JP6650226B2 - Linear motion guide unit - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a linear guide unit including a slider having a lubricating member which can relatively move on a long track rail via a plurality of rolling elements and can supply a lubricant.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, linear motion guide units have been expanded by incorporating them into sliding parts of various mechanical devices such as semiconductor manufacturing devices, machine tools, and various types of assembly devices. Conventional roller-type linear motion guide units have lubricating members arranged in end caps at both ends of the slider in the sliding direction, and lubricating the rolling elements rolling from the lubricating members in the direction change path of the end cap. To provide lubrication maintenance-free. For example, the linear motion guide unit previously developed by the present applicant has achieved maintenance-free by simplifying the configuration of the lubricating means by lubricating the rolling elements on the direction change path by lubricating the lubricant. The linear motion guide unit has a communication hole formed from the end face side of the end cap to communicate with the direction change path, and an oil storage plate for a lubricating member made of a porous material impregnated with a lubricant is disposed in a recess formed in the end cap. The projecting part of the oil storage plate is inserted into the communication hole, and the end face of the projecting part is formed and exposed on a part of the wall surface of the direction change path. The roller is in contact with the exposed surface, whereby the roller is lubricated by lubricating the roller through the protrusion of the oil storage plate (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  There is also known a linear motion guide unit that supplies lubricant to the rolling elements on a direction change path, and forms an oil supply hole through which a lubricating needle passes through an end seal and an end cap to enable lubricant supply. Have been. In the linear guide unit, a porous molded body impregnated with a lubricant is fitted and disposed in a concave portion formed in an end cap, and the concave portion has an opening communicating with a direction change path. The porous molded body comprises a storage part, an associated supply part, and a protrusion having a contact surface exposed at the opening. The above-mentioned linear guide unit has a lubricating hole formed in the end cap corresponding to a lubricating hole provided in the end seal, a slit formed in the lubricating hole to be opened in a concave portion, and a porous molded body fitted in the concave portion. The lubricant supplied from the oil supply hole of the end seal is supplied through a slit (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  In addition, as a linear motion guide unit, the lubricating member provided in the end cap is composed of an oil storage plate of a porous molded body and a fibrous oil-impregnated member, and the lubricating member is utilized by effectively utilizing the empty space in the end cap. It is known to load and realize lubrication-free maintenance over a long period of time. In the linear guide unit, an oil storage plate is provided in a concave portion formed on the outer end surface of the end cap body, and an oil-containing member is provided in an internal space on the back side of the concave portion. In the linear motion guide unit, a packing plate is disposed between the oil storage plate and the end seal, and the packing plate is in close contact with an edge forming a recess of the end cap to cover the entire outer end surface of the oil storage plate. (See, for example, Patent Document 3).

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a linear guide device in which a seal member is provided on a slider that carries a movable body that moves along a track rail. In the linear guide device, a lubricant supply groove is provided in a seal member, and a lubricant supply passage communicating with a lubricant supply hole opened in a direction change passage is formed. The seal member has a viscoelastic band-like projection formed on the entire length of the edge of the supply groove to prevent leakage of the lubricant, and the lubricant supply hole and the lubricant supply groove are filled with a holding supply member such as felt. A lid fixed to the end surface of the moving block and having a direction change path is filled with a holding / supply member in which a recess formed on the mounting surface side of the seal member is impregnated with a lubricant, and the lubricant impregnated in the holding / supply member is filled. Supply groove and a supply hole for supplying the water to the direction change path (for example, see Patent Document 4).

