Motion Guide Cap with Elastic Side Protrusions to Reduce Burr
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cap for motion guide apparatuses generates burrs when driven into fastening member insertion holes, requiring manual removal and reducing the fixing force if the interference is minimized to avoid burr generation.
Innovation Solution
A cap with a disc-shaped top surface and a cylindrical side surface featuring protrusions on its outer peripheral surface, where the protrusions are spaced apart and located at the upper end or middle portion, providing a lower stiffness side surface that deforms elastically to reduce burr generation while increasing the fixing force by offering a spring function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the interference of the protrusion is increased to increase the fixing force of the cap, then the fixing force is improved, but a burr is generated on the protrusion requiring manual removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the side surface portion by reducing its thickness to create elastic deformability. This parameter change allows the protrusion to undergo temporary elastic deformation during insertion, absorbing the interference stress without generating burrs, while still achieving sufficient fixing force through the elastic recovery effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The reduced thickness of the side surface portion acts as a built-in cushioning mechanism that absorbs impact and stress during the insertion process. This beforehand cushioning prevents the protrusion from being scraped and burr formation, while the elastic energy stored during deformation contributes to the fixing force.
2Manufacturing precision
If the interference of the protrusion is reduced to reduce burr generation, then the burr generation is reduced, but the fixing force of the cap to the guide rail is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the side surface portion from a rigid structure to an elastic structure by reducing its thickness. This parameter change enables the protrusion to deform elastically during insertion, maintaining adequate interference for fixing force while avoiding excessive stress that would cause burr generation.
3Reliability
If the cap is driven into the fastening member insertion hole with high force to ensure proper installation, then the installation reliability is improved, but the protrusion is scraped and burrs are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic side surface portion serves as a cushioning element that absorbs the driving force during installation. This beforehand cushioning allows high installation force to be applied reliably without transmitting excessive stress to the protrusion, thereby preventing burr generation while ensuring proper installation.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the thickness parameter of the side surface portion, the patent creates an elastic mechanism that can withstand high installation forces through elastic deformation, ensuring reliable installation while protecting the protrusion from scraping and burr formation.
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 cap effectively reduces burr formation and enhances its fixing force to the guide rail, maintaining stability during placement and operation, and preventing the protrusions from being scraped, thus improving the cap's performance.
Implementation Method 1
the stiffness of the side surface portion of the cap is lower than the stiffness of the top surface portion. Accordingly, the side surface portion of the cap deforms elastically. A spring function is provided to the side surface portion of the cap.
Data Source
AI summary
A cap for a motion guide apparatus which can reduce generation of a burr and can also increase the fixing force. The cap of the present invention is for blocking a fastening member insertion hole of a guide rail of a motion guide apparatus. The cap includes a disc-shaped top surface portion, a cylindrical side surface portion hanging down from the top surface portion, and a plurality of protrusions provided on an outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion. The plurality of protrusions is apart from each other in a circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion, and is present at an upper end portion, or from the upper end portion to an axially middle portion, of the outer peripheral surface. A thickness of the side surface portion between the protrusions is less than a thickness of the top surface portion.