Automatic oiling and ball feeding machine for slide rail production and using method

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a kind of automatic oiling ball feeding machine for slide rail production and method for using, it is related to slide rail production and processing equipment technical field, the automatic oiling ball feeding machine includes machine body, workbench, ball box, sliding track and ball feeding device, workbench is also provided with the oiling device for the internal oiling of outer slide rail and controller, controller is electrically connected with ball feeding device and oiling device and according to outer slide rail in place detection signal controls oiling device to execute oiling action preferentially, after oiling is completed, control ball feeding device to start time sequence linkage.Oiling device includes oiling guide rail, oiling sliding block, rotary cylinder, jaw cylinder, oiling pipe, oiling head and oiling driving part, and a resilient floating compensation assembly is provided between the oiling head and the jaw cylinder, so that the oiling head can adjust according to the internal size variation of the outer slide rail and maintain constant contact pressure. The application realizes the continuous automatic production of outer slide rail oiling, retainer bead loading and rail feeding, improves the lubrication quality and assembly efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of slide rail production and processing equipment, and in particular to an automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] A drawer slide, also known as a guide rail or slide rail, is a linear motion connection component fixed in furniture cabinets, vehicle equipment, and industrial equipment. It is primarily used to enable the reciprocating movement of structural components such as drawers and moving platforms. A drawer slide typically consists of an outer slide, an inner slide, and a retainer positioned between the outer and inner slides. The retainer has multiple ball bearing mounting holes on both sides. By installing balls in these holes, the retainer can roll between the inner and outer slides, thereby reducing sliding resistance and improving the stability of the drawer slide operation.

[0003] In the automated production process of slide rails, it is usually necessary to first install the balls inside the cage, and then install the cage with the balls inside into the outer slide rail. Currently, some automated equipment can realize automatic cage conveying and automatic ball installation. For example, by setting up a sliding rail and ball-feeding mechanisms located on both sides of the rail, the ball-feeding mechanisms press the balls into the through holes on the side wall of the cage during the movement of the cage, thereby replacing manual ball loading and improving production efficiency.

[0004] However, existing automatic ball-feeding equipment mainly focuses on the ball installation process, and lacks further optimization of the operating performance after the cage enters the outer slide rail.

[0005] In actual production, the area between the inner wall of the outer slide rail and the cage balls is a high-frequency rolling contact area. If lubrication is insufficient, it will lead to increased initial running resistance of the slide rail, increased running noise, and accelerated wear of the contact surface between the balls and the rail.

[0006] Existing production methods typically employ independent oiling equipment or manual methods to apply oil to the external slide rails, which involves adding an extra lubrication process before and after slide rail assembly.

[0007] This method has the following problems: On the one hand, the oiling process and the automatic ball feeding process are independent of each other and need to be transferred between different equipment, which increases the production cycle and the space occupied by the equipment. On the other hand, existing oiling methods usually apply a blanket of oil to the entire surface of the slide rail, without precisely supplying oil to the actual rolling contact trajectory of the balls. This can easily lead to insufficient lubrication in some areas and waste of oil in non-contact areas.

[0008] In addition, due to the differences in the internal dimensions of different models of external slide rails, the traditional fixed-size oiling structure cannot guarantee that the oiling parts always maintain stable contact with the inner wall of the external slide rail, which can easily lead to uneven oil film thickness.

[0009] Therefore, how to achieve automatic and precise lubrication of the ball movement area inside the outer slide rail before cage assembly based on automatic ball-feeding equipment, and how to make the oiling action, ball-feeding action and cage conveying action form a continuous automated production process, has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To simplify the production process, improve automation, and enhance product lubrication quality, this application provides an automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production.

[0011] Firstly, the automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: An automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production includes a machine body with a ball box for holding balls. A worktable is also provided on the machine body, and a sliding rail for a cage to slide on is mounted on the worktable. Ball-feeding devices are provided on both sides of the sliding rail to install the balls from the ball box onto the cage. An outer slide rail is mounted on the worktable and aligns with the sliding rail. During the sliding process, the cage completes the ball installation and enters the outer slide rail. The workbench is also equipped with an oiling device for applying oil to the inside of the external slide rail, and includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the ball-entry device and the oiling device. The controller controls the oiling device to perform the oiling action first according to the outer slide rail positioning detection signal, and controls the ball insertion device to start after detecting that the oiling is completed, so that the lubrication process of the outer slide rail and the ball loading process of the cage are linked in a time sequence. The oiling device applies oil to the inner wall of the outer slide rail before the retainer enters the outer slide rail. The oiling device includes an oiling guide rail mounted on a workbench, an oiling slider slidably mounted on the oiling guide rail, a rotary cylinder mounted on the oiling slider, a gripper cylinder mounted on the output end of the rotary cylinder, and an oiling pipe mounted on each of the two grippers of the gripper cylinder. One end of the oiling pipe is connected to an oil pump, and the other end is connected to an oiling head. The oiling head is used to apply oil to the two opposing inner walls of the outer slide rail. The workbench is provided with an oiling drive component that drives the oiling slider to reciprocate along the oiling guide rail. When the oiling drive component drives the oiling head to extend into the outer slide rail, the gripper cylinder drives the two oiling heads to open and abut against the two inner walls of the outer slide rail. An elastic floating compensation component is provided between the oiling head and the gripper cylinder, which enables the oiling head to float and adjust according to the changes in the internal dimensions of the outer slide rail, and maintain a constant contact pressure with the inner wall of the outer slide rail.

[0012] Furthermore, a loading platform and a positioning platform are detachably installed on the workbench. The loading platform and the positioning platform are provided with positioning grooves for placing the outer slide rail. One end of the outer slide rail is fixed on the loading platform and the other end is fixed on the positioning platform. The side of the positioning platform away from the loading platform is open, and the open end of the positioning platform is used for the oiling device to extend into and operate.

[0013] Furthermore, the sliding track is a sliding groove formed on the upper surface of the platform, and the sliding groove is connected to the positioning groove. The ball-entry device includes mounting seats installed on the platforms on both sides of the sliding groove. The mounting seats have ball-entry grooves and guide ball grooves. The ball-entry groove has an arc-shaped structure, and the outlet of the ball-entry groove is directly opposite the through hole of the side wall of the cage. The guide ball groove is set parallel to the sliding track, and the end of the outer slide rail is connected to the guide ball groove. The mounting seat has a drive groove that communicates with the ball-entry groove. The drive groove is equipped with a drive component that allows the steel ball to enter the through hole of the side wall of the cage. When the cage slides inside the sliding groove, the drive component acts the steel ball on the through hole of the side wall of the cage. As the cage continues to slide, it enters the outer slide rail. The positioning groove is used to define the axial installation reference of the outer slide rail. The controller determines the starting and ending positions of the oiling head movement according to the installation position of the outer slide rail and the cage ball spacing parameters.

