JP3344146B2 - Lubricated polymer lubricated linear guide device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a linear guide device and, more particularly, to a method of automatically supplying a lubricant to a number of rolling elements rolling in a slider from a sealing device as a component thereof for a long period of time. The present invention relates to a linear guide device of a lubricant-containing polymer lubrication system capable of performing the above-described operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a generally used linear guide device, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a guide rail 1 having a rolling element rolling groove 3 on its outer surface and extending in the axial direction, A device having a slider 2 mounted over a rail 1 is known. Slider 2 is slider body 2A
And the end caps 2B attached to both ends thereof. The slider body 2A has rolling element rolling grooves (not shown) on the inner side surfaces of both sleeves 4 that face the rolling element rolling grooves 3 of the guide rail 1. And a rolling element return path (not shown) that passes through the thick part of the sleeve in the axial direction. On the other hand, the end cap 2B has a curved path (not shown) for connecting the rolling element rolling groove of the slider body 2A and a rolling element return path parallel thereto, and the rolling element rolling groove and the rolling element return path are provided. The path and the curved paths at both ends form a circulating circuit for the rolling elements. A large number of rolling elements made of, for example, steel balls are loaded in a circulation circuit of the rolling elements.

[0003] The slider 2 assembled on the guide rail 1
The rolling elements move smoothly along the guide rails through the rolling of the rolling elements in the opposing rolling element rolling grooves. During the movement, the rolling elements circulate infinitely through the rolling element circulation paths in the slider. As shown in FIG. 8, the slider 2 has side seals 5 at both ends (end surfaces of the end caps 2B) as dust-proof sealing devices for sealing an opening between the slider 2 and the guide rail 1. An under seal 6 is mounted on the lower surface. These conventional seals are generally made of rubber such as NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber).

[0004] With regard to the lubrication of such a conventional linear guide device, grease or lubricating oil is usually supplied from a grease nipple 7 attached to the slider 2 to a circulating circuit of the rolling element to lubricate the rolling element. Had been done. However, in such a linear guide device of a lubrication system that directly uses the lubricating oil or grease as described above, especially when used in a high-temperature environment, the lubricant filled in the slider flows to the outside. It is quickly consumed because of spills and must be replenished in a short period of time. In order to improve this point, the present applicant has previously filed an application for a sealing device made of a lubricant-containing polymer member (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-346919). This one is
A lubricant that is formed of rubber or synthetic resin containing a lubricant, such as a side seal or under seal, attached to the slider of the linear guide device, and that continuously exudes from the seal member (lubricant-containing polymer member) for a long period of time. Is automatically supplied to the rolling element circulation circuit of the slider.

[0005]

However, the linear guide device equipped with the seal device made of the above-mentioned lubricant-containing polymer member has the following problems. Since the seal member made of a lubricant polymer member contains a large amount of lubricant, its hardness and strength are considerably lower than those of general NBR seal members. Are likely to occur, and as a result, the function as a seal cannot be performed.

A conventional general side seal is NBR.
A rubber member made of such as described above and a metal reinforcing plate (core metal) are bonded and integrated with an adhesive. However, even if the lubricant-containing polymer member and the mandrel are to be bonded together with an adhesive,
It cannot be glued due to the large amount of oil contained. As the seal device travels with the slider while making contact with the guide rail, the lubricant seeps out of the contact portion and lubrication is performed.However, especially in an environment where foreign matter such as wood chips that easily absorb oil is present, the lubricant-containing polymer is used. There is a possibility that the lubricant may be sucked from the member as well, which may result in poor lubrication.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and suppresses the occurrence of poor lubrication by automatically replenishing a lubricant to a lubricant-containing polymer member. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a lubricant-containing polymer lubricated linear guide device which is stable for a long time and has a long life.

[0008]

According to the present invention to achieve the above object, a slider is loosely fitted on an axially extending guide rail having a rolling element rolling groove on an outer surface, and the slider is provided on the guide rail. A rolling element circulating path comprising a load rolling element rolling groove facing the rolling element rolling groove, and a rolling element return path connected to both ends of the load rolling element rolling groove via curved paths; A number of rolling elements for relatively moving the slider along the guide rail are loaded in the circulation path, and a seal device is provided on both sides of the slider to seal an opening between a slider and the guide rail. According to the linear guide device, the sealing device includes a lubricant-containing polymer member provided with a concave portion serving as an oil reservoir around a seal portion slidably in contact with the surface to be sealed of the guide rail, and the lubricant-containing polymer member. The concave At least a reinforcing plate which lid is characterized in that mounted on the slider by sealing lubricant in the recess.

