Sliding bearing arrangement with multi-part rail

Abstract

A sliding bearing arrangement comprising a slide (2) and a longitudinally elongated rail (1000), wherein the rail (1000) includes a guide section having a total longitudinal length (X), wherein the slide (2) has a guide receptacle (21, 210) for receiving the guide section, and in an operating state of the sliding bearing arrangement the guide section is arranged in the guide receptacle (21, 210), and the slide (2) is continuously displaceable along the entire longitudinal length of the guide section relative to the rail (1000) from the operating state, while its position perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) is continuously fixed due to the guide section arranged in the guide receptacle (21, 210), characterized in that the rail (1000) comprises several rail sections (1, 100).which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (X) and together form the guide section of the rail (1000), wherein each pair of longitudinally adjacent rail sections (1, 100) are spaced apart from each other by a longitudinal distance (S).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plain bearing arrangement comprising a carriage and a rail according to the preamble of claim 1 and to the use of components for realizing a rail of such a plain bearing arrangement.

[0002] Generic plain bearing assemblies comprise a carriage and a rail as mutually correspondingly designed elements. While the rail is usually fixed in a fixed position to a structural element, for example to a wall or floor of a room, or to a device arranged on the wall and / or floor of the room, the carriage is guided and movable along the rail. In a normal operating state of generic plain bearing assemblies, the carriage is arranged on the rail in such a way that its position relative to the rail is fixed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by the interlocking of the rail and carriage, whereas it can slide along the rail in the longitudinal direction while its position perpendicular to the longitudinal direction remains unchanged.The rail typically has a longitudinal extension length that is at least 4 times, in particular at least 5 times, in particular at least 10 times, in particular at least 15 times, in particular at least 20 times the longitudinal extension length of the carriage. For many applications, the ability of the carriage to be displaced by a multiple of its longitudinal extension length, as exemplified above, is important so that the carriage can reliably perform a movement guided along the rail over the corresponding displacement length, for example for transporting devices or parts of devices mounted on the carriage, for example for transporting tool parts or carrying and / or gripping devices of transport systems.To achieve the desired properties, the rail typically has a guide section and the carriage a guide receptacle. When the plain bearing assembly is in operation, the rail is arranged in the guide receptacle, so that a boundary wall formed by the guide receptacle determines the position of the guide section in the guide receptacle perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, while allowing the carriage to be displaced relative to the rail and thus to move from guide section to guide receptacle in the longitudinal direction. The guide receptacle is typically designed as a continuous passage extending continuously through the carriage in the longitudinal direction.

[0003] One challenge in the realization of generic plain bearing assemblies lies in the realization of the elongated rail or the elongated guide section of the rail in such a way that a movement of the carriage relative to the rail, guided along the rail, is possible with as little friction as possible. In this regard, it is known in the prior art to manufacture rails from components that are pinned together and thus fixed in position in close proximity to one another, or to manufacture them as one-piece components with the length required depending on the application, for example as an extruded part or as a die-cast part, wherein generally preferably at least the guide section of the rail, in particular the rail as a whole, is made of metal, in particular a metal alloy. However, the production of such long, one-piece rails is complex and cost-intensive due to the storage, transport and handling of the rails during their production.In particular, such rails are often manufactured by attaching fastening elements to prefabricated shafts that form the guide sections of the rails, by means of which the rails can later be fastened to a substrate. Such fastening is particularly problematic when implementing rails for plain bearing assemblies used in the production of food. Such plain bearing assemblies suitable for use in food production processes, to which the present invention relates in particular, are usually manufactured in compliance with the hygiene guidelines according to DIN EN1672-2, so that they are particularly easy to clean. In particular, such plain bearing assemblies must not have any gaps in which contaminants can accumulate and from which they are difficult or impossible to remove during conventional cleaning processes.When rails are implemented as described above, the fastening elements are typically welded to the shafts to prevent gaps. Welding components, and in particular the subsequent post-processing of the weld seam, ensures that the plain bearing assembly surfaces meet standards, allowing the plain bearing assemblies to be easily cleaned in operation, for example, using a cleaning fluid, such as water or a water-based cleaning fluid containing water and chemicals dissolved in the water, for example, at a rinsing pressure of 25 bar. However, welding long rails is complex, as welding fixtures capable of accommodating the long shafts or rails must be provided. Welding the numerous fastening elements results in considerable heat input and thus a risk of thermal distortion.

