Motion Guide End Member Assembly with Integral Holding Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing motion guide apparatuses face challenges in assembly operations, particularly in loading rolling elements into the circulation path, which is time-consuming and requires additional parts for closing the end cap, increasing the number of components.
Innovation Solution
The proposed motion guide apparatus features end members with integral holding portions and a lid member that includes a boss and fitting hole for precise positioning, allowing for easier assembly and loading of rolling elements, while reducing the influence of dimensional deviations and improving sliding performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the end cap is provided with an opening to insert rolling elements from the opening toward a longitudinal direction of a track rail, then the rolling elements can be loaded using a large space in a longitudinal direction of a track rail and the loading operation is facilitated, but an operation of assembling the circulation path before loading the rolling elements takes time and trouble and the number of parts is increased due to the closing member
Solution Approach 1:
The end cap is merged with the closing member into a single integrated component. The end cap includes both the opening for loading rolling elements and the closing portion that seals the opening, eliminating the need for a separate closing member and reducing the total number of parts while maintaining ease of loading operation
Solution Approach 2:
The end cap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the opening for loading rolling elements, acts as a structural component of the circulation path, and includes the closing member function integrated within it. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate parts needed in the system
2Ease of operation
If the end cap is provided with an opening to insert rolling elements, then the loading operation is facilitated, but an operation of assembling the circulation path before loading the rolling elements takes time and trouble
Solution Approach 1:
The closing member is pre-integrated into the end cap structure during manufacturing, so that when the end cap is assembled to the moving member body, the circulation path is already prepared and ready for rolling element loading. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for separate assembly operations and reduces assembly time
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide a motion guide apparatus that can facilitate an assembly operation. An end member (4a, 4b) including an inner peripheral side of a direction changing path (2c) is placed on an end surface in a movement direction of a moving member body (3). At least one of a pair of the end members (4a and 4b) includes an opening (21) linking to the inner peripheral side of the direction changing path (2c) to load rolling elements (42) into a circulation path. Opposing surfaces (18) of the pair of the end members (4a and 4b) to the moving member body (3) are formed in flat surfaces. The pair of the end members (4a and 4b) molded integrally with a holding portion (5) is incorporated into the moving member body (3) in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the moving member body (3). A lid member (7a, 7b) closes the opening (21) in the end member (4a, 4b).