[0009]

The lubricating polymer-lubricated linear guide device of the present invention contacts the surface of the guide rail and gradually exudes lubricant over time from the lubricating polymer members of the seal device disposed at both ends of the slider. , Are uniformly supplied to the surface of the rolling element via the guide rail. When the lubricant is exuded from the lubricant-containing polymer member and consumed, a new lubricant is supplied to the lubricant-containing polymer member from the oil reservoir, and therefore,
Stable lubrication is performed over a long period.

In the sealing device of the present invention, the reinforcing plate serves both as a lid for the oil reservoir and for reinforcing the lubricant-containing polymer member, thereby preventing the lubricant in the oil reservoir from leaking to the outside and also containing the lubricant. It also prevents breakage and cracking of the polymer member. In this case, since the lubricant-containing polymer member and the reinforcing plate are detachably attached to the end face of the slider with, for example, a common screw, the lubricant can be appropriately supplied to the oil reservoir.

Since no adhesive is used, the problem of poor adhesion does not occur. Hereinafter, the sealing device of the linear guide device of the present invention will be described in detail. The lubricant-containing polymer member used in the sealing device of the present invention is polyethylene,
A polymer selected from the group of polyolefin-based polymers having basically the same chemical structure, such as polypropylene, polybutylene, and polymethylpentene, and poly-α-
Mix and heat any of paraffinic hydrocarbon oils such as olefin oils, naphthenic hydrocarbon oils, mineral oils, ether oils such as dialkyldiphenyl ether oils, and ester oils such as phthalic esters and trimellitic esters. After being melted, it is poured into a prescribed mold, cooled and solidified while pressing, and molded. Various additives such as an antioxidant, a rust inhibitor, an abrasion inhibitor, a defoamer, and an extreme pressure agent are added in advance. It may be added.

The composition ratio of the above-mentioned lubricant-containing polymer member is 20 to 90% by weight of the polyolefin-based polymer and 80 to 10% by weight of the lubricant based on the total weight. If the content of the polyolefin-based polymer is less than 20% by weight, the hardness and strength required for a seal cannot be obtained. On the other hand, when the polyolefin-based polymer exceeds 90% by weight (when the lubricant is less than 10% by weight), the supply of the lubricant is reduced, and poor lubrication of the linear guide device itself occurs.

The groups of the above polymers have the same basic structure but different average molecular weights, from 1 × 10 ^{3 to} 5 × 10 ^6.
Range. Among them, average molecular weight 1 × 10
One having a relatively low molecular weight of ³ to 1 × 10 ⁶ and 1 × 1
0 ⁶ a to 5 × 10 ⁶ as those of ultra-high molecular weight, using a mixture according to either alone or in need. 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 polyolefin-based polymer.

As the thermoplastic resin, various resins such as polyamide, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether sulfone, polyether ether ketone, polyamide imide, polystyrene, ABS resin and the like can be used. Thermosetting resins include unsaturated polyester resins, urea resins, melamine resins, phenolic resins, polyimide resins,
Each resin such as an epoxy resin can be used.

These resins may be used alone or as a mixture. Further, in order to disperse the polyolefin-based polymer and other resins in a more uniform state, a suitable compatibilizer may be added as necessary. As the reinforcing plate of the sealing device in the linear guide device of the present invention, a metal such as steel or aluminum or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PA (polyamide), POM (polyoxymethylene), PE ( It is selected from relatively strong materials such as plastics such as polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene).

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below 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 of the present embodiment will be described. 1 and 2, a slider 2 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is laid on a rectangular guide rail 1 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction. End caps 2 are provided at both axial ends of the main body 2A of the slider 2.
B is detachably fixed. In the case of this embodiment, one rolling element rolling groove 13 composed of an axially concave groove having a substantially arc-shaped cross section is formed at a ridgeline where the upper surface 1a and both side surfaces 1b of the guide rail 1 intersect. At the same time, the other rolling element rolling groove 3 having a substantially semicircular cross section is formed at an intermediate position between both side surfaces 1b of the guide rail. At the bottom of the rolling element rolling groove 3, a relief groove 16 of a retainer 14 for preventing the rolling element B from falling off when the slider 2 is not assembled to the guide rail 1 is formed.

