JP2001295840A - Linear moving rolling guide unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a linear moving rolling guide unit used in an erected state and recovering lubricating oil fed from an oil feed device provided in a slider to a track member in such a state as not being leaked in an environment. SOLUTION: When the slider 1 smoothly slides on the erected track rail 2, the lubricating oil fed from a lubricating plate 15, or an oil feed device arranged on the top end of the slider 1 to a track groove 4 in the track rail 2. The lubricating oil excessively fed in an early stage flows downward of the track rail 2 by the gravity and absorbed by a lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 having a porous structure and arranged in the bottom end of the slider 1. The porous structure is formed by expanding or sintering synthetic resin. Stable oil feeding thus becomes possible, when the oil feed quantity from the lubricating plate 15 and the absorbed oil quantity of the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 become equilibrium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slider having a track member and a lubricating device slidable relative to the track member and supplying lubricating oil to a sliding portion between the track member and the slider. And a linear motion rolling guide unit used in an upright specification.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various robots, semiconductor manufacturing apparatuses,
In various technical fields including machine tools such as inspection equipment, cutting / grinding machines, and mechatronics technologies such as transfer equipment, the parts that require reciprocating motion of each machine and equipment require high precision, high speed, miniaturization, etc. A linear motion rolling guide unit is incorporated as a mechanism that can meet the demand. In linear motion rolling guide units, maintenance-free is required in addition to performance improvements such as high accuracy and high speed, and a lubrication plate that can self-lubricate sliding parts for a long time is provided as a lubrication device. Linear rolling guide units have been developed.

Conventionally, many linear motion rolling guide units having a lubrication plate as a lubricating device for a slider that slides on a track rail as a track member have been developed. An example of a conventional linear motion rolling guide unit is shown in FIG. 22 as a partially broken perspective view. The linear motion guide unit shown in FIG. 22 includes a track rail 2 as a track member, and a straddle-type slider 1 mounted on the track rail 2 in a state of being laid on the track rail 2. Orbital grooves 4, 4 are formed on the directional side surfaces 3, 3, respectively.
Are slidable on the track rail 2 via rolling elements 7 rolling in the track grooves 4. The track rail 2 is formed by screwing a bolt inserted into a mounting hole 13 (only one is shown) formed at a distance from an upper surface 14 of the track rail 2 into a mounting base 20 such as a bed, a machine base, and a working table. Is fixed to the mounting base 20.

The slider 1 has a casing 5 movable relative to the track rail 2 and end caps 6 attached to both ends of the casing 5. At the upper part of the casing 5, there is formed a mounting hole 19 for mounting other devices, mechanical parts, chucks, gripping devices and the like. On each lower surface of the casing 5 and the end cap 6,
A recess 10 is formed so that the casing 5 and the end cap 6 move across the track rail 2. A track groove 9 is formed in the recess 10 at a position facing each track groove 4 of the track rail 2, and a rolling element 7 such as a ball is incorporated between the opposed track grooves 4 and 9 so as to roll. Track path is formed. Even in a state where the slider 1 receives a load and the rolling elements 7 are loaded on the raceway, the slider 1 rolls on the raceway while rolling and contacting the rolling elements 7 so that the slider 1 is attached to the track rail 2. On the other hand, it can slide smoothly. In order to prevent the rolling elements 7 from falling off from the casing 5, a holding band 18 is attached to the casing 5 so as to surround the many rolling elements 7. Further, a lower surface seal 8 is provided on the lower surface of the slider 1 to seal between the track rail 2 and the slider 1.

[0005] The rolling element 7 that has rolled on the track path is picked up by a claw provided on one end cap 6 and guided by a direction change path (not shown) formed in the end cap 6. From the direction change path, travels through the return passage 12 formed in the casing 5 in parallel with the raceway groove 9, and passes through the direction change path (not shown) formed in the other end cap 6. Return to orbit. The track path formed between the track grooves 4 and 9, the direction change path formed in the end cap 6, and the return path 12 formed in the casing 5 constitute an endless circulation path for the rolling elements 7 to circulate. ing. Since the infinite circulation path is already known, a detailed description is omitted.

For lubrication of the raceway grooves 4 and 9 constituting the raceway path and the rolling elements 7 rolling on the raceway path, a lubrication plate 15 is provided on each end face of the casing 5 on the outer surface side of the end cap 6. Have been. Lubrication plate 15
Is a plate formed by, for example, sintering an ultra-high molecular weight synthetic resin in a predetermined mold to form a porous structure, and impregnating the porous structure with a lubricating oil, and reinforcing the back surface side. Core metal 16 is provided. Lubrication plate 1
5 is formed so as to straddle the track rail 2 similarly to the casing 5 and the end cap 6, and the track groove 4 of the track rail 2 is formed.
It is formed in a shape that comes into contact with. By gradually supplying the lubricating oil from the lubrication plate 15 to the raceway groove 4, maintenance-free operation is realized as compared with lubrication using a grease nipple or the like. On the front side of the lubrication plate 15,
An end seal 17 is provided to achieve a seal between the track rail 2 and the longitudinal ends of the slider 1. The end cap 6, the metal core 16, the lubricating plate 15, and the end seal 17 are mounted on each end face of the casing 5 by common mounting screws.

