Engee documentation

Worm Gear

Worm gear with adjustable gear ratio and friction losses.

blockType: Engee1DMechanical.Transmission.Gears.Worm

Path in the library:

/Physical Modeling/1D Mechanical/Gears/Worm Gear

Description

The Worm Gear unit is a rotary gear in which two linked drive axes, a worm (W) and a pinion (G), rotate together at a fixed ratio that you set. You can choose whether the gear rotates in positive or negative direction. Right-handed rotation is the positive direction. If the worm threads are right-handed, ω and ω have the same sign. If the worm thread is left-handed, ω and ω have opposite signs.

Thermal model

You can model the effects of heat flow and temperature changes by enabling the optional thermal port. To use the thermal port, set the Friction model parameters to `Temperature-dependent efficiency'.

Ideal worm gear and gear ratios

The Worm Gear block imposes one kinematic constraint on two linked axes:

where

  • - is the angular speed of the worm screw;

  • - gear ratio;

  • - angular velocity of the pinion.

Two degrees of freedom are reduced to one independent degree of freedom. A direct drive gear pair has the following designation .

The torque is transmitted as follows:

at in the ideal case,

where

  • - is the torque transmission coefficient for a worm screw;

  • - is the torque transmission coefficient for the gear;

  • - torque transmission losses. The losses depend on the efficiency of the device and the direction of energy flow. To avoid an abrupt change in the friction torque at = 0, the friction torque is introduced through a hyperbolic function.

Non-ideal constraints and losses in a worm gear train

In the non-ideal case . For more details, see Modeling of mechanical gears with losses.

Geometric surface contact friction

In the case of contact friction, the efficiencies of torque transmission from worm to pinion and from pinion to worm are determined as follows:

  • The geometry of the worm gear threads, determined by the angle of lift and the angle of normal pressure .

  • Surface contact friction coefficient .




Constant efficiency

In the case of constant friction, you specify and , regardless of geometric details.

Self-locking and negative efficiency

has two different modes depending on the angle of lift , separated by the self-locking point, where and .

  • In the self-locking mode, , and the force acting on the nut can turn the screw.

  • In self-locking mode, , and external torque must be applied to the screw to release the locked mechanism. The smaller the value , the greater the torque must be to release the mechanism. is conditionally positive.

Gearing efficiency

The efficiency of the meshing between the worm screw and the pinion is only maximised if the transmitted power exceeds a threshold value.

If the power is less than the threshold power, the actual efficiency automatically equalises to one at zero speed.

You can set the friction loss model in the meshing:

  • `No meshing losses - suitable for HIL simulation'.

  • `Constant efficiency'.

  • `Temperature-dependent efficiency', which models the variability of the base shaft efficiency calculated in `Constant efficiency' mode according to an interpolation table provided by the user. The temperature dependency setting includes a non-directional H port. This port allows the effects of heat flux and temperature variation to be modelled.

Viscous friction force

The viscous friction coefficient μ determines the viscous friction torque generated in a worm screw due to lubrication, non-ideal gear threads, and viscous losses in the bearings. The viscous friction torque on the worm gear axis is , where is the angular velocity of the worm with respect to its mounting.

The viscous friction coefficient determines the viscous friction torque experienced by the gear, mainly due to viscous bearing losses. The viscous friction torque on the gear axis is , where is the angular velocity of the gear relative to its mount.

Simulation in hardware loop

For optimum performance of your real-time simulation, set the Friction model parameters to No meshing losses - Suitable for HIL simulation.

Variables

Use the Initial Targets section of the settings to set the priority and initial target values for the block parameters variables prior to simulation. For more information, see Configuring physical blocks using target values.

Assumptions and constraints

  • The inertia of the gears is negligible.

  • Gears are treated as solids.

  • Coulomb friction slows down the simulation (see here for details).

Ports

Conserving

# W — worm screw
`rotational mechanics

Details

A non-directional port associated with the worm.

Program usage name

worm_flange

# G — pinion
`rotational mechanics

Details

A non-directional port associated with a gear.

Program usage name

gear_flange

# H — heat flux
`heat

Details

A non-directional port associated with heat flow.

The heat port allows modelling the heat flow between the unit and the connected network.

Dependencies

To use this port, set Friction model to `Temperature-dependent efficiency'.

Program usage name

thermal_port

Parameters

Meshing Losses

# Worm-gear efficiency — EFFICIENCY of torque transmission from worm to gear

Details

EFFICIENCY transmission of torque from the worm to the gear.

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Constant efficiency and for the Friction parameterization value Efficiencies.

Default value

0.74

Program usage name

worm_to_gear_efficiency_const

Evaluatable

Yes

# Gear-worm efficiency — EFFICIENCY of torque transmission from gear to worm

Details

EFFICIENCY transmission of torque from the gear to the worm.

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Constant efficiency and for the Friction parameterization value Efficiencies.

Default value

0.65

Program usage name

gear_to_worm_efficiency_const

Evaluatable

Yes

# Worm-gear efficiency — an array of efficiency values for the transmission of torque from the worm to the gear

Details

An array of efficiency values for the transmission of torque from the worm to the gear. The values of the array are the efficiency at the corresponding temperature values in the Temperature parameter. Both arrays must be the same size.

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Temperature-dependent efficiency.

Default value

[0.75, 0.65, 0.6]

Program usage name

worm_to_gear_efficiency_vector

Evaluatable

Yes

# Gear-worm efficiency — an array of efficiency values for transferring torque from a gear to a worm

Details

An array of efficiency values for the transmission of torque from the gear to the worm. The values of the array are the efficiency at the corresponding temperature values in the Temperature parameter. Both arrays must be the same size.