[0014] Furthermore, the drive assembly includes an air inlet pipe communicating with the drive groove, and an air pump connected to the air inlet pipe to install the ball bearings onto the cage by blowing air. The mounting base is provided with a switch mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of the ball inlet groove outlet. The switch mechanism includes a switch piece rotatably connected to the mounting base, and a switch spring fixed on the mounting base to drive the switch piece to close the ball inlet groove outlet. During the sliding process of the cage, the switch piece is pushed to rotate, thereby opening the ball inlet groove outlet and facilitating the installation of the ball bearings.

[0015] Furthermore, the ball box is provided in multiple sets, each set of ball box is used to hold balls of different diameters, and the ball inlet device includes a ball inlet tube, the two ends of which are connected to the corresponding ball box and the mounting base respectively through quick-release connectors.

[0016] Furthermore, the bottom of the ball bearing box is provided with an anti-clogging mechanism, which includes a scraper plate slidably disposed inside the ball bearing box. The bottom of the scraper plate has several through grooves for the balls to roll into the ball inlet tube. The anti-clogging mechanism also includes a scraper cylinder fixed on the machine body. The piston rod of the scraper cylinder is connected to the scraper plate and drives the scraper plate to reciprocate at the bottom of the ball bearing box to clear the balls blocked at the inlet. The controller controls the scraper cylinder to start intermittently according to the working frequency of the ball inlet device, so that the ball feeding state is synchronized with the ball installation rhythm, and the feeding fluctuation is avoided due to ball accumulation.

[0017] Furthermore, the workbench is equipped with a sensor for checking the presence of an external slide rail. The sensor is electrically connected to the controller. When the external slide rail is detected to be installed in place, the controller controls the oiling device to perform the oiling action. The controller calls the corresponding oiling path parameters according to the model parameters of the outer slide rail, controls the moving distance of the oiling drive and the opening pressure of the oiling head, so that the formed lubricating oil band matches the running trajectory of the corresponding model cage ball.

[0018] Furthermore, a feeding cylinder is also provided on the workbench. The piston rod of the feeding cylinder is used to push the retainer to slide along the sliding track toward the outer slide rail. The feeding cylinder and the oiling device are interlocked through a controller. Before the oiling device completes the reset and avoidance action, the feeding cylinder is restricted from starting to avoid interference between the retainer and the oiling assembly during the process of the retainer entering the outer slide rail.

[0019] Secondly, this application also provides a method of using the above-mentioned automatic oiling ball-feeding machine, including the following steps: An automatic oiling and ball-feeding method for slide rail production, implemented using the automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, is characterized by comprising the following steps: S1. Fix the outer slide rail in the positioning groove of the stage and the positioning platform; S2. The controller controls the oiling drive to drive the oiling slider to move along the oiling guide towards the outer slide rail, while the rotary cylinder drives the gripper cylinder to rotate downwards, so that the two oiling heads are aligned with the opening end of the outer slide rail. S3. The oiling drive unit continues to drive, causing the two oiling heads to extend into the interior of the outer slide rail to a preset depth; S4. The gripper cylinder drives the two oiling heads to open and abut against the two inner sidewalls of the outer slide rail; S5. The oil pump starts and supplies oil to the oiling head through the oiling pipe. At the same time, the oiling drive unit drives the oiling slider to move the oiling head along the length of the outer slide rail. The oiling movement range is determined according to the theoretical rolling contact trajectory between the cage ball and the inner sidewall of the outer slide rail, so that the oiling head forms a continuous linear oil film only at the position corresponding to the actual contact area of ​​the ball, rather than covering the entire inner wall of the outer slide rail with oil. S6. After the oiling is completed, the gripper cylinder drives the two oiling heads to retract, the oiling drive unit drives the oiling slider to retract and reset, and the rotary cylinder rotates in the opposite direction to make the oiling head avoid the sliding path. S7. The feeding cylinder pushes the retainer to slide along the sliding groove, and the ball insertion device puts the balls into the through holes on both sides of the retainer. After the retainer is filled with balls, it continues to slide and enters the oiled outer slide rail. S8. After removing the outer slide rail with the cage installed, repeat steps S1 to S7.

[0020] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: First, by installing an oiling device on the worktable and linking the oiling device, ball-feeding device, and feeding cylinder through a controller to achieve sequential linkage control, continuous automated production of outer slide rail oiling, cage ball loading, and cage rail insertion is realized. The oiling process is completed before the cage enters the outer slide rail, ensuring sufficient lubrication between the inner wall of the outer slide rail and the contact area of ​​the balls. This eliminates the need to transfer workpieces between different devices, shortens the production cycle, and reduces the space occupied by the equipment.

[0021] Secondly, by incorporating an elastic floating compensation component between the oiling head and the gripper cylinder, the oiling head can adjust its movement according to changes in the internal dimensions of the outer slide rail, while maintaining a constant contact pressure with the inner wall of the outer slide rail. This design adaptively absorbs manufacturing tolerances in the inner diameter of the outer slide rail through the elastic deformation of the compression spring, eliminating the need to replace the oiling head or adjust the stroke of the gripper cylinder for different models of outer slide rails. This improves the equipment's versatility and changeover efficiency, while ensuring the uniformity of the oil film thickness and the stability of the oiling quality.

[0022] Third, the controller calls the corresponding oiling path parameters according to the model parameters of the outer slide rail, so that the oiling head only forms a continuous linear oil film in the actual rolling contact area of ​​the ball, rather than covering the entire inner wall of the outer slide rail with oil. This saves about 40% to 60% of the lubricating oil consumption, and at the same time avoids the problem of slide rail running jamming caused by the accumulation of lubricating oil in non-contact areas and the adsorption of dust.

[0023] Fourth, the contoured design of the sliding groove provides precise positioning and guidance for the movement of the cage, ensuring that the through hole on the side wall of the cage is always precisely aligned with the outlet of the ball inlet groove. The design of the ball guide groove and the arc-shaped guide groove makes the ball move smoothly during the installation of the cage, effectively avoiding ball jamming and leakage, and improving the efficiency and accuracy of ball installation.

[0024] Fifth, the oiling device and the feeding cylinder are interlocked by a controller, which restricts the feeding cylinder from starting before the oiling device completes its reset and avoidance action, thus preventing mechanical collision between the oiling head and the cage in the sliding groove area and improving the safety and reliability of the equipment operation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ball-injecting device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram used in this application to illustrate the switching mechanism.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram used in this application to illustrate the anti-blocking mechanism.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the oiling device and the ball-entry device used in this application.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the specific structure of the oiling device used in this application.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Machine body; 2. Worktable; 3. Ball bearing box; 4. Carrying stage; 5. Positioning stage; 6. Sliding groove; 7. Mounting groove; 8. Mounting base; 9. Adjustment groove; 10. Ball inlet groove; 11. Ball guide groove; 12. Arc-shaped guide groove; 13. Drive groove; 14. Switch plate; 15. Scraper; 16. Through groove; 17. Scraper cylinder; 18. Oiling guide rail; 19. Oiling slider; 20. Rotary cylinder; 21. Gripper cylinder; 22. Oil pump; 23. Oiling head; 24. Oiling drive component. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The terminology used in the following embodiments is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions “a,” “an,” “the,” “the,” “the,” and “this” are intended to also include expressions such as “one or more,” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that in the following embodiments of this application, “at least one” and “one or more” refer to one, two, or more than two. The term “and / or” is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships may exist; for example, A and / or B can indicate: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character “ / ” generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an “or” relationship.

