US 12,460,703 B2
Worm reducer capable of guilding lubricant to maintain function
Sho Ohtake, Tokyo (JP); and Takashi Miyoshi, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Aug. 4, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/365,229.
Claims priority of application No. 202211191280.X (CN), filed on Sep. 28, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0102539 A1, Mar. 28, 2024
Int. Cl. F16H 57/04 (2010.01); F16H 19/08 (2006.01); F16H 57/039 (2012.01); B62D 5/04 (2006.01)
CPC F16H 19/08 (2013.01) [F16H 57/039 (2013.01); F16H 57/0421 (2013.01); F16H 57/0498 (2013.01); B62D 5/0403 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A worm reducer, comprising:
a housing filled with grease that lubricates the worm reducer;
a worm gear supported by a bearing in the housing;
a worm wheel that meshes with the worm gear; and
a shaft that has a central axis coincident with a rotational axis of the worm wheel;
wherein the housing includes an upper surface part and a lower surface part that faces parallel to the upper surface part by interposing the worm wheel;
wherein at least one of the upper surface part or the lower surface part includes a protruding part protruding toward the worm wheel;
wherein, an entirety of the protruding part being provided between the central axis of the shaft and a meshing region between the worm gear and the worm wheel in a plan view, the protruding part including an inclined portion inclining toward the meshing region;
wherein the protruding part includes a guide portion that guides lubricant toward the worm gear;
wherein the protruding part includes a bottom portion protruding from the guide portion toward a side of the shaft;
wherein the guide portion is positioned between the bottom portion and the upper or lower surface part, and includes a first guide portion on a side of the bottom portion and a second guide portion on a side of the upper or lower surface part;
wherein, in the guide portion,
a curvature of the first guide portion is larger than a curvature of the second guide portion on a shaft side of the guide portion nearer to the shaft, and
the curvature of the second guide portion is larger than the curvature of the first guide portion on a worm gear side of the guide portion nearer to the worm gear.