Ball Keep Chain

Abstract

This application relates to the field of linear guide technology, and more particularly to a ball retaining chain, comprising: multiple auxiliary blocks, which are equidistantly spaced along the direction of ball movement, with adjacent auxiliary blocks forming a mounting cavity for accommodating the ball; a support plate, which is disposed on both sides of the auxiliary blocks to connect them together; the support plate is made of flexible material, and its length direction is along the direction of ball movement; support blocks are disposed on the side wall of the support plate facing the mounting cavity; wherein two mutually distant auxiliary blocks are detachably connected to form a closed loop of the ball retaining chain. This application, by providing support blocks on the support plate, spaced the ball from the side wall of the support plate, reducing the contact area between the ball and the support plate and achieving oil storage, allowing the ball to rotate along the direction of the ball retaining chain, thereby improving the service life of the ball and making the linear guide movement smoother.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of linear guide technology, and more particularly to a ball retaining chain. Background Technology

[0002] The silent linear guide has the advantages of low dust generation, long maintenance cycle and service life, smooth operation and good noise reduction. The steel balls are fixed in the groove between the slider and the track by the ball retaining chain (see reference). Figure 1 The steel balls are circulated and, due to the structural characteristics of the ball retainer chain, they do not collide, thus eliminating friction between the steel balls. This reduces the frictional force and noise during operation. To reduce the likelihood of jamming at the connection between the retainer chain and the slide block and the return cover, most existing retainer chains are designed as closed loops.

[0003] Reference Figure 2 Most existing steel balls are encased in a retaining chain on all four sides. The sidewalls of the retaining chain have more contact with the steel balls, resulting in the steel balls being subjected to more forces during movement. This causes the steel balls to move in a disordered manner, which reduces the service life of the steel balls and affects the smoothness of the linear guide rail movement. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem this invention aims to solve is that in existing ball retaining chains, the steel balls are subjected to excessive forces during movement, causing them to move in a disordered manner, which reduces their service life and affects the smoothness of linear guide rail movement.

[0005] Therefore, this utility model provides a ball retaining chain.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is:

[0007] A ball-holding chain, comprising,

[0008] Multiple auxiliary blocks are arranged at equal intervals along the direction of the steel ball's movement, and adjacent auxiliary blocks form a mounting cavity for accommodating the steel ball.

[0009] A support plate is provided on both sides of the auxiliary block to connect multiple auxiliary blocks together. The support plate is made of flexible material and its length direction is set along the forward direction of the steel ball. Support blocks are provided on the side wall of the support plate facing the mounting cavity.

[0010] The two auxiliary blocks that are far apart from each other are detachably connected so that the ball retaining chain forms a closed loop.

[0011] Furthermore, the surface of the support block that abuts against the steel ball is set to be arc-shaped.

[0012] Furthermore, the line connecting the lowest points of the arc-shaped surfaces of the support blocks on the two support plates opposite to the same mounting cavity intersects the center of the steel ball inside the mounting cavity and is orthogonal to the direction of the steel ball's movement.

[0013] Furthermore, the sidewall of the support plate facing the mounting cavity is configured as an arc-shaped surface, and the curvature of the arc-shaped surface is adapted to the steel ball.

[0014] Furthermore, the diameter of the steel ball is L, and the interval S between the arc-shaped surface and the steel ball is 0.02L.

[0015] Furthermore, the auxiliary block has an arc-shaped groove on its side wall facing the mounting cavity that is adapted to the steel ball.

[0016] Furthermore, the depth of the arc-shaped groove is d, and the diameter of the steel ball is L, where L / 7 ≤ d ≤ L / 6.

[0017] Furthermore, the auxiliary blocks located at both ends of the support plate are respectively connected to a first connecting block and a second connecting block on the side that is far apart from each other, and the first connecting block and the second connecting block are interlocked with each other.

[0018] Furthermore, both the first connecting block and the second connecting block are L-shaped. Both the first connecting block and the second connecting block include a first support plate and a second support plate. The first support plate is connected to the auxiliary block. The end faces of the second support plate and the auxiliary block are parallel to each other and connected to the end of the first support plate away from the auxiliary block. The second support plate on the first connecting block and the second support plate on the second connecting block extend in opposite directions. The openings formed between the first connecting block and the auxiliary block have opposite orientations. When the first connecting block and the second connecting block are fastened together, the second support plate in the first connecting block is located in the opening formed between the second connecting block and the auxiliary block, and the second support plate in the second connecting block is located in the opening formed between the first connecting block and the auxiliary block.