JP 2007-100951 A JP 2013-255751 A JP-A-2005-055278 JP-A-11-22726

By the way, as a conventional linear motion guide unit, lubrication maintenance-free which can supply a lubricant to a rolling element for a long period of time is required. However, the conventional linear motion guide unit has a structure including a sleeve-shaped lubricating member as a lubricating member for realizing lubrication maintenance-free which can supply a lubricant to the rolling elements for a longer period of time. It was extremely thin and small in volume, and the amount of lubricant retained in the lubricating member was small. In the case of a contact type in which the lubricating member comes into contact with the raceway surface of the track rail, the lubricating member is lubricated, so the frictional resistance increases, and the contact state gradually changes due to wear, resulting in an insufficient lubricating state. There is a problem. Further, the linear motion guide unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the lubricant cannot be supplied to the oil storage plate of the lubricating member. The linear guide unit disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem that the exposed surface of the porous molded body is narrow, and the amount of the lubricant that can be absorbed by the porous molded body is small. Further, in the linear motion guide unit disclosed in the cited reference 3, since the oil-containing member cannot be re-lubricated from the lubrication holes on the front and side surfaces of the end cap, an oil hole for replenishment is provided, but oil leakage may occur. there were. Also, the lubricant holding and supplying member in the linear guide device disclosed in Patent Document 4 is made of resin, rubber, felt, or the like, and the felt easily holds the lubricant, making it difficult to control the amount of oil. is there.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. An oil storage plate, which is a lubricating member made of a porous molded body impregnated with a lubricant, is disposed on an end cap, and the lubricant is applied to the oil storage plate. An end cap is formed in a structure that can be replenished, and in some cases, a fibrous oil-impregnated member is disposed on the end cap so that lubricant can be directly supplied from the oil-impregnated member to the lubricating member. In order to supply a proper amount of lubricant to the oil storage plate provided, through holes are formed in the end cap so that both end surfaces of the end cap can communicate with each other and the lubricant can flow, and grease nipples and the like are formed. The lubricant that is supplied through the oil reservoir is supplied to the oil storage plate through the through-hole, so the lubricant is transferred from the oil storage plate to the rollers of the rolling elements that roll on the turning path for a long time. Configured to be supplied Te is to provide a linear motion guide unit, characterized in that to achieve a lubricating maintenance-free.

The present invention includes a track rail having first track surfaces formed along both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction, and a slider slidable in the longitudinal direction on the track rail via a plurality of rolling elements. A casing having a second raceway surface formed opposite to the first raceway surface, and a return path extending along a raceway path formed between the first raceway surface and the second raceway surface; An end cap attached to each end face of the casing and having a direction change path communicating the track path and the return path, an end seal attached to an outer end face of the end cap, the track path, and the return path; And a rolling element rolling on a circulation path formed by the pair of direction change paths, and a lubricant impregnated with a lubricant for lubricating the rolling element and disposed on the end cap. In the linear motion guide unit comprising a member, the oil storage plate serving as the lubricating member is provided in a storage portion impregnated with the lubricant and disposed in a concave portion formed on the end surface on the end seal side; The end cap is formed integrally with the end cap and is fitted into an opening that opens to the direction change path, and has a front end surface exposed to the direction change path and configured to supply oil to the rolling elements. Is provided with an oil supply hole for supplying the lubricant, a first lubricant supply groove formed in the end face on the casing side communicating with the oil supply hole, and the first lubricant supply groove and the storage portion are provided. A through-hole communicating with the recessed portion is formed.
A second lubricant supply groove is formed in the storage portion of the oil storage plate, the second lubricant supply groove extending from a position facing the through hole formed in the end cap to the entire periphery of the protrusion.
In the concave portion of the end cap, a third lubricant supply groove extending from a position opposed to the through hole to the entire periphery of the protruding portion facing the second lubricant supply groove formed in the oil storage plate. Is formed,
The oil supply hole formed in the end cap is provided at a central portion and / or a side portion of the end cap,
The lubricant supplied through the oil supply hole is supplied to the oil storage plate through the through hole , and of the lubricant supplied through the oil supply hole, excess lubricant is removed from the opening of the end cap. about linear motion guide unit according to claim Rukoto supplied to the roller of the direction changing passage inner from.

Also, the linear motion guide unit, before Symbol end cap formed of the first lubricant supply groove and the third lubricant supply groove, and the lubricant reservoir of the reservoir which is formed on the second lubricant the supply groove is for the lubricant holding member made of fibrous material is provided.

