Mesh Force Modelling and Parametric Studies for Compound Oscillatory Roller Reducer

Abstract

A compound oscillatory roller reducer (CORR) with a first-stage gear transmission and a second-stage oscillatory roller transmission is presented. The transmission principle of oscillatory roller transmission is introduced, and the tooth profile equation of the inner gear is derived. The analytical model of mesh force considering the installation errors and manufacturing errors is proposed. Then, parametric studies considering different errors on the mesh force are conducted. Results show that the design parameters are significant factors for mesh force. The mesh force is reduced by 17% as the eccentricity of disk cam increases from 2.5 mm to 4 mm. When the radius of the movable roller increases from 7 mm to 20 mm, the mesh force decreases by 8%. As the radius of disk cam increases from 125 mm to 170 mm, the mesh force is decreased by 26.5%. For the impacts of errors, the mesh force has a noticeable fluctuation when these errors exist including the manufacturing error of disk cam, the installation error of disk cam and the manufacturing error of movable roller change. The prototype of the reducer is manufactured and preliminary run-in test proved the feasibility of the transmission principle.

1 Introduction

The compound oscillatory roller transmission is a new type of few teeth difference transmission with multi-tooth meshing. And it can be widely used in precision transmission for various servo drive systems, such as robots, CNC machine tools, and industrial automation. The compound oscillatory roller transmission is based on the oscillatory roller transmission with a single eccentric shaft structure. It not only overcomes the weakness of the harmonic reducer with low stiffness and large backlash, but also greatly solves the problem of large load and low life of the arm bearing in the RV reducer. At the same time, the accuracy, rigidity and power density of the reducer are improved and the manufacturing cost is lower. However, due to the special structure of CORR, the half of teeth participate in the meshing process and the mesh forces change with the meshing position. The force of movable rolling teeth is a complex over-determination problem. For such problems, it is impossible to calculate the force and distribution of the movable rolling teeth by using conventional methods, which cause great inconvenience to the design work. So, proposing an accurate method at calculating the force of movable rolling teeth is imperative.

In the existing studies, lots of researches were conducted for gear transmissions [1,2,3,4,5]. Sahoo et al. proposed a method to estimate the load shared by contact analysis of the multiple tooth pairs and the load distribution pattern in proportion to the tooth deformation was considered [6]. In the modeling, member considered the physical phenomena of the transmission error due to nonlinear elastic deformations in the micro-displacement region, and proposed a novel modeling and compensation approach for the angular transmission error in harmonic drive gearings [7]. Chen et al. [8] presented a method to design a tooth profile and proved the backlash assessment in harmonic drive to enable more teeth to participate in meshing. They also studied the influences of the double-circular-arc common-tangent tooth profile parameters on the distribution and the magnitude of the backlash. Dhaouadi et al. [9] put forward a mathematical model and its parameter identification scheme for harmonic drive gears with compliance and hysteresis. They used numerical simulations and experimental data to verify the modelling concept. Chen et al. [10] researched the deformation and stress distribution of harmonic drive in an assembly state and transmission state. They gave some suggestions for service life and high-performance design. They studied the important modes for the crankshaft of RV reducer using a finite element analysis method in the situation of free border and real border, then he obtained a frequency rang [11]. Zhang et al. [12] proposed a method can accurately calculate the manufacturing error of cycloidal gear for RV reducer. Yu et al. [13] used the finite element method to research the specific impact on the meshing force of manufacturing errors of the pins. Sun et al. [14] proposed a new one-stage cycloid-pin gear reducer. They presented the design and motion analysis of this reducer. Wu et al. [15] introduced the structure and operating principle for rolling movable teeth reducer. They studied the kinematics simulation and dynamic analysis by ADAMS software. Wang et al. [16] established the virtual prototype of the swing movable teeth reducer and achieved the dynamical simulation of the reducer by CAD/CAE software. Liang et al. [17] put forward a method to build the finite element model for swing movable teeth reducer. They researched the natural frequencies and vibration modes of the reducer by using the Block Lanczos method. Song et al. [18] studied a novel pure rolling cycloid planetary gear reducer. They testified the validity and feasibility of the approach to the pure rolling cycloid gear reducer by kinematics simulation. Li et al. [19] analyzed the influence of configuration parameters on the contact ration for cam shock wave rolling movable teeth transmission, including the working teeth profile and curvature of teeth crest of center wheel. Yi et al. [20] introduced the structure and drive principle for rolling swing movable teeth transmission, then synthesized the theoretical and actual profile for the central wheel by methods of complex vector. Routh et al. [21] aimed at review on different aspects of harmonic drive gear to make the comparative study of harmonic drive gear over conventional gear, studying the different design aspects i.e., synthesis of tooth profiles, stress, strain, torque, load sharing and kinematics error, etc. Pham et al. [22] summarized high precision reducers (HPRs) for industrial robots. Then they discussed principle, characteristics, and three main performances of HPRs. Garcia et al. [23] proposed an assessment framework strongly conditioned by Human-Robot-Interaction applications, and used it to review the performance of conventional and emerging robotic gearbox technologies. Li et al. [24] designed the wave generator profile for harmonic drive using a closed convex curve generated by the support function, and established an optimization model of the wave generator profile and a finite element assembly model. Jiang et al. [25] proposed a novel bidirectional conjugate design method, which is based on the combined conjugate calculation of the tooth profiles of flexspline and circular spline, to solve the uncertain problem of the conjugated convex circular-arc tooth profile of circular spline. They calculated the equivalent stress of the two-tooth-difference oscillating-disc movable teeth transmission and studied the influence of the parameters of the movable tooth on the contact stress [26]. Yang et al. [27] analyzed the force of the movable tooth meshing pair of a two-step sine movable tooth transmission and proposed the formulas for calculating the transmission efficiency of the system. Cao et al. [28] introduced a micro-integrated movable tooth transmission system and deduced the static equations of any movable teeth at different meshing positions in micro-scale. Li et al. [29] proposed a swing output movable teeth cam mechanism, and analyzed its structure and transmission principle. Yi et al. [30] proposed a new model of five polynomial curves to achieve any tooth-difference pure rolling movable tooth transmission, and analyzed influence of the movable tooth axis radius on the properties of tooth profile.

