Ball Screw Lubricating Device with Spacing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball screw devices lack an effective structure for consistently supplying lubricating grease or oil to both the screw shaft and the ball nut, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity, as well as reduced performance due to worn-out lubricating materials and increased gaps between ball bearing elements.
Innovation Solution
A ball screw device with a lubricating device attached to the movable nut member, featuring a groove on the elongated shaft, a passage in the ball nut, and a lubricating system that includes an oil distributing member and a spacing element made of wax or spongy materials, which ensures continuous lubrication by allowing the distributing member to engage with the groove only after the ball nut has been moved, preventing premature contact and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-loaded balls made of lubricating materials are used to lubricate the ball bearing elements and screw shaft, then lubrication is provided, but the balls wear out and gaps increase reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricating device uses the relative movement between the ball nut and screw shaft to automatically distribute lubricating material through the passage and onto the ball bearing elements, eliminating the need for separate lubrication mechanisms or consumable lubricating balls. The system serves itself by utilizing its own operational movement to deliver lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
A passage is introduced as an intermediary structure within the ball nut that channels lubricating material from the lubricating device to the ball bearing elements. This intermediary pathway enables controlled delivery of lubrication without requiring direct contact between consumable elements and the friction surfaces.
2Reliability
If guide members with oil retaining members are added to lubricate the screw shaft, then lubrication is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricating device is merged with the ball nut structure by integrating the passage directly into the ball nut. This combination eliminates the need for separate guide members with oil retaining members, reducing structural complexity while maintaining effective lubrication delivery to the ball bearing elements and screw shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball nut is given multiple functions: it not only receives and moves the ball bearing elements along the screw shaft but also houses the passage for lubricant distribution and serves as the mounting structure for the lubricating device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated lubrication components.
3Reliability
If lubricating grease or oil is applied to the ball nut, then lubrication is provided, but there is no effective structure for supplying lubricant to the screw shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The lubrication system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the lubricating device reservoir, the passage within the ball nut for transport, and the delivery points at the ball bearing elements and screw shaft. This segmentation allows efficient distribution of lubricant to multiple locations without requiring a complex unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage acts as an intermediary channel that transports lubricating material from the lubricating device to the ball bearing elements and screw shaft. This intermediary structure enables effective lubrication delivery without requiring direct application mechanisms at each lubrication point, simplifying the overall system.
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 ensures smooth movement of the ball nut relative to the elongated shaft by maintaining consistent lubrication, reducing wear and tear, and simplifying manufacturing processes while minimizing increased costs associated with specialized materials.
Implementation Method 1
friction heat generated when the ball nut is moved relative to the elongated shaft
Implementation Method 2
the spacing element including an end portion engaged into the screw hole of the ball nut for engaging with the groove of the elongated shaft and for spacing the first end portion of the distributing member from being contacted and engaged with the groove of the elongated shaft and arranged for allowing the first end portion of the distributing member to be contacted and engaged with the groove of the elongated shaft after the ball nut has been pivoted or rotated or moved relative to the elongated shaft for a predetermined time interval
Data Source
AI summary
A ball screw device includes an elongated shaft having an outer groove, a ball nut having a screw hole for receiving the elongated shaft and having a passage communicating with the screw hole of the ball nut, and a lubricating device includes an oil distributing member engaged into the ball nut and having one end portion engaged into the ball nut for engaging with the groove of the elongated shaft, and a spacing element is attached onto an outer peripheral portion of the distributing member, and the spacing element includes an end portion engaged into the ball nut for engaging with the elongated shaft and for spacing the distributing member from being engaged with the elongated shaft.