On the other hand, a load rolling element having a substantially semicircular cross section facing one rolling element rolling groove 13 of one of the guide rails 1 is provided at a corner inside both sleeves 4 of the main body 2A of the slider 2. A groove 18 is formed, and a load rolling element rolling groove 19 having a substantially semicircular cross section facing the other rolling element rolling groove 3 of the guide rail 1 is formed in the center of the inner surface of the slider sleeve 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 is formed in the upper part of the thick sleeve 4 of the slider body 2A. The rolling element return path 23 has a through hole having a circular cross section in the axial direction parallel to the load rolling element rolling groove 18. A rolling element return path 24 formed of a similar axial through hole parallel to the rolling element rolling groove 3 is formed below the portion 4. 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a screw hole for attaching the end cap 2B. The end cap 2B is an injection-molded product of a synthetic resin material, and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. Then, the slider body 2A
Abutment surface and the (back surface) 2B _b, as shown in FIG. 3, semicircular upper recess which is inclined obliquely Ryosode portion 31 and a lower recess 3
2 are formed up and down, and each semicircular recess 31,
A semi-cylindrical concave groove 33 is provided across the center of 32. By fitting a semi-cylindrical return guide (not shown) into the semi-cylindrical concave groove 33, a semi-doughnut-shaped curved path is formed on the back surface of the end cap 2B in two upper and lower stages. The end cap 2B is attached to the slider body 2A, and the load rolling element rolling groove 18 of the slider body 2A and the rolling element return path 23 are communicated with each other on the semi-donut-shaped curved path. The lower load rolling element rolling groove 19 and the rolling element return path 24 are similarly connected.

The load rolling element rolling groove 18 (19), the rolling element return path 23 (24) and the curved paths at both ends constitute a rolling element infinite circulation path, and a number of rolling elements B are included in the path.
Are rotatably inserted. Subsequently, a sealing device for sealing the openings on both sides of the gap between the slider 2 and the guide rail 1 of the linear guide device will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, a side seal 40, which is a sealing device of this embodiment, includes a reinforcing plate 41 made of a substantially U-shaped steel plate conforming to the outer shape of the end cap 2B, and a reinforcing plate 41 provided separately therefrom. And a substantially U-shaped lubricant-containing polymer member 42 formed in the same manner. Lubricant-containing polymer member 4
2 is a low molecular weight polyethylene (Mitsubishi Yuka, PZ50
U) Polyethylene consisting of 21% by weight and 9% by weight of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (Miperon XM220, manufactured by Mitsui Petrochemicals) was added to a paraffinic mineral oil (Nippon Oil;
A material containing 70% by weight of FBK RO100) was plasticized (dissolved) once using an injection molding machine, then injected into a predetermined mold, cooled and solidified while applying pressure, and molded. Things.

The reinforcing plate 41 has an inner peripheral surface 41a having the same shape as the cross-sectional outer shape of the guide rail 1, and a back surface 41b serving as a joint surface with the lubricant-containing polymer member 42. On the substantially U-shaped plate surface, screws 4 for attaching to the end cap 2B are provided.
3 and two grease nipple mounting holes 4
5 is provided. The lubricant-containing polymer member 42
Is a seal portion (seal lip) in which the inner peripheral surface 42a is in sliding contact with the surface to be sealed of the guide rail 1. That is, the inner peripheral surface 42 a has a shape that can slide on the upper surface 1 a and the outer surface 1 b, which are the sealed surfaces of the guide rail 1, according to the cross-sectional shape of the guide rail 1, and the inner peripheral surface 41 a of the reinforcing plate 41. It is formed so as to extend slightly inward. Further, inwardly, in-groove sliding protrusions 42b and 42c each having a shape conforming to the groove shape are provided so as to slide in contact with the two rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 13 on one side of the guide rail 1 toward the inside. I have.

The front surface 42d of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42 is a joint surface with the reinforcing plate 41, and the back surface 42e is the end cap 2
A through hole 46 for two mounting screws 43 and a grease nipple mounting hole 47 corresponding to the reinforcing plate 41 are provided on the plate surface at the joint surface with the end surface of B. On the surface 42d of the lubricant-containing polymer member, the screw-through hole 46 and the grease nipple mounting hole 47 are located inside,
A recess 50 serving as an oil reservoir is provided so as to surround the periphery of the inner peripheral surface 42a which is a seal portion. The illustrated recess 5
Although 0 is formed as a groove that is continuous in a substantially U-shape over substantially the entire inner peripheral surface 42a, it is not limited thereto, and may be divided into two or more places and arranged discontinuously.

