Cage structure of linear motion device
By designing a cage structure in the linear motion device, and using opposing inserts and retaining bars to form a semi-enclosed extension, the problems of rolling elements easily falling off during turning and installation difficulties are solved, achieving higher installation stability and assembly efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JIANGSU HENGLI PRECISION IND CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
In linear motion devices, rolling elements are prone to detachment during turning and are difficult to install and maintain, resulting in low assembly efficiency.
A cage structure for a linear motion device was designed. By setting through holes and rolling element grooves on the slider, and using opposing inserts and retaining bars, a semi-enclosed extension is formed to prevent the rolling elements from falling off. The insertion fit also improves the installation stability.
It effectively prevents the rolling elements from falling off during steering, improves installation stability and assembly efficiency, and reduces the difficulty of slider processing.
Smart Images
Figure CN224579633U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to linear motion devices, and more particularly to a cage structure for a linear motion device. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of linear motion devices, the slider and guide rail achieve smooth sliding through the cyclic rolling of rolling elements (such as balls and rollers). Traditional structures typically include a slider, guide rail, return cover, and cage assembly, where the cage assembly requires the construction of continuous rolling element circulation channels. To achieve the steering of the rolling elements at both ends of the slider, existing technologies employ an opposing-mounted tube structure.
[0003] However, this type of structure has significant drawbacks:
[0004] 1. Rolling elements are prone to falling off when turning: When the rolling elements enter the turning area of the return groove from the slider groove, due to the lack of effective protection on the inlet side of the return groove, the rolling elements are prone to falling off from the connection between the tube end and the return groove under the action of centrifugal force during turning or installation vibration.
[0005] 2. Difficult installation and maintenance: During the assembly or replacement of rolling elements, operators need to manually guide the rolling elements through the exposed return groove transition area, which further increases the risk of them falling off, resulting in low assembly efficiency and easy damage to precision parts. Utility Model Content
[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is that, in linear motion devices, the rolling elements in the return groove section are prone to falling off when the rolling elements are installed.
[0007] Therefore, this utility model provides a cage structure for a linear motion device.
[0008] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is:
[0009] A cage structure for a linear motion device includes a slider, a guide rail, a return cover, and a cage assembly. The slider slides along the length of the guide rail. The cage assembly is disposed on the slider, and the return cover is disposed at both ends of the slider. The slider, guide rail, return cover, and cage assembly together form a circulating channel for the rolling elements to roll. The slider has a through hole, and the inner sidewall of the slider has rolling element grooves.
[0010] There are two retainer assemblies, which are respectively arranged on both sides of the guide rail. Each retainer assembly includes two tubes arranged opposite each other, namely a first tube and a second tube.
[0011] One end of the first insertion tube is provided with a first reversing part, and the other end is provided with a first elongated part. The first reversing part is provided with a first reversing groove.
[0012] The second insertion tube has a second reversing part at one end and a second extension part at the other end, and a second reversing groove on the second reversing part;
[0013] The end of the first cannula away from the first reversing part is connected to the second reversing part, and the first elongated part surrounds one side of the second reversing groove;
[0014] The end of the second cannula away from the second reversing part is connected to the first reversing part, and the second elongated part surrounds one side of the first reversing groove.
[0015] Furthermore, the elongated portion is perpendicular to the end face of the return cover facing the slider and is inserted into the return cover.
[0016] Furthermore, the cannula is provided with a channel, which includes a straight hole and a return hole that are interconnected. The straight hole is located inside the through hole, and the return hole and the return part on the same cannula are located on the same side of the slider. The return hole extends toward the rolling element groove.
[0017] Furthermore, the cannula is configured in two parts, with the plane containing the center curve of the channel as the dividing plane, and the cannula includes a first branch tube and a second branch tube.
[0018] Furthermore, the first and second branch pipes are connected by an insertion joint.
[0019] Furthermore, mounting pins are provided at the end of the first insertion tube away from the first reversing part and at the end of the second insertion tube away from the second reversing part. Mounting holes are provided on both the second reversing part and the first reversing part. Through the cooperation of the mounting pins and mounting holes, the end of the first insertion tube away from the first reversing part is inserted into the second reversing part, and the end of the second insertion tube away from the second reversing part is inserted into the first reversing part.
[0020] Furthermore, the cage assembly also includes a retaining bar, which is inserted into the two inner sidewalls of the slider, and a rolling element groove is formed between the retaining bar and the slider.
