Slide for a linear guide, and linear guide comprising such a slide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear guides with rolling bodies between the slide and rail element face challenges in precisely adjusting the force required to move the slide and defining its position relative to the rail element.
Innovation Solution
The proposed slide for a linear guide incorporates two slide elements and a spring element, where the slide elements are mounted to move vertically and are biased by the spring element to engage with the rail element's running surfaces, providing a defined frictional force and precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rolling bodies are disposed between the rail element and the slide to reduce friction, then the slide can be moved with less friction, but the force required to move the slide cannot be precisely adjusted and the position cannot be precisely defined
Solution Approach 1:
The slide is divided into a main part and multiple slide elements (at least two). The rolling bodies are received on the main part, while the slide elements are biased against the running surfaces to provide positioning. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve low friction through rolling bodies and precise positioning through the separate slide elements engaged with the running surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide elements act as intermediary components between the main part and the running surfaces. These slide elements are biased by spring elements to engage with the running surfaces, providing a defined frictional force and precise positioning, while the rolling bodies on the main part handle the primary friction reduction function.
2Ease of operation
If rolling bodies are used to enable smooth movement, then friction is reduced, but the force required to move the slide relative to the rail element cannot be precisely adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The force control function is separated from the rolling bodies and assigned to the slide elements biased by spring elements. The rolling bodies provide smooth movement with minimal friction, while the spring-biased slide elements provide the defined frictional force necessary for precise force adjustment and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements can be designed with different spring constants and preloads to adjust the frictional force parameter. By changing the spring characteristics, the force required to move the slide can be precisely adjusted while maintaining smooth movement through the rolling bodies.
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
This design ensures a defined frictional force between the slide and rail element, allowing for precise adjustment and positioning of the slide, thereby improving the operational efficiency of the linear guide.
Implementation Method 1
the spring element is mounted on the main part such that the spring element biases the two slide elements away from one another in the vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
each of the two slide elements is respectively in frictional engagement with one of the running surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a slide for a linear guide which has the slide and a rail element with two running surfaces facing each other. The slide has a main part and a plurality of rolling bodies, and the plurality of rolling bodies are received on the main part such that the plurality of rolling bodies can roll at least on the two running surfaces or carry out a sliding movement relative to the two running surfaces. The main part defines the position of each one of the plurality of rolling bodies in a pull-out direction relative to the main part, wherein the slide additionally has two slide elements and a spring element, and each of the two slide elements is mounted on the main part such that it can move in a vertical direction perpendicular to the pull-out direction so that each of the two slide elements can be brought into frictional engagement with a respective running surface, the spring element being supported on the main part such that the spring element biases the two slide elements away from each other in the vertical direction.