JP2015098920A - Rolling bearing guide device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rolling bearing guide device for reliably supplying lubricant to rolling elements while preventing the breakage of a porous compact.SOLUTION: The rolling bearing guide device includes the porous compact impregnated with the lubricant, the porous compact having contact parts (15b, 15c) stored in holes formed between each of upper side direction change paths (20a, 20b) and each of lower side direction change paths (20c, 20d), and partially exposed as lower side faces in the upper side direction change paths and as upper side faces in the lower side direction change paths, respectively.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rolling bearing guide device that includes guide rails, sliders, and rolling elements, and is used in various robots, transfer devices, semiconductor manufacturing devices, and the like.

  Conventionally, as a rolling bearing guide device, a linear motion guide device having a linearly extending guide rail and a curved motion guide device having a curved guide rail are known.

  The linear motion guide device includes, for example, a linear guide rail and a slider straddling the guide rail so as to be relatively movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail. The slider includes a slider body and a slider slide. End caps are provided at both ends, sometimes leading or trailing, and a large number of rolling elements roll on the rolling path between the guide rail and the slider body while circulating through a circulating path formed in the slider. This realizes a smooth relative movement between the guide rail and the slider. Since the linear motion guide device can be attached in any direction, in the present application, as shown in FIG. 1, the extending direction of the guide rail 2 of the linear motion guide device 1 is set to the X axis direction and the X axis direction. The direction parallel to the surface of the guide rail 2 in contact with the mounted portion is the Y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is the Z-axis direction. Further, with the linear motion guide device 1 shown in FIG. 1 as a reference, the side on which the Z-axis arrow faces is the upper side of the linear motion guide device 1, and the opposite side is the lower side.

  The curved motion guide device has the same configuration as the linear motion guide device described above, but the guide rail has a curved shape such as a ring shape, and the slider slides in a curved manner.

  In such a rolling bearing guide device, a porous molded body impregnated with a lubricant is accommodated in the end cap, and a part of the porous molded body is exposed to the direction change path of the end cap to thereby roll the rolling path. There are those that reliably supply a lubricant to rolling elements that pass through the inside (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 4588888 Japanese Patent No. 4687723

  However, in any of the inventions, since the porous molded body that comes into contact with the rolling element is disposed on the side that receives the centrifugal force of the rolling element that passes through the direction change path at a high speed, the porous molded body is crushed more than necessary. There is a possibility that the lubricant may be supplied or the porous molded body may be damaged.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a rolling bearing guide device that reliably supplies a lubricant to rolling elements and prevents damage to a porous molded body.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention,
A guide rail,
A body portion disposed opposite to the upper surface of the guide rail, and a pair of legs extending downward from the lower surface of the body portion and facing both side surfaces of the guide rail, and slides on the guide rail. A slider body to be
A plurality of rolling elements that roll between the guide rail and the slider body;
A pair of end caps which are attached to both side surfaces which become the head or tail when the slider body slides and which form a curved tunnel-like upper direction change path and lower direction change path for changing the moving direction of the rolling element When,
In a rolling bearing guide device having a porous molded body impregnated with a lubricant and supplying a lubricant to the rolling elements,
The porous molded body is accommodated in a hole formed between the upper direction change path and the lower direction change path of each of the end caps, and the lower side surface and the lower side in the upper direction change path. Provided is a rolling bearing guide device characterized by having a contact portion partially exposed as an upper side surface in a direction change path.

  Preferably, the porous molded body further includes a storage portion that is accommodated in a lubricant container fixed to the slider body, impregnates the lubricant, and supplies the lubricant to the contact portion.

  Preferably, the porous molded body further includes a storage portion that is accommodated in a lubricant container fixed to the slider body, impregnates the lubricant, and supplies the lubricant to the contact portion.

  Preferably, the contact portion and the storage portion are formed separately and are in contact with each other.

  Preferably, the storage part has a density lower than that of the contact part.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rolling bearing guide device that reliably supplies lubricant to rolling elements and prevents damage to the porous molded body.

It is a perspective view which shows the rolling bearing guide apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this application. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the rolling bearing guide apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this application. It is a perspective view which shows the end cap of the rolling bearing guide apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this application. It is a perspective view which shows the porous molded object of the rolling bearing guide apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this application. It is a perspective view which shows the porous molded object of the rolling bearing guide apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this application.

