Ball Screw Nut Structure With Partial Flanges for S-Groove Forging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of molding an S-shaped groove surface in a nut with a flange protruding radially results in an increased axial size due to the difficulty in forming the groove without shifting it axially, which complicates the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A nut design with partial flanges extending in the circumferential direction and relief spaces allows the S-shaped groove surfaces to be molded on the inner side of the flange, avoiding axial expansion and enabling efficient forging without axial shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an S-shaped groove surface is molded in the inner peripheral surface of a nut by forging with a flange protruding radially, then the flange structure is provided, but the thick portion of the nut cannot escape to the outer side radially making it difficult to mold the S-shaped groove surface
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is divided into multiple partial flanges arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, creating gaps between them. These gaps allow the thick portion of the nut to escape radially outward during forging, enabling the S-shaped groove surface to be molded without axial shifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The S-shaped groove surface is arranged on the inner side in the radial direction of the relief space created by the partial flange configuration. This radial positioning allows the groove to be formed in the thick portion without requiring axial displacement, solving the molding difficulty.
2Ease of manufacture
If the S-shaped groove surface is molded in a manner of being shifted in the axial direction with respect to the flange, then the groove can be formed, but the size of the nut increases in the axial direction
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flange into partial flanges with gaps, the thick portion can escape radially through these gaps during forging. This eliminates the need for axial shifting to accommodate the thick portion, thereby preventing axial size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the thick portion escape path from the axial dimension to the radial dimension. The S-shaped groove is positioned on the inner side of the relief space in the radial direction, allowing formation without axial displacement.
3Strength
If a full annular flange is provided, then radial support is maximized, but the nut weight increases and the S-shaped groove surface cannot be molded by forging
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is segmented into multiple partial flanges instead of a full annular structure. This segmentation reduces material usage and weight while the distributed partial flanges still provide adequate radial support. The gaps between partial flanges enable the thick portion to escape during forging.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing uniform radial support throughout the entire circumference, radial support is concentrated at specific locations where partial flanges are positioned. This local quality approach maintains necessary support capability while reducing overall weight and enabling forging.
Data Source
AI summary
A nut of the present disclosure includes a cylindrical nut main body penetrated by a screw shaft, a plurality of inner peripheral raceway surfaces and a plurality of S-shaped groove surfaces recessed to an outer side in a radial direction from an inner peripheral surface of the nut main body, and a flange protruding to the outer side in the radial direction from an outer peripheral surface of the nut main body. The flange includes at least one or more partial flanges extending only in a part of a circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the nut main body.