JP4052228B2 - Linear guide device with lubricant reservoir - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear guide device, and more particularly to a lubricant-containing polymer capable of automatically supplying a lubricant over a long period to a large number of rolling elements that roll in a slider which is a component thereof. The present invention relates to a lubrication type linear guide device.

  Conventionally, as a linear guide device generally used, for example, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, a guide rail 1 having rolling element rolling grooves 3 on the outer surface and extending in the axial direction, and the guide rail 1 There is known a slider provided with a slider 2 assembled over the two. The slider 2 includes a slider main body 2A and end caps 2B attached to both ends thereof. The slider main body 2A rolls on the inner surface of both sleeve portions 4 to face the rolling element rolling grooves 3 of the guide rail 1. A groove 5 is formed and a rolling element return path 6 that penetrates the thick part of the sleeve portion in the axial direction is provided. On the other hand, the end cap 2B has a curved path 7 that allows the rolling element rolling groove 5 of the slider body 2A to communicate with the rolling element return path 6 in parallel therewith. The moving body return path 6 and the curved paths 7 at both ends form a circulation path for the rolling elements. A large number of balls 8 as rolling elements are loaded in the circulation path of the rolling elements. The rolling element 8 in the rolling element rolling groove 5 of the slider 2 is held by the wire holder H so as not to drop off.

  When the slider 2 loaded with the rolling elements 8 is assembled to the guide rail 1, the outer surface of the guide rail 1 and the inner surface of the slider 2 face each other with a slight gap space 15 as shown in FIG. 11. The slider 2 assembled to the guide rail 1 in this way moves smoothly along the guide rail 1 through the rolling of the rolling elements 8 in the opposing rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 5, and during the movement, The moving body 8 circulates infinitely in the rolling element circulation path in the slider 2.

Outside the slider 2, side seals 9 are attached to both ends and an under seal 10 is attached to the lower surface for dust prevention (only one of them is shown).
The slider 2 is filled with a lubricant such as grease or lubricating oil from a grease nipple G attached to a lubricant supply port 11 provided in the end cap 2B. The lubricant L passes through the oil supply passage 12 formed on the back surface of the end cap 2B, is injected into the curved passage 7 through the hole of the return guide 13, and is supplied to the rolling elements 8 passing therethrough. And it adheres to the rolling element 8 and is carried to the rolling element rolling groove | channel 5, and helps smooth rolling. Thereafter, the lubricant flows out of the slider through the gap between the side seal 9 and the under seal 10.

The conventional linear guide device is a direct lubrication system in which lubricating oil or grease as a lubricant is supplied directly from the grease nipple G of the slider 2 to the inside. Therefore, the following various problems have occurred.
(1) If the passage of the lubricant is clogged, the lubricant will not be fed into the rolling element rolling groove 5, and abnormal wear will occur and the fatigue life will be reached early.

(2) When the guide rail 1 and the slider 2 are installed upside down and installed on a mechanical device, pressure is required to flow the lubricant in the antigravity direction, but oil leaks from a slight gap. However, the pressure does not increase and the anti-gravity direction does not flow, and the lubricant cannot be smoothly fed to the rolling elements.
(3) Since it cannot be confirmed whether or not the necessary amount of lubricant is properly supplied to the rolling elements 8, for example, when used in a clean room, if the supply of lubricant is excessive, the amount of dust generated is a problem. On the other hand, if the supply is insufficient, abnormal wear occurs and the life of the apparatus is shortened.

(4) Periodic replenishment is necessary so that the initially filled lubricant is not exhausted. If an automatic supply device is provided separately, the cost increases. It is necessary to stop every time until the operation of the mechanical device using the linear guide device, thus reducing the productivity.
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such a conventional problem, and an appropriate amount of lubricant is always stably supplied to the rolling elements inside the slider of the linear guide device over a long period of time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a maintenance-free and long-life linear guide device that can be automatically supplied.

The linear guide device having the lubricant reservoir according to the first aspect of the present invention that achieves the above object has a rolling rail rolling groove on the outer surface and extends in the axial direction, and is assembled to the guide rail. A slider having 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 a curved path, and the load rolling element of the slider. A linear guide device comprising: a plurality of rolling elements that are held in a moving element rolling groove and are circulated through the curved path and the rolling element return path so that the slider can be circulated; A slider main body formed with a rolling groove and the rolling element return path parallel to the rolling groove, and a curved path for communicating the load rolling element rolling groove and the rolling element return path. Axial An end cap attached to an end portion, and in a flat portion excluding the load rolling element rolling groove on both side surfaces of the inner concave portion of the slider body facing both side surfaces of the guide rail, in the axial direction A lubricant reservoir is provided in a gap space where the guide rail and the slider are opposed to each other by fixing a thin strip-like lubricant-containing polymer member extending in a straight line .

