Liner motion guide device and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide a linear motion guide device with a side seal whose components are, for example, unlikely to be disassembled and can be easily assembled to a slider.SOLUTION: A linear motion guide device has a side seal comprising a sealing member that seals between a slider and a guide rail, and a connection structure for connecting the sealing member and the slider. The connection structure is composed of a metal member provided in the side seal and comprising a fitting hole, and an elastic member comprising a protrusion part fitted into the fitting hole. The fitting hole has a minimum inner diameter part and a maximum inner diameter part. When the fitting hole and the protrusion part are fitted, a tip side of the protrusion part is positioned radially inward of the maximum inner diameter part and radially outward of the minimum inner diameter part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a linear guide device and a manufacturing method thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] The linear guide device has a roughly annular circulation path that connects a rolling passage for the rolling elements formed between the raceway surface of the guide rail and the raceway surface of the slider body, a return passage for the rolling elements formed in the slider body, and a direction change path for the rolling elements formed in the end cap, and the rolling elements are adapted to circulate within this circulation path.

[0003] In linear guide devices, contact seals such as side seals, inner seals, and under seals are generally used to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the slider. For example, side seals are often composed of a seal member with a core bar and a protector, or a retaining plate, a seal member, and a cover. In order to facilitate the assembly of such side seals to the slider, a method of joining the components that make up the side seal together in advance has become an issue.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a linear guide device equipped with side seals in which a retaining plate and a cover are positioned by fitting a protrusion on the retaining plate into a hole in the cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 087632 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the side seal shown in Patent Document 1, the protrusion on the retaining plate fits into a hole in the cover to join the two parts and prevent the lip from falling off. However, since the shape of the hole in the cover at the position where the retaining plate and the cover are aligned is not clearly defined, depending on the shape, it may be difficult to fit them together.

[0007] In addition, after the retaining plate, seal member, and cover are combined into an assembly, the three parts are not fixed to each other until the assembly is fixed to the slider with screws, and the bonding strength between the parts is weak. Therefore, there is a risk that the parts will separate when fixing the assembly to the slider due to small forces or shocks that may occur during the assembly work, which results in a problem of poor workability.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems with the conventional technology, and has an object to provide a linear guide device and a manufacturing method thereof, for example, equipped with a side seal whose components are difficult to disassemble and can be easily assembled to a slider. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The linear guide device of the present invention is A linear guide device comprising a guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rolling elements, the guide rail and the slider having rolling surfaces disposed opposite each other to form a rolling passage for the rolling elements, and one of the guide rail and the slider performing linear motion relative to the other as the rolling elements roll in the rolling passage, a side seal including a seal member for sealing between the slider and the guide rail, and a connecting structure for connecting the seal member and the slider, the connecting structure includes a metal member provided in the side seal and having a fitting hole, and an elastic member having a protrusion that fits into the fitting hole, The fitting hole has a minimum inner diameter portion and a maximum inner diameter portion, and when the fitting hole and the convex portion are fitted together, the tip side of the convex portion is positioned radially inside the maximum inner diameter portion and is positioned radially outside the minimum inner diameter portion.

