Table Drive Bearing Alignment With Annular Bracket Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The alignment of components in conventional electric actuators, particularly those with tubular components installed side by side in the axial direction, is complicated and requires precise coordination.

Innovation Solution

A table driving device with a first and second housing hole having coincident central axes, a shaft member inserted in both, and an annular portion between the housing and shaft member, along with protruding portions on a bracket that align easily with the components, eliminating the need for additional pressing members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If tubular components are installed side by side in the axial direction, then the device can achieve compact structure, but the aligning operation between components becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidaligning operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The annular portion serves as an intermediary component between the first housing and the shaft member. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for complex aligning operations between the housing and shaft member, while still achieving compact axial arrangement of components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into modular components (first housing, annular portion, shaft member, bracket) that can be independently manufactured and then easily assembled. The annular portion acts as a separate module that standardizes the connection interface, making the overall assembly process simpler despite the compact arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If multiple components are arranged in compact configuration, then space is saved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The annular portion combines multiple functions into a single component: it acts as both a structural element connecting the housing and shaft member, and as a positioning feature that guides alignment. This merging reduces the need for separate pressing members or additional alignment features, thereby reducing the total component count while maintaining compact dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12435782B2Table driving device

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 NIPPON THOMPSON

AI summary

A table driving device includes a first housing having first and second housing holes, a first bearing fitted in the first housing hole, a shaft member inserted in the first bearing and second housing hole, a second housing including an annular portion inserted between an inner surface surrounding the second housing hole and shaft member, a second bearing between the annular portion and shaft member, and a bracket. An annular space is formed between the annular portion and shaft member. The bracket includes a first protruding portion inserted into the annular space, which is in contact with an end surface of the second bearing and with at least part of the annular portion so that a center of the annular portion is located inside a triangle obtained by connecting three points selected from a part of the first protruding portion in contact with the inner surface of the annular portion.