Linear drive

Abstract

The present invention relates to a linear drive device, which includes: a long shaft member extending axially; a moving body sleeved on the long shaft member and movable along the long shaft member; a dust-proof member disposed at one end of the moving body and sleeved on the long shaft member, the dust-proof member including a lip portion facing the surface of the long shaft member; and at least one vibrator disposed on the dust-proof member. Thus, the linear drive device can effectively scrape off internal debris.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a linear drive device, and particularly to a linear drive device having a vibrator. Background Art

[0002] During the operation of a linear drive device, such as a ball screw, debris is often generated due to the mutual collision of internal components. Therefore, it is necessary to remove this debris to prevent the debris from falling into the travel path and causing a failure of the linear drive device. In the case of a ball screw, most of the existing methods for removing debris are to form a protruding lip on the surface facing the screw on a dust-proof component (such as a brush ring, a claw-type brush, etc.) assembled to the nut, and place the lip into the thread groove of the screw to remove the debris in the thread groove.

[0003] In order to enhance the ability of the lip to remove debris, a Taiwan, China patented publication No. 530134 discloses a pneumatic knife type ball screw, which adds an air flow channel on the nut. This air flow channel can introduce external air flow into the thread groove in the ball screw to assist in removing the debris in the thread groove. However, such a design is still difficult to remove debris mixed with grease and cutting fluid. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a linear drive device having a vibrator.

[0005] A linear drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a long shaft member extending along an axial direction; a moving body sleeved on the long shaft member and movable along the long shaft member; a dust-proof member disposed at one end of the moving body and sleeved on the long shaft member, the dust-proof member including a lip facing the surface of the long shaft member; and at least one vibrator disposed on the dust-proof member.

[0006] In another embodiment, the dust-proof member further includes at least one receiving groove for receiving the at least one vibrator.

[0007] In still another embodiment, the position of the lip corresponds to the position of the vibrator.

[0008] In still another embodiment, the at least one vibrator is an eccentric vibrator or a piezoelectric vibrator. When the at least one vibrator is an eccentric vibrator, the vibration frequency of the at least one vibrator is 200 to 400 Hz. When the at least one vibrator is a piezoelectric vibrator, the vibration frequency of the at least one vibrator is 20000 Hz to 145000 Hz.

[0009] In still another embodiment, the linear drive device further includes a power supply unit, and at least a part of the power supply unit is used to be disposed in the at least one receiving groove to supply power to the vibrator.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the power supply unit includes a charging coil set disposed in the at least one receiving groove for supplying power to the vibrator. Alternatively, the power supply unit includes at least one transmission wire for electrically connecting the vibrator and an external power source.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the dust-proof member further includes a receiving hole on the outer peripheral surface, the receiving hole communicating with the receiving groove and for the transmission wire to pass through.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, the vibrator includes a groove for receiving the transmission wire.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, the linear transmission device is a linear slide rail or a ball screw.

[0014] Thus, the linear transmission device provided by the present invention can effectively remove internal debris by vibration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A perspective view of a linear transmission device drawn according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 For Figure 1 exploded view to show the installation of a wireless vibrator on the linear transmission device;

[0017] Figure 3 A perspective view of a dust-proof component drawn according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 For Figure 3 exploded view;

[0019] Figure 5 A perspective view of a dust-proof component drawn according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 For Figure 5 exploded view;

[0021] Figure 7 A perspective view of a linear transmission device drawn according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 8 For Figure 7 exploded view to show the installation of a linear vibrator on the linear transmission device;

[0023] Figure 9 A perspective view of a dust-proof component drawn according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 10 is Figure 9 exploded view;

[0025] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a linear drive device drawn according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 12 is Figure 11 exploded view, used to present a linear vibrator installed on the linear drive device;

[0027] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a dust-proof component drawn according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 14 is Figure 13 exploded view;

[0029] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a linear drive device drawn according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 16 is Figure 15 exploded view; and

[0031] Figure 17 is Figure 16 exploded view of the dust-proof component.

