Adjustable Spacer for Sliding Guide Lifting Columns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding guide spacers for lifting columns lack the ability to make adjustments after assembly, leading to issues with clamping forces and smooth movement, requiring complete replacement if adjustments are needed.
Innovation Solution
A spacer design featuring a holder with an anchor system connected via a threaded bolt, allowing for fine adjustments in thickness by moving the adjustment element relative to the holder, with anchors that can be latched and clamped for easy assembly and adjustment, and made of materials like plastic for smooth guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the distance between profiles is fixed during assembly, then the structure is simple and assembly is easy, but subsequent adjustments are impossible requiring complete replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into two separable parts: a holder part and an adjustment element part. These parts can be assembled together to form a fixed distance structure, but can also be separated and reassembled with different distances through the threaded bolt mechanism, enabling both simple assembly and subsequent adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism using a threaded bolt that allows the distance between the holder and adjustment element to be changed. The threaded connection enables precise positional adjustment while maintaining structural integrity, transforming a static fixed-distance structure into a dynamically adjustable one.
2Stability of the object's composition
If clamping forces are set too high, then the structure is stable, but the sliding guide cannot move smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded bolt mechanism allows precise adjustment of the clamping force parameters. By changing the threaded connection tightness, the clamping force can be optimized to achieve the right balance between structural stability and smooth movement of the sliding guide, avoiding both excessive and insufficient clamping.
3Volume of moving object
If the spacer structure is compact, then space is saved, but adjustment mechanisms become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is merged with the spacer structure itself. The threaded bolt serves dual purposes: it acts as both the adjustment mechanism and a structural connecting element. This integration allows the adjustment function to be incorporated into the compact spacer design without adding separate complex adjustment devices.
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 later adjustments to the distance between profiles, improving the alignment and smooth operation of sliding guides, allowing for optimal alignment and reducing the need for spacer replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a first anchor (13) is mounted on the holder (11) and a second anchor (14) is mounted on the adjusting element (12), which are connected to one another via a threaded bolt (15) and the adjusting element (12) can be moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the holder (11) by turning the threaded bolt (15) through the first and second anchor (13, 14)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A spacer (10) for a sliding guide, in particular for a lifting column (1), having a holder (11), on which at least one adjusting element (12, 12') is retained such that it can be moved in the longitudinal direction, wherein at least one contact surface (23, 34), which is inclined in relation to the longitudinal direction, is provided on the holder (11) and/or the adjusting element (12, 12'), and therefore, by virtue of the adjusting element (12, 12') being moved relative to the holder (11) in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to alter the thickness of the unit made up of the holder (11) and adjusting element (12, 12'), wherein a first anchor (13) is mounted on the holder (11) and a second anchor (14) is mounted on the adjusting element (12, 12'), said anchors being connected to one another via a threaded bolt (15), and, by virtue of the threaded bolt (15) being rotated, the adjusting element (12, 12) can be moved relative to the holder (11) in the longitudinal direction by way of the first and second anchors (13, 14).