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Three-dimensional tooth profile design method of harmonic drive considering the deformation difference of the flexspline

Yangfan Li (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China)
Yingjie Zhang (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China)
Ning Zhang (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China)
Bingchao Xu (School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China)

Engineering Computations

ISSN: 0264-4401

Article publication date: 17 February 2021

Issue publication date: 17 August 2021

305

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to improve the meshing effect of the gear teeth. It is recommended to analyze the deformation difference between the inner and outer surfaces of the flexspline. The purpose of this paper is to modify the profile of the flexspline based on the deformation difference to improve the transmission accuracy and operating life of the harmonic drive.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, ring theory is used to calculate the deformation difference of the inner and outer surfaces of the flexspline, and the actual tooth profile of the flexspline is corrected based on the deformation difference. Then, the flexspline is divided into multiple sections along the axial direction, so that the three-dimensional tooth profile of the flexspline is modified to improve the gear tooth meshing effect.

Findings

This paper proves the effect of the deformation difference between the inner and outer surfaces of the flexspline on the tooth backlash, which affects the transmission accuracy and life of the harmonic drive. It is recommended to modify the tooth profile of the flexspline based on the deformation difference, so as to ensure the tooth meshing effect.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new way for the optimization of the three-dimensional tooth profile design of the harmonic drive.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.51875445); Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China (Grant No. 2017ZDJC-21).

Citation

Li, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, N. and Xu, B. (2021), "Three-dimensional tooth profile design method of harmonic drive considering the deformation difference of the flexspline", Engineering Computations, Vol. 38 No. 8, pp. 3351-3367. https://doi.org/10.1108/EC-06-2019-0266

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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