초록 ▼

A pair of distinctive spherical gears transmits rotary motion between two shafts, while allowing the angle between the shafts to vary (e.g., by even more than 40°) continuously during operation. The term “spherical”is used to distinguish these distinctive gears from conventional “cylindrical”(spur a

A pair of distinctive spherical gears transmits rotary motion between two shafts, while allowing the angle between the shafts to vary (e.g., by even more than 40°) continuously during operation. The term “spherical”is used to distinguish these distinctive gears from conventional “cylindrical”(spur and helical) and “conical”(bevel and hypoid) gears. Several forms of spherical gear teeth are specifically detailed and applied in designs appropriate for automotive constant-velocity joints.

대표청구항 ▼

A pair of gears with meshing mating teeth for transmitting rotational forces between two elements that are each rotatable about a respective one of two axes intersecting when in one of (a) the same plane and (b) parallel planes projected one upon the other, said gears comprising: each said gear bein

A pair of gears with meshing mating teeth for transmitting rotational forces between two elements that are each rotatable about a respective one of two axes intersecting when in one of (a) the same plane and (b) parallel planes projected one upon the other, said gears comprising: each said gear being fixedly attachable to a respective one of said elements for rotation therewith; each of said gears having (i) a respective pitch surface in the form of a respective pitch sphere and (ii) a respective pitch circle that is a great circle on said respective pitch sphere; said two respective pitch spheres and said two respective pitch circles being in one of the positions (a) wherein said two pitch spheres are concentric and have radii which are substantially identical, and said pitch circles effectively intersect with each other at two points separated by 180°, and (b) wherein said two pitch spheres are differently sized and share a single point of tangency, and said pitch circles are respective great circles on said differently-sized spheres so that said pitch circles intersect with each other at only said point of tangency shared by said pitch spheres; each said mating tooth having two tooth faces formed so that a central portion of a lengthwise surface of each tooth face, when viewed on the respective spherical pitch surface of said mating tooth, is an arc of a circle; and when said gears are rotating in a driving and driven relationship, said intersecting axes can be varied throughout a continuous range of angles extending from 180°to a predetermined maximum angle differing from 180°.