[0032] Explanation of symbol markings in the drawings:

[0033] 1, 2, 3, 4: Linear drive device

[0034] 10, 50, 70: Nut

[0035] 101, 501, 701, 901: First end

[0036] 102, 902: Second end

[0037] 20, 60, 80, 100: Dust-proof component

[0038] 21, 61, 81, 100B: Dust-proof piece

[0039] 211, 1003, 1009: Inner peripheral surface

[0040] 212, 612, 812, 1004, 1010: Outer peripheral surface

[0041] 213, 613, 813: Connecting surface

[0042] 214: Lip

[0043] 215: Fixed cover

[0044] 30: Screw rod

[0045] 31: Threaded groove

[0046] 40: End plug

[0047] 62, 63, 82: Transmission wire

[0048] 614, 814: Receiving hole

[0049] 703: End face

[0050] 704: Positioning groove

[0051] 815: Positioning part

[0052] 90: Slide block

[0053] 903: End face

[0054] 100A: End cover

[0055] 1001, 1007: First end face

[0056] 1002, 1008: Second end face

[0057] 1005, 1006, 1011, 1012: Lip

[0058] 110: Slide rail

[0059] 1101: Side surface

[0060] 1102: Groove

[0061] S, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7: Receiving groove

[0062] VD: Vibrator

[0063] EC: Power supply unit

[0064] H1: First through hole

[0065] H2: Second through hole

[0066] H3: Third through hole

[0067] T: Groove Detailed implementation manner

[0068] The technical solutions of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0069] Please refer toFigures 1 to 4 , a linear drive device 1 provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, a ball screw, which includes a nut 10 (or a moving body), at least one dust-proof component 20, a screw 30 (or a long shaft member), and at least one end plug 40. In this embodiment, the number of dust-proof components 20 on the linear drive device 1 is 2, and the number of end plugs 40 is also 2. The nut 10 is sleeved on the screw 30 by a plurality of rolling elements (not shown in the figure) and can move along the screw 30. The nut 10 includes a first end 101, a second end 102 opposite to the first end 101, and a first through hole H1 extending from the first end 101 to the second end 102. The dust-proof component 20 and the end plug 40 are used to be placed into the first through hole H1. The two dust-proof components 20 are respectively located at the first end 101 and the second end 102 of the nut 10, and the two end plugs 40 are also respectively located at the first end 101 and the second end 102 of the nut 10. At least a part of the end plug 40 abuts against the screw 30.

[0070] The dust-proof component 20 includes a dust-proof member 21, at least one vibrator VD, and a power supply unit EC. The dust-proof member 21 is sleeved on the screw 30. In this embodiment, the dust-proof member 21 is an annular wiper. The vibrator VD is electrically connected to the power supply unit EC, so that the power supply unit EC can supply power to the vibrator VD, thereby causing the vibrator VD to generate vibration. The dust-proof member 21 includes an inner peripheral surface 211 facing the screw 30, an outer peripheral surface 212 opposite to the inner peripheral surface 211, a connecting surface 213 connecting the inner peripheral surface 211 and the outer peripheral surface 212, and at least one accommodating groove S recessed from the connecting surface 213. The vibrator VD and the power supply unit EC can be placed into the accommodating groove S. In this embodiment, 1 vibrator VD is installed on the dust-proof component 20. The power supply unit EC can be, for example, a charging coil group (wireless charging coil group). The number of accommodating grooves S is 1, and the accommodating groove S is an annular groove; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0071] The dust-proof member 21 further includes a lip 214 on the inner peripheral surface 211, and the surface of the lip 214 faces the screw 30. When the dust-proof component 20 is sleeved on the screw 30, the lip 214 is located in the thread groove 31 of the screw 30, and as the relative displacement between the nut 10 and the screw 30, the lip 214 travels along the thread groove 31 of the screw 30. Also, the position of the lip 214 corresponds to the position of the vibrator VD. Therefore, when the lip 214 travels along the thread groove 31 of the screw 30 and the vibrator VD generates vibration, the vibrating lip 214 can effectively scrape off the debris and lubricating oil in the thread groove 31.

[0072] In another embodiment, the dust-proof component 20 may further include at least one fixing cover 215, such as Figure 5 and 6As shown, the fixed cover 215 is used to shield the receiving groove S, thereby preventing the objects in the receiving groove S from falling out. The number of the fixed covers 215 can be determined according to the number and size of the receiving grooves S.

