End cap and linear slide guide with end caps

Abstract

End cap, featuring: • a base body (10) having a first outer end surface (11) and a first inner end surface (12) opposite the first outer end surface (11), wherein the first inner end surface (12) is formed with a first receiving groove (13), two grease receiving grooves (14), two grease drain grooves (16) continuously connected to the two grease receiving grooves (14) and a sealing groove (18) recessed in the bottom surface of the first receiving groove (13), the two ends (181) of which are each connected to a grease receiving groove (14), and • a first cover plate (20) which is attached to the base body (10) and is also formed with a second outer end surface (21) opposite the first inner end surface (12) and a sealing segment (23) raised in the second outer end surface (21) or arranged in the sealing groove (18) with a grease drain channel (232) whose two ends (2321) are each connected to a grease receiving groove (14).

Description

[Technology area]

[0001] The utility model relates to the technology of the linear sliding guide, in particular to an end cap and a linear sliding guide provided with end caps. [Background of the utility model]

[0002] In the current state of the art, a linear guide consists of a slide rail and a slide shoe, with end caps mounted in front of and behind the slide shoe, which, together with the slide rail, form a recirculating ball track. The end cap not only guides the returning bearing balls and protects against the ingress of any foreign matter, but also seals off the lubricating grease, thus maintaining the performance and service life of the linear guide.

[0003] With reference to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. JPU 11989025526, JPA 2013019465, and Taiwanese Patent Laid-Open No. TW 201137258, a design for sealing the grease in the end cap is known, the sealing performance of which is achieved, among other things, by means of a concave-convex construction. However, these designs do not have a pressure relief arrangement, thus creating a potential risk of excessive lubricant leakage, which can ultimately affect the normal operation and service life of the linear guide. [Description of the utility model]

[0004] The object of the utility model is to provide an end cap or a linear sliding guide provided with end caps in order to eliminate one or more of the problems mentioned above.

[0005] To achieve the object, a suitable end cap is provided which comprises a base body and a first cover plate, wherein the base body has a first outer end surface and a first inner end surface opposite the first outer end surface, wherein the first inner end surface is formed with a first receiving groove, two grease receiving grooves and two grease discharge grooves continuously connected to the two grease receiving grooves, wherein a sealing groove is formed in the bottom surface of the first receiving groove, the two ends of which are each connected to a grease receiving groove, while the first cover plate is attached to the base body and also has a second outer end surface opposite the first inner end surface and a sealing segment which is raised in the second outer end surface or arranged in the sealing groove and which is formed with a grease discharge channel, the two ends of which are each connected to a grease receiving groove.

[0006] With this design, featuring a sequentially connected sealing groove, grease receiving groove, and grease drain groove on the base body, combined with the arrangement of a sealing segment in the sealing groove for the first cover plate, the grease can be guided into the grease receiving groove through a grease drain channel of the sealing segment when the grease filling pressure in the end cap is excessive and then drained to a predetermined destination via the grease drain groove. This effectively reduces the grease filling pressure in the end cap, preventing random leakage due to excessive grease filling pressure. Furthermore, the structural resistance to possible deformation and assembly misalignment under grease filling pressure can be increased, resulting in excellent grease sealing performance.

[0007] It may be further preferred that the base body is formed with two return grooves recessed in the first inner end surface or continuously connected to the two grease drain grooves.

[0008] It may be further preferred that the base body is further formed with two first grease discharge channels each recessed in the bottom surface of a grease discharge groove or continuously connected to the return groove.

[0009] It may further be preferred that each grease discharge groove in the base body is provided with a grease outlet, wherein the base body is formed with two second grease discharge channels each recessed in the bottom surface of a grease discharge groove or continuously connected to the grease outlet.

[0010] It may further be preferred that both the sealing groove in the base body and the sealing segment in the first cover plate are designed in a Π-shape, wherein the sealing segment is further formed with at least two raised strips between which a grease drain channel is formed.

