Patent · US Expired

Double flank worm gear mechanism

US6776064B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
12References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 1, 2000
Grant dateAug 17, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 1, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/19953
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A worm/worm gear assembly comprises a worm having teeth defined by at least one thread disposed thereon and a worm gear having teeth protruding from a surface thereof. At least one of the worm and the worm gear is fabricated from a resilient material. The teeth of the worm and the teeth of the worm gear are interengaged and in a compressive relationship with each other to maintain double flank contact therebetween. At low- or no-load conditions, the double flank contact is made at the opposing outer edges of each of the teeth. At moderate-load conditions, the contact extends from the opposing outer edges of each of the teeth toward the center of each of the teeth. A method for delashing a gear system comprises disposing the worm in mechanical communication with the worm gear and loading the worm gear to cause the worm gear to compressively engage the worm.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.