[0073] Although the above embodiments are all illustrated by taking the wireless vibrator as an example, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the vibrator can also be a wired vibrator. Please refer to Figures 7 to 10 As shown, a linear drive device 2 provided according to another embodiment of the present invention is a ball screw, which includes a nut 50, at least one dust-proof component 60, a screw 30, and at least one end plug 40. In this embodiment, the screw 30 and the end plug 40 are the same as the screw 30 and the end plug 40 of Figure 2 and will not be described in detail herein. The nut 50 is similar to the nut 10 of Figure 2 and the first end 501 of the nut 50 further includes a third through hole H3. The third through hole H3 communicates with the first through hole H1 of the nut 50.

[0074] The dust-proof component 60 includes a dust-proof member 61, two vibrators VD, and a power supply unit EC. In this embodiment, the power supply unit EC includes transmission wires 62 and 63. The opposite ends of the transmission wire 62 are electrically connected to one of the vibrators VD and an external power supply respectively. The opposite ends of the transmission wire 63 are electrically connected to the two vibrators VD respectively. Thus, the external power supply can provide power to the vibrators VD through the transmission wires 62 and 63, so that the vibrators VD generate vibrations.

[0075] The dust-proof member 61 is similar to the dust-proof member 21 of Figure 2 and the connecting surface 613 of the dust-proof member 61 is recessed with a plurality of receiving grooves S1 to S3. The receiving grooves S1 to S3 communicate with each other. The receiving grooves S1 and S2 are used to receive the two vibrators VD, and the receiving groove S3 is used to receive the transmission wire 63.

[0076] In addition, the dust-proof member 61 further includes a receiving hole 614 on its outer peripheral surface 612. The receiving hole 614 communicates with the receiving groove S. Therefore, the transmission wire 62 can pass through the receiving hole 614 and the third through hole H3 of the nut 50 to be connected to the external power supply.

[0077] Please refer to Figures 11 to 14 As shown, a linear drive device 3 provided according to still another embodiment of the present invention is a ball screw, which includes a nut 70, at least one dust-proof component 80, a screw 30, and at least one end plug 40. In this embodiment, the screw 30 and the end plug 40 are the same as the screw 30 and the end plug 40 of Figure 2 and will not be described in detail herein.

[0078] The nut 70 is similar to the nut of Figure 2is similar to the nut 10; the first end 701 of the nut 70 further includes a third through hole H3, and the third through hole H3 communicates with the first through hole H1 of the nut 70; moreover, a positioning groove 704 is recessed in the end surface 703 of the first end 701 of the nut 70, and the positioning groove 704 communicates with the first through hole H1 of the nut 70.

[0079] The dust-proof assembly 80 includes a dust-proof member 81, three vibrators VD, and a power supply unit. A positioning portion 815 is protruded from the outer peripheral surface 812 of the dust-proof member 81. When the dust-proof assembly 80 is assembled to the nut 70, the positioning portion 815 can be placed into the positioning groove 704 to prevent the dust-proof assembly 80 from rotating relative to the nut 70. The dust-proof member 81 further includes a receiving hole 814 on the outer peripheral surface 812. In this embodiment, the receiving hole 814 is located at the positioning portion 815, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0080] A plurality of receiving grooves S4 to S6 are recessed in the connecting surface 813 of the dust-proof assembly 80, and the receiving grooves S4 to S6 communicate with each other. Each receiving groove S4 is used to receive the vibrator VD, and the receiving grooves S5 to S6 are used to receive the power supply unit. In this embodiment, the power supply unit is, for example, a transmission wire 82. The vibrator VD includes a groove T for receiving the transmission wire 82. The transmission wire 82 is electrically connected to the three vibrators VD and an external power supply. Thus, the external power supply can provide power to the vibrator VD through the transmission wire 82, so that the vibrator VD generates vibration. In addition, the receiving groove S6 communicates with the receiving hole 814, so the transmission wire 82 can pass through the receiving hole 814 and the third through hole H3 of the nut 70 along the receiving groove S6 to be connected to the external power supply.

[0081] Furthermore, the present invention also provides another embodiment of a linear drive device. Please refer to Figures 15 to 17 , a linear drive device 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, a linear slide rail, which includes a slider 90 (or a moving body), two dust-proof assemblies 100, and a slide rail 110 (or a long shaft member). The slider 90 is sleeved on the slide rail 110 by a plurality of rolling bodies (not shown in the figure) and can move along the slide rail 110. The slider 90 includes a first end 901 and a second end 902 opposite to the first end 901. The two dust-proof assemblies 100 are respectively disposed at the first end 901 and the second end 902 of the slider 90. The dust-proof assembly 100 is sleeved on the slide rail 110 and can move with the slider 90 on the slide rail 110.