[0004] As a solution to the problem underlying the present invention, the invention proposes a plain bearing assembly having the features according to claim 1. Such a plain bearing assembly comprises a carriage and a longitudinally elongated rail, wherein the rail comprises a guide section having an overall length in the longitudinal direction. The carriage has a guide receptacle for receiving the guide section. In an operating state of the plain bearing assembly, the guide section is arranged in the guide receptacle. Starting from the operating state, the carriage is continuously slidably displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the rail along the guide section over its overall length, while its position perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is continuously fixed due to the guide section arranged in the guide receptacle.The plain bearing assembly according to the invention can have further features that are disclosed here in connection with generic plain bearing assemblies. The plain bearing assembly according to the invention preferably meets the requirements of DIN EN 1672-2. According to the invention, the rail has several rail sections that are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction and together form the guide section of the rail, with each two adjacent rail sections being spaced apart from each other by a longitudinal distance.In contrast to the approaches known in the prior art of realizing a rail from rail components that are arranged as directly as possible, in particular bonded to one another, to create the guide section of the rail, the present invention is based on the finding that by arranging longitudinally adjacent rail sections of the rail at a distance from one another, the rail can be realized particularly easily and cost-effectively and that, despite providing such a distance, it can still be ensured that the carriage can be moved along the rail with low friction and reliably over the entire length of the guide section of the rail. The deliberately provided longitudinal distance can ensure such a free space between the rail sections that this free space can be easily flushed.In addition, the intentionally provided longitudinal spacing allows the aligned arrangement of the rail sections to be ensured in a particularly simple manner in some embodiments. In one embodiment, the rail sections are designed as sections of a rail component produced integrally in one piece, spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction. In an alternative embodiment, the rail has a plurality of rail components which are produced independently of one another and are thus designed as separate rail components, wherein each of the rail components comprises one of the rail sections and in particular a further rail section of the rail, explained in more detail below, and these rail components are fastened to a support in alignment with one another to create the rail. It has proven particularly advantageous to determine the longitudinal spacing between each two adjacent rail sections, iethe distance between their mutually facing longitudinal ends, based on the longitudinal direction, of more than 3 mm, in particular at least 5 mm, in particular at least 6 mm, in particular at least 7 mm. This can ensure, in particular, particularly advantageous flushability of the rail. Furthermore, it has proven particularly advantageous to set the longitudinal distance at less than 15 mm, in particular less than 10 mm. This can ensure the carriage can be displaced as continuously and with as little friction as possible over the entire length of the guide section of the rail.It should be noted that the guide section is formed by the plurality of rail sections, wherein each of the rail sections forms a part of the total extension length in the longitudinal direction of the guide section, so that when the carriage is displaced relative to the rail, starting from the operating state over the total extension length of the guide section, the carriage is displaced over all rail sections of the rail. The operating state refers to a specific arrangement of rail and carriage relative to one another. In the operating state, the carriage is in a specific longitudinal position relative to the rail, wherein the guide section of the rail is arranged in the guide receptacle of the carriage.

[0005] In one embodiment, the rail sections each have a guide region which extends over at least 80% of their longitudinal extent and over which they each have a cross-section corresponding to the guide receptacle. When the carriage with its guide receptacle is displaced over the guide region, the guide receptacle preferably always lies identically against the correspondingly formed cross-section of the rail section over the entire longitudinal extent of the guide region. The guide region is spaced from at least one longitudinal end of the respective rail section, wherein the rail section preferably has a chamfer between this longitudinal end and the guide region, so that the cross-section is smaller at the longitudinal end than within the guide region. Particularly preferably, the chamfer, ieThe outer side of the rail section, within the region of the rail section formed as a chamfer, forms an angle between 30° and 80°, in particular between 45° and 70°, to the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the rail section always has the same cross-section across its entire guide region. Preferably, the rail section has a cross-section averaged over its guide region, wherein the cross-section at said longitudinal end is smaller than the average cross-section of the guide region.Generally, the rail sections each preferably have a guide region which, as explained, extends over at least 80% of their longitudinal extent and over which they each have, as explained, a cross-section corresponding to the guide receptacle. The guide region is spaced from at least one longitudinal end of the respective rail section, the cross-section at the longitudinal end being smaller than within the guide region, in particular smaller than the cross-section of the rail section averaged over the guide region. Preferably, the cross-section at the longitudinal end is less than 90%, in particular less than 80%, in particular less than 70% of the said cross-section within the guide region.Preferably, the guide region is spaced from both longitudinal ends of the respective rail section, wherein the cross-section at each of the two longitudinal ends is smaller than within the guide section, wherein a chamfer is preferably provided between the respective longitudinal end and the guide region, as explained above. Preferably, the aforementioned properties apply to all rail sections of the rails. Preferably, the chamfer extends over a longitudinal extent of less than 10 mm, in particular at most 5 mm, in particular more than 2 mm, in particular more than 3 mm. Inventors have recognized that by providing a longitudinal spacing between longitudinally adjacent rail sections and by the explained variation of the cross-section of the respective rail sections, low-friction sliding of the carriage can be ensured in a particularly simple manner, even over the interruptions provided between the rail sections.Generally, the rail section(s) is / are preferably formed in the manner of a hollow cylinder, with a conical deviation from the hollow cylindrical shape being formed across the chamfer. Generally, the chamfer is formed completely circumferentially in the longitudinal direction.