[0010] The manufacturing method of the linear guide device of the present invention includes: A method for manufacturing a linear guide device comprising a guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rolling elements, the guide rail and the slider having rolling surfaces disposed opposite each other to form a rolling passage for the rolling elements, and one of the guide rail and the slider performing linear motion relative to the other as the rolling elements roll in the rolling passage, comprising: The linear guide device includes a side seal having a seal member that seals between the slider and the guide rail, and a connecting structure for connecting the seal member and the slider, the connecting structure includes a metal member provided in the side seal and having a fitting hole, and an elastic member having a protrusion that fits into the fitting hole, the fitting hole has a minimum inner diameter portion and a maximum inner diameter portion, The method is characterized in that the convex portion is inserted into the fitting hole, and the fitting hole and the convex portion are fitted together in a state in which the tip side of the convex portion is positioned radially inside the maximum inner diameter portion and radially outside the minimum inner diameter portion. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, for example, it is possible to provide a linear guide device including a side seal whose components are difficult to disassemble and which can be easily assembled to a slider, and a manufacturing method thereof. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a linear guide device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the linear guide device of the present embodiment as viewed in the guide rail direction. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of the configuration of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the end cap with the side seal removed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of the configuration of FIG. [Figure 6] 6(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the process of forming a fitting hole in the core bar. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of a material having a fitting hole formed therein, and FIG. 7(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting hole indicated by the arrow VIIB in FIG. 7(a). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 2, showing the side seal of this embodiment attached to the end cap. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 2, showing a side seal of the comparative example attached to an end cap. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a protruding portion of an end cap according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view of a protrusion of an end cap according to a modified example of this embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8, showing a state in which the protrusion and the fitting hole of the core bar are fitted together. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view of the side seal of the second embodiment as viewed in the guide rail direction. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the side seal. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the cover. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a front view of the cover. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a side seal according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 14 of the side seal. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of a protruding portion of a side seal of a modified example. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12, showing a state in which a cover is attached to a retaining frame in a side seal of a modified example. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12, showing the side seal of Comparative Example 1 with a cover attached to the retaining frame. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12, showing the side seal of Comparative Example 2 with a cover attached to the retaining frame. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a front view similar to FIG. 11, showing a protrusion according to another modified example. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12, showing a state in which a protrusion according to the modified example is fitted into a fitting hole of a cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A linear guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide device according to a first embodiment in a partially cutaway state. The linear guide device according to this embodiment includes a guide rail 100, a slider 200, and a plurality of rollers (rolling elements) 300. The guide rail 100 and the slider 200 have rolling surfaces 110, 210 that are disposed opposite each other and form a rolling path for the rollers 300.

[0015] The slider 200 has, in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 100, a slider body 201, a pair of end caps 202 fixed to both ends thereof, and a pair of side seals 20 fixed to both ends thereof. A rolling surface 210 is formed on the slider body 201. The pair of side seals 20 arranged at both ends of the slider 200 in the rail direction seal between the slider 200 and the upper surface and both side surfaces of the guide rail 100 with a seal member.

[0016] The slider 200 also has a return passage 204 for the rollers 300, and a direction change passage 205 that connects the return passage 204 with the rolling passage. The return passage 204 is formed in the slider body 201, and the direction change passage 205 is formed in the end cap 202. The upper surface of the slider 200 is formed with a female thread 206 for attaching a table or the like with screws.

[0017] The side seal 20 and the end cap 202 are formed with mounting holes for grease nipples 400. Lubricant is introduced from the grease nipples 400 into oil passages in the end caps 202 to lubricate the linear guide device. The side seal 20 and the end caps 202 are fixed to the slider body 201 with bolts 500. The guide rail 100 is formed with mounting holes 120 for mounting the guide rail 100 to a mounting portion such as a base with a bolt.

[0018] In this linear guide device, the rolling passage, return passage, and direction change passage form a circulation path for the rolling elements, and as the rollers 300 circulate within this circulation path, one of the guide rail 100 and the slider 200 moves linearly relative to the other.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a front view of the linear guide device of this embodiment as seen in the guide rail direction. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of the configuration of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a front view of the end cap 202 with the side seal 20 removed. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV of the configuration of Fig. 2, but shows the end cap 202 and the side seal 20 separated from each other with the protector 23 not attached.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the side seal 20 has approximately the same external shape (approximately inverted U-shape) as the end cap 202 when viewed in the guide rail direction, and has an upper portion 20a arranged above the guide rail 100, a pair of side portions 20b arranged on each of the left and right sides of the guide rail 100, and a corner portion 20c arranged diagonally above the guide rail.

[0021] 3, the side seal 20 includes a core metal 22, a seal member 21, and a protector 23. The core metal 22 is a metal member.

[0022] The seal member 21 is made of natural rubber or synthetic rubber, for example, joined by a joining means such as baking or adhesive to a core metal 22 made of a plate material such as alloy steel. The elastic seal member 21 has a base portion 21a sandwiched between the core metal 22 and the protector 23, and a pair of lip portions 21b extending from the base portion 21a toward the guide rail 100. Furthermore, the seal member 21 is formed with a support portion 21c near the lip portions 21b. The support portion 21c extends parallel to the guide rail 100, and the support portion 21c is joined to the inner circumference of the core metal 22.

