JPH0771454A - Direct-acting guide bearing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a direct-acting guide bearing having a side sill whose structure can be simplified and by which manufacture is facilitated and which can be provide at low cost and whose structure is simple and which has a sufficient function. CONSTITUTION:In a direct-acting guide bearing to support a load of a body to be guided installed on the bearing body 10 side by rolling by bringing a large number of balls 11, which are fitted onto a straight line rail and are housed in an almost gate shape bearing body 10, into contact with the straight line rail, a side sill 30 having at least a pair of tongue pieces 31 which are formed of a soft material such as synthetic rubber and are fitted in the recessed places on the side surfaces of the straight line rail, is formed integrally on a cover body 20 which is installed on both end surfaces of the bearing body 10 and has a direction changing passage 21 of the balls 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bearing, and more particularly, to a linear motion guide bearing of the international patent classification F16C 29/06 in which rolling elements (balls) circulate without partially supporting a load. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Linear motion guide bearings in which balls circulate are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, a closed passage in which the balls circulate is formed on the side of the bearing body fitted on the linear rail, and the balls rolling in the closed passage are connected to both inner surfaces (in FIG. 10) of the bearing body. For example, the lower end surface of the lower ball) is exposed toward the straight rail side. In this linear motion guide bearing, the balls are in contact with the linear rail side to support the load of the guided body such as the XY table mounted on the bearing body side, and the balls are linear. By rolling while being in contact with the rail, the guided body is smoothly guided to the linear rail.

By the way, in this type of linear motion guide bearing, since each ball rolls while being exposed to the linear rail, it is necessary to prevent foreign matter and dust from entering between the balls. . Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, elastic members called side seals are attached to both surfaces of the bearing body. This side seal mainly has a tongue that fits into the groove on the side of the linear rail with which each ball abuts, and this side seal must move together with the bearing body while the tongue fits into the groove. This prevents foreign matter and the like from entering the groove. In the foreign matter, for example, in an XY table such as a lathe, since relatively hard chips and the like can exist, prevent the metal chips from entering the bearing body. Therefore, the side seal described above is lined with a metal plate having a shape slightly smaller than the outer shape thereof. In addition, the side seal made of this elastic material is fixed to the lid body while being covered by a metal protective plate located outside.

Further, in the conventional linear guide bearing shown in FIG. 9, assuming that the above-mentioned side seal alone may not be sufficient in some cases, the side seal shown in FIG.
As shown by the two-dot chain line in the inside, on the outside of the first side seal, the second side seal lined with a metal plate,
It was fixed through a gate-shaped spacer made of rigid material.

In the above-described conventional linear guide bearing, the side seal has the complicated structure as described above, so that its manufacture is very difficult and costly. For this reason, the present inventor has made various studies on how to avoid such a complicated structure and obtain a linear motion guide bearing that is inexpensive and has a sufficient function. The invention as shown in Fig. 1 was completed.

Further, in this type of linear motion guide bearing, it is necessary to roll the balls on the inner surface of the bearing body while exposing the balls toward the straight rail. For that purpose, in the conventional linear guide bearing shown in FIG. 9, two ball protectors each having a substantially “U” shape are prepared.
The front and rear ends of each of the ball protectors are engaged with both end faces of the bearing body so that the center of the ball protector abuts the inner side faces of a large number of balls. In this way, since the front and rear ends of each ball protector must be engaged with both end faces of the bearing main body, a passage for changing the direction of each ball is provided in the bearing main body avoiding both ends of each ball protector. The bearing structure itself had to be formed, and the bearing body itself had to be divided into three parts, so that the entire structure had to be extremely complicated.

Therefore, the present inventor has made various studies as to whether or not the structure of the ball protector can be simplified and the structure of the bearing main body and the entire structure can be simplified. The invention was completed.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned actual state of the linear motion guide bearing of this type, and the problem to be solved is to simplify the structure of the linear motion guide bearing. Is.

