Linear Motor Carriage Interface for Stress-Free Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear motors require complex and costly disassembly procedures for maintenance due to the need to remove machine parts fixed to the top side of the carriage, which induces internal stresses and affects positioning repeatability.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective, lightweight carriage interface member with anchoring portions and a stiffener that securely connects the carriage to the primary part, reducing mechanical deformations and facilitating easy assembly/disassembly while supporting the machine part, using a carriage interface member with threaded holes, tapered surfaces, and a reinforcing piece for enhanced stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional screws pass through the carriage from top to bottom to connect the primary part, then the carriage is securely connected to the primary part, but the machine part must be removed first to access the linear motor for maintenance, resulting in complex and tedious disassembly procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage interface member is divided into distinct segments: a first portion that connects to the primary part and a second portion that connects to the carriage. This segmentation allows the interface member to be removed independently from the carriage, enabling access to the linear motor without removing the machine part from the carriage top side.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage interface member acts as an intermediary component between the primary part and the carriage. It provides a removable connection point that mediates the attachment relationship, allowing maintenance personnel to access the linear motor by removing only the interface member rather than disassembling the entire carriage structure.
2Strength
If wedges are used in the interface apparatus to achieve secure connection, then the mechanical connection is strong, but tight mechanical tolerances are required which are costly to manufacture and internal stresses are induced in the carriage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the connection parameters from tight mechanical tolerances to larger, more manufacturable tolerances. The carriage interface member uses a geometry that achieves secure connection without requiring precision fitting, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage interface member is designed as a simpler, more cost-effective component that can be manufactured with standard tolerances. Rather than using expensive precision-wedged components, this interface member provides adequate connection strength at lower manufacturing cost, accepting that it may need periodic replacement during maintenance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a robust carriage interface member is used to secure the carriage to the primary part, then the connection is strong and stable, but the positioning repeatability is affected due to internal stresses and mechanical deformations
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connection system into a separate carriage interface member, the invention isolates the connection function from the carriage structure. This allows the interface member to provide stable connection while preventing stress transmission to the carriage, thereby maintaining positioning repeatability.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage interface member serves as a stress-isolating intermediary between the primary part and the carriage. It absorbs and contains mechanical stresses within itself, preventing these stresses from deforming the carriage structure and affecting positioning repeatability, while still providing stable connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A movable part of a linear motor, having a primary part movable relative to a secondary part, includes a carriage, the primary part, and an interface member for removably connecting the carriage to the primary part. The carriage is configured to fixedly support an object to be moved, such as, for example, a machine part of a machine tool. The carriage includes two opposite lateral sides and a bottom side having an interface member receiving portion including anchoring receiving parts. The carriage interface member is fixedly connected to the primary part and includes anchoring portions mounted on respective anchoring receiving parts of the carriage. Two opposite edge portions of the carriage interface member are aligned and are fixedly connected to a portion of respective opposite lateral sides of the carriage.