[0023] The lip portion 21b comes into sliding contact with the surface of the guide rail 100 by a pressing force according to the interference, and functions as a contact seal.

[0024] The protector 23 is a flat member made of a plate material such as alloy steel having a substantially inverted U-shape with an inner shape formed with a predetermined clearance along the outer surface of the guide rail 100. The base 21a is sandwiched between the protector 23 and the core metal 22, and the protector 23 has a function of protecting the lip portion 21b from high-temperature, high-hardness foreign matter such as spatters.

[0025] 4, end cap 202 made of synthetic resin, which is an elastic member, has four bolt insertion holes 202a, a pair of direction changing paths 205 that change the rolling direction of rollers 300, and a pair of short cylindrical protrusions 202c. Protrusions 202c and fitting holes 22a of seal member 21 described below form a connecting structure for connecting seal member 21 and slider 200.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 5, the seal member 21 has a through hole 21d, and the core metal 22 has a fitting hole 22a. The detailed shape will be described later with reference to Fig. 7, but the fitting hole 22a has a minimum inner diameter of φD1 and a maximum inner diameter of φD2. In contrast, the outer diameter of the protrusion 202c of the end cap 202 before assembly is φD3. It is preferable that the outer diameter φD3 is larger than the minimum inner diameter φD1 and approximately equal to the maximum inner diameter φD2.

[0027] Here, a method for forming the core metal 22 will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) to (c). Figures 6(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the process of forming a fitting hole 22a in the core metal 22. Here, the fitting hole 22a is formed in a flat plate material BK using a punch PC having an outer diameter φDp.

[0028] A blank BK is placed on a die DE with a punch hole HL whose inner diameter is φDd (>φDp), and the punch hole HL is aligned with the axis of the punch PC as shown in Fig. 6(a). Then, the punch PC is moved toward the die DE as shown in Fig. 6(b). The punch PC punches out the blank BK and enters the punch hole HL (Fig. 6(c)). At this time, the blank BK is sheared into a circular shape, and the fitting hole 22a is formed by a so-called drilling process. The press process for punching out the outer shape of the core bar 22 may be performed simultaneously or separately.

[0029] Fig. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view of the blank BK in which the fitting hole 22a is formed, and Fig. 7(b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fitting hole 22a indicated by the arrow VIIB in Fig. 7(a). Here, the surface of the blank BK on the punch PC side is designated as UP, and the surface on the die DE side is designated as LP.

[0030] When the fitting hole 22a is punched using the punch PC, the material BK breaks in the latter half of the process, so that the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 22a does not become completely cylindrical. Specifically, from the face UP, which is the side where the punch PC approaches, a sag 22b with a cross-sectional arc shape formed by being pressed against the outer peripheral edge of the punch PC, a cylindrical sheared surface (minimum inner diameter part) 22c sheared by the punch PC, and a tapered fractured surface (maximum inner diameter part) 22d whose diameter increases toward the face LP side are formed, and these form the fitting hole 22a. Whether the surface is a sheared surface or a fractured surface can be distinguished by observing the surface with a microscope. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the sheared surface 22c is φD1, and the maximum inner diameter of the fractured surface 22d is φD2. The axial length of the sag 22b is 1 / 3 or less of the axial length of the fractured surface 22d, and the sag 22b is negligibly small compared to the fractured surface 22d.

[0031] 2, showing the side seal 20 of this embodiment attached to the end cap 202, and Fig. 9 is a VV sectional view of Fig. 2, showing the side seal 20' of a comparative example attached to the end cap 202. The present embodiment and the comparative example use the same core bar 22, but the surface attached to the seal member 21 is opposite.

[0032] In the comparative example, as shown in FIG. 9, the core metal 22 is attached to the seal member 21 so that the fracture surface 22d of the fitting hole 22a is located closer to the end cap 202 than the shear surface 22c.

