Coupling with Ball and Sliding Joints for Alignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplings for connecting linear drives to linearly guided slide elements are complex to assemble and fail to effectively compensate for alignment errors and lateral offsets between the drive and slide elements.
Innovation Solution
A coupling design featuring a coupling center piece with a ball joint and a sliding joint, allowing for misalignment compensation through the ball joint's rotational degrees of freedom and lateral offset compensation through the sliding joint's translational degrees of freedom, with simplified assembly via open joint head receptacles for easy insertion and secure locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional couplings with multiple screw connections and specialized tools are used, then assembly complexity increases, but alignment compensation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into distinct functional modules: a first rod end for drive connection, a second rod end for sliding element connection, and a ball joint mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying assembly through modular integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball joint mechanism employs spherical geometry with a ball head and corresponding receptacle, enabling multi-axis rotational movement to compensate for misalignment in all directions. The spherical interface provides inherent self-alignment capability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If couplings require moving the linear actuator or slide element during assembly, then installation time increases, but positioning precision can be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is pre-configured with open receiving spaces in both rod end receptacles, allowing rod ends to be inserted in any orientation before final positioning. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for actuator movement during assembly while ensuring precise alignment is achieved through the ball joint's self-aligning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball joint mechanism provides dynamic adaptation during assembly, automatically adjusting to misalignments through rotational degrees of freedom. This dynamic capability allows rapid installation without precise pre-positioning, reducing installation time while maintaining final positioning accuracy.
3Reliability
If rod end receptacles are closed during operation, then unintentional release is prevented, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacles are designed with open receiving spaces that allow easy insertion of rod ends during assembly. After assembly, the same open spaces enable simple closing or locking actions to secure the connection, providing both ease of assembly and operational security through a straightforward two-step process.
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
Enables precise alignment and offset compensation with simplified assembly, ensuring axially rigid connection and preventing unintentional release during operation.
Implementation Method 1
Misalignment can be compensated for by the ball joint
Implementation Method 2
the sliding joint enables the compensation of lateral offset
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling (1) for connecting a linear drive (2) to a linearly guided slide element (3) is described, said coupling having a coupling centre piece (4), a ball joint (5) and a sliding joint (6). The ball joint (5) and the sliding joint (6) are arranged on opposing sides of the coupling (1). The ball joint (5) has a joint head (7) and a joint head socket (8), and the sliding joint (6) has a joint head (9) and a joint head socket (10), and the joint head socket (8) of the ball joint (5) and/or the joint head socket (10) of the sliding joint (6) has/have a socket space (11, 12) which is open, at least on one side, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (L) of the coupling (1).