CA1271604A - Apparatus and method for machining an enveloping-type worm screw - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for machining an enveloping-type worm screwInfo
- Publication number
- CA1271604A CA1271604A CA000596944A CA596944A CA1271604A CA 1271604 A CA1271604 A CA 1271604A CA 000596944 A CA000596944 A CA 000596944A CA 596944 A CA596944 A CA 596944A CA 1271604 A CA1271604 A CA 1271604A
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- axis
- screw
- central longitudinal
- screw blank
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A method and apparatus are disclosed for machining hourglass screw threads on an enveloping-type worm screw by engaging at least one angularly positioned cutter with a screw blank having an hourglass shape. The screw blank is rotated about its central longitudinal axis at the same time that each angularly positioned cutter is pivoted through the screw blank at a rate which is less than the rate of rotation of the screw blank.
A method and apparatus are disclosed for machining hourglass screw threads on an enveloping-type worm screw by engaging at least one angularly positioned cutter with a screw blank having an hourglass shape. The screw blank is rotated about its central longitudinal axis at the same time that each angularly positioned cutter is pivoted through the screw blank at a rate which is less than the rate of rotation of the screw blank.
Description
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The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for machining enveloping-type worm screws which are adapted for use in a power transmission system utilizing a roller worm wheel, rather than a fixed tooth gear wheel.
In my copending Canadian Patent Applicakion Serial No. 476,460 filed concurrently herewith, which copending application is owned by the assignee of the present application and is entitled "IMPROVED POWER
TRANSMISSION SYSTEM'~, there is disclosed a new and improved worm drive system which includes an enveloping-type worm screw and a roller worm wheel. ~ore particularly, the roller worm wheel includes two sets oE
rollers inclined at an angle relative to a plane which divides the worm wheel into two symmetrical halves and which is normal to the worm wheel's axis of rotation. One set of rollers is positioned on one side of the imaginary plane of symmetry, while the other set of rollers is positioned on the opposite side of the imaginary plane of symmet~ry in a staggered relationship relative to the first set of rollers.
In Collier United States Patent No. 921,593, a technique for cutting an enveloping-type worm screw is disclosed. 'rhe technique involves forming an hourglass 2S screw thread using a cutter which is always directed at the central longitudinal axis of a worm screw blank.
~ccordingly, the hourglass screw thread is specifically designed to mate with roller teeth or Eixed teeth which are always directed at the central longitudinal axis of the worm screw. The technique described in the Collier patent is, therefore, not suitable for machining an hourglass screw thread adapted to mate with the angularly positioned rollers of the roller worm wheel disclosed in the copending patent application identified above.
~ccording to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a me~hod and apparatus for manufacturing an enveloping-type worm screw which is adapted to make with the rollers of the worm wheel employe(J by the new and improved drive system disclosed in the above-identiEied copending application. The method and apparatus involve mounting an hourglass-shaped screw blanlc such that the screw blanlc is rotatable about a first axis which is coincident with a cent~al longitudinal axis oE the screw blank. A first cutter is positioned on one side of the screw blank such that the first cutter is pivotable about a second axis arranged at an angle of 90 relative to the first axis. Furtller, the first cutter is positioned at a predetermined inclined angle relative to a plane which includes the first axis ancl which is normal to the second axis. Tle first cutter is also positioned such that its central longitudinal axis intersects the central longitudinal axis of the screw blank at a point intermediate two opposecl ends of the screw blank. The screw blanlc is then rotated about the first axis at a first rate, while the first cutter is simultaneously pivoted about the second axis at a second rate which is less than the first rate, whereby the first cutter forms a first hourglass screw thread in the screw blank.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a second hourglass screw thread can be machined in the screw blank by positioning a second cutter on an opposite side of the screw blank such that the second cutter is pivotable about a third axis arranged at an angle of 90 relative to the first axis.
Further, the second cutter is positioned at a predetermined inclined angle relative to a plane which includes the first axis and which is normal to the third axis. The second cutter is also positioned such that its central ]ongitudinal axis intersects the central longitudinal axis of the screw blanlc at a polnt intermediate the two opposed ends of the screw blanlc.
After the second cutter is so positioned, it is pivoted about the third axis at the same rate as the Eirst cutter, while the screw blank is simultaneously rotated about the first axis at the first rate.
According to yet another aspect oE the present invention, the first cutter can machine both the Eirst hourglass screw thread and the second hourglass screw thread by remounting the screw blank, after the machining of the first hourglass screw threadv such that the two opposed ends of the screw blank are reversed and such that the screw blank is again rotatable about the first axis.
After locating the remounted screw blank in a position in which the first cutter will cut the second hourglass screw 1~ thread without interfering with the first hourglass screw thread, the screw blank is rotated about the first axis at the first rate, while the first cutter is simultaneously pivoted about the second axis at the second rate.