In summary, the above studies analyzed the multi-tooth force situation without considering the error. However, the load distribution on each working wheel is very complicated in the multi-tooth meshing drive, and the load distribution is influenced by factors such as the deformation of the part, installation errors, manufacturing errors and meshing backlash. This paper mainly studies the influence of manufacturing errors and installation errors on mesh force for the compound oscillatory roller reducer. Firstly, the transmission principle of oscillatory roller transmission is introduced, and the tooth profile equation of the inner gear is derived. Then, the analytical model of the meshing force considering the installation errors and manufacturing errors is proposed. Finally, parametric studies considering various errors on the mesh force are conducted.

2 Kinematic Principle and Construction of CORR

The section introduces the structural characteristics and kinematic principle of the CORR. CORR is a two-stage series structure with a first-stage gear transmission and a second-stage oscillatory roller transmission. The construction and kinematic principle are illuminated in Figure 1, respectively. In the first stage gear transmission, an input pinion meshes with three wheels mounted on the frame, and three wheels mesh with the inner gear mounted on the crankshaft. In the second stage oscillatory roller transmission, the crankshaft drives the disk cam for eccentric motion. To drive movable roller and provide a balanced load, the phase value is offset 180° for two disk cams. The disk cam drives the movable rolling teeth to move radially in the groove of the movable teeth frame and engages with the inner gear. At the same time, the circumferential motion of movable rolling teeth is output by the movable teeth frame.

Figure 1

Construction and kinematic principle of CORR

From the above analysis of the structural characteristics and kinematic principle of CORR, the following characteristics can be obtained.

• (1) Compact structure: Comparing with the RV reducer, CORR has no output mechanisms and is directly output by the movable teeth frame. In addition, the disk cam, movable rolling teeth, and inner gear are coaxially arranged, and the axial size of CORR is small, thereby reducing the volume and weight.

• (2) Strong carrying capacity: All the movable rolling teeth are in contact with the inner gear, and at most half of the movable rolling teeth are engaged at the same time, so the carrying capacity is strong. Multi-tooth meshing also makes movable rolling teeth withstand more shock loads.