[0082] Each dust-proof component 100 includes an end cap 100A, a dust-proof member 100B, a plurality of vibrators VD, and a power supply unit (not shown). The end cap 100A is disposed at the first end 901 or the second end 902 of the slider 90, and the end cap 100A is located between the dust-proof member 100B and the slider 90. The end cap 100A includes a first end face 1001, a second end face 1002 opposite to the first end face 1001, an inner circumferential face 1003 connecting the first end face 1001 and the second end face 1002, and an outer circumferential face 1004 connecting the first end face 1001 and the second end face 1002 and opposite to the inner circumferential face 1003. The first end face 1001 of the end cap 100A abuts against the end face 903 of the first end 901 or the second end 902 of the slider 90. The inner circumferential face 1003 of the end cap 100A is provided with a plurality of adjacent lips 1005 on the same side and a plurality of adjacent lips 1006 on the same side, and the lips 1005 are opposite to the lips 1006.

[0083] The dust-proof member 100B includes a first end face 1007 (connecting face), a second end face 1008 opposite to the first end face 1007, an inner circumferential face 1009 connecting the first end face 1007 and the second end face 1008, and an outer circumferential face 1010 opposite to the inner circumferential face 1009 and connecting the first end face 1007 and the second end face 1008. The first end face 1007 of the dust-proof member 100B abuts against the second end face 1002 of the end cap 100A. The inner circumferential face 1009 of the dust-proof member 100B is provided with a plurality of adjacent lips 1011 on the same side and a plurality of adjacent lips 1012 on the same side, and the lips 1011 are opposite to the lips 1012, and each lip 1011 and the corresponding lip 1005 together form a rib, and each lip 1012 and the corresponding lip 1006 together form a rib. The first end face 1007 of the dust-proof member 100B is recessed with a plurality of receiving grooves S7 to receive the plurality of vibrators VD, as Figure 17 shown. The positions of these vibrators VD correspond to the positions of the lips 1011 and 1012.

[0084] In addition, the first end face 1007 of the dust-proof member 100B may be recessed with more receiving grooves (not shown) to receive the above-mentioned power supply unit. The power supply unit is used to supply power to the vibrator VD and may, for example, include at least one battery and at least one transmission wire, and the transmission wire is used to electrically connect the battery to the vibrator VD. Alternatively, the power supply unit may, for example, include at least one transmission wire, and the transmission wire is used to electrically connect the vibrator VD to an external power source (not shown).

[0085] After the linear drive device 4 is assembled, the above-mentioned multiple ribs can fall into and contact multiple grooves 1102 on the opposite two side surfaces 1101 of the slide rail 110 to remove debris in the grooves 1102. Moreover, the end cap 100A can further serve as a fixing cap to cover the accommodating groove S7 on the first end surface 1007 of the dust-proof member 100B, thereby preventing the vibrator VD in the accommodating groove S7 and the power supply unit in other accommodating grooves from falling out.

[0086] Although multiple grooves 1102 are provided on each side surface 1101 of the slide rail 110 of the linear drive device 4 in this embodiment to correspond to two groups of opposite ribs on the inner peripheral surfaces 1003 and 1009 of the dust-proof assembly 100, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, only one groove may be provided on each side surface of the slide rail of the linear drive device to correspond to two opposite ribs on the inner peripheral surface of the dust-proof assembly.

[0087] In the present invention, the vibrator VD can be, for example, an eccentric vibrator or a piezoelectric vibrator. The vibration frequency of the eccentric vibrator can be, for example, between 200 and 400 Hz, and the vibration frequency of the piezoelectric vibrator can be, for example, between 20000 Hz and 145000 Hz; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. In fact, the vibration frequency, type, and specifications of the vibrator VD can be selected according to actual needs. For example, when the ball screw provided by the present invention is applied to a woodworking machine, the particle size of the waste wood chips generated is relatively large. Therefore, an eccentric vibrator with a lower vibration frequency (such as 200 - 300 Hz) for the vibrator VD can have a dust-proof effect. When the ball screw provided by the present invention is applied to a grinding machine, since a cutting fluid is usually sprayed in the grinding machine, the cutting fluid will mix with the workpiece debris and adhere to the screw. At this time, an eccentric vibrator with a high vibration frequency (such as 400 Hz) or even a piezoelectric vibrator with a vibration frequency between 20000 Hz and 145000 Hz for the vibrator VD is required to effectively remove foreign matters on the screw.

