Guide Module for Rack and Pinion Driving Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional driving devices lacking a guide module for moving units on pinions experience instability and durability issues due to overload when heavy objects are moved along a rack and pinion trajectory.

Innovation Solution

A guide module is introduced, featuring a module rail, running wheels, front and rear steering portions, and relative rotation connections to stabilize the movement of the moving unit along the rack trajectory, preventing durability deterioration from overload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a guide module is added to guide the moving unit, then movement stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide module acts as an intermediary component between the rack-pinion mechanism and the moving unit. It includes guide rails that constrain the moving unit's movement path and guide wheels that roll along these rails, providing stable guidance without directly interfering with the rack-pinion drive mechanism. This mediator structure resolves the contradiction by adding stability through a dedicated guidance subsystem rather than modifying the existing drive mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Weight of moving object

If the moving unit is made heavy to carry objects, then carrying capacity is improved, but load on rack and pinion increases causing durability deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrying capacityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented between two independent subsystems: the rack-pinion mechanism provides the driving force for movement, while the guide module provides support and guidance. The guide rails and guide wheels bear the weight and guide the moving unit, separating the support function from the drive function. This segmentation allows the moving unit to be heavy for carrying objects without overloading the rack-pinion mechanism, as the guide structure shares the load-bearing responsibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the moving unit moves along a curved trajectory, then operational flexibility is improved, but lateral force on rack and pinion increases causing durability deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide module serves as a mediator that handles the complex curved trajectory guidance, allowing the rack-pinion mechanism to focus on providing driving force. The guide rails are configured to match the desired curved path, and the guide wheels follow these rails, absorbing the lateral forces generated during curved movement. This protects the rack-pinion mechanism from excessive lateral loads while maintaining operational flexibility for curved trajectories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 guide module ensures stable operation of the moving unit and prevents durability degradation by guiding its movement along the rack trajectory, effectively managing load and curvature changes.

Implementation Method 1

a running portion (150) including a plurality of running wheels (151) guided to run on a side wall of the module rail (140)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3597575B1Guide module and driving device having same
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 SEJIN IGB CO LTD
  • EP3597575B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3597575B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3597575B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a guide module and a driving device having the guide module. The driving device includes a moving unit mounted on a pinion interacting with a rack and moving with the pinion along a trajectory of the rack, and a guide module arranged at at least any one side of the rack, connected to the moving unit, and guiding a movement of the moving unit that moves with the pinion along the trajectory of the rack.