JPH11153135A - Linear guide device with lubricant sump - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] A maintenance-free, long-life linear guide device that can always and stably automatically supply an appropriate amount of lubricant to rolling elements inside a slider of a linear guide device over a long period of time. I will provide a. A lubricant reservoir made of a lubricant-containing polymer member is provided in a gap space between a guide rail and a slider in a slider of a linear guide device. The lubricant gradually seeps out of the lubricant reservoir with time, and is automatically supplied to the rolling element rolling grooves 5 and the rolling elements 8. Therefore, good lubrication was possible for a long period of time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a linear guide device, and more particularly to a linear guide device, which is capable of automatically supplying a long-term lubricant to a number of rolling elements rolling in a slider which is a component thereof. The present invention relates to a linear guide device of a lubrication system using a lubricant-containing polymer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a generally used linear guide device, for example, as shown in FIGS.
There is known a guide rail 1 having a rolling element rolling groove 3 on its outer surface and extending in the axial direction, and a slider 2 attached across the guide rail 1. The slider 2 comprises a slider body 2A and end caps 2B attached to both ends of the slider body. The slider body 2A is provided on the inner side surfaces of both sleeves 4 with the rolling element rolling elements facing the rolling element rolling grooves 3 of the guide rail 1. A groove 5 is formed, and a rolling element return path 6 that passes through the thick part of the sleeve in the axial direction is provided. On the other hand, the end cap 2B has a curved path 7 that connects the rolling element rolling groove 5 of the slider body 2A and a rolling element return path 6 parallel to the rolling element rolling groove 5. The moving body return path 6 and the curved paths 7 at both ends form a circulation path for the rolling elements.
In the circulation path of the rolling element, a large number of balls 8 as rolling elements are provided.
Is loaded. The rolling element rolling groove 5 of the slider 2
The rolling elements 8 are held by a wire holder H so as not to fall off.

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

[0004] Outside the slider 2, side seals 9 are mounted on both ends for dust prevention and an under seal 10 is mounted on the lower surface (only one of them is shown). Inside the slider 2, a lubricant supply port 11 provided in the end cap 2B is provided.
A lubricant such as grease or lubricating oil is filled from the grease nipple G attached to the grease. The lubricant L passes through the oil supply passage 12 formed on the back surface of the end cap 2B, is injected into the curved passage 7 through the hole of the return guide 13, and is supplied to the rolling elements 8 passing therethrough. Then, it adheres to the rolling elements 8 and is carried to the rolling element rolling grooves 5 to help smooth rolling. Thereafter, the lubricant flows out of the slider from the gap between the side seal 9 and the under seal 10.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned conventional linear guide device, a direct lubrication system in which lubricating oil or grease as a lubricant is supplied directly from the grease nipple G of the slider 2 to the inside. Therefore, the following various problems have occurred.

If the passage of the lubricant is clogged, the lubricant will not be sent to the rolling element rolling groove 5, and abnormal wear will occur and the fatigue life will be reached at an early stage. When the guide rail 1 and the slider 2 are used upside down and mounted on a mechanical device, pressure is required to allow the lubricant to flow in the antigravity direction. Therefore, the lubricant does not flow in the anti-gravity direction, and the lubricant cannot be smoothly fed to the rolling elements.

Since it is not possible to check whether the necessary amount of lubricant has been properly supplied to the rolling elements 8, for example, when used in a clean room, if the supply of lubricant is excessive, the amount of generated dust is a problem. On the other hand, if the supply is insufficient, abnormal wear occurs and the life of the device is shortened.

[0008] Periodic replenishment is necessary so that the initially enclosed lubricant is not exhausted. If an automatic supply device is provided separately for this purpose, the cost will increase. The machine must be stopped one by one until the operation of the machine using the linear guide device, which reduces productivity.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and a proper amount of lubricant is always applied to rolling elements inside a slider of a linear guide device for a long time. An object of the present invention is to provide a maintenance-free and long-life linear guide device that can be supplied stably and automatically.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an axially extending guide rail having rolling element rolling grooves on its outer surface, and a rolling element mounted on the guiding rail. A slider having a load rolling element rolling groove facing the groove, and a rolling element return path connected to both ends of the load rolling element rolling groove via curved paths; and a load rolling element rolling groove of the slider. The present invention relates to a linear guide device including a plurality of rolling elements that are held and circulated through the curved path and the rolling element return path and that can be circulated in the slider. In the linear guide device, a clearance space where the guide rail and the slider face each other is provided. A lubricant reservoir made of a lubricant-containing polymer member is provided.

The lubricant-containing polymer member forming the lubricant reservoir of the linear guide device of the present invention is made of a lubricant-containing synthetic resin or rubber preliminarily containing a lubricant. Can be used.

