Actuator Lubricant Supply Device for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuators require complex machining processes and separate greasing mechanisms to supply lubricant to rolling elements between the track member and moving member, and between the screw shaft and nut member, leading to increased production costs and labor.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design featuring a flange member with a lubricant supply device that simultaneously supplies lubricant to the rolling-element rolling groove and screw rolling-element rolling groove, eliminating the need for multiple passages and complex machining, and integrating the lubricant supply mechanism into a simple and easy-to-produce structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple passages are formed in the moving member and nut member to supply lubricant, then lubricant supply stability is improved, but machining complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lubricant supply functions into a single integrated lubricant supply device mounted on the track member. Instead of forming multiple passages in the moving member and nut member, the invention merges the supply of lubricant to both the rolling elements between track member and moving member, and the rolling elements between screw shaft and nut member, into one unified supply system. This reduces machining complexity while maintaining lubricant supply stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lubricant supply device as an intermediary component mounted on the track member. This device acts as a mediator to deliver lubricant to multiple locations without requiring complex internal passages in the moving member and nut member. The lubricant supply device includes multiple nozzles that can be positioned to supply lubricant to different rolling element contacts, simplifying the overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate greasing mechanisms are provided for different rolling elements, then lubricant supply coverage is improved, but device complexity and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lubricant supply device universal by enabling it to perform multiple lubrication functions through a single mechanism. The device can supply lubricant to both the rolling elements between the track member and moving member, and the rolling elements between the screw shaft and nut member, simultaneously. This multi-functionality is achieved through multiple nozzles integrated into one supply device, eliminating the need for separate greasing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If complex machining processes are used to form multiple passages, then lubricant supply reliability is improved, but production cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lubricant supply function from the moving member and nut member structures, and relocates it to a separate lubricant supply device mounted on the track member. By taking out the passage-forming requirement from the main components, the invention simplifies their machining processes while maintaining lubricant supply reliability through the external supply device with multiple nozzles.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective lubricant distribution to all necessary areas, reducing production costs and maintaining performance while minimizing weight through the use of lighter materials.
Implementation Method 1
a lubricant supply device adapted to supply a lubricant to between the rolling-element rolling groove and the load rolling-element rolling groove and to the screw rolling-element rolling groove
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator includes a track member provided with a base extending along a longitudinal direction and a pair of walls erected from opposite ends of the base in a width direction, with rolling-element rolling grooves formed along the longitudinal direction; and a moving member assembled movably along the longitudinal direction between the walls, with respective load rolling-element rolling grooves corresponding to the rolling-element rolling grooves being formed in the moving members; and a screw shaft passed through a through-hole formed in the moving member, with a screw rolling-element rolling groove formed in the screw shaft, the screw rolling-element rolling groove being spiral in shape, wherein the moving member has the nut member attached to the through-hole, with the screw load rolling-element rolling groove corresponding to the screw rolling-element rolling groove formed in the nut, the nut member is assembled via a flange member which includes a lubricant supply device.