Ball recirculating guide

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of ball circulation guide device, it includes guide piece, open nut, open shield, first circulator, second circulator and ball circulation group.Open nut is slid on guide piece.The open nut includes axial cylinder, and the axial cylinder has axial opening.The inner helical channel of axial cylinder and the helical channel of guide piece correspond to each other and form inner ball passage together.The outer peripheral wall of open shield is axially sleeved on the outer peripheral wall of axial cylinder, and the inner peripheral wall of open shield and the outer ring wall of axial cylinder correspond to each other and form outer ball passage together.The first circulator is arranged on the first axial wall of axial cylinder.The second circulator is arranged on the second axial wall of axial cylinder, wherein, inner ball passage, first bend, outer ball passage and second bend form ball circulation passage together, and ball circulation group rolls in ball circulation passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a ball recirculation guide device, and more particularly to a ball recirculation guide device having an axial opening. Background Technology

[0002] Modern ball bearing guide devices convert rotary motion into linear motion through the engagement of a screw and a nut. By having the balls, which roll within the circulation path in the ball nut, engage with the screw, which has helical grooves, the frictional force generated between the ball nut and the screw during relative operation is reduced.

[0003] Most existing ball nuts are perfectly cylindrical. When the screw is long and a support seat is provided to prevent it from sagging, a retraction mechanism is needed at the support seat. When the ball nut rotates on the screw and passes over the support seat, the retraction mechanism temporarily moves the support seat away from the screw. After the ball nut passes, the retraction mechanism returns the support seat to its supporting position to provide the necessary support force for the screw.

[0004] However, using the above method requires additional retraction mechanisms for each support. Furthermore, when each support is away from the screw, if that section of the screw sags due to its own weight, the ball bearing nut may experience additional wobble as it passes through that section, or the ball bearing nut may be unable to roll in the helical groove due to bending of the guide (e.g., the screw itself), thus affecting manufacturing accuracy in actual application. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a ball recirculation guiding device in one embodiment, comprising a guide member, an open nut, an open cover, a first circulator, a second circulator, and a ball recirculation assembly. The guide member has a central shaft and a helical channel, the helical channel being arranged around the outer circumference of the guide member. The open nut slides through and onto the guide member. The open nut includes an axial cylindrical body with an axial opening. The axial cylindrical body has a first axial wall and a second axial wall on opposite sides of the axial opening. The axial cylindrical body includes an inner annular wall and an outer annular wall, the inner annular wall having an inner helical channel, the inner helical channel corresponding to the helical channel of the guide member and together forming an inner ball channel.

[0006] An open shroud is coaxially fitted around the outer periphery of the axial cylinder, and the open shroud has an inner circumferential wall. The inner circumferential wall and the outer ring wall of the axial cylinder correspond to each other and together form an outer ball bearing channel. In the radial projection of the outer ball bearing channel, the outer ball bearing channel is perpendicular to the central axis. A first circulator is disposed on the first axial wall and includes a first bend. The two ends of the first bend are respectively connected to the inner ball bearing channel and the outer ball bearing channel. A second circulator is disposed on the second axial wall. The second circulator includes a second bend, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the inner ball bearing channel and the outer ball bearing channel. The ball bearing circulation assembly includes multiple steel balls. The inner ball bearing channel, the first bend, the outer ball bearing channel, and the second bend together form a ball bearing circulation channel, in which the ball bearing circulation assembly rolls.

[0007] Because the open-end nut has an axial opening on its axial cylindrical body, when the ball nut is moved on a guide (such as a screw or converter bar), even if a support seat is provided below the guide, the open-end nut can pass through the support seat through the axial opening without interfering with it. Therefore, there is no need to provide a retraction mechanism on the support seat. Furthermore, when the open-end nut passes through the support seat, the support seat can maintain its supporting position on the guide, preventing the guide from sagging or deforming due to the support seat leaving, which would affect manufacturing accuracy in actual applications. In addition to forming an outer ball channel with the axial cylindrical body to allow the balls to roll within the outer groove, the open-end shroud also provides dust protection.

[0008] In some embodiments, the inner peripheral wall surface and the outer ring wall further form another outer ball channel. The two ends of the first bend are respectively connected to the inner ball channel and the other outer ball channel. The two ends of the second bend are respectively connected to the inner ball channel and the other outer ball channel. The inner ball channel, the first bend, the other outer ball channel, and the second bend together form another ball circulation channel. The ball circulation group selectively rolls in either the ball circulation channel or the other ball circulation channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first bend is obliquely arranged relative to the short side of the first circulator, and the second bend is obliquely arranged relative to the short side of the second circulator.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first circulator has multiple first bends, each of which is arranged parallel to the other. The second circulator has multiple second bends, each of which is arranged parallel to the other.

