the holding fixture on the substrate and the component within the fixture. The required accuracy of positioning the component, and thus the laser beam, is high, so the positioning mechanism must be capable of accommodating even the smallest changes in position.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a gear mechanism which provides a high reduction ratio between two rotating components in a limited installation space and with the lowest possible movement tolerance of the two components.

[0006] The problem according to the invention is solved by a gear element for power transmission from a first drive component to a second drive component, wherein the gear element has a substantially barrel-shaped gear element body with an axis of rotation and a circumferential surface, wherein the circumferential surface has an engagement structure for engagement of the first drive component and the second drive component, wherein the engagement structure is formed from a superposition of a first substructure and a second substructure.

[0007] A barrel shape, in this context, refers specifically to a substantially cylindrical basic form with a lateral surface that curves in an arc from a first axial end to a second axial end. In other words, the circumferential or lateral surface of the cylindrical basic form is convex, or the gear element body has a minimum radius at each of its two axial ends and a maximum radius at its axial center.

[0008] In particular, the barrel shape refers both to the gear element body without the engagement structure and to the gear element body with the engagement structure, such that, in particular, an envelope of the engagement structure has a barrel shape. Alternatively, the barrel shape can also refer exclusively to the engagement structure or the envelope of the engagement structure, and the gear element bodies can have a cylindrical shape.

[0009] Preferably, the engagement structure extends over a partial area of ​​the circumferential surface of the gear element body or covers the circumferential surface completely.

[0010] Preferably, one of the first or the second substructure is designed to engage with the first drive component, and the other of the first or second substructure is designed to engage with the second drive component, such that a force, in particular a torque, can be transmitted from the first drive component to the second drive component via the transmission element.

[0011] Preferably, the first drive component is a driven drive component and the second drive component is a driven drive component. The power transmission from the first drive component to the second drive component occurs through rotation of the drive element about its axis of rotation.

[0012] Preferably, the gear element comprises a rotating shaft for rotatable mounting of the gear element. The rotating shaft is, in particular, arranged in an axial through-opening of the gear element.

[0013] Preferably, the first substructure is a tooth structure, in particular a helical tooth structure, for engagement with a correspondingly complementary thread structure in the first or second drive component, such that the gear element forms a gear when rotating about the axis of rotation, and the second substructure is a thread structure for engagement with a correspondingly complementary tooth structure in the first or second drive component, such that the gear element forms a threaded spindle when rotating about the axis of rotation.

[0014] By providing two overlapping substructures that form an engagement structure enabling engagement with both drive components, a particularly compact gear element is advantageously provided. Furthermore, a self-locking gear is provided, preventing unwanted movement of the output and thus ensuring precise adjustment of high-precision assemblies.

[0015] Preferably, the axis of rotation of the gear element is arranged at an angle of 90° to the axes of rotation of the first and second gear elements, respectively. In particular, the axis of rotation of the gear element is arranged at an angle of 90° to a thread axis of the threaded structure of the first and second drive components, respectively. In particular, the first and second drive components have the same or parallel axes of rotation.

[0016] The desired gear ratio can be advantageously adjusted when the substructures are designed as thread and tooth structures by appropriately selecting the thread pitch or the number of teeth in the tooth structure. In particular, different gear ratios can be set, for example, 50:1, 100:1, 200:1, or 600:1.

[0017] Preferably, the thread structure of the second substructure has a right-hand thread or a left-hand thread. Alternatively or additionally, the tooth structure has helical teeth, preferably with a left-hand or right-hand helix. This advantageously allows the rotation of the two drive components to be synchronous or counter-rotating. Similarly, the helical teeth of the tooth structure can be left-hand or right-hand helix. This results in four particular design variants of the gear element with regard to the orientation of the thread pitch and the helical teeth.

