Parallel Guide Unit Assembly Using Corrugated Tolerance Sleeves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide units with double-column designs face challenges in easy assembly and maintaining guiding properties due to production tolerances in guide elements, often requiring complex adjustments and risking deformation of guide elements during assembly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a tolerance sleeve made of corrugated sheet metal around the end sections of guide elements, which compensates for diameter tolerances and centers the elements within stepped bores, along with threaded inserts for tubes that prevent slipping and absorb axial forces without additional mechanical processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fastening screws are inserted axially through stepped bores to secure guide elements, then the guide elements can be fastened in the bearing blocks, but the assembly process becomes complicated requiring manual adjustment of the guide carriage to compensate for manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
A tolerance sleeve made of corrugated sheet metal is introduced as an intermediary component between the guide element and the stepped bore. The corrugated structure allows radial compression to accommodate diameter tolerances while maintaining centralized positioning, eliminating the need for manual adjustment during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The tolerance sleeve's radial dimensions are made variable through its corrugated structure, allowing it to compress radially to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the guide element diameter, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining fastening reliability
2Reliability
If clamping sleeves are used to clamp guide elements into bearing blocks, then fastening is achieved, but the guide elements may deform particularly when tubes are used, impairing guiding properties
Solution Approach 1:
The tolerance sleeve is made of corrugated sheet metal that provides a flexible, distributing clamping action rather than concentrated external clamping forces. This flexible structure accommodates tube guide elements without causing localized deformation that would impair guiding properties
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated structure's radial compressibility allows it to adapt to the guide element diameter while distributing clamping forces uniformly, preventing deformation of tube guide elements and maintaining guiding precision
3Manufacturing precision
If the inner diameter of stepped bores is made larger than the nominal outer diameter of guide elements to compensate for tolerances, then tolerance compensation is achieved, but the guide elements may shift within the bearing blocks during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The tolerance sleeve acts as an intermediary that fills the radial gap between the guide element and stepped bore. Its corrugated structure allows radial compression to eliminate play while maintaining centralized positioning, preventing shift during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The variable radial dimensions of the corrugated tolerance sleeve allow it to compress and eliminate radial clearance, providing both tolerance compensation and positional stability simultaneously
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
Facilitates easy assembly and maintains good guiding properties by compensating for production tolerances and preventing deformation, allowing for the use of both solid rods and tubes as guide elements without complex adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The corrugated structure is radially compressible, thus compensating uniformly for any circumferential gap between the outer surface of the guide elements and the inner surface of the stepped bore
Implementation Method 2
threaded inserts for tubes that prevent slipping and absorb axial forces
Implementation Method 3
threaded inserts being inserted into the end sections of the guide elements, if tubes are used as guide elements
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a guide unit with two parallel and spaced-apart circular cylindrical guide elements (1) which are mounted with end sections (11) in bearing blocks (2), wherein the bearing blocks (2) have stepped bores (21) into which the guide elements (1) are inserted with their end regions and in which the guide elements (1) are fastened by means of axially engaging fastening screws (14), and a guide carriage (3) which is movable along the guide elements (1), wherein a tolerance sleeve (13) with variable radial dimensions is inserted into the stepped bores (21) radially around the end sections (11) of the guide elements (1).