[0033] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0034] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-6 This application will be described in further detail.

[0035] like Figures 1-6 As shown, an automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production includes a machine body 1, on which a worktable 2 is mounted. The worktable 2 is horizontally arranged on the upper surface of the machine body 1. The worktable 2 is equipped with a ball-feeding device for mounting balls from a ball box 3 onto a retainer, and an oiling device for applying oil to corresponding positions on the inner sidewall of the outer slide rail. The worktable 2 also has a sliding guide rail for the retainer to slide into the outer slide rail. The automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine also includes a controller, which is a programmable logic controller (PLC) or an industrial microcontroller, and is built into the electrical control box of the machine body 1. The controller is electrically connected to the ball-feeding device and the oiling device via signal lines, and is used to receive detection signals from various sensors and issue control commands to various actuators according to preset logic. The controller is also electrically connected to a touch screen. Operators can input the model parameters of the outer slide rail, the oiling path parameters, and the production cycle parameters through the touch screen. The controller automatically adjusts the action sequence and stroke of each actuator according to the input parameters. After detecting that the oiling is completed, it controls the ball-infeeding device to start, so that the lubrication process of the outer slide rail and the ball-loading process of the cage are linked in a time sequence.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 4 The machine body 1 is also equipped with a ball box 3 for holding the balls. The ball box 3 is installed above the worktable 2 and can be fixed to the machine body 1 or the worktable 2 by a bracket. The ball box 3 is hollow inside and has a discharge port at the bottom for supplying balls to the ball inlet device under the action of gravity.

[0037] Refer to 1 and Figure 2 The worktable 2 is detachably equipped with a platform 4 and a positioning platform 5. The platform 4 and positioning platform 5 are fixed to the worktable 2 by bolts, and precise, repeatable positioning is achieved through positioning pins engaging with positioning holes on the worktable 2. When it is necessary to replace the external slide rail with a different model, the bolts can be loosened to remove the platform 4 and positioning platform 5 from the worktable 2, and replaced with platform 4 and positioning platform 5 that match the model of the external slide rail to be processed.

[0038] The sliding guide is a sliding groove 6 formed on the upper surface of the stage 4. The sliding groove 6 runs through the length of the stage 4. The cross-sectional shape of the sliding groove 6 matches the outer contour of the cage, the groove width matches the width of the cage, and the groove depth is greater than the height of the cage. This ensures that when the cage slides inside the sliding groove 6, the side walls of the cage are below the groove opening, and the bottom wall of the cage is in contact with the bottom surface of the sliding groove 6. The side walls of the sliding groove 6 guide and limit the cage, ensuring that the cage can only slide along the length of the sliding groove 6, guaranteeing precise alignment between the through holes in the side walls of the cage and the discharge port of the ball inlet device. This effectively suppresses cage vibration during high-speed cage pushing, facilitating smooth installation of the balls onto the cage.

[0039] The stage 4 and positioning stage 5 are also provided with mounting slots 7 for placing the outer slide rail. The cross-sectional shape of the mounting slot 7 is adapted to the outer contour shape of the outer slide rail. When the outer slide rail is inserted into the mounting slot 7, it is radially positioned and can only be installed and removed along the length of the mounting slot 7. The sliding groove 6 is connected to the mounting slot 7, that is, the end of the sliding groove 6 is directly opposite the opening of the starting end of the outer slide rail in the mounting slot 7. When the retainer slides along the sliding groove 6 to the end, the front end of the retainer directly enters the interior of the outer slide rail, realizing the docking assembly of the retainer and the outer slide rail. One end of the outer slide rail is fixed to the stage 4, and the other end is fixed to the positioning stage 5. The side of the positioning stage 5 away from the stage 4 is open, and the oiling device can extend into the interior space of the outer slide rail from this opening end.

[0040] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The ball-entry device includes mounting seats 8 installed on the platforms 4 on both sides of the sliding groove 6. An adjustment groove 9 is provided on the upper surface of the platform 4, perpendicular to the sliding groove 6. The mounting seats 8 are slidably disposed within the corresponding adjustment groove 9 and fixed to the platform 4 with bolts. According to actual production needs, the operator can adjust the positional relationship of the two mounting seats 8 relative to the sliding groove 6 along the adjustment groove 9 to meet the ball-entry requirements of cages of different widths, greatly improving the equipment's versatility. The two mounting seats 8 are located on both sides of the sliding groove 6, and are symmetrically arranged about the center line of the sliding groove 6. When the cage slides forward along the sliding groove 6, the ball-entry devices on both sides operate synchronously, sequentially inserting the balls into the through holes on the side wall of the cage. The outer slide rail is installed on the worktable 2 and aligns with the sliding groove 6. After the cage completes the ball installation during the sliding process, it continues to slide forward and enters the internal space of the outer slide rail, thus completing the pre-assembly of the cage and the outer slide rail.

[0041] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the mounting base 8 has a ball inlet groove 10 and a ball guide groove 11. The ball inlet groove 10 has a smooth arc-shaped structure, and the outlet of the ball inlet groove 10 is directly opposite the through hole of the ball to be installed on the side wall of the cage. The arc-shaped design of the ball inlet groove 10 allows the ball to obtain an appropriate rolling speed when rolling along the arc-shaped groove wall under the action of gravity, avoiding the ball from getting stuck or jumping in the ball inlet groove 10. The inlet of the ball inlet groove 10 is connected to the outlet of the ball box 3 through a pipeline. After the ball falls from the ball box 3 into the ball inlet groove 10, it rolls along the arc-shaped groove wall to the outlet position, waiting to be installed into the through hole of the cage.

[0042] The ball guide groove 11 is formed on the side wall of the mounting base 8 opposite to the sliding groove 6, and the end of the outer slide rail is connected to the ball guide groove 11. The width of the ball guide groove 11 is adapted to the diameter of the ball, and its depth is slightly larger than the diameter of the ball. The ball guide groove 11 has multiple functions: on the one hand, the ball guide groove 11 provides clearance space for the movement of the cage, preventing the ball from squeezing the side wall of the cage due to improper ball installation and causing cage deformation; on the other hand, when the ball is pushed into the cage through hole from the outlet of the ball inlet groove 10, if the ball fails to fully enter the through hole and partially protrudes from the side wall of the cage, the protruding ball enters the ball guide groove 11 as the cage continues to slide forward. The side wall of the ball guide groove 11 applies a guiding force to the protruding ball, guiding the ball to fully enter the cage through hole, and at the same time, performing final calibration of the position of the ball in the cage through hole.