In order that the present invention may be Eully understood, it will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a right side elevational view oE a thread-cutting machine adapted to manuEacture an enveloping-type worm screw in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a left side elevational view of the machine illùstrated in solid lines in Figure lr a portion of the machine being broken away to facilitate consideration and discussion;
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the machine i]lustrated in solid lines in Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a top view of the machine illustrated in solid lines in Figures 1-3; and Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration oE the relationship between various elements oE the machine shown in ~igures 1-4.
The present invention is especially useful in connection with the manuEacture of worm drive systems like those described and illustrated in copending Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 476,460 filed concurrently herewith, which copending application is owned by the assignee of the present application and is entitled "IMPROVED POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM".
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In order to facilitate consideration and discussion of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described in detail below, it is assumed that the invention will be constructed ancl operated so as to manufacture a worm screw for a twelve to one ratio worm drive system, which also includes a worm wheel having a four inch radius and two sets of rollers inclined at an angle of thirty degrees relative to a plane which divides the worm wheel into two symmetxical halves and which is normal to the worm wheel's axis of rotation, one set of rollers being positioned on one side of the imaginary plane of symmetry and the other set of rollers being positioned on the opposite side of the imaginary- plane of symmetry in a staggered relationship relative to the first set of rollers. The present invention does, of course, permit the machining of worm screws for worm drive systems having other ratios and worm wheels oE various 9i zes and roller orientations.
With reEerence to Figures 1-5, there is shown a machine 10 for manufacturing an enveloping-type worm screw for use wi~th the speciEic worm drive system described above. More particularly, the machine 10 includes a support table 12 having a horizontal top 14. A base plate 16, having suitable bearings tnot shown), is slidably and pivotally mounted on the top 14 of the support table 12.
An angular mounting block 18 is attached to the base plate 16. The mounting block 18 is attached to the base plate 16. The mounting block 18 carries a slide 20, which slidably receives a variable speed motori~ed quill head 22. The quill head 22 may, for example~ be a Bridgeport Model SP-651-BJC4-203D having a chuck 24 adapted to removably support a cutter 26 tsee Figures 2-5~, such as a fifteen degree tapered end mill, for rotation about an axis of rotation 28 (see Figure 5).
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A conventional twelve to one ratio worm gear unit 30 is mounted underneath the top 14 of the support table 12. The worrn gear unit 30 includes a hori~,ontal1y arranged input shaft 32 (see ~ig. 2) and a vertically - 5 arranged output shaft 34 (see Figs. 2, 4, and 5) 9 which rotates once for every twelve revolutions of the input shaft 32.
The input shaft 32 is fixedly attached to an input shaft gear 36 (see Fig. 1), which meshes with a drive gear 37 (see Fig. 1) of a variable speed elec~ric motor 38, mounted on one side of the support table 12.
Electrical controls 40 for the motor 38 are mounted on the front of the support table 12.
The output shaft 34 of the worm gear unit 30 extends upwardly through an opening (not shown) in the top 14 of the support table 12. The output shaft 34 is fixedly attached to tlle base plate 16 so that the ~ase plate 16 rotates conjointly with the output shaft 34 about a central longitudinal axis 42 (see Fig. 5) of the output shaft 34.
Pillow blocks 44, 46, which are adjustably mounted on the top 14 of the support table 12, rotatably support a screw blank 48 (see Fig. 4) for rotation about a central longitudinal axis 50 (see Fig. 5) of the screw blank 48. The screw blank 48 has an hourglass shape characterized by opposed cylindrical ends 52, 54 and a parabolic midsection 56. The opposed ends 52, 54 of the screw blank 48 are attached to bearings 58, 60, respectively, rotatably supported in the pillow blocks 44, 46, respectively.
With particular reference to Fig. 1, the bearing 58 of the pillow block 44 is connected to and driven by the drive gear 37 o~ the motor 38 through a gearing system 62, which includes the input shaEt gear 36, a large idler gear 64, two small idler gears 66, 68 and a pillow block gear ~0. The gearing system 62 is designed such that the screw blank 48 malces one complete revolution about its central longitudinflL
axis 50 f~r each complete revolution of the input shaft 32 of the worm gear unit 30. Inasmuch as the output shaft 34 of the worrn gear unit 30 rotates once for every twelve revolutions of the input sha~t 32, the screw blank 48 which rotates at the same rate as the input shaft 32, revolves twelve times for each complete revolution of the quill head 22, which rotates conjointly with the output shaft 34, about the central longitudinal axis 42 of the output shaft 34.
