JP2004211906A - Lubrication linear guide device by lubricant-contained polymer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubrication linear guide device by a long life lubricant-contained polymer capable of automatically feeding a lubricant stably for a long period to a rolling element situated at the internal part of the slider of a linear guide device. <P>SOLUTION: A lubricant-contained polymer member is disposed in the slider 2 of a linear guide device in a state to bring it into contact with a rolling element B. A lubricant gradually oozes out with the lapse of time from a lubricant-contained polymer member and is automatically fed to the rolling element B and uniformly fed all over to load rolling element rolling passages 21 and 22 with which the rolling element makes contact through rolling of the rolling element B. Therefore, excellent lubrication can be effected for a long period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear guide device, and more particularly, to a lubrication system capable of automatically supplying a long-term lubricant to a large number of rolling elements rolling in a slider which is a component thereof. The present invention relates to a linear guide device of a lubrication system using a polymer containing an agent.

  Conventionally, as a generally used linear guide device, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a guide rail 1 having a rolling element rolling groove 3 on its outer surface and extending in the axial direction, and straddling the guide rail 1 One having a slider 2 assembled is known. The slider 2 includes a slider body 2A and end caps 2B attached to both ends of the slider body. A groove is formed, and a rolling element return path that passes through the thick part of the sleeve in the axial direction is provided. On the other hand, the end cap 2B has a curved path that connects the rolling element rolling groove of the slider body 2A and a rolling element return path parallel to the rolling element rolling groove, and the rolling element rolling groove, the rolling element return path, and the like. A circulation circuit of the rolling element is formed by the curved paths at both ends. A large number of rolling elements, which are rolling elements, are loaded in the circulation circuit of the rolling elements, and the rolling elements in the rolling element rolling grooves of the slider 2 are held by a retainer so as not to fall off.

The slider 2 assembled to the guide rail 1 smoothly moves along the guide rail through the rolling of the rolling elements in the opposing rolling element rolling grooves, and during the movement, the rolling elements circulate in the slider. Infinite circulation on the road.
As shown in FIG. 12, the slider 2 is provided with side seals on both ends and an under seal 6 on the lower surface for dust prevention.
The inside of the slider 2 is filled with grease or lubricating oil from a grease nipple 7 to lubricate the rolling elements that roll.

However, a linear guide device of a lubrication system using lubricating oil or grease as such as a lubricant, especially when used in a high-temperature environment, the lubricant filled in the slider flows. There is a problem that it is consumed quickly because it flows out to the outside, and replenishment must be repeated in a short time.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and is capable of automatically supplying a lubricant to rolling elements inside a slider of a linear guide device stably for a long time. An object of the present invention is to provide a lubricating linear guide device using a lubricant-containing polymer having a long life.

  The present invention for achieving the above object has a guide rail extending in the axial direction having a rolling element rolling groove on an outer surface, and a load rolling element rolling mounted on the guide rail and facing the rolling element rolling groove. A slider having a groove and a rolling element return path connected to both ends of the load rolling element rolling groove via a curved path, and a slider which is held by a retainer in the load rolling element rolling groove of the slider and is curved. The present invention relates to a linear guide device having a plurality of rolling elements circulatingly mounted on a slider via a path and a rolling element return path, wherein a lubricant-containing polymer member is disposed on the slider in contact with the rolling elements. It is characterized by.

Here, the lubricant-containing polymer member is a tube that is used by being inserted into a hole that forms the rolling element return path of the slider, and serves as both a rolling element return path and a lubricant supply limit. Can be.
Further, the lubricant-containing polymer member may constitute a part of the inner wall of the rolling element return path of the slider and also serve as a lubricant supply limit.
Further, the lubricant-containing polymer member may constitute a part of the curved path of the slider and also serve as a lubricant supply limit.
Further, the lubricant-containing polymer member is a retainer for holding a rolling element in the load rolling element rolling groove of the slider, and can serve as both a holding of the rolling element and a supply limit of the lubricant. .