Also, the linear motion guide unit, between the end seal and between said end cap and said casing and said end cap, in which the packing plate for sealing are disposed respectively for the lubricant There is .

Further, the oil storage plate is formed of a porous molded body formed of ultra-high molecular weight synthetic resin fine particles of polyethylene or polypropylene and maintained in a porous portion communicating with each other , and the porous portion is impregnated with the lubricant. ing. Further, as the lubricant impregnated in the porous portion of the porous molded body is consumed, the lubricant impregnated in the storage portion by capillary action is used as the lubricant impregnated in the protrusions is consumed. Transition to a protrusion.

In the linear motion guide unit, the end cap includes the oil storage plate and an oil-impregnated member for a tank made of a fibrous substance disposed in a lightening space communicating with the concave portion of the end cap. The oil-impregnated member can be in close contact with the storage section and supply the lubricant to the storage section.

Since the linear motion guide unit is configured as described above, the lubricant can be supplied to the oil storage plate as the lubricating member through the oil supply hole formed in the end cap. A suitable lubricant can be supplied to the rolling elements from the opening of the direction change path through a lubricant supply groove formed in the oil storage plate or the end cap. In addition, if lubricant is supplied to the oil storage plate and the rolling elements are supplied to the rolling elements from the oil storage plate, it is possible to adjust the supply amount to the rolling elements appropriately, reduce the consumption of lubricant, and to supply lubricant regularly. In comparison, the lubrication maintenance-free period can be extended. Specifically, lubricant supplied through a grease nipple or the like attached to the end cap can be supplied to the reservoir of the oil storage plate through a through hole communicating with both sides of the end cap, and as the lubricant of the oil storage plate is consumed, , Replenishment from the grease nipple to the reservoir. The end cap can be formed with a plurality of lubrication holes at the center and sides of the upper part, so that the oil can be re-lubricated from the grease nipple using a lubricator, and the end cap is located deeper than the oil storage plate. The lubricant can be impregnated also in the oil-impregnated member disposed in the lightening space, and the rolling elements can be lubricated for a long time, and the lubricant can be smoothly supplied to the rolling elements. In this linear motion guide unit, an opening is formed in a wall surface forming an outer peripheral portion of a direction change path formed in an end cap, and an oil storage made of a lubricant-impregnated porous molded body disposed in a recess of the end cap. the collision detecting portion of the plate is exposed from the opening, the direction changing passage together with the rolling elements rolling is lubrication in contact with the part out collision, the space formed by the thinned portion of the end cap to the lubricant reservoir The lubricant is transferred from the effectively disposed oil-impregnated member and lubricated, and the oil storage plate and the oil-impregnated member are re-lubricated from the lubricator through the grease nipple through the through hole formed in the end cap. Lubrication can be smoothly and without interruption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially broken external perspective view showing an embodiment of a linear motion guide unit according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the AA cross section in the linear guide unit of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the linear motion guide unit shown in FIG. 1, showing a cross-section taken along the line B-O-B of FIG. 2 and showing a whole circulation path on which rolling elements roll. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the linear motion guide unit of FIG. 1 with the end seal removed. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the linear motion guide unit of FIG. 1 in a state where an end seal and an oil storage plate of a lubricating member are removed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an end cap and an oil storage plate of a lubricating member in the linear motion guide unit, wherein (a) is an end cap and (b) is a perspective view showing an oil storage plate. It is a rear view which shows the end cap in the state which arranged the oil storage plate in this linear motion guide unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the end cap in the CC position of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the end cap in the DD position of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the end cap in the EE position of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the end cap at a position FF in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a front view showing another embodiment of the linear motion guide unit according to the present invention, showing a slider in a state where an end seal and an oil storage plate are removed, and an oil-containing member is disposed on an end cap. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing still another embodiment of the opening provided in the direction change path, which corresponds to the area corresponding to the direction change path of the end cap shown in FIG. 7. It is a front view which shows the packing plate arrange | positioned between the casing and the end cap in this linear motion guide unit. It is a front view which shows the packing plate arrange | positioned between the end cap and the end seal in this linear motion guide unit.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a linear motion guide unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the linear motion guide unit according to the present invention generally has a raceway surface 11 (first raceway surface) formed in a clearance groove 38 extending along both longitudinal side surfaces 34. It has a raceway surface 12 (second raceway surface) formed on the rail 1 and the raceway rail 1 so as to face the raceway surface 11, and is relatively long in the longitudinal direction via rollers 10 as a plurality of rolling elements. Slidable slider 2 is provided. The track rail 1 is provided with a plurality of mounting holes 40 extending in the longitudinal direction from the upper surface 39 to the lower surface for mounting on the base or the like. The slider 2 is of a flange type, and mainly has a pair of return paths 19 formed with the respective raceway surfaces 12 and extending along a pair of raceway paths 18 formed between the raceway surfaces 11 and 12. A pair of end caps 4, each having an arc-shaped turning path 21 attached to both end faces 23 of the formed casing 3 and the casing 3 and communicating the track path 18 and the return path 19, end faces 24 of the end cap 4. And a rolling element rolling on a circulation path 22 including an end seal 7, a track path 18, a return path 19, and a pair of direction change paths 21 each having a lip portion 44 on an opposing surface of the track rail 1. A certain roller 10 and a lubricating part which is impregnated with a lubricant for lubricating the roller 10 and which is disposed in a concave portion 17 formed in the end cap 4. And a lubricant reservoir 5 is.