In order to machine the desired worm screw from the screw blank 48~ the pillow blocks 44, 46 are locatecl such that the shortest distance (d) between the cent~al longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48 and the central longitudinal axis 42 of the output shaft 34 is four inches (see ~'i.g. 5), which distance ~d) corresponds to the radius of the worm wheel to be used in combinatio with the worm screw machi.ne from the screw blanlc 48. Tlle cutter 28 is positioned at an inclined angle (~ ) relative to the top 14 of the support table 12 and hence to the horizontal (see Fig. 5). The angle (~ ) is selected so as to match tlle angle of the rollers employed by the worm wheel of the contemplated worm gear set.
Thus, the angle (~ ) is thirty degrees. The quill head 22 is positioned such that a vertical plane containing the axis of rotation 28 of the cutter 26 is normal to the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48 at a point intermediate the opposed ends 52, 54 of the screw blank 48, the screw blank 48 beîng symmetrical about this vertical plane when the plane intersects such an intermediate point on the screw blank 48. With the quill.
head 22 so positioned, the cutter 26 is located at a height selected such that its axis of rotati.on 28 intersects the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48 intermediate the ends 52, 54 of the screw blank 48. The depth of the cut to be made by the cutter 26 can be selected by moving the quill head 22 up or down the sl.ide 20.
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Upon actuation of the motor 38, the drive gear 37 of the motor 38 rotates the input shaft gear 36 which, in turn, rotates the input shaft 32 of the worrn gear unit 30. The worm gear unit 30 is designed such that S the output shaEt 34 makes one revolution for every twelve revolutions of the input sh~ft 32. The rotation of the output shaft 34 is transferred to the quill head 22 through the base plate 16. The controls 40 for the motor 38 are such that the direction of rotation of the drive gear 37 can be reversed, whereby the output shaft 34 and, hence, the quill head 22 can be rotated in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise cllrection.
Reversing the direction of rotation of the drive gear 37 of the motor 38 would also, of course, reverse the direction of rotation of the screw bLank 48 about its central longitudinal axis 50.
The gearing system 62 is designed such that the screw blank 48 rotates twelve times cluring the period that it takes the quill head 22 and, henceg the cutter 26 to make one complete revolution about the central longitudinàl axis 42 of the output shaft 34 of the worm gear unit 30. During a typical milling operation, the quill heacl 22 does not, however, malce a complete revolution about the axis 42. Rather, the quill head 22 rotates through an arc which is less than three hunclred and sixty degrees. The length of this arc, which is typically about forty five degrees, is determined by the diameter of the screw blank 48.
In order to cut a first hourglass screw threacl in the screw blank 48, the cutter 26 is set for the depth of cut desired for the first pass of the cutter 26 through the screw blank 48. The quil] head 22 is then positioned such that the cutter 26 is pointed in the general direction of the pillow block 44, the cutter 26 being out of contact with the screw blank 48. When tlle quill head 22 is so positioned, the axis of rotation 28 of the cutter 26 does not intersect the centraL
longituclinal axis 50 oE the screw blanlc 48 b~t ralher extends below the central longitudinal axis 50. The quill head 22 is then rotated about the central longitudillal axis 42 of the output sllaft 34 in a collnterclockwise direction selected to move the quill head 22 toward the end 54 oE the screw blank 48. As the quill head 22 is so rotated, the cutter 26, which is rotating about its axis of rotation 28~ contacts the screw blanlc 48, whicll is also rotating about its central longitudinal axis 50, to make the initial cut for the f:irst hourglass screw thread. When the cutter 26 reaches a point intermediate the ends 52, 54 of the screw blanlc 48j the axis of rotation 28 of the cutter 26 intersects the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48. As the quill head 22 continues its counterclockwise rotation, the axis of rotation 28 of the cutter 26 again falls below the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48. Thus, the cutter 26 traces a pass which is parabolic relat;ve to the central longitudinal axis 50 oE the screw blank 48. This parabolic path ma~ches the parabolic curve of the parabolic midsection 56 of the screw blank ~8. The parabolic~path traced by the cutter 26 also simulates the path that one set of worm wheel rollers will take as they roll through the worrn screw to be machined from the screw blank 48.
After making the initial pass described above, the quill head 22 is moved up the slide 20 so that the cutter 26 will not contact the screw blank 48 as the quill head 22 is rotated in a clockwise direction to return it to its starting position (i.e., to a position in which ~he cutter 26 is pointed in the general direction oE the pillow block 44). The quill head 22 is then moved down the slide 22 to a position in which tlle cutter 26 will make a slight]y deeper cut in the screw blank 48. As the cutter 26 passes back through the screw blanlc 48, the cutter 26 retraces its initial parabolic path. The number of passes required o the cutter 26 depends upon the desired depth of the Eirst hourglass screw thread to be machined in the screw blank 48.