(First embodiment)
A rolling bearing guide device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a guide device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present application.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rolling bearing guide device 1 includes a long and narrow square guide rail 2 and a slider 3 straddled so as to be relatively movable in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 2.

  The guide rail 2 is made of metal, and a plurality of bolt holes 4 penetrating in the Z-axis direction are formed. The length of the guide rail 2 can be appropriately adjusted according to the application. The guide rail 2 is formed with corner rolling grooves 5a and 5b and side rolling grooves 6a and 6b having a substantially arc-shaped cross section extending in the X-axis direction. Escape grooves are formed at the bottoms of the side rolling grooves 6a and 6b. The guide rail 2 can be fixed to an arbitrary attached portion (not shown) by a bolt 7 that passes through the bolt hole 4.

  The slider 3 includes a metal slider main body 8, end caps 9a and 9b attached to the front and rear of the slider main body 8 in the sliding direction, and a lubricant container 10a attached to the slider main body 8 via the end caps 9a and 9b. 10b, and side seals 11a and 11b attached to the slider body 8 via end caps 9a and 9b and lubricant containers 10a and 10b.

  Each of the side seals 11 a and 11 b is formed of an elastic body and has a lip portion that is in sliding contact with the guide rail 2, and prevents foreign matter from entering between the slider 3 and the guide rail 2. Lubricant injection holes 12a and 12b (12b not shown) are formed in the side seals 11a and 11b, and the lubricant can be injected into the lubricant containers 10a and 10b through the lubricant injection holes 12a and 12b.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the slider 3 of the rolling bearing guide device 1 according to the first embodiment is disassembled. In the slider 3 of FIG. 2, components attached to the end cap 9a side (front side of FIG. 2) of the slider body 8, the side seal 11b, and fixing screws are omitted.

  Return guides 13a and 13b shown between the slider main body 8 and the end cap 9b are accommodated between the slider main body 8 and return guide accommodating portions 34a and 34b formed as recesses in the end cap 9b. On the opposite side of the end cap 9b from the slider main body 8, a reservoir 15a of the porous molded body 14 impregnated with a lubricant is disposed. Further, the contact portions 15b and 15c of the porous molded body 14 are disposed in contact with the slider main body 8 side of the storage portion 15a. The contact portions 15b and 15c are accommodated in through holes 24a and 24b formed in the end cap 9b. The reservoir 15a is covered with a lubricant container 10b except for the surface on the end cap 9b side.

  The slider body 8 protrudes downward from the body 8a formed in a rectangular plate shape extending in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and from both sides of the body 8a extending in the X-axis direction over the entire length thereof. It is comprised from the leg parts 8b and 8c.

  Body screw holes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d (16c and 16d are not shown) for screwing the end caps 9a and 9b and the like are formed on both side portions extending in the Y-axis direction of the body portion 8a. ing. In addition, leg screw holes 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d (17c and 17d are not shown) are formed at the ends of the leg portions 8b and 8c on the same side as the body screw holes 16a and 16b, respectively.

  A first upper circulation path 18a penetrating in the X-axis direction is formed at the boundary portion between the trunk portion 8a and the leg portion 8b, and a second upper circulation passage penetrating in the X-axis direction is formed at the boundary portion between the leg portion 8c and the trunk portion 8a. A path 18b is formed. Further, a first lower circulation path 18c penetrating in the X-axis direction is formed at the lower part of the leg part 8b, and a second lower circulation path 18d penetrating in the X-axis direction is formed at the lower part of the leg part 8c. Yes.

  On the surfaces where the leg 8b and the leg 8c face each other, the first upper rolling groove 19a, the second upper rolling groove 19b, the first lower rolling groove 19c, and the second lower rolling that extend in the X-axis direction are provided. A moving groove 19d is formed. The first upper rolling groove 19a is disposed at the upper portion of the leg portion 8b, and the second upper rolling groove 19b is disposed at the upper portion of the leg portion 8b. The first lower rolling groove 19c is disposed at the lower portion of the leg portion 8b, and the second lower rolling groove 19d is disposed at the lower portion of the leg portion 8c.

  The end cap 9b and the return guides 13a and 13b are a first upper direction change path that changes the moving direction of the rolling elements rolling in the circulation paths 18a to 18d and the rolling grooves 19a to 19d formed in the slider body 8 by 180 degrees. 20a, 2nd upper direction change path 20b, 1st lower direction change path 20c, and 2nd lower direction change path 20d are formed.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the end cap 9b of the rolling bearing guide device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present application.