  In this embodiment, the raceway surface 11 formed on the track rail 1 and the raceway surface 12 formed on the slider 2 are formed in two rows on the left and right, respectively. A certain track path 18 is formed. The roller 10 that rolls under a load on the track path 18 is held by the slider 2 with a holding plate 35. The holding plate 35 is fixed with a fixing bolt (not shown) passed through an insertion hole 59 formed in the casing 3. ) Is screwed into a screw hole (not shown) for a holding plate fixing bracket and fixed. Further, the casing 3 is provided with a mounting screw hole 41 for mounting a mating member (not shown) such as various devices, works, and mounting bodies. The return path 19 formed in the casing 3 is formed by inserting a sleeve 42 into a fitting hole 60 formed in the casing 3 in the longitudinal direction, and is formed by a through hole of the sleeve 42. The end cap 4 is provided with a connection protrusion 58 protruding from the end face 25 on the casing 3 side at a position where the direction change path 21 is formed. The connection protrusion 58 is fitted in a fitting hole 60 formed in the casing 3. The sleeve 42 inserted into the fitting insertion hole 60 formed in the casing 3 is formed such that the end surface thereof abuts on the connection convex portion 58 so that the direction changing path 21 and the return path 19 can smoothly communicate with each other. In this linear motion guide unit, a separator 43 is interposed between the rollers 10 so that the rollers 10 can smoothly roll.

  In this linear motion guide unit, the end cap 4 includes an end cap main body 45 in which the outer peripheral surface 53 of the direction change path 21 is formed on the casing 3 side and a spacer disposing recess 61 opened on the casing 3 side, and The inner circumferential surface 54 of the direction change path 21 is formed on the side opposite to the casing 3, and is constituted by a spacer 46 fitted and arranged in a spacer disposing recess 61 formed in the end cap main body 45. A rake portion 50 is formed at the entrance of the outer peripheral surface 53 that forms the direction change path 21 of the end cap body 45. Further, the end cap 4 is assembled by fitting the spacer 46 into the concave portion 61 formed in the end cap body 45, whereby the direction change path 21 is formed by the direction change path 21 formed in the end cap body 45. The outer peripheral surface 53 and the inner peripheral surface 54 of the direction change path 21 formed in the spacer 46 are formed by opposing and aligning with each other. A concave portion 17 for accommodating the oil storage plate 5 as a lubricating member is formed in the end surface 24 of the end cap body 45 on the side of the end seal 7 which is the outer end surface on the side opposite to the casing 3.

