Enhanced application limits for crossed helical gearboxes using new geometries for smaller sliding paths or smaller contact pressures

Ruhr-University Bochum, Chair of Industrial and Automotive Drivetrains, 44801 Bochum, Germany

^* Corresponding author: christoph.boehme-g9j@rub.de

Abstract

Crossed-axis helical gear units are used as actuators and auxiliary drives in large quantities in automotive applications such as window regulators, windscreen wipers and seat adjusters. Commonly gear geometry of crossed helical gears is described with one pitch point. This article deals with an extended calculation method for worm gear units. The extended calculation method increases the range of solutions available for helical gears. In general, for a valid crossed helical gear pair, the rolling cylinders do not have to touch each other. In mass production of many similar gears, individual gears can be reused because they can be paired with other centre distances and ratios. This also allows the use of spur gears in combination with a worm, making manufacturing easier and more efficient. By selecting design parameters, for example the axis crossing angle or the helix angle of a gear, positive effects can be achieved on the tooth contact pressure, the overlap ratio, the sliding paths, the lubrication condition, the tooth stiffness and, to a limited extent, on the efficiency of the gearing. It can be shown that for involute helical gears, in addition to the known insensitivity of the transmission behaviour to centre distance deviations, there is also insensitivity to deviations of the axis crossing angle. This means that installation tolerances for crossed helical gearboxes can be determined more cost-effectively.