• (3) Large transmission ratio: CORR is a planetary gear transmission with less tooth difference. The transmission ratio of oscillatory roller transmission can reach 8–60, and the transmission ratio of the two-stage can reach 64–3600.

In the design process of the CORR, the most complicated part is the tooth profile of the inner gear. Therefore, the other parameters of the CORR are generally selected first, and the tooth profile equation of the inner gear is derived based on the principle of constant velocity conjugate and envelope.

As shown in Figure 2(a), the equivalent low-low mechanism of oscillatory roller transmission’s meshing pair is a two DOFs five-bar linkage composed of crank 1, copular link 2, slider 3, guide link 4 and frame 5, in which the crank 1 and guide link 4 rotate around the same axis. The parameters L₁ and L₂ are denoted the lengths of the crank 1 and copular link 4. The symbols θ₁ and θ₂ are the rotational angles of the crank 1 and guide link 4. The displacement of point H along the guide link can be written as C_H = f (L₁, L₂, θ₁, θ₂). Because the ratio of CORR is fixed, i_1,2 = dθ₁/dθ₂ = ω₁/ω₂ = const. Therefore, the track C-C of point H is obtained when the parameters θ₁ and θ₂ are given. The rotation angle θ₂ of guide link must follow the rule according to the invariable speed rate i_1,2.

Figure 2

Schematic diagram of oscillatory roller transmission

Based on Figure 2(a), the conjugate tooth profile of the inner gear is obtained by the envelope principle as shown in Figure 2(b). Where the eccentricity of the disk cam is e = L₁, the radius of the disk cam is R_j, the radius of the movable roller is r, and R_j + r = L₂. Let C'-C' represent the outer equidistant curve of C-C relative to the roller radius r based on the envelope principle, then the equations of curves C-C and C'-C' (the theoretic and work profiles of inner gear) as follows

$$\left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {x_{H} = e\left( {\cos z\theta_{2} + \sqrt {\left( {R_{j} + r} \right)^{2} - \sin^{2} z\theta_{2} } } \right)\sin \theta_{2} ,} \\ {y_{H} = e\left( {\cos z\theta_{2} + \sqrt {\left( {R_{j} + r} \right)^{2} - \sin^{2} z\theta_{2} } } \right)\cos \theta_{2} ,} \\ \end{array} } \right.$$

(1)

$$\left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {x = e\left( {\cos z\theta_{2} + \sqrt {\left( {R_{j} + r} \right)^{2} - \sin^{2} z\theta_{2} } } \right)\sin \theta_{2} + r\sin \alpha ,} \\ {y = e\left( {\cos z\theta_{2} + \sqrt {\left( {R_{j} + r} \right)^{2} - \sin^{2} z\theta_{2} } } \right)\cos \theta_{2} + r\cos \alpha ,} \\ \end{array} } \right.$$

(2)

where z is the tooth number of fixed inner gear, α is the angle between y axis and the normal line of curve C'-C' at the mesh point. α can be calculated by Eq. (3).

$$\alpha = \arctan \left( { - \frac{{z\sin z\theta_{2} \sin \theta_{2} + \sqrt {\left( {R_{j} + r} \right)^{2} - \sin^{2} z\theta_{2} } \cdot \cos \theta_{2} }}{{z\sin z\theta_{2} \cos \theta_{2} - \sqrt {\left( {R_{j} + r} \right)^{2} - \sin^{2} z\theta_{2} } \cdot \sin \theta_{2} }}} \right).$$

(3)

The design parameters of CORR are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Design parameters of CORR

3 Mesh Force Modelling for CORR with Error

In this section, a mesh force model considering errors is established based on the structural characteristics and kinematic principle of the CORR. In order to analyze the mesh force for simple and convenient, there are three assumptions as shown in the following.

Recently, various models of the human upper-limb anatomy have been derived. The biomechanical models of the arm that stand for precise anatomical models including muscles, tendons and bones are too complex to be utilized in mechanical design of an anthropomorphic robot arm. From the view of the mechanism, we should set up a more practicable model for easy and effective realization.

• (1) The contact distortions between the movable roller and the disk cam, the movable teeth frame, and the inner gear are small and stretchable, and other distortions of the elements of CORR are not considered.

• (2) Because of the small mass of the movable roller, the influence of its inertial force is ignored.