A polymer selected from the group of poly-α-olefin polymers having basically the same chemical structure, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene and polymethylpentene, is used as a lubricant in a paraffin-based carbon such as poly-α-olefin oil. Hydrogen oil, naphthenic hydrocarbon oil, mineral oil, ether oil such as dialkyl diphenyl ether oil, or ester oil such as phthalic acid ester / trimellitic acid ester, etc. It is molded by injection, pressurization, cooling and solidification, and it is antioxidant, rust inhibitor, wear inhibitor,
What added various additives, such as a defoaming agent and an extreme pressure agent, may be used.

The above-mentioned groups of polymers have the same basic structure but different average molecular weights, ranging from 1 × 10 ^{3 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ . Among them, average molecular weight 1 × 10 ³
A relatively low molecular weight of about 1 × 10 ^{6 and} 1 × 10 ⁶
Those having an ultrahigh molecular weight of ^{6 to} 5 × 10 ⁶ are used alone or in combination as necessary.

[0014] In order to improve the mechanical strength of the lubricant-containing polymer member of the present invention, a thermoplastic resin and a thermosetting resin as described below may be added to the above-mentioned poly α-olefin polymer.

As the thermoplastic resin, various resins such as polyamide, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether sulfone, polyether ether ketone, polyamide imide, polystyrene and ABS resin can be used.

As the thermosetting resin, resins such as unsaturated polyester resin, urea resin, melamine resin, phenol resin, polyimide resin and epoxy resin can be used.

These resins may be used alone or as a mixture. Furthermore, in order to disperse the poly-α-olefin-based polymer and other resins in a more uniform state,
If necessary, an appropriate compatibilizer may be added.

[0018]

According to the present invention, the lubricant contained beforehand gradually exudes over time from the lubricant pool made of the lubricant-containing polymer member provided in the clearance space where the guide rail and the slider face each other. , And are uniformly and stably supplied to rolling elements for a long period of time. In this case, the contained lubricant fluidizes due to the heat generated by the rolling of the rolling element or the pressure or heat generated by the friction with the guide rail moving relative to the slider, and gradually flows out of the lubricant pool. Then, the rolling elements in the rolling element rolling grooves located close to each other easily reach directly or via the wall surface. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a lubricant flow passage.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. The lubricant reservoir 20 of this embodiment is formed of a lubricant-containing polymer member that fills a gap space between the upper surface of the guide rail 1 and the inner surface of the slider 2 opposed thereto. The lubricant-containing polymer member is composed of 14% by weight of low molecular weight polyethylene (1 × 10 ^{3 to} 5 × 10 ⁵ ) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (1 × 10 ^{6 to} 5 × 1).
0 ⁶ ) A slider composed of 6% by weight of polyethylene mixed with 80% by weight of a paraffinic hydrocarbon oil as a lubricant, heated and melted, poured into a predetermined mold, cooled and solidified while applying pressure, and formed into a slider. It is the same size as the ceiling surface of the inner concave portion of the main body 2A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lubricant-containing polymer member as the lubricant reservoir 20 is fixed to the entire ceiling surface of the slider body 2A. The fixing means may be welding, screwing, or the like.

Next, the operation will be described. When the slider 2 moves on the guide rail 1 fixed to the machine base, the rolling elements 8 roll while moving in the load rolling element rolling path formed by the rolling element rolling grooves 3 and the load rolling element rolling grooves 5 while the slider 2 moves. In the moving direction at a speed lower than that of the slider 2, making a U-turn on the curved path 7 on one end side and moving while rolling in the rolling element return path 6 in the opposite direction, and moving in the reverse U direction on the curved path 7 on the other end side. The cycle of turning and returning to the load rolling element rolling path is repeated.

When the linear guide device is driven in this manner, the lubricant reservoir 20 fixed to the slider 2 receives pressure from the upper surface of the guide rail 1 and generates heat by friction with the rail surface. Then, the lubricant previously contained in the lubricant-containing polymer member fluidizes, and the lubricant pool 20
The lubricant L gradually seeps out with time and flows out as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 and automatically travels along the side wall surface of the guide rail 1 to the rolling element 8 which rolls in the rolling element rolling groove 3. And stable lubrication is performed over a long period of time. Therefore, good operation with low torque can be continued for a long period of time without periodically supplying the lubricant to the slider 2 from the outside.

The lubricant-containing polymer member as the lubricant reservoir 20 does not necessarily need to be in contact with the upper surface of the guide rail 1. Even when the rolling elements 8 are not in contact with each other, the heat generated when the rolling elements 8 roll in the load rolling element rolling path including the rolling element rolling grooves 3 and the load rolling element rolling grooves 5 is transmitted to the slider 2. , Because it raises the temperature of the lubricant reservoir 20,
Since the contained lubricant is fluidized and flows out, the same lubricating function as described above can be exhibited.

Further, since the lubricant reservoir 20 and the rolling elements 8 in the load rolling element rolling paths are extremely close to each other, even if the lubricant supply path is not provided inside the slider, the lubricant flows naturally. Since the roller reaches the rolling element 8 in the load rolling element rolling path, a complicated lubricant supply path conventionally provided in the end cap of the slider is not required, and the apparatus configuration can be simplified.