[0018] Preferably, the gear formed by the gear structure and the transmission element has a root circle diameter, wherein the root circle diameter has a maximum value in an axial center with reference to the axis of rotation of the transmission element, and wherein the root circle diameter has a minimum value at least at one, preferably at both, of two axial ends of the transmission element with reference to the axis of rotation.

[0019] Preferably, the gear formed by the gear structure and the transmission element has a pitch circle diameter, wherein the pitch circle diameter has a maximum value at an axial center with reference to the axis of rotation of the transmission element and the pitch circle diameter has a minimum value at least at one, preferably at both, of two axial ends of the transmission element with reference to the axis of rotation.

[0020] This choice of base circle diameter and / or top circle diameter is what creates the barrel shape. The base circle diameter and / or the top circle diameter preferably have an arc-shaped profile extending from the first axial end, through the axial center, to the second axial end.

[0021] The barrel shape allows the gear element to engage with the internal teeth of a drive component, as the barrel shape ideally corresponds to the inner radius of the gear. The axially differing root diameters ensure optimal adaptation of the gear element to the curvature of the drive component, while still guaranteeing effective power transmission at an axial center point.

[0022] Preferably, the threaded spindle formed by the thread structure and the gear element has an outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter has a maximum value at an axial center with reference to the axis of rotation of the gear element and the outer diameter has a minimum value at least at one, preferably at both, of two axial ends of the gear element with reference to the axis of rotation.

[0023] Preferably, the threaded spindle formed by the thread structure and the gear element has an inner diameter, wherein the inner diameter has a minimum value at an axial center relative to the axis of rotation of the gear element and the inner diameter has a maximum value at least at one, preferably at both, of two axial ends of the gear element relative to the axis of rotation. Alternatively, the reverse case can also be present, with a maximum value of the inner diameter at the axial center and minimum values ​​at one or both of the axial ends.

[0024] Preferably, the threaded spindle formed by the thread structure and the gear element has a thread depth, wherein the thread depth has a maximum value in an axial center with reference to the axis of rotation of the gear element and the thread depth has a minimum value at least at one, preferably at both, of two axial ends of the gear element with reference to the axis of rotation.

[0025] Preferably, the gear formed by the gear structure and the transmission element has a gear height, wherein the threaded spindle formed by the thread structure and the transmission element has a thread depth, and at each axial position of the transmission element with respect to the axis of rotation, the thread depth is greater than the gear height.

[0026] The aforementioned design of the thread structure and the tooth structure advantageously creates a continuous contact surface between the gear element and the drive components. Furthermore, wear of the external thread is prevented and a well-lubricated bearing surface is provided.

[0027] Preferably, a multitude of engagement projections are formed on the circumferential surface of the gear element by superimposing the first and second substructures, wherein a subset or all of the engagement projections have different shapes from one another. The geometry of each individual engagement projection of the gear element is thus unique. This results from the superimposition of the two substructures, or the thread structure, with the tooth structure, for which an optimal contact surface is simultaneously required.

[0028] Preferably, the tooth structure has at least 10 teeth, and most preferably at least 15 teeth. For example, the tooth structure can have between 10 and 20 teeth, or between 12 and 16 teeth.

[0029] Preferably, the thread structure has a thread pitch, the thread pitch of which can vary depending on the axial position on the gear element.

[0030] Preferably, the thread pitch of the thread structure, meaning the distance between two thread crests or the pitch height, at the axial center is preferably between 9% and 10%, particularly preferably between 9.25% and 9.75%, and most preferably 9.5%, of a circumference of the gear element body at the axial center, based on its flank diameter. Additionally or alternatively, the thread pitch of the thread structure, meaning the distance between two thread crests or the pitch height, at each of the two axial ends is preferably between 9.35% and 10.35%, particularly preferably between 9.60% and 10%, and most preferably 9.85%, of a circumference of the gear element body at the axial ends, based on its flank diameter.