An object of the present invention is to provide a linear guide bearing which can be simplified in structure, can be manufactured easily, and can be provided at a low cost. In particular, the object of the invention according to claim 1 is to provide a linear guide bearing having a side seal with a simple structure and sufficient functions, and
An object of the present invention is to provide a linear motion guide bearing in which the structure and mounting of the ball protector can be simplified and the structure can be simplified as a whole.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, first, the means adopted by the invention according to claim 1 will be described with reference to the reference numerals used in the embodiments. A large number of balls 11 fitted and housed in the substantially gate-shaped bearing body 10 come into contact with the linear rails 50 and roll, thereby directly supporting the load of the guided body mounted on the bearing body 10 side. In the dynamic guide bearing 100, the lid body 20 having the direction changing passages 21 for the balls 11 attached to both end surfaces of the bearing body 10 is formed of a soft material such as synthetic rubber in the side surface recess 51 of the linear rail 50. The linear motion guide bearing 100 ″ is characterized in that the side seal 30 having at least a pair of tongue pieces 31 to be fitted in is integrally formed. That is, in the linear motion guide bearing 100 according to the first aspect, it is necessary to integrate the side seals 30 made of synthetic rubber or the like on the outer surfaces of the lids 20 attached to both sides of the bearing body 10. To
In the embodiment described below, the side seal 3 made of a synthetic rubber material is attached to the lid 20 which is preliminarily formed into a predetermined shape.
It is an integral molding of 0. Of course, since the side seal 30 prevents foreign matter from entering the bearing body 10, it is a matter of course that the side seal 30 is provided with the tongue piece 31 that is fitted into the side surface recess 51 of the linear rail 50. is there.

Further, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the means adopted by the invention according to claim 2 is likewise "to be fitted on the straight rail 50 and housed in the substantially gate-shaped bearing body 10. In the linear motion guide bearing 100 that supports the load of the guided body mounted on the bearing body 10 side by rolling a large number of the balls 11 that come into contact with the linear rails 50 and are formed on both inner surfaces of the bearing body 10. A ball protector 40 for accommodating and supporting each ball 11 in a ball passage 12 opening toward a straight rail 50, and a straight portion 41 facing the ball passage 12 and having a length longer than this, and each straight portion 4
Locking portions 4 which are formed at both ends of 1 and which are locked in mounting grooves 22 provided in a lid body 20 which is mounted at both ends of the bearing body 10.
2 and the locking portion 41 and the straight portion 42.
Is a linear motion guide bearing 100 "in which the balls 11 are rotatably supported with respect to the bearing body 10 by a ball protector 40 integrally formed as a continuous closed curve.

That is, the linear motion guide bearing 100 according to the second aspect is characterized by the structure of the ball protector 40 for supporting the respective balls 11, and the ball protector 40 is engaged with the linear portion 41. The main characteristic is that it is formed in a closed curve shape including the portion 42.

[0013]

Next, the operation of the invention according to each claim will be described. The inventions according to both claims are simultaneously included in the linear guide bearing 100 according to the embodiment shown in the drawings. Therefore, in the following, the operation of the linear motion guide bearing 100 of the embodiment will be described in order to make the operation of the invention of each claim.

First, the linear guide bearing 100 according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, is fitted on a straight rail 50 fixed at a predetermined position.
As shown in FIG. 5, it is configured as a gate shape and moves in a stable state on the straight rail 50. Of course, the linear rail 5 of this linear motion guide bearing 100
When moving relative to 0, the ball passages 12 formed in the bearing body 10 and the direction changing passages 2 formed on the lid 20 side
A large number of balls 11 roll in 1 and each ball 11 in the ball passage 12 on the side opening toward the linear rail 50 abuts on the linear rail 50 and rolls to the bearing body 10 side. The mounted guided body is smoothly guided and supported along the straight rail 50.

When the linear motion guide bearing 100 moves, the tongue piece 31 provided on the side seal 30 is always fitted in the side surface recess 51 of the linear rail 50 as shown in FIGS. Therefore, foreign matter is prevented from entering the linear guide bearing 100 during the movement of the linear guide bearing 100. In particular, since each tongue piece 31 is formed integrally with the side seal 30, which is the base body, of a soft material such as synthetic rubber, it has sufficient flexibility. 31 is a straight rail 5
Even if it makes sliding contact with the 0 side, it will flex freely and prevent foreign matter from entering.

