Ball Screw Deflecting Elements One-Piece Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball screw assemblies face challenges with complex structures, high costs, and noise due to separate manufacturing and difficult ball recirculation of deflecting elements, which are not easily fixed in place, leading to inefficient linear motion conversion from rotary action.
Innovation Solution
A ball screw assembly with integrated deflecting elements that are flexible and one-piece, featuring cavities and projections for secure engagement within the nut, forming a recirculating channel with tangential connections to facilitate smooth ball circulation and reduce noise, using convex toroidal and conical surfaces for precise alignment and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If deflecting elements are made from separate parts and assembled with screws, then assembly flexibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate deflecting element parts into a single integrated deflecting element that can be manufactured as one piece. This eliminates the need for assembly with screws and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the functional benefits of deflecting elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflecting element is designed with segmented functional zones (first deflecting zone, second deflecting zone, transition zone) that provide different mechanical properties in different regions, allowing complex functionality to be achieved within a single integrated component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If deflecting elements are made from separate parts, then adaptability is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all deflecting zones into a single monolithic element, the patent eliminates positioning errors that would arise from assembling multiple parts. The integrated design ensures precise relative positioning of all functional zones while maintaining adaptability through the varied geometries within the single element.
3Reliability
If complex fixing means are used to secure deflecting elements, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate fixing means by integrating the deflecting element directly into the nut structure. The deflecting element becomes an inherent part of the nut, removing the need for additional screws, clips, or retaining mechanisms while ensuring reliable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflecting element design includes self-positioning features where the element's own geometry provides its fixation and alignment within the nut, eliminating the need for external fixing mechanisms.
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 simplifies the assembly process, enhances ball recirculation, reduces noise, and lowers production costs by ensuring precise positioning of deflecting elements, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective conversion of rotary motion to linear motion.
Implementation Method 1
said parts of the deflecting elements are flexible legs having projections engaged in said respective cavities
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Ball screw assembly comprising: - a screw (2) provided with an outer thread (3); - a nut (4) provided with an inner thread (5); - a series (6) of balls (7) able to circulate along a circulating path (10) between the screw and the nut, along which the balls are engaged in the threads thereof; and - recirculating means (8) defining a recirculating channel (9) to carry balls from one end to the other end of said circulating path (10); the recirculating channel (9) comprising a return channel (14) provided on the nut and, between the ends of this return channel and the corresponding ends of said circulating path, deflecting channels (27, 28) which are defined respectively between surfaces (25) of deflecting elements (20, 21) engaged in respective holes (11, 12) of the nut (4) and local zones (26) of surfaces (16) of these respective holes.