Pretensioned Linear Guide Carriage for Automatic Play Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear guides suffer from wear-related play that cannot be completely prevented, leading to undesirable movement and require complex structures for compensation, making them unsuitable for miniaturized applications.
Innovation Solution
A plain bearing guide with a rail and carriage design featuring a spring device that presses a sliding element against guide sections, ensuring automatic play compensation in a compact form, utilizing a simple spring device directly acting on the sliding element without additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex adjustment mechanisms (e.g., coupled gears) are used to compensate for wear-related play, then play compensation is achieved, but device complexity increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the play compensation function from complex adjustment mechanisms and implements it through a simple spring-loaded sliding element that automatically adjusts. The sliding element can be independently replaced when worn, separating the compensation function from the main carriage structure and eliminating the need for complex coupled gear mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring device enables the sliding element to automatically compensate for play without manual intervention. The system self-adjusts through the spring force that continuously presses the sliding element against the guide section, automatically maintaining proper clearance compensation throughout operation.
2Reliability
If manually adjustable sliding elements are used to compensate for wear, then play can be adjusted, but ease of operation decreases and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding element is designed as a separate, replaceable component that can be independently removed and replaced without affecting other parts of the carriage. This segmentation allows for quick maintenance by simply replacing the worn sliding element rather than adjusting complex mechanisms or disassembling the entire carriage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If miniaturized linear guides are designed with compact dimensions, then adaptability for small applications is improved, but the ability to accommodate play compensation mechanisms is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding element is designed to nest within the carriage structure, with the spring device compactly integrated into the available space. The encompassing design allows the sliding element to fit within the minimal transverse dimensions of the carriage, enabling play compensation in miniaturized guides without increasing overall size.
4Manufacturing precision
If sliding elements are replaced frequently to compensate for wear, then guidance precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The spring device continuously applies force to maintain optimal contact between the sliding element and guide section, preventing excessive wear that would require replacement. This preliminary protective action extends the service life of sliding elements and reduces maintenance frequency while maintaining guidance precision.
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 design achieves automatic play reduction with a compact and robust structure, enabling smooth, lubrication-free operation and precise guidance, suitable for miniaturized applications.
Implementation Method 1
the carriage (2) comprises a spring device for play compensation, which presses the encompassing sliding element as a whole or overall relative to the second sliding bearing section along an adjustment direction transverse to the longitudinal direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2E
AI summary
The invention relates to a linear guide comprising a rail (1) having a rail body (10) which is elongated in a longitudinal direction (V) and which has a respective guide section (11, 12) extending along the longitudinal direction (V) formed on both transverse sides thereof, and a carriage (2) having a carriage body (20) on which a first sliding bearing section in contact with a first of the guide sections (11) and a second sliding bearing section in contact with a second of the guide sections (12) are provided, wherein each of the sliding bearing sections at least partially engages around one of the guide sections (11, 12) on the respective transverse side in order to hold the carriage (2) on the rail (1) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (V), wherein at least the first sliding bearing section comprises a sliding element (21), wherein the carriage (2) comprises a spring device which presses the sliding element (21) against the first guide section (11) relative to the second sliding bearing section, along a control direction (S) transverse to the longitudinal direction (V), on the transverse side, in order to compensate for play in the linear guide.