Study on the toroidal helix and manufacturing method of enveloping hourglass worm tooth surface

Abstract

As a complex space enveloped surface, the tooth surface of dual-lead helical gear enveloping hourglass worm is characteristic with difference tooth profile, unequal pitch and variable tooth thickness. To grasp the geometry characteristics and precision manufacturing method of it, the analytical method for toroidal helix is presented. The mathematical model of toroidal helix is developed, and the geometry characteristics of helix angle, axial tooth thickness, and tooth surface undercutting are analyzed. The helix angle of toroidal helix presents the convex shape, and the undercutting characteristic is affected by the pressure angle, helix angle, transmission ratio, and normal modulus. Based on the toroidal helix of tooth surface, the precision manufacturing method is proposed, and the measuring method is developed. The hourglass worm sample was manufactured and measured, and the transmission accuracy of hourglass worm drive is tested. The results show that the manufacturing and measuring method of toroidal helix is effective and feasible.