WO1999025983A1 - Linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly - Google Patents

Linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999025983A1
WO1999025983A1 PCT/US1998/024659 US9824659W WO9925983A1 WO 1999025983 A1 WO1999025983 A1 WO 1999025983A1 US 9824659 W US9824659 W US 9824659W WO 9925983 A1 WO9925983 A1 WO 9925983A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bearing
linear motion
bearing assembly
assembly according
rotational
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1998/024659
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ng Alison
Original Assignee
Thomson Industries, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thomson Industries, Inc. filed Critical Thomson Industries, Inc.
Priority to AU14192/99A priority Critical patent/AU1419299A/en
Publication of WO1999025983A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999025983A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C29/00—Bearings for parts moving only linearly
    • F16C29/04—Ball or roller bearings
    • F16C29/06—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load
    • F16C29/068—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track
    • F16C29/0683—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track the bearing body encircles a rail or rod of circular cross-section, i.e. the linear bearing is not suited to transmit torque
    • F16C29/0685—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track the bearing body encircles a rail or rod of circular cross-section, i.e. the linear bearing is not suited to transmit torque with balls
    • F16C29/069—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track the bearing body encircles a rail or rod of circular cross-section, i.e. the linear bearing is not suited to transmit torque with balls whereby discrete load bearing elements, e.g. discrete load bearing plates or discrete rods, are provided in a retainer and form the load bearing tracks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C29/00—Bearings for parts moving only linearly
    • F16C29/001—Bearings for parts moving only linearly adjustable for alignment or positioning
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C29/00—Bearings for parts moving only linearly
    • F16C29/005—Guide rails or tracks for a linear bearing, i.e. adapted for movement of a carriage or bearing body there along
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C29/00—Bearings for parts moving only linearly
    • F16C29/04—Ball or roller bearings
    • F16C29/06—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load
    • F16C29/068—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track
    • F16C29/0692—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track the bearing body encircles a guide rail or track of non-circular cross-section, e.g. with grooves or protrusions, i.e. the linear bearing is suited to transmit torque
    • F16C29/0695—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track the bearing body encircles a guide rail or track of non-circular cross-section, e.g. with grooves or protrusions, i.e. the linear bearing is suited to transmit torque with balls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C29/00—Bearings for parts moving only linearly
    • F16C29/04—Ball or roller bearings
    • F16C29/06—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load
    • F16C29/068—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track
    • F16C29/0692—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track the bearing body encircles a guide rail or track of non-circular cross-section, e.g. with grooves or protrusions, i.e. the linear bearing is suited to transmit torque
    • F16C29/0695—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track the bearing body encircles a guide rail or track of non-circular cross-section, e.g. with grooves or protrusions, i.e. the linear bearing is suited to transmit torque with balls
    • F16C29/0697—Ball or roller bearings in which the rolling bodies circulate partly without carrying load with the bearing body fully encircling the guide rail or track the bearing body encircles a guide rail or track of non-circular cross-section, e.g. with grooves or protrusions, i.e. the linear bearing is suited to transmit torque with balls with polygonal guide rail or track