• (3) Ignore the friction forces of movable roller.

The oscillatory roller transmission is equivalent to the parallel cam-guide link-roller linkages as shown in Figure 3. The entire transmission achieves motion and power transmission through many identical parallel combinations. Therefore, the force analysis of the meshing pair of the movable roller i can be performed, and a model based on this for meshing force can be established [31].

Figure 3

Force analysis of cam-guild link-roller combinatorial linkage mechanical model

H_i is the center point of the movable teeth. F_ji is the force between the disk cam and the movable roller. F_si and F_ni are denoted the forces of the movable teeth frame and the inner gear acting on the movable roller respectively. From Figure 3, the force equilibrium of the movable teeth can be written as

$$F_{si} /\sin \left( {\gamma_{i} + \theta_{i} + \alpha_{i} } \right) = F_{ni} /\sin \left( {{\uppi}/2 - \gamma_{i} } \right) = F_{ji} /\sin \left( {{\uppi}/2 - \theta_{i} - \alpha_{i} } \right),$$

(4)

where α_i is the angle between y axis and the normal vector of the inner gear profile at the mesh point; θ_i is denoted the angle between y axis and the connecting line of the movable teeth frame axis and the center of the movable teeth.

$$\theta_{i} = \theta + \left( {i - 1} \right)\Delta \theta ,$$

(5)

In Eq. (5), $\Delta \theta = 2{{\uppi}}/\left( {z + 1} \right)$ denotes the central angle between two adjacent movable teeth, θ is the initial output angle of the movable teeth frame.

The parameter γ_i is the angle between two lines, one is the connecting line between the movable teeth frame axis and the center of movable teeth and the other is the connecting line between the centers of the disk cam and movable teeth. According to Figure 3, γ_i can be written as follow

$$\gamma_{i} = \text{cos}^{ - 1} \left( {\left( {s_{i}^{2} + R_{j}^{2} - e^{2} } \right)/2s_{i} R_{j} } \right),$$

(6)

where s_i is the distance between the movable teeth frame axis and the center of movable teeth.

$$s_{i} = e\cos \left( {z\theta_{i} } \right) + \sqrt {\left( {R_{j}^{2} - e^{2} \sin^{2} \left( {z\theta_{i} } \right)} \right)} ,$$

(7)

The moments acting on the two disk cams can be calculated. When CORR works stably, the input torque must be equal to the output torque. If one disk cam is selected, considering the force asymmetry of the two disk cams, a coefficient 0.55 is multiplied in the equation. Half of the movable rolling teeth endure meshing force, and the disk cam only receives the forces of movable teeth. The moment equilibrium equation of one disk cam can be calculated as follow

$$0.55M_{0} = \mathop \sum \limits_{i = 1}^{{\left( {z + 1} \right)/2}} F_{ji} e\sin \left( {\gamma_{i} - \theta_{i} + \varphi } \right),$$

(8)

where M₀ is the input moment by the crankshafts, φ denotes the input angle of the disk cam corresponding to the initial output angle of the movable teeth frame. The expression $\varphi = \left( {z + 1} \right)\theta$ can be obtained.

When the input moment of the small input gear is given, the input moment M₀ can be calculated by using the same method as RV reducer, because the first stage of CORR is the same as RV reducer.

The force translation is through the stretch contact distortion between the disk cam, movable teeth, and movable teeth frame according to the structure of CORR. Suppose the distortion is linear and small. It can be described approximately by the small area with width L₁ and length L₂ shown in Figure 4, and L₁ can be determined through Hertz’s formula.

$$L_{1} = \sqrt {\frac{4F}{{{{\uppi}}L_{2} }}\left[ {\lambda \left( {\frac{{1 - \mu_{1}^{2} }}{{E_{1} }} + \frac{{1 - \mu_{2}^{2} }}{{E_{2} }}} \right)} \right]} ,$$

(9)

where F is denoted the contact force between the two contact elements. μ₁, μ₂ and E₁, E₂ are Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus, respectively.

$$\frac{1}{\lambda } = \frac{1}{{\lambda_{1} }} \pm \frac{1}{{\lambda_{2} }},$$

(10)

where λ₁ is the radius of the movable roller, and λ₂ denotes the radius of the disk cam and the inner gear, “+” is used for convexity with convexity contact, “−” is used for convexity with concave contact. The contact surface of the movable teeth frame is flat, and the radius of curvature at the mesh point of contact with the movable roller is infinite. So, the equation can be changed to $1/\lambda = 1/\lambda_{1} .$

