A miniature slider with an internal material tube

Abstract

This invention provides a miniature slider with an internal material tube, belonging to the field of guide rail slider technology. It includes a slider with a groove for connecting to a guide rail. Steel ball grooves are symmetrically arranged on the inner walls of both sides of the groove. Circulation holes, forming a circulation path with the steel ball grooves, are also provided within the slider on both sides of the groove. A material tube is installed within the circulation hole to prevent contact between the steel ball and the slider. By placing the material tube within the circulation hole, an isolation structure is constructed between the steel ball and the slider block, preventing direct collision between them. This design solves the core problems of rapid steel ball wear and high operating noise in traditional sliders, provides a basis for expanding functions such as self-lubrication, and reduces the risk of contamination during lubrication, meeting the application requirements of fields such as medical and precision semiconductors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of guide rail slider technology, and relates to a miniature slider with an internal material tube. Background Technology

[0002] Miniature sliders, as a core component of linear guide pairs, are widely used in precision machinery, automation equipment, and other fields. Their performance directly affects the operating accuracy and stability of the equipment. Specifically, a miniature slider refers to a linear guide pair structure with only one row of circulating steel balls, where the ball grooves contact the steel balls at a 45-degree angle, and it is suitable for guide rails with widths of 1~42mm. Due to its compact size and certain load-bearing capacity, it occupies an important position in various precision transmission scenarios.

[0003] Currently, conventional micro sliders on the market, limited by the need for simplified structural design, typically employ a through-hole structure for the circulation holes of the steel balls inside the slider. The diameter of this circulation hole is generally designed to be 1.12 times the diameter of the steel ball to meet the requirements of the ball's circulatory movement. This type of through-hole structure has a relatively simple manufacturing process, requiring no complex forming steps, thus reducing production costs to some extent, and has therefore become the mainstream structural form for existing micro sliders.

[0004] However, with the increasing demands on the performance of transmission components in fields such as precision manufacturing, medical equipment, and semiconductor processing, the inherent defects of conventional micro sliders have gradually become apparent, making it difficult to meet the needs of high-end applications. The main problems are as follows: Lack of self-lubrication: The steel balls of conventional miniature sliders move in direct contact with the wall of the circulation hole, lacking an effective self-lubricating structure and requiring regular manual lubrication. Frequent manual maintenance not only increases operating costs but also easily leads to increased friction between the steel balls and the hole wall due to untimely or uneven lubrication, affecting the stability of the slider operation.

[0005] Steel balls wear out quickly: Since the steel balls and the wall of the circulation hole are in direct metal-to-metal contact, there is a lot of friction loss between them during high-speed circulation. After long-term use, the surface of the steel balls is prone to wear and deformation, which leads to a decrease in the running accuracy of the slider and may even cause jamming, thus shortening the service life of the slider.

[0006] High noise levels: When the steel ball moves within the through hole, the collision and friction with the hole wall generate significant vibration and noise. This noise problem is particularly pronounced under high-speed operating conditions, affecting not only the comfort of the operating environment but also potentially impacting the overall precision transmission performance of the equipment due to vibration transmission.

[0007] Easy to contaminate: During manual lubrication, grease is easy to overflow to the outside of the slider, contaminating the surrounding environment; at the same time, external impurities may also enter the circulation hole, mix with the steel ball and the hole wall, and further aggravate wear and contamination, making it difficult to meet the use requirements of fields with extremely high environmental cleanliness requirements such as medical and precision semiconductor.

[0008] Furthermore, the existing conventional micro sliders have relatively fixed structural designs, lacking the foundation for functional expansion and unable to achieve personalized functional upgrades such as self-lubrication, quiet operation, and wear resistance according to the needs of different application scenarios. Therefore, developing a micro slider structure that can solve the above-mentioned technical pain points and has the ability to expand functionality has become an important issue that urgently needs to be addressed by those skilled in the art.