[0006] In one embodiment, at least part of the guide receptacle is formed by a sliding section of the carriage, over which the carriage rests against a specific one of the rail sections in the operating state. In the operating state, the carriage preferably extends with its longitudinal extent exclusively within the region of the longitudinal extent of only one of the rail sections. In the preferred embodiment, the carriage rests with its sliding section against only one specific one of the rail sections in the operating state. The contact can be a direct contact or a contact with slight play. In any case, the contact with the sliding section determines the position of the specific rail section relative to the carriage in every direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In the operating state, the carriage preferably rests only with its sliding section against the specific one of the rail sections.The sliding section has a longitudinal extension length in the longitudinal direction that is at least 1.5 times, in particular at least 2 times, in particular at least 3 times the longitudinal distance by which the specific rail section is spaced from a longitudinally adjacent one of the remaining rail sections of the rail. Preferably, the sliding section has a longitudinal extension length that is a corresponding multiple of each of the longitudinal distances by which the specific rail section is spaced at each of its longitudinal ends from the rail section arranged adjacent to it at the respective longitudinal end. By providing a sliding section with a correspondingly large longitudinal extension, a particularly low-friction displacement of the carriage along the rail can be ensured, even across the interruption provided between two adjacent rail sections of the rail.In one embodiment, the sliding section has a plurality of sub-sliding sections spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction; in one embodiment, the sliding section is continuous over its entire longitudinal extent. Generally speaking, the sliding section of the carriage is preferably made of a sliding material, in particular a tribopolymer. Generally speaking, a sliding plastic is preferably used as the sliding material. In the present case, this is understood to mean a polymeric material that has a low coefficient of friction compared to stainless steel as a sliding partner. The sliding plastic preferably has a coefficient of friction of < 0.3, in particular < 0.25, in particular < 0.2 compared to stainless steel, without lubrication being provided. Suitable sliding plastics include, for example, thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and thermosetting phenolic resins.To further reduce friction, these plastics can be filled with lubricants, in particular fine-particle solid lubricants such as molybdenum disulfide or graphite. Polymers containing such lubricants are also referred to as tribopolymers. In one embodiment, the slide comprises, as separate components, a slide body and at least one sliding element. The sliding element is made of a sliding material, with the sliding section preferably being formed by the at least one sliding element. The sliding element is preferably manufactured by injection molding.The sliding element is preferably designed in the manner of a hollow cylinder, with the hollow cylinder particularly preferably having a longitudinally continuous slot in its cylinder wall, through which a web section of the rail extends in the operating state, connecting the guide section of the rail to the rail body. In one embodiment, the carriage is made entirely of a sliding material, in particular directly as a one-piece component, in particular by means of an injection molding process or by machining, for example, milling, a semi-finished product previously produced from sliding material by extrusion.

[0007] Generally, the sliding section preferably has stop sections with which it rests against the guide section of the rail in the operating state, wherein two adjacent stop sections are spaced apart from one another with respect to a direction of rotation about a longitudinal axis extending in the longitudinal direction. This ensures, on the one hand, that the stop sections ensure reliable guidance of the carriage perpendicular to the longitudinal direction relative to the rail, and, on the other hand, that the distance between the stop sections ensures the flushability of the plain bearing arrangement.The stop sections are preferably spaced apart in that the guide section has a flushing recess between the stop sections in relation to the direction of rotation and / or in that the sliding section has a flushing cutout between the stop sections in relation to the direction of rotation, so that in the operating state a flushing channel is formed between each two stop sections, which runs between the guide section of the rail and the sliding section and thus also the guide receptacle, wherein the flushing channel preferably runs continuously in the longitudinal direction and is open at both of its longitudinal ends, so that cleaning fluid can penetrate into the flushing channel at one longitudinal end of the flushing channel and leave it at its other longitudinal end. The flushing channel is therefore accessible from the outside at both of its longitudinal ends in the operating state of the plain bearing arrangement. Preferably, two adjacent flushing recesses orFlushing recesses and the stop section arranged between them are each parallel to one another and parallel to the longitudinal direction. Particularly preferably, the flushing recesses or flushing recesses extend in a direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis each over an angular range which is at least 0.7 times, in particular at least 0.9 times, in particular at least 1.0 times, in particular at least 1.2 times, in particular at least 1.5 times, in particular at least 2.0 times the angular range over which the stop section arranged between them in the direction of rotation extends. It should be taken into account that the extension of the stop section along the direction of rotation, iethe angular range over which it extends is defined in that the stop section provides a stop for the guide section over this angular range when the guide section moves away from the axis of the guide receptacle in the operating state. Because the flushing recesses or flushing cutouts have a sufficient width in relation to the direction of rotation, sufficient flushability or sufficient cleaning option of the arrangement is provided in the operating state. Thus, the sufficient width of the flushing recesses or flushing cutouts or flushing channels ensures that, whatever the possible position of the guide section in the guide receptacle, there is always a sufficient gap between the boundary wall and the guide section thanks to the flushing cutout, which guarantees the possibility of cleaning.Particularly preferably, the flushing channels each have a clear diameter of at least 2 mm, in particular at least 3 mm, in particular at least 4 mm, in particular at least 5 mm in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Particularly preferably, the flushing channels each have a clear cross-section of at least 4 mm in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis over their longitudinal extent. 2 , in particular at least 6 mm 2 , in particular at least 10 mm 2 , in particular at least 15 mm 2 This allows the cleaning fluid to flow through the clear cross-section when cleaning the plain bearing assembly.