[0019] Furthermore, the distance D1 between the second support plate in the first connecting block and the corresponding auxiliary block is greater than the thickness H2 of the second support plate in the second connecting block, and the distance D2 between the second support plate in the second connecting block and the corresponding auxiliary block is greater than the thickness H1 of the second support plate in the first connecting block.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: On the one hand, by setting support blocks on the support plate, the steel balls are spaced apart from the side wall of the support plate, reducing the contact area between the steel balls and the support plate, thereby reducing the force on the steel balls during movement. This allows the steel balls to rotate in the direction of the ball retaining chain, resulting in an orderly movement of all the steel balls, thus improving the service life of the steel balls and making the linear guide rail movement smoother. The gap between the retaining chain and the steel balls not only reduces friction but also allows for the storage of grease. On the other hand, the white retaining chain is detachably connected to the first and second connecting blocks to form a closed loop, and the connection point has a gap, allowing the distance to be adjusted automatically during operation to meet the required length at different positions in the slider. This significantly improves the running performance and prevents jamming at the slider and return cover. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure for maintaining the installation position of the chain in the prior art.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure between the steel ball and the retaining chain in the prior art.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the steel ball in this utility model.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary block and support block in this utility model.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram showing the installation position between the steel ball and the support block in this utility model.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram illustrating the connection relationship between the first connecting block and the second connecting block in this utility model.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Slider; 2. Circulation channel; 3. Support plate; 4. Auxiliary block; 5. Support block; 6. First connecting block; 7. Second connecting block; 8. First support plate; 9. Second support plate; 10. Mounting cavity; 11. Steel ball. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are simplified schematic diagrams, illustrating only the basic structure of the present invention, and therefore only show the components relevant to the present invention.

[0030] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] A ball retaining chain is provided in a circulation channel 2 between a slider 1 and a slide rail. The ball retaining chain includes a support plate 3, an auxiliary block 4, a first connecting block 6, and a second connecting block 7. The support plate 3 is made of a flexible material, and there are two support plates 3. The two support plates 3 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart. There are multiple auxiliary blocks 4. The multiple auxiliary blocks 4 are arranged at equal intervals between the two support plates 3 along the length direction of the support plates 3.

[0033] An mounting cavity 10 for mounting the steel ball 11 is formed between adjacent auxiliary blocks 4. An arc-shaped groove adapted to the steel ball 11 is provided on the side wall of the auxiliary block 4 facing the mounting cavity 10. The arc-shaped groove abuts against the steel ball 11. The depth of the arc-shaped groove is d, and the diameter of the steel ball 11 is L, where L / 7 ≤ d ≤ L / 6. The two adjacent auxiliary blocks 4 enclose the steel ball 11 within the mounting cavity 10.

[0034] The sidewall of the support plate 3 facing the mounting cavity 10 is set as an arc-shaped surface with a curvature adapted to the steel ball 11. The arc-shaped surface of the support plate 3 is spaced apart from the steel ball 11 by a distance S, where S is 0.02L. Support blocks 5 are provided on the arc-shaped surface. The line connecting the lowest points of the arc-shaped surfaces of the support blocks 5 on two support plates 3 opposite to the same mounting cavity 10 intersects the center of the steel ball 11 inside the mounting cavity 10 and is orthogonal to the forward direction of the ball-holding chain. The support blocks 5 abut against the steel ball 11, and the surface of the support block 5 that abuts against the steel ball 11 is set as an arc. Thus, during operation, the installation of the two fixing blocks causes the steel ball 11 to be subjected to force at both ends during movement, causing the steel ball 11 to rotate in the forward direction of the ball-holding chain, resulting in an orderly movement of all the steel balls 11. The gap between the holding chain and the steel balls 11 not only reduces friction but also allows for grease storage.

[0035] The first connecting block 6 and the second connecting block 7 are respectively connected to the auxiliary blocks 4 located at both ends of the support plate 3, and are located at the end of the auxiliary block 4 away from the adjacent auxiliary block 4. The first connecting block 6 and the second connecting block 7 are interlocked to form a closed loop with the support plate 3. Specifically, both the first connecting block 6 and the second connecting block 7 are L-shaped. Both the first connecting block 6 and the second connecting block 7 include a first support plate 8 and a second support plate 9. The first support plate 8 is connected to the auxiliary block 4 and is set along the length direction of the support plate 3. The end face of the second support plate 9 is parallel to that of the auxiliary block 4 and is connected to the end of the first support plate 8 away from the auxiliary block 4. The second support plate 9 on the first connecting block 6 and the second support plate 9 on the second connecting block 7 extend in opposite directions, so that the opening formed between the first connecting block 6 and the auxiliary block 4 faces opposite directions, and the opening formed between the second connecting block 7 and the auxiliary block 4 faces opposite directions. The first connecting block 6 and the second connecting block 7 are interlocked to make the support plate 3 form a closed loop. At this time, the second support plate 9 in the first connecting block 6 is located in the opening formed between the second connecting block 7 and the auxiliary block 4, and the second support plate 9 in the second connecting block 7 is located in the opening formed between the first connecting block 6 and the auxiliary block 4. It should be noted that, along the length direction of the first support plate 8, the thickness H1 of the second support plate 9 in the first connecting block 6 is less than the distance D2 between the second support plate 9 and the corresponding auxiliary block 4 in the second connecting block 7, and the thickness H2 of the second support plate 9 in the second connecting block 7 is less than the distance D1 between the second support plate 9 and the corresponding auxiliary block 4 in the first connecting block 6. Thus, the connection can adjust the distance itself during operation to meet the length required at different positions in the slider 1, greatly improving the running performance and preventing jamming at the slider 1 and the return cover.

