Gear Toothing Production Using Dresser-Tool Combination Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing workpieces with desired toothing geometry are limited by fixed dressers and tools, which restrict flexibility and the range of achievable toothing geometries, making it difficult to accurately produce complex gear geometries within permissible tolerances.

Innovation Solution

A method that selects a suitable combination of dressers and tools based on the desired toothing geometry, allowing for dressing in line contact to produce the desired gear geometry within allowable tolerances, and includes a software program to determine manufacturability and select appropriate combinations of dressers and tools for specific gear geometries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed dressers and tools are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the flexibility and range of achievable toothing geometries are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility and range of achievable toothing geometriesVSAvoidcomplexity of dresser and tool combination selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying geometric parameters of dressers and tools (profile angles, helix angles, diameters, lead angles) to generate different toothing geometries. The method calculates and selects specific parameter combinations from available dressers and tools to achieve desired gear geometries within tolerances, transforming a fixed-tool limitation into a flexible parameter-based selection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by creating a reusable database of dresser and tool geometries that can be applied to multiple different gear production scenarios. The software program stores geometric data for various dressers and tools, enabling them to serve multiple functions across different workpiece geometries and toothing requirements, reducing the need for specialized tools for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a wide range of toothing geometries is produced, then adaptability increases, but manufacturing precision within permissible tolerances becomes more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of gear geometriesVSAvoidprecision of toothing geometry within tolerances
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through an iterative calculation and selection process. The software program calculates the toothing geometry that would result from each dresser-tool combination, compares it against the desired geometry and permissible tolerances, and refines the selection accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that even with a wide range of geometries, the final selection achieves the required manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the geometric characteristics of available dressers and tools in a database before the actual gear production. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly evaluate which pre-characterized tool combinations will achieve the desired precision for any given toothing geometry requirement, without needing to perform complex calculations during the actual manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If existing tooling is utilized, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to produce precise complex gear geometries is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetooling inventoryVSAvoidprecision of complex gear geometries
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a software program as an intermediary between the existing tooling and the gear production process. This software acts as a mediator that calculates and determines the optimal use of available dressers and tools, enabling precise production of complex geometries by intelligently selecting and coordinating existing tooling combinations that would not be obvious through manual selection alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3139227B1Method for the production of a workpiece with desired toothing geometry
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 LIEBHER VERZAHNTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3139227B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3139227B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3139227B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing a workpiece with the desired toothing geometry using a suitably dressed tool, with the steps: specifying a desired toothing geometry of the workpiece, - selecting a combination of a dresser and a tool, so that the desired toothing geometry of the workpiece is achieved the selected combination can be produced at least within a permissible tolerance, - dressing the tool with the dresser in line contact to produce a suitable toothing geometry of the tool and - machining the workpiece with the dressed tool to produce the desired toothing geometry of the workpiece at least within a permissible tolerance.