In the linear guide bearing 100, the side seals 30 having the tongue pieces 31 are integrated with the outer surface of the lid body 20 attached to both end surfaces of the bearing body 10, as shown in FIG. Also, the protective plate and the backing metal plate such as the conventional linear motion guide bearing are completely unnecessary.
Because each side seal 30 of the linear motion guide bearing 100 according to the present invention is integrated with the lid body 20 in most parts except the tongue piece 31, its support and protection are provided by the integrally formed lid body 20. This is because the protection plate and the backing metal plate in the conventional example are no longer necessary. Therefore, the linear motion guide bearing 100 having the side seal 30 according to the present invention has a very simple structure, requires no manufacturing cost, and can be provided at a low cost.

Further, in the linear guide bearing 100 according to the present invention, each ball 11 in the ball passage 12 opening toward the linear rail 50 side of the bearing main body 10 has a structure shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, the ball protector 40 in which the linear portion 41 and the locking portion 42 are integrally formed into a closed curved shape is formed.
Since the balls 11 are guided and supported by the bearing main body 10 side by the above, it is natural that these balls 11 do not come off from the bearing main body 10, and most of the respective balls 11 are shown in FIG.
As also shown, since it can be exposed toward the linear rail 50 side, the linear rail 50 and the bearing body 10 are reliably supported by the balls 11.

In particular, the ball protector 40 employed in the linear guide bearing 100 is the only one in the ball passages 12 located on the two inner surfaces facing the linear rails 50 of the bearing body 10 formed in a gate shape. Since the balls 11 are simultaneously supported, it is not necessary to use two ball protectors as in the conventional example shown in FIG. 9, which is very convenient in manufacturing the linear guide bearing 100. There is something. Further, the ball protector 40 has the locking portion 42 with the mounting groove 22 on the lid 20 side.
The linear guide bearing 1
00 The linear motion guide bearing 100 has a simplified structure.
Is also made easy. In order to mount the ball protector 40, first, the bearing body 10
One lid 20 is attached to each of the ball passages 12 and a predetermined number of balls 11 are housed in each ball passage 12, and then the ball protector 40 is assembled. Then, the other lid 20 is engaged in the attachment groove 22. It suffices that the stopper 42 be engaged with the stopper 42 and then be fixed to the bearing body 10.

As described above, the ball protector 40 is
The locking portion 42 is provided in the mounting groove 22 formed on each lid 20 side.
Therefore, it is not necessary to fix the end portion of the bearing main body 10 side unlike the conventional example shown in FIG. 9, and the structure of the bearing main body 10 itself can be simplified. . That is, the balls 11 housed in the respective ball passages 12 of the bearing body 10 do not circulate unless the rolling direction is changed at some part of the linear guide bearing 100, but the direction change for this circulation is required. By adopting the ball protector 40 described above, the passage 21 is provided with the lid 20.
It can be formed on the side (actually, the inner end surface of the lid 20),
It is not necessary to form this direction change passage 21 in the bearing body 10 itself. Therefore, each ball passage 12 on the bearing main body 10 side may be formed as a linear shape that is directly inserted into the direction changing passage 21 of the lid 20 shown in FIG. 4, and the structure of the bearing main body 10 is simple. Therefore, the manufacture of the linear motion guide bearing 100 as a whole can be simplified.

As described above, according to the inventions according to the respective claims, the structure of the entire linear motion guide bearing 100 can be greatly simplified, and the manufacturing thereof can be performed at a low cost.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the invention according to each claim will be described with reference to a linear guide bearing 100 which is an embodiment shown in the drawings. In this case, since the linear motion guide bearing 100 of the embodiment simultaneously includes the inventions according to the claims as described above, by inventing the linear motion guide bearing 100,
It is intended to replace the description of the embodiments of the invention according to each claim.

First, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a linear motion guide bearing 100 according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, 0 is formed in a substantially gate shape so as to be fitted into the linear rail 50. The linear motion guide bearing 100 has a cover body 20 on both end surfaces of the bearing body 10.
And a side seal 30 having a tongue piece 31 on the outer surface of each of these lids 20 is integrated.
0 ball passages 12 and lid 20 direction change passages 21
It is stored inside.