[0009] For example, a Chinese patent discloses a linear slide rail [application number: 201921324507.7], which mainly includes a slide rail, a slider, a first end cap, a second end cap, a plurality of steel balls, and a retainer unit. The slide rail, slider, first end cap, and second end cap together form at least one circulation path. The first end cap has a first lubrication path, a first oil inlet, and a first oil outlet communicating with the circulation path. The second end cap has a second lubrication path and a second oil outlet communicating with the circulation path. The retainer unit has an upper retainer with an axially penetrating oil passage communicating with the first oil outlet of the first end cap and the second oil outlet of the second end cap. Lubricating oil is injected through the first oil inlet of the first end cap to achieve the effect of lubricating the steel balls located in the first and second end caps at both ends. Utility Model Content

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to address the above-mentioned problems by providing a miniature slider with an internal material tube.

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A miniature slider with an internal material tube includes a slider with a groove for connecting a slide rail. Steel ball grooves are symmetrically arranged on the inner walls of both sides of the groove. A circulation hole is also provided in the slider on both sides of the groove to form a circulation path with the steel ball groove. A material tube for preventing contact between the steel ball and the slider is provided in the circulation hole.

[0012] In the aforementioned micro slider with an embedded material tube, the material tube is made of a self-lubricating material.

[0013] In the aforementioned micro slider with an internal material tube, the self-lubricating material is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

[0014] In the aforementioned miniature slider with an internal material tube, the material tube has an annular cross-section and a self-lubricating channel inside for the movement of steel balls.

[0015] In the aforementioned micro slider with an internal material tube, the circulation hole horizontally penetrates the slider on both sides.

[0016] In the aforementioned miniature slider with an internal material tube, the cross-section of the steel ball groove is semi-circular, and the center of the circulation hole and the groove are on the same horizontal plane.

[0017] In the aforementioned miniature slider with an internal material tube, the material tube and the circulation hole are fixed by adhesive or threads.

[0018] In the aforementioned micro slider with an internal material tube, the top of the slider is provided with a plurality of first threaded holes arranged in a rectangular array.

[0019] In the aforementioned miniature slider with an internal material tube, each of the front and rear ends of the slider is provided with two second threaded holes for fixing an end cap having a circulation connection path connecting a circulation hole and a steel ball groove. The material tube has a reserved interface section between its two ends and the openings on both sides of the circulation hole for connecting the circulation connection path on the end cap.

[0020] In the aforementioned micro slider with an internal material tube, the circulation hole has arc-shaped chamfered ends.

[0021] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this utility model are: 1. By setting a material tube inside the circulation hole, an isolation structure is constructed between the steel ball and the slider block to avoid direct collision between the steel ball and the slider. This design not only solves the core problems of rapid wear of steel balls and high operating noise in traditional sliders, but also provides a basis for the expansion of functions such as self-lubrication. At the same time, it reduces the risk of contamination during the lubrication process and meets the usage requirements of fields such as medical and precision semiconductors.

[0022] 2. The material tube is made of self-lubricating material, which enables the steel balls to obtain a continuous and uniform lubrication effect during the circulation process, eliminating the need for frequent manual oiling. This design solves the defect of traditional sliders that lack self-lubrication function. By reducing the friction coefficient between the steel balls and the contact surface through the lubrication characteristics of the material tube itself, the wear of the steel balls is further slowed down, and the service life of the slider is extended. At the same time, it avoids the pollution problem caused by uneven addition of grease, and improves the environmental protection and stability of the equipment operation.

[0023] Other advantages, objectives and features of this invention will be partly apparent from the following description, and partly understood by those skilled in the art through study and practice of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional drawing of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional view of another aspect of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the material tube.