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to a linear motion anti- rotational bearing assembly and, more specifically, to a linear motion anti-rotational ball spline bearing assembly which is configured in such a way as to simplify manufacture, formation and use of the bearing assembly.
  • a ball spline bearing typically includes an outer housing, a holding apparatus, a support shaft
  • the outer housing includes internal projections and track grooves.
  • the holding apparatus is fixed to the internal surface of the outer housing and includes windows positioned adjacent the track grooves.
  • the support shaft is also formed with track grooves which contact the balls.
  • the housing, the holding apparatus and shaft together define a track, about which the balls circulate.
  • a linear motion anti- rotational ball spline bearing assembly that can be manufactured more easily and less expensively than the prior art bearing assemblies.
  • the bearing assembly includes a support rail having a plurality of contoured bearing races, a housing having a through bore configured to receive the support rail, a retainer cage, a lid, and a plurality of load bearing members, each having a pair of contoured bearing races.
  • the lid defines an opening dimensioned to receive a load bearing member.
  • the housing through bore includes a plurality of recesses, each being configured and dimensioned to receive a load bearing member/lid assembly.
  • the retainer cage can be of one-piece construction or of multi-segmented construction. In one embodiment, the retainer cage includes three retainer segments.
  • Each retainer segment has two bearing tracks and a plurality of rolling elements positioned to circulate about the track.
  • the retainer cage and the load bearing members are positioned in the through bore of the housing.
  • An end cap is secured to each end of the housing to prevent the internal components of the bearing assembly from sliding out of the through bore.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly with the end caps removed;
  • FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly with the end caps removed;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the linear motion bearing assembly shown in FIG. 1 with parts separated;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the linear motion bearing assembly shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer cage and load bearing member of the linear motion bearing assembly shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the load bearing member of the linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly
  • FIG. 5 is a top view of the retainer cage of the linear motion bearing assembly shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotation bearing assembly
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotation bearing assembly; and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of yet another alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotation bearing assembly.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly shown generally as 10 including a support rail 20.
  • bearing assembly 10 includes a housing 12 having a through bore 14 configured to receive a rolling element retainer cage 16, a plurality of lids 17, and a plurality of load bearing members 18, each being positioned within an opening 21 defined by a respective lid 17 (FIG. 2).
  • End plates 19 (FIG. 2) are secured to each end of housing 12 to prevent the internal components of the bearing assembly 10 from sliding out of the through bore 14.
  • retainer cage 16 is of a multi-segment construction having first, second and third retainer segments 16a, 16b and 16c, respectively.
  • rolling element retainer cage 16 can be of one- piece construction as illustrated in FIG. 1A.
  • housing 12 may be formed from a low strength material such as aluminum. Alternately, other materials may be used to form the housing, e.g., polymers.
  • Through bore 14 has a triangular configuration and includes a plurality of recesses 22. Each recess 22 is dimensioned and configured to receive a respective lid 17 and load bearing member 18. Each of the corners of the triangular through bore 14 includes a stepped portion 24 positioned to abut adjacent edges 26 of a lid 17. Stepped portions 24 and edges 26 assist in preventing rotation of rolling element retainer cage 16 within through bore 14.
  • each retainer cage segment 16a-c is preferably constructed from a polymeric material, although other materials such as metal may also be used.
