Offset Drive Plane in Electric Linear Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric linear drives face challenges in optimizing space usage and cost-effectiveness due to symmetrical designs that require larger transverse dimensions for guide rails and clutch housings.
Innovation Solution
The drive plane is offset transversely within the hollow profile part, allowing for a single guide rail and eliminating the need for a separate clutch housing by utilizing the end caps for mounting the drive element and clutch device, thereby reducing overall dimensions and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a symmetrical structure with guide rails on both sides of the drive plane is used, then stability and guidance are improved, but transverse dimensions and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the drive plane offset from the central axis of the hollow profile part. This creates an asymmetric internal layout where the drive element and longitudinal slot are located at a distance from the center, allowing one-sided mounting of guide rails and deflection rollers. The asymmetric arrangement reduces transverse dimensions while maintaining functional stability through proper structural support on the guide rail side.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the guide rail mounting function from a symmetrical dual-rail configuration to a single-rail configuration enabled by the offset drive plane. By taking out the redundant guide rail from the opposite side of the drive plane, the design reduces transverse dimensions and simplifies the structure while maintaining adequate guidance and stability for the driven part.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a separate clutch housing is used for mounting the drive element, then mounting stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clutch housing function with the end caps of the hollow profile part. The drive element is mounted directly in the end caps, which also serve as the clutch housing, eliminating the need for a separate clutch housing component. This integration reduces device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining mounting stability through the structural integrity of the end caps.
Solution Approach 2:
The end caps of the hollow profile part are given multiple functions: they serve as structural end closures, mounting surfaces for the drive element, and clutch housing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the required mounting stability for the drive element.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single guide rail is used instead of double guide rails, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but guidance stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric positioning of the drive plane allows for effective single-guide-rail design. The offset configuration creates an inherent structural balance where the single guide rail on one side of the drive plane provides sufficient guidance stability for the driven part, eliminating the need for a second guide rail while maintaining adequate stability through proper rail positioning and structural design.
Data Source
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AI summary
The electric linear drive has a housing (2) with a hollow strip (5) along a central axis (54) containing an electrically-driven drive element (12) causing the linear driven motion (14) of the driven part (13), connected to the drive through a slot. The axes of the slot and hollow strip are in a drive plane bisecting the main outer surface. The drive plane runs offset crosswise with spacing alongside the central axis of the hollow strip.