[0088] In addition, in the present invention, a control circuit and a communication interface connected to the control circuit are provided inside the vibrator VD. Therefore, a user can connect the communication interface to a control terminal, for example, by wireless transmission, or connect the communication interface to the control terminal through the above-mentioned transmission wire, so as to perform manual control on the control terminal, such as turning on, turning off, or adjusting the vibration frequency, etc. Here, the control terminal can be, for example, a remote control, a calculator device, etc. Alternatively, according to the result of detecting whether the linear transmission device operates abnormally, the communication interface can be wirelessly connected to the control terminal, or the communication interface can be connected to the control terminal through the above-mentioned transmission wire, so as to perform automatic control, such as turning on, turning off, or adjusting the vibration frequency, etc. Here, the control terminal can be, for example, a calculator device. For example, at least one sensor (such as a vibration sensor) can be provided on the linear transmission device, and the sensor can communicate with the control terminal in a wired or wireless manner, so that when the control terminal learns from the detection result of the sensor that the linear transmission device operates abnormally (for example, when the detection signal of the vibration sensor exceeds at least one threshold, it means that the moving body moves smoothly on the long shaft member), the control terminal automatically turns on the vibrator VD and automatically turns it off after a period of time. However, the present invention is not limited to the above examples. In fact, the control of the vibrator VD of the present invention can be designed according to actual needs.

[0089] In summary, the linear transmission device and its dust-proof component provided by the present invention bury the vibrator in the dust-proof component, and the vibration of the vibrator drives the lip of the dust-proof component to vibrate, so that when the vibrating lip travels along the groove, the debris in the groove can be effectively removed.

[0090] In summary, the above embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A linear drive device, characterized in that, Comprising: A long-axis member extending axially; A moving body sleeved on the long-axis member and movable along the long-axis member; A dust-proof member provided at one end of the moving body and sleeved on the long-axis member, the dust-proof member comprising an inner circumferential surface, a lip protruding from the inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface relative to the inner circumferential surface, a connecting surface connecting the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface, and at least one receiving groove recessed from the connecting surface, the lip facing the surface of the long-axis member; and At least one vibrator provided in the at least one receiving groove, the position of the vibrator corresponding to the position of the lip; Wherein, the at least one vibrator is an eccentric vibrator or a piezoelectric vibrator. When the at least one vibrator is an eccentric vibrator, the vibration frequency of the at least one vibrator is 200 to 400 Hz. When the at least one vibrator is a piezoelectric vibrator, the vibration frequency of the at least one vibrator is 20,000 Hz to 145,000 Hz.

2. The linear drive device according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising: A power supply unit, at least a part of the power supply unit being configured to be provided in the at least one receiving groove to supply power to the vibrator.

3. The linear drive device according to claim 2, wherein The power supply unit comprises a charging coil group provided in the at least one receiving groove for supplying power to the vibrator.

4. The linear drive device according to claim 2, wherein The power supply unit comprises at least one transmission wire for electrically connecting the vibrator and an external power source.

5. The linear transmission device according to claim 4, characterized in that The dust-proof member further comprises a receiving hole penetrating through the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface, the receiving hole communicating with the receiving groove and for the transmission wire to pass through.

6. The linear drive device according to claim 4, wherein The vibrator comprises a groove for receiving the transmission wire.

7. The linear transmission device according to claim 1, wherein, The linear transmission device is a linear slide rail, and at least one fixed cover abuts against the connecting surface of the dust-proof member to shield the at least one receiving groove, thereby preventing the at least one vibrator from falling out of the at least one receiving groove.

8. The linear transmission device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linear transmission device is a ball screw, and at least one fixed cover is provided in the at least one receiving groove to shield the at least one receiving groove, thereby preventing the at least one vibrator from falling out of the at least one receiving groove.

9. The linear transmission device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the at least one receiving groove is odd, and the receiving groove is an annular groove.

10. The linear drive device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the at least one receiving groove is multiple, and these receiving grooves communicate with each other.

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