  • Each segment includes a pair of elliptical bearing tracks 28. Alternately, each segment may include only one bearing track or more than two bearing tracks.
  • Each bearing track 28 includes a load bearing track portion 30, a return track portion 32 and a pair of turnaround track portions 34.
  • a plurality of rolling elements 36 are positioned to circulate about each bearing track 28.
  • Rolling elements 36 are constructed from a high strength metal such as high carbon steel, high strength polymers and ceramics. Rolling elements 36 are preferably spherically-shaped, although other rolling element configurations are envisioned, e.g., barrel-shaped or cylindrically-shaped.
  • each lid 17 includes a pair of longitudinally extending legs 23 and a pair of transverse members 25 which define opening 21.
  • Each load bearing member 18 is configured to be positioned within a respective opening 21 to form an assembly.
  • Each lid/load bearing member assembly is dimensioned to be positioned in one of the recesses 22 formed in housing 12.
  • Each load bearing member includes a pair of contoured load bearing races 38 configured to receive rolling elements 36. The load bearing races 38 are positioned adjacent to bearing tracks 28 to retain rolling elements 36 at a location between load bearing members 18 and support rail 20.
  • each load bearing member 18 may include a self-aligning crown 40, 41 which extends parallel to and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the load bearing member.
  • Self-aligning crown 40 can be formed monolithically with load bearing member 18 or as a separate element(s). Self- aligning crown 40 will tolerate shaft flexure and misalignment to provide increased smoothness of operation.
  • Support rail 20 is preferably constructed from a high strength material such as high carbon steel, ceramics, and high strength polymers.
  • Support rail 20 includes a plurality of elongated races 42 monolithically formed with rail 20 and configured to receive rolling elements 36.
  • race inserts 42' can be provided which can be formed separately from rail 20 and attached thereto using known techniques, e.g., brazing. Although dual race inserts 42' are preferred, single race inserts may also be provided.
  • rolling elements 36 are positioned between contoured races 38 of load bearing member 18 and contoured races 42 of support rail 20 to allow the bearing assembly to move freely along support rail 20.
  • Legs 23 of lid 17 enclose return track portions 32 of retainer cage segments 16 and transverse members 25 enclose turnaround track portions 34.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti- rotation bearing assembly shown generally as 100.
  • Bearing assembly 100 is similar to bearing assembly 10 and includes a housing 112 having a through bore 114, a rolling element retainer cage 116 formed from a plurality of cage sections 116a-d, a plurality of lids 117, and a plurality of load bearing members 118.
  • Housing through bore 114 has a rectangular configuration and includes a plurality of recesses 122. Each recess is dimensioned to receive a respective load bearing member/lid assembly.
  • Each of the corners of through bore 114 includes a stepped portion 124 positioned to abut adjacent edges 126 of cage segments 116a-d.
  • Retainer cage segments 116a-d are similar in construction to cage segments 16a-c and will not be discussed in further detail herein.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates another alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotation bearing assembly shown generally as 200.
  • the internal components of bearing assembly 200 are substantially identical to the internal components of bearing assembly 10.
  • Bearing assembly 200 includes a housing 212 having a substantially cylindrical exterior geometry.
  • a keyway 248 is formed in the exterior surface of housing 212.
  • Housing 212 is dimensioned to be received within a cylindrical bore having a key formed therein (not shown), such that the key is positioned in keyway 248 to lock bearing assembly 200 within a cylindrical bore.
  • the retainer cage may be constructed from a different number of segments than that disclosed such as two or five segments.
  • a variety of different materials may be used to construct the various components of the bearing assembly. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Bearings For Parts Moving Linearly (AREA)

