Linear Guide Locking System to Prevent Unintended Rail Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear guide systems face issues with high driving speeds leading to insufficient holding forces, causing rail elements to be unintentionally moved out of desired positions due to high transmission systems requiring higher torque and lower holding forces in currentless states.
Innovation Solution
A locking element that can be set and reset between unlocked and locked positions, engaging with the drive shaft to block rotational movement and torque transmission, combined with an actuator for controlled engagement and disengagement, ensuring the system remains locked in any driving position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a high transmission system is used to achieve high driving speeds with low motor speed, then the driving speed of rail elements is improved, but the holding force becomes insufficient causing unintended movement
Solution Approach 1:
A locking element is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive shaft and the rail elements. This locking element engages with the drive shaft to provide form-locking or force-locking, preventing unintended rotational movement and ensuring reliable positioning without requiring high holding forces from the motor.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the electric motor is switched to currentless state to save energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but the holding force decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is engaged with the drive shaft before the motor is switched to currentless state. This preliminary locking action ensures that when the motor is deactivated, the rail elements are already secured in position, eliminating the need for high holding forces during the currentless state.
3Reliability
If a locking element is added to prevent unintended movement, then positioning reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is integrated with the existing drive shaft structure, combining the locking function with the existing mechanical components. This merging approach minimizes additional complexity while achieving reliable positioning through form-locking or force-locking engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A linear guide system has at least a first rail element and a second rail element, which are mounted to be linearly slidable opposite one another in and counter to an extraction direction, a linear drive, which includes a rotatable drive shaft and an electric motor configured for the transmission of a torque to the drive shaft. The linear drive is configured such that a rotational movement of the drive shaft causes a linear movement of the first and second rail elements relative to one another in or counter to the extraction direction. A locking element is provided, which can be set and reset between an unlocked position and a locked position, which, for blocking the rotational movement of the drive shaft in the locked position, is configured so as to engage in a form-locking or force-locking manner with an engaging element connected to the drive shaft in a rotationally fixed manner or configured as a portion of the drive shaft. An actuator is provided, which is configured for setting the locking element towards the engaging element from the unlocked position into the locked position, as well as for resetting the locking element from the locked position into the unlocked position.