Worm drive for high loads - has worm with recirculating balls and flexible worm wheel

摘要

The worm of the drive consists of a screw track on which balls roll which recirculate through the centre of the worm. The worm wheel, which engages with the worm, consists of a rigid wheel with flexible gear rim which can deform so that more than one gear tooth is in engagement with the balls on the worm and can transmit a larger load. The flexible gear rim consists of a thin cylinder which is attached to the wheel rim at one or both ends. The cylinder may deflect radially but can transmit a large torque.