Motion Guide Apparatus Axial Prestress Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion guide apparatuses, such as ball screw devices, face challenges in maintaining defined axial prestress between bearing rings and rolling elements, leading to increased manufacturing complexity and costs due to the use of clamping rings made of thin metal or plastic, which are not suitable for producing or maintaining axial prestress.
Innovation Solution
A motion guide apparatus featuring a cylindrical member with peripheral recesses and depressions forming a protrusion and swelling, respectively, along with actuating ring members that include orifices and tongues to guide lubricating oil and facilitate the engagement of bearing members, allowing for improved axial alignment and lubrication between the cylindrical member and housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If clamping rings made of thin metal or plastic are used to connect bearing rings, then the bearing rings can be assembled together, but they cannot produce or maintain defined axial prestress between the bearing rings and rolling elements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the clamping rings from the bearing assembly entirely. Instead of using separate clamping rings to connect the bearing rings, the design integrates the connection function into the bearing rings themselves through peripheral protrusions and corresponding recesses, eliminating the need for additional clamping components while maintaining assembly ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the connection and prestress generation functions into a single integrated structure. The peripheral protrusions on one bearing ring engage with recesses on the other bearing ring, combining the mechanical connection and axial prestress application into one unified feature, eliminating the need for separate clamping rings.
2Device complexity
If bearing rings are connected without clamping rings, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but axial prestress between bearing rings and rolling elements cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the connection and prestress generation functions into a single integrated structure. The peripheral protrusions on one bearing ring engage with recesses on the other bearing ring, combining the mechanical connection and axial prestress application into one unified feature, eliminating the need for separate clamping rings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses curved or tapered surfaces in the peripheral protrusions and recesses to automatically generate axial prestress when the bearing rings are assembled. The geometry of these curved features ensures that the bearing rings are pulled together with the required prestress force, maintaining reliability without additional components.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional bearing assembly methods are used, then defined axial prestress can be achieved, but manufacturing procedures become complicated and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the clamping rings from the bearing assembly entirely. Instead of using separate clamping rings to connect the bearing rings, the design integrates the connection function into the bearing rings themselves through peripheral protrusions and corresponding recesses, eliminating the need for additional clamping components while maintaining assembly ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the connection and prestress generation functions into a single integrated structure. The peripheral protrusions on one bearing ring engage with recesses on the other bearing ring, combining the mechanical connection and axial prestress application into one unified feature, eliminating the need for separate clamping rings.
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 solution enhances the axial alignment and lubrication of bearing members, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining effective axial prestress, thereby improving the performance and efficiency of the motion guide apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a lubricating device for supplying or applying or distributing the lubricating grease or oil into the helical threaded portions or grooves of the movable members and for suitably lubricating the ball or roller bearing members
Data Source
AI summary
A motion guide apparatus includes a cylindrical member having a peripheral protrusion formed between two outer peripheral recesses, a housing engaged onto the cylindrical member and having a peripheral swelling formed between two peripheral depressions, a number of bearing members engaged between the cylindrical member and the housing, and two actuating ring members each having a number of orifices for engaging with the bearing members and each having an inner side portion directed toward the peripheral protrusion and the peripheral swelling, and each having an operating device extended into the gap that is formed between the peripheral protrusion and the peripheral swelling for wiping the lubricating oil.