In order to generate a secvnd hourglass screw thread for the other set of worm wheel rollers, the screw blank 48 is removed from the bearings 58, 60 o~ e pillow bloclcs 4~, 46 and, before being remounted in the bearings 58, 60, turned end over end so that, upon remounting, the end 52 is mounted in the bearing 60 and the encl 54 is mounted in the bearing 58. The quill head 22 i5 then returned to its starting position in the manner described above. After setting the cutter 26 for the desired depth of the initial cut and manually or otherwise rotating the screw blank 4~ to a predetermined angular position in which the first hourglass screw thread will not be interfered with by the second hourglass screw thread, the cutter 26 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to malce the initial cut Eor the second hourglass screw threacl. As the cutter 26 passes througll the screw bLanl~ ~8, the cutter 26 traces a path which is parabolic relative to the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48. This parabolic path, which also matches the parbolic curve of the parabolic midsection 56 oE the screw blanlc 48, simulates the path that the other set of worm wheel rollers will take as they roll through the worm screw to be machined Erom the screw blanlc 48. Additional passes of the cutter 26 are made as described above until the second hourglass screw thread reaches the desired depth.
The two hourglass screw threads can also be generatecl without reverse mounting the screw blank 48.
With reference to Fig. 1, the machine 10 can be provided with anotller quill head 22' which is identical in construction and operation to the quill head 22, except that the quill head 22' is mounted on an opposite sicle oE
the screw blank 48 from the quill head 22. In operation, the quill head 22' rotates simultaneously wi~h and at the same rate as the quill head 22. During such rotation o~
the quill heads 22, 22', which can be accomplished ~y suitably gearing the output shaft 34 o~ the worm gear unit 30 to a corresponding drive sha~t for tlle (luill --1,0--head 22', the quill heads 22, 22' would preEerably rotate in opposite ~irections (i.e., the quill head 22 woulcl rotate in a counterclockwise direction as the quill head 22' ro~ates in a clockwise clirection and vice versa). In orcler to prevent the two hourglass screw threads from interfering with each other, a cutter (not shown) associated with the quill head 22' would trail the cutter 26 by a distance determined by the value of the lead angle of tl~e screw threads.
As indicated above, the Machine 10 is adapted to permit the machining of worm screws for worm drive systems having other ratios ancl worm wheels of various sizes and roller orientations. Fur instance, the angl,e (~ ) oE the cutter 26 can be variecl by chang;ng the angle lS of the mounting bloclc ~8. If a change in ratio is desired, the worm gear unit 30 can be removed an(l replace~ with another conventional worm gear unit oE a desired ratio. Also, the distance (d) between the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blanl~ 48 and the central longitudinal axis 42 of the output shaft 34 of the worm `gear unit 30 can be varied by adjusting the position of the plllow blocks 44, 46 relative to the top 14 of the support table 12.
It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, instead oE employing one motor to drive the screw blank 48 and the quill head 22, the screw blank 48 and the quill head 22 can be driven by independent power sources which are synchronized so as to achieve the desired ratio between the rates oE rotation of the screw blank 48 and the quill head 22. Also, the quill head 22 and the cutter 26 could be replaced with a ho'bbing disk or a similar device. All such moclifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope oE the invention as deEined in the appended claims.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for machining enveloping-type worm screws which are adapted for use in a power transmission system utilizing a roller worm wheel, rather than a fixed tooth gear wheel.
In my copending Canadian Patent Applicakion Serial No. 476,460 filed concurrently herewith, which copending application is owned by the assignee of the present application and is entitled "IMPROVED POWER
TRANSMISSION SYSTEM'~, there is disclosed a new and improved worm drive system which includes an enveloping-type worm screw and a roller worm wheel. ~ore particularly, the roller worm wheel includes two sets oE
rollers inclined at an angle relative to a plane which divides the worm wheel into two symmetrical halves and which is normal to the worm wheel's axis of rotation. One set of rollers is positioned on one side of the imaginary plane of symmetry, while the other set of rollers is positioned on the opposite side of the imaginary plane of symmet~ry in a staggered relationship relative to the first set of rollers.
In Collier United States Patent No. 921,593, a technique for cutting an enveloping-type worm screw is disclosed. 'rhe technique involves forming an hourglass 2S screw thread using a cutter which is always directed at the central longitudinal axis of a worm screw blank.
~ccordingly, the hourglass screw thread is specifically designed to mate with roller teeth or Eixed teeth which are always directed at the central longitudinal axis of the worm screw. The technique described in the Collier patent is, therefore, not suitable for machining an hourglass screw thread adapted to mate with the angularly positioned rollers of the roller worm wheel disclosed in the copending patent application identified above.
