Finite Element Analysis of Composite Worm Gears

Abstract

Worm gears are commonly used in windshield wipers and power windows of automobiles. The goal of this work is to study several material problems, such as production bottlenecks and excessive scrap, resulting from the production of steel worm shafts. A possible solution is explored in this work by characterizing material properties of a promising candidate (glass reinforced acetal copolymer) that can replace steel in worm gears. Finite element analysis of the worm thread under static loading and constant temperature is performed in order to calculate the size of the new composite part. The results obtained in this work support the possibility of manufacturing composite worm shafts that could operate at elevated temperatures without sacrificing part performance, while reducing part weight leading to improved fuel economy, noise reduction, and manufacturing problems associated with the steel part. The finite element analysis shows that compared to a steel gear, the axial pitch of a composite worm gear must be increased by 250% in order for it to operate without failure for 10 years at a constant temperature of 23%C. This increase in the axial pitch would ramp up to 400%, if the composite worm gear is expected to operate for 10 years at a constant temperature of 100 C.

Model Analysis Of Worm Gear Pair System Using Finite Element Analysis

“…Mohamed et al [13] to ascertain the variation in stiffness with regard to the angular location for various combinations of crack lengths, a finite element analysis was carried out. Maheedhara and Pourboghrat [14] examined worm gearboxes utilised in car power windows and windscreen wipers. Finite element analysis is used to calculate the size of the composite worm under static loads and constant temperature.…”

Preparation and Properties of Wood Flour/HDPE Composites Using C₅-g-MAH as Compatilizer

“…However due to the polar and hydrophilic nature of WF, the dispersion of WF within HDPE is extremely difficult, leading to poor interfacial adhesion and wood flour agglomeration, which is responsible for poor processability characteristics and inferior mechanical properties of WPCs. Hence, the use of compatilizers is necessary for improving the properties of WPCs [1]. MAH grafted polyolefin is the most effective compatilizer for WPCs which was attributed to the improved interfacial adhesion and the finer dispersion of WF [3].…”