[0008] In one embodiment, the rail sections each have a fastening recess running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In an embodiment, which can be particularly advantageously combined with the aforementioned, the rail sections are each connected to a fastening block which has a recess for inserting a fastening means for attaching the block to a substrate by means of the fastening means. In general, the substrate can be provided by a support as explained here. The fastening recess can be designed, for example, as a fastening bore, and the recess can be designed, for example, as a bore. The fastening recess can preferably be designed such that a fastening means for attaching the respective rail section to a substrate can be inserted by means of the fastening means.Alternatively, the fastening recess can be designed such that a fastening means for fastening the rail section to a fastening block can be inserted into the fastening recess by means of the fastening means. Generally speaking, the fastening recess is preferably designed in the manner of a blind hole, so that it is not a hole passing through the rail section. This can be particularly advantageous for cleaning purposes and / or for low-friction sliding guidance. In the operating state of the plain bearing arrangement, the upper side of the respective rail section is particularly preferably closed at the level of the fastening recess, whereas an opening is provided on the underside through the fastening recess. This can prevent the accumulation of dirt in the fastening recess as far as possible.Generally preferably, the plain bearing arrangement comprises at least one fastening means, wherein the respective rail section and / or the respective fastening block is fastened to the substrate, in particular to the substrate formed by the support, by means of the fastening means. For example, the fastening recess or recess can have an internal thread, so that the rail section or the fastening block can be easily fixed to the substrate or support by means of a screw. Generally preferably, both the rail sections and the respectively associated fastening blocks and / or the respectively associated fastening means are made of metal, wherein preferably each rail section is assigned at least one fastening block and / or at least one fastening means.

[0009] In one embodiment, the rail sections are each integrally connected to a fastening element, in particular by gluing or welding. The fastening element can be designed as the fastening block explained here. The integral connection of the fastening element to the rail section can particularly advantageously prevent, if possible, the accumulation of contaminants at the transition between the fastening elements. Particularly preferably, the plain bearing arrangement comprises a plurality of rail components, each comprising at least one rail section and one fastening element, wherein the plain bearing arrangement is realized in that the various rail components are arranged with their rail sections spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, in particular by being fixed to a support. Generally speaking, the rail sections can preferably be fastened to a support independently of one another.Preferably, the rail sections are each manufactured independently of one another as a separate component. Particularly preferably, in the operating state of the plain bearing arrangement, the rail sections are all attached to the support and, as explained, are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, at least two longitudinally adjacent rail sections are connected to one another in the operating state by a joint, by means of which they are arranged so as to be angled relative to one another. The joint, which is arranged between two longitudinally adjacent rail sections, preferably spans at least part of the longitudinal distance between the two rail sections. The joint preferably defines a joint axis that runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the adjacent rail sections can be pivoted relative to one another about the joint axis by means of the joint. In the operating state, they form a defined angle relative to one another about the joint axis, preferably an angle of 180°.The angle refers to the rail section axes of the respective rail sections. In the operating state, the rail section axes of the adjacent rail sections extend in the longitudinal direction, so that in the operating state, the carriage can be displaced relative to the rail over both adjacent rail sections and across the longitudinal distance provided between them along the longitudinal direction, which runs parallel to the rail section axes. The rail section axis is thus the axis of the respective rail sections along which the carriage, guided on the rail section, can be moved relative to the rail section.Preferably, the plain bearing arrangement is designed to assume an angled state, starting from the operating state, in which the adjacent rail sections are pivoted relative to one another about the joint axis by means of the joint, preferably by at least 30°, in particular at least 45°, in particular at least 60°, in particular at least 90°, wherein preferably during the pivoting, by means of which the plain bearing arrangement changes from the operating state to the angled state, the carriage remains arranged on one of the two adjacent rail sections. Generally preferably, in one embodiment, the joint is spaced from an upper side of the two adjacent rail sections in a vertical direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the upper side forms a vertical end of the rail sections. In one embodiment, the joint is arranged vertically below the adjacent rail sections.Generally, the support preferably comprises two support elements, wherein one of the adjacent rail sections is attached to each of the support elements, and wherein the support elements are connected to one another by the joint, in particular pivotably connected about the joint axis of the joint. Thus, the rail sections are preferably pivotable relative to one another by means of the support elements and the joint arranged between them.

