Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Analysis of Offset <scp>ZI</scp> Worm Drive

ABSTRACT Thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) performance of the offset ZI worm drive is analysed. To this end, the meshing process of the drive is first investigated to obtain the key meshing parameters within the conjugating zone. Based on these parameters, a TEHL numerical model for the offset ZI worm drive is subsequently established. Based on the meshing parameters within the conjugating zone which were obtained before, the TEHL characteristics of different positions within the entire conjugating zone are analysed. The working conditions that influence TEHL oil film formation and temperature rise are deliberated. The numerical results show that under different rotational speed and input torque conditions, the offset ZI worm drive exhibited excellent lubrication properties. Within the entire conjugating zone, a negative correlation is observed between oil film pressure and the equivalent curvature radius. The temperature is higher at the toe of the worm gear than the heel and exhibits a positive correlation with the slide‐roll ratio (SRR). This study establishes a theoretical framework for the TEHL analysis of the line‐conjugate spatial gearing with staggered axes.