Tooth flank polishing tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a tooth flank polishing tool ( 31 ) comprising a base ( 32 ) that can be rotated about a central axis. A polishing fleece ( 33 ) which can be introduced into at least one tooth gap ( 39 ) of a gear ( 30 ) that is to be polished is mounted on the base ( 32 ). At least some sections of the polishing fleece ( 33 ) have an external contour that is adapted to the shape of a tooth flank ( 37 ). The tooth flank polishing tool can be used for polishing gears ( 30 ) or threads.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A tooth flank polishing tool comprising:
 a base rotatable about a central axis, and   a polishing fleece attached to the base and configured for insertion in at least one tooth gap of a tooth gear to be polished, the polishing fleece including at least one section with an outside contour that matches a shape of a tooth flank of the tooth gear.   
     
     
         20 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 19 , wherein the polishing fleece comprises an organic material, a synthetic material or a mineral material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 20 , wherein the polishing fleece comprises cotton or sisal. 
     
     
         22 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 20 , wherein the polishing fleece comprises resin fibers, tangled resin fibers or nylon. 
     
     
         23 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 20 , wherein the polishing fleece comprises aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ). 
     
     
         24 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 19 , wherein the polishing fleece is applied at least over sections of a surface of the base. 
     
     
         25 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 19 , wherein the polishing fleece is strung over a surface of the base. 
     
     
         26 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 19 , wherein the base comprises a radial circumferential groove or a seat, and the polishing fleece is inserted in the radial circumferential groove or the seat. 
     
     
         27 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 19 , wherein the base and the polishing fleece in combination are shaped as a polishing disk. 
     
     
         28 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 19 , wherein the base and the polishing fleece in combination are shaped as a polishing worm gear. 
     
     
         29 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 28 , wherein the polishing fleece forms a tooth. 
     
     
         30 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 19 , wherein the base and the polishing fleece in combination are shaped as a polishing finger. 
     
     
         31 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 19 , further comprising an oscillation generator which is at least indirectly coupled to the base. 
     
     
         32 . The tooth flank polishing tool of  claim 31 , wherein the oscillation generator produces an ultrasound oscillation. 
     
     
         33 . A method for polishing a tooth flank of a tooth gear with a tooth flank polishing tool having a base rotatable about a central axis and a polishing fleece attached to the base, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting the polishing fleece in at least one tooth gap of a tooth gear to be polished, with the polishing fleece including at least one section having an outside contour that matches a shape of a tooth flank of the tooth gear, and   rotating the base with the attached polishing fleece in the tooth gap.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the tooth gears have a diameter of greater than 1000 mm. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising the step of superimposing on the rotary motion of the base an oscillatory motion in at least one spatial direction. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the tooth gear is a thread.