Figure 4

Contact distortion

According to Figure 4, the contact distortion of two elements can be written as

$$\delta = \left( {\lambda_{1} \pm \lambda_{2} } \right) - \left( {\sqrt {\lambda_{2}^{2} - L_{2}^{2} } \pm \sqrt {\lambda_{1}^{2} - L_{1}^{2} } } \right),$$

(11)

In the above equation, “+” is used when they are convexity with convexity contact, and “−” is used when they are convexity with concave contact. For plane with convexity contact, the contact distortion can be expressed by Eq. (12).

$$\delta = \lambda_{1} - \sqrt {\lambda_{1}^{2} - L_{1}^{2} } ,$$

(12)

From Figure 5(a), due to the output shaft is fixed, the parameters δ_ji, δ_si and δ_ni are the contact distortions between the movable teeth and the disk cam, movable teeth frame, and inner gear, respectively.

Figure 5

Condition of compatibility of movable teeth

The movable roller will deviate the original position because of those above contact distortions. The excursion will cause a small displacement ε_i of the disk cam along the direction of distortion δ_ji as shown in Figure 5(b).

$$\varepsilon_{i} = \delta_{ji} + \delta_{si}^{^{\prime}} + \delta_{ni}^{^{\prime}} ,$$

(13)

where $\delta_{si}^{^{\prime}}$, $\delta_{ni}^{^{\prime}}$ denote the incidental displacements of δ_si and δ_ni respectively in the direction of δ_ji.

$$\delta_{si}^{^{\prime}} = \delta_{si} \tan \theta_{i} \cos \gamma_{i} ,$$

(14)

$$\delta_{ni}^{^{\prime}} = \delta_{ni} \cos \gamma_{i} /\cos \left( {\theta_{i} - \alpha_{i} } \right).$$

(15)

According to Figures 2 and 5, the displacement ε_i can be compensated by a small rotation of the disk cam with a small angle $\Delta \tau$.

$$\varepsilon_{i} = \Delta \tau \left| {OO_{1} } \right| = e\Delta \tau \sin \gamma_{i} .$$

(16)

According to Eqs. (4)–(16), the meshing force analysis model of CORR is established. The meshing force is calculated through the following steps as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6

Flow diagram of meshing force analysis

• Step 1. According to the given geometrical and operating state parameters, the relative parameters can be calculated, such as α_i, γ_i and the curvature radiuses.

• Step 2. Obtain the expressions of F_si and F_ni, in which F_ji is the variable, by using Eq. (4).

• Step 3. To obtain the expressions of contact distortions δ_ji, δ_si and δ_ni, we can substitute F_ji, F_si and F_ni into Eq. (9), then substitute Eqs. (9) and (10) into Eqs. (11) and (12). In these expressions, F_ji is the variable.

• Step 4. To obtain the expressions of $\delta_{si}^{^{\prime}}$ and $\delta_{ni}^{^{\prime}}$, in which F_ji is the variable, substitute δ_si and δ_ni into Eqs. (14) and (15).

• Step 5. Give the initial value of $\Delta \tau$, and use Eq. (16) to determine ε_i.

• Step 6. Substitute ε_i, δ_ji, $\delta_{si}^{^{\prime}}$ and $\delta_{ni}^{^{\prime}}$ into Eq. (13) to calculate F_ji.

• Step 7. Use $\Delta \sigma = \left| {\mathop \sum \limits_{i = 1}^{{\left( {z + 1} \right)/2}} F_{ji} e\sin \left( {\gamma_{i} - \theta_{i} + \varphi } \right) - 0.55M_{0} } \right|$ as the iterative controlling variable. If $\Delta \sigma$ satisfy precision, stop the iterative calculation and calculate the meshing forces F_si and F_ni according to the obtained F_ji. If not, make tiny adjustments to $\Delta \sigma$ and repeat step 5 to step 7.

Geometric errors generally refer to the manufacturing and installation errors of key components in the oscillatory roller transmission. In this paper, the installation error and manufacturing error of the disk cam and the manufacturing error of the movable roller are mainly considered.