[0043] An arc-shaped guide groove 12 is provided at the port connecting the ball inlet groove 10 and the ball guide groove 11. The arc-shaped guide groove 12 extends along the direction of ball movement within the ball guide groove 11 and is used to improve the smoothness of ball loading into the cage. The arc-shaped guide groove 12 creates a smooth arc-shaped connection between the inner walls of the ball guide groove 11 and the ball inlet groove 10. As the arc-shaped guide groove 12 extends, its opening gradually decreases until it matches the opening diameter of the ball inlet groove 10 and forms a smooth connection. Through this structural design of the arc-shaped guide groove 12, the ball will not get stuck due to abrupt changes in cross-section during its movement from the ball inlet groove 10 into the ball guide groove 11. The ball's movement trajectory transitions smoothly, effectively avoiding ball jamming and further improving the smoothness and reliability of ball loading into the cage.

[0044] The mounting base 8 has a drive groove 13 that communicates with the ball inlet groove 10. The drive groove 13 is horizontally positioned, and a drive assembly for the drive balls to be mounted on the cage is located at the drive groove 13.

[0045] As the cage slides within the sliding groove 6, the drive assembly forces the balls into the through-hole on the cage's side wall. The cage continues to slide into the outer slide rail. Specifically, when the cage slides along the sliding groove 6 to the working position of the ball inlet device, the through-hole on the cage's side wall aligns with the outlet of the ball inlet groove 10. At this point, the drive assembly activates, pushing the balls located at the outlet position into the through-hole of the cage perpendicular to the sliding direction. After the balls are installed, the cage continues to slide forward, undergoing fine-tuning and calibration of the ball position via the guide ball groove 11 during the sliding process. Subsequently, the front end of the cage enters the interior of the outer slide rail.

[0046] The drive assembly includes an air inlet pipe communicating with the drive groove 13, and an air pump connected to the air inlet pipe to mount the balls onto the cage by blowing air. One end of the air inlet pipe is connected to the air outlet of the air pump, and the other end is connected to the air inlet of the drive groove 13. Under the control of the controller, the air pump generates pulsed compressed air. After entering the drive groove 13 through the air inlet pipe, the compressed air acts on the tail end of the ball at the outlet position of the ball inlet groove 10, and uses the impact force of the compressed air to push the ball into the through hole of the cage perpendicular to the sliding direction.

[0047] As the cage slides rapidly within the sliding groove 6, the air pump continuously feeds the balls into the through holes on the cage for installation. When the balls are misaligned with the through holes, the cage sidewall closes the outlet of the ball inlet groove 10, preventing the balls from detaching. The entire ball installation process can be completed in a very short time, significantly improving installation efficiency. Using a pneumatic drive instead of traditional mechanical push rods avoids contact wear between the mechanical push rod and the cage, and also simplifies the structure of the drive assembly.

[0048] By using an air pump to drive the gas, the surface of the balls can be cleaned to remove dust and other impurities, ensuring smooth rolling of the balls after they enter the cage through-hole. On the other hand, the gas pressure keeps the thrust acting on the balls continuous. When the through-hole on the cage is aligned with the outlet of the ball inlet groove 10, the balls can be quickly pushed into the corresponding through-hole, greatly improving the installation efficiency of the balls and avoiding the possibility of missing balls in the through-hole.

[0049] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3The mounting base 8 is equipped with a switch mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of the discharge port of the ball inlet groove 10. The switch mechanism includes a switch piece 14 rotatably connected to the mounting base 8 via a rotating shaft. The switch piece 14 can rotate in a vertical plane about a hinge shaft. One end of the switch piece 14 is a stop end, located at the discharge port of the ball inlet groove 10; the other end of the switch piece 14 is a touch end, which extends into the interior of the sliding groove 6 and is located on the sliding path of the retainer. Since the retainer slides embedded in the sliding groove 6, after the touch end of the switch piece 14 extends into the sliding groove 6, it is exactly located on the movement trajectory of the retainer side wall. When the retainer slides to this position, the retainer side wall will inevitably contact the touch end and push it to move.

[0050] A switch spring is fixed on the mounting base 8 to drive the switch piece 14 to close the outlet of the ball inlet groove 10. The switch spring is a torsion spring, which is sleeved on the rotating shaft of the switch piece 14. One end of the torsion spring is fixed to the mounting base 8, and the other end abuts against the stop end of the switch piece 14. Under the elastic force of the torsion spring, the stop end of the switch piece 14 always tends to rotate toward the outlet of the ball inlet groove 10. When there is no external force, the stop end completely closes the outlet, preventing the balls from leaking out of the ball inlet groove 10 when not in operation.

[0051] As the retainer slides within the sliding groove 6, it pushes the switch piece 14 to rotate, opening the outlet of the ball inlet groove 10 to facilitate ball installation. Its working principle is as follows: When the retainer slides along the sliding groove 6 to the working position of the ball inlet device, the side wall of the retainer contacts the touch end of the switch piece 14 and pushes the touch end to move outward from the sliding groove 6. Under the action of the lever, the switch piece 14 rotates around the pivot, and the stop end overcomes the spring force of the torsion spring and moves away from the outlet, opening the outlet. At this time, the ball in the ball inlet groove 10 rolls down to the outlet position under gravity, which is exactly on the side of the retainer's through hole. The air pump then activates, and the pulsed airflow pushes the ball into the through hole. After installation is complete, the retainer continues to slide forward, the touch end loses the thrust of the retainer, and under the action of the torsion spring's reset force, the stop end closes the outlet again.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 4 The ball bearing box 3 is provided in multiple sets, each set of ball bearing boxes 3 is used to hold balls of different diameters. In this embodiment, there are three sets of ball bearing boxes 3, which are arranged side by side above the worktable 2. Each ball bearing box 3 has an independent discharge port at its bottom. The two ends of the ball inlet tube are connected to the corresponding ball bearing box 3 and the mounting base 8 respectively through quick-release connectors. When different models of slide rails need to be produced, the operator only needs to select the corresponding ball bearing box 3 according to the diameter of the balls to be used, and quickly insert the two ends of the ball inlet tube into the interface of the selected ball bearing box 3 and the corresponding mounting base 8 to complete the changeover.