Hereinafter, the lubricant-containing polymer member of the present invention will be described in detail.
The lubricant-containing polymer member used in the linear guide device of the present invention can be used to lubricate a polymer selected from the group of poly-α-olefin polymers having basically the same chemical structure, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, and polymethylpentene. Any of paraffinic hydrocarbon oils such as poly-α-olefin oils, naphthenic hydrocarbon oils, mineral oils, ether oils such as dialkyldiphenyl ether oils, and ester oils such as phthalic acid esters and trimellitic acid esters. Is heated and melted, then poured into a predetermined mold, cooled and solidified while pressing, and molded in advance. An antioxidant, a rust inhibitor, an abrasion inhibitor, an antifoaming agent, an extreme pressure agent, etc. What added various additives may be used.

The groups of the above polymers have the same basic structure but different average molecular weights, ranging from 1 × 10 ^{3 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ . Among them, those having a relatively low molecular weight having an average molecular weight of 1 × 10 ³ to 1 × 10 ⁶ and those having an ultra-high molecular weight of 1 × 10 ^{6 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ are used alone or mixed as necessary. Used.
In order to improve the mechanical strength of the lubricant-containing polymer member of the present invention, a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin as described below may be added to the above-mentioned poly α-olefin-based polymer.

As the thermoplastic resin, resins such as polyamide, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether sulfone, polyether ether ketone, polyamide imide, polystyrene, and ABS resin can be used. As the thermosetting resin, resins such as unsaturated polyester resin, urea resin, melamine resin, phenol resin, polyimide resin, epoxy resin and the like can be used.
These resins may be used alone or as a mixture.
Further, in order to disperse the poly-α-olefin-based polymer and other resins in a more uniform state, a suitable compatibilizer may be added as necessary.

  According to the present invention, since the lubricant-containing polymer member is disposed in contact with the rolling element in the slider of the linear guide device, the lubricant gradually exudes from the lubricant-containing polymer member with time and the rolling element The rolling elements are automatically supplied to the surface of the rolling element, and the rolling elements are evenly and evenly supplied to the load rolling element rolling path where the rolling elements are in contact. This has the effect of providing a linear guide device with a long life.

[Action]
The lubricating linear guide device made of a lubricant-containing polymer according to the present invention is provided on a surface of a rolling element in which lubricant gradually exudes over time from a lubricant-containing polymer member disposed on a slider in contact with a rolling element. Is supplied uniformly. Therefore, stable lubrication is performed over a long period of time even in a bad environment of high temperature.
When all or a part of the rolling element return path of the slider is formed of the lubricant-containing polymer member, when the rolling element circulating while rolling on the rolling element return path with the movement of the slider passes through the rolling element return path. Then, the lubricant that has exuded from the lubricant-containing polymer member is automatically supplied to the rolling elements.

In addition, when the constituent member of the curved path of the slider is formed of a lubricant-containing polymer member, the rolling element that circulates while rolling through the curved path with the movement of the slider passes through the curved path via the rolling element return path. When moving to the load rolling element rolling groove, the lubricant that has exuded from the lubricant-containing polymer member is automatically supplied to the rolling element.
Further, when the retainer for holding the rolling element in the load rolling element rolling groove of the slider is formed of a lubricant-containing polymer member, when the rolling element moves while rolling in the load rolling element rolling groove, The lubricant that has oozed out of the lubricant-containing polymer member is automatically supplied to the rolling elements.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals. First, the overall structure of the linear guide device according to the present embodiment will be described.
1 and 2, a slider 2 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is straddled on a rectangular guide rail 1 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction. The slider 2 has an end cap 2B detachably fixed to both axial ends of a slider body 2A. In the ridge line portion where the upper surface 1a and both side surfaces 1b of the guide rail 1 intersect, a concave groove having a substantially arc-shaped cross section is formed in the axial direction as a rolling element rolling groove 13. A rolling element rolling groove 3 which is long in the axial direction and has a substantially semicircular cross section is provided at an intermediate position between both side surfaces 1b of the guide rail.

