Compact Drive Unit with Nested Spindle Rotor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling sleeves with linear drives have large external dimensions and are either effort-intensive due to the need for hydraulic or pneumatic energy sources or are inefficient in design.
Innovation Solution
A compact drive unit with a spindle drive and spindle-drive motor, where the spindle is arranged inside the rotor as a hollow shaft, utilizing a ball-screw or roller-screw drive for backlash-free and low-friction linear movement conversion, and integrated servomotors for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a toothed rack and pinion linear drive is used, then the linear feed motion is achieved, but the external dimensions become large
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle is arranged inside the rotor of the spindle-drive motor, with the spindle nut integrated into the rotor structure. This nesting arrangement allows the linear drive components to be contained within the motor structure, significantly reducing the external dimensions of the drive unit while maintaining the toothed rack and pinion drive mechanism.
2Ease of manufacture
If hydraulic or pneumatic linear drives are used, then linear motion is achieved, but the design becomes effort-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic or pneumatic linear drive systems with an electric spindle-drive motor. This substitution eliminates the need for complex hydraulic or pneumatic energy sources and their associated infrastructure, significantly reducing design effort and simplifying the overall system while maintaining effective linear drive functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If the spindle is arranged inside the rotor as a hollow shaft, then the drive unit becomes compact, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle is positioned inside the hollow shaft of the rotor, with the spindle nut integrated into the rotor structure. This nested configuration allows the linear drive components to be contained within the motor's rotational components, achieving a compact drive unit design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the rotational component of the motor and as the spindle nut for the linear drive mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing structural complexity despite the integrated design.
4Reliability
If a ball-screw or roller-screw drive is used, then backlash-free and low-friction movement is achieved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a ball-screw or roller-screw drive mechanism to replace simpler screw drive systems. These advanced mechanisms use ball or roller elements to reduce friction and eliminate backlash, providing reliable backlash-free movement. While manufacturing precision requirements are higher, the use of standardized ball-screw and roller-screw components from specialized manufacturers makes this achievable in practice.
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 enables a compact, efficient, and backlash-free linear drive for drilling sleeves, reducing external dimensions and energy requirements while allowing for precise control and maintenance-friendly design.
Implementation Method 1
the spindle drive is constituted as a ball-screw drive or as a roller-screw drive, and, in particular, as a planetary roller-screw drive
Implementation Method 2
the spindle drive is constituted as a ball-screw drive
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit with a spindle drive and a spindle-drive drive motor, which comprises a rotor, is characterized in that a spindle of the spindle drive is arranged inside the rotor acting as a spindle nut and comprising a hollow shaft. As a result, a particularly compact construction for the drive unit can be realized, which can serve, in particular, as a linear drive of tool sleeve.