Controlled- or zero-backlash gear reducer

A gear and motor system for controlling backlash, said system comprising:

• a first worm screw axially moveable by rotation of a first screw, and a second worm screw axially moveable by rotation of a second screw, said first and second worm screws being rotationally synchronized by way of one or more synchronization gears connecting them to each other so that a reversible motion transmission is executable, wherein at least one of said synchronization gears being operably associated with a main motor;
• a secondary motor operably associated with said first screw or said second screw;
• a worm wheel including an output shaft, said worm wheel being operably engageable with said first worm screw and said second worm screw;
• and
• an electronic control unit configured to control backslash resulting from cooperation between said main motor, said secondary motor and said electronic control unit, said electronic control unit being configured to control at least said secondary motor by adjusting a load provided by said secondary motor on said first screw or said second screw, based on parameters detected by one or more sensors.

A gear and motor system comprising:

• a main motor;
• a first axially moveable worm screw, and a second axially moveable worm screw;
• one or more synchronization gears connecting said first and second worm screws so as to be rotationally synchronized so that a reversible motion transmission is executable, wherein at least one of said synchronization gears being operably associated with said main motor;
• a first screw configured to apply axial movement to said first worm screw upon rotation of said first screw;
• a first load cell and a first thrust bearing arrangement connected between said first screw and said first worm screw;
• a second screw configured to apply axial movement to said second worm screw upon rotation of said second screw;
• a second load cell and a second thrust bearing arrangement connected between said second screw and said second worm screw;
• at least one secondary motor operably associated with said first screw or said second screw;
• a worm wheel including an output shaft, said worm wheel being operably engageable with said first worm screw and said second worm screw;
• and
• an electronic control unit configured to control backslash resulting from cooperation between said main motor, said secondary motor and said electronic control unit, said electronic control unit being configured to control at least said secondary motor by adjusting a load provided by said secondary motor on said first screw or said second screw, based on parameters detected by one or more sensors.

A method of using a gear and motor system for controlling backlash, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) rotating a worm wheel by way a main motor operably associated to at least one gear in a synchronization gear assembly that is operably associated to rotatably synchronize a first worm screw and a second worm screw that are both operably associated with said worm wheel;
• b) axially moving said first worm screw by way of a rotating a first screw by way of a secondary motor operably associated with said first screw, said first screw being configured to apply force to said first worm screw upon rotation of said first screw;
• and
• c) controlling said secondary motor by an electronic control unit configured to control backslash resulting from cooperation between said main motor, said secondary motor and said electronic control unit based on parameters detected by one or more sensors.