~ccording to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a me~hod and apparatus for manufacturing an enveloping-type worm screw which is adapted to make with the rollers of the worm wheel employe(J by the new and improved drive system disclosed in the above-identiEied copending application. The method and apparatus involve mounting an hourglass-shaped screw blanlc such that the screw blanlc is rotatable about a first axis which is coincident with a cent~al longitudinal axis oE the screw blank. A first cutter is positioned on one side of the screw blank such that the first cutter is pivotable about a second axis arranged at an angle of 90 relative to the first axis. Furtller, the first cutter is positioned at a predetermined inclined angle relative to a plane which includes the first axis ancl which is normal to the second axis. Tle first cutter is also positioned such that its central longitudinal axis intersects the central longitudinal axis of the screw blank at a point intermediate two opposecl ends of the screw blank. The screw blanlc is then rotated about the first axis at a first rate, while the first cutter is simultaneously pivoted about the second axis at a second rate which is less than the first rate, whereby the first cutter forms a first hourglass screw thread in the screw blank.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a second hourglass screw thread can be machined in the screw blank by positioning a second cutter on an opposite side of the screw blank such that the second cutter is pivotable about a third axis arranged at an angle of 90 relative to the first axis.
Further, the second cutter is positioned at a predetermined inclined angle relative to a plane which includes the first axis and which is normal to the third axis. The second cutter is also positioned such that its central ]ongitudinal axis intersects the central longitudinal axis of the screw blanlc at a polnt intermediate the two opposed ends of the screw blanlc.
After the second cutter is so positioned, it is pivoted about the third axis at the same rate as the Eirst cutter, while the screw blank is simultaneously rotated about the first axis at the first rate.
According to yet another aspect oE the present invention, the first cutter can machine both the Eirst hourglass screw thread and the second hourglass screw thread by remounting the screw blank, after the machining of the first hourglass screw threadv such that the two opposed ends of the screw blank are reversed and such that the screw blank is again rotatable about the first axis.
After locating the remounted screw blank in a position in which the first cutter will cut the second hourglass screw 1~ thread without interfering with the first hourglass screw thread, the screw blank is rotated about the first axis at the first rate, while the first cutter is simultaneously pivoted about the second axis at the second rate.
In order that the present invention may be Eully understood, it will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a right side elevational view oE a thread-cutting machine adapted to manuEacture an enveloping-type worm screw in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a left side elevational view of the machine illùstrated in solid lines in Figure lr a portion of the machine being broken away to facilitate consideration and discussion;
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the machine i]lustrated in solid lines in Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a top view of the machine illustrated in solid lines in Figures 1-3; and Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration oE the relationship between various elements oE the machine shown in ~igures 1-4.
The present invention is especially useful in connection with the manuEacture of worm drive systems like those described and illustrated in copending Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 476,460 filed concurrently herewith, which copending application is owned by the assignee of the present application and is entitled "IMPROVED POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM".
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In order to facilitate consideration and discussion of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described in detail below, it is assumed that the invention will be constructed ancl operated so as to manufacture a worm screw for a twelve to one ratio worm drive system, which also includes a worm wheel having a four inch radius and two sets of rollers inclined at an angle of thirty degrees relative to a plane which divides the worm wheel into two symmetxical halves and which is normal to the worm wheel's axis of rotation, one set of rollers being positioned on one side of the imaginary plane of symmetry and the other set of rollers being positioned on the opposite side of the imaginary- plane of symmetry in a staggered relationship relative to the first set of rollers. The present invention does, of course, permit the machining of worm screws for worm drive systems having other ratios and worm wheels oE various 9i zes and roller orientations.
With reEerence to Figures 1-5, there is shown a machine 10 for manufacturing an enveloping-type worm screw for use wi~th the speciEic worm drive system described above. More particularly, the machine 10 includes a support table 12 having a horizontal top 14. A base plate 16, having suitable bearings tnot shown), is slidably and pivotally mounted on the top 14 of the support table 12.
An angular mounting block 18 is attached to the base plate 16. The mounting block 18 is attached to the base plate 16. The mounting block 18 carries a slide 20, which slidably receives a variable speed motori~ed quill head 22. The quill head 22 may, for example~ be a Bridgeport Model SP-651-BJC4-203D having a chuck 24 adapted to removably support a cutter 26 tsee Figures 2-5~, such as a fifteen degree tapered end mill, for rotation about an axis of rotation 28 (see Figure 5).
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A conventional twelve to one ratio worm gear unit 30 is mounted underneath the top 14 of the support table 12. The worrn gear unit 30 includes a hori~,ontal1y arranged input shaft 32 (see ~ig. 2) and a vertically - 5 arranged output shaft 34 (see Figs. 2, 4, and 5) 9 which rotates once for every twelve revolutions of the input shaft 32.
The input shaft 32 is fixedly attached to an input shaft gear 36 (see Fig. 1), which meshes with a drive gear 37 (see Fig. 1) of a variable speed elec~ric motor 38, mounted on one side of the support table 12.
Electrical controls 40 for the motor 38 are mounted on the front of the support table 12.
