Bearings – Linear bearing – Recirculating
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-27
2001-02-13
Hannon, Thomas R. (Department: 3682)
Bearings
Linear bearing
Recirculating
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186664
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a light-weight bearing device having a housing made of synthetic resin.
A bearing device is composed of an outer sleeve, a housing into which the outer sleeve is inserted and a shaft inserted into the outer sleeve so that the housing with the outer sleeve is slidable in a linear fashion relative to the shaft. In particular, in a certain type of bearing device in which centering plates made of metal for performing automatic centering of the outer sleeve by a fine motion is provided, the outer sleeve is made of synthetic resin and the housing is made of metal (stainless steel in many cases).
The reason for this is as follows: Since an outward load is imposed to the centering plate provided on the outer sleeve by the contact of balls with the shaft when the housing with the outer sleeve is slidably moved in the linear fashion, if the housing would be made of synthetic resin, the contact portions between the housing and the centering plates would be worn and deformed so that there would be a fear that the outer sleeve and the housing would not come into intimate contact with each other with a rattle.
However, if the housing is made of synthetic resin, it is possible to considerably reduce the weight of the housing with the outer sleeve. In addition, it is advantageous to considerably enhance the productivity since the housing molding may be performed in an integral manner with molds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above-noted defects, an object of the present invention is to provide a bearing device in which a contact portion between centering plates of an outer sleeve and a housing would neither be abraded nor deformed and which is superior in practicality, reduction of weight, durability and mass production even if the housing is made of synthetic resin.
According to the present invention, there is provided a bearing device comprising a housing into which an outer sleeve is inserted and a shaft inserted into the outer sleeve, wherein the shaft and the housing with the outer sleeve are relatively slidable in a linear fashion, characterized in that the outer sleeve has a ball endless recirculation path defined by a loading portion and a non-loading portion, balls are arranged in the ball endless recirculation path by a retainer, centering plates which may move finely are provided in the outer sleeve, the housing is made of synthetic resin, and a portion with the centering plates are brought into contact when the outer sleeve is mounted on the housing is made of anti-abrasion material such as metal.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bearing device comprising a housing into which an outer sleeve is inserted and a shaft inserted into the outer sleeve, wherein the shaft and the housing with the outer sleeve are relatively slidable in a linear fashion, characterized in that the outer sleeve has a ball endless recirculation path defined by a loading portion and a non-loading portion, balls are arranged in the ball endless recirculation path by a retainer, centering plates for supporting the balls at the loading portion from the outside are floatingly movable in through-windows formed in the outer sleeve, the housing is made of synthetic resin, and a portion with the centering plates are brought into contact when the outer sleeve is mounted on the housing is made of anti-abrasion material such as metal.
Also, in the bearing device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, according to a third aspect of the invention, the anti-abrasion material is formed into a ring.
Also, in the bearing device according to the second aspect of the invention, according to a fourth aspect of the invention, the centering plates have a projection at an intermediate portion in a longitudinal direction, respectively, and the projection of the centering plate is brought into contact with the anti-abrasion material.
In the bearing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, according to a fifth aspect of the invention, pull-apart preventing members for preventing the outer sleeve from being pulled apart are provided on the front and rear side of the outer sleeve mounted on the housing.
In the bearing device according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the pull-apart preventing members are melt-bonded and formed integrally with recess portions formed in the housing.
For instance, when the housing with the outer sleeve is linearly moved relative to the shaft, an outward load is applied to the centering plate provided in the outer sleeve. However, since the contact portion of the housing against the centering plate is made of anti-abrasion material such as metal, there is no deformation or wear. Accordingly, there is no rattle between the outer sleeve and the housing.
With such an arrangement according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bearing device in which a contact portion between centering plates of an outer sleeve and a housing would neither be abraded nor deformed and which is superior in practicality, reduction of weight, durability and mass production even if the housing is made of synthetic resin and light in weight.
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Hoshino Kazuei
Nozawa Hisashi
Yamazaki Mitsuru
Yoshii Hiroshi
Hannon Thomas R.
Nippon Bearing Company, Ltd.
Pollock, Vande Sande & Amernick RLLP
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