Spring-Guided Gantry Axle Bearing to Eliminate Backlash

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical misalignment and thermal expansion in gantry systems lead to jamming and positioning errors due to mechanical backlash, which existing solutions fail to completely prevent despite using guide elements like sliding bearings.

Innovation Solution

The use of spring elements as guide elements, specifically leaf springs, which are rigid in the vertical direction and elastic in other directions, to connect the third linear rail to the first and second linear rails, ensuring zero backlash and minimizing positioning errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical sliding bearings are used as guide elements, then the risk of jamming is reduced, but mechanical backlash increases leading to positioning errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejamming riskVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical sliding bearings with spring elements as guide elements. The spring elements provide guidance through elastic deformation rather than mechanical contact, eliminating the backlash inherent in bearing systems. This substitution maintains reliability by preventing jamming while improving positioning accuracy by eliminating the backlash that plagues mechanical bearing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the guide elements from rigid mechanical bearings to elastic spring elements. By utilizing the elastic properties of springs, the system achieves continuous contact without gaps, eliminating backlash while maintaining the ability to accommodate misalignment and prevent jamming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If additional guide elements are used to prevent jamming, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejamming preventionVSAvoidnumber of guide elements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as guide elements for alignment, provide elastic compliance to accommodate misalignment, prevent jamming through their flexible nature, and eliminate backlash through continuous elastic contact. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If precise parallel alignment of linear rails is ensured, then positioning accuracy improves, but the system becomes vulnerable to thermal expansion and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparallel alignment precisionVSAvoidtolerance to environmental influences

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability through spring elements that can continuously adjust their position and orientation in response to environmental changes. The elastic properties allow the guide elements to accommodate thermal expansion and misalignment dynamically, maintaining positioning accuracy despite changes in temperature or other environmental factors that would rigidly constrained systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring elements provide pre-compliance and cushioning against misalignment and thermal expansion before they cause positioning errors. The elastic deformation capacity of the springs absorbs dimensional changes and misalignments, protecting the precision positioning function from environmental influences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 configuration achieves absolute zero backlash in the vertical direction and minimizes positioning errors, while being cost-effective and maintenance-free, with leaf springs providing high rigidity and compact installation without requiring lubrication or adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

the first spring structure is rigid in the vertical direction and the second guide element is designed as a second spring structure that is rigid in the vertical direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240286270A1Backlash-free axle bearing for gantry systems

Publication Date: 2024.08.29 JENNY SCI

AI summary

A device for positioning an end effector in a space spanned by a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a vertical direction has: a first linear rail aligned in the longitudinal direction and on which a first longitudinal slide is arranged so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, a second linear rail aligned parallel to the first linear rail in the longitudinal direction and on which a second longitudinal slide is arranged so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and a third linear rail guiding a cross slide connected to the first linear slide via a first guide element and to the second linear slide via a second guide element, characterized in that the first guide element is a first spring structure that is rigid in the vertical direction and the second guide element is a second spring structure that is rigid in the vertical direction.