Spline Screw Testing With Automated Clearance and Stiffness Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing spline screw testing devices are inadequate in ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of performance testing for spline screws, which are critical components in industrial robots, due to limitations in testing mechanisms and clamping systems.

Innovation Solution

A spline screw testing device comprising a base, clamping assembly, and first testing mechanism with a movable mounting base, a first driving member, and a range finder to measure the rotation of the inner ring of the spline nut, along with additional mechanisms for position adjustment and force detection, ensuring accurate testing of rotation clearance and stiffness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed clamping system is used for spline screws, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate various spline screw sizes and lengths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplicability to various spline screw sizes and lengthsVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a movable clamping member that can slide along the base to accommodate different spline screw lengths, and a position adjustment mechanism with a second driving member that enables dynamic repositioning. This transforms the static clamping system into a dynamic one, allowing the device to adapt to various spline screw sizes while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If manual detection methods are used for spline screw performance, then the device complexity is low, but the testing accuracy and efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidtesting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual detection with an automated first testing mechanism that includes a first driving member connected to the spline nut's inner ring and a range finder for measuring rotation amounts. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with automated measurement systems significantly improves testing accuracy and efficiency while reducing human intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a connecting assembly as an intermediary between the first driving member and the spline nut's inner ring, and uses a range finder as a mediator to measure rotation amounts indirectly. These intermediary elements enable precise measurement of the spline screw's rotational performance without direct contact or manual measurement, enhancing testing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the mounting base is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot perform comprehensive measurements of rotation clearance and stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of test resultsVSAvoidmovable mounting base mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed mounting base into a movable one that can slide along the base, enabling comprehensive measurements of rotation clearance and stiffness at different positions. This dynamic capability allows the testing mechanism to evaluate the spline screw's performance more thoroughly, improving the reliability of test results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If a simple clamping assembly is used, then the device complexity is low, but the clamping stability and positioning accuracy are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping stabilityVSAvoidclamping assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the clamping assembly into a fixed clamping member and a movable clamping member that work together. The fixed member provides stable support while the movable member enables adjustment and secure clamping. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both clamping stability and positioning accuracy without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4249883B1Spline screw testing device
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 KUKA ROBOTICS GUANGDONG CO LTD
  • EP4249883B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4249883B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4249883B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A spline screw testing device, comprising a base (100), and a clamping assembly and a first testing mechanism which are arranged on the base (100); the clamping assembly is configured to clamp a spline screw (X), and the first testing mechanism comprises a mounting base (310), a first driving member (320) and a range finder (340); the mounting base (310) is movably connected to the base (100), and the mounting base (310) can move in the axial direction of the clamped spline screw (X); the first driving member (320) is fixed on the mounting base (310), and an output shaft of the first driving member (320) is connected to an inner ring of a spline nut (Y) of the spline screw (X) by means of a connecting assembly (330); by means of the connecting assembly (330), the first driving member (320) can apply, to the inner ring, an action force for driving the inner ring to rotate; and the range finder (340) is arranged on the mounting base (310), and the range finder (340) is configured to measure the amount of rotation of the inner ring when the action force is applied. The spline screw testing device can automatically test the spline screw (X), so as to ensure the performance of the spline screw (X) during actual use.