The bearing main body 10 is integrally formed of synthetic resin or the like, and has a pair of inner and outer ball passages 12 formed in a straight line shape on both legs thereof, as shown in FIG. Has been formed. These ball passages 12
Among them, the one positioned inside, that is, the one directly opposed to the linear rail 50, is the one that opens toward the linear rail 50, and the ball 11 positioned in this ball passage 12
Is supported by the straight line portion 41 of the ball protector 40 described later so as not to pop out. In addition,
The surface side of the bearing body 10 is covered with a metal plate or the like to ensure rigidity when a guided member is mounted on the surface, and a mounting hole for mounting the guided member is formed. Is.

The lids 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5 are integrally attached to both end surfaces of the bearing body 10 described above, and these lids 20 are integrally made of a rigid resin or the like. It was formed in. Also, each of these lids 20
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the direction changing passages 21 are formed in an exposed state on the inner surface of each of the both ends of the direction changing passage 21 when the lid 20 is attached to the bearing body 10. The end faces of the ball passages 12 on the bearing body 10 side communicate with each other. That is, when the lid body 20 is integrated with the bearing body 10, the direction changing passage 21 is provided in the linear guide bearing 100 through the circulation passage of each ball 11 as shown in FIG.
Are formed on both sides of the
It changes the direction of rolling.

Further, since each of these lids 20 supports and fixes a locking portion 42 of the ball protector 40 described later, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the locking portion of the ball protector 40 is shown. A mounting groove 22 into which substantially the whole of 42 is fitted is formed. That is, in the mounting groove 22,
The locking portion 42 of the ball protector 40 is fitted from below the lid body 20 by utilizing the flexibility of the ball protector 40, whereby the ball protector 4 is provided.
No. 0 is supported and fixed to the bearing body 10 side.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a side seal 30 integrally formed of a soft material such as synthetic rubber is integrally provided on the outer surface of the lid 20 constructed as described above. . As shown in FIG. 2, the side seal 30 has at least a pair of tongue pieces 31 which are formed in the side surface of the linear rail 50 and are fitted in the side surface recesses 51 which also serve as contact surfaces with the balls 11. In the present embodiment, the above-described lid body 20 that has been previously molded into a predetermined shape is used.
In addition, a synthetic rubber material is integrally attached and vulcanization molding is performed to integrate the synthetic rubber material with the lid body 20. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a through hole 23 is formed on the outer surface side of the lid body 20, and a synthetic rubber material is put into the through hole 23 to be integrated with other portions. As a result, the side seal 30 is more reliably integrated with the lid 20.

In this embodiment, the lid 20 is integrally formed by using a synthetic resin material such as polyacetal resin, and the side seal 30 is integrally formed by nitrile butadiene rubber on the entire outer surface thereof. Due to
The close contact between the lid 20 and the side seal 30 is ensured, and the elasticity of each tongue piece 31 to be fitted into the side surface recess 51 of the linear rail 50 can be sufficiently secured. The tongue pieces 31 are appropriately selected according to the number of the side surface recesses 51 on the linear rail 50 side, but at least a left and right pair are required.

Now, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ball protector 40 for supporting each rolling ball 11 has one closed curved shape by joining both ends of one metal wire rod. The pair of left and right linear portions 41 that are located inside the left and right ball passages 12 that open toward the linear rails 50, and the front and rear that are fitted into the mounting grooves 22 of both lids 20. It is composed of a pair of locking portions 42. As shown in FIG. 6, the ball protector 40 exposes each of the balls 11 in the ball passage 12, which is the inner side of the two, to the straight rails 50 by the straight portions 41 of the ball protector 40. Since it is for supporting while making it, it is about 1/1 of the diameter of each ball 11.
It may be of a size of about 3 to 1/5, and the mounting groove 22 on the side of the lid 20 on which the locking portion 42 of the ball protector 40 is to be locked is of such a width and half of this width. It should have a certain depth.

The engaging portion 42 of the ball protector 40 has a trapezoidal shape that spreads downward as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (c). The elastic force of the linear portion 41 toward the ball passage 12 side, and the locking portion 42 to the mounting groove 2 on the lid 20 side.
The elastic force at the time of fitting in 2 is secured. Of course, since the ball protector 40 elastically holds the balls 11 located inside the inner ball passage 12 by the respective straight line portions 41, each straight line portion 41 is shown in FIG. It is more advantageous to construct it as one having a predetermined elasticity by quenching in a state where it is slightly curved outward when viewed.