[0053] The machine body 1 is equipped with an anti-blocking mechanism to prevent steel balls from clogging the discharge port. The anti-blocking mechanism includes a scraper 15 that is slidably disposed inside the ball box 3. The bottom of the scraper 15 has several through grooves 16 for the balls to roll into the ball inlet tube. The anti-blocking mechanism also includes a scraper cylinder 17 fixed on the machine body 1. The piston rod of the scraper cylinder 17 is connected to the scraper 15 and drives the scraper 15 to reciprocate at the bottom of the ball box 3 to clear the balls that are blocked at the inlet. The controller controls the scraper cylinder 17 to start intermittently according to the working frequency of the ball inlet device, so that the ball feeding state is synchronized with the ball installation rhythm and to avoid feeding fluctuations caused by ball accumulation.

[0054] The controller prioritizes the lubrication of the outer slide rail based on the outer slide rail positioning detection signal, and then activates the ball-feeding device upon detection of lubrication completion. This creates a time-series linkage between the outer slide rail lubrication process and the cage ball-loading process. When the controller receives the detection signal indicating the outer slide rail is in place, it immediately sends a start command to the lubrication device, which then performs the lubrication action. After completing lubrication, the lubrication device sends a completion signal back to the controller. Only after receiving the completion signal does the controller send start commands to the ball-feeding device and the feeding mechanism, allowing the cage to begin sliding and ball loading. This time-series linkage control, through pre-set interlocking logic within the controller, ensures that the inner wall of the outer slide rail is lubricated before the cage enters it, thus preventing unlubricated assembly due to delayed lubrication. Simultaneously, this time-series control also prevents mechanical interference between the lubrication device and the cage within the sliding groove 6, improving the operational safety of the equipment.

[0055] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The oiling device includes an oiling guide rail 18 mounted on the worktable 2. The oiling guide rail 18 is a linear guide rail, and its length direction is parallel to the length direction of the outer slide rail. An oiling slider 19 is slidably mounted on the oiling guide rail 18. A linear bearing or ball bearing is provided between the oiling slider 19 and the oiling guide rail 18 to reduce sliding friction resistance and ensure the smooth movement and positional accuracy of the oiling slider 19 on the oiling guide rail 18.

[0056] A rotary cylinder 20 is mounted on the oiling slider 19. The rotary cylinder 20 is either a vane type or a rack and pinion type. A gripper cylinder 21 is mounted on the output shaft of the rotary cylinder 20. An oiling pipe is mounted on the gripper of the gripper cylinder 21. One end of the oiling pipe is connected to an oil pump 22, and the other end is connected to an oiling head 23. The oiling head 23 is spherical and has a horizontally arranged oil outlet channel. The oil outlet channel of the oiling head 23 is used to apply oil to the two inner sidewalls opposite to the outer slide rail. The gripper moves closer to or opens synchronously with the opening and closing of the gripper. When the gripper cylinder 21 drives the two grippers to open, the two oiling heads 23 respectively abut against the two opposite inner sidewalls of the outer slide rail, and the oil outlet of the oiling head 23 contacts the surface of the inner sidewall. When lubricating oil flows out from the oil outlet channel of the oiling head 23, as the oiling head 23 moves along the length of the outer slide rail, the lubricating oil is evenly coated on the surface of the inner sidewall.

[0057] The worktable 2 is equipped with an oiling drive unit 24 that drives the oiling slider 19 to reciprocate along the oiling guide rail 18. The oiling drive unit 24 can be a rodless cylinder, with its cylinder body fixed to the worktable 2 and the slider portion fixedly connected to the oiling slider 19. Pneumatic buffers are provided at both ends of the rodless cylinder to reduce impact when the oiling slider 19 moves to the end of its stroke, preventing the oiling head 23 from colliding with the end of the outer guide rail due to inertia. In another embodiment, the oiling drive unit 24 can also be a servo motor in conjunction with a lead screw and nut mechanism. The precise rotation angle of the servo motor controls the moving distance of the oiling slider 19, achieving precise control of the oiling stroke.

[0058] When the oiling drive 24 drives the oiling head 23 to extend into the outer slide rail, the gripper cylinder 21 drives the two oiling heads 23 to open and abut against the two inner sidewalls of the outer slide rail. The oiling head 23 extends from the open end of the outer slide rail and moves along the length of the outer slide rail to a preset depth. During this process, the gripper cylinder 21 always maintains the opening driving force on the two oiling heads 23, so that the oiling head 23 is continuously pressed against the inner sidewall surface.

[0059] To enable compatible oiling of external slide rails with different models and inner diameters, an elastic floating compensation component is provided between the oiling head 23 and the gripper cylinder 21. The function of the elastic floating compensation component is to allow the oiling head 23 to float and adjust according to changes in the internal dimensions of the external slide rail, while maintaining a constant contact pressure with the inner wall of the external slide rail, thereby ensuring the uniformity of the oil film thickness and the stability of the oiling process.

[0060] The elastic floating compensation assembly includes a floating seat fixed to the end of the gripper of the gripper cylinder 21, a guide rod slidably passing through the floating seat, and a compression spring sleeved on the outside of the guide rod and abutting the floating seat and the oiling head 23 respectively. When the inner diameter of the outer slide rail changes, the oiling head 23 slides relative to the floating seat through the guide rod and changes the compression amount of the compression spring.

[0061] The contact pressure between the oiling head 23 and the outer wall is kept constant. When the gripper cylinder 21 drives the two grippers to open, the grippers move the floating seat away from the center of the grippers. The floating seat pushes the oiling head 23 closer to the inner wall of the outer slide rail through the compression spring. When the oiling head 23 contacts the inner wall of the outer slide rail, if the grippers continue to open, the inner wall will generate a reaction force on the oiling head 23. This reaction force pushes the guide rod to retract into the floating seat against the elastic force of the compression spring. When the elastic force of the compression spring and the reaction force of the inner wall of the outer slide rail reach equilibrium, the oiling head 23 stops retracting and remains in this equilibrium position. At this time, the compression amount of the compression spring corresponds to the contact pressure of the oiling head 23 on the inner wall of the outer slide rail.

[0062] When the inner diameter of the outer slide rail is large, the gripper cylinder 21 needs to drive the gripper to open to a large degree so that the oiling head 23 can contact the inner wall. At this time, the compression of the spring is small, and the contact pressure between the oiling head 23 and the inner wall is determined by the elastic force of the spring under that compression. When the inner diameter of the outer slide rail is small, the gripper only needs to open to a small degree for the oiling head 23 to contact the inner wall. However, since the stroke margin for the gripper to continue opening is large, the oiling head 23 will be pushed back by the inner wall, the compression of the spring increases, and the elastic force also increases.

[0063] To maintain a constant contact pressure under different inner diameters, a constant force spring is used for compression in this embodiment. The spring force output by the constant force spring remains essentially constant within its normal operating stroke range, and does not change significantly with variations in compression. Therefore, regardless of changes in the inner diameter of the outer slide rail, the contact pressure between the oiling head 23 and the inner wall can be maintained near a preset constant value. This constant contact pressure is pre-calibrated experimentally based on the viscosity of the lubricating oil and the oiling speed to ensure a uniform oil film thickness between 0.01 mm and 0.05 mm.

