CONSTRUCTION OF A LINEAR GUIDE RAIL

Abstract

A construction of a linear guide rail, including: a guide rail (1) extending in an axial direction (P); two opposite ends of the guide rail (1) each having an end section (11) in the axial direction (P); the guide rail (1) having a top surface (12); the guide rail (1) having at least one locking hole (13) extending from the top surface (12) in the vertical direction (H) perpendicular to the axial direction (P); a dustproof cover (2) extending in the axial direction (P); the dustproof cover (2) having a flat profile (21) covering the locking hole (13); a pressure-exerting plate (3) which is arranged at the end section (11) of the guide rail (1); the pressure-exerting plate (3) has a flat pressing surface (32) to press against the flat profile (21); a locking element (4) consisting of a fastening (41) and at least one pressure-exerting block (42); the fastening (41) is attached to the guide rail (1); a receiving space (S) is defined between the fastening (41) and the dustproof cover (2); the pressure-exerting plate (3) is arranged in the receiving space (S); the receiving space (S) has a receiving width (W1) in the width direction (W); the width direction (W) is perpendicular to the axial direction (P) and the height direction (H); the pressure-exerting plate (3) has a pressure-exerting plate width (W2) in the width direction (W); the pressure-exerting plate width (W2) is less than the receiving width (W1) so that the pressure-exerting plate (3) does not come into contact with the fastening (41);the pressure-exerting block (42) is locked in the mounting (41) in the vertical direction (H) in order to abut the pressure-exerting plate (3) in the vertical direction (H), so that the flat pressing surface (32) of the pressure-exerting plate (3) is pressed against the flat profile (21).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the structure of a linear guide rail, particularly to a guide rail having a pressure-applying plate and a locking member at the end portion thereof for directly applying a force in the height direction for fixing a dustproof cover.

[0002] A linear guide rail generally has multiple screw holes formed in the axial direction of the guide rail. During use, the guide rail is fixed to a work platform with screws. In practice, dust often accumulates in the screw holes or oil stains are formed. Therefore, when the rigid slider passes through the screw hole position, dust and dirt penetrate into the rigid slider and hinder the rolling of the rollers in the rigid slider, causing the rigid slider to run unsmoothly. To avoid this phenomenon, screw hole caps or dustproof covers are provided to cover the screw holes to reduce the accumulation of dust, dirt, or oil at the screw holes.

[0003] During installation, not only is it difficult to insert the screw hole caps one after the other into the screw holes, but also to keep the surface of the guide rail smooth due to processing tolerances, and dust and dirt are constantly accumulating as the screw hole caps are inserted into the screw holes. Furthermore, the force of the rigid body of the slider when hitting the screw hole caps causes the screw hole caps to sink, resulting in the accumulation of dust and dirt in the gap.

[0004] The dustproof cover is shaped like a strip. Using the dustproof cover to cover the surface of the guide rail can solve the problem caused by using the screw hole cap.

[0005] As described in the early publications of US patent application US 20090257692 A1 entitled "Guide rail with a cover band for a linear bearing," US patent application US 6749338 B2 entitled "Disposition of a cover band on a linear guide," German patent application DE 19919247 A1 entitled "Guide rail for a linear bearing," and PCT patent application WO 0133090 A1 entitled "Guide rail for a linear bearing," a long groove is formed on the surface of a guide rail, and a dustproof cover has an elastically deformable engaging portion. The dustproof cover covers the long groove on the surface of the guide rail, while the elastically deformable engaging portion engages with the inner surface of the long groove through elastic deformation, and the surface of the dustproof cover is flush with the upper surface of the guide rail.

[0006] As described in Taiwan patent application TW 201139880 A entitled "Motion Guide Device and Cover for the Motion Guide Device," US patent application US 5622433 A entitled "Top Cover Together with a Rail Unit and a Guide Unit on Which It is Mounted," German patent application DE 10032473 A1 entitled "Guide Rail for a Linear Bearing," and German utility model DE 29522090 U1 entitled "Arrangement for Closing Bores in a Guide Rail," a guide rail is provided with a counterbore, while an insert is provided under a dustproof cover. The insert of the dustproof cover is elastically deformed and embedded in the counterbore of the guide rail to fix the dustproof cover to the guide rail.

[0007] In the above two methods, the engagement area or insert of the dust cover is deformed and engaged with the inner surface of the long groove or in the recess, making it difficult to disassemble for maintenance and replacement. Furthermore, the dust cover is only supported and held by elastic force, resulting in insufficient connection rigidity in the vertical direction perpendicular to the guide rail, and the dust cover may be unstable.