Abstract

A linear motion anti-rotation ball spline bearing assembly (10) is provided. The bearing assembly includes a support rail (20), a housing (12), a plurality of load bearing members (18) formed separately from the housing (12), and a bearing retainer cage (16). The bearing retainer cage (16) can be of one-piece construction or multi-segment construction. In a bearing assembly in which the retainer cage (16) is of multi-segment construction, each bearing retainer cage segment includes at least one bearing track (30) having a load bearing portion (16), a return portion (32) and a pair of turnaround portions (34). Contoured races are formed in the support rail (20) and in the load bearing members (18). The rolling elements (36) are positioned between the contoured races as they move through the load bearing portion (18) of the bearing track (30). Engagement between the rolling elements (36) and the load bearing members (18) and the support rail (20) prevents the rotation of the bearing assembly (10) about the support rail (20). During assembly of the bearing assembly (10), the retainer cage (16) and the load bearing members (18) are configured and dimensioned to be slidably positioned in the throughbore of housing (12).

Description

LINEAR MOTION ANTI-ROTATIONAL BEARING ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to a linear motion anti- rotational bearing assembly and, more specifically, to a linear motion anti-rotational ball spline bearing assembly which is configured in such a way as to simplify manufacture, formation and use of the bearing assembly.
2. Background of the Related Art
Linear motion ball spline bearings are known in the art. Typically, a ball spline bearing includes an outer housing, a holding apparatus, a support shaft
.and a series of balls. The outer housing includes internal projections and track grooves. The holding apparatus is fixed to the internal surface of the outer housing and includes windows positioned adjacent the track grooves. The support shaft is also formed with track grooves which contact the balls. The housing, the holding apparatus and shaft together define a track, about which the balls circulate. Such a ball spline bearing assembly is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,634,296 to atanabe.
One disadvantage associated with such a bearing is that the entire housing must be constructed from a hardened material which is not only expensive but also a difficult procedure. Also, because of the internal geometries associated with the various components of the prior art ball spline bearing assembly, the steps involved in manufacturing the ball spline bearing assembly are overly complex and time consuming.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved linear motion ball spline bearing assembly which is easier and less costly to manufacture and still provides for the near frictionless movement of masses. SUMMARY
In accordance with the present disclosure, a linear motion anti- rotational ball spline bearing assembly is provided that can be manufactured more easily and less expensively than the prior art bearing assemblies. The bearing assembly includes a support rail having a plurality of contoured bearing races, a housing having a through bore configured to receive the support rail, a retainer cage, a lid, and a plurality of load bearing members, each having a pair of contoured bearing races. The lid defines an opening dimensioned to receive a load bearing member. The housing through bore includes a plurality of recesses, each being configured and dimensioned to receive a load bearing member/lid assembly. The retainer cage can be of one-piece construction or of multi-segmented construction. In one embodiment, the retainer cage includes three retainer segments. Each retainer segment has two bearing tracks and a plurality of rolling elements positioned to circulate about the track. During assembly, the retainer cage and the load bearing members are positioned in the through bore of the housing. An end cap is secured to each end of the housing to prevent the internal components of the bearing assembly from sliding out of the through bore.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various preferred embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly with the end caps removed;
FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly with the end caps removed; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the linear motion bearing assembly shown in FIG. 1 with parts separated;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the linear motion bearing assembly shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer cage and load bearing member of the linear motion bearing assembly shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the load bearing member of the linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the retainer cage of the linear motion bearing assembly shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotation bearing assembly;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotation bearing assembly; and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of yet another alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotation bearing assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed linear motion anti- rotational bearing assembly will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.
One embodiment of the presently disclosed linear motion anti- rotational bearing assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 1 illustrates the linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly shown generally as 10 including a support rail 20. Briefly, bearing assembly 10 includes a housing 12 having a through bore 14 configured to receive a rolling element retainer cage 16, a plurality of lids 17, and a plurality of load bearing members 18, each being positioned within an opening 21 defined by a respective lid 17 (FIG. 2). End plates 19 (FIG. 2) are secured to each end of housing 12 to prevent the internal components of the bearing assembly 10 from sliding out of the through bore 14. Preferably, retainer cage 16 is of a multi-segment construction having first, second and third retainer segments 16a, 16b and 16c, respectively. Alternately, rolling element retainer cage 16 can be of one- piece construction as illustrated in FIG. 1A.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, housing 12 may be formed from a low strength material such as aluminum. Alternately, other materials may be used to form the housing, e.g., polymers. Through bore 14 has a triangular configuration and includes a plurality of recesses 22. Each recess 22 is dimensioned and configured to receive a respective lid 17 and load bearing member 18. Each of the corners of the triangular through bore 14 includes a stepped portion 24 positioned to abut adjacent edges 26 of a lid 17. Stepped portions 24 and edges 26 assist in preventing rotation of rolling element retainer cage 16 within through bore 14.