The lubricant-containing polymer member forming the lubricant reservoir of the linear guide device of the present invention is made of a lubricant-containing synthetic resin or rubber that contains a lubricant in advance. For example, the following can be suitably used.
To polymers selected from the group of poly α-olefin polymers having basically the same chemical structure such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polymethylpentene, paraffin hydrocarbon oils such as poly α-olefin oil as a lubricant, Mix and heat melt naphthenic hydrocarbon oil, mineral oil, ether oil such as dialkyldiphenyl ether oil, ester oil such as phthalate ester / trimellitic acid ester, etc. It is formed by cooling and solidifying while applying pressure, and may be previously added with various additives such as an antioxidant, a rust inhibitor, an antiwear agent, a foam remover, and an extreme pressure agent.

The polymer groups 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 of 1 × 10 ³ to 1 × 10 ⁶ and an ultrahigh molecular weight of 1 × 10 ^{6 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ are mixed singly or as necessary. Use.
In order to improve the mechanical strength of the lubricant-containing polymer member of the present invention, the following thermoplastic resin and thermosetting resin may be added to the poly α-olefin polymer described above.

As the thermoplastic resin, resins such as polyamide, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone, polyamideimide, polystyrene, and ABS resin can be used.
As the thermosetting resin, each resin such as unsaturated polyester resin, urea resin, melamine resin, phenol resin, polyimide resin, and epoxy resin can be used.
These resins may be used alone or in combination.
Furthermore, in order to disperse the poly α-olefin polymer and the other resin in a more uniform state, an appropriate compatibilizing agent may be added as necessary.

  According to the present invention, the lubricant contained in advance from the lubricant reservoir made of the lubricant-containing polymer member provided in the gap space where the guide rail and the slider face each other gradually oozes out over time. The rolling element is supplied stably and uniformly over a long period of time. In this case, the contained lubricant is fluidized by the heat generated by the rolling of the rolling elements or the pressure or heat generated by friction with the guide rail moving relative to the slider, and flows out little by little from the lubricant reservoir. And it easily reaches | attains directly or via a wall surface in the rolling element rolling groove located close. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a lubricant flow path.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the lubricant reservoir made of the lubricant-containing polymer member is provided in the clearance space between the guide rail and the slider in the slider of the linear guide device. The lubricant gradually oozes out over time and is automatically and uniformly supplied to the rolling elements and the loaded rolling element rolling path. As a result, the appropriate amount of lubricant is always automatically supplied stably and stably. The maintenance-free and long-life linear guide device can be provided.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thru | or equivalent part from the past, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
The lubricant reservoir 20 of this embodiment is formed of a lubricant-containing polymer member that fills a gap space between the upper surface of the guide rail 1 and the inner surface of the slider 2 facing the guide rail 1. The lubricant-containing polymer member is made of polyethylene composed of 14% by mass of low molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight 1 × 10 ^{3 to} 5 × 10 ⁵ ) and 6% by mass of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (molecular weight 1 × 10 ^{6 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ ). 80% by mass of paraffinic hydrocarbon oil as a lubricant is mixed and heated and melted, and then injected into a predetermined mold and cooled and solidified while being pressurized. The same as the ceiling surface of the inner recess of the slider body 2A It is sized.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lubricant-containing polymer member as the lubricant reservoir 20 is fixed to the entire ceiling surface of the slider body 2A. The fixing means may be welding, screwing or the like.
Next, the operation will be described.
When the slider 2 moves on the guide rail 1 fixed to the machine base, the rolling element 8 rolls in the load rolling element rolling path including the rolling element rolling groove 3 and the load rolling element rolling groove 5 while the slider 2 rolls. Move at a slower speed than the slider 2 in the moving direction, and make a U-turn on the curved path 7 on one end side and move while rolling on the rolling element return path 6 in the reverse direction, and reverse U on the curved path 7 on the other end side. Repeat the circulation to turn and return to the rolling elements rolling path.

  When the linear guide device is driven in this way, the lubricant reservoir 20 fixed to the slider 2 receives pressure from the upper surface of the guide rail 1 and rubs against the rail surface to generate heat. Then, the lubricant contained in the lubricant-containing polymer member is fluidized, and the lubricant L gradually oozes out over time from the lubricant reservoir 20 and flows out as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 is automatically supplied to the rolling element 8 that rolls in the rolling element rolling groove 3 through the side wall surface of 1 and stable lubrication is performed over a long period of time. Accordingly, even if the lubricant is not regularly supplied to the slider 2 from the outside, a good operation with a low torque can be continued for a long time.

  Further, the lubricant-containing polymer member as the lubricant reservoir 20 is not necessarily in contact with the upper surface of the guide rail 1. Even if it is non-contact, the heat generated when the rolling element 8 rolls in the load rolling element rolling path formed by the rolling element rolling groove 3 and the load rolling element rolling groove 5 is transmitted to the slider 2. Since this raises the temperature of the lubricant reservoir 20, the contained lubricant fluidizes and flows out, so that the same lubricating function as described above can be exhibited.

