Motion Guide Clamper Mechanism for Compact Flexible Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motion guide devices, such as linear guides, face challenges in achieving weight reduction and miniaturization while maintaining guide accuracy and allowing for flexible positioning of the movable block on the track rail, as existing clamper mechanisms are not suitable for these devices.

Innovation Solution

A novel motion guide device clamper mechanism featuring a clamper main body with pivotable arm members and a coil spring, which allows for easy positioning of the movable block along the track rail by using a wire cable to pivot the arm members, enabling both weight reduction and size minimization without compromising guide accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional clamper mechanisms are applied to motion guide devices, then positioning capability is improved, but device weight and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The clamper mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a clamper body with clamping surfaces, a positioning member with positioning surfaces, and a fastening member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for weight and function, reducing overall device weight while maintaining positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning member is configured to be inserted into the clamper body, and the fastening member is nested within the positioning member. This nested structure minimizes the overall size and weight of the positioning system while maintaining full functionality for positioning the movable block on the track rail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional clamper mechanisms are applied to motion guide devices, then positioning capability is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the clamper mechanism extend outward from the movable block, the positioning member is inserted into the clamper body and the fastening member is inserted into the positioning member. This inverted nesting approach reduces the external dimensions of the positioning system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If pin holes and pin shafts are used for position holding, then positioning at specific intervals is achieved, but positioning flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition holding accuracyVSAvoidpositioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping force is applied dynamically at the contact surfaces between the clamper body and positioning member, allowing the movable block to be positioned at any location along the track rail rather than being restricted to fixed pin hole intervals. The fastening member provides dynamic securing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system uses contact surface geometry (clamping surfaces and positioning surfaces) rather than fixed discrete holes, allowing continuous positioning along the track rail. The clamping force and contact pressure can be adjusted to maintain positioning accuracy at any location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If conventional positioning mechanisms are used, then position holding is achieved, but guide accuracy deteriorates due to increased size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition holdingVSAvoidguide accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nested structure of the positioning member within the clamper body and the fastening member within the positioning member minimizes the overall size of the positioning system, reducing interference with the guide surfaces and maintaining high guide accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping surfaces and positioning surfaces are designed with specific local geometries optimized for maintaining guide accuracy. The contact surfaces are positioned and shaped to ensure precise positioning without compromising the guide accuracy of the motion guide device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 mechanism enables the movable block to be positioned with high degree of freedom and flexibility, achieving weight reduction and size minimization while maintaining suitable guide accuracy, overcoming the limitations of prior art by allowing easy installation and operation without obstructing the movement of attachment members.

Implementation Method 1

a coil spring 53 which exerts an elastic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3594512B1Clamper mechanism for motion guide device

Publication Date: 2021.06.16 THK CO LTD

Figure 1
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Figure 3A

AI summary

The motion guide device clamper mechanism 30 includes a clamper main body 31 connected to the movable member 13, an inner face 35 which is formed to have a tapered shape so that the distance between the facing faces is narrower toward the end of one face of the track member 11, and one rolling member 55 disposed between the facing faces of the one face of the track member 11 and the inner face 35. The rolling member 55 receives a pressing force toward a position where the distance between the facing faces of one face of the track member 11 and the inner face 35 of the clamper main body 31 is narrow, so that a frictional force based on the taper shape acts on the rolling member 55, and the restraint of the clamper main body 31 with respect to the track member 11 is performed. Further, the rolling member 55 retracts from a position where the distance between the facing faces of one face of the track member 11 and the inner face 35 of the clamper main body 31 is narrow, so that a frictional force based on the taper shape is released, and the non-restraint of the clamper main body 31 with respect to the track member 11 is performed. According to such a configuration, it is possible to provide a motion guide device clamper mechanism which can simultaneously achieve weight reduction and miniaturization.