Worm Gears

Force Analysis

Lecture 8
worm gears
• transmit power between non-parallel, non-intersecting
shafts
• large
g ggear ratios ((20:1,, 300:1)) in small space
p
• accurate rotary indexing
• smooth, quiet operation
• applications: packaging
packaging, material handling
handling, machine
tools, indexing equipment
worm gears
• screw meshing with helical gear
› one or more threads
› rotation of worm gear – rotation of worm, left or right handed

teeth can wrap partly

around each other
› single-enveloping or
double-enveloping
worm gears

• other gears – motion is primarily rolling

• worm gears – motion is pure sliding
› large gear ratios – large velocity ratios – large sliding velocities
» heat generation, efficiency concerns
• interesting property – worm can turn worm gear, not
vice versa
› shallow angle – high friction
worm gears – geometry/nomenclature

p  p g  pa w N g

g N w

c 0.875 c 0.875
 dw 
3.0 1.7
L  pa N w
L
tan  
d w

d g  N g pg 
worm gears – force analysis

Fwt  Fga

Fgt  Fwa
f
forces on
“backside of
tooth”

Fwr  Fgr


Ft  33000W
V


Ft  W
V
worm gears – force analysis

f  cos n tan 

forces on
“backside of
tooth”

Fgt  Fwa  Fn cos n cos   fFn sin  Fgt cos n cos   f sin 

Fwt cos n sin   f cos 
Fwt  Fga  Fn cos n sin   fFn cos 

Fgr  Fwr  Fn sin n sin n sin n

Fgr  Fwr  Fgt  Fwt
cos n cos   f sin  cos n sin   f cos 
worm gears – force analysis

V w  V g  Vs

Vg Vw  tan 

Vs  Vw cos   Vg sin 

FgtVg cos n  f tan 

e 
FwtVw cos n  f cot  forces on
“backside of
tooth”
worm gears – example problem

• Example 13-7, Shigley and Mischke, 5th edition

questions?