Referring to FIGS. 2-5, each retainer cage segment 16a-c is preferably constructed from a polymeric material, although other materials such as metal may also be used. Each segment includes a pair of elliptical bearing tracks 28. Alternately, each segment may include only one bearing track or more than two bearing tracks. Each bearing track 28 includes a load bearing track portion 30, a return track portion 32 and a pair of turnaround track portions 34. A plurality of rolling elements 36 are positioned to circulate about each bearing track 28. Rolling elements 36 are constructed from a high strength metal such as high carbon steel, high strength polymers and ceramics. Rolling elements 36 are preferably spherically-shaped, although other rolling element configurations are envisioned, e.g., barrel-shaped or cylindrically-shaped.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, each lid 17 includes a pair of longitudinally extending legs 23 and a pair of transverse members 25 which define opening 21. Each load bearing member 18 is configured to be positioned within a respective opening 21 to form an assembly. Each lid/load bearing member assembly is dimensioned to be positioned in one of the recesses 22 formed in housing 12. Each load bearing member includes a pair of contoured load bearing races 38 configured to receive rolling elements 36. The load bearing races 38 are positioned adjacent to bearing tracks 28 to retain rolling elements 36 at a location between load bearing members 18 and support rail 20. Any or all of the retainer cage segments 16 a-c, the load bearing members 18 and the lids 17 may be secured together, such as by brazing or crimping, to form a two/three-piece unit. Alternately each component can be loosely positioned within housing 12. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, each load bearing member 18 may include a self-aligning crown 40, 41 which extends parallel to and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the load bearing member. Self-aligning crown 40 can be formed monolithically with load bearing member 18 or as a separate element(s). Self- aligning crown 40 will tolerate shaft flexure and misalignment to provide increased smoothness of operation.
Support rail 20 is preferably constructed from a high strength material such as high carbon steel, ceramics, and high strength polymers. Support rail 20 includes a plurality of elongated races 42 monolithically formed with rail 20 and configured to receive rolling elements 36. Alternately, as illustrated in FIG. 8, race inserts 42' can be provided which can be formed separately from rail 20 and attached thereto using known techniques, e.g., brazing. Although dual race inserts 42' are preferred, single race inserts may also be provided. During use, rolling elements 36 are positioned between contoured races 38 of load bearing member 18 and contoured races 42 of support rail 20 to allow the bearing assembly to move freely along support rail 20. Legs 23 of lid 17 enclose return track portions 32 of retainer cage segments 16 and transverse members 25 enclose turnaround track portions 34. By positioning rolling elements 36 between contoured races 38 and 42, rotation of the bearing assembly about rail 20 is prevented.
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti- rotation bearing assembly shown generally as 100. Bearing assembly 100 is similar to bearing assembly 10 and includes a housing 112 having a through bore 114, a rolling element retainer cage 116 formed from a plurality of cage sections 116a-d, a plurality of lids 117, and a plurality of load bearing members 118. Housing through bore 114 has a rectangular configuration and includes a plurality of recesses 122. Each recess is dimensioned to receive a respective load bearing member/lid assembly. Each of the corners of through bore 114 includes a stepped portion 124 positioned to abut adjacent edges 126 of cage segments 116a-d. Retainer cage segments 116a-d are similar in construction to cage segments 16a-c and will not be discussed in further detail herein.
FIG. 7 illustrates another alternate embodiment of the linear motion anti-rotation bearing assembly shown generally as 200. The internal components of bearing assembly 200 are substantially identical to the internal components of bearing assembly 10. Bearing assembly 200 includes a housing 212 having a substantially cylindrical exterior geometry. A keyway 248 is formed in the exterior surface of housing 212. Housing 212 is dimensioned to be received within a cylindrical bore having a key formed therein (not shown), such that the key is positioned in keyway 248 to lock bearing assembly 200 within a cylindrical bore. It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the retainer cage may be constructed from a different number of segments than that disclosed such as two or five segments. Moreover a variety of different materials may be used to construct the various components of the bearing assembly. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly comprising: a support rail having a plurality of contoured bearing races; a housing having a through bore dimensioned to receive the support rail; a bearing retainer including a plurality of rolling elements and at least one bearing track, each bearing track including a load bearing track portion, a return track portion and a pair of turnaround track portions; and a plurality of discrete load bearing members, each load bearing member having at least one contoured bearing race, wherein the bearing retainer and the plurality of load bearing members are configured and dimensioned to be positioned within the through bore of the housing, the rolling elements of the bearing retainer being positioned between the bearing race of the support rail and the bearing race of the load bearing member during movement of the rolling elements along the load bearing track portion;
2. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bearing retainer is multi-segmented, each bearing retainer segment including a plurality of rolling elements and at least one bearing track.
3. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the multi-segmented bearing retainer includes three segments.
4. A linear motion bearing assembly according to claim 3, wherein each bearing retainer segment includes two bearing tracks.
5. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the multi-segmented bearing retainer includes four segments.
6. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 5, wherein each bearing retainer segment includes two bearing tracks.
7. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bearing retainer is of integral construction.
8. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a substantially cylindrical exterior geometry having a keyway formed therein.
9. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the load bearing member, the support rail and the rolling elements are formed from a material chosen from the group consisting of ceramics, polymers and metals.
10. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support rail incudes race inserts.
11. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 1, further including a pair of end caps, one of the end caps being secured to each end of the housing.
12. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 1, further including a plurality of lids, each lid defining an opening dimensioned to receive one of the load bearing members, wherein each lid and a respective one of the load bearing members forms a unit which is slidably received within the through bore of the housing.
13. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 12, wherein the bearing retainer is multi-segmented, each bearing retainer segment including a plurality of rolling elements .and at least one bearing track.
14. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 13, wherein each lid and loading bearing member forming one of the units are secured together.
15. A linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly according to claim 14, wherein each of the units is secured to one of the bearing retainer segments.
PCT/US1998/024659 1997-11-19 1998-11-19 Linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly WO1999025983A1 (en)

