Ball bearing slide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-row ball bearing slides are inadequate for small spaces and can deform under heavy loads, leading to jamming and instability, especially in hidden slide installations.
Innovation Solution
A ball bearing slide design with three rows of balls arranged in a ball cage, featuring symmetrically positioned curved parts and convex parts on the inner slide to distribute bearing forces uniformly, reducing overall size and enhancing capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional three-row ball bearing slide is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the bearing capacity is insufficient and the slide deforms under heavy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The ball bearing slide is divided into separate modular components: outer slides, inner slides, ball cages with three rows of balls, and curved support parts. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for strength while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, resolving the contradiction between bearing capacity and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite structural design combining metal slides with ball bearing elements and curved support parts. This composite approach enhances the overall bearing capacity and load distribution without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity, as each component can be produced using standard metalworking processes
2Strength
If the outer slide is made larger to accommodate more supporting balls, then the bearing capacity increases, but the size becomes too large for hidden slide installation in small spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The inner slide is nested within the outer slide, with the ball cage containing three rows of balls positioned between them. This nested configuration maximizes the bearing capacity within a compact footprint, allowing the slide to support heavy loads while maintaining a small overall size suitable for hidden installation in furniture and appliances
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing the slide size in plan view, the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by arranging three rows of balls vertically within the ball cage and using curved support parts that extend vertically. This dimensional transition allows high bearing capacity within a compact horizontal footprint
3Stability of the object's composition
If the three rows of supporting balls are arranged to cover a large area, then the load distribution improves, but the slide width increases and cannot fit in small spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The three rows of balls are arranged vertically within the ball cage rather than spreading horizontally. This vertical arrangement maintains excellent load distribution and stability across the load path while keeping the slide width compact, enabling hidden installation in space-constrained applications
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of multiple ball rows in a vertical configuration within a compact ball cage creates a composite bearing structure that achieves superior load distribution without increasing the horizontal footprint, resolving the contradiction between stability and compact dimensions
4Strength
If the curved surfaces of the inner slide are made larger to improve contact with supporting balls, then the bearing capacity increases, but the inner slide size increases and jamming occurs under heavy pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The curved support parts are strategically positioned at specific locations where load transmission is most critical. This localized curvature provides enhanced contact and load distribution exactly where needed, improving bearing capacity without increasing overall slide size or creating conditions for jamming under heavy pressure
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 design provides improved bearing capacity and stability in small spaces by uniformly distributing forces, preventing deformation and jamming, and optimizing the ball cage arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
three rows of balls rollably arranged in the ball cage; the inner slide is supported by the balls to slide relative to the outer slide
Data Source
AI summary
A ball bearing slide includes: at least one outer slide, an inner slide located within the outer slide, a ball cage located between the inner slide and the outer slide, and three rows of balls rollably arranged in the ball cage; wherein the three rows of the balls includes a first ball row, a second ball row, and a third ball row located between the first and second ball rows in a vertical direction; wherein the inner slide includes a first curved part against the first ball row, a second curved part against the second ball row, and a third curved part against the third ball row. With the first, second and third curved parts, internal space of the ball bearing slide for containing the inner slide is increased, which rationalizes the ball cage arrangement and optimizes the ball bearing slide design.