Open-Sided Globoid Worm Gear for Interference-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of globoid worm gear assemblies is limited due to interference between the worm and the globoid worm gear, preventing the worm from being assembled on a housing before the globoid worm gear and requiring complex assembly methods.
Innovation Solution
A globoid worm gear with open or semi-open design, featuring gear teeth spaced about a circumferential surface with spaces that open into the side surfaces, allowing axial insertion and engagement with a worm, and a housing recess to facilitate assembly and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the globoid worm gear is designed with closed gear teeth, then the structural strength and rigidity are improved, but the assembly complexity increases and the worm cannot be assembled before the globoid worm gear
Solution Approach 1:
The gear teeth are segmented with spaces between them that open into the side surface, allowing the worm to be inserted through these spaces before the globoid worm gear is fully assembled. This segmentation enables the worm to pass through the housing recess without interference from closed gear teeth, resolving the assembly complexity issue while maintaining structural integrity through proper tooth design.
2Ease of operation
If the globoid worm gear is assembled by moving it axially into the housing, then the assembly process is simplified, but interference occurs between the worm and the globoid worm gear
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful interference between the worm and globoid worm gear during axial assembly is eliminated by extracting or removing material to create spaces between adjacent gear teeth that open into the side surface. These spaces allow the worm to be inserted through the housing recess without colliding with the gear teeth, enabling simple axial assembly while avoiding interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The worm is nested within the housing recess in such a way that it can be inserted axially before the globoid worm gear is fully assembled. The spaces between gear teeth allow the worm to occupy the recess space without interference, similar to how nested dolls fit within each other, enabling sequential assembly in the axial direction.
3Ease of operation
If the gear teeth are spaced with large spaces between them, then the assembly ease is improved, but the contact surface area between worm and gear teeth decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spaces between gear teeth are strategically designed with specific dimensions and orientations - opening into the side surface to enable assembly ease, while the gear teeth themselves maintain sufficient contact surface area for proper engagement with the worm. The local geometry of each tooth is optimized to provide adequate contact area in the operational direction while allowing clearance in the assembly direction.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a globoid worm gear (4) for engagement with a worm (3) in a worm gear assembly (1). The globoid worm gear (4) comprises first and second side surfaces (17, 18), a circumferential surface (10), and an axis of rotation. The globoid worm gear (4) also includes a plurality of gear teeth (9) spaced about the circumferential surface (10) with spaces (11) arranged between adjacent gear teeth (9), the plurality of gear teeth (9) being configured to engage the worm (3). The plurality of gear teeth (9) are configured such that the spaces (11) between adjacent gear teeth (9) open into the first side surface (17).