At the groove bottom of the rolling element rolling groove 3, a relief groove 16 of a retainer 41 described later for preventing the rolling element B from falling off is formed in the axial direction.
On the other hand, a load rolling element rolling groove 18 having a substantially semicircular cross section facing the rolling element rolling groove 13 of the guide rail 1 is formed at a corner inside both sleeves 4 of the main body 2A of the slider 2. A load rolling element rolling groove 19 having a substantially semicircular cross section facing the rolling element rolling groove 3 of the guide rail 1 is formed at the center of the inner surface of the sleeve portion 4.

The rolling element rolling groove 13 of the guide rail and the load rolling element rolling groove 18 of the slider constitute a load rolling element rolling path 21, and the rolling element rolling groove 3 of the guide rail and the load rolling element rolling of the slider. The load grooves 22 constitute the load rolling element rolling paths 22 together with the moving grooves 19.
A rolling element return path 23 formed of a through-hole having a circular cross section in the axial direction parallel to the load rolling element rolling groove 18 is formed in the upper part of the thickness of the sleeve part 4 of the slider body 2A. A rolling element return path 24 formed of a similar axial through hole parallel to the rolling element rolling groove 3 is formed in the thickness.

  The end cap 2B is an injection-molded product of a synthetic resin material, and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. As shown in FIG. 3, a semicircular upper concave portion 31 and a lower concave portion 32 which are obliquely inclined at both sleeve portions are formed on the joint surface (rear surface) with the slider main body 2A. A semi-cylindrical concave groove 33 is provided across the center of each of the semi-circular concave portions 31 and 32. The semi-cylindrical return guide 35 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is fitted into the semi-cylindrical concave groove 33. At the center of the outer diameter surface of the return guide 35, a concave groove 36 having an arc-shaped cross section serving as a guide surface of the rolling element B is formed in a semicircular shape. A through-hole 37A that extends from the concave portion 37 to the concave groove 36 on the outer diameter side is formed as an oil supply hole.

The return guide 35 of this embodiment is an injection-molded product of a synthetic resin material.
By incorporating such a return guide 35 into the semicircular concave portions 31 and 32, a semi-donut-shaped curved path 38 having a circular cross section is formed in two stages in the upper and lower sides on the back surface of the end cap 2B. The end cap 2B is attached to the slider main body 2A, and the load rolling element rolling groove 18 of the slider main body 2A and the rolling element return path 23 communicate with each other on the curved path 38 (see FIG. 6). Similarly, the lower load rolling element rolling groove 19 and the rolling element return path 24 are communicated with each other.

A large number of rolling elements B are rotatably inserted into the rolling element endless circulation path including the load rolling element rolling grooves 18 (19), the rolling element return paths 23 (24), and the curved paths 38. .
In the end cap 2 </ b> B, a rolling element scooping projection 39 projecting in a semicircular shape is formed at an inner end of the curved path 38 that guides the rolling element B, and the sharp end of the rolling element scooping projection 39 is formed on the guide rail 1. The moving body rolling groove 3 (13) is located close to the groove bottom. The lower rolling element scooping projection 39A is provided with a mounting groove 41a and a mounting hole 41b of a retainer 41 described later. Further, the lubricant injected from the oil supply nipple 7 on the front side of the end cap 2B passes through the oil supply groove 49 on the back surface of the end cap 2B, from the concave portion 37 on the inner diameter side of the return guide 35 to the inside of the curved path 38 via the oil supply hole 37A. It is sent. Further, below the oil supply groove 51 on the back surface of the end cap 2B, a mounting hole 45a for a retainer 45 described later is formed.