  In this linear motion guide unit, in particular, the oil storage plate 5 as a lubricating member is provided with the storage portion 6 and the storage portion 6 impregnated with the lubricant disposed in the concave portion 17 formed in the end face 24 on the end seal 7 side. The end cap 4 has a grease nipple 14 for lubricating the lubricating agent. A lubricant supply groove 16 (first lubricant supply groove) formed in the end face 25 of the casing 3 side communicating with the oil supply hole 15, and a lubricant supply groove 16 and the reservoir 6 are provided. It is characterized in that a through-hole 20 communicating with the formed recess 17 is formed (see FIGS. 6 to 9). The storage section 6 is provided in the concave portion 17 in a region corresponding to the upper portion 48 and the sleeve portion 49 of the end cap body 45. Also. The protruding portions 13 are formed integrally with the storage portion 6 at both sleeve portions 49 of the end cap main body 45 and disposed in the concave portions 17. The tip surface 52 of the projection 13 is fitted into the opening 26 and is exposed on the outer peripheral surface 53 of the direction changing path 21 of the end cap body 45. When the roller 10 comes into contact with the front end surface 52, oil is supplied through the protrusion 13. In this linear motion guide unit, the storage portion 6 of the oil storage plate 5 has a lubricant supply groove 27 (second lubricant) extending from a position facing the through hole 20 formed in the end cap 4 to the entire periphery of the protrusion 13. A supply groove is formed (see FIG. 6). Further, a lubricant supply groove 28 (third lubricant supply groove) is formed in the concave portion 17 of the end cap 4 so as to face the lubricant supply groove 27 formed in the oil storage plate 5 (see FIG. 5). ).

  The lubricant used in this linear motion guide unit is a lubricating oil or a low-viscosity grease having such a viscosity that it does not solidify in a supply path such as a lubricant supply groove or the like and is clogged. When grease is used as the lubricant, the lubricant supply grooves 16, 27, and 28 are provided with a lubricant made of a fibrous material such as a nonwoven fabric, felt, or cotton so that the lubricant is not clogged in the supply path. The agent holding material 29 need not be filled. In the case of lubricating oil, it is preferable that the lubricant supply grooves 16, 27, 28 be filled with a lubricant retaining material 29. In this embodiment, lubricating oil is used as a lubricant, and lubricant supply grooves 16 and 28 and through holes 20 formed in the end cap 4 and a lubricant supply groove formed in the storage portion 6 of the oil storage plate 5 are used. A lubricant holding member 29 is provided in the groove 27. The oil supply holes 15 and 47 formed in the end cap 4 are provided in the central portion 31 and the side portions 32 of the end cap 4.