[0031] Preferably, the gear element consists of or comprises metal, ceramic, or plastic. The gear element can also comprise several of the aforementioned three materials. Furthermore, the gear element can be made of a first base material, which is, for example, metal, and have a coating on its surface. The coating can be selected, in particular, to improve the running properties of the gear element.

[0032] Preferably, the gear element consists of or comprises synthetic resin or metal. In particular, the gear element can be manufactured using a 3D printing process, especially if the gear element consists of or comprises plastic.

[0033] Preferably, the gear element is formed in one piece. In particular, the gear element body and the engagement structure are formed in one piece. Specifically, a rotating shaft of the gear element can be formed separately or also in one piece together with the gear element body and the engagement structure.

[0034] The problem according to the invention is further solved by a system comprising a first drive component and a second drive component and a gear element with the aforementioned features for the engagement of the first drive component and the second drive component.

[0035] Preferably, the first and second drive components correspond to the first and second drive components described above.

[0036] Preferably, the first drive component has an engagement structure that is complementary to the first substructure and / or the second substructure. The first drive component can, in particular, be a driving drive component whose force is transmitted to the second, driven drive component by means of the gear element.

[0037] Preferably, the engagement structure of the first drive component is a threaded structure or a toothed structure. If the engagement structure of the first drive component is a threaded structure, the engagement structure of the second drive component is a toothed structure. Conversely, if the engagement structure of the first drive component is a toothed structure, the engagement structure of the second drive component is a threaded structure.

[0038] Preferably, one of the two drive components is a driving drive component and the other is a drive component driven by the driving drive component. The driving drive component is, in particular, the drive component having the threaded structure, and the driven drive component has the toothed structure, so that no back-force transmission from the driven to the driving drive component occurs, but rather forces acting on the driven drive component are blocked relative to the driving drive component.

[0039] Preferably, the first drive component is a first drive wheel.

[0040] Preferably, the engagement structure of the first drive component is arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the first drive component. In particular, the engagement structure is arranged on an inner wall of the first drive wheel.

[0041] Preferably, the second drive component has an engagement structure that is complementary to the first substructure and / or the second substructure. In particular, the engagement structure of the second drive component is different from the engagement structure of the first drive component.

[0042] Preferably, the engagement structure of the second drive component is a tooth structure or a thread structure.

[0043] Preferably, the second drive component is a second drive wheel.

[0044] Preferably, the engagement structure of the second drive component is arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the second drive component. In particular, the engagement structure is arranged on an outer wall of the second drive wheel.

[0045] Preferably, the engagement structure of the first drive component comprises a threaded structure and the engagement structure of the second drive component comprises a toothed structure, or the engagement structure of the first drive component comprises a toothed structure and the engagement structure of the second drive component comprises a threaded structure. In other words, the engagement structure of the first drive component is a toothed structure if the engagement structure of the second drive component is a threaded structure, and vice versa.

[0046] Preferably, several variants for operating the system are conceivable. According to a first variant, the first drive component is designed as the driving drive component and transmits a force via at least one, preferably two or three, gear element(s) to the second, in this case driven, drive component. According to a second variant, the reverse case is conceivable, in which the second drive component is the driving component and a force is transmitted via the gear element(s) to the first drive component. According to a third variant, it is conceivable that the gear element(s) is / are designed as the driving component and drives the drive component with the tooth structure, while the other drive component is stationary.The aforementioned variants are particularly suitable when the two drive components are an inner wheel and an outer wheel, between which the gear element or gear elements are arranged.

[0047] Preferably, the second drive wheel is arranged inside the first drive wheel, and the gear element is positioned radially between the first and second drive wheels and engages with both, such that when the first or second drive wheel rotates, a force is transmitted via the gear element to the other. For this purpose, the axes of rotation of the two drive wheels are arranged parallel to each other, and the gear element is positioned between the two drive wheels such that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the two drive wheels.