[0021] Furthermore, a positioning block is provided on the reversing part of the insertion tube, and a positioning groove is provided on the retaining strip. The insertion tube is inserted and engaged with the retaining strip through the positioning block and the positioning groove.
[0022] Furthermore, the positioning block has a larger width on the side facing the guide rail.
[0023] Furthermore, the retaining strip is provided with an insert, the slider is provided with a slot for inserting the insert, the insert has at least one elastic gap, the opening of the elastic gap is oriented toward or away from the slot, and in its natural state, the width c of the insert is greater than the width a of the slot.
[0024] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: In this application, by extending the end of the insert tube to form a semi-enclosed elongated portion, and with the two insert tubes inserted into each other, the elongated portion wraps around the outside of the return groove, thereby preventing the rollers from falling off freely due to gravity when the rolling elements are installed on the slider, thus improving the stability of the slider installation. Furthermore, in this application, the slider is installed by inserting and engaging the retaining strip, and all inserts are inserted and engaged with the retaining strip, thereby avoiding the need for precision machining of the slider and reducing the difficulty of slider machining. Moreover, the unequal width design of the positioning blocks between the inserts and the retaining strip can prevent the inserts from falling off, and the two inserts inserted into the retaining strip can also limit the installation position of the retaining strip along the length direction of the slider. Attached Figure Description
[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the linear motion device in this utility model.
[0027] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the cage assembly and the return cover in this utility model.
[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation relationship between the retaining bar and the slider in this utility model.
[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the retaining strip in this utility model.
[0030] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the cage assembly in this utility model.
[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the insertion tube structure in this utility model.
[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the elongated portion in this utility model.
[0033] In the diagram: 1. Guide rail; 2. Slider; 21. First through hole; 22. Second through hole; 3. Return cover; 4. Cage assembly; 41. Holding strip; 411. First groove; 412. Second groove; 413. Tensioning strip; 414. Elastic gap; 415. Insert strip; 416. Positioning groove; 42. First insertion tube; 421. First return part; 422. First extension part; 423. First channel; 424. 425. First straight hole; 426. First branch pipe; 427. First and second branch pipes; 43. Second insertion tube; 431. Second return section; 432. Second extension section; 433. Second channel; 434. Second straight hole; 435. Second return hole; 436. Second branch pipe; 437. Second branch pipe; 44. Positioning block; 45. Mounting pin; 46. Insertion block; 47. Connecting block. Detailed Implementation
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] A cage structure for a linear motion device includes a slider 2, a guide rail 1, a return cover 3, and a cage assembly 4. The slider 2 slides along the length of the guide rail 1 and is slidably engaged with the guide rail 1. The cage assembly 4 is disposed on the slider 2, and the return cover 3 is disposed on both ends of the slider 2. The cage assembly 4 and the return cover 3 together form a circulation channel for the rolling elements to roll.
[0038] The retaining bar 41 is inserted on the two opposite inner sidewalls of the slider 2. The retaining bar 41 has rolling grooves formed on the upper and lower sides of the two inner sidewalls of the slider 2. Each side of the guide rail 1 has a through hole on the slider 2. Each side of the guide rail 1 has two rolling grooves along the Z-axis, located on the upper and lower sides of the retaining bar 41 respectively. The rolling grooves on the slider 2 and the rolling grooves on the guide rail 1 together form a rolling channel. Each side of the guide rail 1 has two through holes along the Z-axis, located on the upper and lower sides of the retaining bar 41 respectively.
[0039] Two cage assemblies 4 are provided, one on each side of the guide rail 1. For ease of explanation, the upper through hole on each side of the guide rail 1 is called the first through hole 21, and the lower through hole is called the second through hole 22. The upper rolling element groove is called the first groove 411, and the lower rolling element groove is called the second groove 412. Taking the cage assembly 4 on the left side of the guide rail 1 as an example: the cage assembly 4 includes a retaining bar 41, a first insert 42, and a second insert 43. A slot is provided between the two rolling element grooves. The retaining bar 41 is provided with an insert 415 that engages with the slot. The insert 415 is provided with an elastic gap 414. The number of elastic gaps 414 is... At least one elastic gap 414 is provided. The opening of the elastic gap 414 can be set towards the slot or towards the direction away from the slot. In this embodiment, there are two elastic gaps 414. Tensioning strips 413 are provided on both the upper and lower sides of the insert 415 (upward along the positive Z-axis). Tensioning strips 413 are elastic. One end of tensioning strip 413 is connected to the end of the insert 415 facing the bottom of the slot, and the other end extends away from the slot and is inclined or bent away from the insert 415. An elastic gap 414 is formed between tensioning strip 413 and insert 415.
