Telescopic Rail Synchronization to Reduce Wear and Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telescopic rails in workpiece handling systems experience uncontrolled wear and jamming due to uncontrolled extension of rail elements, which existing solutions partially address with significant construction efforts and incomplete solutions.
Innovation Solution
Mechanical force-coupling of rail elements via synchronization arrangements, including pinions and gear racks, and rolling member cage synchronization, allowing controlled extension without separate drives, preventing uncontrolled migration and jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a linear drive pulls the outer rail element, then the outer rail element can be extended, but the middle rail element and rolling member cages are taken along in an uncontrolled manner resulting in increased wear and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
A synchronization arrangement acts as an intermediary mechanism between the outer rail element and the middle rail element. This arrangement includes a gear rack on the outer rail element that engages with a pinion on the middle rail element, mediating the motion transfer to ensure controlled movement rather than uncontrolled dragging
Solution Approach 2:
The uncontrolled mechanical dragging of the middle rail element is replaced by a controlled mechanical transmission system using gear racks and pinions. This substitution transforms the direct mechanical coupling into a controlled gear-driven system that prevents wear and jamming
2Reliability
If all rail elements are provided with gear racks and pinions for controlled extension, then successive extension is achieved, but substantial construction effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization system is segmented into modular components: gear racks are attached only to outer rail elements while pinions are mounted on middle rail elements. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly and maintenance, reducing overall construction effort while maintaining controlled extension functionality
3Length of moving object
If rolling member cages are not synchronized, then they migrate uncontrollably during rail element displacement, but this causes jamming of the telescopic rail
Solution Approach 1:
The motion control of rolling member cages is merged with the rail element displacement control through the synchronization arrangement. The gear rack-pin ion mechanism ensures that rolling member cages move in coordination with rail elements, preventing relative displacement that would cause jamming
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 solution enables low-wear, disruption-free operation of telescopic rails through synchronized movement of rail elements and rolling member cages, ensuring controlled extension and reduced wear.
Implementation Method 1
the inner and outer rail elements are each longitudinally displaceably supported at the middle rail element over rolling members that are guided in a rolling member cage
Implementation Method 2
the rail elements are mechanically force-coupled via a rail synchronization arrangement such that on a longitudinal displacement of the outer rail element with respect to the inner rail element, the middle rail element is longitudinally displaced
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention shows a telescopic rail having at least one inner, middle, and outer rail element, wherein the inner and outer rail elements are each longitudinally displaceably supported at the middle rail element over rolling members that are guided in a rolling member cage. Provision is made in accordance with a first aspect that the rail elements are mechanically force-coupled via a rail synchronization arrangement such that on a longitudinal displacement of the outer rail element with respect to the inner rail element, the middle rail element is longitudinally displaced with respect to both the inner rail element and the outer rail element. Provision is made in accordance with a second aspect that at least one rolling member cage, and preferably both rolling member cages, is/are mechanically force-coupled to at least one of the rail elements via a respective rolling member cage synchronization arrangement such that a longitudinal displacement of the middle rail element with respect to the inner or outer rail elements results in a longitudinal displacement of the corresponding rolling member cage with respect to the middle rail element.