초록 ▼

The invention supports a mechanical carriage at three contact points for precise positioning on two guide rails, one guide rail having a V-grooved surface and the other having a flat surface. Two of the three contact points are recirculating ball bearings mounted against the V-grooved rail. The thir

The invention supports a mechanical carriage at three contact points for precise positioning on two guide rails, one guide rail having a V-grooved surface and the other having a flat surface. Two of the three contact points are recirculating ball bearings mounted against the V-grooved rail. The third contact point is on the flat rail and is also the driving contact point and comprises a drive shaft having a friction wheel thereon engaged with the flat rail to drive the mechanical carriage. The recirculating ball bearings and friction wheel are loaded against the V-grooved and flat rails, respectively, by magnets mounted on the carriage and spaced from the rails by an air gap. The air gap provides for a magnetic force between the magnets and the guide rails while permitting relative movement therebetween.

대표청구항 ▼

A linear motion drive apparatus having a three point support movement along a linear motion axis comprising: (a) a first rail and a second rail distinct from one another, spaced apart, and fixed in parallel with respect to one another and to the linear motion axis; (b) a carriage supported for linea

A linear motion drive apparatus having a three point support movement along a linear motion axis comprising: (a) a first rail and a second rail distinct from one another, spaced apart, and fixed in parallel with respect to one another and to the linear motion axis; (b) a carriage supported for linear movement along the first and second rails; (c) three-point support means attached to said carriage for movably supporting the carriage along the first and second rails at a maximum of three support points in rolling contact against the first and second rails having one of said three support points contacting said first rail and two of said three support points contacting said second rail, wherein said support means comprises a drive means for driving said carriage at one of said three support points, and a bearing means at two of said three support points; and, (d) biasing means for urging said drive means and said bearing means into contact with the first and second rails.