JPH0942286A - Direct acting rolling guide unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a direct acting rolling guide unit having a seal assembly removably mounted on an end cap. SOLUTION: A seal assembly 20 fixed to an end cap 19 comprises a pair of division side seal 17 to seal a gap between the side 10 of a track rail 1 and the side of a slider 2; 18 and an upper surface seal 18 to seal a gap between the upper surface 15 of the track rail 1 and the under surface of the slider 2. A protrusion part 21 having a fit-in part 24 in which the end part 26 of the division side seal 17 is fitted is formed on the central end face of the end cap 19, and a fitting-in hole 25 to fix a lock part 32 arranged at a division side seal 17 is formed at the side 19B of the end cap 19. The upper surface seal 18 is provided with a press part 31 to bring the division side seals 17 into respective pressure contact with the end cap 19.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a linear motion rolling guide unit applied to cutting machines, grinding machines, woodworking machines and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, linear motion rolling guide units have been applied to linear guides for cutting machines, grinding machines, woodworking machines and the like. In the environment where these machines are used, a large amount of chips, polishing powder, cutting powder, and other dust are present, and dust-proof measures are indispensable for using the linear motion rolling guide unit which is a precision component.

In a conventional linear motion rolling guide unit, as shown in FIG. 4, raceway surfaces (raceway grooves) 1 are formed on both longitudinal side surfaces 10.
1, a track rail 1 and a slider 2 that is slidably mounted on the track rail 1. The slider 2 is slidable relative to the track rail 1 and has a casing 3 having a raceway surface (raceway groove) 12 formed at a position facing each raceway surface 11, and between the facing raceway surfaces 11 and 12. It has cylindrical rollers 4 that are a large number of rolling elements that roll so as to be relatively movable, and end caps 5 attached to both ends of the casing 3 in the sliding direction, that is, the longitudinal direction. An end seal 6 for achieving a longitudinal seal between the track rail 1 and the slider 2 is attached to each end cap 5, and a lubricant is applied to the rolling elements and sliding surfaces between the track rail 1 and the slider 2. A grease nipple 7 is attached to supply. Further, in order to prevent the cylindrical rollers 4 from falling off from the casing 3, a holding plate 8 is attached to the casing 3 so as to surround the many cylindrical rollers 4. Further, in order to seal a gap between the casing 3 and the end cap 5 and both longitudinal side surfaces 10 of the track rail 1, a lower surface seal 9 is attached to the lower surfaces of the end cap 5 and the casing 3.

By the way, when foreign matter such as dust, dust, dust, chips, and chips enters the gap between the track rail 1 and the slider 2 and adheres to the track surfaces 11 and 12, the smooth rolling of the cylindrical roller 4 is hindered. Therefore, as described above, the end seal 6 is usually attached to the end surface of the end cap 5 with the screw 13 in order to prevent foreign matter from entering through the gaps at the front and rear ends of the slider 2. However, large chips or chips generated in large quantities may deform or break the lip portion 14 of the end seal 6 and enter the slider 2. Therefore, when using a linear motion rolling guide unit, which is a precision component, in a harsh working environment where large foreign substances or large amounts of foreign substances are generated, it is essential to take other dust prevention measures. Become.

Therefore, the conventional linear motion rolling guide unit is provided with a sealing device that supplements the function of the end seal 6 by providing another sealing device in addition to the end seal 6 so as to have a double sealing function. Has been developed. For example, in the sealing device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-48612, an outer protector and an inner protector, which have substantially the same outer shape as the outer shape of the dustproof seal, sandwich the dustproof seal from the front and rear, and in that state, the dust protector is inserted into the casing. The outer protector removes a large amount of foreign matter such as chips, and the fine foreign matter that has passed through the clearance between the outer protector and the track rail is eliminated by the lip portion of the dustproof seal. In this case, since the inner protector is brought into close contact with the back side of the dustproof seal, the lip portion of the dustproof seal is backed up, and it is prevented that the lip portion catches the foreign matter and rolls the foreign matter inward.