[0008] As described in US patent application US 5575566 A entitled "Cover band of a linear motion guide", US patent publication US RE42885 E entitled "Linear guide device", and US patent publication US 6592261 B2 entitled "Motion guide device", both sides of a dustproof cover have elastic clamping elements. The elastic clamping elements are configured to clamp both sides of a guide rail to fix the dustproof cover to the guide rail. In this way, an elastic support is used for clamping, which strengthens the coupling force perpendicular to the guide rail. However, there is no force in the axial direction to fix the dustproof cover. It is difficult to effectively prevent the axial movement of the dustproof cover when the slider slides.

[0009] To prevent a dust cover from slipping or loosening, as described in US patent application US 5315894 A entitled "Stopper Device for Linear Guide Device" and Japanese patent application JP 2006009869 A entitled "Linear Guide Unit", the opposite ends of the guide rail are provided with fastening mechanisms to fasten the dust cover. The fastening mechanisms are configured to lock the laterally bent parts of the dust cover. The dust cover is very thin, with a thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. The fastening mechanism locks the laterally bent parts of the dust cover, which can lead to stress concentrations and damage to the dust cover.The side component of the fastening mechanisms for locking the side edges of the dust-tight cover can cause the dust-tight seal to become loose and slip.

[0010] In order to overcome the problem that the dustproof cover is thin, which can lead to stress concentrations and damage to the dustproof cover, as described in US patent US 6513976 B2 entitled “Linear guide assembly”, a Fig. As shown in Figure 17, a pressure element is provided. The fastening mechanism is locked to the pressure element. The pressure element is configured to press the dustproof cover. In this patent, the fastening mechanism is to apply force in the horizontal direction and fasten the two ends of the dustproof cover by friction. Since the friction force is approximately 0.3 to 0.5 times the positive force, the force in the horizontal direction must be 2 to 3 times the fastening force. Therefore, it is necessary to create a stronger structure to lock the pressure element when force is applied.

[0011] To improve structural simplicity, as described in US Patent No. 6,513,976 B2 entitled "Linear Guide Assembly" and Utility Model No. TW M477515 U entitled "Slide Rail with Cover Strip Fastener" from Taiwan, the locking direction and force direction are set in different axial directions through the elastic principle of the fastener. Since the elastic force and deformation depend on the stiffness of the fastener, the deformation becomes smaller for the same elastic force as the stiffness increases. Therefore, more precise processing dimensions are required when designing the fastener. If the stiffness is too low, the fastening force will also decrease, resulting in insufficient fastening force.

[0012] The main object of the present invention is to provide a linear guide rail structure comprising a guide rail, a dustproof cover, a pressure plate, and a locking member. The guide rail extends in the axial direction. Two opposite ends of the guide rail in the axial direction each have an end portion. The guide rail has a top surface. The guide rail has at least one locking hole extending from the top surface in a height direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The dustproof cover extends in the axial direction. The dustproof cover has a flat profile with which the locking hole is covered. The pressure plate is arranged at the end portion of the guide rail. The pressure plate has a flat pressing surface for pressing against the flat profile. The locking member consists of a fixture and at least one pressure block.The fastener is attached to the end portion of the guide rail. A receiving space is defined between the fastener and the dustproof cover. The pressure plate is arranged in the receiving space. The receiving space has a receiving width in a width direction. The width direction is perpendicular to the axial direction and the height direction. The pressure plate has a width in the width direction of the pressure plate. The width of the pressure plate is smaller than the receiving width, so that the pressure plate does not come into contact with the fastener. The pressure block is locked in the height direction in the fastener to abut against the pressure plate in the height direction, so that the pressure surface of the pressure plate is pressed against the flat profile.

[0013] Preferably, the pressure-applying plate completely covers the flat profile in the width direction.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one pressure-applying block consists of a pressure-applying block. After locking the pressure-applying block into the fastening, it abuts a central portion of the pressure-applying plate in the width direction.

[0015] Preferably, at least one pressure-applying block consists of two or more pressure-applying blocks. After locking the pressure-applying blocks into the fastener, they abut the pressure-applying plate in the width direction. Preferably, the two pressure-applying blocks that are closest to the two side edges of the pressure-applying plate in the width direction are pressed against the pressure-applying plate, which represents 10% to 20% of the width of the pressure-applying plate near the side edges.

