Bearings – Linear bearing – Combined with seal or guard
Patent
1993-01-15
1994-01-04
Hannon, Thomas R.
Bearings
Linear bearing
Combined with seal or guard
384 45, F16C 2906, F16C 3372
Patent
active
052754928
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a sealing device of a linealy movable mechanism and a method of manufacturing the sealing device.
BACKGROUND ART
FIG. 4 shows a conventional linearly movable mechanism, in which first rolling member rolling grooves 102 are provided to both side surfaces 101 of a guide rail 100 and second rolling member rolling grooves 104 facing the first rolling grooves 101 are formed to a slider 103. The slider 103 is slidable on the guide rail 100 in the axial direction thereof through rolling members 105 disposed between the first and second rolling grooves 102 and 104.
A pair of end plates 103a are attached to both the axial ends of the slider 103, and end seals (first seal members) 106 are secured to end plates 110 disposed at the end faces of the end plates 103a. The end plates 103a and the end plates 110 are fastened fixedly to the slider 103 by means of screws 114. The end seals 106 are provided with sealing projections 107 slidably contacting the first rolling grooves 102. Upper seals (second sealing members) 111 extending axially are fixedly fastened to the slider 103 by means of screws 115 at portions corresponding to the upper surface 108 of the guide rail 100, and the upper seals 111 are constructed as members independent from the end seals 106.
In the conventional linearly movable mechanism of the structure described above, the rolling members 105 are rolled to thereby axially move the slider 103 on and along the guide rail 100. The sealing projections 107 prevent external cut chips or spatters from invading into the first and second rolling grooves 102 and 104. In addition, the upper seals 111 prevent foreign materials from invading into the first and second rolling grooves 102 and 104 through the upper surface 108 of the guide rail 100. However, in the conventional technology, the end seals 106 and the upper seals 111 are attached to the slider 103 independently with each other, thus performing less workability and reducing productionability.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a linear motion slide unit comprising:
a guide rail in which a first rolling member rolling groove extending in an axial direction is formed;
a slider in which a second rolling member rolling groove facing the first rolling member rolling groove is formed;
a number of rolling members disposed between the first and second rolling member rolling grooves to thereby axially movably support the slider on the guide rail; and
a sealing device comprising a pair of end plates axially disposed at both ends of the slider, a connection plate disposed between the slider and the guide rail in the axial direction thereof and integrally connected to the paired end plates, first sealing members disposed at positions at which the end plates face the guide rail and second sealing members extending along the axial direction of the connection plate.
The slider has preferably substantially a -shape in cross section and the end plates each secured to the end portion of the slider has also a -shape in cross section. The respective recessed portions of the end plates can be integrally connected with each other through the connection plate.
The first seal members are formed in a shape conforming with the outer peripheral shape of the guide rail.
Furthermore, the connection plate comprises a base portion and bent portions formed by bending both side edges of the base portion, and the second seal members are secured to the outer side surfaces of the bent portions.
Still furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the second seal members are composed of lip portions inclining towards the centeral side of the guide rail.
The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a sealing device of a linearly movable mechanism comprising the steps of forming a pair of end plates integrally with a plate-like body having a connection plate connected in an axial direction to the paired end plates, joining first seal members to the paired end plates, joining second seal members to the connec
REFERENCES:
patent: 4253709 (1981-03-01), Teramachi
patent: 4918846 (1990-04-01), Tsukada
patent: 5087130 (1992-02-01), Tsukada
patent: 5092685 (1992-03-01), Tonogai
patent: 5102235 (1992-04-01), Mugglestone
Hannon Thomas R.
THK Co. Ltd.
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