Ball Screw Nut Deflector Layout for Compact Ball Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball screw drives require additional components for support and drive geometry, leading to increased axial dimensions and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates radially closed pockets in the threaded nut to house deflector elements, allowing for integral functional surfaces that eliminate the need for supplementary components, enabling a compact and continuous ball channel with aligned axial positions for bearing or drive geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the threaded nut has holes for deflector bodies, then the balls can be transferred between channel sections, but the outer surface is interrupted and additional support components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ball transfer function and the support function into a single integrated structure. The deflector body is combined with the support component forming a unified element that performs both functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate holes and additional support components in the threaded nut.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector body is designed to serve multiple functions: it transfers balls between channel sections and simultaneously provides structural support for the threaded nut. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate support components and maintains structural integrity without interrupting the outer surface.
2Reliability
If additional support components are added to the threaded nut, then the nut can be properly supported and coupled to the drive, but the axial dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is merged with the deflector body, creating a single integrated component that provides both ball transfer and structural support. This eliminates the need for additional separate support components that would increase the axial dimension of the threaded nut.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector body is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously transfers balls and provides support for coupling to the drive. This universal design maintains reliability while minimizing the axial dimensions by eliminating redundant components.
3Ease of operation
If numerous separate deflector elements are placed axially adjacent, then the ball transfer function is achieved, but the structural integrity and compactness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing multiple separate deflector elements axially adjacent to each other, the patent merges their functions into a single integrated deflector body. This unified structure maintains structural integrity and compactness while achieving the ball transfer function through internal channel design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the outer surface of the threaded nut is interrupted by holes, then deflector bodies can be accommodated, but the structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector body and support structure are merged into a single integrated component that does not require holes in the threaded nut. This maintains the structural strength and integrity of the nut while still accommodating the deflector function through the integrated design.
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
This configuration results in a more compact and integrated ball screw drive with reduced axial length, eliminating the need for additional components and enhancing structural integrity and drive efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a deflector element for deflecting the balls rolling in the ball groove
Data Source
AI summary
A ball screw drive, comprising a screw that includes at least one outer ball groove, and a threaded nut that includes at least one inner ball groove, wherein the inner and outer ball grooves combine to form a ball channel in which one or more balls are accommodated, wherein at least one pocket is formed in the threaded nut, in which a deflection element is accommodated for deflecting the balls rolling in the ball groove, wherein the deflection element includes a deflection body, on which an intake and discharge section are formed and open into the ball groove to enable the one or more balls to enter and exit the groove, and wherein the intake and discharge section includes a snaking bath that enables the ball to be moved from one ball groove section into an adjacent ball path section.