[0011] In some embodiments, the ball circulation guide device further includes a ball retainer, wherein a plurality of steel balls are connected in series by the ball retainer.

[0012] In some embodiments, the outer annular wall of the axial cylinder has an outer channel to form an outer ball bearing channel together with the inner peripheral wall. Further, in some embodiments, the inner peripheral wall of the opening shroud has an inner channel, which is correspondingly provided with the outer channel to form an outer ball bearing channel.

[0013] In some embodiments, the inner peripheral wall of the opening shroud has an inner channel to form an outer ball bearing channel together with the outer annular wall of the axial cylinder.

[0014] The following detailed description of the features and advantages of the present invention is sufficient to enable anyone skilled in the art to understand the technical content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. Based on the content disclosed in this specification, the claims and the drawings, anyone skilled in the art can easily understand the relevant objectives and advantages of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a ball recirculation guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a ball recirculation guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is an exploded view from another perspective of the ball recirculation guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 A top view of an open-end nut according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0019] Figure 5 This is a top view of the second circulator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] In the attached figures, the following labels are used:

[0021] 10 Guide component 11 Spiral channel

[0022] 20 Open-end nut 21 Axial cylinder

[0023] 211 Axial opening 212 First axial wall

[0024] 213 Second axial wall 214 Inner ring wall

[0025] 2141 Inner spiral channel 215 Outer ring wall

[0026] 2151 Outer channel 30 Opening cover

[0027] 31 Inner peripheral wall 40 First circulator

[0028] 41 First bend 50 Second recirculator

[0029] 51 Second Curve 60 Ball Bearing Cycle Set

[0030] 61 Steel ball A angle

[0031] C (Central axis) P (Top view direction) Detailed Implementation

[0032] Please refer to the following first. Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a ball recirculation guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a ball recirculation guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is an exploded view from another perspective of the ball recirculation guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a top view of an open-end nut according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a top view of the second circulator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Depend on Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, in this embodiment, the ball recirculation guiding device includes a guide member 10, an open nut 20, an open cover 30, a first circulator 40, a second circulator 50, and a ball recirculation assembly 60. The guide member 10 can be, for example, a screw or a converter bar; in this embodiment, a screw is used as an example. Figure 1 As can be seen, the guide 10 has a central shaft C and a spiral channel 11.

[0034] Depend on Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the open-end nut 20 includes an axial cylindrical body 21 with an axial opening 211. The axial cylindrical body 21 has a first axial wall 212 and a second axial wall 213 on opposite sides of the axial opening 211. The axial cylindrical body 21 includes an inner annular wall 214 and an outer annular wall 215, with the inner annular wall 214 having an inner helical channel 2141. The inner helical channel 2141 corresponds to the helical channel 11 of the guide member 10 and together forms an inner ball bearing channel. Specifically, the guide member 10 has a helical channel 11 surrounding its outer circumference. The helical channel 11 surrounds the outer circumference of the guide member 10 at a desired helix angle. The open-end nut 20 slides axially through the guide member 10, causing the inner helical channel 2141 to correspond to the helical channel 11 of the guide member 10 and together form an inner ball bearing channel.

[0035] An open cover 30 is axially sleeved on the outer periphery of the axial cylinder 21. The open cover 30 has an inner peripheral wall 31, which corresponds to the outer annular wall 215 of the axial cylinder 21 and together forms an outer ball channel. In this embodiment, in order to enable the ball circulation assembly 60 to circulate in the outer ball channel, an outer groove 2151 is formed on the outer annular wall 215 of the axial cylinder 21. At this time, the outer groove 2151 and the inner peripheral wall 31 cooperate to form an outer ball channel.

[0036] In other embodiments, an inner channel can be formed on the inner peripheral wall 31 of the opening cover 30, while the outer annular wall 215 of the axial cylinder 21 is planar, so that the inner channel and the outer annular wall 215 of the axial cylinder 21 together form an outer ball bearing channel. Alternatively, in other embodiments, an outer channel 2151 can be formed on the outer annular wall 215 of the axial cylinder 21, and a corresponding inner channel can be formed on the inner peripheral wall 31 of the opening cover 30. When the opening cover 30 is correspondingly assembled on the axial cylinder 21, the inner channel on the inner peripheral wall 31 and the outer channel 2151 of the outer annular wall 215 together form an outer ball bearing channel.

