Broaching apparatus and method for producing a gear member with tapered gear teeth
View Patent ↗The apparatus of the present invention provides a broaching machine configured to produce an internal gear member. The broaching machine includes a broaching tool defining a central axis. The broaching tool includes a first set of broaching teeth configured to cut both a first flank portion and a second flank portion of a plurality of gear teeth. The broaching tool also includes a second set of broaching teeth configured to cut only the second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth. The plurality of gear teeth are formed such that the first and second flank portions of each gear tooth are tapered between a first end portion and a second end portion. The broaching machine also includes a motor configured to rotate the broaching tool about the central axis at a selectable rate and in a selectable direction. A corresponding method for producing an internal gear member is also provided.
1. A method for forming an internal gear member having a plurality of gear teeth comprising:
providing a broaching tool having a first set of broaching teeth and a second set of broaching teeth;
providing a gear blank defining an internal aperture;
passing the broaching tool through the internal aperture of the gear blank;
rotating the broaching tool at a first predefined rate as the broaching tool passes through the internal aperture of the gear blank such that the first set of broaching teeth cut both a first flank portion and a second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth; and
rotating the broaching tool at a second predefined rate as the broaching tool passes through the internal aperture of the gear blank such that the second set of broaching teeth cut only the second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth;
wherein the broaching tool is rotated sufficiently such that the first and second flank portions of each gear tooth are tapered between a first end portion and a second end portion so that one of said end portions is narrower than the other of said end portions.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising rotating the broaching tool in one direction as the first set of broaching teeth cut both the first flank portion and the second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth, and rotating the broaching tool in an opposite direction as the second set of broaching teeth cut only the second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth.
3. A broaching tool configured to form an internal gear member comprising:
a first set of broaching teeth configured to cut both a first flank portion and a second flank portion of a plurality of gear teeth; and
a second set of broaching teeth configured to cut only the second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth;
such that the first and second flank portions of each gear tooth are tapered between a first end portion and a second end portion so that one of said end portions is narrower than the other of said end portions.
4. The broaching tool of claim 3 , further comprising a shank.
5. The broaching tool of claim 3 , further comprising an end portion.
6. The broaching tool of claim 3 , wherein said first set of broaching teeth extend along a first length of said broaching tool, and wherein said second set of broaching teeth extend along a second length of said broaching tool different from said first length.
7. The broaching tool of claim 6 , wherein at least one of said first and second sets of broaching teeth has an involute profile.
8. The broaching tool of claim 7 , wherein only said second set of broaching teeth has said involute profile.
9. A broaching machine configured to produce an internal gear member comprising:
a broaching tool defining a central axis including:
a first set of broaching teeth configured to cut both a first flank portion and a second flank portion of a plurality of gear teeth; and
a second set of broaching teeth configured to cut only the second flank portion of the plurality of gear teeth;
such that the first and second flank portions of each gear tooth are tapered between a first end portion and a second end portion so that one of said end portions is narrower than the other of said end portions; and
a motor configured to rotate the broaching tool about the central axis at a selectable rate and in a selectable direction to form said tapered flank portions.
10. The broaching machine of claim 9 , wherein the broaching tool includes a shank.
11. The broaching machine of claim 10 , wherein the broaching tool includes an end portion.
12. The broaching machine of claim 9 , wherein said first set of broaching teeth extend along a first length of said broaching tool, and wherein said second set of broaching teeth extend along a second length of said broaching tool different from said first length.
13. The broaching machine of claim 12 , wherein at least one of said first and second sets of broaching teeth has an involute profile.
14. The broaching machine of claim 13 , wherein only said second set of broaching teeth has said involute profile.
15. The broaching machine of claim 9 , wherein said motor is further configured to rotate said broaching tool in a counter-clockwise direction about said central axis to thereby cut both said first and second flank portions of said plurality of gear teeth via said first set of broaching teeth.
16. The broaching machine of claim 15 , wherein said motor is further configured to rotate said broaching tool in a clockwise direction about said central axis to thereby cut only said second flank portions of said plurality of gear teeth via said second set of broaching teeth.