Linear Actuator Dust-Proof Mechanism with Sandwiched Mounting Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear actuators with dust-proof mechanisms face issues with uneven tension application to dust-proof belts, leading to bending and reduced sealing performance, especially when adjusting for different sizes and dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The dust-proof belts are wound around mounting members and sandwiched between them and the end portions of the housing member, allowing for even and strong tension application, preventing deformation and improving sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dust-proof belts are stretched between end blocks along horizontal upper plate portions and central partitioning plate, then dust-proof function is achieved, but uneven tension causes bending and reduced sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
Mounting members are introduced as intermediary components between the end blocks and the dust-proof belts. These mounting members provide dedicated surfaces for attaching the belts, ensuring uniform tension distribution and preventing belt bending, thereby maintaining both dust-proof function and sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting members are specifically designed with localized attachment surfaces at critical positions where the dust-proof belts need to be secured. This localized structural enhancement ensures proper tension application only where needed, preventing bending while maintaining the overall dust-proof structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dust-proof belts are stretched to seal openings, then dust leakage is prevented, but belt bending occurs due to improper tension application
Solution Approach 1:
Mounting members serve as intermediary attachment points that properly distribute tension across the dust-proof belts. This intermediary structure prevents direct attachment issues that cause bending, ensuring the belts maintain their shape while effectively sealing openings against dust leakage
3Device complexity
If conventional mounting method is used without mounting members, then device complexity is reduced, but tension distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting members are relatively simple intermediary components that can be easily integrated into the existing end block structure. Despite their simplicity, they dramatically improve tension distribution uniformity, achieving better manufacturing precision with minimal increase in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a linear actuator provided with a dust-proof mechanism capable of preventing dust-proof belts from being deformed, improving a sealing performance between the dust-proof belts and a housing member, and achieving high dust-proof performance irrespective of a size of the linear actuator. The linear actuator provided with the dust-proof mechanism includes: a housing member disposed so as to cover at least a ball screw; an opening portion formed in the housing member so as to extend along a moving locus of a movable stage; and dust-proof belts stretched inside the housing member so as to close the opening portion by being mounted to mounting members disposed both end portions of the housing member, wherein a bypass member for bypassing the dust-proof belts positioned at position overlapped with the movable stage is provided for the movable stage so as to realize movement of the movable member along the opening portion while closing and sealing the opening portion by the dust-proof belts, and in such a linear actuator provided with the dust-proof mechanism, the dust-proof belts are wound up around the mounting member and sandwiched between the mounting member and the end portions of the housing member.