[0011] It may be further preferred that the first cover plate further has a second inner end surface opposite the second outer end surface, which is formed with a pressure-receiving segment that matches the sealing segment, while the end cap is further provided with a second cover plate that is attached to the first cover plate and is also formed with a pressing segment for pressing against the pressure-receiving segment.

[0012] It may be further preferred that both the pressure receiving segment in the first cover plate and the pressure segment in the second cover plate are designed in a Π-shape.

[0013] It may be further preferred that the base body is further formed with two grease guide channels continuously connected to the two grease receiving grooves and the two grease discharge grooves.

[0014] To solve the problem, a linear sliding guide provided with end caps is provided, consisting of a slide rail, a slide shoe sliding along the slide rail and two end caps attached to a respective opposite end of the slide shoe, the composition and structure of which are arranged as above and are therefore not explained here. [Drawing description] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the first embodiment of the invention Fig. 2 shows a combination drawing of the first embodiment of the invention Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the first embodiment of the invention with the first cover plate separated from the base body Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the first embodiment of the invention with the second cover plate separated from the first cover plate Fig. 5 shows a combination drawing of the first embodiment of the invention with the end cap in three-dimensional representation Fig. 6 shows a section 6-6 with reference to Fig. 5 Fig. 7 shows an enlarged partial view of Pos. 7 with reference to Fig. 6 Fig. 8 shows an enlarged partial view of Pos. 8 with reference to Fig. 6 Fig. 9A shows a plan view of the first embodiment of the invention with the plane representation of the first cover plate Fig. 9B shows a section 9B-9B with reference to Fig. 9A Fig. 9C shows a section 9C-9C with reference to Fig. 9A Fig. 9D shows an enlarged partial sectional view of the first embodiment of the invention with another portion of a raised strip in the first cover plate Fig. 10 shows an operating view of the first embodiment of the invention with a relief path of the lubricating grease Fig. 11 shows a sectional view of the second embodiment of the invention with the base body provided with a first fat drainage channel Fig. 12 shows a sectional view of the third embodiment of the invention with the base body provided with a second fat drainage channel [Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments]

[0015] It should be noted that the names of analog components and sections in the following description are each represented by the same number.

[0016] As from Fig. 1 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the linear guide provided with end caps according to the first embodiment of the invention consists, among other things, of a slide rail 100, a slide shoe 200, and two end caps 300. The slide shoe 200 is slidably mounted on the slide rail 100. The two end caps 300 are each attached to a respective opposite end of the slide shoe 200 with a fastening element (e.g., a screw, not shown). One end cap 300 will be described below, since the two end caps 300 are structurally identical.

[0017] As from Fig. 3 to Fig. As can be seen from Figure 9A, the end cap 300 has a base body 10, a first cover plate 20 and a second cover plate 30.

[0018] The base body 10 has a first outer end surface 11 and a first inner end surface 12 opposite the first outer end surface 11. The first inner end surface 12 is formed with a first receiving groove 13, two grease receiving grooves 14, two grease guide channels 15 continuously connected to the two grease receiving grooves 14, two return grooves 17 continuously connected to the grease discharge grooves 16 of the two grease guide channels 15, and a recessed or Π-shaped sealing groove 18 in the bottom surface of the first receiving groove 13. The two ends 181 of the sealing groove 18 are each connected to a grease receiving groove 14. Each grease discharge groove 16 is formed with a grease outlet 161 adjacent to the flank 101 of the slide rail 100.