In addition, since the lubricant reservoir 20 and the rolling element 8 in the load rolling element rolling path are extremely close to each other, the lubricant naturally flows even if the lubricant supply path is not provided inside the slider. Since it reaches the rolling element 8 in the rolling path, a complicated lubricant supply path that is conventionally provided in the end cap of the slider becomes unnecessary, and the apparatus configuration can be simplified.
Moreover, since the oil content of the lubricant reservoir 20 can be determined to appropriately set the lubricant content of the lubricant-containing polymer member, the oil content relative to the rolling elements 8 rolling on the loaded rolling element rolling path is determined. The supply of the lubricant can be minimized, and the problem of dust generation due to excessive lubricant and abnormal wear due to insufficient lubricant can be prevented. For example, it can be suitably used in a clean room.

In addition, maintenance-free operation is realized, an automatic refueling system for periodic refueling is unnecessary, and the costs associated therewith can be saved, and there is no problem of productivity reduction due to machine stoppage due to regular refueling.
3 and 4 show a second embodiment.
In this embodiment, a shallow groove 21 is formed in the axial direction on both sides of the ceiling surface of the inner recess of the slider body 2A, and a lubricant reservoir 22 made of a long and thin plate-like lubricant-containing polymer member is fitted in the groove 21. They are attached together. The operation and effect are the same as in the first embodiment.

5 and 6 show a third embodiment.
In this embodiment, a lubricant reservoir 23 made of a thin strip-like lubricant-containing polymer member is fixed to a flat portion excluding the rolling element rolling grooves 5 on both side surfaces of the inner concave portion of the slider body 2A. is there. In this case, the lubricant reservoir 23 is brought into contact friction with the side surface of the guide rail 1 and is also brought into contact friction with the rolling elements 8 to generate heat, and the lubricant inside the lubricant-containing polymer member flows out by the heat. In the third embodiment, in addition to the same effects as the first embodiment, even if the linear guide device is used upside down from the case of FIG. Since the lubricant can easily reach the rolling elements in the approach position and does not need to be pressurized, the linear guide device can be assembled to the machine in any direction without worrying about the flow of the lubricant. There is an effect that can be.

Also in the third embodiment, the lubricant reservoir 23 does not necessarily need to contact the side surface of the guide rail 1 and the rolling element 8.
7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment.
In this embodiment, a lubricant reservoir 24 made of a lubricant-containing polymer member is fixed to a flat surface portion between the inner surface of the end cap 2 </ b> B and the guide rail 1 at both ends of the slider 2. The operation and effect of this embodiment are almost the same as those of the third embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, in addition to the lubricant supplied from the lubricant-containing polymer member, grease and lubricating oil are further sent from the grease nipple G attached to the lubricant supply port 11 of the slider 2 to guide rails. You may make it enclose in the internal space between 1 and the slider 2. FIG. Thus, when the lubrication method using the lubricant reservoir of the present invention and the direct lubricant supply method from the outside are used in combination, even if the lubricant supply passage from the outside is clogged, the lubrication method using the lubricant reservoir 20 is used. Since the supply of the lubricant is continued, abnormal lubrication due to clogging of the lubrication path can be prevented as in the prior art, and problems such as abnormal wear and shortening of the life do not occur.
Further, 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 the front view which carried out a cross section of a part of the 1st example of the linear guide device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the slider of FIG. 1 upside down. It is the front view which carried out the cross section of a part of 2nd Example of the linear guide apparatus of this invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the slider of FIG. 3 upside down. It is the front view which carried out the cross section of a part of 3rd Example of the linear guide apparatus of this invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the slider of FIG. 5 upside down. It is the front view which carried out the cross section of a part of 4th Example of the linear guide apparatus of this invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the slider of FIG. 7 upside down. It is a whole perspective view of the conventional linear guide apparatus. It is the disassembled perspective view which reversed the top and bottom of the slider of the conventional linear guide apparatus. FIG. 10 is a front view of a cross section of a part of the linear guide device of FIG. 9.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Guide rail 2 Slider 3 Rolling body rolling groove 5 Load rolling body rolling groove 6 Rolling body return path 8 Rolling body 15 Clearance space part 20 Lubricant pool 22 Lubricant pool 23 Lubricant pool 24 Lubricant pool 24

Claims (1)

A guide rail that has a rolling element rolling groove on the 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 the load rolling element rolling groove A slider having a rolling element return path connected to both ends via a curved path, and the slider held in the load rolling element rolling groove of the slider and circulated through the curved path and the rolling element return path In a linear guide device provided with a large number of rolling elements loaded in
The slider includes a slider body in which the load rolling element rolling groove and the rolling element return path parallel to the load rolling body are formed, and the curved path that communicates the load rolling element rolling groove and the rolling element return path. And end caps attached to both ends of the slider body in the axial direction.
A thin strip-like lubricant-containing polymer member extending in the axial direction is formed on a flat portion excluding the load rolling element rolling groove on both side surfaces of the inner concave portion of the slider body facing both side surfaces of the guide rail. A linear guide device having a lubricant reservoir, wherein the lubricant reservoir is provided in a gap space where the guide rail and the slider face each other by being fixed .

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