Linear Guide Clamp Slide With Reversible Inclined-Plane Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamp slides for linear guides have complex structures, high manufacturing costs, and inefficient braking forces due to multiple components and space constraints, leading to inconvenient assembly and insufficient braking performance.
Innovation Solution
A clamp slide design featuring a slide body with two piston units, elastic members, fluid pressure cylinders, and braking units, where the inclined planes of lateral covers can change tilt direction to simplify structure, reduce components, and optimize clamping force, using fluid pressure to clamp or release the rail effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If multiple components (springs, pistons, wedges, rollers) are used to generate clamping force, then the braking force can be increased, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (piston, spring, wedge, and clamping mechanism) into an integrated clamp slide assembly. The slide body integrates the wedge shape with the clamping surfaces, while the piston unit combines the actuating piston with the spring mechanism in a single assembled unit, reducing the total number of separate components while maintaining the multi-stage force multiplication effect
Solution Approach 2:
The slide body serves multiple functions: it acts as the wedge for force multiplication, provides the clamping surfaces through its lateral portions, forms the rail groove for guiding, and houses the piston unit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby simplifying the overall device structure
2Force
If multiple pistons are used to increase braking force, then the clamping capability is improved, but the space requirement and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The piston unit is nested within the slide body, with the piston positioned in a dedicated cavity and the spring arranged in the available space around it. This nested arrangement allows the multi-piston equivalent functionality to be achieved within the confined space of a single clamp slide, avoiding the need for separate housing volumes for each piston
3Reliability
If complex air piping and multiple sealing members are used to maintain sealing, then the hydraulic pressure can be maintained, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from a complex piping system and concentrates it at the piston rod seal interface. By using a single effective sealing location where the piston rod exits the piston, the design eliminates the need for multiple sealing members distributed throughout complex air piping, while still maintaining reliable hydraulic pressure containment
Solution Approach 2:
The piston unit is designed to be self-contained, with the spring automatically providing the necessary pressure to maintain sealing at the piston rod seal. The elastic member continuously urges the piston rod seal against the piston, ensuring reliable sealing without requiring external control systems or complex piping arrangements
4Ease of manufacture
If the lateral cover is assembled in a fixed orientation, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the adaptability to different clamping configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral cover is designed with rotational freedom, allowing it to be dynamically adjusted to different tilt orientations during assembly. This dynamic positioning capability enables the same cover component to adapt to different clamping configurations and rail orientations, providing versatility without requiring multiple specialized components for each configuration
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 design reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies assembly, and provides an optimal clamping force by minimizing components and allowing adjustable tilt angles, enhancing braking performance and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the elastic members (45) is disposed in one of the lateral portions (22) of the slide body (20) and stopped against one of the piston units (39)
Implementation Method 2
Each of the fluid pressure cylinders (50) is disposed at the end surface of one of the lateral portions (22) of the slide body (20) for providing a hydraulic pressure force to push one of the piston units (39) to move
Implementation Method 3
a lateral cover (85) disposed at the lateral hole (28) of one of the lateral portions (22) of the slide body (20) and having an inclined plane (86) abutted against one of the movable members (80)
Implementation Method 4
the braking members (60) are pushed by the movable members (80) to clamp the rail (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp slide for use in a linear guide includes a slide body, two piston units disposed in the slide body, two elastic members stopped against the piston units, and two fluid pressure cylinders pushing the piston units to move toward a direction against restoring forces exerted by the elastic members. Further, a moveable member is disposed in each of the piston units and pushed by an inclined plane of a lateral cover to push a braking member, such that a rail is clamped by the left and right braking members. The lateral cover can be assembled in different ways according to actual needs for enabling the inclined plane to perform opposite tilt direction. As such, the clamp slide of the present invention has the effects of simplifying structure and reducing cost.