[0011] Generally, the rail sections are preferably made of metal. Generally, the guide mount of the carriage, in particular the carriage as a whole, is preferably made of a sliding material. Generally, the entire rail is preferably made of metal.

[0012] In one embodiment, the rail has a further guide section, wherein the guide section is formed by a first group of rail sections of the rail and the further guide section is formed by a second group of rail sections of the rail. The rail sections of the first group are arranged parallel to the rail sections of the second group. In the operating state, the rail section axes of the rail sections of the first group thus run parallel to the rail section axes of the rail sections of the second group. The parallel arrangement of the rail sections of the first and second groups otherwise relates to the operating state. In a transverse direction, which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the first group of rail sections is spaced from the second group of rail sections.In one embodiment of the described advantageous plain bearing arrangement, the carriage has a further guide receptacle which is assigned to the further guide section, so that in the operating state the guide section is arranged in the guide receptacle and the further guide section is arranged in the further guide receptacle. The carriage can thus be moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the rail by means of its two guide receptacles on the two guide sections of the rail, wherein the further guide section and the further guide receptacle can be designed to correspond to one another and can have features which are explained here with reference to the guide receptacle and the guide section. By providing a guide receptacle and a further guide receptacle as well as a guide section and a further guide section, particularly reliable and particularly resilient guidance of the carriage relative to the rail can be ensured.In one embodiment of the described advantageous plain bearing arrangement, the plain bearing arrangement comprises a further carriage having a further guide receptacle associated with the further guide section. The further guide receptacle of the further carriage can be configured to correspond to the further guide section of the rail, as explained here with reference to the guide receptacle and guide section. Such a plain bearing arrangement offers the particular advantage that two carriages can be mounted on the same rail so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] Generally, the rail sections of the first group are preferably arranged offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the rail sections of the second group. The longitudinal ends of the rail sections of the first group are thus offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the longitudinal ends of the rail sections of the second group, preferably by at least 2 times, in particular at least 5 times, in particular at least 10 times the maximum longitudinal spacing provided between two longitudinally adjacent rail sections of one of the groups and / or preferably by at least 10%, in particular at least 20%, in particular at least 30% of the longitudinal extension length of the shorter of the two rail sections of the two groups whose longitudinal ends are offset from one another.The offset arrangement of the longitudinal ends of two rail sections of the two groups naturally refers to the offset arrangement of the longitudinal ends of those rail sections of the two groups that run parallel to one another within the same longitudinal extension section. Due to the offset arrangement of the rail sections, the longitudinal spacings provided between two longitudinally adjacent rail sections of the respective group are each offset from the longitudinal spacings provided between two rail sections of the other group of rail sections, whereby the offset is naturally a longitudinal offset.The offset arrangement can ensure particularly reliable guidance of the carriage over the entire guide section and in particular the entire further guide section of the rail, since a carriage which has two guide receptacles can always be guided in such a longitudinal region on one of the two guide sections of the rail in which the other guide section of the rail has an interruption due to a longitudinal distance provided between two of its rail sections.

[0014] In one embodiment, one rail section of the first group and one rail section of the second group of rail sections are each integrated into a single rail component. This can simplify the manufacture of the plain bearing arrangement. Particularly preferably, the individual rail components can be fastened to a support independently of one another. Particularly preferably, the rail sections integrated into the respective rail component are permanently connected to one another. For example, the rail sections integrated into a rail component can both be welded to a fastening block, by means of which, in particular as explained above, the rail component can be fixed to a support or a substrate.

[0015] The invention further relates to the use of individual rail components for realizing a longitudinally elongated rail. The rail is suitable for use in a plain bearing arrangement which, in addition to the rail, comprises a carriage. The rail has a guide section which has an overall length in the longitudinal direction. The carriage has a guide receptacle for receiving the guide section. In an operating state of the plain bearing arrangement, the guide section is arranged in the guide receptacle. Starting from the operating state, the carriage is continuously slidably displaceable along the guide section over its overall length in the longitudinal direction relative to the rail, while its position perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is continuously fixed due to the guide section arranged in the guide receptacle.When used according to the invention, the rail components are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction, spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, thereby forming the rail, each of the rail components forming a rail section of the rail, and the rail sections together forming the guide section of the rail. In one embodiment, the rail components have, in addition to the rail section, further components, such as a fastening block and / or a further rail section. To create the rail, the rail components are preferably fixed to a support, in particular releasably fixed, in particular each fixed to the support by means of at least one fastening means.

[0016] In general, the various embodiments of the invention can be combined with one another in any desired manner, particularly advantageously. The use according to the invention can have features that are described in connection with embodiments of the plain bearing assembly according to the invention. The plain bearing assembly according to the invention can have features that are explained in connection with embodiments of the use according to the invention. The plain bearing assembly according to the invention and the use according to the invention can have features that are explained here in connection with generic plain bearing assemblies or uses.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to seven figures using exemplary embodiments.

