Linear Rail Guide Carriage Preload Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current linear guide mechanisms face challenges in maintaining precise alignment and adjusting for play or wear, particularly in machine tool applications, where misalignment can affect machining operations due to factors like wear and thermal expansion.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a guide carriage assembly with a support shaft that rotates relative to the carriage body, utilizing offset adjustment axes and cam surfaces to adjust the position of guide wheels, allowing for precise alignment and compensation for wear, and locking mechanisms that apply counteracting torques to secure the position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If guide rollers are made adjustable to compensate for play or wear, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional adjustment blocks and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment block and locking mechanism into an integrated unit where the set screws directly engage with the carriage body to position the guide roller. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the ability to adjust and lock the roller position for precision alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the adjustment function from the main carriage body by using separate adjustable guide rollers that can be independently positioned. This allows the carriage body to remain relatively simple while the adjustment capability is provided by the removable and repositionable roller assemblies with their own locking mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If multiple set screws are used to lock the adjustment block position, then positioning stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring multiple screw adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the locking function into multiple set screws that can be independently adjusted and tightened. Each set screw can be operated separately to secure the adjustment block at different positions, allowing incremental adjustment while maintaining overall stability through the combined action of multiple locking points.
3Reliability
If guide wheels are adjusted to compensate for wear, then reliability is improved, but maintenance time increases due to requiring adjustment interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary adjustment capabilities into the design by providing pre-positioned guide rollers that can be adjusted to compensate for anticipated wear. The adjustment mechanism is designed to be accessible and quick to operate, allowing maintenance personnel to make compensatory adjustments without extensive disassembly or complex procedures, thereby reducing maintenance time while maintaining reliability.
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
This approach enables precise adjustment and locking of guide wheels, ensuring accurate linear movement with minimal orthogonal deviation, thereby maintaining precise alignment and compensating for wear and deflection, enhancing the reliability of machine tool operations.
Implementation Method 1
The bearing axis is parallel to and eccentrically offset from the locating axis
Implementation Method 2
The head portion includes at least one cam surface. The at least one cam surface faces the first and second adjustment bores such that the first and second adjustment members can simultaneously abut the at least one cam surface and prevent rotation of the support shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A guide carriage assembly that permits adjustment of a relative position of a bearing device, typically a guide wheel, relative to a carriage body is provided. The guide carriage assembly includes a carriage body, at least one support shaft and a guide wheel mounted to the support shaft. The support shaft provides a locating axis about which the support shaft may rotate when mounted to the carriage body. The support shaft further defines an offset bearing axis about which the guide wheel rotates. The offset relationship between the bearing axis and locating axis permits adjustment of the relative position of the guide wheel, or support surface, and the carriage body by rotating the support shaft about the locating axis. The guide carriage assembly may further including locking structure that applies opposing torques about the locating axis to secure the support shaft, and consequently the guide wheel, in the desired location.