Linear Guide Spindle Support for High-Speed Wobble Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing linear guide systems with spindle drives experience wobbling and vibration issues, leading to noise generation and limited travel speed due to collisions between the threaded spindle and rail elements, which are exacerbated at higher speeds.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a spindle bearing on the second rail element to guide the threaded spindle, providing additional support and reducing wobbling, allowing for smoother operation and higher travel speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the threaded spindle is made extremely straight to prevent wobbling, then the wobbling and vibration are reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases significantly and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewobbling and vibrationVSAvoidthreaded spindle straightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A spindle bearing is introduced as an intermediary component between the threaded spindle and the rail elements. The spindle bearing supports the threaded spindle and guides its movement, absorbing the wobbling and vibration without requiring the threaded spindle itself to be extremely straight. This mediator handles the stability function, allowing the threaded spindle to focus on its primary function of converting rotational motion to linear motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the threaded spindle is made extremely straight to prevent wobbling, then the wobbling and vibration are reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewobbling and vibrationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle bearing serves as a specialized intermediary component that handles the complexity of ensuring straight motion. Rather than requiring the entire system to be designed for extreme precision, the spindle bearing absorbs the complexity of guiding the threaded spindle, thereby reducing the overall device complexity while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the travel speed of the rail elements is increased, then the productivity is improved, but the threaded spindle collides with rail elements generating noise and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel speedVSAvoidnoise and vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle bearing acts as a mediator that cushions and guides the threaded spindle during high-speed operation. It prevents direct collisions between the threaded spindle and rail elements by providing a controlled interface, thereby reducing noise and vibration generation even at higher travel speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The spindle bearing provides beforehand cushioning by supporting the threaded spindle before collisions can occur. It anticipates and prevents the harmful collisions that would generate noise and vibration, allowing the system to operate at higher speeds without these adverse effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Productivity

If the travel speed of the rail elements is increased, then the productivity is improved, but the threaded spindle wobbling and vibration worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel speedVSAvoidwobbling and vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle bearing serves as a stable intermediary that maintains the threaded spindle's alignment during high-speed operation. It compensates for dynamic imbalances and prevents wobbling from worsening at higher speeds, enabling improved productivity without sacrificing stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 spindle bearing supports the threaded spindle, reducing noise and vibration, enabling longer lead screws and higher rotational speeds without collisions, resulting in improved running performance.

Implementation Method 1

a spindle drive which has a threaded spindle (7) and a spindle nut (21) running on the threaded spindle, wherein when the threaded spindle rotates about the spindle axis, the spindle nut moves along the threaded spindle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

the threaded spindle is in sliding engagement with the bearing bushing during a relative movement of the threaded spindle relative to the second rail element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSliding friction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The bearing bushing refers to the surface portion of the spindle bearing that is in sliding engagement with the threaded spindle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4585818A1Linear guidance system
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 ACCURIDE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP4585818A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4585818A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4585818A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to a linear guide system with a first rail element and a second rail element, wherein the first rail element and the second rail element are mounted on one another so as to be linearly displaceable relative to one another in and against an extension direction, a spindle drive which has a threaded spindle and a spindle nut running on the threaded spindle, wherein the threaded spindle is mounted on the first rail element so as to be rotatable about a spindle axis or is mounted on a device which is fixed relative to the first rail element in or against the extension direction so as to be rotatable about the spindle axis, and wherein the spindle nut is fixed to the second rail element in and against the extension direction so that when the threaded spindle rotates about the spindle axis, the spindle nut moves along the threaded spindle and takes the second rail element with it.According to the invention, it is provided that the second rail element carries a spindle bearing fixed in or opposite to the extension direction relative to the second rail element, wherein the spindle bearing is designed and arranged such that the spindle bearing guides the threaded spindle relative to the second rail element at least in a first extension position of the second rail element relative to the first rail element.