Linear slide rail, and circulation unit with retainer thereof
The linear slide rail design with hook-like engaging retainers addresses bending deformation issues, maintaining smooth movement by using half pipes and cages to fasten rolling elements, enhancing stability and functionality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025025495
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-05
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-18
AI Technical Summary
The retainer in cross-type linear slide rails is prone to bending deformation due to lateral forces from rolling elements, disrupting smooth relative movement between the slide rail and the slide base.
The linear slide rail incorporates first and second circulation structures composed of half pipes, turning portions, and cages, with obliquely angled sides and protrusions that engage in a hook-like manner to form a fastening for rolling elements, reducing bending deformation and maintaining smooth movement.
The engagement of retainers in a hook-like configuration minimizes bending deformation, ensuring smooth relative movement between the slide rail and slide base.
Smart Images
Figure 2025135565000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a cross-type linear slide rail, and more particularly to a circulation unit having a linear slide rail and a retainer thereof. [Background technology]
[0002] The cross-type linear slide rail comprises a slide rail, a slide base, and several rolling elements, of which the slide rail slides through the slide base, and the slide rail and the slide base can move relative to each other in the axial direction of the slide rail. The slide base has two loop-shaped passages formed on both sides of the slide rail, and the passages are mainly composed of a circulating flow section, a loaded section, and two turning sections, and the straight circulating flow section is located inside the slide base, and the straight loaded section is located between the slide base and the slide rail, and each turning section is located at both ends of the circulating flow section and the loaded section, respectively. A number of the rolling elements circulate and roll along each of the passages, and the rolling elements may be spherical rollers or columnar rollers.
[0003] Two circulation units are provided on each side of the slide rail, and each circulation unit has a passage formed to match the two diverters.The circulation unit has two retainers, of which the retainers face each other laterally, and the load section is formed to match the rolling surfaces of the slide rail and the slide base.
[0004] As each rolling element rolls and travels in the loaded section, it comes into contact with the opposing rolling surfaces of the slide rail and the slide base, and the laterally opposing retainers form fastenings for each rolling element rolling and travelling in the loaded section, so that each rolling element is maintained on its travel path in the loaded section and smooth relative movement between the slide rail and the slide base is maintained, and when the slide base and the slide rail are separated, each rolling element can be held and positioned in its passage. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] The retainer is a long strip-shaped structure, and it can receive lateral forces from the rolling elements, which can easily cause bending deformation of the retainer. Furthermore, since a temporary preload is formed in the passage, this is detrimental to maintaining smooth relative movement between the slide rail and the slide base.
[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to provide a circulation unit having a linear slide rail and a retainer thereof. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:That is, such a linear slide rail comprises a slide rail, a slide base, and several rolling elements, among which the slide base is inserted into the slide rail, several loop-shaped passages are formed in the slide base, and the numerous rolling elements run and roll along each of the passages, and several circulation units are provided on the slide base, each of which is used to define each of the passages, and each of the circulation units includes a first circulation structure and a second circulation structure, among which each Each of the first circulation structures is mainly composed of a first half pipe, a first turning portion, and a first cage, which are integrally connected together. Each of the second circulation structures is mainly composed of a second half pipe, a second turning portion, and a second cage, which are integrally connected together. Each of the first half pipes is tightly joined to each of the second half pipes in the lateral direction. Each of the first cages faces each of the second cages in the lateral direction, so that each of the first cages and each of the second cages forms a fastening for each of the rolling elements that roll and travel. Each of the elongated first cages is The opposite peripheral side has a first side, a second side, and a third side, of which the first sides face the slide rails, the second sides face the rolling elements, the first sides and the second sides are adjacent to the corresponding third sides, and the first sides and the third sides are obliquely adjacent to the corresponding second sides, each third side has a protrusion, and each third side has a recessed fitting hole, and the first cage of each circulation unit is coupled to the first cage of a different circulation unit. wherein the third sides are adjacent to each other, the protrusions are fitted into the fitting holes, the protrusions have a first surface formed on a side closer to each of the first sides, and a second surface formed on a side farther away from each of the first sides and perpendicular to the corresponding third side, the second surface being located between the first surface and the first half-pipe, and each of the first retainers has a second opposing surface formed on a peripheral wall of each of the fitting holes in accordance with each of the second surfaces, and the second surfaces are attached to the second opposing surfaces, thereby causing the first retainers to abut against each other. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the present invention, each of the first retainers that engage with each other back to back is joined to each other in a hook-like manner, making each of the first retainers less susceptible to bending deformation, which is advantageous in maintaining smooth relative movement between the slide rail and the slide base. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view of a partial configuration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of two circulation units according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view of two circulation units of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view of two circulation units of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Referring to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the circulation unit having the linear slide rail and its retainer of the present invention, these embodiments are used for illustration purposes only and the claims are not limited to these structures.
[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 10, a preferred embodiment of such a linear slide rail comprises a slide rail 10, a slide base 20, and several rolling elements 30, of which the slide base 20 is inserted into the slide rail 10, and several loop-shaped passages 22 are formed in the slide base 20, and each of the passages 22 has a circulating flow section 24 and a loaded section 26, and each of the long circulating flow sections 24 is located inside the slide base 20, and each of the long loaded sections 26 is located between the slide base 20 and the slide rail 10, with both ends of each circulating flow section 24 communicating with both ends of each loaded section 26, and the multiple rolling elements 30 run and roll circulating along each of the passages 22.
[0012] Several circulation units 40 are provided on the slide base 20, and each circulation unit 40 is used to define a corresponding passage 22 provided for the circulating rolling of each rolling element 30.