  In this linear motion guide unit, the slider 2 includes a lower surface seal 37 for sealing a clearance between the side surface 34 of the track rail 1 and the lower surface of the slider 2, and an upper surface 39 of the track rail 1 and a slider opposed thereto. An inner surface seal 36 is provided for sealing the clearance between the groove and the relief groove formed on the lower surface corresponding to the second concave portion. Both ends of the inner surface seal 36 are respectively inserted and locked into locking recesses 51 formed in the end cap 4. In this linear guide unit, a grease nipple mounting screw hole 63 for mounting a grease nipple 14 for supplying lubricant to the slider 2 is provided in the end cap 4. For example, when the grease nipple 14 is attached to the linear motion guide unit, the grease nipple 14 is attached to the grease nipple attachment hole formed in the end seal 7, the grease nipple attachment hole 62 formed in the packing plate 9, and It can be screwed into the grease nipple mounting screw hole 63 formed in the end cap 4 through the grease nipple mounting notch 67 formed in the oil storage plate 5 and mounted. Alternatively, the grease nipple 14 can be attached to a grease nipple attachment screw hole 64 provided in an oil supply hole 47 formed in the side portion 32 of the end cap 4 as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the linear motion guide unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this linear motion guide unit, the oil storage plate 5, which is a lubricating member impregnated with a lubricant, is disposed in the concave portion 17 formed on the end face 24 of the end cap 4 and the end cap body 45. The oil-impregnated member 30 is arranged in an internal space 55 formed on the side, and is configured to be in close contact with the oil storage plate 5 and to supply lubricant to the oil storage plate 5. The oil storage plate 5 is disposed so as to cover the entire surface of the oil-containing member 30, and is in a state similar to FIG. The linear motion guide unit is impregnated in the oil storage plate 5 so as to be in close contact with the edge forming the recess 17 of the end cap 4 between the oil storage plate 5 and the end seal 7 and to cover the entire end face 33 of the oil storage plate 5. A packing plate 8 for sealing the lubricant in the recess 17 of the end cap 4 and a packing plate 9 interposed between the casing 3 and the inner end face 25 of the end cap 4 for sealing the lubricant. The sealing plate 9 shown in FIG. 14 is formed in a shape corresponding to the end surface 25 of the end cap 4 in order to seal the end surface 25 of the end cap 4 on the casing 3 side. The sealing plate 8 shown in FIG. 15 is formed in a shape corresponding to the end face 24 of the end cap 4 in order to seal the end seal side end face 24 of the end cap 4. A mounting hole 62 through which the grease nipple 14 is inserted is formed at a corresponding position. Further, the oil-impregnated member 30 is disposed in a stolen portion partitioned by a reinforcing rib constituting the inside of the end cap body 45 and an internal space 55 which is an empty space between the reinforcing ribs. Of course, it is preferable that the internal spaces 55 communicate with each other from the viewpoint of smooth movement of the lubricant. The oil-impregnated member 30 is made of a fibrous material such as a nonwoven fabric, felt, or cotton that can absorb and hold a lubricant. Is configured. The oil-impregnated member 30 can be arranged in contact with the storage section 6 to supply lubricant to the storage section 6. Further, the lubricant impregnated in the porous portion of the porous molded body constituting the oil storage plate 5 is impregnated in the storage portion 6 and the oil impregnated member 30 by capillary action as the lubricant impregnated in the protrusion 13 is consumed. The lubricant that has migrated to the protrusion 13.

  In this linear motion guide unit, as shown in FIG. 12, the oil-impregnated member 30 is moved as much as possible into an inner space 55 which is a space formed by a meat steal portion partitioned by reinforcing ribs constituting the end cap 4. It is arranged. A plurality of oil supply holes 15, 47 communicating with the oil-containing member 30 are formed in the upper portion 48 of the end cap 4 and / or the side surface 57 of the sleeve portion 49, and the lubricant is lubricated for replenishing the lubricant. The oil-containing member 30 is re-lubricated, that is, replenished, through the grease nipple 14 from the container, and then the oil-containing member 30 is moved to the oil storage plate 5 to lubricate the roller 10. In the embodiment, the oil-impregnated member 30 is disposed in the stolen portion of the end cap main body 45 or the internal space 55 of the empty space, and can be divided into a plurality of parts. Further, the lubricant supplied to the oil-impregnated member 30 is absorbed and impregnated by the oil-impregnated member 30, and the oil storage plate 5 is disposed so as to cover the entire surface of the oil-impregnated member 30, so that a state similar to that of FIG. In other words, the structure is such that the lubricant hardly leaks out of the end cap 4. Since the grease nipple and the stopper (not shown) are attached to the oil supply holes 15 and 47, the lubricant does not leak out of the end cap 4.