[0048] Preferably, the system comprises a bearing arrangement for supporting the gear element, wherein the bearing arrangement is positionally fixed relative to the gear element, the first drive component, and the second drive component. The bearing arrangement particularly includes a bearing body in which a rotational axis of the gear element, which is also part of the system, is rotatably mounted.

[0049] Preferably, the axis of rotation of the gear element runs parallel to a tangent between the first and second drive wheels. This mounting of the gear element ensures that it engages with both drive wheels, resulting in optimal contact.

[0050] Preferably, the system comprises at least a second gear element comprising at least a third and a fourth drive component for engaging with the second gear element. In this case, the second gear element, the third drive component, and the fourth drive component form a second gear unit alongside the first gear component, which is formed from the first gear element, the first drive component, and the second drive component. Preferably, in addition to the second gear unit, further gear units, in particular a fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh, may be provided, each gear unit preferably being assigned two further drive components analogously to the first and second gear units.

[0051] Alternatively, several, in particular two, three or four, gear elements can be assigned to the first and second drive components and engage with them. They can thus form a rolling bearing.

[0052] The problem according to the invention is further solved by using a system with the aforementioned features in a holder for a component to change the position and / or orientation of the component. The component can, in particular, be a test or measurement component in a laboratory. Specifically, the component can be an optical component such as a mirror, a beam splitter, or an optical filter. The component can also be an electrical or mechanical component. For example, the component can be an acoustic or optical source, or any other radiation source such as a laser. Furthermore, the component can be a sample holder. The system advantageously enables precise positioning of the component, which makes the system particularly suitable for the aforementioned applications.

[0053] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. These are shown in a purely schematic representation: Fig. 1 a side view of a gear element, Fig. 2 another side view of the gear element, Fig. 3. A schematic representation of the superposition of the first and second substructures, Fig. 4 the gear element engaging with a first drive component, Fig. 5 another view of the gear element engaging with the first drive component, Fig. 6 Two side views of a gear element for synchronous (a) and counter-rotating (b) power transmission, Fig. 7 a system comprising the gear element with synchronous (a) and counter-rotating (b) power transmission between two drive components, Fig. 8 two perspective views of the gear element and a rotating shaft, Fig. 9 two different embodiments of the system, and Fig. 10 a system comprising several gear elements.

[0054] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view of a gear element 100. The gear element 100 comprises a substantially barrel-shaped gear element body 10, which includes a cylindrical base structure with a first axial end 16a, a second axial end 16b, and an axial center 17. The barrel shape is formed by the fact that the diameter D1 of the gear element body 10, or of the gear element 100, at the axial ends 16a, 16b is smaller than the diameter D2 at the axial center 17.

[0055] The gear element 100 has a rotational shaft 11 by means of which the gear element 100 can be rotatably mounted about a rotational axis A. The gear element 100 also has a circumferential surface 14, wherein the circumferential surface 14 comprises an engagement structure 15. The engagement structure 15 is designed to engage with two drive components 20, 21, which are Fig. 1 are not shown and will be described in detail using the other figures.

[0056] The engagement structure 15 is formed by a superposition of a first substructure 12 with a second substructure 13. The first substructure 12 is a helical tooth structure designed to engage with a corresponding engagement structure 22 of a first drive component 20, as will be explained in detail below. The second substructure 13 is a thread structure designed to engage with a corresponding engagement structure 23 of a second drive component 21.

[0057] The tooth structure has a tip circle diameter K, which is at its maximum at the axial center 17 of the gear element 100 and at its minimum at each axial end 16a, 16b. Furthermore, the tooth structure has a root circle diameter F, which is in Fig. 2 is shown, where the difference between the head circle diameter K and the foot circle diameter F is maximal at the axial center 17 of the gear element 100 and minimal at the axial ends 16a, 16b.

