Ceramic Surface Spindle With Metal Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ceramic spindles are prone to damage from tensile and bending loads due to their material properties, which can occur during normal operation or transport, and existing solutions to mitigate these loads are costly and complex.

Innovation Solution

The external thread is formed only in the ceramic jacket, allowing tensile and bending loads to be absorbed by a metal core, reducing stress on the jacket and enhancing the spindle's resistance to axial forces while maintaining a ceramic surface for friction and resilience benefits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a full ceramic spindle is used, then friction properties and resilience are improved, but resistance to tensile and bending loads deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to tensile and bending loadsVSAvoidsusceptibility to damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle is constructed as a composite structure with a metal core providing tensile and bending strength, and a ceramic jacket providing friction and resilience properties. This composite design allows both materials to contribute their advantageous properties to the final product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The spindle is divided into two functional segments: an inner metal core that handles mechanical loads and an outer ceramic jacket that provides surface properties. This segmentation allows each material to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the external thread is formed in the ceramic spindle, then the ceramic surface properties are maintained, but tensile and bending loads increase on the ceramic material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveceramic surface integrityVSAvoidload bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The threading function is segmented from the ceramic material and assigned to the metal core. The ceramic jacket remains smooth and intact, while the metal core carries the threaded structure that generates and transmits mechanical loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The metal core acts as an intermediary that absorbs the mechanical stresses from the external thread, preventing these stresses from being transmitted to the ceramic jacket. The core mediates between the threading requirements and the ceramic material's load sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If a metal core with hard layer is used, then strength and rigidity are improved, but the ceramic surface properties for friction and resilience are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength and rigidityVSAvoidfriction and resilience properties
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle combines metal and ceramic materials in a composite structure, where the metal core provides strength and rigidity while the ceramic jacket restores the friction and resilience properties. This composite approach allows both sets of properties to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different materials are applied to different regions of the spindle: metal with high strength properties in the core region, and ceramic with optimized friction and resilience properties in the outer surface region. Each region has the quality best suited for its function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3064805B1Spindle having a surface made of ceramic
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 MAXON MOTOR AG
  • EP3064805B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3064805B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a spindle (1) with a ceramic surface and an external thread (4). The spindle has a metal core (2) and a ceramic sheath (3), the sheath at least partially surrounding the core. Furthermore, the invention provides a spindle drive (14) comprising a spindle (1) according to the invention and a drive element (17).