Next, the operation will be described. To attach the side seal 40 to the slider 2, for example, the following procedure is performed. First, the slider 2 is set up with one end face up, and an end cap 2B is attached to the end face. Then, the lubricant-containing polymer member 42 is placed on the end face of the end cap 2B with the back surface 42e. Next, the same lubricant as the lubricant contained in the lubricant-containing polymer member is injected into the concave portion 50 on the surface 42d of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42. Thereafter, the reinforcing plate 41 is attached to the surface 4 of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42.
The recess 50 is covered with the lid 2d.

After the lubricant is sealed in the recess 50, the mounting screws 43 are passed through the screw holes 44 of the reinforcing plate, the screw holes 46 of the lubricant-containing polymer member, and the screw holes of the end cap 2B. The side seal 40 is fixedly attached to the end face of the slider 2 together with the end cap 2B by screwing and screwing into the screw hole 25 on the end face of the slider body 2A. A side seal 40 is similarly attached to the other end of the slider 2. Reinforcement plate 4
Since 1 covers the recess 50 in close contact with the surface 42d of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42, the lubricant in the recess 50, which is an oil reservoir, does not leak to the outside.

In this case, for example, the screw through hole 46 of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42 is formed as a so-called stupid hole having a diameter larger than that of the mounting screw 43, and the length of the stupid hole is slightly shorter than the thickness of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42. Is inserted through the spacer, and the mounting screw 43 is passed through the spacer. When the mounting screw 43 is excessively tightened, the lubricant contained in the lubricant-containing polymer member 42 is squeezed out. This is preferable because it is possible to prevent such a situation.

As described above, since the reinforcing plate 41 and the lubricant-containing polymer member 42 constituting the side seal 40 are integrally mounted by the mounting screws 43, the problem of adhesiveness is not considered at all. Good. In addition, since the lack of hardness and strength of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42 is reinforced by the reinforcing plate 41, breakage or cracking of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42 can be prevented.

The guide rail 1 is formed by the side seal 40.
Thus, the front and rear openings of the gap between the opposed surfaces of the slider 2 are sealed, so that intrusion of dust from the front and rear of the slider 2 can be completely prevented. With respect to the sealing function, the sealing portion composed of the inner peripheral surface 42a of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42 generates an appropriate spring elastic force because the inner peripheral edge portion of the concave portion 50 is thin, and the sealing lip causes the outer surface of the guide rail 1 to move. There is an advantage that it comes to be pressed elastically and functions suitably as a seal lip.

When the slider 2 equipped with the side seal 40 moves on the guide rail 1 fixed to the machine base, the rolling element B
Moves at a speed lower than that of the slider 2 in the moving direction of the slider 2 while rolling in the load rolling element rolling paths 21 (22), and makes a U-turn on the curved path on one end side to return to the rolling element return path 23 (24).
Is repeated while rolling in the opposite direction, and returns to the load rolling element rolling path 21 (22) by making a reverse U-turn on the curved path on the other end side.

When the linear guide device is driven in this manner, the lubricant gradually seeps out of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42 of the side seal 40 with time, and the inside of the rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 13 of the guide rail 1 is moved. It is automatically supplied to the rolling element B which rolls, and can perform a lubrication function simultaneously with a sealing function. Due to this self-lubricating property, the linear guide device can operate stably and smoothly for a long period of time.

As the lubricant seeps out of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42 and is consumed, the recess 50, which is an oil reservoir, is formed.
Is supplied to the seal portion of the lubricant-containing polymer member 42. Therefore, good operation can be continued at a low torque for a very long time without supplying a lubricant to the slider 2 from outside. Also, even in the presence of foreign substances such as wood chips to absorb the lubricant,
Recess 5 provided as oil reservoir in lubricant-containing polymer member
Since the lubricant is self-supplied smoothly from 0, poor lubrication can be effectively suppressed.

If this side seal 40 is used, the grease nipple mounting hole may be closed with a blind plug. However, if necessary, the grease nipple mounting hole may be opened as necessary to supply lubricant such as grease into the slider. May be. 5 and 6 show a modification of the side seal 40. FIG. In FIG. 5, a minute slit 51 communicating with a concave portion 50 as an oil reservoir is provided on an inner peripheral surface 42a as a seal portion of a lubricant-containing polymer member 42. Thereby, the inner peripheral surface 42a
The lubricant can be supplied to the sealed surface of the guide rail and lubricated directly from the oil pool in the concave portion 50 at the same time as the bleeding.

