Linear Guide Endless Circulating Path Without End Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion guide devices face issues with the end plate causing instability in the movable block's movement and requiring complex assembly processes, leading to potential failures and prolonged manufacturing times.
Innovation Solution
A motion guide device design that eliminates the need for separate end plates by incorporating a direction change guide groove with multiple bend points, allowing for an endless circulating path on the inner surface of the movable block, reducing part quantity and assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an end plate is used to form part of the direction change path, then the endless circulating path for balls can be formed, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to potential end plate failures
Solution Approach 1:
The direction change guide groove is formed as an integral part of the movable block, merging the function of the separate end plate into the movable block structure itself. This eliminates the need for additional end plate components and their associated attachments, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the endless circulating path functionality for balls
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic end plate component is extracted/removed from the system entirely. Instead of using a separate end plate to form the direction change path, the patent redesigns the movable block to directly incorporate the direction change guide groove, eliminating the source of potential failures and assembly complexity
2Productivity
If a separate end plate is attached to form the direction change path, then the endless circulating path can be completed, but the manufacturing time increases due to complex attachment processes
Solution Approach 1:
The direction change guide groove is formed as an integral part of the movable block structure, combining what were previously separate components (movable block and end plate) into a single piece. This integration eliminates the need for separate attachment processes, directly reducing manufacturing time and improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The movable block is designed with the direction change guide groove as an integrated feature, segmenting the manufacturing process into fewer steps. Instead of manufacturing separate end plates and attaching them, the groove is formed directly during movable block manufacturing, simplifying the overall production process
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
This design extends the life of the linear guide, simplifies manufacturing, and prevents end plate-related failures, while ensuring stable motion guidance and reduced production time.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of rolling elements arranged on an endless circulating path... in order to reduce frictional resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A linear guide 10 includes: a track rail 20 having a ball rolling groove 22; a movable block 30 having a loaded ball rolling groove 33 opposing the ball rolling groove 22, an unloaded ball rolling groove 34 extending in parallel with the direction in which the ball rolling groove 22 extends, and a direction change guide groove 35 connecting the loaded ball rolling groove 33 and the unloaded ball rolling groove 34; and a plurality of balls 40 arrayed on an endless circulating path including a loaded ball rolling path 50, an unloaded ball rolling path 60, and a direction change path 70 formed by the track rail 20 and the movable block 30. The direction change path 70 has a plurality of change points where the track changes. By having this configuration, it is possible to provide a linear guide which does not require an end plate.