3.1 Model of Mesh Force Considering Manufacturing Error of Disk Cam

In actual situations, there are manufacturing errors of the disk cam, which will affect the mesh force. As shown in Figure 7, there are manufacturing errors before the motion of Figure 5. The radius of the disk cam and the contact normal distortions between the movable roller and the disk cam can be shown as Eqs. (17)–(19).

$$R_{{j\_\Delta R_{j} }} = R_{j} \pm \Delta R_{j} ,$$

(17)

$$\delta_{{ji\_\Delta R_{j} }} = \delta_{ji} \pm \Delta \delta_{ji} = \delta_{ji} \pm \Delta R_{j} ,$$

(18)

$$\delta_{{ni\_\Delta R_{j} }} = \delta_{ni} \pm \Delta \delta_{ni} = \delta_{ji} \pm \Delta R_{j} \cos \alpha_{i} ,$$

(19)

where ΔR_j is the manufacturing error of the disk cam. The symbol “+” is used for positive errors and “−” is used for negative errors.

Figure 7

Distortion with manufacturing error of disk cam

Eqs. (17)–(19) are brought back to Eqs. (4)–(16). Then the mesh force is calculated through the above steps. But Step 7 should be added: if δ_{ji_ΔRj} > 0, the process continues calculating. If not, there is no distortion between the movable roller and the disk cam, then the mesh force F_ji = 0.

3.2 Model of Mesh Force Considering Installation Error of Disk Cam

As shown in Figure 8, there are installation errors before the motion of Figure 5. The eccentricity of the disk cam and the contact normal distortions between the movable roller and the disk cam become Eqs. (20)–(23).

$$e_{\Delta e} = e \pm \Delta e,$$

(20)

$$\delta_{ji\_\Delta e} = \delta_{ji} \pm \Delta \delta_{ji} = \delta_{ji} \pm \Delta e\cos \theta_{i} ,$$

(21)

$$\delta_{si\_\Delta e} = \delta_{si} \pm \Delta \delta_{si} = \delta_{si} \pm \Delta e\tan \gamma_{i} ,$$

(22)

$$\delta_{ni\_\Delta e} = \delta_{ni} \pm \Delta \delta_{ni} = \delta_{ni} \pm \Delta e\cos \left( {\theta_{i} - \alpha_{i} } \right),$$

(23)

where $\Delta e$ is the installation errors of the disk cam. “+” is used for positive errors and “−” is used for negative errors.

Figure 8

Distortion with installation error of disk cam

Eqs. (20)–(23) are brought back to the original formulas, and the other formulas are unchanged. Then calculate the mesh force through the above steps. However, Step 7 should be added: if δ_{ji_Δe} > 0, the process continues calculating. If not, there is no distortion between the movable roller and disk cam, then the mesh force F_ji = 0.

3.3 Model of Mesh Force Considering Manufacturing Error of Movable Roller

During the processing of a movable roller, there are inevitable manufacturing errors, which will affect the mesh force. As shown in Figure 9, the manufacturing errors can be expressed as

$$r_{\Delta r} = r \pm \Delta r,$$

(24)

$$\delta_{ji\_\Delta r} = \delta_{ji} \pm \Delta \delta_{ji} = \delta_{ji} \pm \Delta r,$$

(25)

$$\delta_{si\_\Delta r} = \delta_{si} \pm \Delta \delta_{si} = \delta_{si} \pm \Delta r,$$

(26)

$$\delta_{ni\_\Delta r} = \delta_{ni} \pm \Delta \delta_{ni} = \delta_{ni} \pm \Delta r,$$

(27)

where $\Delta r$ is the manufacturing errors of the movable roller. “+” is used for positive errors, and “−” is used for negative errors.

Figure 9

Distortion with manufacturing error of movable roller

Eqs. (24)–(27) are brought back to Eqs. (4)–(16). Then calculate the mesh force through the above steps. However, Step 7 should be changed: if δ_{ji_Δr} > 0, the process continues calculating. If not, there is no distortion between the movable teeth and the disk cam, movable teeth frame and inner gear, then the mesh force F_ji = 0, F_si = 0, F_ni = 0.

