Ball Screw Device with Tangent Scooping Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ball screw devices, the temporary catch of ball retaining pieces occurs when the filling factor is small, leading to jamming and wear, and existing solutions require strict management and increased machining accuracy, resulting in higher costs.
Innovation Solution
A ball screw device with resin-fabricated ball retaining pieces and a ball scooping section aligned tangent to the center orbital circle of the balls, with a scooping path length of at least half the ball diameter, preventing temporary catch and reducing the need for precise machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the filling factor of ball retaining pieces is small, then the ball circulation path has lower complexity, but the ball retaining piece can be temporarily caught causing jamming and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The ball scooping section is positioned at the outlet of the ball circulating tube to preliminarily guide balls before they enter the ball load rolling path. This preliminary action ensures balls are properly oriented and spaced, preventing temporary catch of ball retaining pieces even when the filling factor is small, thus resolving the contradiction between low complexity and high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The ball scooping section acts as an intermediary element between the ball circulating tube and the ball load rolling path. It mediates the transition of balls from the circulation tube to the rolling path, ensuring smooth ball flow and preventing jamming without requiring complex circulation path design or strict filling factor management
2Reliability
If the filling factor of ball retaining pieces is strictly managed or machining accuracy is improved, then the temporary catch of ball retaining pieces is avoided, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball scooping section utilizes the natural motion and gravity of balls to automatically scoop and guide them into the ball load rolling path. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for strict filling factor management during fabrication or high-precision machining of the circulating tube insertion hole, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the ball circulation system by introducing a ball scooping section with specific geometric characteristics (tangent to center orbital circle, minimum path length of 1/2 ball diameter). This parameter change allows the system to operate reliably without requiring strict control of filling factor or high machining precision, thus reducing manufacturing costs
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 ensures reliable prevention of ball retaining piece catch without the need for precise machining, reducing costs and enhancing the device's operational stability and noise reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a ball scooping section for scooping up the balls rolling on between the ball screw grooves, along a line tangent to a center orbital circle of the balls
Data Source
AI summary
A ball circulating member constructed in an external face of a nut is provided with ball scooping sections for scooping up balls rolling on between ball screw grooves of a screw shaft and the nut, along a line tangent to a center orbital circle of the balls. The path length of a ball scooping path section formed in the ball scooping sections is set to be ½ or greater of the diameter of the ball.