[0025] In the figure, slider 1, slide groove 2, steel ball groove 3, circulation hole 4, material tube 5, self-lubricating channel 6, first threaded hole 7, second threaded hole 8, reserved interface section 9, and arc-shaped chamfer 10. Detailed Implementation

[0026] like Figures 1-4 As shown, a miniature slider with an internal material tube includes a slider 1. The slider 1 is provided with a groove 2 for connecting a slide rail. Steel ball grooves 3 are symmetrically arranged on the inner walls of both sides of the groove 2. The slider 1 on both sides of the groove 2 is also provided with circulation holes 4 that can form a circulation path with the steel ball grooves 3. The circulation holes 4 are provided with material tubes 5 for preventing the steel balls from contacting the slider 1.

[0027] In this invention, by setting a material tube inside the circulation hole, an isolation structure is constructed between the steel ball and the slider block, avoiding direct collision between the steel ball and the slider. This design not only solves the core problems of rapid wear of steel balls and high operating noise in traditional sliders, but also provides a basis for expanding functions such as self-lubrication, while reducing the risk of contamination during the lubrication process, and meeting the usage requirements of fields such as medical and precision semiconductors.

[0028] Preferably, the material tube 5 is made of a self-lubricating material. The self-lubricating material in the material tube ensures continuous and uniform lubrication of the steel balls during their cyclical movement, eliminating the need for frequent manual lubrication. This design overcomes the shortcomings of traditional sliders lacking self-lubrication, reducing the coefficient of friction between the steel balls and the contact surface through the material tube's own lubricating properties, further slowing down steel ball wear and extending the slider's service life. Simultaneously, it avoids the pollution problem caused by uneven grease addition, improving the environmental friendliness and stability of the equipment operation.

[0029] In this embodiment, the self-lubricating material is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), but it is not limited to this. PTFE is chosen as the self-lubricating material because it possesses excellent lubrication properties, wear resistance, and chemical stability. These characteristics ensure that the material tube maintains a stable self-lubricating effect during long-term use, effectively reducing the resistance of the steel ball movement and minimizing wear and noise. Simultaneously, the low-pollution properties of PTFE prevent contamination from impurities generated during lubrication, making it suitable for fields with high environmental cleanliness requirements, such as medical and precision semiconductor industries, further enhancing the applicability and reliability of the slider.

[0030] Specifically, the material tube 5 has an annular cross-section and contains a self-lubricating channel 6 for the movement of the steel ball. The annular cross-section design of the material tube, forming a self-lubricating channel, ensures that the steel ball experiences uniform force and makes full contact with the inner wall of the material tube as it moves within the channel. This structural design ensures comprehensive coverage of the self-lubricating function, preventing excessive local friction during the movement of the steel ball. Simultaneously, the annular channel guides the steel ball, reducing vibration and deviation during operation, further reducing operating noise, improving the smoothness and accuracy of the slider movement, and extending the service life of both the steel ball and the material tube.

[0031] Specifically, the circulation hole 4 horizontally penetrates the slider 1 on both sides.

[0032] Specifically, the cross-section of the ball bearing groove 3 is semi-circular, and the centers of the circulation hole 4 and the slide 2 are on the same horizontal plane. The semi-circular cross-section design of the ball bearing groove, along with the fact that the centers of the circulation hole and the slide 2 are on the same horizontal plane, makes the transition movement of the ball bearing between the ball bearing groove and the circulation hole smoother, avoiding impacts and wear caused by abrupt changes in the movement trajectory. This design ensures balanced force on the ball bearing, reduces vibration and noise during operation, and improves the stability and precision of the slider movement; at the same time, it optimizes the contact effect between the ball bearing and the contact surface, further leveraging the self-lubricating and wear-resistant properties of the material tube, and extending the service life of the overall structure.

[0033] The ball bearing groove has a single row of circulation holes, which is suitable for miniature sliders.

[0034] Specifically, the material tube 5 and the circulation hole 4 are fixed by adhesive or thread. This fixation ensures a secure connection between the material tube and the slider, preventing displacement or detachment of the material tube during high-speed operation. This fixing method is adaptable to different application scenarios. The adhesive fixing method is simple to operate and provides good sealing, while the threaded fixing method facilitates disassembly and replacement. Both methods ensure a tight fit between the material tube and the inner wall of the circulation hole, guaranteeing the stability of the ball's trajectory and preventing increased wear and noise due to loose connections, thus improving the overall reliability of the slider structure.

