Linear Actuator Spindle Positioning Against Lateral Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear actuators are prone to spindle breakage due to lateral action forces, and high-strength spindle materials, while reducing breakage, are costly and difficult to manufacture, limiting their industrial application.
Innovation Solution
A spindle positioning means that supports the free end of the spindle with a cylinder and extension plate, featuring a trough for secure attachment and reinforcement ribs for uniform force distribution, eliminating the need for high-strength materials and simplifying manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-strength steel material is used to manufacture the spindle, then the spindle breakage caused by lateral action force is reduced, but the material cost and manufacturing cost increase greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple components: a support plate with through-holes, support columns connecting to the base, and positioning posts. This segmentation allows the use of ordinary materials distributed across multiple simple parts rather than expensive high-strength material for the entire spindle assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate and support columns act as intermediary structures between the spindle and the base. These intermediaries bear the lateral action forces, protecting the spindle from breakage without requiring the spindle itself to be made of high-strength material.
2Reliability
If high-strength steel material is used to manufacture the spindle, then the spindle breakage caused by lateral action force is reduced, but the machining difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support function into separate components (support plate, support columns, positioning posts), each component can be manufactured using ordinary materials with standard machining processes, avoiding the machining difficulties associated with high-strength steel.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate and support columns are designed as simple, replaceable components made from ordinary materials. If these components wear or damage, they can be easily replaced without requiring expensive high-strength material processing.
3Ease of manufacture
If a supporting hole with diameter significantly larger than the free end of the worm screw is used, then the free end is partially supported, but the lateral action force still causes the worm screw to break
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented into multiple support columns positioned at different locations, providing comprehensive lateral support rather than a single large supporting hole. This distributed support system prevents spindle breakage while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of supporting the spindle in one dimension through a large hole, the invention uses multiple support columns arranged in multiple dimensions and positions, providing全方位 (comprehensive) support that prevents lateral displacement and breakage more effectively.
Data Source
AI summary
A linear actuator includes a base having a positioning post and a motor fixed on one side of the base. A spindle positioning means includes a spindle, a seat and a fixing element. The spindle protrudes from the motor and penetrates the base. One side of the spindle away from the motor is formed with a free end. The seat includes a cylinder and an extension plate protruding outwards from the periphery of the cylinder. The extension plate is provided with a trough. The cylinder is connected to the free end of the spindle. The trough of the extension plate is located to correspond to the positioning post. The fixing element passes through the trough to fix the seat on the positioning post. Via this arrangement, the breakage of the spindle caused by a lateral force can be prevented efficiently.