  Further, the slider 2 has the end cap 4 disposed on the end face 23 of the casing 3, and then the packing plate 8 is brought into contact with the edge of the outer end face 24 of the end cap body 45 so as to cover the entire surface of the oil storage plate 5. Finally, the end seal 7 is disposed on the end face of the packing plate 8, and in this state, the fixing bolt 70 is attached to the mounting hole of the end seal 7, the mounting hole 66 of the packing plate 8, and the notch of the oil storage plate 5. By screwing through the mounting hole 68 of the end cap body 45 and the mounting hole 69 of the packing plate 9 into the mounting screw hole of the casing 3, the packing plate 9, the end cap 4, the packing The plate 8 and the end seal 7 are fixed, and the packing plate 8 covers the entire surface of the oil storage plate 5 to seal the oil storage plate 5. Packing plate 9 to the back side of the end cap 4 in a sealed state. That is, in this linear motion guide unit, the packing plate 8 abuts on and is fixed to the edge of the end cap body 45, and the recess 17 in the end cap body 45 is sealed by the packing plate 8. No leakage of the lubricant to the outside will occur.

  The oil storage plate 5, which is a lubricating member, is a porous molded body impregnated with a lubricant, and the porous molded body is formed in a porous portion communicating with each other. Lubricant impregnated. In this embodiment, the porous molded body is made of ultra-high molecular weight synthetic resin fine particles made of polyethylene or polypropylene. The porous molded body is formed by compressing synthetic resin fine particles and heat-molding the same to form a large number of the porous portions, that is, open pores, in communication with each other between the synthetic resin fine particles. Also, in this linear motion guide unit, since the outer end surface 65 of the oil storage plate 5 is particularly covered and sealed by the packing plate 8, the porous portion of the porous molded body constituting the oil storage plate 5 is impregnated. As the lubricant is consumed, the lubricant impregnated in the oil impregnated member 30 moves to the oil storage plate 5 by capillary action, and the oil storage plate 5 is always in a state of being impregnated with the lubricant, and the rollers 10 of the rolling elements The lubrication to is performed well. Furthermore, the absorption rate of the oil-impregnated member 30, that is, the holding power of the lubricating oil, is lower than the absorption rate of the oil-storing plate 5. Due to the phenomenon, it is possible to smoothly move to the oil storage plate 5. Therefore, the lubricant impregnated in the oil storage plate 5 does not flow back to the oil-impregnated member 30.

In this linear motion guide unit, the lubricant supply path is generally as follows. The lubricant is replenished through the grease nipple 14 or a pipe joint (not shown) attached to the oil supply holes 15 and 47 provided in the front center portion 31 and the side portions 32 of the end cap 4. The lubricant supplied to the oil supply holes 15 and 47 moves to the pair of through holes 20 through the lubricant supply groove 16 in the end face 25 of the end cap 4 on the casing 3 side. The lubricant moves from the through hole 20 to the end face 24 on the end seal 7 side, and is supplied to a lubricant supply groove 28 formed on the end face 24 and a lubricant supply groove 27 formed on the oil storage plate 5, and then the lubricant is supplied. Oil is supplied to the oil storage plate 5 from the supply grooves 27 and 28. The lubricant supplied to the oil storage plate 5 moves from the storage part 6 to the protruding part 13 by capillary action. The distal end face 52 of the projecting portion 13 is exposed to the direction changing path 21 from the opening 26 of the direction changing path 21, and the roller 10 of the rolling element rolling on the direction changing path 21 is connected to the distal end face 52 of the projecting portion 13. Is supplied to the roller 10 and the roller 10 is lubricated. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 13, since the end cap 4 is provided with the opening 26, surplus lubricant out of the supplied lubricant escapes from the opening 26 into the direction change path 21. To the roller 10.
Note that this linear motion guide unit is a technical concept that can be applied to an existing end cap. In this case, a through hole that opens to an oil groove that extends to a direction change path formed in the end cap is provided with an end cap. That can be constructed by blocking the middle of the oil groove extending to the direction change path with a plug or the like, moving the lubricant supplied from the grease nipple, etc. to the through hole and impregnating the oil storage plate. It is.