FIG. 6 shows a structure in which minute through holes 52 are provided in place of the slits 51 shown in FIG. In any case, it can be suitably used when it is necessary to supply a larger amount of lubricant to the surface to be sealed of the guide rail as compared with the case of oil replenishing from the inner peripheral surface 42a.

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 is a roller instead of a ball. May be. Further, although the mounting holes of the side seal device are shown at two locations, they may be provided at two or more locations.

The concave portion serving as an oil reservoir is not limited to the surface of the lubricant-containing polymer member, and may be provided on the back surface or on both the front and back surfaces. Further, the oil reservoir is not necessarily continuous, and may be independently provided at a plurality of locations. Further, the lubricant-containing polymer member may be one in which a reinforcing member is integrally provided on one side.

The reinforcing plate is not limited to one side of the lubricant-containing polymer member, but may be disposed so as to sandwich both front and back surfaces. Further, the shape of the concave portion does not need to be particularly limited. In other words, it is sufficient that the concave portion is disposed near the inner peripheral surface of the lubricant-containing polymer member and can store a certain amount of lubricant.

[0036]

As described above, according to the lubricant-containing polymer lubricating linear guide device of the present invention, the seal device made of the lubricant-containing polymer member is provided at both ends of the linear guide device in contact with the guide rail. In addition to the provision of a concave portion serving as an oil reservoir inside the lubricant-containing polymer member, the lubricant gradually exudes from the lubricant-containing polymer member over time, and the rolling member surface is passed through the sealed surface of the guide rail. Can be automatically replenished, and the lubricant consumption can be automatically replenished from the oil sump, as a result,
There is an effect that stable operation of the linear guide device is guaranteed for a long period of time.

In addition, since the sealing device is provided with a detachable reinforcing plate that also serves as a cover for the oil reservoir in the concave portion of the lubricant-containing polymer member and that reinforces the lubricant-containing polymer member, the lubricant can be appropriately supplied as needed. Can be easily replenished, and hardness. The low-strength lubricant-containing polymer member is not damaged or cracked, and as a result, an effect of smoothly performing the sealing function and the self-lubricating function over a long period of time is obtained.

In the sealing device, since the concave portion is formed in the lubricant-containing polymer member, appropriate elasticity is imparted to the seal lip on the inner peripheral edge thereof, and as a result, the sealing function and the self-lubricating function are further improved. can get. Also,
According to the invention of a modified example of the embodiment of the lubricant-containing polymer member according to the present invention, a minute slit or a through hole is provided in the seal surface of the lubricant-containing polymer member so as to communicate with the oil reservoir. At the same time as the lubricant is exuded from the member, the lubricant can be directly supplied from the oil reservoir through the slit or through hole to the surface to be sealed. This has an effect that it can sufficiently cope with the case where the supply of the agent is required.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a linear guide device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the linear guide device of FIG. 1 with an end cap removed.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an end cap of the linear guide device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the sealing device of the linear guide device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the sealing device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modification of the sealing device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional linear guide device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a lower surface side of the linear guide device of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Guide rail 2 Slider 3 Rolling element rolling groove 13 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 40 Sealing device (side seal) 41 Reinforcement Plate 42 Lubricant-containing polymer member 50 Recess (oil pool) B Rolling element

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16C 19/00-19/56 F16C 33/30-33/66 F16C 33/72-33/82 F16C 29 / 00-31/06

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A slider is loosely fitted on an axially extending guide rail having a rolling element rolling groove on an outer surface, and the slider is opposed to a rolling element rolling groove of the guide rail. And a rolling element circulation path including a rolling element return path connected to both ends of the load rolling element rolling groove via a curved path,
A number of rolling elements for relatively moving the slider along the guide rails are loaded in the rolling element circulation path,
In a linear guide device provided with a seal device for sealing an opening between a slider and a guide rail on both end surfaces of the slider, the seal device includes an oil around a seal portion that slides on a surface to be sealed of the guide rail. A lubricant-containing polymer member provided with a recess serving as a pool, and at least a reinforcing plate which covers the recess by overlapping the lubricant-containing polymer member, wherein a lubricant is sealed in the recess and mounted on the slider. Features a lubricant-containing polymer-lubricated linear guide device.