[0033] In the comparative example shown in Fig. 9, when the protrusion 202c is inserted into the fitting hole 22a, the protrusion 202c is gradually compressed radially inward by the fractured surface 22d and deformed to follow the inner circumference of the sheared surface 22c. Therefore, the resistance when the protrusion 202c comes out of the fitting hole 22a is only the frictional force acting between the fitting hole 22a and the protrusion 202c. In addition, a reaction force acts on the protrusion 202c from the tapered fractured surface 22d in a direction to cause the protrusion 202c to come out. Therefore, for example, when an external force or an impact force is applied during the assembly work, the core bar 22 may come off the end cap 202, which may interrupt the assembly work.

[0034] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the core metal 22 is attached so that the fractured surface 22d of the fitting hole 22a is positioned closer to the seal member 21 than the sheared surface 22c.

[0035] Therefore, when the protrusion 202c is inserted into the fitting hole 22a, the tip of the protrusion 202c is compressed radially inward by the sheared surface 22c and elastically deformed, and then enters the radially inner side of the fractured surface 22d and returns to its original state from the elastic deformation. As a result, the outer diameter of the protrusion 202c that has entered the radially inner side of the fractured surface 22d becomes larger than the inner diameter of the sheared surface 22c (located radially outward from the minimum inner diameter portion), thereby preventing the protrusion 202c from slipping out of the fitting hole 22a. That is, when the protrusion 202c is fitted into the fitting hole 22a, the tip side of the protrusion 202c passes through the minimum inner diameter portion, enters the radially inner side of the maximum inner diameter portion, and is located radially outward from the minimum inner diameter portion. Therefore, there is less risk of the parts being separated when assembling the side seal 20 to the end cap 202, improving workability.

[0036] 8, the right end of the fitting hole 22a has a sag 22b as shown in FIG. 7(b), so that the installation of the protrusion 202c can be performed relatively smoothly, but if the minimum inner diameter φD1 is too small compared to the outer diameter φD3 (FIG. 5) of the protrusion 202c, the tightening margin (amount of elastic deformation) becomes too large, making the installation difficult, and conversely, if the outer diameter φD3 is too large, the tightening margin becomes too small and sufficient fixing force cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is preferable that the minimum inner diameter φD1 of the fitting hole 22a of the core bar 22 is about 96% to 99% of the outer diameter φD3 of the protrusion 202c.

[0037] Furthermore, in order to obtain a large fitting force between the fitting hole 22a and the convex portion 202c, the inner diameter of the fitting hole 22a may be made smaller than the above range, and conversely, if it is desired to easily remove the convex portion 202c from the fitting hole 22a, the inner diameter may be made larger than the above range.

[0038] Generally, the fracture surface 22d of the fitting hole 22a is easily deformed into an ellipse or an irregular circle in cross section, making it difficult to obtain a stable fitting force. However, the shear surface 22c has a highly accurate hole shape, so that the necessary fitting force can be obtained.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the convex portion 202c provided on the end cap 202 fits into the fitting hole 22a of the core metal 22, so that the seal member 21 can be fixed and positioned with high precision to the end cap 202. Therefore, without using fastening parts such as fixing screws or rivets and without increasing the number of parts and the man-hours required for assembly, the joining force between the dust prevention parts such as the core metal 22 and the protector 23 of the side seal 20 and the end cap 202 can be increased, and inadvertent detachment of parts can be prevented, and highly accurate positioning can be achieved.

[0040] When a dustproof part is fitted to a mating part in a provisionally assembled state without being fixed with mounting screws, parts that need to secure a clearance with the guide rail 100, such as the protector 23, and the core metal 22 of the side seal 20, are prevented from being assembled in a state of contact with the guide rail 100 by mistake, thereby preventing damage to the rail track surface, top surface, and other surfaces.

[0041] (Modification) Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the protruding portion 202Ac of the end cap according to a modification of this embodiment, and Fig. 11 is a front view of the protruding portion 202Ac as viewed in the axial direction. In this modification, the shape of the protruding portion 202Ac is different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment, but the other configurations are the same, so duplicated explanations will be omitted. The protruding portion 202Ac and the fitting hole 22a form a connecting structure.

