Guide Rail Absolute Positioning Without Carriage Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear roller bearings require movement to determine absolute position, which is not feasible due to space constraints on the guide rail, and reducing the width of the incremental dimensional standard compromises accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An absolute dimensional standard is placed on a separate lateral surface of the guide rail, allowing for accurate position determination without moving the guide carriage, using metal strips with openings for precise alignment and synchronization with the incremental standard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the width of the incremental dimensional standard is reduced to accommodate an absolute dimensional standard, then space for both standards is provided, but the accuracy of the position measuring device is reduced considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by placing the absolute dimensional standard on a different lateral surface of the guide rail body, rather than competing for space on the same surface as the incremental dimensional standard. This spatial separation in a different dimension (different face of the rail) allows both standards to coexist without reducing the width of the incremental standard, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while accommodating both positioning systems.
2Measurement precision
If the guide carriage is moved to determine absolute position using reference marks, then absolute position can be determined, but the system requires movement after start-up which is not always feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing the absolute dimensional standard on the guide rail before operation begins. The absolute sensor on the guide carriage can immediately read the absolute position from this pre-configured standard without requiring any preliminary movement of the guide carriage to find reference marks. This eliminates the need for movement-based initialization while maintaining accurate absolute position determination.
3Measurement precision
If an absolute dimensional standard is added to the guide rail, then absolute position can be determined without movement, but space constraints on the guide rail are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space constraint by utilizing another dimension - specifically, a different lateral surface of the guide rail body. Instead of expanding the width of existing surfaces, the absolute dimensional standard is mounted on a separate face of the rail, effectively using the three-dimensional space available in the rail structure. This allows both incremental and absolute standards to coexist without exceeding the overall space constraints of the guide rail assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A guide rail for a linear bearing has a longitudinal axis, a first and second diametrically opposed lateral surface and a top lateral surface, running surfaces provided on the first and/or second lateral surfaces and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, for a guide carriage of the linear bearing, and an incremental dimensional standard for a position measuring device provided on one of the lateral surfaces, wherein an absolute dimensional standard is provided on another lateral surface, which is scanable by the position measuring device together with the incremental dimensional standard in order to determine an absolute position.