[0037] In addition, the opening cover 30 can form an outer ball channel together with the axial cylinder 21 so that the ball circulation group 60 can roll in the outer channel 2151, and also provide dust protection.

[0038] In this embodiment, by Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen, there are multiple inner spiral channels 2141 and outer channels 2151, but this is only an example. In practice, only one inner spiral channel 2141 and one outer channel 2151 can be set according to requirements, but two or more inner spiral channels 2141 and outer channels 2151 can also be set. Figure 2 and Figure 3 To make the diagram clear and concise, only one example is shown.

[0039] Next, please refer to the following: Figures 2 to 4 To clearly represent each axis, in Figure 2 The system provides mutually perpendicular XYZ coordinate axes to clarify the relationships between different viewpoints in space, and subsequent explanations of each drawing will be based on these coordinate axes. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As can be seen, the central axis C of the guide 10 extends along the X-axis. For ease of explanation, one of the radial directions is defined as the direction extending radially along the opening cover 30 and perpendicular to the central axis C, and is named a top-view direction P, that is... Figure 2 The Z-axis direction is shown in the figure. The view along the Z-axis from above to below (towards the negative value of the Z-axis) is the top-down direction P.

[0040] Depend on Figure 4 As can be seen, in this embodiment, the outer channel 2151, which serves as the outer ball bearing channel, is an outer channel 2151 that is radially arranged around the outer ring wall 215. Figure 4 It is clearly visible that the channel direction of each outer channel 2151 is the up-down direction shown in the drawing (in addition, the style of channel 2151 is commonly referred to as a straight groove). When the outer channel 2151 and the central axis C are aligned... Figure 4 Projecting in the direction shown (i.e., the top view direction P), in the plane projection formed by the top view direction P, the outer channel 2151 is perpendicular to the central axis C, that is, the angle A between the two is a right angle.

[0041] In this embodiment, since the outer channels 2151 are arranged in a direction parallel to the radial direction along the axial cylinder 21, they present multiple straight outer channels 2151 (straight groove type), which makes them easier to manufacture. In addition, the use of straight groove-shaped outer channels 2151 also makes the axial cylinder 21 more stable in terms of lateral load because the entire outer channel 2151 extends to the first axial wall 212 and the second axial wall 213.

[0042] Next, please refer to 1 to 2. Figure 3 and Figure 5 The first circulator 40 is disposed on the first axial wall 212. The first circulator 40 includes a first bend 41, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the inner spiral channel 2141 (inner ball channel) and the outer channel 2151 (outer ball channel). The second circulator 50 is disposed on the second axial wall 213. The second circulator 50 includes a second bend 51, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the inner spiral channel 2141 (inner ball channel) and the outer channel 2151 (outer ball channel). Furthermore, by disposing the first circulator 40 on the first axial wall 212 and the second circulator 50 on the second axial wall 213, and by arranging the circulators on both sides at the same axial position, the left and right centers of gravity are more balanced, thus ensuring the entire structure is more stable and does not wobble during operation.

[0043] In this embodiment, by Figure 2 and Figure 5 As can be seen, there are multiple first curves 41 and second curves 51, but these are only examples. In practice, only one first curve 41 and one second curve 51 can be set, but two or more first curves 41 and second curves 51 can also be set. Figure 2 To make the drawing clear and concise, only one of the first curves, 41 and the second curve, 51 are shown as examples.

[0044] The first circulator 40 and the second circulator 50 can be installed on the first axial wall 212 and the second axial wall 213 by means of screws, adhesive, or clamps. If they are fixed by screws, when the first circulator 40 and the second circulator 50 are worn out due to long-term use, only the first circulator 40 and the second circulator 50 need to be replaced.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first circulator 40 and the second circulator 50 have the same structure, which allows for the manufacture of only one type of component, which can be used simultaneously as both the first circulator 40 and the second circulator 50. Of course, depending on actual usage requirements, first circulators 40 and second circulators 50 with different structures can be used. For example, first circulators 40 and second circulators 50 with different numbers of bends, or first circulators 40 and second circulators 50 with bends arranged in different ways or with different spacing, can be used.