[0058] The thread structure has a thread depth G, which is at its maximum at the axial center 17 of the gear element 100 and at its minimum at each axial end 16a, 16b. An inner diameter I of the threaded spindle formed by the thread structure is shown in the Fig. 1 shown example minimally at the axial center 17 of the gear element 100 and maximally at the axial ends 16a, 16b.

[0059] The superimposition of the two substructures 12, 13 creates intervention projections 18 on the circumferential surface, each of which is differently formed and has individual shapes.

[0060] In Fig. Figure 2 shows another side view of an axial end 16b of the gear element 100. It illustrates that the rotating shaft 11 extends through a through-opening in the gear element 100. Furthermore, the root diameter F of the tooth structure in the axial end region 16b is shown. It is also shown that the recesses between the teeth of the tooth structure have a round cross-sectional shape. This shape enables optimal rolling behavior of the engagement structure 22 of the first drive component 20.

[0061] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates the principle of superimposing the two substructures 12 and 13 to form the engagement structure 15. On the right, a threaded structure of the second substructure 13 is shown, which is superimposed on the helical toothed structure 12 shown next to it, as well as on a barrel-shaped base form of the gear element body 10. The result of superimposing these three structures or forms is shown in Fig. 3 shown on the right.

[0062] Fig. Figure 4 shows a section of a first drive component 20 with an engagement structure 22, which engages with the first substructure 12 of the gear element 100. For clarity, the gear element 100 is shown only with the first substructure 12, without the second substructure 13. How the second substructure 13 engages with the engagement structure 22 is shown, for example, in Fig. Figure 7 shows the engagement structure 22 of the first drive component 20, which is designed as a thread structure complementary to the tooth structure of the gear element 100. Furthermore, in Fig. 4. It can be seen that the ends of the teeth of the tooth structure, viewed in the axial direction of the gear element 100, have a convex shape in order to adapt to the complementary concave shape of the inner wall of the first drive component 20. The axial length of the tooth structure is limited by the inner radius or the arc-shaped course of the inner wall of the first drive component 20, since otherwise it would not be possible for the gear element 100 to roll on the inside of the first drive component 20.

[0063] Fig. Figure 5 shows another partial view of the first drive component 20 in engagement with the first substructure 12 of the gear element 100. Here, the engagement of the teeth of the gear structure with the threaded structure on the inner wall of the first drive component 20 is shown in detail. The drive component 20 is in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 designed as a drive wheel.

[0064] In the Fig. 6a) and Fig. Figure 6b) shows two embodiments of a gear element 100. The gear elements 100 differ in the direction of the thread structure of the second substructure 13. Fig. 6a) The thread structure has a left-hand thread L, so that in combination with the helical tooth structure, rotation of the two drive components in the same direction of rotation R1 is possible. Fig. 6b) the thread structure has a right-hand thread R, so that in combination with the helical tooth structure a rotation of the two drive components in opposite directions R1 and R2 is possible.

[0065] This will be demonstrated using Fig. 7 shown in detail. It is shown in Fig. 7a), that according to Fig. 6a) The gear element 100, designed to ensure that the first and second drive components 20, 21 rotate in the same direction in the direction of R1, is designed as a left-hand thread L. Fig. 7b) shows that in a gear element 100 according to Fig. 6b) a counter-rotating rotation of the first and second drive components 20, 21 is achieved by designing the thread structure as a right-hand thread R, wherein the first drive component 20 rotates in the direction of R1 and the second drive component rotates in the direction of R2.

[0066] Fig. Figure 8 shows two perspective views of the gear element 100. It can be seen that the rotating shaft 11 is designed as a separate component, which is guided through an axial through-opening in the gear element 100.

[0067] In Fig. Figures 9a) and 9b) show two embodiments of a system 200, each comprising a gear element 100, a first drive component 20, a second drive component 21, and a bearing arrangement 19 in which the gear element 200 is rotatably mounted. The two systems 200 differ in the design of the engagement structures 22, 23 of the first and second drive components 20, 21.