  The end cap 9b includes a quadrangular columnar body portion 21 extending in the Y-axis direction, and leg portions 22a and 22b that protrude downward from both end portions of the body portion 21 and face the leg portions 8b and 8c of the slider main body 8, respectively. . FIG. 3 shows a state in which the rolling element (ball) 23 is arranged on the leg 22a side of the end cap 9b and the contact part 15b is accommodated, and the rolling element 23 is not arranged on the leg 22b side. The contact portion 15c is not accommodated.

  The contact portion 15b is accommodated in a through hole 24a penetrating in the X-axis direction between the first upper direction change path 20a and the first lower direction change path 20c. On the other hand, the contact portion 15c is also accommodated in the through hole 24b penetrating in the X-axis direction between the second upper direction change path 20b and the second lower direction change path 20d.

  The contact portions 15b and 15c are formed in a trapezoidal shape with a silhouette viewed in the X-axis direction in accordance with the inclination of the direction change paths 20a to 20d, and are smooth without forming a step in the direction change paths 20a to 20d. Exposed to. The contact portion 15b is exposed as a lower surface in the first upper direction change path 20a, and as an upper side in the first lower direction change path 20c, and the contact portion 15c is a lower side surface in the second upper direction change path 20b. It is exposed as the upper side surface in the second lower direction change path 20d.

  Corresponding to the body screw holes 16a and 16b of the slider body 8, the body screw holes 25a and 25b for passing screws are formed in the body portion 21 of the end cap 9b. In 22b, leg screw holes 26a and 26b for passing screws are formed corresponding to the leg screw holes 17a and 17b of the slider body 8, respectively. The leg screw holes 26a, 26b of the end cap 9b form a hole penetrating in the X-axis direction, and project in a cylindrical shape on the slider body 8 side, and the projecting part is a leg screw hole 17a of the slider body 8. The end cap 9b can be easily positioned by fitting with an enlarged diameter portion formed in the opening portion of 17b.

  FIG. 4 shows the storage portion 15a and the contact portions 15b and 15c of the porous molded body 14 of the first embodiment. Although the storage part 15a and the contact parts 15b and 15c are formed separately, FIG. 4 shows a state where the storage part 15a and the contact parts 15b and 15c are in contact with each other when the slider 3 is assembled. As the porous molded body, a porous polymer material such as elastomer, rubber or plastic is used.

  The storage portion 15a has a plate shape, and the planar shape is within the silhouette of the end cap 9b viewed in the X-axis direction, and the screw hole portion and the grease supply port portion 29 formed in the lubricant container 10b. The shape does not interfere with. That is, the storage portion 15a includes the body portion 14a and the leg portions 14b and 14c, and the body portion 14a avoids interference with the body portion screw hole portions 27a and 27b (FIG. 2) formed in the lubricant container 10b. The escape portions 28a and 28c and the escape portion 28b that avoids interference with the lubricant supply port portion 29 formed in the lubricant container 10b are provided. Further, the leg portions 14b and 14c are narrower in the Y-axis direction than the end cap 9b so as to avoid interference with the leg screw hole portions 30a and 30b formed in the lubricant container 10b, and are located on the guide rail 2 side. It is arranged close by. When the amount of lubricant impregnated in the storage portion 15a decreases, the lubricant can be replenished from the replenishing port portion 29 (FIG. 2).

  The contact portions 15b and 15c have a flat surface on the storage portion 15a side, are in surface contact with the leg portions 14b and 14c of the storage portion 15a, and receive supply of lubricant from the storage portion 15a. The contact portions 15b and 15c supply more lubricant to the rolling elements in an attempt to suppress the heat quantity of the rolling elements as the calorific value of the rolling elements increases. Therefore, the larger the amount of heat generated by the rolling elements, the more the lubricant flows toward the contact portions 15b and 15c.

  On the other hand, on the slider body 8 side surface of the contact portions 15b and 15c, return guide receiving portions 31a and 31b that are recessed in an arc shape so as to accommodate the return guides 13a and 13b are formed, respectively. In the center of the return guide receiving portions 31a and 31b, concave portions 33a and 33b are formed in which the convex portions 32a and 32b (see FIG. 2) protruding from the return guides 13a and 13b toward the end cap 9b are fitted. Yes.