[0042] The protruding portion 202Ac has a cylindrical main body 202Ad and four outer peripheral protrusions 202Ae that are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the cylindrical main body 202Ad and protrude radially outward. The space between adjacent outer peripheral protrusions 202Ae forms the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical main body 202Ad. The number of outer peripheral protrusions is four in this example, but it may be more or less depending on the required fitting force, and they may not be arranged evenly.

[0043] In Fig. 11, when the outer diameter of the cylindrical main body 202Ad before assembly is φD3, the outer surface of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae draws an arc shape with a curvature radius r, where r<(φD3 / 2). When viewed in the axial direction of the cylindrical main body 202Ad, the angle θ (called the phase angle) between the straight line L1 passing through the center O of the cylindrical main body 202Ad and the outer surface apex P1 of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae and the straight line L2 passing through the center O of a pair of cylindrical main bodies 202Ad provided on both sides of the end cap is 45° in this modification, and it is desirable to position the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae in a phase shifted from the straight line L2. The reason for this is that when θ=0°, the most distant portion of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae (i.e., the outer surface apex of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae) abuts against the inner circumference of the fitting hole 22a (Fig. 8), which may make assembly difficult. In addition, there is no play at the apex of the outer surface of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae, and the force generated between the fitting hole 22a and the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae of the end cap has nowhere to escape, which may cause the outer peripheral protrusion to be scraped off and may no longer be able to retain the side seal. However, the phase angle θ is not limited to 45 degrees and may be changed according to the purpose, for example, 0°<θ<90°.

[0044] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 8, showing a state in which the protrusion 202Ac and the fitting hole 22a of the core metal 22 are fitted together. Here, the minimum inner diameter of the fitting hole 22a is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical main body 202Ad, but smaller than the inscribed circle diameter φD4 (Fig. 11) of the apex of the outer surface of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae when viewed in the axial direction before assembly. Therefore, it is preferable that the minimum inner diameter φD1 of the fitting hole 22a is 91% to 96% of the inscribed circle diameter φD4 of the apex of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae. Specifically, when φD3=4.5 mm, it is preferable that φD1=4.1 to 4.3 mm.

[0045] The length of the straight part in the seal thickness direction of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical main body 202Ad of the convex part 202Ac needs to be suppressed to be equal to or less than the thickness of the core metal 22 (or protective frame) so that the tip does not protrude from the protector. In addition, the tip of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical main body 202Ad may be provided with an r part (arcuate cross section) to improve the seating of the seal member. In that case, the length of the straight part in the seal thickness direction of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae may not be made sufficiently large relative to the thickness of the plate in which the fitting hole 22a is provided.

[0046] When the protrusion 202Ac is inserted into the fitting hole 22a, the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae on the tip side of the protrusion 202Ac is compressed radially inward by the sheared surface 22c of the fitting hole 22a and elastically deformed, and then enters the radially inner side of the fractured surface 22d and recovers from the elastic deformation. Therefore, the apex of the outer peripheral protrusion 202Ae that has entered the radially inner side of the fractured surface 22d is located radially outer than the inner diameter of the sheared surface 22c, thereby preventing the protrusion 202Ac from coming out of the fitting hole 22a.

[0047] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that the side seal is made of a retaining frame, a seal member, and a cover, and the cover is engaged with a fitting hole, and a protrusion that fits into the fitting hole is provided on the retaining frame. Since the other configurations are common to both embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for the common configurations and duplicated explanations are omitted. Cover 23B is a metal member.

[0048] Similar to the linear guide device of FIG. 1, a side seal 20B is attached to the end cap.

[0049] Fig. 13 is a front view of the side seal 20B as viewed in the guide rail direction. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the side seal 20B.

[0050] The side seal 20B has a retaining frame 22B attached to the end cap, a cover 23B, and a seal member 21B sandwiched between the retaining frame 22B and the cover 23B.

[0051] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of cover 23B. FIG. 17 is a front view of cover 23B. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the XVIII-XVIII cross section of FIG. 17. Cover 23B here is a pressed product of a steel plate having a uniform plate thickness. The thickness of cover 23B is preferably about 0.5 mm to 2 mm, for example, and when attached to the end cap, it does not contact the surface of guide rail 100 and has a predetermined gap. The size of this gap is preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 mm, for example.