As a conventional linear motion rolling guide unit, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-172139 discloses a seal device for a linear motion bearing. The linear motion bearing sealing device is elastically urged toward the end of the motion body in the motion direction in order to reliably prevent dust and the like from entering the motion bearing and extend the life of the motion body. The seal member is provided on the upper surface or the side surface of the raceway, has an end surface shape that complements the contour of the surface to be biased, and has a seal member whose movement in the movement direction is restricted. The seal member is made of a metal bearing material and is sandwiched between a pair of end face plates. Other,
The specification of the publication also discloses a dustproof sealing device provided with a cover such as a bellows.

[0007]

By the way, the conventional linear motion rolling guide unit comprises, as a sealing device, end seals on both end surfaces of the end cap and lower surface seals on the lower surface of the casing and the end cap. The end seal is composed of a cored bar and an elastic body such as rubber or synthetic resin baked on it. The elastic body is brought into contact with both sides of the track rail, and the lip-shaped contact portion of the elastic body is easily elastically deformed to seal. It is carried out.

Further, the linear motion rolling guide unit has a problem that the service life is shortened due to wear or damage of the end seal, that is, the dustproof seal, in a use environment in which a large amount of chips, polishing powder, cutting powder, and other dust are present. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the worn or damaged dustproof seal. In that case, only the worn or damaged dustproof seal needs to be removed from the slider of the linear motion rolling guide unit and a new dustproof seal must be attached. However, the conventional linear motion rolling guide unit has a structure in which it is difficult to attach / detach only a dustproof seal that is worn or damaged with respect to the slider.

For example, an end seal, which is a conventional dustproof device, is composed of a lip portion having a shape along the outer shape of the track rail, and the lip portion is formed on the upper surface, both side surfaces and side surfaces of the track rail ( The raceway groove) is integrally formed. Therefore, when the end seal is damaged or worn, when the end seal is removed from the slider, or when a new end seal is attached to the slider,
Since the lip portion of the raceway surface fits into the raceway surface, the end seal had to be replaced through the end of the raceway rail. Further, regarding the linear motion rolling guide unit provided in the table device incorporated in the mechanical device, when the end seal is replaced, the table device must be moved to the end surface of the track rail and the end seal must be replaced. However, other end devices of track rails installed in mechanical devices are often provided with other auxiliary devices, so it is necessary to remove the auxiliary devices from the mechanical device, and the mechanical device may be damaged due to end seal damage or wear. There was a problem that I had to disassemble. Especially,
Replacing the end seals was troublesome for long track rails and large machinery.

Regarding the sealing device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-48612 and the sealing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-172139, replacement of the end seals is troublesome as in the above case. Further, in the above sealing device, the seal member is formed in a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the track rail at the contact portion between the seal member and the track rail, but it is not an elastic body such as rubber or elastically deforms. Since it is made of a metal bearing material that is not easily lip type, it is necessary to adapt the new seal member to match the outer shape of the track rail. Also, familiar operation of the bearings required cleaning the environment.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above problems, and in order to facilitate replacement of the seal assembly with the slider, the seal assembly is composed of a top seal and a pair of side seals. The present invention relates to a linear motion rolling guide unit configured such that the upper surface seal and the side surface seal can be easily attached to and removed from the end cap.

According to the present invention, a track rail having track grooves formed on both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction, a casing provided with a track groove facing the track groove of the track rail, which relatively slides on the track rail, and both track grooves. A rolling element rolling on each raceway, a direction change path for the rolling elements fixed to both end surfaces of the casing to change directions, and a lubricating oil passage for lubricating the rolling element. In a linear motion rolling guide unit including an end cap, a seal assembly is fixed to the end cap, the seal assembly is divided into two parts at the center of the upper part, and a side surface of the track rail and a side surface of the slider. A pair of divided side surface seals for sealing the space between them, and an upper surface seal for sealing a gap between the upper surface of the track rail and the lower surface of the slider, A projecting portion having a fitting portion to which an end portion of the split side surface seal fits is formed on a central end surface of the cap, and locking portions provided on the split side surface seal are formed on both side portions of the end cap. Fitting holes for fixing are formed, and pressing portions for pressing the divided side surface seals to the end caps in a state of being fixed to the projecting portion are provided on both sides of the upper surface seal. Regarding linear motion rolling guide unit.

