Linear Guide Cage Structure for Precision and Fast Load Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear guides with stiffening structures to improve precision increase weight, affecting response behavior.
Innovation Solution
A linear guide with a cage that features an uneven stiffening structure, including recesses and convex sections, to enhance stiffness without increasing weight, achieved through a design that deviates from a flat plate shape, allowing for faster response and high precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a uniform thickening stiffening structure is used in the cage, then the rigidity and precision of the linear guide are improved, but the weight of the cage increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The cage features an uneven stiffening structure where the wall thickness varies locally rather than uniformly throughout. Specifically, the holding section has a different wall thickness than other sections, providing localized stiffening exactly where the rolling elements are positioned. This approach improves precision in the critical area without adding unnecessary weight to the entire cage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening is achieved not by uniformly increasing thickness in one dimension, but by creating an uneven thickness distribution across different sections of the cage. The holding section has increased thickness relative to other sections, creating a dimensional variation that provides structural reinforcement precisely where needed while maintaining overall weight efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cage is designed with increased weight through uniform thickening, then the precision is improved, but the response behavior to external loads becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The uneven stiffening structure provides localized reinforcement in the holding section where precision is most critical, while other sections maintain thinner walls. This selective thickening approach improves precision without increasing the overall mass that would slow down the response to external loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall thickness parameter is varied across different sections of the cage rather than kept constant. The holding section has a larger wall thickness parameter to provide stiffness, while other sections have a smaller thickness parameter to minimize weight and maintain fast response characteristics.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cage uses a flat plate shape, then the manufacturing is simple, but the rigidity and precision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cage starts as a relatively simple structure but introduces localized complexity only in the holding section with increased wall thickness. This uneven stiffening structure maintains manufacturing simplicity for the majority of the cage while providing enhanced precision where the rolling elements require stable support.
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 design maintains high precision and reduces weight by increasing geometrical moment of inertia and cross-sectional area, ensuring rapid response to external loads while minimizing material thickness.
Implementation Method 1
The stiffening structure can therefore increase the geometrical moment of inertia compared to a plate shape in order to increase the bending stiffness
Implementation Method 2
two displacement elements are relatively moveable along a linear direction by means of rolling elements arranged between them
Data Source
AI summary
A linear guide includes a first displacement element; a second displacement element which is linearly moveable along a linear direction relative to the first displacement element; at least one first rolling element set, which is provided between the first and second displacement elements, and which includes at least one rolling element and over which the first and second displacement elements are relatively moveable; and a cage in which at least one rolling element is arranged in a holding section which overlaps with the at least one rolling element in the linear direction. To increase precision and improve the response behavior of the linear guide, the cage includes at least one uneven stiffening structure which is arranged in the holding section and contains at least one recess.