[0018] They show: Fig. 1: in a schematic principle representation of a rail of a plain bearing arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 2: in a schematic diagram, a plan view of a rail section of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 along the longitudinal direction; Fig. 3: in a schematic principle representation a detailed view of a rail section of the embodiment according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4: in a schematic principle representation of a rail of a further embodiment of a plain bearing arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 5: in various schematic representations of the rail of a further embodiment of a plain bearing arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 6: in various schematic representations of the rail of a further embodiment of a plain bearing arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 7: in various schematic principle representations, various components of a further embodiment of a plain bearing arrangement according to the invention.

[0019] In Fig. 1, a rail 1000 is shown schematically in a schematic diagram, an embodiment of a plain bearing arrangement according to the invention. The rail 1000 of the described embodiment has exactly one guide section, which in the present case is formed by three rail sections 1 of the rail 1000. The three rail sections 1 are each designed in the manner of a cylinder running in the longitudinal direction X, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. The rail sections 1 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction X to form the guide section of the rail 1000, wherein two adjacent rail sections 1 are spaced from each other by a longitudinal distance S. The longitudinal distance S denotes the distance between the two mutually facing longitudinal ends of the two adjacent rail sections 1. The rail sections 1 of the rail 1000 of the embodiment according to Fig. 1 are in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are shown in more detail in further schematic diagrams. From the overview of the Fig. 1 to 3 it can be seen that each of the rail sections 1 has a first longitudinal end 11 and a second longitudinal end 13, between which it extends along its longitudinal extent. Starting from the respective longitudinal end 11, 13, each of the rail sections 1 has a chamfer 12, 14, so that the diameter of the rail section 1 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X increases from the respective longitudinal end 11, 13 towards the longitudinal center of the rail section 1, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. Thus, the rail section 1 has a diameter D2 at each of its two longitudinal ends 11, 13, whereas in a guide region, which characterizes a longitudinal region of the rail section 1 spaced from the longitudinal ends 11, 13, it has a diameter D1 that is significantly larger than the diameter D2.The guide region and the respective longitudinal ends 11, 13 are connected to one another by the respective bevels 12, 14, and the guide region has a constant diameter D1 over its entire longitudinal extent, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. Generally, the guide region preferably always has the same maximum diameter D1 over its entire longitudinal extent, which, as explained here, is significantly larger than the maximum diameter D2 provided at the two longitudinal ends of the rail section 1.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 3 shows the underside of the rail section 1, where the term "underside" refers to the side facing vertically downward in the operating state of the plain bearing assembly. This underside features several mounting recesses 15 into which a pin and / or a screw with an external thread can be inserted to allow the rail section to be attached to a support.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the rail 1000 of a further embodiment of a plain bearing assembly according to the invention. In addition to a first guide section, the rail 1000 further comprises a further guide section which runs parallel to the guide section but is spaced from it in a transverse direction Y running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The first guide section is formed by a first group of rail sections 1, whereas the further guide section is formed by a second group of rail sections 100, wherein the rail 1000 comprises both the first group of rail sections 1 and the second group of rail sections 100.The rail sections 1 of the first group are arranged offset in the longitudinal direction X relative to the rail sections 100 of the second group, so that in each case one of the rail sections 1, 100 of one of the two groups extends over the section, based on the longitudinal direction X, over which the explained longitudinal distance is provided between two rail sections 1, 100 of the other group that are adjacent in the longitudinal direction X. Otherwise, the design of the rail sections 1, 100 corresponds in each case to the design of the rail sections 1, as explained for the embodiment shown in FIGS. Fig. 1 to 3.

[0022] In Fig. 5 comprising the Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b, a rail 1000 of a further embodiment of a plain bearing arrangement according to the invention is schematically shown. The rail 1000 comprises two rail components 103, 104, each having a rail section 1 and two fastening blocks 17. The rail sections 1 are analogous to the rail components described with reference to Fig. 1 to 4, but - forming the respective rail component 103, 104 - each connected to two fastening blocks 17 by fixing the fastening blocks 17 to the fastening recesses 15 using pins and then welding the fastening blocks 17 to the respective rail section 1. The rail components 103, 104 of the rail are of identical design. Generally, a rail of an embodiment according to the invention preferably has a plurality of rail components 103, 104, wherein at least the majority, in particular all, of the rail components 103, 104 are of identical design. In the present plain bearing arrangement, the rail components 103, 104 are each fastened to a support element 3, 4 of a support. In the present case, the support elements 3, 4 are each wooden panels.The support elements 3, 4 are connected to one another by means of a joint 5, wherein the joint 5 defines a joint axis that runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, so that the support elements 3, 4 and thus also the rail components 103, 104 fixed thereto are pivotally mounted relative to one another about the joint axis by means of the joint 5. While in . Fig. 5b the rail 1000 is shown in the form it has in the operating state of the plain bearing arrangement, in Fig. 5a, the rail components 103, 104 are angled towards each other. Fig. 5a, Fig. 5b, the carriage of the sliding bearing arrangement is not shown, but its provision is self-evident to the person skilled in the art. While in the operating state of the sliding bearing arrangement, the rail section axes of the rail sections 1 are aligned parallel to one another and extend in the longitudinal direction, so that a carriage guided by the guide section formed by the rail sections 1, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, can be moved linearly in the longitudinal direction along the guide section of the rail, the rail section axes of the rail sections 1 in Fig. 5a, are angled by 90° to each other, so that in this state a corresponding displaceability of a carriage over the entire extension length of the guide section of the rail 1000 is not guaranteed.