The divided side surface seal and the upper surface seal are each composed of a cored bar and an elastic body fixed to the cored bar.

Further, the end cap is formed separately from an upper portion on which the lubricating oil passage and the protrusion are formed and a pair of side portions on which the direction changing passage is formed.

Further, the end cap has an upper portion formed above the track rail and formed with the lubricating oil passage and the protrusion, and a direction change path located on both sides of the track rail. The side portion is formed as an integral structure.

Further, the upper portion of the end cap having the lubricating oil passage and the protruding portion is formed of synthetic resin in an integral structure.

A dustproof device such as a scraper is provided on the end surface of the divided side surface seal.

As described above, the linear motion rolling guide unit has the seal assembly fixed to the end cap, which is composed of a pair of divided side surface seals and an upper surface seal which are divided into two at the center of the upper portion. Without moving at that position with respect to the end cap, the divided side surface seal and the upper surface seal can be attached and detached very easily, and part replacement work can be performed easily and quickly,
Moreover, since the divided side surface seal and the upper surface seal are constituted by the lip portion that is easily elastically deformed, the portion that comes into contact with the track rail is redundant even if the seal assembly is replaced. There is no need to drive

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of a linear motion rolling guide unit according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, parts having the same structure and function as those of the conventional linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a linear motion rolling guide unit according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing an embodiment of a seal assembly in the linear motion rolling guide unit of FIG.

The linear motion rolling guide unit is mainly mounted on a track rail 1 having track surfaces (track grooves) 11 formed on both side surfaces 10 in the longitudinal direction, and slidably mounted over the track rail 1. It is composed of a slider 2. The slider 2 is slidable relative to the track rail 1 and has a casing 3 having a raceway surface formed at a position facing each raceway surface 11; It has rolling elements (not shown) such as balls and cylindrical rollers, and end caps 19 attached to both ends of the casing 3 in the sliding direction, that is, the longitudinal direction. A seal assembly 20 is attached to the end cap 19 to seal a gap between the track rail 1 and the slider 2, and a lubricant is supplied to the rolling elements between the track rail 1 and the slider 2 and both track surfaces 11. For this purpose, a grease nipple 7 is attached. Further, in order to prevent the rolling elements from falling out of the casing 3, a holding plate is attached to the casing 3 so as to surround a large number of rolling elements. Further, in order to seal a gap between the casing 3 and the end cap 19 and both longitudinal side surfaces 10 of the track rail 1, a lower surface seal (not shown) is attached to the lower surfaces of the end cap 19 and the casing 3.

The slider 2 is placed in a state of straddling the track rail 1 and freely slides with the interposition of a plurality of rolling elements circulating along the track surface 11 of the track rail 1.
The rolling elements in the load region running on the track surface 11 of the track rail 1 are formed in the end cap 19 after rolling on the track path between the track surface 11 of the track rail 1 and the track surface of the casing 2. It is guided to the direction change path and further moves to a return path hole formed in parallel with the raceway surface of the casing 3, and a large number of rolling elements endlessly circulate in the infinite circulation path. The slider 2 can slidably move on the track rail 1 by rolling of a loaded rolling element located between the track surface formed on the slider 2 and the track surface 11 of the track rail 1. The lubricant such as grease supplied from the grease nipple 7 is supplied to the rolling elements and the raceway between the raceways through a lubricant passage (not shown) formed in the end cap 19.

Further, the end cap 19 is provided with a projecting portion 21 on the central end surface of the end cap 19 for attaching the seal assembly 20. An overhanging portion 22 extending to both sides is formed at the tip of the projecting portion 21, and is formed in a T-shaped cross section. Therefore, the fitting portion 2 is provided between the projecting portion 22 of the projecting portion 21 and the end surface of the end cap 19.
4 are formed respectively. The end cap 19 is formed as a separate body including an upper portion 19A having a lubricant passage and a protrusion portion 21 and a pair of side portions 19B having a direction changing passage for a rolling element. The respective side portions 19B are located on both sides of the track rail 1 and are formed in a symmetrical shape. The upper portion 19A of the end cap 19 can be manufactured by molding the lubricating oil passage and the protruding portion 21 with a synthetic resin in an integral structure. Also, the side portion 1 of the end cap 19
9B can be manufactured by molding a structure in which a direction changing path is formed with synthetic resin. End cap 19
Since the upper portion 19A and the pair of side portions 19B are separately molded, the molding itself can be achieved very easily.