4 Impacts of Parameters and Error on Mesh Force

This section analyzes the influence of changes in structural parameters, installation errors and manufacturing errors on the meshing force. As shown in Figure 10, it’s the working process of a movable roller in the meshing pair. The left side of the inner gear is the working tooth profile and the right side is the non-working tooth profile. The movable roller 1 exits the mesh motion from the end of the previous motion cycle and begins a new cycle. The work cycle includes two parts. Firstly, the movable roller occupies a position from 1 to 3 in sequence along the working tooth profile of the inner gear. Then, the movable roller enters the empty return stroke from position 3 and ends at position 5.

Figure 10

Geometrical model of meshing state

The symbols F_j, F_s and F_n are the forces of the disk cam, the movable tooth frame and the inner gear acting on the movable roller, respectively. At first, the impacts of design parameters on mesh force are discussed. The mesh force varies with the change of eccentricity for the disk cam. The effects of the radius of the movable roller and the disk cam on mesh force are shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11

Impacts of eccentricity of disk cam on mesh force

It is obvious that the increase of the eccentricity of disk cam makes the disk cam closer to the movable roller, which is easy to deform with the meshing process. There is a strong impact of the eccentricity of disk cam on mesh force. When the eccentricity of disk cam increases from 2.5 mm to 4 mm, the maximum value of mesh force F_j and F_n are both changed and the maximum value is about 17% (from 4100 N to 2100 N). The mean value of mesh force reduces by 16.7% (from 2430 N to 2050 N). However, the peak to peak value and the mean value of mesh force F_s are changed by a maximum of less than 1% and the changes are negligible.

When the design parameter jumps from the eccentricity of the disk cam to the radius of the movable roller, the changing trends of mesh force are shown in Figure 12. The result shows that the radius of a movable roller has little effect on the mesh force. The mean value of mesh force F_j and F_n reduce by less 1% (F_j reduces from 1735 N to 1724 N and F_n reduces from 1770 N to 1757 N). The mean value of mesh force F_s reduces by 8% (from 229 N to 221 N). The peak value of mesh force F_j and F_n both have few changes (from 2990 N to 2970 N). The peak to peak value of mesh force F_s has a little change of 7.8% (from 1140 N to 1050 N). These laws of changes show that the mesh force is smooth when the radius of the movable roller changes.

Figure 12

Impacts of radius of movable roller on mesh force

Also, the results in Figure 13 show that the influence of the radius of disk cam is smaller compared with the eccentricity of disk cam. The mean value of mesh force F_j and F_n both reduce by approximate 1% (F_j reduces from 1733 N to 1710 N and F_n reduces from 1775 N to 1746 N). The mean value of mesh force F_s has a huge change of 26.5% (from 245 N to 180 N). The peak value of mesh force F_j and F_n both reduce by approximately 1.5% (F_j reduces from 2999 N to 2952 N, and F_n reduces from 3003 N to 2955 N). The peak to peak value of mesh force F_s reduces by 22.5% (from 1200 N to 920 N).

Figure 13

Impacts of radius of disk cam on mesh force

From Figure 14, the mean mesh force F_j, F_n and F_s fall but change a little when the manufacturing errors of disk cam increase from − 0.02 mm to 0.02 mm. The mean value of mesh force F_j and F_n both reduce by 2% (F_j reduces from 1745 N to 1710 N and F_n reduces from 1784 N to 1749 N). The mean value of mesh force F_s has a little change of 1.7% (from 229 N to 225 N). However, the peak value of mesh force F_j and F_n increase by 2% (F_j reduces from 2960 N to 3230 N, and F_n reduces from 2958 N to 3022 N). The peak to peak value of mesh force F_s has a change of 2.5% (from 1120 N to 1139 N).

Figure 14

Impacts of manufacturing error of disk cam on mesh force

From Figure 15, the result shows that the installation error of disk cam has a huge effect on the mesh force. The mean value of mesh force F_j and F_n have a fluctuating change, but not a huge change. The mean value of mesh force F_s reduces by 25% (from 239 N to 181 N). The peak value of mesh force F_j and F_n rise smoothly as the installation error of disk cam grows to 0.01 mm and rises rapidly after 0.01 mm. The peak to peak value of mesh force F_s declines by 14.7% (from 1150 N to 960 N).