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AU14192/99A AU1419299A (en) 1997-11-19 1998-11-19 Linear motion anti-rotational bearing assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US6618997P 1997-11-19 1997-11-19
US60/066,189 1997-11-19

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WO2002055895A1 (en) * 2000-10-24 2002-07-18 Thomson Industries, Inc. Linear motion bearing segment
EP1359333A1 (en) * 2002-04-24 2003-11-05 Dana Corporation Splined member for use in a slip joint and method of manufacturing the same
WO2003097284A1 (en) * 2002-05-15 2003-11-27 Thomson Industries, Inc. Adjustable tool station
EP1936216A1 (en) 2006-12-21 2008-06-25 AMK Arnold Müller GmbH & Co.KG Linear bearing element
WO2009121526A1 (en) * 2008-03-29 2009-10-08 Schaeffler Kg Circumferential guide for rolling bodies, and linear guide unit equipped therewith
WO2012009623A1 (en) * 2010-07-15 2012-01-19 Thomson Industries, Inc. Linear bearing with improved outer housing sleeve
RU2453748C1 (en) * 2011-02-25 2012-06-20 Федеральное государственное автономное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования Сибирский федеральный университет (СФУ) Mechanical transmission with flexible push rod
WO2016123483A1 (en) * 2015-01-30 2016-08-04 Thomson Industries, Inc. Linear motion bearing assembly with modular bearing segments
US9689426B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2017-06-27 Thomson Industries Inc. Linear motion bearing with modular bearing segments

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Cited By (18)

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WO2002055895A1 (en) * 2000-10-24 2002-07-18 Thomson Industries, Inc. Linear motion bearing segment
US6908228B2 (en) 2000-10-24 2005-06-21 Danaher Motion Linear motion bearing segment
US6918330B2 (en) 2000-10-24 2005-07-19 Thomson Industries, Inc. Adjustable tool station
EP1359333A1 (en) * 2002-04-24 2003-11-05 Dana Corporation Splined member for use in a slip joint and method of manufacturing the same
US6761503B2 (en) 2002-04-24 2004-07-13 Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc. Splined member for use in a slip joint and method of manufacturing the same
WO2003097284A1 (en) * 2002-05-15 2003-11-27 Thomson Industries, Inc. Adjustable tool station
EP1936216A1 (en) 2006-12-21 2008-06-25 AMK Arnold Müller GmbH & Co.KG Linear bearing element
US8764294B2 (en) 2008-03-29 2014-07-01 Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG Circumferential guide for rolling bodies, and linear guide unit equipped therewith
CN101981334B (en) * 2008-03-29 2013-06-19 谢夫勒科技股份两合公司 Circumferential guide for rolling bodies, and linear guide unit equipped therewith
WO2009121526A1 (en) * 2008-03-29 2009-10-08 Schaeffler Kg Circumferential guide for rolling bodies, and linear guide unit equipped therewith
WO2012009623A1 (en) * 2010-07-15 2012-01-19 Thomson Industries, Inc. Linear bearing with improved outer housing sleeve
CN103140691A (en) * 2010-07-15 2013-06-05 托马森工业(有限)公司 Linear bearing with improved outer housing sleeve
CN105587767A (en) * 2010-07-15 2016-05-18 托马森工业(有限)公司 Linear Motion Bearing With Improved Outer Housing Sleeve
US9512877B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2016-12-06 Thomson Industries, Inc. Linear motion bearing with improved outer housing sleeve
US9689426B2 (en) 2010-07-15 2017-06-27 Thomson Industries Inc. Linear motion bearing with modular bearing segments
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EA020260B1 (en) * 2011-02-25 2014-09-30 Федеральное Государственное Автономное Образовательное Учреждение Высшего Профессионального Образования "Сибирский Федеральный Университет" Mechanical transmission with flexible push rod
WO2016123483A1 (en) * 2015-01-30 2016-08-04 Thomson Industries, Inc. Linear motion bearing assembly with modular bearing segments

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