Ball retainer, slide apparatus comprising same and mold for manufacturing same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide apparatuses face issues with dust contamination leading to hindered ball movement, lubricant leakage, and ball dislodgment due to excessive force, which affects the smooth operation and longevity of the system.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight plastic ball retainer with extensions forming a predetermined angle and expanded sections to prevent dust entry, maintain ball alignment, and distribute load evenly, while also featuring a mold for fabricating retainers of varying lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a thin plate ball retainer is used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the ball retainer may move over the balls when excessive force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The ball retainer is divided into a body section and multiple retaining sections, with each retaining section having multiple ball accommodation recesses. This segmentation allows the retainer to maintain structural integrity while keeping individual components lightweight and simple to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball retainer is formed of a lightweight plastic material rather than traditional metal, reducing overall weight and complexity while maintaining sufficient strength through proper structural design including the body section and retaining sections with ball accommodation recesses.
2Ease of operation
If lubricant is applied on the raceways, then the balls can smoothly roll and abrasion is prevented, but the lubricant leaks when the slide apparatus is repeatedly withdrawn and retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic ball retainer acts as a flexible barrier that can adapt to movement while containing lubricant. The retainer's structure with retaining sections and ball accommodation recesses creates a sealed environment that prevents lubricant leakage during repeated withdrawal and retraction operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball retainer serves as an intermediary component between the balls and the external environment, providing a barrier that prevents lubricant from escaping while still allowing the balls to roll smoothly within the constrained space.
3Ease of operation
If dust accumulates on the raceways, then the rolling operation of the balls is hindered and noise occurs, but preventing dust entry increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The ball retainer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains ball spacing, prevents lubricant leakage, and blocks dust entry. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated structure with retaining sections and ball accommodation recesses, eliminating the need for separate dust protection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic ball retainer forms a protective barrier that prevents dust from entering the raceway area while allowing the mechanism to operate freely. The retainer's structure creates a physical separation between the dust-prone external environment and the clean internal rolling area.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball retainer for a slide apparatus and a mold for manufacturing the same. The ball retainer includes, in a width direction, a first extension part and a second extension part that are extended from a center line, forming a pre-determined angle with each other, in a length direction, a body part formed in the center, and a pair of holding parts. Each holding part is respectively formed at each end of the body part. Each holding part includes a plurality of ball insertion grooves for inserting balls that are spaced apart in the length direction. Expansion parts each having an expanding cross-sectional area are respectively formed at both sides in the length direction of the first extension part and the second extension part.