[0068] Fig. Figure 9a) shows an embodiment of the system 200 in which the first drive component 20 is configured as the first drive wheel and has an engagement structure 22 in the form of an internal thread. This internal thread engages with the first substructure 12 of the gear element 100. The second drive component 20 is a second drive wheel, which is arranged inside the first drive wheel. The second drive wheel has an engagement structure 23 in the form of a tooth structure, such that the second drive wheel has spur-toothed external teeth. These external teeth engage with the second substructure 13 of the gear element 100.

[0069] According to the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9b), the shapes of the engagement structures 22, 23 of the first and second drive components 20, 21 are interchanged. Accordingly, the first drive component 20 has an internal toothing and the second drive component 21 has an external thread. The gear element 100 is designed identically in both embodiments.

[0070] Fig. Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of the system comprising several, in this case three, gear elements 100. The three gear elements 100 simultaneously transmit a force from one of the drive components 20, 21 to the other. For this purpose, the gear elements 100 are arranged at uniform intervals in the annular space between the first and the second drive wheel. The three gear elements 100 are rotatably mounted in the system by means of the same bearing arrangement 19.

[0071] The in Fig. 9b) The configuration of the first and second drive wheels shown is also fundamentally applicable to the system from Fig. 10 applicable. Reference symbol list 100 gear element 200 System 10 gear element bodies 11 Rotational wave 12 first substructure 13 second substructure 14 Circumferential area 15 Intervention structure 16a, 16b axial ends of the gear element 17 axial center of the gear element 18 intervention projections 19 Storage facilities 20 first drive component 21 second drive component 22 Intervention structure of the first drive component 23 Intervention structure of the second drive component 24 inner circumferential surface of the first drive component 25 outer circumferential surface of the first drive component F Foot circle diameter K pitch circle diameter I Inner diameter of the threaded spindle G Thread depth R1, R2 directions of rotation L, R Thread direction A axis of rotation