[0046] Furthermore, although this embodiment uses a first circulator 40 and a second circulator 50, each having eight first bends 41 and eight second bends 51, as examples, the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first circulator 40 and the second circulator 50 may be, for example, shorter first circulators 40 and second circulators 50 with two bends. Thus, when the axial cylinder 21 is small or the number of inner spiral channels 2141 and outer channels 2151 provided on the axial cylinder 21 is small, for example, only one of each, the first circulator 40 and the second circulator 50 with fewer bends can be used. When more first circulators 40 and the second circulator 50 with more bends are needed, multiple first circulators 40 and the second circulator 50 with two bends can be locked together to meet the needs of various sizes. It is not necessary to manufacture first circulators 40 and the second circulator 50 of various corresponding lengths for axial cylinders 21 of various lengths.

[0047] Depend on Figure 2 It can be seen that each ball bearing cycle 60 includes multiple steel balls 61. When... Figure 1 After the first circulator 40 and the second circulator 50 are assembled, the first bend 41 of the first circulator 40, located on the first axial wall 212 of the axial cylinder 21, will connect to the inner ball channel and the outer ball channel. Similarly, the second bend 51 of the second circulator 50, located on the second axial wall 213 of the axial cylinder 21, will also connect to the inner ball channel and the outer ball channel. The inner ball channel, the first bend 41, the outer ball channel, and the second bend 51 together form the ball circulation channel. All the steel balls 61 in the ball circulation assembly 60 will then circulate within this ball circulation channel.

[0048] With the above structure, by providing a first circulator 40 and a second circulator 50 on the axial cylinder 21, the first circulator 40 and the second circulator 50 can connect the inner spiral channel 2141 on the inner ring wall 214 of the axial cylinder 21 and the outer channel 2151 on the outer ring wall 215. At the same time, this allows the ball bearing circulation assembly 60 to move more smoothly from the inner spiral channel 2141 to the outer channel 2151 during rolling.

[0049] At the same time, although the above only describes a single ball circulation channel, but if Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the required number of ball recirculation channels can be set according to needs. There can be one, two, or more sets of ball recirculation channels. They can be freely combined according to the needs of light and heavy loads. For example, depending on the needs, only two sets of ball recirculation channels can be used, or multiple sets can be set, or they can be set in full rows on the entire open nut 20 and open cover 30, thereby achieving the distinction between light and heavy loads.

[0050] Next, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Here, a set of ball recirculation assembly 60 is disassembled for illustration, which also shows the arrangement of the steel balls 61 in the ball recirculation channel. The ball recirculation assembly 60 will rotate in a ring along the inner ball channel, the first bend 41, the outer ball channel, and the second bend 51, and circulate in an independent ball recirculation channel. In practical applications, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, multiple sets of ball circulation groups 60 can be set, and each set of ball circulation groups 60 will only continuously roll in its set ball circulation channel.

[0051] With the above structure, since the axial opening 211 is provided on the axial cylindrical body 21 of the open-end nut 20, when the open-end nut 20 moves on the guide member 10, even if an additional support assembly (such as a support base, not shown) is provided below the guide member 10, the open-end nut 20 can pass through the support assembly through the axial opening 211 without interfering with the support assembly. Therefore, it is unnecessary to provide a retraction mechanism on the support assembly to retract away from the guide member 10 when a typical cylindrical ball nut passes by. Furthermore, when the open-end nut 20 passes through the support assembly, the support assembly can maintain its supporting position on the guide member 10, preventing the guide member 10 from sagging and deforming, which could affect manufacturing accuracy in actual applications.

[0052] In this embodiment, an inner ball channel, a first bend 41, an outer ball channel, and a second bend 51 together form a ball circulation channel. All the steel balls 61 in a set of ball circulation groups 60 will circulate within this ball circulation channel. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen, in this embodiment there are multiple ball circulation channels and multiple sets of ball circulation groups 60, which are respectively set up, and each set of ball circulation groups 60 independently circulates in the set ball circulation channel.

[0053] In other embodiments, the two ends of the first bend 41 can be connected to an inner ball channel and an outer ball channel, respectively, and the two ends of the second bend 51 can be connected to an inner ball channel and an outer ball channel, respectively. For example, if the sequentially arranged inner spiral channels 2141 (inner ball channels) are ordered from one end as first channel, second channel...Nth channel, and the sequentially arranged outer channels 2151 (outer ball channels) are also ordered from the same end as first channel, second channel...Nth channel, one end of the first bend 41 can be connected to the outer channel 2151 located in the first channel, and the other end can be connected to the inner spiral channel 2141 located in the second channel, instead of connecting to the inner spiral channel 2141, which is also in the first channel. The two ends of the second bend 51 correspond to the connection method of the first bend 41, with one end connected to the outer channel 2151 located in the first channel and the other end connected to the inner spiral channel 2141 located in the second channel. This can be achieved by adjusting the inclination of the first curve 41 and the second curve 51.

