Sliding Guide Clamping Structure for Play-Free Machine Tool Beds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding guides in machine tools face challenges in securely fixing and maintaining high mechanical rigidity while being structurally simple, as they often require complex designs and additional components to handle displacement forces and chip accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A sliding guide design where the third guide surface of the wrap-around strip is inclined relative to the first and second guide surfaces, allowing for secure clamping and compensation of guide play, achieved through elastic deformation of the gripping strip, which also facilitates easy maintenance and chip removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-piece guide part is elastically deformed to fix side and wrap-around guides together, then the guides are securely fixed, but the design effort and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide part is divided into separate components (support guide, side guide, wrap-around guide) that can be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing design complexity while maintaining fixing reliability through the clamping device
Solution Approach 2:
A clamping device is introduced as an intermediary mechanism to secure the wrap-around guide to the support and side guides, eliminating the need for complex elastically deformed one-piece designs while achieving reliable fixation
2Reliability
If a dovetail guide is used to clamp the guide element, then the guide is securely fixed, but additional covers are required to protect against chip accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful feature of chip accumulation is eliminated by removing the enclosed dovetail structure and replacing it with an open clampable design that allows chips to fall away freely while maintaining secure guide fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The open design that initially seemed to reduce fixing reliability actually prevents chip accumulation, converting the potential harm of chip buildup into a beneficial self-cleaning feature
3Stability of the object's composition
If the wrap-around strip is mounted rigidly, then the guide structure is stable, but guide play cannot be compensated and the design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wrap-around strip is designed with elastic deformability, transitioning from a rigid to a dynamic structure that can automatically compensate for guide play through controlled deformation while maintaining overall structural stability
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 stable, play-free fixing of the sliding guide with high mechanical rigidity, reduced design complexity, and enhanced self-cleaning capabilities, while maintaining a compact form factor and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping device acts on the third guide surface at least by elastically deforming the gripping strip
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A machine tool (1) and a sliding guide (5) are shown, the latter comprising a flat guide having at least one support guide (7) with a first guide surface (10) and at least one side guide (8) with a second guide surface (11), a circumferential guide (9) securing the support guide (7), the circumferential guide having a circumferential strip (13) with a third guide surface (12), wherein the third guide surface (12) of the circumferential guide (9) is inclined relative to the second guide surface (11) of the side guide (8), and a clamping device (16) which interacts with the circumferential strip (13) to clamp the circumferential guide (9) by means of the third guide surface (12) and to secure the sliding guide (5). To enable design simplicity and a stable clamping of the sliding guide (5), it is proposed that the third guide surface (12) of the circumferential strip (13) be inclined relative to the first guide surface (10) of the support guide (7).