  The storage portion 15a and the contact portions 15b and 15c together constitute a part of the porous molded body 14, but the storage portion 15a has a lower density than the contact portions 15b and 15c. Thereby, the storage part 15a can contain a large amount of lubricant, and the amount of lubricant supplied to the rolling elements by the contact parts 15b and 15c can be made small. Therefore, the replenishment frequency of the lubricant can be kept low. Further, by increasing the density of the contact portions 15b and 15c, the strength is increased, and breakage due to contact with the rolling elements is further less likely to occur.

(Second Embodiment)
A rolling bearing guide apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the porous molded body impregnated with the lubricant, and the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description which overlaps here is abbreviate | omitted and demonstrates the structure of the porous molded object 214 different from 1st Embodiment.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the second embodiment is different in that the storage portion 215a and the contact portions 215b and 215c of the porous material 214 are integrally formed. Since the present invention has a smaller contact area with the rolling element as compared with a conventional lubricant supply mechanism, and the impact received by the contact parts 215b and 215c from the rolling element is small, the storage part 215a and the contact parts 215b and 215c Even if molded with a porous material having a low density, it is possible to prevent the lubricant from being supplied excessively. In addition, you may make the density of the contact parts 215b and 215c lower than the storage part 215a, forming the storage part 215a and the contact parts 215b and 215c integrally.

  As described above, specific embodiments have been described for the purpose of describing the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements can be made.

  For example, the basic configuration of the rolling bearing guide device is not limited to that shown in the present application, and for example, the rolling bearing guide device can be used for a rolling bearing guide device in which rolling elements are arranged in three rows on both sides of the guide rail. In that case, you may arrange | position four contact parts on both sides of a guide rail.

  Further, the contact portion is not limited to that of the above embodiment, and may be of any shape as long as it is a contact means that contacts the rolling elements and supplies the lubricant.

  Further, the storage unit is not limited to the one in the above embodiment, and may have any configuration as long as the storage unit temporarily holds the lubricant. Moreover, it can also be set as the structure which does not have a storage part but supplies the lubricant impregnated to the contact part.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rolling bearing guide device that reliably supplies lubricant to rolling elements and prevents damage to the porous molded body.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rolling bearing guide apparatus 2 Guide rail 3 Slider 4 Bolt hole 5a, 5b Corner part rolling groove 6a, 6b Side part rolling groove 7 Bolt 8 Slider main body 9a, 9b End cap 10a, 10b Lubricant container 11a, 11b Side seal 12a, 12b Lubricant injection holes 13a, 13b Return guide 14 Porous molded body 15a, 215a Storage portions 15b, 15c, 215b, 215c Contact portions 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d Body screw holes 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d Legs Part screw hole 18a first upper circulation path 18b second upper circulation path 18c first lower circulation path 18d second lower circulation path 19a first upper rolling groove 19b second upper rolling groove 19c first lower rolling Groove 19d Second lower rolling groove 20a First upper direction change path 20b Second upper direction change path 20c First lower direction change path 20d Second lower side Turning path 21 Body 22a, 22b Leg 23 Rolling body 24a, 24b Through hole 25a, 25b Body screw hole 26a, 26b Leg screw hole 27a, 27b Body screw hole 28a, 28b Escape part 29 Supply port Portions 30a, 30b leg screw hole portions 31a, 31b return guide receiving portions 32a, 32b convex portions 33a, 33b concave portions 34a, 34b return guide accommodating portions

Claims (4)

A guide rail,
A body portion disposed opposite to the upper surface of the guide rail, and a pair of legs extending downward from the lower surface of the body portion and facing both side surfaces of the guide rail, and slides on the guide rail. A slider body to be
A plurality of rolling elements that roll between the guide rail and the slider body;
A pair of end caps which are attached to both side surfaces which become the head or tail when the slider body slides and which form a curved tunnel-like upper direction change path and lower direction change path for changing the moving direction of the rolling element When,
In a rolling bearing guide device having a porous molded body impregnated with a lubricant and supplying a lubricant to the rolling elements,
The porous molded body is accommodated in a hole formed between the upper direction change path and the lower direction change path of each of the end caps, and the lower side surface and the lower side in the upper direction change path. A rolling bearing guide device comprising a contact portion partially exposed as an upper side surface in a direction change path.   The porous molded body is further accommodated in a lubricant container fixed to the slider body, and has a storage portion that impregnates the lubricant and supplies the lubricant to the contact portion. Item 4. The rolling bearing guide device according to Item 1.   The rolling bearing guide device according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion and the storage portion are formed separately and are in contact with each other.   The rolling bearing guide device according to claim 2, wherein the storage portion has a density lower than that of the contact portion.

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