[0016] Preferably, the pressure-exerting plate has at least one pressure foot extending in the height direction to press against the flat profile in the width direction.

[0017] Preferably, the pressure-applying plate projects beyond the dust-tight cover in the width direction.

[0018] Preferably, the dustproof cover has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm and the pressure-applying plate has a thickness between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0019] Preferably, the locking element has at least one pressure-applying block in the axial direction, which is locked into the fastening in order to be pressed against the pressure-applying plate in the height direction.

[0020] Preferably, the attachment comprises a flat portion and an inwardly curved portion that is bent and drawn inward from both sides of the flat portion. The inwardly curved portion is attached to a recess under the top surface.

[0021] According to the above technical features, the following effects can be achieved: The present invention provides a direct vertical force to press and fasten the dustproof cover in the vertical direction, instead of fastening the dustproof cover with the aid of components, which achieves a better fastening effect. That is, with the end portion of the guide rail, the pressure-applying plate and the pressure-applying block of the locking element are made to fasten the dustproof cover in the vertical direction. The pressure-applying block directly applies a force in the vertical direction to press against the pressure-applying plate, thus better fastening the dustproof cover. 1. The pressure block directly exerts a vertical force, which will not be generated by any component other than the height direction of the dustproof cover. This effectively prevents the dustproof cover from slipping and loosening due to other components. Furthermore, the fastener is firmly buckled on the guide rail, so the fastener only serves to provide a locking and fixing base for the pressure block. The pressure block is snapped into the fastener and pressed against the pressure plate to exert a force on the pressure plate. 2. The pressure plate completely covers the dust cover in the width direction and even extends beyond the dust cover. This is advantageous for fully pressing the dust cover, preventing it from coming loose. The pressure surface of the pressure plate is flat. Compared to a cylindrical or other-shaped pressure element, the flat pressure plate can effectively and comprehensively press the dust cover without increasing the volume of the pressure element. 3. The pressure block of the locking element is locked in the middle position of the fastener in the width direction to secure the pressure plate. Preferably, after being engaged in the fastener, the two pressure blocks abut against two opposite sides of the pressure plate in the width direction. For example, the two pressure blocks are pressed against the pressure plate, accounting for 10% to 20% of the width of the pressure plate near the side edges. This evenly locks the two opposite sides of the pressure plate to better secure the dustproof cover. 4. The locking element comprises a fastener and at least one pressure-applying block. The fastener comprises a flat portion and an inwardly curved portion, the latter being bent and drawn inward from both sides of the flat portion. The inwardly curved portion is attached to a recess under the top surface to achieve a stable fastening effect. 5. The pressure-applying plate has at least one pressure foot extending in the height direction to press against the flat profile of the dust-proof cover in the width direction to exert a force on the dust-proof seal to achieve a stable fastening effect. 6. The pressure plate is arranged in the receiving space between the fixture and the dustproof cover. For linear guide rails, the volume is less increased, which is advantageous for use in micro guide rails. The pressure plate is smaller than the receiving width of the receiving space, so the pressure plate does not come into contact with the fixture. Therefore, when the fixture outside the guide rail collides and is displaced by an external force, the pressure plate is not affected by the collision and displacement of the fixture caused by the external force.

[0022] The invention is described below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawing, which illustrates several possible embodiments. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Fig. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows a perspective view according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Fig. 5 is a front view of the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 shows a perspective view according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Fig. 7 is a front view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 shows a front view according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 shows a perspective view according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 11 shows a front view according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] As stated, the embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows that a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a guide rail (1) and a dustproof cover (2) arranged on the guide rail (1). Both end portions (11) of the guide rail (1) have a pressure-applying plate (3) and a locking element (4) for locking the dustproof cover (2).

