Computer aided analysis on the meshing behavior of a height-modified dual-torus double-enveloping toroidal worm drive

A flank modification methodology is proposed for the double-enveloping toroidal worm drive and a novel type of the dual-torus double-enveloping toroidal worm drive (the DTT worm drive) is developed. Because the height variation of the tool relative to the position during generating an unmodified worm is the unique modification parameter, this novel type of worm drive can be named as the height-modified DTT worm drive. Based on a strict meshing analysis, the selection principle of the modification style is recommended. A systematic and thorough study is conducted on the meshing behavior of the height-modified DTT worm pair by means of a computer simulation. The investigation results show that the height-modified DTT worm drive has favorable meshing performance.

Research highlights► A tooth surface modification method is proposed for the hourglass worm pair.► The proposed modification methodology is convenient to be accomplished in industrial production.► The modified globoidal worm gearing can be applied in a great range of the number of worm threads and the transmission ratio of a worm drive.► The attained toroidal worm gear set usually has favorable meshing performance.