Figure 15

Impacts of installation error of disk cam on mesh force

From Figure 16, the result shows that the influence of the manufacturing error of movable roller is stronger compared with the other two errors. The mean value of mesh force F_j and F_n reduce by 6.7% and 6.5% (F_j reduces from 1800 N to 1680 N, and F_n reduces from 1840 N to 1720 N). The mean value of mesh force F_s decrease by 14.6% (from 246 N to 210 N). The peak value has the opposite trend. The peak value of mesh force F_j and F_n both increase by 7.7% (from 2860 N to 3100 N). The peak to peak value of mesh force F_s has a fluctuating change but changes a little, which means the mesh force F_s is smoother when the movable roller has manufacturing error.

Figure 16

Impacts of manufacturing error of movable roller on mesh force

5 Prototype and Experiment

This section introduces the prototype of CORR and the temperature rise test, in order to prove that the design of the reducer is basically feasible. The prototype of the reducer is manufactured as shown in Figure 17 with the parameters of Table 1.

Figure 17

Prototype of the reducer

The case of the reducer is fixed in the flange which is mounted on the testing bench as shown in Figure 18. The reducer is driven by the servo motor to rotate, and it runs without load. The measurement point of temperature is on the input pinion.

Figure 18

Testing field of the reducer

The input speed gradually increases from 0 to 2000 r/min. At the measurement point of temperature, the temperature is measured by infrared thermometer, which is 50 mm from the surface of the case. Record the temperature of the measurement point every 10 min in the no-load condition. The curve of temperature rise is drawn as shown in Figure 19.

Figure 19

Temperature rise of no-load condition

From Figure 19, we can see that the temperature becomes stable as the temperature rise gradually decreases. The experimental research results show that the temperature rise performance of the reducer meets the standard.

6 Conclusions

In this paper, considering the installation errors and manufacturing errors, the analytical model of the meshing force is established. Parametric studies considering various errors on the mesh force are conducted. The influences of manufacturing errors and installation errors on mesh force were studied. The conclusions are given as follows:

• (1) To consider the manufacturing error and installation error, a mesh force modelling method with these errors was introduced in the oscillatory roller transmission. The mesh force was analyzed of movable roller by considering the manufacturing error of disk cam, installation error of disk cam and manufacturing error.

• (2) As the eccentricity of disk cam increases from 2.5 mm to 4 mm, the mean value of F_j and F_n is reduced by 17%, and the mean value of F_s has a little change. The peak value of F_j and F_n decrease by 16.7%, and the peak to peak value of F_s changes a little. The radius of the movable roller and the radius of the disk cam have little influence on the mesh force F_j and F_n but have a huge influence on F_s. When the radius of the movable roller increases from 7 mm to 20 mm, the mean value of F_s is reduced by 8%, and the peak to peak value decreases by 8%. As the radius of disk cam increases from 125 mm to 170 mm, the mean value is reduced by 26.5%, and the peak to peak value decreases by 22.5%. As the eccentricity of disk cam, the radius of the movable roller and the radius of the disk cam increase, the tooth shape of the inner gear is more smoothly. They show that the mesh force is less when the tooth shape of the inner gear is more smoothly.

• (3) The manufacturing error of disk cam has a small influence on mesh force. As the manufacturing error of disk cam grows from −0.02 mm to 0.02 mm, the mean value of the mesh force F_j, F_n and F_s all are reduced by approximate 2%, and the peak value and the peak to peak value of F_j, F_n and F_s all increase by approximate 2%. When the installation error of disk cam increases from −0.01 mm to 0.05 mm, the mean value of mesh force F_j and F_n have a fluctuating but not a huge change, and the mean value of F_s is reduced by 25%. However, the peak value of F_j and F_n rise smoothly as the installation error of disk cam grows to 0.01 mm and rises rapidly after 0.01 mm. The peak to peak value of F_s decreases by 14.7%. As the manufacturing error of the movable roller grows from −0.02 mm to 0.02 mm, the mean value of F_j and F_n reduce by 6.7% and 6.5%, and the mean value of F_s decreases by 14.6%. The peak value of F_j and F_n both increase by 7.7%, and peak to peak value of F_s has a fluctuating change but changes a little.