[0025] The guide rail (1) extends in an axial direction (P). Two opposite ends of the guide rail (1) are defined in the axial direction (P) as two end portions (11). The guide rail (1) has an upper surface (12). The guide rail (1) has at least one locking hole (13) extending from the upper surface (12) in a height direction (H) perpendicular to the axial direction (P). In this exemplary embodiment, the locking hole (13) is formed as a screw hole. The dustproof cover (2) is formed in a strip shape. The dustproof cover (2) extends in the axial direction (P). The dustproof cover (2) covers the upper surface (12) of the guide rail (1). The pressure-applying plate (3) is arranged at both end portions (11) of the guide rail (1) and is pressed against the dustproof cover (2). The locking element (4) consists of a fastening (41) and a pressure-applying block (42).This embodiment consists of a pressure-applying block (42). The fixture (41) is fixed to the guide rail (1). A receiving space (S) is defined between the fixture (41) and the dustproof cover (2). The pressure-applying plate (3) is accommodated in the receiving space (S). The fixture (41) can be fixed to the guide rail (1) in any manner. In this embodiment, the fixture (41) is made of, for example, a material with high rigidity that is not easily deformed. The fixture (41) has a flat portion (411) and an inwardly bent part (412) that is bent and drawn inward from both sides of the flat portion (411). The inwardly bent part (412) is fixed to a recess (14) under the top surface (12).The pressure-applying block (42) is locked in the flat portion (411) of the fixture (41) in the height direction (H) and abuts against the pressure-applying plate (3) in the height direction (H) so that the pressure-applying plate (3) is pressed against the dust-proof cover (2) to prevent axial movement of the dust-proof cover (2) on the guide rail (1).

[0026] The Fig. 2 shows that a screw (5) is screwed into the locking hole (13) of the guide rail (1) and fixed on a fixed platform (6) to fix the guide rail (1) to the fixed platform (6). The dustproof cover (2) has a flat profile (21) and inwardly bent profiles (22) on two opposite sides of the flat profile (21). When the dustproof cover (2) covers the top (12) of the guide rail (1), the flat profile (21) covers the locking hole (13), while the inwardly bent profiles (22) are bent on two opposite sides of the guide rail (1). The pressure-applying plate (3) has a flat pressing surface (32) for pressing against the flat profile (21) of the dustproof cover (2). The guide rail (1) has a width direction (W). The width direction (W) is perpendicular to the axial direction (P) and height direction (H).The pressure-applying plate (3) completely covers the dust-proof cover (2) in the width direction (W). In this exemplary embodiment, the pressure-applying plate (3) projects beyond the dust-proof cover (2) in the width direction (W), so that the pressure-applying plate (3) facilitates assembly and comprehensively presses the dust-proof cover (2) to prevent the dust-proof cover (2) from becoming detached. The receiving space (S) has a receiving width (W1) in the width direction (W). The pressure-applying plate (3) has a pressure-applying plate width (W2) in the width direction (W). The pressure-applying plate width (W2) is smaller than the receiving width (W1), so that the pressure-applying plate (3) does not come into contact with the fastening (41). After locking the pressure-exerting block (42) into the fastening (41), it abuts the central part of the pressure-exerting plate (3) in the width direction (W).In this embodiment, the pressure plate (3) and the pressure block (42) of the locking member (4) for fixing the dustproof cover (2) are configured in the height direction (H) to avoid the problem of directly locking the dustproof cover (2) with the fixing member, which is likely to damage the dustproof cover (2) due to stress concentration. Furthermore, applying force directly in the height direction (H) to fix the dustproof cover (2) can prevent components in other directions from acting on the dustproof cover (2) and causing slippage and loosening of the dustproof cover (2). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thickness of the dustproof cover (2) is between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, while the thickness of the pressure plate (3) is between 1 mm and 3 mm, which prevents the volume of the entire linear guide rail from increasing.This is advantageous for use in miniature linear sliders.

[0027] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment, with the differences described below. In this embodiment, the locking member (4) has two pressure blocks (42) in the axial direction (P) that are locked into the fastener (41) to press against the pressure plate (3) in the height direction (H). This more firmly secures the dustproof cover (2).

[0028] The Fig. 4 and the Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment, with differences described below. In this embodiment, the locking member (4) includes two pressure blocks (42). After locking the two pressure blocks (42) into the fixture (41), they abut against the two opposite sides of the pressure plate (3) in the width direction (W). In this embodiment, the pressure blocks (42) abut against the pressure plate (3) in the width direction (W), which accounts for 10% to 20% of the width of the pressure plate (3) near the side edges and is the position of the dustproof cover (2) with better rigidity. By evenly locking the two opposite sides of the pressure plate (3), the dustproof cover (2) can be more firmly fixed.

[0029] The Fig. 6 and the Fig. 7 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment, with differences described below. In this embodiment, the pressure-applying plate (3) has two pressure feet (31) extending in the height direction (H) to press the two opposite sides of the flat profile (21) of the dust-proof cover (2) in the width direction (W), while a pressure-applying block (42) is provided to press the central part of the pressure-applying plate (3) in the width direction (W). The pressure foot (31) has a small area relative to the integral pressure-applying plate (3), which exerts a better pressing force on the dust-proof cover (2) to securely fix the dust-proof cover (2).