[0052] The cover 23B has four bolt insertion holes 23Ba and a pair of fitting holes 23Bb. The fitting holes 23Bb are drilled using a punch as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the fitting holes 23Bb are not completely cylindrical, but have a sag 23Bc with an arc-shaped cross section formed by pressing against the outer periphery of the punch, a substantially cylindrical sheared surface 23Bd sheared by the punch, and a tapered fracture surface 23Be whose diameter increases toward the moving direction of the punch, as shown in FIG. 18. In this embodiment, the minimum inner diameter of the sheared surface 23Bd is φD1, and the maximum inner diameter of the fracture surface 23Be is φD2 (>φD1). The fitting holes 23Bb are not limited to the shape having the sag 23Bc, the sheared surface 23Bd, and the fracture surface 23Be as described above, and may be tapered as a whole by performing cutting or the like after drilling using the punch.

[0053] The sealing member 21B is made of an injection-molded product of highly flexible synthetic resin or rubber, and is preferably made of specific materials such as polyester-based elastomer, urethane-based elastomer, nitrile rubber, fluororubber, etc. Specific product names of polyester-based elastomer include Pelprene EN1000, EN2000, EN3000, and EN5000 manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.

[0054] The seal member 21B has a uniform cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the rail width direction along the rail width direction, and is formed by connecting a base 21Ba and a lip 21Bb. The base 21Ba has a substantially U-shape in cross section in FIG. 14, i.e., has a groove 21Bc. The lip 21Bb extends obliquely from the end of the base 21Ba toward the cover 23B in a cantilever shape with respect to the surface of the guide rail (not shown).

[0055] The retaining frame 22B, which is an elastic member, is formed in a plate shape from synthetic resin such as polyacetal and nylon 66. As shown in FIG. 15, the retaining frame 22B has a bolt insertion hole 22Ba corresponding to the bolt insertion hole 23Ba of the cover 23B, and a short cylindrical protrusion 22Be corresponding to the fitting hole 23Bb. As shown in FIG. 14, the retaining frame 22B has a recess 22Bc for accommodating the base 21Ba of the seal member 21B, and the recess 22Bc has a protrusion 22Bd that engages with the groove 21Bc formed in the base 21Ba. When the seal member 21B is held between the retaining frame 22B and the cover 23B, the protrusion 22Bd engages with the groove 21Bc, thereby preventing the seal member 21B from slipping out of the retaining frame 22B. The protrusion 22Be and the fitting hole 23Bb form a connecting structure.

[0056] According to this embodiment, the cover 23B can be fixed and positioned with high accuracy to the holding frame 22B by fitting the protrusion 22Be provided on the holding frame 22B into the fitting hole 23Bb of the cover 23B. Also, the seal member 21B is taught between the cover 23B and the holding frame 22B in a state in which it is prevented from falling off.

[0057] 14, when the protrusion 22Be is inserted into the fitting hole 23Bb, the tip of the protrusion 22Be is compressed radially inward by the sheared surface 23Bd and elastically deformed, and then enters the radially inner side of the fractured surface 23Be and recovers from the elastic deformation. Therefore, the outer diameter of the protrusion 22Be that enters the radially inner side of the fractured surface 23Be becomes larger than the inner diameter of the sheared surface 23Bd (located radially outward from the minimum inner diameter portion), thereby preventing the protrusion 22Be from slipping out of the fitting hole 23Bb. This reduces the risk of parts being separated when assembling the side seal 20B, improving workability.

[0058] (Modification) Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a side seal 20C according to a modification of this embodiment, and Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the side seal 20C similar to Fig. 14. Fig. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of a protrusion 22Ce of the side seal 20C. In this modification, the shape of the protrusion 22Ce is different from that of the second embodiment, but the other configurations are the same, so duplicated explanations of the common configurations will be omitted. The protrusion 22Ce and the fitting hole 23Cb form a connecting structure.