[0040] Before inserting the insert 415 into the slot, the width d of the end of the insert 415 facing the slot is less than the width a of the slot 5. Before inserting the insert 415 into the slot, the width c of the two tensioning bars 413 along the Z-axis is greater than the width a of the slot. After the insert 415 is inserted into the slot, the side wall of the elastic gap 414 near the center of the insert 415 will form a gap e with the slot. The minimum width of the insert 415 is b at the position opposite to the elastic gap 414. This gap e is greater than (cb) / 3 and less than (cb). When installing the retaining strip 41, the insert 415 is inserted into the slot, and the tensioning bar 413 can be squeezed, thus bending into the groove of the slider 2. With the elasticity of the material, the hook rebounds outward and just gets stuck on the side wall of the slot. This ensures that the insert 415 can be firmly stuck in the slot and will not loosen, thus improving the stability of the retaining strip 41 installation.
[0041] The straight portion of the first insertion tube 42 is inserted into the first through hole 21. The first insertion tube 42 includes a first reversing portion 421 disposed at its end. The second insertion tube 43 is inserted into the second through hole 22. The second insertion tube 43 includes a second reversing portion 431 disposed at its end. The second reversing portion 431 is disposed at the end away from the first reversing portion 421. The first return section 421 is provided with a first return groove, one end of which is connected to the first groove 411 and the other end extends toward the second through hole 22. The second return section 431 is provided with a second return groove, one end of which is connected to the second groove 412 and the other end extends toward the first through hole 21. Both the first return section 421 and the second return section 431 are provided with positioning blocks 44. The positioning blocks 44 are wider on the side facing the guide rail 1. The two positioning blocks 44 are respectively inserted into the positioning grooves 416 provided at both ends of the retaining strip 41. When the two insert tubes are installed facing each other, they are respectively inserted into the two ends of the upper and lower retaining strips 41. This can ensure the axial movement of the insert tubes and also press the two ends of the upper and lower retaining strips 41 by the insert tubes to prevent the retaining strips 41 from moving outward, thereby ensuring the stability of the installation of the first insert tube 42, the second insert tube 43, and the retaining strip 41.
[0042] The straight portion of the first insertion tube 42 has a first extension 422 at the end away from the first return portion 421. The first extension 422 has a plurality of mounting pins 45. The mounting pins 45 can be located at the end of the first insertion tube 42 or at the end of the first extension 422. The mounting pins 45 are inserted into the mounting holes on the second return portion 431. Similarly, the second insertion tube 43 also has a second extension 432 and mounting pins 45. The first return portion 421 also has mounting holes. The first insertion tube 42 and the second insertion tube 43 are inserted and fixed to each other by the cooperation of the mounting pins 45 and the mounting holes.
[0043] Both the first elongated portion 422 and the second elongated portion 432 are semi-enclosed. The end faces of the first elongated portion 422 and the second elongated portion 432 extend to the side of the second return groove away from the second groove 412 and the side of the first return groove away from the first groove 411, respectively. This allows the elongated portion to prevent the rolling element from coming off and falling out during the process of entering the return groove.
[0044] The first insertion tube 42 has a first channel 423, which includes a first straight hole 424 and a first return hole 425 that are interconnected. The first straight hole 424 is located within the first through hole 21. The first return hole 425 and the first return portion 421 are located on the same side of the slider 2, and the first return hole 425 extends toward the second groove 412. The second insertion tube 43 has a second channel 433, which includes a second straight hole 434 and a second return hole 435 that are interconnected. The second straight hole 434 is located within the second through hole 22. The second return hole 435 and the second return portion 431 are located on the same side of the slider 2, and the second return hole 435 extends toward the first groove 411.
[0045] The return cover 3 is installed on both ends of the slider 2. The return cover 3 is provided with grooves that are adapted to the first return groove and the second return groove, and forms a groove between the first return groove and the second return groove for the rolling body to pass through. The first extension 422 and the second extension 432 are each provided with a plug 46 for inserting into the return cover 3. The first plug tube 42 and the second plug tube 43 are spliced together with the slider 2 and the return cover 3 to form a circulation channel for the rolling body to circulate back and forth.
