Tapered Rolling Clamper for Linear Guide Position Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion guide devices, such as linear guides, face challenges in positioning the movable block on the track rail at any desired position due to limitations in holding mechanisms, and existing clamper mechanisms fail to achieve both weight reduction and miniaturization while maintaining guide accuracy and allowing for free movement.
Innovation Solution
A novel clamper mechanism featuring a tapered inner face on the clamper main body and pivotable arm members with elastic forces, allowing for frictional restraint and release, enabling the movable block to be positioned at any point along the track rail without increasing the device's size or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pin holes and pin shafts are used for position holding, then the movable block can be held at specific positions, but the holding position is restricted and it is difficult to install the movable block on the track rail at any position
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the positioning mechanism from discrete pin holes to a continuous tapered surface. The tapered inner face allows the rolling member to contact at any position along the taper, enabling continuous positioning rather than discrete position points, thus achieving positioning freedom at any location on the track rail.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is segmented into two independent components: the tapered inner face on the clamper main body and the rolling member. This segmentation allows the rolling member to freely move along the tapered surface while maintaining contact, enabling positioning at any location without requiring a complex array of pin holes.
2Weight of moving object
If conventional clamper mechanisms are applied to motion guide devices, then positioning function is achieved, but weight reduction and miniaturization are difficult while maintaining guide accuracy and not impeding movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential positioning function from complex conventional clamper mechanisms and implements it through a simple tapered inner face combined with a rolling member. This minimalistic approach removes unnecessary components, achieving weight reduction and miniaturization while the tapered geometry inherently provides precise positioning through its geometric constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism combines the tapered inner face (geometric constraint) with a rolling member (friction-based contact). This composite approach uses the geometric precision of the taper for positioning accuracy while the rolling member provides smooth contact and minimal friction, maintaining guide accuracy without impeding movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional clamper mechanisms are used, then positioning is achieved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex mechanism to achieve positioning, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple tapered surface geometry to provide the positioning function. The tapered inner face passively provides positioning capability through its geometric shape, eliminating the need for bulky actuating mechanisms and reducing overall device volume.
4Measurement precision
If pin holes and pin shafts are used for positioning, then the movable block can be held at specific positions, but the mechanism is complex and cannot achieve positioning at any position
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered inner face serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides positioning precision through its geometric constraint, allows positioning at any position along the track rail, and maintains simplicity in structure. The rolling member contacts the tapered surface to provide both positioning and smooth movement, achieving multi-functionality in a single compact component.
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 mechanism allows for precise positioning of the movable block with high degree of freedom, achieving weight reduction and size minimization while maintaining guide accuracy and ensuring smooth movement, overcoming the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
the inner face having a tapered shape in a manner in which a distance between facing faces is narrower toward an end of the one face of the track member, and one or more rolling members disposed between the facing faces of the one face of the track member and the inner face, wherein the one or more rolling members receives a pressing force toward a position where the distance between the facing faces of the one face of the track member and the inner face of the clamper main body is narrow, a frictional force based on the tapered shape acts on the one or more rolling members, and restraint of the clamper main body with respect to the track member is performed
Implementation Method 2
an elastic body having an elastic force so as to be sandwiched by the pair of arm members at the other ends of the shaft-shaped arm members is installed, the pair of arm members pivots ordinarily by an elastic force exerted by the elastic body
Data Source
AI summary
The motion guide device clamper mechanism includes a clamper main body connected to the movable member, an inner face having a tapered shape so that the distance between the facing faces is narrower toward the end of one face of the track member, and one rolling member disposed between the facing faces of the one face of the track member and the inner face. The rolling member receives a pressing force toward a position where the distance between the facing faces of one face of the track member and the inner face of the clamper main body is narrow, so that a frictional force based on the taper shape acts on the rolling member, and the restraint of the clamper main body with respect to the track member is performed. Further, a frictional force based upon the taper shape is released and the non-restraint of the clamper is performed.