Ball Screw Recirculation Member Mechanical Locking Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing two-part deflection bodies for ball screw drives require complex and costly ultrasonic welding for connection, which is time-consuming and prone to errors during assembly and transport.
Innovation Solution
The use of locking or clamping projections and receptacles on the body parts that snap or clamp into place, allowing for a purely mechanical connection that is easy to assemble and transport, eliminating the need for ultrasonic welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ultrasonic welding is used to connect body parts, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ultrasonic welding process (thermal/mechanical system) with a purely mechanical locking system using protrusions and recesses. The body parts are connected through geometric interlocking features that provide sufficient connection strength without requiring complex welding equipment or processes, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining connection integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection body is divided into multiple body parts that are connected through standardized locking interfaces. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured separately using simple injection molding, then assembled through the locking mechanism, avoiding the need for complex one-piece manufacturing or sophisticated joining processes.
2Reliability
If ultrasonic welding is used to connect body parts, then connection reliability is improved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking protrusions and recesses are pre-formed during the injection molding process of each body part. This preliminary action ensures that the connection features are already prepared and precisely positioned before assembly, allowing for rapid and reliable connection without requiring additional welding steps or post-processing, thereby reducing production time while maintaining connection reliability.
3Ease of operation
If locking projections are used for connection, then ease of assembly is improved, but connection strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system combines multiple functional features into a single integrated mechanism: geometric interlocking for strength, friction surfaces for grip, and positioning elements for alignment. This composite approach within the locking projection design achieves both ease of assembly and sufficient connection strength by utilizing multiple physical principles simultaneously rather than relying on a single mechanism.
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 solution provides a faster, cheaper, and more reliable connection between the body parts, ensuring a firm and leak-tight assembly that prevents lubricant escape, while simplifying the assembly process and reducing the risk of connection failure.
Implementation Method 1
locking or clamping projections which snap positively into locking or clamping receptacles provided on the other body part or clamp frictionally in the assembled end position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The return element (1) has two parts (2, 3) connected with each other, where the parts limit a returning channel that guides a rolling body. A locking projection (7) or a clamping projection is provided at one of the parts and locks or jams with a locking recess (10) or a clamping recess provided at the other part at an assembled end position in a form-fit or frictionally engaged manner. The parts have centering elements (12, 13) that are formed as pin-like projections (14) and co-operate with centering guides (15) during assembling of the parts.