The use of a lubricating plate for the linear motion rolling guide unit has made it possible to maintain maintenance-free and a clean working environment for a long time. There is a demand for maintaining a clean environment while making the guide unit applicable to more various uses. For example, in a manufacturing apparatus installed in a clean room, a linear motion rolling guide unit having a lubricating plate may be used in an upright specification in which the linear motion rolling guide unit stands upright. In this case, it is sufficient that the lubrication plate lubricate the track rails from the beginning in small increments.
Usually, it tends to be large at the beginning of use and then gradually stabilized. If the amount of lubrication in the initial stage of use is large, the lubricating oil collectively flows downward due to gravity, leaks out of the slider, and further flows out below the slider stroke end and the lower end of the track rail, impeding a clean environment. There is a problem of doing.

[0008]

Therefore, when a linear motion rolling guide unit comprising a track member and a slider and having a lubricating device for the slider is used in an upright specification,
There is a problem to be solved in that lubricating oil supplied from the oil supply device to the track member is collected from the slider of the linear motion rolling guide unit so as not to leak into the environment.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a linear motion rolling guide unit having a slider and an oil supply device, such as a manufacturing device in a clean room, is provided in an upright specification. When used, eliminate or minimize the lubricating oil supplied to the raceway member from the lubrication device from the slider to the environment, and keep the environment as clean as the linear motion rolling guide unit without lubrication device. To provide a linear motion rolling guide unit that can be used in an upright specification.

According to the present invention, a raceway member having a raceway groove formed and standing in the longitudinal direction, a raceway groove opposed to the raceway groove of the raceway member are formed and formed between the raceway grooves. And a slider slidable up and down on the track member via rolling elements rolling on the track path. The slider supplies lubricating oil to the track groove of the track member at an upper end portion. An oil supply device is provided, and a lubricating oil absorbing plate having a porous structure that does not initially hold lubricating oil and that can absorb the lubricating oil supplied to the raceway groove of the raceway member is disposed at a lower end portion. The present invention relates to a linear motion rolling guide unit that is provided.

According to the standing linear motion rolling guide unit according to the present invention, the rolling element rolls on the track path, so that the slider can smoothly slide on the track member with low resistance. When the slider slides on the track member, the lubricating oil supplied from the lubrication device provided at the upper end of the slider flows downward in the track groove of the track member due to gravity, but is initially excessively lubricated. The lubricating oil is absorbed by the porous structure of the lubricating oil absorbing plate provided at the lower end of the slider. The lubricating oil is absorbed until the amount of oil supplied from the oil supply device and the amount of oil absorbed by the lubricating absorption plate are balanced. When equilibrium is reached, stable refueling becomes possible.

In the above linear motion rolling guide unit,
The slider includes a casing in which a return passage is formed alongside the track path, and an end cap which is attached to both end surfaces of the casing and has a direction change path connecting the track path and the return path. The rolling elements are circulated endlessly through the track path, the direction change path, and the return path, and the lubricating oil absorbing plate is attached to a lower end surface of the lower end cap. The rolling elements rolling on the raceway return to the raceway from the direction change path formed on one end cap through the return path in the casing and the direction change path formed on the other end cap, and endlessly circulate. I do.

The lubricating oil absorbing plate includes an absorbing plate main body formed by foaming or sintering a synthetic resin and capable of slidingly contacting the raceway groove of the raceway member, and a sealed case for housing the absorbent plate main body. ing. Since the rigidity and strength of the absorbent plate body formed by foaming or sintering synthetic resin is lower than that of metal, by covering with a sealed case, the absorbent plate body is reinforced and the lubricating oil from the absorbent plate body is Leakage can be prevented. Further, the lubricating oil absorbing plate is formed by foaming or sintering a synthetic resin, the absorbing plate body being slidable in the raceway groove of the raceway member, and a reinforcing core attached to the absorber plate body. It is composed of The absorption plate main body is formed by filling ultra-high molecular weight synthetic resin fine particles into a predetermined mold and performing heat molding. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to configure the absorption plate main body with a porous body that absorbs lubricating oil.

The absorption plate main body is attached to the core metal by bonding with an adhesive or mechanical engagement. The mechanical engagement may be a piercing engagement in which a piercing claw formed by bending a part of the core metal or erected on the core metal pierces the absorption plate body, or one of the core metals. This is a holding engagement in which the absorption plate main body is held by a pair of holding claws formed by bending portions. The absorption plate main body is engaged with the core metal at least in the vicinity of a portion of the track member that is in sliding contact with the track groove. By engaging the absorption plate body with the core metal in the vicinity of the sliding contact with the raceway groove of the raceway member, the position of the absorption plate body slidingly sliding on the raceway groove is reduced, and stable absorption of lubricating oil is achieved. And the sliding resistance of the slider can be reduced. When reinforced with a metal core, by covering the outside of the absorption plate body with a sealing cover, leakage of the absorbed lubricating oil to the outside is prevented.

