Ball Return End Cap Oil Passage for Linear Motor Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear motors face difficulties in effectively lubricating the interior of the ball circulating slide rail, leading to poor lubrication performance due to the inefficiency of separate lubrication mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A ball return end cap with a ball-returning channel and an oil passage that communicates with the exterior, allowing lubricating oil to directly lubricate the interior of the ball circulating slide rail, enhancing lubrication efficiency and reducing the need for additional lubrication structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate lubrication mechanism is added to lubricate conventional linear motors, then the lubrication coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases and the interior of the ball circulating slide remains difficult to lubricate
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication function is merged with the ball return end cap structure. The oil passage is integrated into the end cap body, allowing lubricating oil to be delivered directly to the ball circulating slide interior through the ball return channel, eliminating the need for a separate external lubrication mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The ball return end cap serves as an intermediary structure that facilitates lubrication delivery. The oil passage within the end cap body acts as a conduit to transport lubricating oil from the exterior to the interior of the ball circulating slide, solving the accessibility problem
2Device complexity
If the ball return end cap structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the lubrication effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The ball return end cap is designed to perform multiple functions: it guides ball circulation and simultaneously delivers lubrication. The oil passage is integrated into the end cap body structure, allowing the same component to fulfill both structural and lubrication delivery roles without requiring additional parts
Solution Approach 2:
The end cap structure provides self-service lubrication by incorporating the oil passage directly into its body. The structure automatically delivers lubricating oil to the ball circulating slide through its inherent geometry without requiring external lubrication systems
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 solution provides improved lubrication for the ball return end cap and linear motor, resulting in smoother operation, higher accuracy, a more compact design, and better ball return effects.
Implementation Method 1
lubricating oil can directly lubricate the interior of the ball circulating slide rail on the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a ball return end cap and a linear motor thereof, including an end cap body having a ball-returning channel, the ball-returning channel has a first return port and a second return port, the end cap body is provided with an oil passage connecting to the outside that communicates with the ball-returning channel. The end cap body has a ball-returning channel through which the ball can enter/exit from the first return port and exit/enter from the second return port. In addition, the oil passage is disposed on the end cap body and communicates with the ball-returning channel, so that lubricating oil can directly lubricate the interior of the ball circulating slide rail on the rotor, providing good lubrication for the balls; lubricating oil can also provide good lubrication for the ball-returning channel, ensuring smoother returning of the ball return end cap.