The seal assembly 20 includes an upper surface seal 18 for sealing the gap between the upper surface 15 of the track rail 1 and the lower surface of the slider 2, and a gap between the side surface 10 of the track rail 1 and the side surface of the slider 2. A pair of split side seals to seal 1
7 is comprised. The divided side surface seals 17 are formed in symmetrical shapes on both sides of the track rail 1. Further, the upper surface seal 18 is the upper surface 1 of the track rail 1.
5 to seal the gap between the slider 5 and the lower surface of the slider 2,
A lip portion 36 is provided. In addition, the divided side surface seal 17
Has a lip portion 37 for sealing the gap between the side surface 10 of the track rail 1 and the side surface of the slider 2.
The upper surface seal 18 and the divided side surface seal 17 are respectively composed of a core metal and elastic lip portions 36 and 37 made of a material such as rubber or synthetic resin fixed to the core metal by baking or the like. The lip portions 36 and 37 are formed in a shape in which the contact portions easily come into contact with the track rail 1 and elastically deform, and the sliding resistance is extremely small.

In addition to the seal assembly 20, the divided side surface seal 17 can be provided with a dustproof device (not shown) such as a scraper at the end surface thereof. The scraper is formed in a shape corresponding to the wall surface shape of the track rail 1 and can be composed of a thin plate that removes large dust and the like. Scraper
It can be fixed to the divided side surface seal 17 without contacting the track rail 1, for example, in a state having a gap of about 0.2 mm with respect to the wall surface of the track rail 1.

The protruding portion 21 is formed with a fitting portion 24 into which the end portion 26 of the divided side surface seal 17 is fitted. On the side surface 35 of the side portion 19B of the end cap 19,
A fitting hole 25 is formed. Also, the split side surface seal 1
7, the side surface 23 has a side portion 19 of the end cap 19.
A locking portion 32 having an L-shaped cross section extending to the B side is formed. The locking portion 32 is composed of at least a core metal of the split side surface seal 17, and is fitted in the fitting hole 25. An attachment hole 33 is formed in the locking portion 32 made of at least a core metal, a bolt 27 penetrates the attachment hole 33 and is screwed into a screw hole 34 of the fitting hole 25, and the divided side surface seal 17 is attached to the end cap 19. It is fixed to the side part 19B.

Therefore, the divided side seal 17 is formed by the bolt 2
By loosening 7, 28, it can be easily removed from the side portion 19B of the end cap 19. When the split side surface seal 17 is attached to the side portion 19B of the end cap 19, the end portion 26 of the split side surface seal 17 is fitted into the fitting portion 24, and the locking portion 32 is fitted into the fitting hole 25. If the bolts 27 and 28 are tightened in the screw holes 29 and 34 together, the split side surface seal 17 can be easily fixed to the end cap 19. Further, the upper surface seal 18 can be removed from the projecting portion 21 by loosening the bolt 28, and the upper surface seal 18 can be fixed to the end cap 19 by bringing the upper surface seal 18 into contact with the projecting portion 21 and tightening the bolt 28. It can be easily fixed. Therefore, the upper surface seal 18 and the pair of divided side surface seals 17 can be attached to and removed from the end cap 19 very easily, and can be easily replaced when they are damaged or worn.

On both sides of the upper surface seal 18, a pressing portion 31 bent toward the end cap 19 is provided. A mounting hole 34 is formed in the center of the upper surface seal 18, a bolt 28 penetrates the mounting hole 34 and is screwed into a screw hole 29 of the projecting portion 21, and the upper surface seal 18 is fixed to the upper portion 19A of the end cap 19. ing. Further, each pressing portion 31 of the upper surface seal 18 is configured to press the divided side surface seal 17 against the upper portion 19A of the end cap 19 while being fixed to the protruding portion 21.