On the lower end surface of the lubricating oil absorbing plate,
An end seal for preventing lubricating oil from leaking is provided. The lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal includes a reinforcing seal core and a seal rubber attached to the seal core, and the seal rubber is slidably contacted with the raceway groove of the raceway member and the slider. And a lubricating oil leakage preventing lip portion inclined inward. Generally, the end seal of the linear motion rolling guide unit is for dust prevention, and the lip of the end seal is inclined outward of the slider. On the other hand, in the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal, the lip faces inward of the slider. Accordingly, the lubricating oil leakage prevention end seal is designed to retain the lubricating oil on the upper side against the downward flow of the lubricating oil to promote the absorption of the lubricating oil by the anti-lubricating absorbing plate, and to provide a lubricating oil slider. To prevent leakage from

The sealing rubber of the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal is in contact with the raceway groove of the raceway member outside the lubricating oil leakage preventing lip portion, and the dustproof is inclined outwardly of the slider. The lip portion is provided. To seal rubber of end seal for preventing lubricating oil leakage,
By providing the dust lip outside the lubricating oil leakage prevention lip, it is possible to further prevent dust from entering the inside of the slider.

In this linear motion rolling guide unit, the lubricating oil absorbing plate and the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal are attached to the casing together with the corresponding end caps by mounting bolts screwed into the casing. The lubricating oil absorbing plate has a length corresponding to the thickness of the absorbing plate main body, and the mounting bolt is inserted through a collar arranged according to the thickness of the absorbing plate main body, so that the lubricating oil absorbing plate is attached to the absorbing plate main body. The lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal is sandwiched between the end cap and the end cap in a state where a tightening load is not substantially applied.

The lubricating device is formed by impregnating a lubricating oil into a sintered resin member formed by heating and molding ultra-high molecular weight synthetic resin fine particles, and is provided with an end cap attached to an upper side of the casing. It is a lubrication plate attached to the upper end face. A sintered resin member formed by heating and molding ultrahigh molecular weight synthetic resin fine particles becomes a porous body and is impregnated with lubricating oil. A lubricating plate is provided at the upper end of the slider, and the lubricating plate slides at least into the raceway groove of the raceway rail to supply oil to the raceway groove. An end seal is attached to an upper end surface of the lubrication plate.

In this linear motion rolling guide unit, the track member is a track rail having the track grooves formed on both side surfaces in the longitudinal direction, and the slider is a straddle-type slider straddling the track rail. Further, the track member is a round shaft type track shaft in which the track groove is formed in the longitudinal direction, and the slider is a fitting slider that is fitted around the track shaft. In either case, the track rail and the track axis are placed upright, and the slider slides vertically.

[0020]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linear motion rolling guide unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of a linear motion rolling guide unit according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG. 1 to 3, the same components as those used in the conventional linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG.
The same reference numerals are given to the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The first linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG.
In the embodiment, the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 and the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 3 provided on the end cap 6 at the lower end located below the linear motion rolling guide unit.
0 is shown developed in the longitudinal direction of the track rail 2. This linear motion rolling guide unit includes a track rail 2 and
And a slider 1 slidably mounted on the track rail 2. As shown in FIG.
It is used in the standing specification where is arranged on the lower side. The track rail 2 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape in which track grooves 4 are formed concavely on both side surfaces 3 in the longitudinal direction. A large number of rolling elements roll on the track formed between the track grooves, thereby forming the slider 1.
Can smoothly slide relative to each other on the track rail 2 even in a load state.

An end cap 6 is attached to the upper end of the casing 5, and a lubrication reinforced with a metal core 16 and an outer periphery covered with a sealing cover is provided on the upper end surface of the end cap 6 as in the conventional case. The plate 15 is provided in the same arrangement as the conventional one. The lubricating plate 15 is a plate manufactured in a porous structure by impregnating a lubricating oil into a sintered resin having an ultra-high molecular weight, and is arranged so as to be in sliding contact with at least the raceway groove 4 of the raceway rail 2. Lubrication plate 1
5 on the side opposite to the end cap 6, the end seal 1
7 is attached. In addition, the end seal 17
In some cases, the end seal may not be provided, or may be an end seal having no lip. When the lubricating plate 15 slides while contacting the track groove 4 of the track rail 2, the lubricating oil impregnated in the lubricating plate 15 is supplied in such a manner as to be applied to the track groove 4.

In the standing type linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lower end of the casing 5 is provided with an end cap 6 having the same structure as the end cap 6 provided at the upper end. The lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 is attached to the end face of the end cap 6 in a state of being sandwiched between the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 30. The lubricating plate 15 is provided with a grease nipple 11 for supplying lubricating oil. However, since the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 is not required, no grease nipple is provided.

The lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 is provided with an absorbing plate main body 22 having a porous structure which does not have lubricating oil at first and is capable of absorbing lubricating oil. Proximity or sliding contact in the state. Lubricating oil leakage prevention end seal 3 for preventing leakage of lubricating oil
Numeral 0 is disposed on the lower end surface of the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 and provided so as to relatively slide on the track rail 2. Here, the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 has a porous structure capable of absorbing a lubricant by foaming or heat forming (sintering) a super-high molecular weight synthetic resin in a predetermined mold, similarly to the lubricating plate 15. It is composed of the formed absorption plate main body 22, a core metal 23 to which the absorption plate main body 22 is fixed, and a sealing cover 24 covering the outer periphery of the absorption plate main body 22. When assembling the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 to the casing 5, the absorbing plate main body 22 is disposed on the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 30 side, and the core metal 23 is disposed on the end cap 6 side.

The lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 30, the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 and the end cap 6 are screwed into bolt holes of the casing 5 by mounting bolts 25 penetrating through the four corners of the casing 5 in a stacked state. Fixed. Lubricating oil leakage prevention end seal 3
A state in which a collar 27 having a length corresponding to the thickness t of the absorption plate main body 22 (see FIG. 5) is adjusted to the thickness t of the absorption plate main body 22, ie, the Each end is sandwiched between the lubricating oil leakage prevention end seal 30 and the core metal 23 in contact with each other.
Since the tightening force of the mounting bolt 25 is transmitted from the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 30 to the core bar 23 and further to the end cap 6 via the collar 27, it does not substantially act on the absorbing plate main body 22. As a result, the deformation of the absorbing plate main body 22 due to the tightening does not occur, and the absorbing plate main body 22 can be brought close to or in sliding contact with the raceway groove 4 accurately.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a lubricating oil absorbing plate composed of a cored bar and an absorbing plate main body positioned and fixed to the cored bar with the sealing cover shown in FIG. 1 removed, and FIG.
6 is a left side view of the lubricating oil absorbing plate shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a front view showing a core used for the lubricating oil absorbing plate shown in FIG.
7 is a left side view of the cored bar shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the cored bar shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, cutouts 28 are formed around the through holes 26 formed in the metal core 23 at the four corners of the absorption plate main body 22 in order to arrange the collars 27. Have been. Since the lower end cap 6 is not provided with the grease nipple 11 provided in the upper end cap 6, a hole is formed in the bridge portion 31 of the absorption plate main body 22 and the bridge portion 37 of the cored bar 23. , And the lubricating oil absorption capacity is enhanced. The two sleeve portions 32 of the absorption plate main body 22 have convex portions 3 whose inner peripheral surfaces project at least inwardly as sliding portions that are at least close to or in sliding contact with the track grooves 4 of the track rail 2.
The excess lubricating oil supplied to the raceway groove 4 is absorbed by the absorption plate body 22. In addition, a projection 34 extending toward the groove bottom of the track groove 4 of the track rail 2 is formed on the inner side of the sleeve 38 of the core bar 23, corresponding to the protrusion 33 of the both sleeves 32 of the absorption plate body 22. Have been.

The absorption plate main body 22 is a sintered resin member which is sintered into a porous structure by filling synthetic resin fine particles into a predetermined mold and heat-molding the same. Same as the resulting plate.
The absorption plate body 22 can absorb the lubricating oil into the porous portion of the porous structure. When the sintered resin member is molded by sintering ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene resin fine particles,
The processing accuracy of the molded article can be made high, for example, about ± 0.025 mm. The particle size of the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene resin is, for example, a powder having a fine particle size of 30 μm and a coarse particle size of 250 to 300 μm, and the porous structure is composed of open pores having a porosity of, for example, 40 to 50%. Structure.

By utilizing the fact that the processing accuracy of the absorption plate main body 22 of the lubricating oil absorption plate 21 can be made high, the absorption plate main body 22 has a small gap with the raceway groove 4 of the raceway rail 2. Alternatively, it can be manufactured so as to be fitted in a state in which a slight preload is applied as a slight interference gap. Ideally, the absorbing plate body 22 of the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 is slidably contacted with the track rail 2 in a sealed state. However, in the sealed state, the frictional resistance increases, and the sliding resistance of the slider 1 on the track rail 2 is reduced. It gets too big. Therefore, the absorption plate body 22
Is, in fact, limited to the track groove 4 and the periphery of the track groove 4 in which the portion close to or in contact with the track rail 2 is partial, multipoint, or has a large amount of lubricating oil attached. Is formed.

The fixing of the absorption plate body 22 to the core metal 23 is, for example, fixing by an adhesive. The absorption plate main body 22 made of a sintered resin is also used for the metal core 23.
It can be easily bonded by the epoxy adhesive 39 or the like. Although the absorption plate body 22 is fixed to the core metal 23 by the adhesive 39 on the entire surface in the illustrated example, at least the track groove 4 of the absorption plate body 22 is fixed.
This may be performed in the vicinity of the protruding portion 33 that comes into sliding contact with. Since it is fixed to the core bar 23 having high rigidity, even when the bonding range is limited in this way, when a large external force that causes deformation of the absorption plate body 22 is applied,
The core bar 23 suppresses the deformation of the convex portion 33 and maintains the sliding accuracy of the convex portion 33 with the track groove 4. As a result, the convex portion 33 of the absorption plate body 22 is not excessively pressed against the raceway groove 4 so that the sliding resistance with the raceway groove 4 does not increase and does not largely separate from the raceway groove 4. 4
Good absorption of lubricating oil from the oil can be continued.