[0059] The convex portion 22Ce has a cylindrical main body 22Cf and four outer peripheral protrusions 22Cg arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction on its outer periphery and protruding radially outward, and has a configuration similar to that of the convex portion 202c of the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0060] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 12, showing a cover 23B attached to a retaining frame 22C in a modified side seal 20C, Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 12, showing a cover 23B attached to a retaining frame 22C in a side seal 20C' of comparative example 1, and Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 12, showing a cover 23C attached to a retaining frame 22C in a side seal 20C" of comparative example 2. This modified example and comparative example 1 use the same cover 23B, but the surface attached to the seal member 21 is opposite. Comparative example 2 differs from this modified example in that the fitting hole 23Cb of the cover 23C is perfectly cylindrical.

[0061] In Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 23, cover 23B is attached to holding frame 22C so that fracture surface 23Be of fitting hole 23Bb is located on the side farther away from the end cap (lower in FIG. 23) than shear surface 23Bd.

[0062] When the protrusion 22Ce is inserted into the fitting hole 23Bb, the outer peripheral protrusion 22Cg of the protrusion 22Ce is compressed radially inward by the fractured surface 23Be and deformed to conform to the inner circumference of the sheared surface 23Bd. Therefore, the only resistance when the protrusion 22Ce comes out of the fitting hole 23Bb is the frictional force acting between the fitting hole 23Bb and the outer peripheral protrusion 22Cg. In addition, a reaction force acts on the protrusion 22Ce from the tapered fractured surface 23Be in a direction to cause it to come out. Therefore, for example, when an external force or an impact force is applied during assembly work, the cover 23B may come off the holding frame 22C, which may interrupt the assembly work.

[0063] Furthermore, in Comparative Example 2, when the protrusion 22Ce is inserted into the fitting hole 23Cb, the outer peripheral protrusion 22Cg is compressed radially inward by the fitting hole 23Cb and deforms to follow a part of the inner circumference of the sheared surface, as shown in Fig. 24. Therefore, the resistance when the protrusion 22Ce comes out of the fitting hole 23Cb is only the friction force acting between the fitting hole 23Cb and the outer peripheral protrusion 22Cg.

[0064] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the cover 23B is attached to the retaining frame 22C so that the fracture surface 23Be of the fitting hole 23Bb is positioned on the side away from the end cap (upper in FIG. 22) than the shear surface 23Bd.

[0065] Therefore, when the convex portion 22Ce is inserted into the fitting hole 23Bb, the outer peripheral protrusion 22Cg of the convex portion 22Ce is compressed radially inward by the shear cross-section 23Bd and elastically deformed, and then enters the radially inner side of the fracture cross-section 23Be and returns from the elastic deformation. As a result, the inner diameter of the inscribed circle in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the outer peripheral protrusion 22Cg that has entered the radially inner side of the fracture cross-section 23Be becomes larger than the inner diameter of the shear cross-section 23Bd, thereby suppressing the convex portion 22Ce from coming out of the fitting hole 23Bb. Therefore, when assembling the side seal 20C, the possibility of the components separating from each other is reduced, and the workability is improved.

[0066] FIG. 25 is a front view similar to FIG. 11 showing the convex portion 22De according to another modification. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 12 showing a state where the convex portion 22De according to the modification and the fitting hole 23Bb of the cover 23B are fitted. Since the fitting hole 23Bb is the same as that in the above-described embodiment, redundant description is omitted.

[0067] The convex portion 22De has a cylindrical main body 22Df having an outer diameter φD3 and four outer peripheral protrusions 22Dg that are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction on the outer periphery thereof and protrude radially outward. When viewed in the direction perpendicular to the axis shown in FIG. 25, each outer peripheral protrusion 22Dg has an outer surface on the central portion side with a radius of curvature RL and outer surfaces on both circumferential ends with a radius of curvature RS, and RS < RL. Let the point where the outer surface with the radius of curvature RS intersects the outer surface with the radius of curvature RL be P3. RL = φD3 / 2 may be used.

[0068] Also, when viewed in the direction perpendicular to the axis shown in FIG. 25, let the intersection point of the outer surface of one outer peripheral protrusion 22Dg and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical main body 22Df be P2. Let the intersection angle of the two straight lines connecting the center O of the cylindrical main body 22Df and the two points P2 be θt. Also, when the intersection angle of the two straight lines connecting the center O of the cylindrical main body 22Df and the two points P3 is θu, 45° < θu < θt < 90° holds. According to this modification, the area of the outer peripheral protrusion 22Dg that adheres to the inner periphery of the fitting hole 23Bb can be enlarged.

