Electromotive Dual-Drive Linear Drive Support Plate for Reduced Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric motor-actuated linear drives for dual drives in furniture adjustment, particularly in the hospital and care sector, face structural length issues due to the need for stable plastic housings with numerous ribs, leading to increased structural length and reduced stability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a support means, such as a metal or high-strength plastic plate, between the rolling bearings at the spindle ends to distribute the counteracting forces, reducing the structural length while enhancing stability by minimizing surface pressure and increasing the force contact area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the plastic housing is designed with numerous stable ribs to support the dual drive, then the strength and stability of the structure is improved, but the structural length increases
Solution Approach 1:
A support plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the two rolling bearings to provide mutual support. This plate serves as a mediator that distributes and transfers forces between the bearings, eliminating the need for the plastic housing to provide structural support through ribs, thereby reducing the structural length while maintaining strength
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is extracted from the plastic housing structure and transferred to a dedicated support plate. By separating the support function from the housing, the housing can be minimized in length while the support plate provides the necessary structural integrity through its rigid material properties
2Length of stationary object
If the plastic housing is minimized in length, then the structural length is reduced, but the strength and stability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is made from materials with superior mechanical properties compared to the plastic housing, such as metal or fiber-reinforced plastic. This composite material approach allows the support plate to provide enhanced stability and strength in a compact form, compensating for the reduced housing length
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is shifted from a three-dimensional housing structure to a two-dimensional plate element positioned between the bearings. This dimensional change allows for efficient force distribution across the plate surface, providing stability without requiring extended structural length
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 minimizes the structural length of the linear drive, increases stability, and reduces the risk of damage from internal components, allowing for reliable operation with ball bearings supported on both sides by the plate.
Implementation Method 1
at least the bearings arranged at the spindle ends which are close to each other are in the form of rolling bearings having an inner race and an outer race
Data Source
AI summary
An electromotive linear drive in the form of a dual drive adjust movably mounted parts of reclining and seating furniture. Two threaded spindles (2, 3) driven by a worm gear and which are arranged one behind the other and flush with one another for displacing a lifting element. Bearings are provided at both ends of each threaded spindle (2, 3). The bearings are designed as roller bearings (4, 5) having an inner ring (6) and an outer ring (7). The aim of the invention is to design an electromotive dual drive in such a way that a short overall length is achieved and that the stability of the structure is increased. Said aim is achieved by arranging an abutment between both roller bearings (4, 5), which accommodate the spindle ends, on which the roller bearings are supported on from both sides.