Next, another embodiment of the linear motion rolling guide unit according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Compared with the above-mentioned embodiment, this embodiment has the same configuration and substantially the same function except that the structure of the end cap is different, and the parts having the same function are designated by the same reference numerals. However, redundant description will be omitted. In the end cap 30 in this embodiment, an upper portion located above the track rail 1 and a side portion located to the side of the track rail 1 are integrally structured. That is, the end cap 30
Has a lubricating oil passage and an upper portion on which the protrusion 21 is formed and a side portion on which a direction changing passage for changing the direction of the rolling element is formed.

[0029]

Since the linear motion rolling guide unit according to the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. That is, in this linear motion rolling guide unit, the seal assembly is composed of divided side surface seals and upper surface seals,
Attach them to the end cap with bolts etc. and fix them detachably. Therefore, in the case where the divided side surface seal and / or the upper surface seal of the seal assembly is worn or damaged,
Since it is replaced with a new one, a worn or damaged one can be easily and quickly removed from the end cap, and a new one can be easily and quickly attached to the end cap. Therefore, even in an unfavorable environment where a machine such as a cutting machine incorporating a linear motion rolling guide unit, a grinding machine, or a woodworking machine is used, only the seal assembly having a short life among the linear motion rolling guide units, each time, The replacement work can be done quickly and easily without large-scale replacement, maintenance is facilitated, and a regular replacement time is set so that the seal assembly is always maintained in a good sealing state. It is possible to improve the durability of the linear motion rolling guide unit itself.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a linear motion rolling guide unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing an embodiment of a seal assembly and an end cap in the linear motion rolling guide unit of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing another embodiment of a seal assembly and an end cap in this linear motion rolling guide unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional linear motion rolling guide unit.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 track rail 2 slider 3 casing 4 rolling element 10 side surface 11 raceway surface 15 upper surface 17 split side surface seal 18 upper surface seal 19,30 end cap 20 seal assembly 21 protrusion 24 fitting portion 25 fitting hole 26 End part 31 Pressing part 32 Locking part 35 Side surface

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A track rail having track grooves formed on both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction, a casing provided with a track groove facing the track groove of the track rail, the casing relatively sliding on the track rail,
In order to lubricate the rolling elements rolling in the respective raceways formed by the two raceway grooves, and the direction change paths for the rolling elements fixed to both end surfaces of the casing to change the direction and the rolling bodies. In a linear motion rolling guide unit including an end cap having a lubricating oil passage, a seal assembly is fixed to the end cap, the seal assembly is divided into two parts at the center of the upper part, and the side surface of the track rail and the side surface of the track rail. It is composed of a pair of divided side surface seals that seal between the side surfaces of the slider and an upper surface seal that seals a gap between the upper surface of the track rail and the lower surface of the slider, and the split end surface is formed on the center end surface of the end cap. A protrusion having a fitting portion to which an end of the side seal is fitted is formed, and locking portions provided on the split side seal are fixed to both sides of the end cap. And a pressing portion that presses the divided side surface seals to the end caps in a state of being fixed to the projecting portion is provided on both sides of the upper surface seal. Rolling guide unit. 2. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 1, wherein the divided side surface seal and the upper surface seal are each composed of a core metal and an elastic body fixed to the core metal. . 3. The pair of end caps, each of which has an upper portion formed above the track rail and formed with the lubricating oil passage and the protrusion, and a direction change passage formed on both sides of the track rail. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 1, wherein the linear motion rolling guide unit is formed separately from the side portions of the. 4. The end cap has an upper portion which is formed above the track rail and has the lubricating oil passage and the protrusion, and the direction change path which is located at both sides of the track rail. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 1, wherein the side portion and the side portion are integrally formed. 5. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the end cap having the lubricating oil passage and the protrusion is formed of a synthetic resin in an integral structure. 6. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 1, wherein a dustproof device such as a scraper is provided on an end surface of the divided side surface seal.