Rolling Device Endless Circulation Raceway Lid Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rolling devices face challenges in maintaining guiding accuracy and smooth circulation of rolling elements in endless circulation raceways, limiting their applicability and performance.
Innovation Solution
A rolling device configuration featuring an inner member with rolling element grooves and an outer member with loaded and non-loaded raceways, paired with end plates having projection portions and lubricant supply paths, ensures smooth circulation of rolling elements by optimizing the connection between raceways and providing adequate lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plurality of rolling elements circulate in an endless circulation raceway, then the rolling device can achieve smooth relative reciprocating movement, but the circulation may become unstable and guiding accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A resin layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metal movable block main body portion and the rolling elements. This resin layer acts as a mediator that absorbs irregularities and ensures stable circulation of rolling elements while maintaining guiding accuracy, resolving the contradiction between smooth circulation and precision guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the movable block from purely metal to a composite structure with a resin layer on the metal substrate. This parameter change allows the system to simultaneously achieve smooth rolling element circulation (through the resin's compliance) and high guiding accuracy (through the metal's rigidity).
2Ease of operation
If the direction changing raceway is formed by connecting lids to the outer member main body portion, then the structure can enable endless circulation, but poor lubrication occurs at the connection surface
Solution Approach 1:
A lubricant supply path is pre-formed within the projection portion of the lid, allowing lubricant to be supplied in advance to the connection surface between the lid and the outer member main body portion. This preliminary lubrication action prevents poor lubrication issues before they occur, while maintaining the endless circulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid's projection portion is designed with an integrated lubricant supply path that automatically delivers lubricant to the connection surface. This self-service mechanism ensures continuous lubrication without external intervention, maintaining both endless circulation and reliable lubrication at the connection interface.
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 smooth circulation of rolling elements, enhances guiding accuracy, and prevents issues related to poor lubrication, thereby improving the device's performance and applicability.
Implementation Method 1
the projection portion is provided with a lubricant supply path
Data Source
AI summary
This rolling device 10 includes an inner member 11 provided with a rolling element rolling groove 11a, and an outer member 21 attached to the inner member 11 to be relatively movable via a plurality of rolling elements 12. The outer member 21 includes an outer member main body portion 22 including a loaded rolling element rolling groove 25 forming a loaded rolling element rolling raceway in cooperation with the rolling element rolling groove 11a and a non-loaded rolling element rolling raceway 33 arranged to correspond to the loaded rolling element rolling groove 25, and a pair of lids 24 attached to both end surfaces of the outer member main body portion 22 in a relatively-moving direction and having at least a part of a direction changing raceway 35 connecting one end of the loaded rolling element rolling raceway to one end of the non-loaded rolling element rolling raceway 33. Each of the lids 24 is provided with a projection portion 24b including at least the part of the direction changing raceway 35. Also, the projection portion 24b is provided with a lubricant supply path 38. With this configuration, this rolling device 10 can circulate the plurality of rolling elements smoothly in an endless circulation raceway.