Ball Nut End Component Structure for Rigidity and Smooth Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball nut assemblies with open grooves suffer from low rigidity, noise susceptibility, and increased risk of damage upon impact, along with issues of ball clogging due to longer guide lengths, which hinder smooth rolling.
Innovation Solution
The ball nut assembly incorporates a nut body with an annular ball groove, reflow channel, and assembling groove, featuring a thick assembling groove wall and a radially extending flange for enhanced strength and surface flush, along with an end component with a reflow bend and fixing portion to reduce noise and clogging by optimizing the assembly and guide length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an open groove is provided on the nut to assemble a ball circulator, then the ball circulator can be assembled, but the rigidity of the nut becomes low and it becomes susceptible to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The nut is divided into two main parts: the nut body with the ball groove and the end component that closes the groove. This segmentation allows the ball circulator to be assembled while maintaining nut rigidity, as the end component provides structural closure without requiring an open groove design
Solution Approach 2:
The end component is nested within the assembling groove of the nut body, creating a compact structure where the end component fills the groove space. This nesting approach allows the ball circulator assembly function while preserving the external integrity and rigidity of the nut structure
2Ease of manufacture
If an open groove is provided on the nut, then the ball circulator can be assembled, but the nut becomes susceptible to noise
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the nut into a nut body and a separate end component, the design allows the end component to act as a noise-damping closure for the ball groove, reducing noise susceptibility while maintaining assembly functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The end component nested in the assembling groove provides a closed structure that reduces noise from the ball circulator, while the nesting approach keeps the overall structure compact and maintains ease of assembly
3Ease of manufacture
If the flange surface is not designed to be flush with the nut surface to cooperate with the groove, then the groove can be assembled, but the ball circulator may be damaged more easily upon impact
Solution Approach 1:
The end component is nested within the assembling groove with its outer surface flush with the nut body surface, creating a protective extension that shields the ball circulator from impact damage while maintaining the groove assembly structure
Solution Approach 2:
The end component acts as a pre-positioned protective element that cushions and absorbs impact forces before they can reach the ball circulator, thereby preventing damage while maintaining the groove assembly design
4Ease of manufacture
If the guide portion of the ball circulator is made longer, then the assembly can be completed, but clogging of balls occurs easily and balls cannot roll smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion length is optimized to a specific parameter range that balances assembly completion with smooth ball rolling, preventing clogging while ensuring proper assembly. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between assembly ease and operational smoothness
Data Source
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AI summary
A ball nut assembly (100) and an end component (20) thereof are provided. The ball nut assembly (100) includes a nut body (10) and an end component (20). The nut body (10) includes an outer ring wall (11), a ball groove (13), an assembling groove (15), and a fixing hole (16). The assembling groove (15) is arranged on an end portion, and the assembling groove (15) has a first side surface (151), a second side surface (152), and a bottom surface (153). The end component (20) is accommodated in the assembling groove (15) of the nut body (10), and includes a first contact surface (21), a second contact surface (22), a radial surface (23), a fixing portion (24), and a reflow bend (25). The fixing portion (24) is arranged on the radial surface (23). The first and second contact surfaces (21, 22) contact the first and second side surfaces (151, 152) of the assembling groove (15) in a force-fit manner, respectively, and two ends of the reflow bend (25) respectively correspond to the ball groove (13) and the reflow channel (14).