[0036] The ball retaining chain of this application forms a closed loop through the first connecting block 6 and the second connecting block 7, and the connection can adjust the distance during operation to meet the required length at different positions in the slider 1, which greatly improves the running performance and prevents jamming at the slider 1 and the return cover.

[0037] This application, by setting support blocks 5 on the support plate 3, spaced the steel balls 11 from the side wall of the support plate 3, reducing the contact area between the steel balls 11 and the support plate 3. This reduces the force on the steel balls 11 during movement, allowing them to rotate in the direction of the ball-holding chain's forward movement. All the steel balls 11 move in an orderly manner, thus improving their service life and making the linear guide rail movement smoother. The pre-existing gap between the chain and the steel balls 11 not only reduces friction but also allows for grease retention.

[0038] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of this utility model, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A ball-holding chain, characterized in that, include, Multiple auxiliary blocks (4) are arranged at equal intervals along the forward direction of the steel ball (11), and an installation cavity (10) for accommodating the steel ball (11) is formed between adjacent auxiliary blocks (4); Support plate (3), the support plate (3) is set on both sides of the auxiliary block (4) to connect multiple auxiliary blocks (4) together. The support plate (3) is made of flexible material. The length direction of the support plate (3) is set along the forward direction of the steel ball (11). Support block (5) is set on the side wall of the support plate (3) facing the mounting cavity (10). The two auxiliary blocks (4) that are far apart from each other are detachably connected so that the ball retaining chain forms a closed loop.

2. The ball-holding chain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface of the support block (5) that abuts against the steel ball (11) is set to be arc-shaped.

3. The ball-holding chain according to claim 2, characterized in that, The line connecting the lowest point of the arc surface of the support block (5) on the two support plates (3) opposite to the same mounting cavity (10) intersects the center of the steel ball (11) in the mounting cavity (10) and is orthogonal to the forward direction of the steel ball (11).

4. The ball-holding chain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sidewall of the support plate (3) facing the mounting cavity (10) is set as an arc surface, and the curvature of the arc surface is adapted to the steel ball (11).

5. The ball-holding chain according to claim 4, characterized in that, The diameter of the steel ball (11) is L, and the interval S between the arc-shaped surface and the steel ball (11) is 0.02L.

6. The ball-holding chain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary block (4) has an arc-shaped groove on its side wall facing the mounting cavity (10) that is adapted to the steel ball (11).

7. The ball retaining chain according to claim 6, characterized in that, The depth of the arc-shaped groove is d, and the diameter of the steel ball (11) is L, where L / 7≤d≤L / 6.

8. The ball-holding chain according to claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary blocks (4) located at both ends of the support plate (3) are respectively connected to a first connecting block (6) and a second connecting block (7) on the side that is far apart from each other, and the first connecting block (6) and the second connecting block (7) are interlocked with each other.

9. The ball retaining chain according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first connecting block (6) and the second connecting block (7) are both L-shaped. The first connecting block (6) and the second connecting block (7) each include a first support plate (8) and a second support plate (9). The first support plate (8) is connected to the auxiliary block (4). The end faces of the second support plate (9) and the auxiliary block (4) are parallel to each other and connected to the end of the first support plate (8) away from the auxiliary block (4). The second support plate (9) on the first connecting block (6) and the second support plate (9) on the second connecting block (7) extend in opposite directions. The opening formed between the first connecting block (6) and the auxiliary block (4) has opposite orientations, as does the opening formed between the second connecting block (7) and the auxiliary block (4). When the first connecting block (6) and the second connecting block (7) are fastened together, the second support plate (9) in the first connecting block (6) is located in the opening formed between the second connecting block (7) and the auxiliary block (4), and the second support plate (9) in the second connecting block (7) is located in the opening formed between the first connecting block (6) and the auxiliary block (4).

10. The ball-holding chain according to claim 9, characterized in that, The distance D1 between the second support plate (9) and the corresponding auxiliary block (4) in the first connecting block (6) is greater than the thickness H2 of the second support plate (9) in the second connecting block (7), and the distance D2 between the second support plate (9) and the corresponding auxiliary block (4) in the second connecting block (7) is greater than the thickness H1 of the second support plate (9) in the first connecting block (6).

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