Linear Guide Magnetic Clutch for Overload-Safe Torque Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor-driven linear guide systems face challenges such as extensive control requirements to avoid damage, overload situations, and operator injury, and the torque-resistant connection between motor shaft and output shaft is costly during production.
Innovation Solution
A linear guide system utilizing a magnetic clutch with torque-resistant connections between the input and output shafts, providing overload protection and enabling quick assembly, where the clutch slips when a certain counter-torque is exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a torque-resistant connection is made between the motor shaft and the output shaft, then reliable torque transmission is achieved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical torque-resistant connection (such as keyed connections or splines) with a magnetic field-based connection. The magnetic clutch uses magnetic attraction forces between a first clutch element on the motor shaft and a second clutch element on the output shaft to transmit torque, eliminating the need for complex mechanical coupling mechanisms and reducing production costs while maintaining reliable torque transmission.
2Reliability
If extensive control measures are implemented to avoid damage and overload, then safety is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic clutch provides automatic overload protection through its inherent magnetic coupling characteristics. When excessive torque or blocking occurs, the magnetic coupling naturally slips or disengages without requiring external control intervention. This self-protecting mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems, sensors, and emergency stop mechanisms while maintaining safety and preventing damage.
3Productivity
If a magnetic clutch is used for torque transmission, then assembly time is reduced, but the complexity of the clutch mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of torque transmission from complex mechanical coupling mechanisms and implements it through a simplified magnetic clutch system. By separating the torque transmission function from mechanical interlocking and using magnetic fields instead, the design achieves quick assembly while keeping the clutch mechanism itself relatively simple in 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
The magnetic clutch offers overload protection and clamping protection, reducing assembly complexity and costs while ensuring reliable torque transmission without slippage.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic force between the first and the second clutch elements causes a limitation of the torque transmission
Implementation Method 2
The clutch element connected to the input shaft continues to rotate, but it no longer transmits torque to the clutch element connected to the output shaft
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a linear guide system having: at least a first rail element and a second rail element, the first rail element and the second rail element being mounted linearly displaceably relative to each other in and counter to a extraction direction; an electric motor; an input shaft, the input shaft being operatively coupled to the electric motor such that the electric motor sets the input shaft in rotation during operation of the linear guide system; a linear drive, the linear drive having an output shaft, and the linear drive being designed such that a rotary movement of the output shaft effects a linear movement of the first and second rail elements relative to each other in or counter to the extraction direction; and a clutch, the clutch connecting the input shaft and the output shaft to each other such that the clutch transmits a torque from the input shaft to the output shaft, the clutch being a magnetic clutch. The magnetic clutch has a first and a second clutch element, the first clutch element being connected in a torque-resistant manner to the input shaft, and the second clutch element being connected in a torque-resistant manner to the output shaft.