[0035] Specifically, the top of the slider 1 is provided with a plurality of first threaded holes 7 arranged in a rectangular array. The first threaded holes arranged in a rectangular array on the top of the slider provide a multi-directional and stable mounting interface for connecting the slider to external devices.

[0036] Specifically, the slider 1 has two second threaded holes 8 at each of its front and rear ends for fixing the end cap with a circulation connection path connecting the circulation hole 4 and the steel ball groove 3. The material tube 5 has a reserved interface section 9 between its two ends and the openings on both sides of the circulation hole 4 for connecting the circulation connection path on the end cap. The second threaded holes at both ends of the slider for fixing the end cap, and the reserved interface sections at both ends of the material tube, ensure precise alignment between the end cap's circulation connection path and the material tube. This design ensures the integrity and smoothness of the steel ball circulation path, preventing steel ball jamming or increased wear due to connection gaps. The reserved interface section simplifies the assembly process of the end cap and the material tube, improving installation efficiency. Simultaneously, the stable fixing of the end cap further enhances the slider's sealing performance, reduces the entry of external impurities into the circulation path, lowers the risk of contamination, and extends the maintenance cycle.

[0037] Preferably, the circulation hole 4 has arc-shaped chamfered portions 10 at both ends. The arc-shaped chamfered portions at both ends of the circulation hole make the transition of the steel ball between the circulation hole and the circulation connection path of the end cap smoother.

[0038] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative examples illustrating the spirit of this utility model. Those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of this utility model or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0039] Although this article frequently uses terms such as slider 1, groove 2, ball groove 3, circulation hole 4, material tube 5, self-lubricating channel 6, first threaded hole 7, second threaded hole 8, reserved interface section 9, and arc-shaped chamfer 10, these terms are used merely to more conveniently describe and explain the essence of this utility model; interpreting them as any kind of additional limitation would be contrary to the spirit of this utility model.

Claims

1. A micro slider with built-in material tube, comprising a slider (1), a sliding groove (2) connected to the sliding rail is arranged on the slider (1), steel ball grooves (3) are symmetrically arranged on the inner walls of both sides of the sliding groove (2), and circulation holes (4) capable of forming a circulation path with the steel ball grooves (3) are further arranged in the slider (1) on both sides of the sliding groove (2), characterized in that, The circulation hole (4) is provided with a material tube (5) for preventing the steel ball and the slider (1) from contacting each other.

2. The micro slider with a built-in material tube according to claim 1, wherein The material tube (5) is made of a self-lubricating material.

3. The micro slider with a built-in material tube according to claim 2, wherein The self-lubricating material is polytetrafluoroethylene.

4. A micro slider with an internal material tube according to claim 2, characterized in that, The material tube (5) has a circular cross-section and a self-lubricating channel (6) inside for the movement of steel balls.

5. A miniature slider with an internal material tube according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The circulation hole (4) is horizontally penetrating the slider (1) on both sides.

6. A miniature slider with an internal material tube according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The cross-section of the steel ball groove (3) is semi-circular and the center of the circulation hole (4) and the chute (2) are on the same horizontal plane.

7. A miniature slider with an internal material tube according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The material tube (5) and circulation hole (4) are fixed by adhesive or thread.

8. A miniature slider with an internal material tube according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The top of the slider (1) is provided with several first threaded holes (7) arranged in a rectangular array.

9. A miniature slider with an internal material tube according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The slider (1) has two second threaded holes (8) at each end for fixing the end cap with a circulation connection path having a connecting circulation hole (4) and a steel ball groove (3). The material tube (5) has a reserved interface section (9) between its two ends and the openings on both sides of the circulation hole (4) for connecting the circulation connection path on the end cap.

10. A micro slider with an internal material tube according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The circulation hole (4) has arc-shaped chamfered portions (10) at both ends.

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