[0054] Thus, a ball circulation channel is formed by the second inner ball channel, a first bend 41, a first outer ball channel, and a second bend 51. The ball circulation assembly 60, located within this channel, circulates within these channels. By using different circulators, different combinations of inner and outer ball channels can be created to form various independent ball circulation channels. This allows users to flexibly configure channels for heavy or light loads.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first bend 41 is obliquely arranged relative to the short side of the first circulator 40, and the second bend 51 is obliquely arranged relative to the short side of the second circulator 50. Since the first circulator 40 and the second circulator 50 have the same structure, in Figure 5 The following explanation uses only the second circulator 50 as an example. Figure 5 The top view provides a clearer understanding that when the second circulator 50 has multiple second bends 51, each second bend 51 is arranged parallel to each other and is angled from right to left from top to bottom. Similarly, when there are multiple first bends 41, each first bend 41 will be arranged parallel to each other. If the first circulator 40 is moved to the same viewing angle as the second circulator 50, i.e., with the opening facing upwards, the first bends 41 are also angled from right to left from top to bottom.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the steel balls 61 in the ball circulation guide device do not require additional ball retainers. They can roll within their respective independent ball circulation channels under the constraint of the ball circulation channels formed by the guide member 10, the open nut 20, the open cover 30, the first circulator 40, and the second circulator 50, without falling out of the ball circulation channels. However, in other embodiments, multiple steel balls 61 in the ball circulation group 60 can be connected in series by providing ball retainers.

[0057] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ball bearing circulation guide device, characterized in that, include: A guide member has a central shaft and a spiral channel, which is arranged around the outer circumference of the guide member; An open-end nut is inserted and slides on the guide member. The open-end nut includes an axial cylindrical body with an axial opening. The axial cylindrical body has a first axial wall and a second axial wall on opposite sides of the axial opening. The axial cylindrical body includes an inner ring wall and an outer ring wall. The inner ring wall has an inner helical groove. The inner helical groove corresponds to the helical groove of the guide member and together form an inner ball channel. An open cover is coaxially fitted around the outer periphery of the axial cylinder. The open cover has an inner peripheral wall, which corresponds to the outer ring wall of the axial cylinder and together forms an outer ball channel. In the planar projection formed by a radial direction, the outer ball channel is perpendicular to the central axis. A first circulator is disposed on the first axial wall. The first circulator includes a first bend, and the two ends of the first bend are respectively connected to the inner ball channel and the outer ball channel. A second circulator is disposed on the second axial wall. The second circulator includes a second bend, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the inner ball channel and the outer ball channel. as well as A ball recirculation assembly includes multiple steel balls, wherein the inner ball channel, the first bend, the outer ball channel, and the second bend together form a ball recirculation channel, and the ball recirculation assembly rolls in the ball recirculation channel. The outer ring wall of the axial cylinder has an outer groove to form the outer ball bearing channel together with the inner circumferential wall.

2. The ball recirculation guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner peripheral wall surface and the outer ring wall also form another outer ball channel. The two ends of the first bend are respectively connected to the inner ball channel and the other outer ball channel. The two ends of the second bend are respectively connected to the inner ball channel and the other outer ball channel. The inner ball channel, the first bend, the other outer ball channel and the second bend together form another ball circulation channel. The ball circulation group selectively rolls in the ball circulation channel or the other ball circulation channel.

3. The ball recirculation guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first bend is obliquely arranged relative to the short side of the first circulator, and the second bend is obliquely arranged relative to the short side of the second circulator.

4. The ball recirculation guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first circulator has multiple first bends, and these first bends are arranged parallel to each other. The second circulator has multiple second bends, and these second bends are arranged parallel to each other.

5. The ball recirculation guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a ball retainer, from which the steel balls are connected in series.

6. The ball recirculation guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner peripheral wall of the opening cover has an inner channel and is provided with an outer channel so that the outer channel and the inner channel correspond to form the outer ball channel.

7. The ball recirculation guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner peripheral wall of the opening cover has an inner groove to form the outer ball bearing channel together with the outer ring wall of the axial cylinder.

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