[0046] It should be noted that both the first insertion tube 42 and the second insertion tube 43 are separate units. Taking the plane containing the center curve of the first channel 423 as the dividing plane, the first insertion tube 42 includes a first branch tube 426 and a first branch tube 427, which are connected together by a connector block 47 and a connector slot. Taking the plane containing the center curve of the second channel 433 as the dividing plane, the second insertion tube 43 includes a second branch tube 436 and a second branch tube 437, which are connected together by a connector block 47 and a connector slot.
[0047] 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 cage structure for a linear motion device, comprising a slider (2), a guide rail (1), a return cover (3), and a cage assembly (4), wherein the slider (2) slides along the length of the guide rail (1), the cage assembly (4) is disposed on the slider (2), the return cover (3) covers both ends of the slider (2), the slider (2), the guide rail (1), the return cover (3), and the cage assembly (4) together form a circulating channel for rolling elements to roll, the slider (2) has a through hole, and the inner wall of the slider (2) has a rolling element groove, characterized in that: There are two retainer assemblies (4), which are respectively located on both sides of the guide rail (1). Each retainer assembly (4) includes two insert tubes that are inserted into each other, namely a first insert tube (42) and a second insert tube (43). One end of the first insertion tube (42) is provided with a first reversing part (421), and the other end is provided with a first elongated part (422). The first reversing part (421) is provided with a first reversing groove. The second insertion tube (43) has a second reversing part (431) at one end and a second extension part (432) at the other end. The second reversing part (431) has a second reversing groove. The end of the first insertion tube (42) away from the first return part (421) is inserted into the second return part (431), and the first extension part (422) surrounds the side of the second return groove away from the rolling element groove; The end of the second insertion tube (43) away from the second return part (431) is inserted into the first return part (421), and the second extension part (432) surrounds the side of the first return groove away from the rolling element groove.
2. The cage structure of a linear motion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The end of the elongated part is provided with a plug (46), which is perpendicular to the end face of the return cover (3) facing the slider (2) and is inserted into the return cover (3).
3. The cage structure of a linear motion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The insertion tube is provided with a channel, which includes a straight hole and a return hole that are interconnected. The straight hole is located in the through hole, and the return hole and the return part on the same insertion tube are located on the same side of the slider (2). The return hole extends toward the rolling element groove.
4. The cage structure of a linear motion apparatus according to claim 3, wherein The cannula is configured in two parts, with the plane containing the center curve of the channel as the dividing plane. The cannula includes a first branch tube and a second branch tube.
5. The cage structure of a linear motion apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The No. 1 and No. 2 branches are connected by a plug-in joint.
6. The cage structure of a linear motion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein An installation pin (45) is provided on the end of the first insertion tube (42) away from the first return part (421) and the end of the second insertion tube (43) away from the second return part (431). An installation hole is provided on both the second return part (431) and the first return part (421). By cooperating with the installation pin (45) and the installation hole, the end of the first insertion tube (42) away from the first return part (421) is inserted into the second return part (431), and the end of the second insertion tube (43) away from the second return part (431) is inserted into the first return part (421).
7. The cage structure of a linear motion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The cage assembly (4) further includes a retaining bar (41), which is inserted into the two inner sidewalls of the slider (2), and a rolling element groove is formed between the retaining bar (41) and the slider (2).
8. The cage structure of a linear motion apparatus according to claim 7, wherein The reversing part of the insertion tube is provided with a positioning block (44), and the retaining strip (41) is provided with a positioning groove (416). The insertion tube is inserted and engaged with the retaining strip (41) through the positioning block (44) and the positioning groove (416).
9. The cage structure of a linear motion apparatus according to claim 8, wherein The positioning block (44) has a larger width on the side facing the guide rail (1).
10. The cage structure of a linear motion apparatus according to claim 7, wherein The retaining strip (41) is provided with an insert (415), the slider (2) is provided with a slot for inserting the insert (415), the insert (415) is provided with at least one elastic gap (414), the opening of the elastic gap (414) is facing or away from the slot, the width of the insert (4) in its natural state is c, the width of the slot (5) is a, and c is greater than a.