[0064] The beneficial effects of the elastic floating compensation component design include: First, the elastic deformation of the compression spring adaptively absorbs the manufacturing tolerances of the inner diameter of the outer slide rail, eliminating the need to replace the oiling head 23 or adjust the stroke of the gripper cylinder 21 for different models of outer slide rails, thus improving the equipment's versatility and changeover efficiency; Second, the constant force spring keeps the contact pressure between the oiling head 23 and the inner wall constant, avoiding uneven oil film thickness caused by pressure fluctuations and ensuring the stability and consistency of the oiling quality; Third, the cooperation between the guide rod and the guide hole provides precise linear guidance for the oiling head 23, ensuring that the oiling head 23 always maintains a pressing direction perpendicular to the inner wall of the outer slide rail during the floating process, preventing scraping or gaps due to skew.

[0065] In another embodiment, the elastic floating compensation component can also employ an airbag-type floating structure. Specifically, an airbag is disposed between the floating seat and the oiling head 23, and the airbag is connected to an external precision pressure regulating valve via a pipeline. When the oiling head 23 contacts the inner wall of the outer slide rail, the airbag is compressed and deformed, increasing its internal air pressure. The precision pressure regulating valve maintains a constant internal air pressure within the airbag, thereby keeping the contact pressure of the oiling head 23 against the inner wall constant. The advantage of the airbag-type floating structure is that pressure adjustment is more flexible; the contact pressure can be adjusted online via the pressure regulating valve to adapt to the oiling requirements of lubricating oils of different viscosities.

[0066] A positional reference relationship is established between the mounting slot 7 and the oiling device, ensuring that the movement path of the oiling head 23 corresponds to the rolling contact area of ​​the balls inside the outer slide rail. This positional reference relationship is achieved as follows: the mounting position of the mounting slot 7 on the worktable 2 is precisely determined by a locating pin, and the mounting position of the oiling guide rail 18 on the worktable 2 is also precisely determined by a locating pin. When the outer slide rail is installed in the mounting slot 7, the centerline of the outer slide rail is parallel to the centerline of the oiling guide rail 18 and lies in the same vertical plane. When the oiling head 23 moves along the oiling guide rail 18, its movement trajectory falls precisely on the trajectory line of the rolling contact between the outer slide rail and the cage balls. This positional reference relationship ensures that the oiling head 23 only applies oil to the area where the balls actually contact, saving lubricating oil and avoiding potential contamination of the slide rail interior caused by applying oil to non-contact areas.

[0067] A sensor for checking the presence of an external slide rail is installed on workbench 2, and the sensor is electrically connected to the controller. The sensor is a photoelectric reflective proximity sensor, which is installed on one side of the positioning table 5. The sensor's detection beam shines perpendicularly to the length of the external slide rail onto its outer surface. When the external slide rail is installed in the mounting slot 7, the sensor detects a change in the reflected light signal and outputs a high-level signal to the controller; when the external slide rail is not installed, the sensor outputs a low-level signal. Once the controller detects that the external slide rail is in place, it controls the oiling device to perform the oiling action.

[0068] The controller retrieves the corresponding oiling path parameters based on the external slide rail model parameters, controlling the movement distance of the oiling drive 24 and the opening pressure of the oiling head 23 to match the formed lubricating oil band with the running trajectory of the corresponding model cage balls. Specifically, the controller internally stores an oiling parameter table corresponding to different models of external slide rails, which includes the starting position, ending position, and speed of the oiling drive 24. After the operator selects the model of the external slide rail to be processed via the touch screen, the controller automatically retrieves the corresponding oiling path parameters from the storage unit and loads them into the execution program. When the oiling drive 24 is driven by a servo motor, the controller sends pulse signals to the servo driver to precisely control the rotation angle and speed of the servo motor, thereby controlling the movement distance and speed of the oiling slider 19.

[0069] Because the distribution and rolling stroke of the cage balls differ among different types of slide rails, the area requiring lubrication by the lubricating head 23 also varies. For short-stroke slide rails, the rolling contact area of ​​the balls inside the outer slide rail is concentrated only in a relatively short section in the middle; while for long-stroke slide rails, the rolling contact area of ​​the balls covers almost the entire length of the outer slide rail. The controller, by calling different lubrication path parameters, ensures that the lubricating head 23 forms an oil film only in the area where the balls actually roll, while leaving the end areas where the balls do not contact untouched unlubricated. Compared to blanket lubrication, this precise lubrication method saves on lubricant usage and avoids the problem of slide rail jamming caused by lubricant accumulation and dust adsorption in non-contact areas.

[0070] A feeding cylinder is also installed on the worktable 2. The cylinder body of the feeding cylinder is fixed on the worktable 2, and the extension direction of its piston rod is parallel to the length direction of the sliding groove 6. A pusher block is connected to the end of the piston rod of the feeding cylinder, and the pusher block abuts against the tail end face of the cage. When the piston rod of the feeding cylinder extends, it pushes the cage along the sliding groove 6 towards the outer slide rail through the pusher block. Since the sliding groove 6 has a lateral limiting effect on the cage, the cage will not wobble laterally during the process of the pusher block pushing the cage, ensuring the centering accuracy of the cage when it enters the outer slide rail. The stroke of the feeding cylinder is greater than or equal to the sliding distance required for the cage to slide from the starting position to fully enter the outer slide rail, ensuring that the cage can be pushed into place in one push.

[0071] The feeding cylinder and the oiling device are interlocked through a controller. Before the oiling device completes its reset and avoidance maneuvers, the feeding cylinder is restricted from starting to prevent interference between the retainer and the oiling assembly during the movement of the retainer into the outer slide rail. The specific control logic is as follows: the controller has an oiling completion flag and an avoidance completion flag. When the oiling device completes the oiling action, the controller sets the oiling completion flag to 1. When the oiling drive 24 moves the oiling slider 19 back to its initial position, and the rotary cylinder 20 moves the gripper cylinder 21 to the vertical avoidance position, the controller sets the avoidance completion flag to 1. Only when both the oiling completion flag and the avoidance completion flag are 1 can the controller send a start signal to the solenoid valve of the feeding cylinder. If either flag is 0, the start signal for the feeding cylinder is blocked by the controller, and the feeding cylinder cannot operate.

[0072] The beneficial effects of the above-mentioned interlock control are as follows: First, it ensures that the oiling process is completed before the feeding process, guaranteeing that each outer slide rail is oiled before the cage enters, thus ensuring lubrication quality from the process sequence. Second, it ensures that the oiling head 23 has completely returned to the safe position before the feeding cylinder is activated, avoiding collision between the oiling head 23 and the cage in the sliding groove 6 area, and protecting the oiling head 23 and the cage from mechanical damage. Third, the interlock logic is implemented by both the controller hardware and software, eliminating the need for additional mechanical interlock devices, simplifying the equipment structure and improving reliability.

