Linear Guide Device with DLC Film and Spring Steel Preload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear guide devices experience backlash or rattling due to a predetermined gap between the base member and guide member, and forming a diamond-like carbon film on the entire base member to reduce sliding resistance is costly.
Innovation Solution
A linear guide device with a guide member having a diamond-like carbon film that is fixed by engagement with the slider, applying a pre-load to the base member, and made of spring steel for cost reduction, with a C-shaped cross-section and spring deformation capability, and lubricant-containing notches to further reduce sliding resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a predetermined gap is formed between the base member and the guide member, then the guide member can be installed easily, but looseness or rattling occurs in the slider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pre-load to the guide member, changing the force parameter to eliminate gaps and prevent rattling while maintaining ease of installation through the spring-loaded mechanism
2Reliability
If the guide member is installed without forming a gap to suppress rattling, then rattling is reduced, but sliding resistance increases making it impossible for the slider to slide smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent forms a diamond-like carbon film on the guide member surface, creating a composite structure that provides both low sliding resistance for smooth operation and sufficient friction to prevent rattling when pre-loaded
Solution Approach 2:
The diamond-like carbon film changes the surface properties of the guide member, reducing the coefficient of friction to enable smooth sliding while the pre-load mechanism maintains contact pressure to eliminate rattling
3Ease of operation
If a diamond-like carbon film is formed on the sliding surface of the base member to reduce sliding resistance, then sliding smoothness improves, but costs soar due to the need to form the film across the entire length of the base member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diamond-like carbon film application from the entire base member and concentrates it only on the guide member, significantly reducing the area requiring expensive coating while maintaining sliding smoothness
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as an intermediary component that carries the diamond-like carbon film to the sliding interface, allowing the expensive coating to be applied only to a small component rather than the entire base member structure
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
Enables smooth sliding of the slider without backlash or rattling while reducing costs through the use of a diamond-like carbon film on the guide member and spring steel construction, with lubricant supply enhancing sliding smoothness.
Implementation Method 1
since sliding resistance between the guide member and the base member increases
Implementation Method 2
the guide member is configured to be spring deformable, and is fixed by engagement with a wall surface of the installation groove by a spring restorative force of the guide member
Data Source
AI summary
A linear guide device including an actuator including: a base section; a slider slidably provided to the base section; and guide sections disposed between the base section and the slider in a state that the guide sections are extending in the sliding direction of the slider. DLC films are formed on the guide sections, and the guide sections are locked to the slider such that the guide section can slide in a state that the DLC films are applying a predetermined preload with respect to the base section.