In the above embodiment, an example in which most of the side seal 30 is integrated in the pasted state on the entire outer surface of the lid 20 has been described. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a gate type lid is provided. It may be configured and implemented so as to be partially integrated with the rear surface of each leg of the body 20.

In this ball protector 40, the engaging portion 42 shown in FIG. 7C and the straight portion 41 shown in FIG. 7A are separately formed, and these are welded. Although it may be carried out so as to be integrated by such means as described above, as shown in the present embodiment, both ends of one metal wire are welded and then formed into a shape as shown in FIG. This is advantageous in manufacturing.

[0031]

As described above in detail, in the invention according to claim 1, as illustrated in the above embodiment, "the bearing body 10 has the direction changing passages 21 attached to both end surfaces of the ball 11. A side seal 30 having at least a pair of tongue pieces 31 formed on the lid body 20 by a soft material such as synthetic rubber and fitted into the side surface recess 51 of the linear rail 50.
"Is formed integrally" has its structural characteristics,
As a result, it is possible to provide a linear guide bearing having a side seal with a sufficient structure and a sufficient function, which can simplify the structure, and can be manufactured easily and at low cost. It was possible to provide a linear motion guide bearing that can be performed.

According to the invention of claim 2,
“A ball protector 40 for accommodating and supporting each ball 11 in a ball passage 12 formed on both inner surfaces of the bearing body 10 and opening toward a linear rail 50 is provided with a straight line portion facing the ball passage 12 and longer than this. 41 and locking portions 42 that are formed at both ends of each of the linear portions 41 and that are locked in the mounting grooves 22 provided in the lid body 20 that is mounted at both ends of the bearing main body 10. The ball protector 40 integrally formed with the portion 41 and the straight portion 42 as a continuous closed curve integrally supports the ball 11 with respect to the bearing body 10 in a rolling manner. " Due to the structure of the ball protector
It is possible to provide a linear motion guide bearing that can be simplified in installation and can be simplified in structure as a whole, can be simplified in structure, and can be manufactured easily and inexpensively. Was able to be provided. I was able to do it.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a linear guide bearing according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway enlarged front view of the linear guide bearing according to claim 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view taken along line 1-1 of FIG.

5 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ball protector used in the linear guide bearing according to the second aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the ball protector, which is a plan view (a), a side view (b), and a front view (c).

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the method of forming a side seal is changed, in which (a) is a front view of a lid body with the right half on the back side, and (b) is a side view of the lid body. .

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a conventional linear guide bearing.

FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a general configuration of this type linear motion guide bearing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 linear guide bearing 10 bearing body 11 ball 12 ball passage 20 lid 21 direction conversion passage 22 mounting groove 30 side seal 31 tongue piece 40 ball protector 41 straight portion 42 locking portion 50 straight rail 51 side recess

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A guided body mounted on the bearing body side by a large number of balls fitted on a linear rail and accommodated in a substantially gate-shaped bearing body abutting on the linear rail and rolling. In a linear motion guide bearing for supporting a load of a body, a side surface of the linear rail formed by a soft material such as synthetic rubber on a lid attached to both end surfaces of the bearing body and having a direction changing passage for the ball. A linear motion guide bearing, characterized in that a side seal having at least a pair of tongues fitted in the recess is integrally formed. 2. A guided body mounted on the bearing body side by a large number of balls fitted on a linear rail and housed in a substantially gate-shaped bearing body, abutting the linear rail and rolling. In a linear motion guide bearing for supporting a load of a body, a ball protector for accommodating and supporting each of the balls in a ball passage formed on both inner surfaces of the bearing body and opening toward the linear rail is provided. Facing each other, and linear portions longer than this, and locking portions that are formed at both ends of each of these linear portions and that are locked in mounting grooves provided in lids that are mounted at both ends of the bearing body, A linear motion guide bearing in which the ball is rollably supported by the bearing body by the ball protector integrally formed with the engaging portion and the straight portion as a continuous closed curve.