The core used for the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. A punched hole 44 is formed in the center of each sleeve 38 of the core bar 23,
An absorption plate main body 22 shown by an imaginary line while leaving a part of the core metal 23 as a protruding portion having a sharp tip or a barbed shape.
Is bent to the side to which it is fixed and is erected as a piercing claw 45. By inserting the piercing claws 45 of the metal core 23 into the sintered resin member, the absorption plate body 22
Can easily be manufactured. The core bar 23 may have a through-hole formed in the center of the bridge portion 37 for inserting the grease nipple 11 in order to make it a common component with the core bar 16 used for the lubricating plate 15.

Although the lubricating oil absorbing plate is not shown, in addition to the above-described structure, a pin serving as a piercing claw having a sharp tip for fixing the absorbing plate body is set on the core metal, and the lubricating oil absorbing plate becomes a firing plate. The absorption plate body may be fixed to the core metal by piercing a pin into the binding resin member.
In addition, the holding portion composed of a pair of holding claws formed at the lower ends of both sleeves of the cored bar is positioned near the convex portion of the absorption plate body (corresponding to the projection 33 of the absorption plate body 22). The absorption plate body may be fixed to the core by holding the absorption plate body. Various changes can be made to the structure of the absorption plate body. For example, the porous eye may be a dense portion where lubricating oil is easily sucked at the convex portion 33 that slides on the raceway groove 4 of the raceway rail 2, and the other portion may be a rough portion.

The outside of the absorption plate body 22 is covered with a sealing cover 24. 9 is a front view of the sealing cover shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 10 is a side view of the sealing cover shown in FIG. The sealing cover 24 is made of a thin metal plate such as an elastic metal plate, and is formed in a continuous integral shape along the outer shape of the absorption plate main body 22. The sealing cover 24 is configured in such a manner that an upper side 51, a side side 52 and a bottom side 53 that respectively cover the upper surface, side surfaces and bottom surface of the absorption plate main body 22 are continuously connected to embrace the periphery of the absorption plate main body 22.
Since the linear motion rolling guide unit is used in a clean room, the slider 1 needs to be sealed so that dust such as lubricating oil does not diffuse. The lubrication plate 15, which is an oil supply device, is housed in a sealed cover or a sealed case so that the lubricating oil does not diffuse. Similarly, the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 is also covered by a sealing cover 24 so that the absorbed lubricating oil does not diverge. Sealing cover 24
Has a function of preventing the absorption plate body 22 from being damaged. By forming the sealing cover 24 into one continuous body, the absorbing plate body 22 is held loosely in a hermetically sealed manner, and a biasing force is applied to the track groove 4 of the track rail 2 or a deformation such that the track groove 4 is separated from the track groove. No force is applied. In order to seal the exposed surface of the absorption plate main body 22 that is not lined with the core bar 23, the outer periphery and the exposed surface of the absorption plate main body 22 may be accommodated in a sealed case.

Next, referring to FIGS. 11 to 15, lubricating oil disposed below lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 so as to prevent the lubricating oil from leaking out from lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 having absorbed the lubricating oil. The leak preventing end seal 30 will be described. 11 is a front view of the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 12 is a left side view of the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a lubricating oil leakage preventing end shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the end seal for preventing leakage of lubricating oil shown in FIG.

The lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 30 is composed of a flat sealing rubber 61 made of synthetic rubber, and a reinforcing seal adhered on one side of the sealing rubber 61 to reinforce the sealing rubber 61. The sealing rubber 61 extends from the main body 62 to the outside of the sealing core 63 and slides on the track rail 2 (FIG. 1). 64). The seal core 63 is arranged on the lubricating oil absorption plate 21 side. At four corners, the sealing rubber 61 has a through hole 66 through which the mounting bolt 25 is inserted, and a through hole 6.
A cut-out portion 67 for accommodating the head of the mounting bolt 25 is formed around 6. Each through hole 66 is provided at a position aligned with the through holes 26 formed at the four corners of the collar 27 (FIG. 1) and the core bar 23 of the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21.

In general, in a linear motion rolling guide unit, an end seal is used for preventing dust from the outside from entering the inside of the slider 1. Therefore, the lip portion is provided outside the slider 1. It is formed facing. On the other hand, the lip portion 64 of the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 30 is
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in order to prevent the lubricating oil absorbed by the slider 1 from leaking out of the slider 1, as shown in FIGS.
It is formed facing inside.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 13 showing another example of an end seal for preventing leakage of lubricating oil. The lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 60 shown in FIG. 15 is adjacent to the sealing rubber 61 and the lubricating oil leakage preventing lip 64.
This is an example in which a dustproof lip portion 65 facing the outside of the slider 1 is provided. Since the dust-proof lip portion 65 faces the outside of the slider 1, the sliding of the slider 1 causes the track rail 2 to move.
The dust accumulated in the raceway groove 4 is prevented from entering the inside of the slider 1. If the end seal 60 for preventing lubricating oil leakage is used instead of the end seal 17 for the lubricating plate 15 at the upper end, the sealing inside the slider 1 can be further enhanced.