[0069] In the axial cross section of the protrusion 22De shown in FIG. 26, a curved surface portion 22Dt having an arcuate cross-sectional shape with a curvature radius r is formed between the axial tip surface and the outer surface of the outer peripheral projection 22Dg. The curvature radius r is preferably 1 / 2 or more and less than 1 / 1 of the thickness of the outer peripheral projection 22Dg. By forming the curved surface portion 22Dt on the outer peripheral projection 22Dg, when the protrusion 22De is inserted into the fitting hole 23Bb, the curved surface portion 22Dt serves as a guide for the protrusion 22De, suppressing catching and enabling smooth insertion. The protrusion of the end cap of the first embodiment may have a shape similar to that of the protrusion 22De.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the mutual combination of the configurations of the embodiment, and modifications and applications by those skilled in the art based on the description in the specification and well-known techniques are also contemplated by the present invention and are included in the scope of protection sought. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 20, 20B, 20C Side seal 21, 21B Seal member 22 Core wire 22a Fitting hole 22B, 22C Retaining frame 22Be, 22Ce convex part 23 Protector 23B Cover 23Bb fitting hole 100 Guide Rail 200 Slider 202,202A End cap 202c, 202Ac convex part 203 Lubricant Case Around 300

Claims

1. A linear guide device comprising a guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rolling elements, the guide rail and the slider having rolling surfaces disposed opposite each other to form a rolling passage for the rolling elements, and one of the guide rail and the slider performing linear motion relative to the other as the rolling elements roll in the rolling passage, a side seal including a seal member for sealing between the slider and the guide rail, and a connecting structure for connecting the seal member and the slider, the connecting structure includes a metal member provided in the side seal and having a fitting hole, and an elastic member having a protrusion that fits into the fitting hole, the fitting hole has a minimum inner diameter portion and a maximum inner diameter portion, and when the fitting hole and the protrusion are fitted together, a tip side of the protrusion is disposed radially inside the maximum inner diameter portion and is disposed radially outside the minimum inner diameter portion. A linear motion guide device characterized by the above.

2. The slider is provided with an end cap as the elastic member, a core metal which is the metal member is attached to the seal member, The fitting hole is formed in the core metal, and the protrusion is formed in the end cap.

2. The linear guide device according to claim 1 .

3. the side seal includes a cover which is the metal member, a retaining frame which is the elastic member attached to an end cap disposed at an end of the slider, and the seal member sandwiched between the cover and the retaining frame, The fitting hole is formed in the cover, and the protrusion is formed in the holding frame.

2. The linear guide device according to claim 1 .

4. the minimum inner diameter portion of the fitting hole is formed by a shear surface, and the maximum inner diameter portion is formed by a fracture surface, 2. The linear guide device according to claim 1 .

5. The protrusion is cylindrical.

5. The linear guide device according to claim 1,

6. The protrusion has a cylindrical main body and an outer peripheral protrusion disposed on the outer periphery of the main body.

5. The linear guide device according to claim 1,

7. A method for manufacturing a linear guide device comprising a guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rolling elements, the guide rail and the slider having rolling surfaces disposed opposite each other to form a rolling passage for the rolling elements, and one of the guide rail and the slider performing linear motion relative to the other as the rolling elements roll in the rolling passage, comprising: The linear guide device includes a side seal having a seal member that seals between the slider and the guide rail, and a connecting structure for connecting the seal member and the slider, the connecting structure includes a metal member provided in the side seal and having a fitting hole, and an elastic member having a protrusion that fits into the fitting hole, the fitting hole has a minimum inner diameter portion and a maximum inner diameter portion, The protrusion is inserted into the fitting hole, and the fitting hole and the protrusion are fitted together in a state in which a tip side of the protrusion is disposed radially inside the maximum inner diameter portion and radially outside the minimum inner diameter portion. A manufacturing method for a linear guide device comprising:

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