  The linear motion guide unit according to the present invention can supply lubricant to the oil storage plate of the lubricating member, and can be used by being incorporated in sliding parts of various devices such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment, precision machinery, measurement / inspection equipment, and medical equipment. The lubrication life of the member can be extended, which is preferable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Track rail 2 Slider 3 Casing 4 End cap 5 Oil storage plate 6 Storage part 7 End seal 8, 9 Packing plate 10 Roller (rolling element)
11 Track surface (first track surface)
12 orbital plane (second orbital plane)
13 Projection part 14 Grease nipple 15, 47 Oil supply hole 16 Lubricant supply groove (first lubricant supply groove)
Reference Signs List 17 recess 18 track path 19 return path 20 through hole 21 turning path 22 circulation path 23, 24, 25, 33 end face 26 opening 27 lubricant supply groove (second lubricant supply groove)
28 Lubricant supply groove (third lubricant supply groove)
29 Lubricant holding material 30 Oil impregnated member 31 Central part 32 Side part 34,57 Side surface 52 Tip surface

Claims (6)

A track rail having a first track surface formed along both longitudinal side surfaces and a slider slidable in the longitudinal direction on the track rail via a plurality of rolling elements, wherein the slider is provided with the first track surface. Formed with return paths extending along a track path formed between the first track face and the second track face, respectively, and both end faces of the casing. And an end cap formed with a direction change path connecting the track path and the return path, an end seal mounted on an outer end surface of the end cap, the track path, the return path, and a pair of the end caps. The rolling element rolls on a circulation path composed of a direction change path, and a lubricating member impregnated with a lubricant for lubricating the rolling element and disposed on the end cap. In the linear motion guide unit, which consists,
The oil storage plate, which is the lubricating member, includes a storage portion impregnated with the lubricant disposed in a concave portion formed on the end surface on the end seal side, and the direction change path formed integrally with the storage portion. A lubrication hole for supplying the lubricant to the end cap. A first lubricant supply groove formed in the end face on the casing side communicating with the oil supply hole, and a through-hole communicating the first lubricant supply groove with the concave portion provided with the storage portion. Has been
A second lubricant supply groove is formed in the storage portion of the oil storage plate, the second lubricant supply groove extending from a position facing the through hole formed in the end cap to the entire periphery of the protrusion.
In the concave portion of the end cap, a third lubricant supply groove extending from a position opposed to the through hole to the entire periphery of the protruding portion facing the second lubricant supply groove formed in the oil storage plate. Is formed,
The oil supply hole formed in the end cap is provided at a central portion and / or a side portion of the end cap,
The lubricant supplied through the oil supply hole is supplied to the oil storage plate through the through hole , and of the lubricant supplied through the oil supply hole, excess lubricant is removed from the opening of the end cap. linear motion guide unit according to claim Rukoto supplied to the roller of the direction changing passage inner from. The first lubricant supply groove and the third lubricant supply groove formed in the end cap, and the second lubricant supply groove formed in the storage portion of the oil storage plate are made of a fibrous substance. The linear guide unit according to claim 1 , wherein a lubricant holding material is provided. During and between the end seal and the end cap of the casing and the end caps to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the packing plate for sealing are disposed respectively for the lubricant Linear motion guide unit as described. The oil storage plate is formed of a porous molded body formed of ultra-high molecular weight synthetic resin fine particles of polyethylene or polypropylene and held in a porous portion communicating with each other, and the porous portion is impregnated with the lubricant. The linear motion guide unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein: As the lubricant impregnated in the porous portion of the porous molded body is consumed, the lubricant impregnated in the storage portion by capillary action is used as the lubricant impregnated in the projection portion is consumed. The linear motion guide unit according to claim 4 , wherein a transition is made to ( 5 ). The end cap includes the oil storage plate and an oil-impregnating member for a tank made of a fibrous substance disposed in a lightening space communicating with the concave portion of the end cap. The linear motion guide unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the lubricant can be supplied to the storage portion in close contact with the storage portion.

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