The output shaft 34 of the worm gear unit 30 extends upwardly through an opening (not shown) in the top 14 of the support table 12. The output shaft 34 is fixedly attached to tlle base plate 16 so that the ~ase plate 16 rotates conjointly with the output shaft 34 about a central longitudinal axis 42 (see Fig. 5) of the output shaft 34.
Pillow blocks 44, 46, which are adjustably mounted on the top 14 of the support table 12, rotatably support a screw blank 48 (see Fig. 4) for rotation about a central longitudinal axis 50 (see Fig. 5) of the screw blank 48. The screw blank 48 has an hourglass shape characterized by opposed cylindrical ends 52, 54 and a parabolic midsection 56. The opposed ends 52, 54 of the screw blank 48 are attached to bearings 58, 60, respectively, rotatably supported in the pillow blocks 44, 46, respectively.
With particular reference to Fig. 1, the bearing 58 of the pillow block 44 is connected to and driven by the drive gear 37 o~ the motor 38 through a gearing system 62, which includes the input shaEt gear 36, a large idler gear 64, two small idler gears 66, 68 and a pillow block gear ~0. The gearing system 62 is designed such that the screw blank 48 malces one complete revolution about its central longitudinflL
axis 50 f~r each complete revolution of the input shaft 32 of the worm gear unit 30. Inasmuch as the output shaft 34 of the worrn gear unit 30 rotates once for every twelve revolutions of the input sha~t 32, the screw blank 48 which rotates at the same rate as the input shaft 32, revolves twelve times for each complete revolution of the quill head 22, which rotates conjointly with the output shaft 34, about the central longitudinal axis 42 of the output shaft 34.
In order to machine the desired worm screw from the screw blank 48~ the pillow blocks 44, 46 are locatecl such that the shortest distance (d) between the cent~al longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48 and the central longitudinal axis 42 of the output shaft 34 is four inches (see ~'i.g. 5), which distance ~d) corresponds to the radius of the worm wheel to be used in combinatio with the worm screw machi.ne from the screw blanlc 48. Tlle cutter 28 is positioned at an inclined angle (~ ) relative to the top 14 of the support table 12 and hence to the horizontal (see Fig. 5). The angle (~ ) is selected so as to match tlle angle of the rollers employed by the worm wheel of the contemplated worm gear set.
Thus, the angle (~ ) is thirty degrees. The quill head 22 is positioned such that a vertical plane containing the axis of rotation 28 of the cutter 26 is normal to the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48 at a point intermediate the opposed ends 52, 54 of the screw blank 48, the screw blank 48 beîng symmetrical about this vertical plane when the plane intersects such an intermediate point on the screw blank 48. With the quill.
head 22 so positioned, the cutter 26 is located at a height selected such that its axis of rotati.on 28 intersects the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48 intermediate the ends 52, 54 of the screw blank 48. The depth of the cut to be made by the cutter 26 can be selected by moving the quill head 22 up or down the sl.ide 20.
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Upon actuation of the motor 38, the drive gear 37 of the motor 38 rotates the input shaft gear 36 which, in turn, rotates the input shaft 32 of the worrn gear unit 30. The worm gear unit 30 is designed such that S the output shaEt 34 makes one revolution for every twelve revolutions of the input sh~ft 32. The rotation of the output shaft 34 is transferred to the quill head 22 through the base plate 16. The controls 40 for the motor 38 are such that the direction of rotation of the drive gear 37 can be reversed, whereby the output shaft 34 and, hence, the quill head 22 can be rotated in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise cllrection.
Reversing the direction of rotation of the drive gear 37 of the motor 38 would also, of course, reverse the direction of rotation of the screw bLank 48 about its central longitudinal axis 50.
The gearing system 62 is designed such that the screw blank 48 rotates twelve times cluring the period that it takes the quill head 22 and, henceg the cutter 26 to make one complete revolution about the central longitudinàl axis 42 of the output shaft 34 of the worm gear unit 30. During a typical milling operation, the quill heacl 22 does not, however, malce a complete revolution about the axis 42. Rather, the quill head 22 rotates through an arc which is less than three hunclred and sixty degrees. The length of this arc, which is typically about forty five degrees, is determined by the diameter of the screw blank 48.