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Temperature-dependent efficiency.

Default value

[0.5, 0.45, 0.4]

Program usage name

gear_to_worm_efficiency_vector

Evaluatable

Yes

# Friction model — the friction model
No meshing losses - Suitable for HIL simulation | Constant efficiency | Temperature-dependent efficiency

Details

The model of friction in transmission. Set as:

  • No meshing losses - Suitable for HIL simulation – gear engagement is considered ideal.

  • Constant efficiency – the transmission of torque between the worm screw and the gear is reduced by a constant amount of efficiency, , such that .

  • Temperature-dependent efficiency – the transmission of torque between pairs of gears is determined by the interpolation table of temperature correspondence and the efficiency of torque transmission.

Values

No meshing losses - Suitable for HIL simulation | Constant efficiency | Temperature-dependent efficiency

Default value

No meshing losses - Suitable for HIL simulation

Program usage name

friction_model

Evaluatable

No

# Friction parameterization — friction losses due to imperfect engagement
Friction coefficient and geometrical parameters | Efficiencies

Details

Friction losses due to imperfect engagement. Set as:

  • Friction coefficient and geometrical parameters – friction is determined by the contact friction between the surfaces.

  • Efficiencies – friction is determined by constant efficiency .

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Constant efficiency.

Values

Friction coefficient and geometrical parameters | Efficiencies

Default value

Friction coefficient and geometrical parameters

Program usage name

friction_parameterization

Evaluatable

No

# Normal pressure angle — normal pressure angle
rad | deg | rev | mrad | arcsec | arcmin | gon

Details

Pressure angle on the thread in the normal plane. The value must be in the range (0, 90)°.

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Constant efficiency and for the Friction parameterization value Friction coefficient and geometrical parameters.

Units

rad | deg | rev | mrad | arcsec | arcmin | gon

Default value

17.5 deg

Program usage name

thread_pressure_angle

Evaluatable

Yes

# Lead angle — lifting angle
rad | deg | rev | mrad | arcsec | arcmin | gon

Details

Thread lifting angle , where:

  • – the thread stroke of the worm.

  • – the average thread diameter.

The value must be greater than zero.

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Constant efficiency and for the Friction parameterization value Friction coefficient and geometrical parameters.

Units

rad | deg | rev | mrad | arcsec | arcmin | gon

Default value

20.0 deg

Program usage name

lead_angle

Evaluatable

Yes

# Friction coefficient — coefficient of friction of the thread

Details

The dimensionless coefficient of normal friction in the thread. The value must be greater than zero.

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Constant efficiency and for the Friction parameterization value Friction coefficient and geometrical parameters.

Default value

0.08

Program usage name

friction_coefficient

Evaluatable

Yes

# Temperature — vector of temperature values
K | degC | degF | degR | deltaK | deltadegC | deltadegF | deltadegR

Details

A vector of temperature values used to construct an interpolation table of temperature and torque transmission efficiency. The elements of the vector should increase monotonously.

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Temperature-dependent efficiency.

Units

K | degC | degF | degR | deltaK | deltadegC | deltadegF | deltadegR

Default value

[280.0, 300.0, 320.0] K

Program usage name

temperature_vector

Evaluatable

Yes

# Power threshold — minimum threshold power value
W | uW | mW | kW | MW | GW | V*A | HP_DIN

Details

The power threshold value, when exceeded, the value of the total torque transmission efficiency is applied. If the value is lower than the specified value, the efficiency value is smoothed using a hyperbolic tangent function.

  • If you set the Friction model parameter to Constant efficiency The unit reduces losses to zero when no power is transmitted.

  • If you set the Friction model parameter to Temperature-dependent efficiency The unit smooths the efficiency between zero at rest and the values indicated in the interpolation tables of temperature correspondence and efficiency of torque transmission.

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Constant efficiency or Temperature-dependent efficiency.

Units

W | uW | mW | kW | MW | GW | V*A | HP_DIN

Default value

0.001 W

Program usage name

power_threshold

Evaluatable

Yes

Main

# Gear ratio — Gear ratio

Details

Relationship the angular velocity of the worm screw is relative to the angular velocity of the gear. The value must be higher 1.

Default value

25.0

Program usage name

ratio

Evaluatable

Yes

# Worm thread type — rotation orientation
Right-hand | Left-hand

Details

The direction of rotation of the gear corresponding to the positive rotation of the worm screw.

  • If the value is set to Left-hand. rotating the worm screw in the positive direction will cause the gear to rotate in the negative direction.

Values

Right-hand | Left-hand

Default value

Right-hand

Program usage name

thread_handedness

Evaluatable

No

Viscous Losses

# Worm-carrier and sun-carrier viscous friction coefficients — vector of viscous friction coefficients between worm and gear
N*m*s/rad | mN*m*s/rad | kN*m*s/rad | kgf*m*s/rad | lbf*ft*s/rad

Details

Vector of viscous friction coefficients, for the movement of the worm and gear, respectively.

Units

N*m*s/rad | mN*m*s/rad | kN*m*s/rad | kgf*m*s/rad | lbf*ft*s/rad

Default value

[0.0, 0.0] N*m*s/rad

Program usage name

viscous_coefficient_vector

Evaluatable

Yes

Thermal Port

# Thermal mass — heat capacity
J/K | kJ/K

Details

The thermal energy required to change the temperature of a component by one degree of temperature. The higher the heat capacity, the more resistant the component is to temperature changes.

Dependencies

To use this parameter, set the Friction model parameter to Temperature-dependent efficiency.

Units

J/K | kJ/K

Default value

50.0 J/K

Program usage name

thermal_mass

Evaluatable

Yes