Linear guide system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear guide systems face challenges in providing a reliable and space-efficient method for electrical power or signal transmission to linearly movable elements, often requiring bulky cable carriers or energy chains that occupy valuable installation space.
Innovation Solution
A linear guide system that incorporates an electrical conductor fixed on two rail elements and deflected on a third element, ensuring electrical insulation and protected guidance, thereby avoiding engagement with the rail elements and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable carriers or energy chains are used to guide the cable, then the risk of damaging the cable is reduced, but the available installation space is reduced due to their large dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cable from the bulky cable carrier or energy chain structure and integrates it directly into the linear guide system. The cable is guided through the third element (guide block) which is already present in the system, eliminating the need for separate cable management components and thus saving installation space while maintaining cable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guidance function is merged with the existing third element (guide block) of the linear guide system. By combining these functions, the patent avoids adding separate cable carriers or energy chains, thereby reducing the overall space requirement while ensuring reliable cable guidance throughout the movement range.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cable is laid loosely between the stationary element and the moved element, then the installation is simple, but the cable may engage with the guide system causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The third element (guide block) serves as an intermediary component that guides and protects the cable throughout its movement path. The cable is routed through this intermediary element, which prevents direct engagement between the cable and the rail elements, thus maintaining both installation simplicity and cable integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrical conductors are provided for power and data supply to moved elements, then motorised drives and intelligent functions are enabled, but the risk of cable damage during relative movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third element (guide block) is given multiple functions: it guides the moved element along the rail and simultaneously serves as a cable guide. This multi-functionality enables electrical power and data supply to moved elements while protecting the cable from damage, thus achieving versatility without compromising reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A linear guide system having a first rail element, a second rail element, and a third element. The first rail element and the second rail element are borne such that the first rail element and the second rail element are linearly displaceable in relation to one another in and counter to an extraction direction, and the third element and the first rail element as well as the third element and the second rail element are borne together such that the third element and the first rail element as well as the third element and the second rail element are linearly displaceable in relation to one another in and counter to the extraction direction. The linear guide system in this case additionally includes an electrical conductor.