[0023] In Fig. 6, a rail 1000 of a further embodiment of a plain bearing arrangement according to the invention is shown schematically in a schematic diagram. The rail 1000 according to Fig. 6 comprises three rail components 101. The rail components 101 together form both the guide section and the further guide section of the rail 1000. For this purpose, the rail components 101 each have a rail section 1 and a further rail section 100, which are arranged with their rail section axes parallel to one another, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. In the operating state, the rail section axes of all rail sections 1, 100 are in the longitudinal direction, i.e. they are parallel to the longitudinal direction. The rail section 1 and the further rail section 100 of each rail component 101 are connected to one another by two fastening blocks 110, in this case by means of a pin and welding, as explained above. Each of the fastening blocks 110 has a recess 111, by means of which the rail components 101 are fastened to a Fig. 6 not shown supports can be fixed in position. In the embodiment according to Fig. 6 and generally advantageously according to the invention, the rail components 101 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction X and are each spaced apart from one another by a longitudinal distance, this longitudinal distance being identical to the longitudinal distance which the rail sections 1 of two rail components 101 adjacent in the longitudinal direction X have and is identical to the longitudinal distance which the further rail sections 100 of the two rail components 101 adjacent in the longitudinal direction X have.

[0024] In Fig. 7 comprising the Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b and Fig. 7c shows a carriage 2 of a further embodiment of a plain bearing arrangement according to the invention as well as a cross section through the plain bearing arrangement in the operating state and a cross section through the carriage 2 alone. In Fig. 7a, the carriage 2 is shown in perspective. The carriage 2 has a guide receptacle 21 and a further guide receptacle 210 as well as a passage 22 provided between the guide receptacles 21, 210. In the Fig. In the operating state of the plain bearing arrangement shown in Fig. 7c, the carriage 2 is arranged on one of the rail components 101 of the rail 1000, wherein the rail section 1 of the rail component 101 is arranged in the receptacle 21 and the further rail section 100 of the rail component 101 is arranged in the further guide receptacle 210. The rail component 101 corresponds to the rail component 101 of the rail 1000 shown in Fig. 6 illustrated embodiment, wherein overall the rail of the plain bearing arrangement according to Fig. 7 analogous to the rail 1000 of the embodiment according to Fig. 6. In the operating state, the rail components 101 are connected to a Fig. 7, not shown, in which a fastening screw 112 is inserted through the recess 111 provided on the respective fastening block 110 and is screwed to the support. In Fig. Figure 7c shows a plan view of a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the plain bearing arrangement in the operating state. Fig. 7b shows a corresponding cross-section of the slide 2 alone. In the present embodiment, the entire slide 2 is made of a sliding material. From the overview of the Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b and Fig.7c shows that the carriage 2 has a sliding section formed by the guide receptacle, wherein the sliding section has stop sections extending in the longitudinal direction and spaced from one another by flushing recesses 211, so that in the operating state, flushing channels 2100, 2101 are formed, which run continuously in the longitudinal direction X and through which cleaning fluid can be flushed between the rail sections 1, 100 and the associated guide receptacles 21, 210. Furthermore, the carriage 2 has lateral openings 230, each of which is fluid-conductingly connected to one of the guide receptacles 21, 210, so that cleaning fluid can also reach the flushing channels 2100, 2101 through them, which is generally advantageous according to the invention. List of reference symbols 1 rail section (of the first group) 2 sleds 3 support element 4 support element 5 joint 11 first longitudinal end 12th phase 13 second longitudinal end 14 chamfer 15 Mounting recess 17 Mounting block 21 Lead shot 22 Implementation 23 Side opening 100 rail sections of the second group 101 Rail component 103 Rail component 104 Rail component 110 mounting blocks 111 Recess 112 Fixing screw 210 Guide recording 211 flush recesses 230 side openings 1000 rail 2100 flushing channel 2101 Flushing channel D1 diameter D2 diameter S Longitudinal distance X Longitudinal direction Y transverse direction

