Harmonic Drive is a unique transmission device that uses the principle of elastic deformation to achieve speed reduction and transmission. Compared to traditional reducers, harmonic drives have higher transmission precision, higher transmission efficiency, and higher reliability. Due to its advantages of high precision, high efficiency, and high reliability, harmonic drives have been widely used in many fields, including harmonic drives in robotics, automation equipment, aerospace, and others, providing strong support for the development of modern industry.
Harmonic Drive mainly consists of an inner and outer ring, rollers, a wave generator, flexible gear, and output shaft.
Inner and Outer Ring
The inner and outer rings of the harmonic drive are important basic components, each serving different purposes. The inner ring contains a gear that interacts with the outer ring gear to complete the reducer's output speed. It remains stationary during the operation of the harmonic drive. The outer ring, on the other hand, accomplishes the transmission function of the inner ring and the entire harmonic drive through its motion, making it a dynamic component.
Rollers
Harmonic Drive rollers typically refer to bearing rollers or multiple cycloid rollers on the cycloid wheel. These rolling components exist to significantly reduce the output speed. They are generally installed between the inner ring gear and the outer ring helical gear, which helps achieve a substantially reduced speed effect by minimizing friction during indirect transmission.
Wave Generator
The wave generator is the most crucial component in the harmonic drive. It repeatedly completes periodic torsional deformation, forming the foundation of the harmonic drive. It achieves unidirectional power transmission with remarkable effect, making it a key component in balancing the energy between the input and output of the reducer.
Flexible Gear
The flexible gear is the core component of the harmonic drives. It achieves rotational inversion through flexure and elasticity between the shaft and the gear. Once the moving part reverses, the output part can complete normal rotation, effectively accomplishing the transmission function between input and output. The flexible gear is usually ground into a series of wave patterns. During machine operation, it generates curve rolling under the action of the wave generator to achieve the desired output speed.
Output Shaft
The output shaft is the part of the harmonic drive that functions as the output component. It is typically connected to the reducer's outer shell and can be linked to external machines or equipment to complete actual work.
The above describes the structure of the harmonic drive, including components like the inner and outer rings, rollers, wave generator, flexible gear, and output shaft. Each part plays its role and works in coordination during the operation of the reducer, thereby achieving the transmission and actual work between input and output.