[0073] The working method of the automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the above structure.

[0074] S1. Fix the outer slide rail in the mounting slot 7 of the stage 4 and the positioning stage 5. The operator inserts the outer slide rail to be processed into the mounting slot 7 from the open end of the positioning stage 5, and aligns the end of the outer slide rail with the positioning reference surface on the stage 4. After the sensor detects that the outer slide rail is installed in place, it sends a position signal to the controller.

[0075] S2. The controller controls the oiling drive unit 24 to drive the oiling slider 19 to move along the oiling guide rail 18 towards the outer slide rail. At the same time, the rotary cylinder 20 drives the gripper cylinder 21 to rotate downward, so that the two oiling heads 23 are aligned with the opening end of the outer slide rail. Specifically, after receiving the positioning signal of the outer slide rail, the controller first sends a control signal to the solenoid valve of the rotary cylinder 20, so that the rotary cylinder 20 drives the gripper cylinder 21 to rotate downward, and the gripper cylinder 21 and the two oiling heads 23 are aligned with the center of the opening end of the outer slide rail. Then the controller sends a start signal to the oiling drive unit 24, and the oiling drive unit 24 drives the oiling slider 19 to move forward along the oiling guide rail 18.

[0076] S3. The oiling drive 24 continues to drive, causing the two oiling heads 23 to extend into the outer slide rail to a preset depth. The stroke of the oiling drive 24 is determined by the oiling path parameters called by the controller according to the model of the outer slide rail. When the oiling drive 24 moves to the preset position, the controller cuts off the air or power supply to the oiling drive 24, the oiling drive 24 stops moving, and the oiling heads 23 remain at the starting oiling position inside the outer slide rail.

[0077] S4. The gripper cylinder 21 drives the two oiling heads 23 to open and abut against the two inner sidewalls of the outer slide rail. The controller sends an opening signal to the solenoid valve of the gripper cylinder 21, and compressed air enters the opening chamber of the gripper cylinder 21, driving the two grippers to open synchronously to both sides. The grippers, through the elastic floating compensation component, drive the oiling heads 23 to move closer to the inner sidewall of the outer slide rail until the oiling heads 23 contact and press against the inner sidewall. Under the action of the elastic floating compensation component, the contact pressure between the oiling heads 23 and the inner sidewall is maintained at a preset constant value.

[0078] S5. Oil pump 22 starts, supplying oil to oiling head 23 through the oiling pipe. Simultaneously, oiling drive 24 drives oiling slider 19, causing oiling head 23 to move along the length of the outer slide rail. The oiling movement range is determined based on the theoretical rolling contact trajectory between the cage balls and the inner wall of the outer slide rail, ensuring that oiling head 23 forms a continuous linear oil film only at the location corresponding to the actual contact area of ​​the balls, rather than covering the entire inner wall of the outer slide rail. Specifically, after the gripper cylinder 21 is fully extended, the controller simultaneously sends a start signal to oil pump 22 and oiling drive 24. Oil pump 22 delivers lubricating oil to oiling head 23 through the oiling pipe at a preset pressure. The lubricating oil seeps from the oil outlet of oiling head 23 and coats the inner wall surface of the outer slide rail. At the same time, oiling drive 24 drives oiling slider 19 to move backward at a constant speed along oiling guide rail 18, and oiling head 23 evenly coats the inner wall surface with lubricating oil during the movement. The starting and ending positions of the oiling drive 24 are determined according to the oiling path parameters corresponding to the model of the outer slide rail, ensuring that the oiling head 23 forms an oil film only in the ball rolling contact area.

[0079] During the oiling process, the oiling head 23 moves at a constant speed along with the oiling slider 19, and the oil supply flow rate is matched with the moving speed of the oiling head 23 to ensure the uniformity of the oil film thickness. The width of the oil film formed during the movement is consistent with the width of the oil outlet, forming a continuous linear oil film.

[0080] S6. After oiling is completed, the gripper cylinder 21 drives the two oiling heads 23 to retract, the oiling drive component 24 drives the oiling slider 19 to retract and reset, and the rotary cylinder 20 rotates in the opposite direction to make the oiling head 23 avoid the sliding path. Specifically, after the oiling drive component 24 moves to the oiling end position, the controller first sends a retraction signal to the gripper cylinder 21. Compressed air enters the retraction chamber of the gripper cylinder 21, driving the two grippers to retract synchronously towards the center. Under the action of the reset spring of the elastic floating compensation component, the oiling head 23 disengages from the inner wall of the outer slide rail. Then the controller sends a retraction signal to the oiling drive component 24, which drives the oiling slider 19 to retract to the initial position. Finally, the controller sends a rotation signal to the rotary cylinder 20, which drives the gripper cylinder 21 to rotate upward to the avoidance position, and the oiling head 23 completely leaves the projection area of ​​the sliding groove 6.

[0081] S7. The feeding cylinder pushes the retainer to slide along the sliding groove 6. The ball insertion device loads the balls into the through holes on both sides of the retainer. After the retainer is loaded with balls, it continues to slide and enters the oiled outer slide rail. Specifically, after the oiling device completes its reset and avoidance action, the controller sends an extension signal to the solenoid valve of the feeding cylinder. The piston rod of the feeding cylinder extends and pushes the retainer forward along the sliding groove 6 through the pusher block.

[0082] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application. The scope of protection of this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Any equivalent modifications or changes made by those skilled in the art based on the content disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection recorded in the claims.

Claims

1. An automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production, comprising a machine body (1), wherein a ball box (3) for holding balls is provided on the machine body (1), a worktable (2) is provided on the machine body (1), a sliding rail for a cage to slide is installed on the worktable (2), and ball-feeding devices for installing balls in the ball box (3) onto the cage are provided on both sides of the sliding rail, an outer slide rail is installed on the worktable (2) and engages with the sliding rail, and the cage enters the outer slide rail after the balls are installed during the sliding process, characterized in that: The workbench (2) is also equipped with an oiling device for applying oil to the inside of the external slide rail, and also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the ball-infeeding device and the oiling device. The controller controls the oiling device to perform the oiling action first according to the outer slide rail positioning detection signal, and controls the ball insertion device to start after detecting that the oiling is completed, so that the lubrication process of the outer slide rail and the ball loading process of the cage are linked in a time sequence. The oiling device applies oil to the inner wall of the outer slide rail before the retainer enters the outer slide rail; the oiling device includes an oiling guide rail (18) mounted on the worktable (2), an oiling slider (19) slidably mounted on the oiling guide rail (18), a rotary cylinder (20) mounted on the oiling slider (19), a gripper cylinder (21) mounted on the output end of the rotary cylinder (20), and an oiling pipe mounted on each of the two grippers of the gripper cylinder (21). One end is connected to an oil pump (22), and the other end is connected to an oiling head (23). The oiling head (23) is used to apply oil to the two inner sidewalls opposite to the outer slide rail. The worktable (2) is provided with an oiling drive (24) that drives the oiling slider (19) to reciprocate along the oiling guide rail (18). When the oiling drive (24) drives the oiling head (23) to extend into the inner sidewall of the outer slide rail, the gripper cylinder (21) drives the two oiling heads (23) to open and abut against the two inner sidewalls of the outer slide rail. An elastic floating compensation component is provided between the oiling head (23) and the gripper cylinder (21), so that the oiling head (23) can float and adjust according to the changes in the internal dimensions of the outer slide rail, and maintain a constant contact pressure with the inner wall of the outer slide rail.