When the linear motion rolling guide unit having the lubrication plate 15 at the upper end of the slider 1 is used upright, a large amount of lubricating oil is initially supplied to the raceway groove 4 of the raceway rail 2 and the lubricating oil is united by gravity. Flowing to the side. Since the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 is in a state where the absorbing plate main body 22 is always close to or in contact with the raceway groove 4 of the raceway rail 2, the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 is lubricated into the raceway groove 4 from the lubricating plate 15, which is an oiling device, and The absorbed lubricant is absorbed by the absorption plate body 22. In a state where the amount of lubricating oil supplied from the lubricating plate 15 and the amount of lubricating oil absorbed by the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 are balanced, a stable lubricating state is achieved. A resin member formed by sintering ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene resin fine particles does not wear excessively even after repeated sliding contact, so that the absorption plate body 22 is not clogged with abrasion powder. End seals 30, 60 for preventing lubricating oil leakage
Keeps the lubricating oil on the upper side against the downward flow of the lubricating oil, and causes the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 to absorb the retained lubricating oil. The absorption plate body 22 absorbs the lubricating oil until it becomes saturated, and when it becomes saturated, it is possible to supply the lubricating oil without leakage of the lubricating oil stably for a long period of time. The lubricating oil supplied to the track rail 2 from the lubricating plate 15 does not leak from the sliding end of the slider 1,
It does not pollute a clean environment such as a clean room.

Next, a second linear motion rolling guide unit is provided.
Examples are shown in FIGS. FIG. 16 is a front view showing an example of a standing linear motion rolling guide unit applied to a track member of a round shaft type such as a cylindrical shaft, and FIG.
FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG.
6 is a front view showing an example of a lubricating oil absorbing plate used in the linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 19 is a side view of the lubricating oil absorbing plate shown in FIG. 18, and FIG. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal shown in FIG. 20, taken along the line DD.

The linear motion rolling guide unit is slidable with respect to a round shaft type orbital shaft 72 such as a cylindrical shaft having two orbital grooves 73 formed on the outer peripheral surface along the longitudinal direction, and the orbital shaft 72. , And is used in an upright specification with the track shaft 72 extending vertically. More specifically, the slider 71 is a cylindrical fitting portion in which a track groove (not shown) is formed at a position facing each of the track grooves 73 so as to be fitted around the entire circumference of the track shaft 72. It has a casing 75, a number of rolling elements (not shown) capable of rolling on a track formed between opposed track grooves, and end caps 76 attached to sliding ends of the casing 75, that is, both ends in the longitudinal direction. are doing. An orbiting shaft 7 is attached to the end cap 76 on the upper end side with a lubricating plate 77 as an oiling device interposed therebetween.
An end seal 78 is attached to achieve a longitudinal seal between the slider 2 and the slider 71. The lubricating plate 77 is disposed on the end face of the end cap 76, slides relative to the slider 71 on the track shaft 72 integrally with the slider 71, and supplies lubricating oil to the track groove 73.

The slider 71 is inserted into the track shaft 72,
The rolling element circulating along the raceway groove 73 of the raceway shaft 72 slides freely and smoothly. As in the case of the first embodiment, the rolling element is guided from the track path to a direction change path formed in one end cap 76, passes through a return path formed in the casing 75, and passes from the return path to the other end. Infinite circulation is performed in an endless circulation path that returns to the track path through a direction change path formed in the cap 76.

The linear motion rolling guide unit has a lubricating oil absorbing plate 81 and a lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 90 on the lower end surface of the end cap 76 at the lower end. The lubricating oil absorbing plate 81 and the lubricating oil leakage prevention end seal 90 are commonly mounted on a casing 75 by mounting bolts 79 as shown in FIG. The structure of the lubricating oil absorbing plate 81 is similar to the structure of the lubricating oil absorbing plate 21 of the linear motion rolling guide unit of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and as shown in FIG. Initially, there is provided an absorption plate main body 82 made of a sintered resin member having a porous structure that does not hold lubricating oil, and a sealed case 84 that houses the absorption plate main body 82. Since the composition and manufacturing method of the absorption plate main body 82 are the same as those of the absorption plate main body 22 of the first embodiment, the description will not be repeated. As shown in FIG. 18, the absorption plate main body 82 is formed in an arc shape housed in a housing space divided into two by a wall portion 88. The absorption plate main body 82 has a convex portion 83 that protrudes inward so that its inner peripheral surface at least approaches or slides on the raceway groove 73 of the raceway shaft 72, and can always absorb the lubricating oil on the raceway groove 73. Are arranged as follows.

