Endless Circulation Path for Linear Rail with Inclined Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endless circulation paths for linear rails face issues with retainer alignment and stability, leading to increased height and risk of retainer dropping due to large angles between the circulation path and the horizontal plane, which complicates miniaturization and retainer movement.
Innovation Solution
The design features a horizontally installed endless circulation path with gradually inclined grooves in the direction change paths and loaded path, allowing the retainer to move smoothly and reducing stress, thereby preventing dropping and enhancing retainer longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the retainer is parallel to the tangential face of the contact face or inclined by a small angle to avoid interference, then the contact face area is increased, but the angle between the endless circulation path and the horizontal plane increases, leading to increased height of the sliding base
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the endless circulation path from an inclined arrangement to a horizontal arrangement by introducing direction change paths at both ends of the loaded path. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the circulation path to extend horizontally rather than vertically, increasing the contact face area while maintaining a compact sliding base height.
2Length of stationary object
If the angle between the endless circulation path and the horizontal plane is reduced to obtain a smaller sliding base, then the sliding base size is reduced, but one end of the retainer becomes too close to the rail, causing the retainer to drop and hit the rail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circulation path into distinct segments: a loaded path, two direction change paths, and an unloaded path. The direction change paths are specifically designed with grooves that guide the retainer through smooth transitions, maintaining adequate clearance between the retainer and rail while enabling compact horizontal installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The direction change paths act as intermediary elements between the loaded and unloaded paths. These intermediate sections provide controlled guidance for the retainer through groove structures, ensuring smooth transitions while maintaining proper spacing to prevent the retainer from dropping onto the rail.
3Device complexity
If conventional direction change paths are used without gradual inclination, then the structure is simpler, but the retainer experiences stress and may drop during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gradual inclination in the groove slopes within the direction change paths, creating a dynamic transition rather than an abrupt angle change. This gradual inclination allows the retainer to smoothly adapt to direction changes, reducing stress and preventing drops while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An endless circulation path for a linear rail includes a loaded path, an unloaded path and two direction change paths which are connected between the loaded path and the unloaded path. Each of the unloaded path, the direction change paths and the loaded path has top and bottom grooves. A first line is connected between top and bottom grooves of the unloaded path. A second line is connected between the top and bottom grooves of each of the direction change paths. A slope of the second line, starting from the intersection between the direction change path and the unloaded path to the intersection between the direction change path and the loaded path, is gradually inclined relative to the first line. A third line is connected between the top and bottom groove of the loaded path. The third line is inclined relative to the first line.