The rolling elements B loaded in the upper and lower load rolling element rolling grooves 18 and 19 of the slider 2 fall off when the slider 2 is not assembled to the guide rail 1. In order to prevent this, a retainer made of injection-molded synthetic resin is used.
As shown in FIG. 7, the retainer 41 for preventing the rolling elements from falling in the load rolling element rolling groove 19 at the lower stage is a cage having a square cross section, and both ends in the longitudinal direction guide the rolling elements B smoothly. The terminal is formed with a mounting portion 42 at the terminal. The mounting is performed by inserting the mounting portion 42 into the retainer mounting hole 41b formed in the rolling element scooping protrusion 39A of the end cap 12B. When the slider 12 is mounted on the guide rail 1, the retainer 41 is accommodated in the retainer escape groove 16 of the guide rail and does not interfere with the guide rail 1.

  On the other hand, the retainer 45 for preventing the rolling element from falling in the upper-stage load rolling element rolling groove 18 is a substantially rectangular frame-shaped retainer 45 as shown in FIG. The retainer 45 has a substantially 1/4 arc-shaped rolling element holding surface 47 formed on the outer edge of the frame 46 in the longitudinal direction, and locking projections 48 project from front and rear ends. The attachment is performed by inserting the locking projection 48 into the attachment hole 45a on the back surface of the end cap 12B. As a result, the retainer 45 is supported by the end cap 12B and is accommodated in the space between the upper surface 1a of the guide rail and the inner surface of the slider body facing the upper surface 1a. 18 and hold it.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a slider body 2A according to one embodiment of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the rolling element return paths 23 and 24 of the slider body 2A are made larger in diameter than usual, and each rolling element return path is made of a lubricant-containing polymer member and has an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the rolling element B. The rolling element circulation tubes 50 are inserted respectively.
The rolling element circulation tube 50 is made of polyethylene comprising 14% by weight of low molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight 1 × 10 ^{3 to} 5 × 10 ⁵ ) and 6% by weight of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight 1 × 10 ^{6 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ ). After mixing and heating and melting 80% by weight of paraffinic hydrocarbon oil as a lubricant, the mixture is poured into a predetermined mold, cooled and solidified while applying pressure, and molded.

Next, the operation will be described.
When the slider 2 moves on the guide rail 1 fixed to the machine base, the rolling element B moves at a lower speed than the slider 2 in the moving direction of the slider 2 while rolling in the load rolling element rolling path 21 (22). The U-turn is made on the curved path 38 on one end side, the rolling element return path 23 (24) is moved while rolling in the reverse direction, and the U-turn is made on the curved path 38 on the other end side to make a load rolling element rolling path. The circulation returning to 21 (22) is repeated.
When the linear guide device is driven in this manner, the lubricant gradually exudes from the rolling element circulation tube 50 forming the rolling element return path 23 (24) with time, and the rolling element rolls in the tube. It is automatically supplied to the moving body B, and stable lubrication is performed over a long period. Therefore, good operation can be continued for a long time at a low torque without supplying a lubricant to the slider 2 from the outside.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment.
In this case, a part of the inner wall of the rolling element return path 23 (24) of the slider 2 is replaced by a circulation path part forming member 51 made of a lubricant-containing polymer member. That is, the outer surface 1b of the slider body 2A is partially cut out in the axial direction, and a part of the inner wall of the rolling element return path 23 (24) is cut in the axial direction. A circulation path having an arc-shaped groove 51a which forms a part of the inner wall surface of the rolling element return path 23 (24) on the inner surface of the prism as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). The partial forming member 51 is fitted.

The lubricant-containing polymer member of this embodiment is composed of 10% by weight of low molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight: 1 × 10 ^{3 to} 5 × 10 ⁵ ) and ⁵ % by weight of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight: 1 × 10 ^{6 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ ). The resulting polyethylene is molded containing 85% by weight of a dialkyldiphenyl ether oil as a lubricant.
The operation and effect of this embodiment are almost the same as those of the first embodiment.