[0019] The first cover plate 20 is attached to the base body 10 and has a second outer end surface 21 opposite the first inner end surface 12, a second inner end surface 22 opposite the second outer end surface 21, a sealing segment 23 raised in the second outer end surface 21 or arranged in the sealing groove 18, and a sealing projection 24 protruding into the second inner end surface 22. The sealing segment 23 is Π-shaped or formed with two raised strips 231 protruding from the bottom surface of the sealing groove 18 and a grease drain channel 232 formed between the two raised strips 231. The two ends 2321 of the grease drain channel 232 are continuously connected to the two grease receiving grooves 14 in the base body 10.The number of elevation strips 231 is not limited to two and may be more than three, while the number of grease drainage channels 232 must be one less than the actual number of elevation strips 231. As can be seen from . Fig. 9A to Fig. 9C, the cross sections of the two elevation strips 231 in the sealing segment 23 are approximately semicircular or optionally approximately rectangular (see Fig. 9D). The second inner end surface 22 is formed with a Π-shaped pressure-receiving segment 221 that matches the sealing segment 23 and is located on a partial circumference of the sealing projection 24.

[0020] It should be noted that the sealing groove 18 in the base body 10 closes the opening of the grease discharge channel 232 in the first cover plate 20 so that the grease discharge channel 232 forms a closed flow path with two continuously connected ends after the first cover plate 20 is installed on the base body 10. After the first cover plate 20 is installed on the base body 10, the first cover plate 20 also closes the opening of the grease receiving groove 14, the grease guide channel 15, and the opening of the grease discharge groove 16 in the base body 10 so that the grease receiving groove 14, the grease guide channel 15, and the grease discharge groove 16 remain continuously connected.

[0021] The second cover plate 30 is attached to the first cover plate 20 and is also formed with a pressure segment 31 and a sealing recess 32 enclosed by the pressure segment 31. The pressure segment 31 is Π-shaped and can press against the pressure-absorbing segment 221 in the first cover plate 20 to create a robust connection between the sealing segment 23 in the first cover plate 20 and the sealing groove 18 in the base body 10, thus achieving better sealing. The sealing recess 32 is formed in the sealing projection 24 in the first cover plate 20 to create a robust connection between the second cover plate 30 and the first cover plate 20, thus achieving better sealing.

[0022] In the above section, the important components and arrangements are described with reference to the first embodiment of the present invention. The following explains the operation and performance of the present invention.

[0023] In such a design with reference to Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B, Fig. 9C and Fig. 10 with sequentially continuously connected sealing groove 18, grease receiving groove 14, grease guide channel 15 and grease drain groove 16 on the base body 10 in conjunction with the arrangement of a sealing segment 23 in the sealing groove 18 for the first cover plate 20, the lubricating grease (see arrows in Fig. 9A and Fig. 10) When the grease filling pressure in the end cap 300 is too high, the grease can be guided through a grease discharge channel 232 of the sealing segment 23 into the grease receiving groove 14 and then sequentially discharged via the grease guide channel 15 and the grease discharge groove 16 into the grease outlet 161 and the return groove 17 in the base body 10 to lubricate the flank 101 of the slide rail 100 and the rolling element (not shown). By arranging the sealing segment 23 with a grease discharge channel 232 in the first cover plate 20, the grease can be partially introduced and discharged to effectively reduce the grease filling pressure in the end cap 300 and thus prevent random seepage due to excessive grease filling pressure. Furthermore, the structural resistance to possible deformation and assembly misalignment under grease filling pressure can be increased, resulting in an excellent grease sealing effect.

[0024] In Fig. 11 shows a second embodiment of the linear sliding guide provided with end caps according to the invention, which is differentiated from the first embodiment as follows:

[0025] The base body 10 is further formed with two first grease discharge channels 19A, each recessed in the bottom surface of the grease discharge groove 16 or continuously connected to the return groove 17, in order to make the flow of the lubricating grease more directed and to ensure the lubrication of the rolling elements (not shown) rolling over the return groove 17.

[0026] In Fig. 12 shows a third embodiment of the linear sliding guide provided with end caps according to the invention, which is differentiated from the first embodiment as follows:

[0027] The base body 10 is further formed with two second grease discharge channels 19B, each recessed in the bottom surface of the grease discharge groove 16 or continuously connected to the grease outlet 161, in order to make the flow of the lubricating grease more directed and to ensure the lubrication of the flank 101 of the slide rail 100.