In order to cut a first hourglass screw threacl in the screw blank 48, the cutter 26 is set for the depth of cut desired for the first pass of the cutter 26 through the screw blank 48. The quil] head 22 is then positioned such that the cutter 26 is pointed in the general direction of the pillow block 44, the cutter 26 being out of contact with the screw blank 48. When tlle quill head 22 is so positioned, the axis of rotation 28 of the cutter 26 does not intersect the centraL
longituclinal axis 50 oE the screw blanlc 48 b~t ralher extends below the central longitudinal axis 50. The quill head 22 is then rotated about the central longitudillal axis 42 of the output sllaft 34 in a collnterclockwise direction selected to move the quill head 22 toward the end 54 oE the screw blank 48. As the quill head 22 is so rotated, the cutter 26, which is rotating about its axis of rotation 28~ contacts the screw blanlc 48, whicll is also rotating about its central longitudinal axis 50, to make the initial cut for the f:irst hourglass screw thread. When the cutter 26 reaches a point intermediate the ends 52, 54 of the screw blanlc 48j the axis of rotation 28 of the cutter 26 intersects the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48. As the quill head 22 continues its counterclockwise rotation, the axis of rotation 28 of the cutter 26 again falls below the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48. Thus, the cutter 26 traces a pass which is parabolic relat;ve to the central longitudinal axis 50 oE the screw blank 48. This parabolic path ma~ches the parabolic curve of the parabolic midsection 56 of the screw blank ~8. The parabolic~path traced by the cutter 26 also simulates the path that one set of worm wheel rollers will take as they roll through the worrn screw to be machined from the screw blank 48.
After making the initial pass described above, the quill head 22 is moved up the slide 20 so that the cutter 26 will not contact the screw blank 48 as the quill head 22 is rotated in a clockwise direction to return it to its starting position (i.e., to a position in which ~he cutter 26 is pointed in the general direction oE the pillow block 44). The quill head 22 is then moved down the slide 22 to a position in which tlle cutter 26 will make a slight]y deeper cut in the screw blank 48. As the cutter 26 passes back through the screw blanlc 48, the cutter 26 retraces its initial parabolic path. The number of passes required o the cutter 26 depends upon the desired depth of the Eirst hourglass screw thread to be machined in the screw blank 48.
In order to generate a secvnd hourglass screw thread for the other set of worm wheel rollers, the screw blank 48 is removed from the bearings 58, 60 o~ e pillow bloclcs 4~, 46 and, before being remounted in the bearings 58, 60, turned end over end so that, upon remounting, the end 52 is mounted in the bearing 60 and the encl 54 is mounted in the bearing 58. The quill head 22 i5 then returned to its starting position in the manner described above. After setting the cutter 26 for the desired depth of the initial cut and manually or otherwise rotating the screw blank 4~ to a predetermined angular position in which the first hourglass screw thread will not be interfered with by the second hourglass screw thread, the cutter 26 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to malce the initial cut Eor the second hourglass screw threacl. As the cutter 26 passes througll the screw bLanl~ ~8, the cutter 26 traces a path which is parabolic relative to the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blank 48. This parabolic path, which also matches the parbolic curve of the parabolic midsection 56 oE the screw blanlc 48, simulates the path that the other set of worm wheel rollers will take as they roll through the worm screw to be machined Erom the screw blanlc 48. Additional passes of the cutter 26 are made as described above until the second hourglass screw thread reaches the desired depth.
The two hourglass screw threads can also be generatecl without reverse mounting the screw blank 48.
With reference to Fig. 1, the machine 10 can be provided with anotller quill head 22' which is identical in construction and operation to the quill head 22, except that the quill head 22' is mounted on an opposite sicle oE
the screw blank 48 from the quill head 22. In operation, the quill head 22' rotates simultaneously wi~h and at the same rate as the quill head 22. During such rotation o~
the quill heads 22, 22', which can be accomplished ~y suitably gearing the output shaft 34 o~ the worm gear unit 30 to a corresponding drive sha~t for tlle (luill --1,0--head 22', the quill heads 22, 22' would preEerably rotate in opposite ~irections (i.e., the quill head 22 woulcl rotate in a counterclockwise direction as the quill head 22' ro~ates in a clockwise clirection and vice versa). In orcler to prevent the two hourglass screw threads from interfering with each other, a cutter (not shown) associated with the quill head 22' would trail the cutter 26 by a distance determined by the value of the lead angle of tl~e screw threads.
As indicated above, the Machine 10 is adapted to permit the machining of worm screws for worm drive systems having other ratios ancl worm wheels of various sizes and roller orientations. Fur instance, the angl,e (~ ) oE the cutter 26 can be variecl by chang;ng the angle lS of the mounting bloclc ~8. If a change in ratio is desired, the worm gear unit 30 can be removed an(l replace~ with another conventional worm gear unit oE a desired ratio. Also, the distance (d) between the central longitudinal axis 50 of the screw blanl~ 48 and the central longitudinal axis 42 of the output shaft 34 of the worm `gear unit 30 can be varied by adjusting the position of the plllow blocks 44, 46 relative to the top 14 of the support table 12.
It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, instead oE employing one motor to drive the screw blank 48 and the quill head 22, the screw blank 48 and the quill head 22 can be driven by independent power sources which are synchronized so as to achieve the desired ratio between the rates oE rotation of the screw blank 48 and the quill head 22. Also, the quill head 22 and the cutter 26 could be replaced with a ho'bbing disk or a similar device. All such moclifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope oE the invention as deEined in the appended claims.