Claims

[1] A plain bearing arrangement comprising a carriage (2) and a rail (1000) elongated in a longitudinal direction, wherein the rail (1000) comprises a guide section having a total extension length in the longitudinal direction (X), wherein the carriage (2) has a guide receptacle (21, 210) for receiving the guide section and, in an operating state of the plain bearing arrangement, the guide section is arranged in the guide receptacle (21, 210) and, starting from the operating state, the carriage (2) is slidably displaceable continuously in the longitudinal direction (X) relative to the rail (1000) along the guide section over its total extension length, while its position perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) is continuously fixed due to the guide section arranged in the guide receptacle (21, 210), characterized byin that the rail (1000) comprises a plurality of rail sections (1, 100) which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (X) and together form the guide section of the rail (1000), wherein two rail sections (1, 100) adjacent in the longitudinal direction (X) are spaced from one another by a longitudinal distance (S). [2] Plain bearing arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the longitudinal distance (S) is more than 3 mm, in particular at least 5 mm, and in particular less than 15 mm, in particular less than 10 mm. [3] Plain bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the rail sections (1, 100) each have a guide region which extends over at least 80% of their longitudinal extent and over which they each have a cross-section corresponding to the guide receptacle (21, 210), wherein the guide region is spaced from at least one longitudinal end (11, 13) of the respective rail section, wherein the rail section at the longitudinal end (11, 13) has a cross-section which is smaller than its cross-section within the guide region, wherein in particular the rail section between the longitudinal end and the guide region has a chamfer which in particular has an angle between 30° and 80°, in particular between 45° and 70°, to the longitudinal direction (X). [4] Plain bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that at least part of the guide receptacle (21, 210) is formed by a sliding section of the carriage (2), over which the carriage (2) rests against a specific one of the rail sections (1, 100) in the operating state, the sliding section having a longitudinal extension length in the longitudinal direction (X) which is at least 1.5 times the longitudinal distance (S) by which the specific rail section is spaced from one of the other rail sections of the rail (1000) adjacent to it in the longitudinal direction (X). [5] Plain bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the rail sections (1, 100) each have a fastening recess (15), in particular a fastening bore, running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) and / or are each connected to a fastening block (17, 110) which in particular has a recess (111), in particular a bore, for inserting a fastening means for fastening the block to a substrate by means of the fastening means. [6] Plain bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rail sections (1, 100) are each connected to a fastening element in a materially bonded manner, in particular by means of gluing or welding. [7] Plain bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rail sections (1, 100) can be fastened to a support independently of one another. [8] Plain bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least two of the rail sections (1, 100) adjacent in the longitudinal direction (X) are connected to one another in the operating state by a joint (5) by means of which they are arranged so as to be angled relative to one another. [9] Plain bearing arrangement according to claims 7 and 8, characterized by that the support has two support elements (3, 4), wherein one of the two adjacent rail sections (1, 100) is fastened to each of the support elements (3, 4) and the support elements are connected to one another by the joint (5). [10] Plain bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rail sections (1, 100) are made of a metal and / or that the guide receptacle (21, 210) of the carriage (2), in particular the carriage (2), is made of a sliding material. [11] Plain bearing arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the rail (1000) has a further guide section, wherein the guide section is formed by a first group of rail sections (1) and the further guide section is formed by a second group of rail sections (100), wherein the rail sections of the first group (1) are arranged parallel to the rail sections of the second group (100) and are spaced from them in a transverse direction (Y). [12] Plain bearing arrangement according to claim 11, characterized by that the rail sections of the first group (1) are arranged offset in the longitudinal direction (X) to the rail sections of the second group (100). [13] Plain bearing arrangement according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized byin that a rail section of the first group (1) and a rail section of the second group (100) are each integrated into a single rail component, wherein in particular the individual rail components (101, 102, 103) can be fastened to a support independently of one another and / or the rail sections (1, 100) integrated in the respective rail component (101, 102, 103) are non-detachably connected to one another. [14] Use of individual rail components (101, 102, 103), each comprising at least one rail section (1, 100), for realizing a rail (1000) elongated in the longitudinal direction (X) for a plain bearing arrangement, which in addition to the rail (1000) comprises a carriage (2), wherein the rail (1000) comprises a guide section which has a total extension length in the longitudinal direction (X), and the carriage (2) has a guide receptacle (21, 210) for receiving the guide section, and in an operating state of the plain bearing arrangement, the guide section is arranged in the guide receptacle (21, 210), and the carriage (2), starting from the operating state, is slidably displaceable along the guide section over its total extension length continuously in the longitudinal direction (X) relative to the rail (1000), while its position perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) is determined by the guide receptacle (21,210) arranged guide section is continuously fixed, characterized by that the rail components are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (X) at a distance from one another and thereby form the rail (1000), wherein each of the rail components forms a rail section of the rail (1000) and the rail sections (1, 1000) together form the guide section of the rail (1000).

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