[0030] The Fig. 8 and the Fig. 9 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment, with differences described below. In this embodiment, the pressure-applying plate (3) has two pressure feet (31) extending in the height direction (H) to press two opposite sides of the flat profile (21) of the dust-proof cover (2) in the width direction (W), while two pressure-applying blocks (42) are provided to abut two opposite sides of the pressure-applying plate (3) and be in register with the pressure feet (31). The pressure feet (31) have a small area relative to the integral pressure-applying plate (3), which exerts a better pressing force on the dust-proof cover (2) to securely fix the dust-proof cover (2).

[0031] The Fig. 10 and the Fig.11 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment is substantially similar to the first embodiment, with differences described below. In this embodiment, the pressure-applying plate (3) has three pressure feet (31) extending in the height direction (H) to press against the central part and two opposite sides of the flat profile (21) of the dustproof cover (2) in the width direction (W) to securely fix the dustproof cover (2).

[0032] It should be further noted that since the dustproof cover (2) is very thin, in order to avoid the problem that a fastening member is used to lock the dustproof cover (2) and damage to the dustproof cover (2) is caused by stress, the present invention uses the pressure-applying plate (3) and the locking member (4) to directly apply a force in the height direction (H) to fasten the dustproof cover (2).

[0033] Although the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and embellishments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. List of reference symbols 1 guide rail 11 Final section 12 Top 13 Locking hole 14 Recess 2 Dustproof cover 21 Flat profile 22 Curved profiles 3 Pressure-applying plate 31 pressure feet 32 pressing surface 4 locking element 41 Fastening 411 Flat section 412 Inwardly bent part 42 Pressure-applying block P axial direction H Altitude direction W latitude direction W1 Recording width W2 Pressure-exerting plate width S recording room

Claims

[1] A linear guide rail assembly comprising: a guide rail (1) extending in an axial direction (P); two opposite ends of the guide rail (1) in the axial direction (P) each have an end portion (11); the guide rail (1) has an upper side (12); the guide rail (1) has at least one locking hole (13) extending from the upper side (12) in the height direction (H) perpendicular to the axial direction (P); a dustproof cover (2) extending in the axial direction (P); the dustproof cover (2) has a flat profile (21) covering the locking hole (13); a pressure-exerting plate (3) arranged at the end portion (11) of the guide rail (1); the pressure-exerting plate (3) has a flat pressing surface (32) for pressing against the flat profile (21); a locking element (4) consisting of a fastening element (41) and at least one pressure-applying block (42); the fastening element (41) is fastened to the guide rail (1); a receiving space (S) is defined between the fastening element (41) and the dust-proof cover (2); the pressure-applying plate (3) is arranged in the receiving space (S); the receiving space (S) has a receiving width (W1) in the width direction (W); the width direction (W) is perpendicular to the axial direction (P) and the height direction (H); the pressure-applying plate (3) has a pressure-applying plate width (W2) in the width direction (W); the pressure-applying plate width (W2) is smaller than the receiving width (W1) so that the pressure-applying plate (3) does not come into contact with the fastening element (41);the pressure-exerting block (42) is locked in the fastening (41) in the height direction (H) in order to abut the pressure-exerting plate (3) in the height direction (H), so that the flat pressing surface (32) of the pressure-exerting plate (3) is pressed against the flat profile (21); [2] The structure of a linear guide rail according to claim 1, wherein the attachment (41) is fixed to the end portion (11) while the pressure-applying plate (3) completely covers the flat profile (21) in the width direction (W). [3] The structure of a linear guide rail according to claim 2, wherein the pressure-applying plate (3) has at least one pressure foot (31) extending in the height direction (H) to press the flat profile (21) in the width direction (W). [4] The structure of a linear guide rail according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pressure-applying plate (3) projects beyond the dustproof cover (2) in the width direction (W). [5] The structure of a linear guide rail according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dustproof cover (2) has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm and the pressure-applying plate (3) has a thickness between 1 mm and 3 mm. [6] The structure of a linear guide rail according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking member (4) has at least one pressure-applying block (42) in the axial direction (P) which is locked into the fixture (41) to abut against the pressure-applying plate (3) in the height direction (H). [7] The structure of a linear guide rail according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fastener (41) has a flat portion (411) and an inwardly bent part (412) which is bent and drawn inward from both sides of the flat portion (411); the inwardly bent part (412) is fixed to a recess (14) under the top surface (12).

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