Since the absorbing plate main body 82 is housed in a highly rigid sealed case 84 and is in a fixed state, even when a large external force that causes deformation of the absorbing plate main body 82 is applied, the convex portion 83 is formed. Deformation is suppressed and the accuracy of the sliding surface with respect to the raceway groove 73 is maintained. Sealed case 8
4 can prevent dust and damage to the absorbing plate body 82 and prevent leakage of lubricating oil. The sealing case 84 includes a reinforcing wall portion 87 in which a mounting hole 86 for inserting the mounting bolt 79 is formed. The sealed case 84 is made of metal, synthetic resin, synthetic rubber, or the like.

The lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 90 has the same structure as the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 30 of the first embodiment, except that the shape is annular. That is, the lubricating oil leakage prevention end seal 90 includes a sealing rubber 91 made of synthetic rubber, and a reinforcing seal core 93 attached to one side of the main body 92 of the sealing rubber 91. Of the raceway shaft 72 from the raceway groove 73
A lip portion 94 for preventing leakage of lubricating oil is formed, which slides in contact with and seals the downward flow of lubricating oil and promotes absorption into the absorbing plate body 82. The seal core 93 is disposed on the lubricating oil absorption plate 81 side. The lubricating oil leakage preventing lip 94 is the same as the lubricating oil leakage preventing lip 64 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
The lubricating oil leakage prevention end seal 90 has a mounting hole 96 for inserting a mounting bolt.

The results of a test for leakage of lubricating oil conducted with the linear motion rolling guide unit upright are shown. As shown in FIG. 23, the test conditions were as follows: the linear motion rolling guide unit was set up, the maximum speed was 60 m / min, the average speed was 45.3 m / min, and the stroke was 200 m under no load condition.
m, and the viscosity of the lubricating oil was # 220. The driving force of the stepping motor 100 was transmitted to the slider 1 via the timing belt 101, and the slider 1 was reciprocated in the vertical direction along the track rail 2. The track rail 2 was attached to a fixed frame 102, and a tray 103 for oozing lubricating oil was supported on the fixed frame 102. After moving the slider 1 up and down, the weight of the slider 2 was measured, and the amount of lubricating oil leakage was determined based on the decrease in weight. The test results are
As shown in the form of a table in FIG. 24, the amount of leakage of lubricating oil in the linear motion rolling guide unit according to the present invention is greatly improved as compared with the conventional one. If the viscosity of the lubricating oil is increased, the amount of leakage will be further reduced.
It has been found that the leakage amount is further reduced.

[0046]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. That is, in this linear motion rolling guide unit, the lubricating oil supplied from the lubricating device disposed at the upper end of the slider flows downward in the raceway groove of the raceway member due to gravity, but the initial excessive lubrication is performed under the slider. It is initially absorbed by a lubricating oil absorption plate having a porous structure that does not carry lubricating oil and is disposed at the side end. The lubricating oil is absorbed until the amount of oil supplied from the oil supply device and the amount of oil absorbed by the lubricating absorption plate are balanced. When the oil supply amount and the absorption oil amount are balanced, stable oil supply becomes possible. Therefore, according to the present invention, the application of the linear motion rolling guide unit provided with the refueling device can be expanded to devices used in a clean environment such as a clean room in which a semiconductor-related manufacturing device is installed. Also, when the linear motion rolling guide unit is used upright in an environment where a high degree of cleanliness is required, such as in a clean room, the lubricating oil supplied to the track rail from the lubricating device is transferred from the slider to the environment. The amount of leakage is reduced or extremely reduced, and a clean environment can be maintained at the same level as a linear motion rolling guide unit without an oil supply device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which the linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG. 1 is arranged in an upright specification.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG. 2;

4 is a front view showing a lubricating oil absorbing plate including a cored bar and an absorbing plate main body positioned and fixed to the cored bar with the sealing cover shown in FIG. 1 removed.

FIG. 5 is a left side view of the lubricating oil absorbing plate shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a core used in the lubricating oil absorbing plate shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the cored bar shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the cored bar shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the sealing cover shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the sealing cover shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal shown in FIG. 11;

13 is a sectional view of the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal shown in FIG. 11 taken along line BB.

14 is a sectional view of the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal shown in FIG. 11 taken along line CC.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 13, showing another example of a lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal.

FIG. 16 is a side view showing an example of a linear motion rolling guide unit applied to a round shaft type track member such as a cylindrical shaft.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front view showing an example of a lubricating oil absorption plate used in the linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG.

19 is a side view of the lubricating oil absorbing plate shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a front view of a lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal used in the linear motion rolling guide unit shown in FIG. 16;

21 is a sectional view of the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal shown in FIG. 20, taken along the line DD.

FIG. 22 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an example of a conventional linear motion rolling guide unit.

FIG. 23 is a schematic view showing a test device for testing a leakage of lubricating oil according to the present invention.