[0028] The present utility model relates to a linear guide provided with end caps, consisting of a slide rail, a slide shoe sliding along the slide rail, and two end caps attached to a respective opposite end of the slide shoe, each end cap comprising a base body and a first cover plate attached to the base body. With such a design with a sequentially continuously connected sealing groove, grease receiving groove, and grease discharge groove on the base body, in conjunction with the arrangement of a sealing segment in the sealing groove for the first cover plate, the lubricating grease can be guided through a grease discharge channel of the sealing segment into the grease receiving groove if the grease filling pressure in the end cap is too high and then drained via the grease discharge groove to a predetermined destination.This allows the grease filling pressure in the end cap to be effectively reduced and thus avoids random leakage due to excessive grease filling pressure. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JPU 11989025526

[0003] JPA 2013019465

[0003] TW 201137258

[0003]

Claims

[1] End cap, comprising: • a base body (10) having a first outer end surface (11) and a first inner end surface (12) opposite the first outer end surface (11), wherein the first inner end surface (12) is formed with a first receiving groove (13), two grease receiving grooves (14), two grease discharge grooves (16) continuously connected to the two grease receiving grooves (14) and a sealing groove (18) recessed in the bottom surface of the first receiving groove (13), the two ends (181) of which are each connected to a grease receiving groove (14), and • a first cover plate (20) which is attached to the base body (10) and is also formed with a second outer end surface (21) opposite the first inner end surface (12) and a sealing segment (23) raised in the second outer end surface (21) or arranged in the sealing groove (18) with a grease discharge channel (232), the two ends (2321) of which are each connected to a grease receiving groove (14). [2] End cap according to claim 1, characterized by that the base body (10) is further formed with two return grooves (17) recessed in the first inner end surface (12) or continuously connected to the two grease drain grooves (16). [3] End cap according to claim 2, characterized by that the base body (10) is further formed with two first grease discharge channels (19A) each recessed in the bottom surface of the grease discharge groove (16) or continuously connected to the return groove (17). [4] End cap according to claim 1, characterized by that each grease discharge groove (16) in the base body (10) is provided with a grease outlet (161), wherein the base body (10) is formed with two second grease discharge channels (19B) each recessed in the bottom surface of the grease discharge groove (16) or continuously connected to the grease outlet (161). [5] End cap according to claim 1, characterized bythat both the sealing groove (18) in the base body (10) and the sealing segment (23) in the first cover plate (20) are designed in a Π-shape, wherein the sealing segment (23) is further formed with at least two raised strips (231) between which a grease drain channel (232) is formed. [6] End cap according to claim 1, characterized by that the first cover plate (20) further has a second inner end surface (22) opposite the second outer end surface (21), which is formed with a pressure-receiving segment (221) that matches the sealing segment (23), while the end cap (10) is further provided with a second cover plate (30) that is attached to the first cover plate (20) and is also formed with a pressing segment (31) for pressing against the pressure-receiving segment (221). [7] End cap according to claim 6, characterized bythat both the pressure receiving segment (221) in the first cover plate (20) and the pressure segment (31) in the second cover plate (30) are designed in a Π-shape. [8] End cap according to claim 1, characterized by that the base body (10) is further formed with two grease guide channels (15) continuously connected to the two grease receiving grooves (14) and the two grease discharge grooves (16). [9] Linear sliding guide with end caps, comprising: • a linear rail (100), • a sliding shoe (200) which is slidably mounted on the slide rail (100), and • two end caps (300) according to claim 1, which are attached to a respective opposite end of the sliding shoe (200). [10] Linear sliding guide provided with end caps according to claim 9, characterized bythat the base body (10) is further formed with two return grooves (17) recessed in the first inner end surface (12) or continuously connected to the two grease discharge grooves (16) and two first grease discharge channels (19A) recessed in the bottom surface of the grease discharge groove (16) or continuously connected to the return groove (17).

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