Claims

[1] Gear element (100) for transmitting power from a first drive component (20) to a second drive component (21), wherein the gear element (100) has a substantially barrel-shaped gear element body (10) with an axis of rotation (A) and a circumferential surface (14), wherein the circumferential surface (14) has an engagement structure (15) for engagement of the first drive component (20) and the second drive component (21), wherein the engagement structure (15) is formed from a superposition of a first partial structure (12) and a second partial structure (13). [2] Gear element (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first partial structure (12) is a tooth structure, in particular a helical tooth structure, for engagement with a correspondingly complementary thread structure in the first or the second drive component (20, 21), so that the gear element (100) forms a gear wheel when rotating about the axis of rotation (A), and wherein the second partial structure (13) is a thread structure for engagement with a correspondingly complementary tooth structure in the first or second drive component (21, 20), so that the gear element (100) forms a threaded spindle when rotating about the axis of rotation (A). [3] Gear element (100) according to claim 2, wherein the thread structure has a right-hand thread structure (R) or a left-hand thread structure (L) and / or wherein the tooth structure has a helical toothing, wherein the helical toothing is preferably left-hand or right-hand. [4] Gear element (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the gear formed by the gear structure and the gear element has a root diameter (F), wherein the root diameter (F) has a maximum value in an axial center (17) relative to the rotational axis (R) of the gear element (100) and wherein the root diameter (F) has a minimum value at least at one, preferably at both, of two axial ends (16a, 16b) of the gear element (100) relative to the rotational axis (R), and / or wherein the gear formed by the gear structure and the gear element has a tip diameter (K), wherein the tip diameter (K) has a maximum value in an axial center relative to the rotational axis (R) of the gear element (100) and wherein the tip diameter (K) has a minimum value at least at one, preferably at both, of two axial ends (16a, 16b) of the gear element (100) relative to the rotation axis (R).。[5] Gear element (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the threaded spindle formed by the thread structure and the gear element (100) has an outer diameter, wherein the outer diameter has a maximum value in an axial center (17) relative to the rotational axis (R) of the gear element (100) and wherein the outer diameter has a minimum value at least at one, preferably at both, of two axial ends (16a, 16b) of the gear element (100) relative to the rotational axis (R), and / or wherein the threaded spindle formed by the thread structure and the gear element (100) has an inner diameter (I), wherein the inner diameter (I) has a minimum value in an axial center (17) relative to the rotational axis (R) of the gear element (100) and wherein the inner diameter (I) has a maximum value at least at one, preferably at both, of two axial ends (16a,16b) of the gear element (100) relative to the axis of rotation (R). [6] Gear element (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the threaded spindle formed by the thread structure and the gear element (100) has a thread depth (G), wherein the thread depth (G) has a maximum value in an axial center (17) relative to the axis of rotation (R) of the gear element (100) and wherein the thread depth (G) has a minimum value at least at one, preferably at both, of two axial ends (16a, 16b) of the gear element (100) relative to the axis of rotation (R), and / or wherein the gear formed by the gear structure and the gear element (100) has a gear height, wherein the threaded spindle formed by the thread structure and the gear element (100) has a thread depth (G), and wherein at each axial position of the gear element (100) relative to the axis of rotation (R), the thread depth (G) is greater than the gear height. [7] Gear element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of engagement projections (18) are formed on the circumferential surface (14) of the gear element (100) by the superposition of the first partial structure (12) and the second partial structure (13), wherein a subset of the engagement projections (18) or all of the engagement projections (18) have a different shape from one another. [8] Gear element (100) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the tooth structure has at least 10, preferably at least 15, teeth. [9] Gear element (100) according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein a thread pitch of the thread structure in the axial center of the gear element body is between 9% and 10%, particularly preferably between 9.25% and 9.75%, very particularly preferably 9.5%, of a circumference of the gear element body in the axial center based on its flank diameter and / or wherein a thread pitch of the thread structure at the two axial ends of the gear element body is in each case between 9.35% and 10.35%, particularly preferably between 9.60% and 10%, very particularly preferably 9.85%, of a circumference of the gear element body in the axial ends based on its flank diameter. [10] System (200) comprising a first drive component (20) and a second drive component (21) and a gear element (100) according to one of the preceding claims for engagement of the first drive component (20) and the second drive component (21). [11] System (200) according to claim 10, wherein the first drive component (20) has an engagement structure (22, 23) complementary to the first partial structure (12) and / or to the second partial structure (13), wherein the engagement structure (22) of the first drive component (20) is preferably a thread structure or a tooth structure. [12] System (200) according to one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the first drive component (20) is a first drive wheel, wherein preferably the engagement structure (22) of the first drive component (20) is arranged on an inner circumferential surface of the first drive component (20). [13] System (200) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the second drive component (21) has an engagement structure (23) complementary to the first partial structure (12) and / or the second partial structure (13), wherein the engagement structure (23) of the second drive component (21) is preferably a tooth structure or a thread structure, and / or wherein the second drive component (21) is a second drive wheel, wherein the engagement structure (23) of the second drive component (21) is preferably arranged on an outer circumferential surface of the second drive component (21). [14] System (200) according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the engagement structure (22) of the first drive component (20) comprises a threaded structure and the engagement structure (23) of the second drive component (21) comprises a toothed structure or wherein the engagement structure (22) of the first drive component (20) comprises a toothed structure and the engagement structure (23) of the second drive component (21) comprises a threaded structure, and / or wherein the second drive wheel is arranged within the first drive wheel, the gear element (100) is arranged between the first and second drive wheels in a radial view and is in engagement with the first and second drive wheels, such that upon rotation of the first or second drive wheel, a force is transmitted via the gear element (100) to the other of the first and second drive wheels. [15] Use of a system (200) according to one of claims 10 to 14 in a holder for a component for changing a position and / or orientation of the component.

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