Ball Screw Module Circulating Device Curvature Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball screw modules experience noise and reduced service life due to ball collisions and improper design of circulating routes, leading to potential severing of ball connectors during direction changes.
Innovation Solution
A ball screw module with a circulating device featuring two guiding grooves of varying radii to guide the ball connector through three-dimensional turns, preventing undue pushing or dragging and ensuring smooth passage through turning sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a ball connector is used to fix balls in position, then ball collisions are prevented and service life is extended, but the ball connector may be severed when passing through the circulating route due to improper direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The circulating route is designed with curved guiding grooves that provide smooth directional transitions. The curvature of the guiding grooves matches the geometry of the ball connector, allowing it to navigate turns without sharp angles that would cause squeezing or pulling forces leading to severing.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulating route incorporates three-dimensional spatial arrangement with guiding grooves that accommodate the ball connector's movement in multiple dimensions. The grooves are positioned to receive and guide both lateral sides of the ball connector simultaneously, preventing undue strain during direction changes.
2Volume of moving object
If the circulating route is designed with tight turns to save space, then the ball screw module becomes more compact, but the ball connector is likely to be squeezed and pulled causing it to sever
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sharp turns, the circulating route uses gradually curved guiding grooves that reduce stress concentration on the ball connector. The curved geometry distributes mechanical loads along the length of the connector, preventing localized squeezing and pulling that would compromise its strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The design optimizes the radius of curvature and angle of the guiding grooves to balance compactness with connector integrity. By carefully selecting geometric parameters of the circulating route, the module achieves space efficiency while maintaining sufficient clearance and smooth transitions to prevent ball connector failure.
3Device complexity
If conventional circulating routes are used, then the structure is simple, but the ball connector cannot pass smoothly and direction changes cause excessive strain
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding grooves are formed with continuous curved surfaces that guide the ball connector through smooth arcs rather than sharp corners. This curvature design allows the connector to change direction gradually, reducing mechanical strain while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that integrates into the nut member.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding grooves act as intermediary elements between the ball connector and the circulating route. These grooves provide a mediating surface that facilitates smooth transitions, distributing the directional change forces across a larger contact area and reducing peak stresses on the ball connector.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a ball screw module including a screw shaft, a nut member, a ball connector, and a circulating device inside the nut member. The screw shaft and the nut member constitute a first load rolling groove. The circulating device, being connected with the first load rolling groove, has a first turning section and a second turning section, and includes a first guiding groove and a second guiding groove. The first guiding groove has a radius of curvature greater than that of the second guiding groove when the ball connector passes the first turning section. The first guiding groove has the radius of curvature smaller than that of the second guiding groove when the ball connector passes the second turning section.