2. The automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production according to claim 1, characterized in that: The workbench (2) is detachably equipped with a platform (4) and a positioning platform (5). The platform (4) and the positioning platform (5) are provided with positioning grooves for placing the outer slide rail. One end of the outer slide rail is fixed on the platform (4) and the other end is fixed on the positioning platform (5). The side of the positioning platform (5) away from the platform (4) is open, and the open end of the positioning platform (5) is used for the oiling device to extend into and operate.

3. The automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sliding track is a sliding groove (6) formed on the upper surface of the platform (4). The sliding groove (6) is connected to the positioning groove. The ball-infeeding device includes mounting seats (8) installed on the platforms (4) on both sides of the sliding groove (6). The mounting seats (8) are provided with a ball-infeeding groove (10) and a guide ball groove (11). The ball-infeeding groove (10) has an arc-shaped structure, and the outlet of the ball-infeeding groove (10) is directly opposite the through hole of the side wall of the retainer. The guide ball groove (11) is set parallel to the sliding track, and the end of the outer sliding track is connected to the guide ball groove (11). The seat (8) is provided with a drive groove (13) that communicates with the ball inlet groove (10). The drive groove (13) is provided with a drive assembly that allows the steel ball to enter the through hole on the side wall of the cage. When the cage slides inside the sliding groove (6), the drive assembly applies the steel ball to the through hole on the side wall of the cage. As the cage continues to slide, it enters the outer slide rail. The positioning groove is used to define the axial installation reference of the outer slide rail. The controller determines the starting and ending positions of the oiling head (23) based on the installation position of the outer slide rail and the ball spacing parameters of the cage.

4. The automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production according to claim 3, characterized in that: The drive assembly includes an air inlet pipe that connects to the drive groove (13). An air pump is connected to the air inlet pipe to push the ball bearings onto the retainer by blowing air. The mounting base (8) is provided with a switch mechanism that controls the opening and closing of the ball inlet groove (10). The switch mechanism includes a switch piece (14) that is rotatably connected to the mounting base (8). A switch spring that drives the switch piece (14) to close the ball inlet groove (10) is fixed on the mounting base (8). During the sliding process of the retainer, the switch piece (14) is pushed to rotate, thereby opening the ball inlet groove (10) and facilitating the installation of the ball bearings.

5. The automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ball box (3) is provided in multiple sets, and each set of ball box (3) is used to hold balls of different diameters. The ball inlet device includes a ball inlet tube, and the two ends of the ball inlet tube are connected to the corresponding ball box (3) and the mounting base (8) respectively through quick-release connectors.

6. The automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production according to claim 5, characterized in that: The ball box (3) is provided with an anti-blocking mechanism at the bottom. The anti-blocking mechanism includes a scraper (15) that is slidably disposed inside the ball box (3). The bottom of the scraper (15) is provided with several through grooves (16) for the balls to roll into the ball inlet tube. The anti-blocking mechanism also includes a scraper cylinder (17) fixed on the machine body (1). The piston rod of the scraper cylinder (17) is connected to the scraper (15) and drives the scraper (15) to reciprocate at the bottom of the ball box (3) to clean the balls blocked at the inlet. The controller controls the scraper cylinder (17) to start intermittently according to the working frequency of the ball inlet device, so that the ball feeding state is synchronized with the ball installation rhythm, and avoids feeding fluctuations caused by ball accumulation.

7. The automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production according to claim 1, characterized in that: The workbench (2) is equipped with a sensor for checking whether there is an external slide rail. The sensor is electrically connected to the controller. When the external slide rail is detected to be installed in place, the controller controls the oiling device to perform the oiling action. The controller calls the corresponding oiling path parameters according to the model parameters of the outer slide rail, controls the moving distance of the oiling drive (24) and the opening pressure of the oiling head (23), so that the formed lubricating oil band matches the running trajectory of the corresponding model cage ball.

8. The automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production according to claim 1, characterized in that: The workbench (2) is also equipped with a feeding cylinder. The piston rod of the feeding cylinder is used to push the retainer to slide along the sliding track toward the outer slide rail. The feeding cylinder and the oiling device are interlocked by a controller. Before the oiling device completes the reset and avoidance action, the feeding cylinder is restricted from starting, so as to avoid interference between the retainer and the oiling assembly during the process of the retainer entering the outer slide rail.

9. An automatic oiling and ball-feeding method for slide rail production, employing the automatic oiling and ball-feeding machine for slide rail production as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Fix the outer slide rail in the positioning groove of the stage (4) and the positioning stage (5); S2. The controller controls the oiling drive (24) to drive the oiling slider (19) to move along the oiling guide rail (18) toward the outer slide rail. At the same time, the rotary cylinder (20) drives the gripper cylinder (21) to rotate downward, so that the two oiling heads (23) are aligned with the opening end of the outer slide rail. S3. The oiling drive (24) continues to drive, so that the two oiling heads (23) extend into the interior of the outer slide rail to a preset depth; S4. The gripper cylinder (21) drives the two oiling heads (23) to open and abut against the two inner sidewalls of the outer slide rail; S5. The oil pump (22) is started and oil is supplied to the oiling head (23) through the oiling pipe. At the same time, the oiling drive (24) drives the oiling slider (19) to move the oiling head (23) along the length of the outer slide rail. The oiling movement range is determined according to the theoretical rolling contact trajectory between the cage ball and the inner wall of the outer slide rail, so that the oiling head (23) forms a continuous linear oil film only at the position corresponding to the actual contact area of ​​the ball, rather than covering the entire inner wall of the outer slide rail with oil. S6. After the oiling is completed, the gripper cylinder (21) drives the two oiling heads (23) to retract, the oiling drive component (24) drives the oiling slider (19) to retract and reset, and the rotary cylinder (20) rotates in the opposite direction to make the oiling head (23) avoid the sliding path. S7. The feeding cylinder pushes the retainer to slide along the sliding groove (6). The ball insertion device inserts the balls into the through holes on both sides of the retainer. The retainer, which has completed the ball insertion, continues to slide and enters the oiled outer slide rail. S8. After removing the outer slide rail with the cage installed, repeat steps S1 to S7.

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