Integrated End Recirculator for Compact Ball Screw Nuts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ball screw mechanisms with end recirculators require significant axial space due to separate functions of ball guiding and grease retention, limiting their application in space-optimized designs.

Innovation Solution

A compact recirculator design with an annular body and guide structure that integrates bearing and guiding functions, featuring a bearing surface intersecting the recirculation path and a sealing lip to minimize axial space and enhance sealing, made from materials like plastic or metal, facilitating molded manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If end recirculators use separate zones for ball guiding and grease retention, then both functions are performed effectively, but axial space consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveball guiding and grease retention functionsVSAvoidaxial space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the ball guiding function and grease retention function into a single integrated end recirculator structure. The annular body simultaneously provides a bearing surface for ball guidance and creates a sealed chamber for grease retention, eliminating the need for separate zones and reducing axial space consumption while maintaining both functions effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The end recirculator is designed as a multi-functional component where the annular body performs multiple roles: it guides balls through its bearing surface, retains grease through its sealed chamber structure, and maintains both functions within a compact axial footprint, making it suitable for space-constrained applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of stationary object

If the bearing surface is located in a section plane intersecting the recirculation path, then the recirculator becomes more compact with improved sealing, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial spaceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved and annular geometries in the recirculator design, including an annular bearing surface and curved recirculation paths, which achieve compactness and improved sealing while being manufacturable using standard molding or machining processes for curved components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20250305566A1End recirculator for a ball screw mechanism

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 NTN EUROPE

AI summary

The invention relates to a recirculator for a nut of a ball screw mechanism, comprising an annular body having a reference axis intended to be aligned with a helix axis of the nut, the annular body comprising a bearing surface configured to bear against a nut of the ball screw mechanism in a bearing direction having an axial component parallel to the reference axis, and a guide structure configured to guide balls in a recirculation path opening at a first guide end into a recirculation channel of the nut and at a second guide end onto a raceway defined by a thread of the nut, characterized in that the bearing surface is at least partially located in a section plane intersecting the recirculation path and perpendicular to the reference axis.