Ball-Bearing Slider Stops for Stable Full Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial drawer slides are not designed for robotic competitions, leading to instability when extended due to ball bearings being located in the middle, causing the inner sliding part to shake.
Innovation Solution
A slider design featuring an inner and outer slider engaged with ball bearings in grooves, with end stops to secure the ball bearings in place, preventing the inner slider from shaking when extended, allowing for stable longitudinal movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If ball bearings are located in the middle of the slide, then the slider can be extended, but the inner sliding part shakes and becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ball bearing arrangement into multiple segments: ball bearings are distributed at both ends of the inner slider rather than concentrated in the middle. This segmentation provides stability at both ends of the extended slider, preventing shaking while maintaining full extension capability.
2Length of moving object
If the slider is extended to full length, then the inner slider may protrude or become shaky, but adding support structures may limit extension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates stops at both ends of the inner slider that preliminarily define the engagement limits. These stops ensure that the inner slider maintains proper engagement with the outer slider throughout the entire extension range, preventing protrusion and shaking without limiting the extension length.
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 provides a stable and secure extension mechanism, preventing the inner slider from wobbling or protruding, facilitating steady sliding and supporting heavy loads, suitable for both commercial applications and robotic competitions.
Implementation Method 1
an inner slider and an outer slider that are engaged with each other via a number of ball bearings that roll in the grooves formed by the side of inner and outer sliders
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a slider may include a an inner slider and an outer slider that are engaged with each other via a number of ball bearings. The inner slider may be longitudinally movable along the outer slider to extend the slider. At one end of the slider, the inner slider may include two first stops holding one or more end ball bearings in place. At the other end of the slider, the outer slider may include two second stops holding one or more end ball bearings in place. In such configuration, when the slider is extended in an open mode, the end of the inner slider that stays insider the outer slider will be held in place and engaged with the outer slider by the end ball bearings. This prevents the inner slider from being shaky when the slider is extended.