Another embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, a return guide 35 (FIGS. 4 and 6) constituting an inner wall portion which is a part of a curved path 38 in a rolling element circulation path of a slider 2 is formed of a lubricant-containing polymer member, and an end cap 2B 5 is fitted into a semi-cylindrical concave groove 33 on the back surface of FIG.
The lubricant-containing polymer member of this embodiment is composed of 10% by weight of low molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight: 1 × 10 ^{3 to} 5 × 10 ⁵ ) and ⁵ % by weight of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight: 1 × 10 ^{6 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ ). It is molded to contain 85% by weight of paraffinic mineral oil as a lubricant.

  When the rolling element B that has rolled on the rolling element return path 23 (24) makes a U-turn on the curved path 38 and returns into the load rolling element rolling groove 21 (22), a return made of a lubricant-containing polymer member is returned. The lubricant gradually exudes from the guide 35 with time, and is automatically supplied to the rolling element B that rolls in the curved path 38, so that stable lubrication is performed for a long period of time and good operation with low torque is performed. Can last for a long time.

Still another embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, the retainers 41 and 45 for holding the rolling elements B in the load rolling element rolling grooves 18 (19) of the slider 2 are formed of a lubricant-containing polymer member. The lubricant-containing polymer members of the retainers 41 and 45 of this embodiment are composed of 20% by weight of low molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight: 1 × 10 ^{3 to} 5 × 10 ⁵ ) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight: 1 × 10 ^{6 to} 5 ×). 10 ⁶ ) Polyethylene consisting of 10% by weight is molded containing 70% by weight of paraffinic mineral oil as a lubricant.

The lubricant gradually exudes with time from the retainers 41 and 45 in which the rolling elements B are made of a lubricant-containing polymer member, and the rolling elements B are automatically transferred to the rolling elements B that roll in the load rolling element rolling paths 21 and 22, respectively. Stable lubrication is performed over a long period of time, and good operation with low torque can be continued for a long time.
In each of the above embodiments, in addition to the lubricant supplied from the lubricant-containing polymer member, grease or lubricating oil is further sent from the grease nipple 7 of the slider 2 so that the gap between the guide rail 1 and the slider 2 is reduced. You may make it enclosed in an internal space.

Also, instead of filling the internal space of the linear guide device of each of the above embodiments with a lubricant such as normal grease or lubricating oil, the space is filled with a mixture of the raw material polymer of the lubricant-containing polymer member and the lubricant. Alternatively, a structure in which the entire internal space is filled with the lubricant-containing polymer member by cooling and solidifying after heating and melting may be employed.
The linear guide device to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the type of the embodiment. For example, the load rolling element rolling groove may be other than two on one side, and the rolling element may be a roller instead of a ball. .

It is a front view of an example of a linear guide device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a state where an end cap of FIG. 1 is removed. It is a rear view of an end cap which shows and shows a return guide. It is a front view of a return guide. It is a perspective view of the end cap to which the return guide was attached. FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1. It is a top view of a retainer. It is a perspective view of another holder. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a slider body. (A) is an inner surface perspective view of the circulation path portion forming member, (b) is an outer surface perspective view of the same member, and (c) is a perspective view of an embodiment other than the slider body. It is the whole linear guide device perspective view. It is a perspective view which shows the lower surface side of the linear guide apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Guide rail 2 Slider 3 Rolling element rolling groove 18 Load rolling element rolling groove 19 Load rolling element rolling groove 23 Rolling element return path 24 Rolling element return path 38 Curved path 41 Holder 45 Cage B Rolling element

Claims (1)

  A guide rail that has a rolling element rolling groove on its outer surface and extends in the axial direction, a load rolling element rolling groove that is assembled to the guide rail and faces the rolling element rolling groove, and a load rolling element rolling groove A slider having a rolling element return path connected to both ends via a curved path, and a slider held by retainers in the load rolling element rolling grooves of the slider and circulating through the curved path and the rolling element return path; And a plurality of rolling elements mounted on the slider, wherein a lubricant-containing polymer member is disposed on the slider in contact with the rolling elements. Guide device.

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