24 is a diagram showing, in the form of a table, results of leakage of lubricating oil in the test apparatus shown in FIG. 23.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 71 slider 2 track rail (track member) 3 both longitudinal side surfaces 4, 73 track groove 5, 75 casing 6, 76 end cap 7 rolling element 9 track groove 12 return passage 15, 77 lubrication plate (lubricating device) 17, 78 End seal 21, 81 Lubricating oil absorbing plate 22, 82 Absorbing plate body 23 Core 24 Sealing cover 25, 79 Mounting bolt 27 Collar 30, 60, 90 Lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal 45 Piercing claw 61, 91 For sealing Rubber 63, 93 Seal core 64, 94 Lubricating oil leakage prevention lip 65 Dust proof lip 72 Orbital shaft 84 Sealed case

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Narimasa Itabashi 392 Tokiwa, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa F-term within Thomson Japan 3J016 AA08 BB03 CA03 3J101 AA02 AA52 AA64 BA73 BA77 CA02 CA14 DA14 EA31 EA51 EA75 GA31 GA32 GA55 3J104 AA03 AA23 AA34 AA63 AA65 AA69 AA74 AA75 AA76 BA62 CA33 CA34 DA04 DA05 EA01 EA02 EA06

Claims (16)

[Claims] A track member having a track groove formed and standing upright in a longitudinal direction, a track groove formed opposite to the track groove of the track member, and a track formed between the two track grooves; An oil supply device for supplying lubricating oil to the raceway groove of the raceway member at an upper end portion thereof, the slider being configured to relatively vertically slide on the raceway member via a rolling element rolling on a road. A lubricating oil absorbing plate having a porous structure that initially does not have lubricating oil and is capable of absorbing the lubricating oil supplied to the raceway groove of the raceway member is disposed at a lower end portion. Linear motion rolling guide unit. 2. A casing in which a return passage is formed alongside the track path, and a direction change path which is attached to both end faces of the casing and connects the track path and the return path. Rolling elements are provided on the raceway,
2. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 1, wherein the lubricating oil absorbing plate circulates infinitely through the direction change path and the return path, and the lubricating oil absorbing plate is attached to a lower end surface of the lower end cap. 3. The lubricating oil absorbing plate comprises: an absorbing plate main body formed by foaming or sintering a synthetic resin and capable of slidingly contacting the raceway groove of the raceway member; and a sealed case accommodating the absorbing plate main body. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 1, wherein the linear motion rolling guide unit is configured. 4. The lubricating oil absorbing plate is formed by foaming or sintering a synthetic resin and is capable of slidingly contacting the raceway groove of the raceway member, and a reinforcing plate attached to the absorbent plate body. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a cored bar. 5. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 4, wherein the absorption plate main body is formed by filling ultra-high molecular weight synthetic resin fine particles into a predetermined mold and performing heat molding. . 6. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 4, wherein the absorption plate main body is attached to the core metal by bonding or mechanical engagement with an adhesive. 7. The mechanical engagement may be a piercing engagement in which a piercing claw formed by bending a part of the core metal or erected on the core metal pierces the absorption plate body, or 7. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 6, wherein said linear motion rolling guide unit is a holding engagement in which said absorption plate body is held by a pair of holding claws formed by bending a part of said core metal. 8. The absorption plate main body includes:
8. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 7, wherein the linear motion rolling guide unit is engaged with the core metal in the vicinity of a portion of the raceway member that is in sliding contact with the raceway groove. 9. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 4, wherein the lubricating oil absorbing plate has an outside of the absorbing plate main body covered by a sealing cover. 10. A lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal for preventing leakage of the lubricating oil is provided on a lower end surface of the lubricating oil absorbing plate.
A linear motion rolling guide unit according to any one of the preceding claims. 11. The end seal for preventing leakage of lubricating oil comprises a seal core for reinforcement and a seal rubber attached to the seal core, wherein the seal rubber is provided in the raceway groove of the raceway member. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 10, further comprising a lubricating oil leakage preventing lip portion that is in sliding contact with the slider and that is inclined inward. 12. The seal rubber of the lubricating oil leakage prevention end seal is in sliding contact with the raceway groove of the raceway member outside the lubricating oil leakage prevention lip and inclined outwardly of the slider. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 11, further comprising a dust proof lip portion. 13. The lubricating oil absorbing plate and the lubricating oil leakage preventing end seal are attached to the casing by mounting bolts screwed into the casing together with the corresponding end caps. By inserting the mounting bolt through a collar having a length corresponding to the thickness of the absorption plate main body and arranged according to the thickness of the absorption plate main body, a tightening load is substantially applied to the absorption plate main body. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the linear motion rolling guide unit is sandwiched between the end seal for preventing leakage of the lubricating oil and the end cap in a state in which the end cap does not act. 14. The lubricating apparatus, wherein the lubricating oil is impregnated in a sintered resin member formed by heating and molding ultra-high molecular weight synthetic resin fine particles, and the end is attached to an upper side of the casing. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a lubricating plate mounted on the upper end surface of the cap so as to be sandwiched between the cap and the end seal. 15. The track member according to claim 1, wherein the track member is a track rail having the track grooves formed on both side surfaces in a longitudinal direction, and the slider is a straddle-type slider straddling the track rail. 2. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 1. 16. The track member is a round shaft type track shaft in which the track groove is formed in the longitudinal direction, and the slider is a fitting type slider that is fitted around the track shaft. The linear motion rolling guide unit according to claim 1.