Claims (10)
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:
1. Apparatus for machining an enveloping-type worm screw from a screw blank having an hourglass shape and a central longitudinal axis, comprising first mounting means for mounting said screw blank such that said screw blank is rotatable about a first axis which is coincident with said central longitudinal axis of said screw blank;
first positioning means for positioning a first cutter, having a central longitudinal axis, on one side of said screw blank such that said first cutter is pivotable about a second axis arranged at an angle of 90° relative to said first axis, said first cutter being positioned at a predetermined inclined angle relative to a plane which includes said first axis and which is normal to said second axis and said first cutter being positioned such that said central longitudinal axis of said first cutter intersects said central longitudinal axis of said screw blank at a point intermediate two opposed ends of said screws blank; first rotating means for rotating said screw blank about said first axis at a first rate; and first pivoting means for pivoting said first cutter about said second axis at a second rate which is less than said first rate, said first cutter being pivoted as said screw blank rotates, whereby said first cutter forms a first hourglass screw thread in said screw blank.
first positioning means for positioning a first cutter, having a central longitudinal axis, on one side of said screw blank such that said first cutter is pivotable about a second axis arranged at an angle of 90° relative to said first axis, said first cutter being positioned at a predetermined inclined angle relative to a plane which includes said first axis and which is normal to said second axis and said first cutter being positioned such that said central longitudinal axis of said first cutter intersects said central longitudinal axis of said screw blank at a point intermediate two opposed ends of said screws blank; first rotating means for rotating said screw blank about said first axis at a first rate; and first pivoting means for pivoting said first cutter about said second axis at a second rate which is less than said first rate, said first cutter being pivoted as said screw blank rotates, whereby said first cutter forms a first hourglass screw thread in said screw blank.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising revolving means for revolving said first cutter about its central longitudinal axis as said first cutter is pivoted about said second axis.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising second mounting means for mounting a second cutter, having a central longitudinal axis, on an opposite of said screw blank such that said second cutter is pivotable about a third axis arranged at an angle of 90°
relative to said first axis, said second cutter being positioned at a predetermined inclined angle relative to a plane which includes said first axis and which is normal to said third axis and said second cutter being positioned such that said central longitudinal axis of said second cutter intersects said central longitudinal axis of said screw blank at a point intermediate said two opposed ends of said screw blank, and second pivoting means for pivoting said second cutter about said third axis at a second rate during the simultaneous rotation of said screw blank about said first axis at said first rate, whereby said second cutter forms a second hourglass screw thread in said screw blank.
relative to said first axis, said second cutter being positioned at a predetermined inclined angle relative to a plane which includes said first axis and which is normal to said third axis and said second cutter being positioned such that said central longitudinal axis of said second cutter intersects said central longitudinal axis of said screw blank at a point intermediate said two opposed ends of said screw blank, and second pivoting means for pivoting said second cutter about said third axis at a second rate during the simultaneous rotation of said screw blank about said first axis at said first rate, whereby said second cutter forms a second hourglass screw thread in said screw blank.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising first revolving means for revolving said first cutter about its central longitudinal axis as said first cutter is pivoted about said second axis and second revolving means for revolving said second cutter about its central longitudinal axis as said second cutter is pivoted about said third axis.
5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second cutter trails said first cutter by a distance determined by the value of the lead angle of said first and second hourglass screw threads, whereby said first and second hourglass screw threads do not interfere with each other.
6. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first and second cutters are hobbing disks.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first cutter is a hobbing disk.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second axes are spaced apart a predetermined distance equal to the radius of a worm wheel adapted for use in connection with said worm screw.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said predetermined distance is adjustable.
10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second rates are variable so as to achieve any desired ratio between them.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000596944A CA1271604A (en) | 1984-03-13 | 1989-04-17 | Apparatus and method for machining an enveloping-type worm screw |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US588,967 | 1984-03-13 | ||
| US06/588,967 US4588337A (en) | 1984-03-13 | 1984-03-13 | Apparatus and method for machining an enveloping-type worm screw |
| CA000476459A CA1264902A1 (en) | 1984-03-13 | 1985-03-13 | Apparatus and method for machining an enveloping-type worm screw |
| CA000596944A CA1271604A (en) | 1984-03-13 | 1989-04-17 | Apparatus and method for machining an enveloping-type worm screw |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000476459A Division CA1264902A1 (en) | 1984-03-13 | 1985-03-13 | Apparatus and method for machining an enveloping-type worm screw |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1271604A true CA1271604A (en) | 1990-07-17 |
Family
ID=25670612
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000596944A Expired - Fee Related CA1271604A (en) | 1984-03-13 | 1989-04-17 | Apparatus and method for machining an enveloping-type worm screw |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1271604A (en) |
-
1989
- 1989-04-17 CA CA000596944A patent/CA1271604A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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