Multi-Material Lead Screw Nut Threads for Low Friction and Wear

Solution Overview

Problem

Lead screw nuts face issues with friction, wear, and static electricity due to the limitations of using a single material for both the nut and the lead screw, which affects efficiency and safety, and existing plastic materials often compromise on strength, friction, and cost.

Innovation Solution

The use of lead screw nuts with thread regions formed from multiple materials with different properties, such as low-friction materials for the primary contact surface and high-strength materials for the bulk structure, combined through over-molding and embedding microchips for monitoring and maintenance alerts, to optimize performance and reduce undesired side effects like static electricity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If lead screw nuts are made from softer material to reduce friction and wear, then friction and wear are reduced, but the nut wears out too quickly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefrictionVSAvoidnut life

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The nut is divided into two distinct material regions: a softer low-friction material for the thread contact surfaces and a harder stronger material for the bulk structure and mounting features. This segmentation allows each region to perform its optimal function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different material properties are applied to different locations within the nut. The thread regions use softer material for low friction, while the bulk structure and external features use harder material for strength and wear resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If lead screw nuts are made from harder material to increase strength and durability, then strength and durability are improved, but friction and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenut strengthVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The nut is divided into two distinct material regions: a softer low-friction material for the thread contact surfaces and a harder stronger material for the bulk structure and mounting features. This segmentation allows each region to perform its optimal function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different material properties are applied to different locations within the nut. The thread regions use softer material for low friction, while the bulk structure and external features use harder material for strength and wear resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If low-friction plastic materials are used for lead screw nuts, then friction is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but strength is reduced and static electricity is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefrictionVSAvoidnut strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The nut is divided into two distinct material regions: a softer low-friction material for the thread contact surfaces and a harder stronger material for the bulk structure and mounting features. This segmentation allows each region to perform its optimal function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different material properties are applied to different locations within the nut. The thread regions use softer material for low friction, while the bulk structure and external features use harder material for strength and wear resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12018743B1Lead screw nuts having threads formed from different materials

Publication Date: 2024.06.25 HELIX LINEAR TECH

AI summary

Lead screw nuts having a body having a threaded opening having a thread region formed from a plurality of different materials having different properties, e.g., a thread region formed from a first material, such as a relatively low friction material, and a second material, such as a relatively high strength material (having thread portions formed from the first material and thread portions formed from the second material).