Actuator Guide Apparatus Suppressing Rod Wobbling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rod-type linear actuators experience wobbling due to torque transmission from the motor, leading to reduced work precision, as existing rotation regulators deform elastically and fail to effectively mitigate this issue.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design incorporating a ball screw mechanism with a slider and rail system, where the slider is supported by rolling elements formed of rigid material, preventing torque transmission to the work shaft and thus minimizing wobbling. The slider and rail system includes grooves and rolling elements that allow for smooth linear motion while maintaining stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a resin-based rotation regulator is used to regulate wobbling, then the rod's wobbling is regulated, but the rotation regulator elastically deforms under torque causing the leading end of the rod to wobble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the resin-based rotation regulator with a guide apparatus consisting of a guide shaft, slider, and rolling elements. This mechanical substitution eliminates elastic deformation by using rigid components with rolling contact, thereby preventing torque transmission to the rod while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide shaft acts as an intermediary between the motor and the rod, supporting the rod and regulating its wobbling without transmitting torque. The rolling elements serve as mediators between the slider and rail, enabling smooth motion while preventing torque transmission to the work shaft.
2Productivity
If the motor rotates to drive the ball screw, then linear motion is generated, but torque is transmitted to the rod causing the leading end to wobble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power transmission path by introducing a guide shaft that is decoupled from the drive mechanism. The guide shaft is supported independently by rolling elements, separating the linear motion function from the torque transmission function, thereby preventing torque from reaching the rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide shaft serves as an intermediary that supports the rod and regulates its position without being driven by the motor. This intermediary structure allows linear motion to be generated while preventing torque transmission to the rod, maintaining work precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid rail and rolling elements are used to support the slider, then torque transmission to the work shaft is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide shaft serves multiple functions: it supports the rod, regulates wobbling, and guides linear motion. The rolling elements simultaneously enable smooth motion and prevent torque transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses rolling elements that can dynamically adapt to the motion requirements while maintaining rigid support. The rolling contact provides smooth, low-friction motion while the rigid rail and guide shaft maintain positional accuracy, achieving precision without excessive complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The actuator effectively suppresses wobbling of the leading end of the rod, maintaining work precision by preventing torque transmission from the motor, ensuring stable and precise linear motion.
Implementation Method 1
a rolling element that is formed of a rigid material, rolls over the first groove and the second groove upon being held between the first groove and the second groove
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member that contacts an inner periphery of the hole of the work shaft may be disposed at the leading end of the ball screw shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator (10) includes a guide apparatus (30) that guides a rod 11 in a Y-axis direction. The guide apparatus (30) includes a slider (31), a rail (60) formed of a steel material, and balls (rolling elements) formed of a steel material. The slider (31) is supported by the rail (60) through the balls. Accordingly, even if torque originating from a rotation of the output shaft of a motor unit (20) is applied to the slider (31) through a ball screw shaft (71), the slider (31) does not move around the output shaft with respect to the rail (60). Hence, torque originating from the rotation of the output shaft is not likely to be transmitted to the rod (11) through the guide apparatus (30), thereby suppressing an occurrence of the wobbling of the leading end of the rod (11). In addition, a reduction of the work precision of the actuator (10) is preventable.