The oil content of the lubricant reservoir 20 can be determined by appropriately setting the lubricant content of the lubricant-containing polymer member. The supply of the lubricant to the moving body 8 can be minimized, and the problem of dust generation due to excessive lubricant and abnormal wear due to lack of lubricant can be prevented. For example, it can be suitably used in a clean room.

Further, maintenance-free operation is realized, and an automatic refueling system for periodic refueling is not required, so that costs associated therewith can be saved, and there is no problem of a decrease in productivity due to a stoppage of the machine due to periodic refueling.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment. In this embodiment, a shallow groove 21 is formed in the axial direction on both sides of the ceiling surface of the inner concave portion of the slider body 2A, and the groove 21 has a lubricant reservoir 2 made of an elongated plate-like lubricant-containing polymer member.
2 are fitted and attached. Action and effect are first
This is the same as the embodiment.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment. In this embodiment, a lubricant reservoir 23 made of a thin strip-shaped lubricant-containing polymer member is fixed to a flat portion excluding the rolling element rolling groove 5 on both side surfaces of the inner concave portion of the slider body 2A. is there. In this case, the lubricant reservoir 23 is located on the guide rail 1.
And the rolling element 8 generates heat by contact friction with the side surface of the roller member, and the heat causes the lubricant in the lubricant-containing polymer member to flow out. In the third embodiment, in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment, even if the linear guide device is used as shown in FIG.
Even if used upside down, the lubricant pool 23
The lubricant that has flowed out of the cylinder can easily reach the rolling elements in the approaching position, and there is no need to pressurize, so the linear guide device can be used in any direction without worrying about how the lubricant flows. There is an effect that can be assembled to.

In the third embodiment as well, the lubricant reservoir 23 does not necessarily need to contact the side surface of the guide rail 1 and the rolling elements 8. 7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment.

In this embodiment, a lubricant reservoir 24 made of a lubricant-containing polymer member is provided on a flat portion between the inner surface of the end cap 2B at both ends of the slider 2 and the guide rail 1.
Is fixed. The operation and effect of this embodiment are almost the same as those of the third embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, in addition to the lubricant supplied from the lubricant-containing polymer member, grease or lubricating oil is further fed from a grease nipple G attached to the lubricant supply port 11 of the slider 2. May be sealed in the internal space between the guide rail 1 and the slider 2. In this manner, when the lubrication system using the lubricant reservoir of the present invention and the direct lubricant supply system from the outside are used together, even if the external lubricant supply passage is clogged, the lubrication system using the lubricant reservoir 20 is used. Since the supply of the lubricant is continued, the lubrication abnormality due to the clogging of the lubrication path can be prevented as in the related art, and the problems such as abnormal wear and shortening of the service life do not occur.

The linear guide device to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the type of the embodiment. For example, the load rolling element rolling groove may be other than two on one side, and the rolling element is a roller instead of a ball. May be.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the slider of the linear guide device, since a lubricant reservoir made of a lubricant-containing polymer member is provided in a clearance space where the guide rail and the slider face each other, the lubricant gradually seeps out of the lubricant reservoir with time. Provides a maintenance-free, long-life linear guide device that is automatically and uniformly supplied to the rolling elements and load rolling element rolling paths, and as a result, always supplies the proper amount of lubricant stably and automatically for a long period of time. It has the effect that it can be done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional front view of a first embodiment of a linear guide device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the slider of FIG. 1 upside down.

FIG. 3 is a sectional front view of a second embodiment of the linear guide device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the slider of FIG. 3 upside down.

FIG. 5 is a front view, partially in section, of a third embodiment of the linear guide device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the slider of FIG. 5 upside down.

FIG. 7 is a front view, partially in section, of a fourth embodiment of the linear guide device of the present invention.

8 is a perspective view showing the slider of FIG. 7 upside down.

FIG. 9 is an overall perspective view of a conventional linear guide device.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional linear guide device in which a slider is turned upside down.

FIG. 11 is a front view in which a part of the linear guide device of FIG. 9 is sectioned;

[Description of Signs] 1 Guide rail 2 Slider 3 Rolling element rolling groove 5 Load rolling element rolling groove 6 Rolling element return path 8 Rolling element 15 Clearance space 20 Lubricant pool 22 Lubricant pool 23 Lubricant pool 24 Lubricant Pool

Claims (1)

[Claims] An axially extending guide rail having a rolling element rolling groove on an outer surface, a load rolling element rolling groove which is assembled to the guide rail and faces the rolling element rolling groove, A slider having a rolling element return path connected to both ends of the moving element rolling groove via a curved path, and a slider held by the load rolling element rolling groove of the slider and passing through the curved path and the rolling element return path In a linear guide device provided with a number of rolling elements loaded on a slider so as to be able to circulate, a lubricant reservoir made of a lubricant-containing polymer member is provided in a gap space between the guide rail and the slider. A linear guide device having a characteristic lubricant reservoir.