[0013] Each of the circulation units 40 includes a first circulation structure 42 and a second circulation structure 44, wherein each of the first circulation structures 42 is mainly composed of a first half pipe 51, a first turning portion 52, and a first holder 53, which are integrally connected together. Each of the second circulation structures 44 is mainly composed of a second half pipe 61, a second turning portion 62, and a second holder 63, which are integrally connected together. Each of the first half pipes 51 is laterally connected to each of the second half pipes 61. The first retainers 53 are tightly joined in the circulating flow direction to define the respective circulating flow sections 24, and each of the first retainers 53 faces each of the second retainers 63 in the lateral direction, and each of the load sections 26 passes between each of the first retainers 53 and each of the second retainers 63 that face each other, so that each of the first retainers 53 and each of the second retainers 63 forms a fastening for each of the rolling elements 30 that roll and travel through each of the load sections 26.
[0014] The above-described configuration is a conventional technique well known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.
[0015] Each of the elongated first cages 53 has a first side 531, a second side 532, and a third side 533 on its radially circumferential side, where each of the first sides 531 faces the slide rail 10, and each of the second sides 532 faces the rolling elements 30, and each of the first sides 531 and each of the second sides 532 is adjacent to a corresponding one of the third sides 533, and the first side 531 and the third side 533 may be perpendicular to each other. Each of the first sides 531 and each of the third sides 533 is obliquely adjacent to the corresponding second side 532, and two protrusions 54 are selectively provided on each of the third sides 533, and the protrusions 54 are formed at intervals along the longitudinal extension direction of the third side 533. Each of the third sides 533 is selectively recessed, and the fitting holes 55 are formed at intervals along the longitudinal extension direction of the third side 533.
[0016] The first retainer 53 of each circulation unit 40 is connected to the first retainer 53 of each separate circulation unit 40, and the third sides 533 are adjacent to each other, and the protrusions 54 are respectively fitted into the fitting holes 55.
[0017] Each of the protrusions 54 has a first surface 541 formed on a side closer to each of the first sides 531, and each of the protrusions 54 has a second surface 542 formed on a side farther away from each of the first sides 531 that is perpendicular to the corresponding third side 533, and each of the second surfaces 542 is located between each of the first surfaces 541 and each of the first half tubes 51, and each of the first retainers 53 has a second opposing surface 551 formed on the peripheral wall of each of the fitting holes 55 to match each of the second surfaces 542, and each of the second surfaces 542 is attached to each of the second opposing surfaces 551, thereby causing each of the first retainers 53 to abut against each other.
[0018] The number (quantity) of the protrusions 54 and the fitting holes 55 formed in each of the first retainers 53 may be increased or decreased as needed, and is limited to forming one protrusion 54 and one fitting hole 55 for each of the first retainers 53.
[0019] Each of the first retainers 53 is a long strip-like structure, and each of the first retainers 53 receives a lateral force from each of the rolling elements 30 passing through the load section 26, and uses each of the first sides 531 and each of the third sides 533 to be obliquely adjacent to each of the second sides 532 facing the rolling elements 30 passing through the load section 26, and is fitted into each of the fitting holes 55 of the corresponding first retainer 53 in accordance with each of the protrusions 54, thereby allowing each of the first retainers to engage back-to-back with each other. It is possible to form the first retainers 53 so that they are joined to each other in a hook-like manner, and when each first retainer 53 receives the relative acting force of the rolling body 30 rolling through the loaded section 26, it is possible to mutually restrict each of the first retainers 53 that are formed to abut against each other and be joined to each other in a hook-like manner, making it difficult for each first retainer 53 to bend and deform in the direction of the loaded section 26, which is advantageous for maintaining smooth relative movement between the slide rail 10 and the slide base 20.
[0020] Each of the first retainers 53 has several recesses 56 formed at intervals along its longitudinal direction, and each of the recesses 56 extends to the second side 532 and the third side 533 of each of the first retainers 53, respectively.
[0021] Each of the first retainers 53 has a third surface 562, which is located inside each of the recesses 56 and is adjacent to each of the second sides 532 and the third sides 533. Each of the third surfaces 562 is obliquely adjacent to the third sides 533 of each of the first retainers 53, forming an included angle, and each of the third surfaces 562 is adjacent to each of the second sides 542, forming an included angle. [Explanation of symbols]
[0022] 3: The enlarged area of Figure 2 is enclosed in a dashed line to create the enlarged view of Figure 3. 5: The enlarged area of Figure 4 is enclosed in a dashed line to create the enlarged view of Figure 5. 10: Slide rail 20: Slide base 22: Passageway 24: Circulating flow section 26: Load section 30: Rolling element 40: Circulation unit 42: 1st circulation structure 44:Second circulation structure 51: 1st semi-tube 52: First Turning Point 53: 1st retainer 531: 1st side 532:Second side 533: Third side 54: Convex 541: 1st page 542:Second side 55: Fitting hole 551: Second opposing surface 56: Concave mouth 562:Side 3 61:Second semi-tube 62: Second Turning Point 63:Second retainer
Claims
1. A linear slide rail comprising a slide rail, a slide base, and several rolling elements, The slide base is inserted into the slide rail, several loop-shaped passages are formed in the slide base, and the numerous rolling elements run and roll along each of the passages, Several circulation units are respectively provided on the slide base, and each circulation unit is used to define each of the passages; Each of the circulation units includes a first circulation structure and a second circulation structure, each of the first circulation structures being integrally connected mainly from a first half pipe, a first turning portion, and a first retainer, and each of the second circulation structures being integrally connected mainly from a second half pipe, a second turning portion, and a second retainer, each of the first half pipes being tightly joined to each of the second half pipes in the lateral direction, and each of the first retainers being opposed to each of the second retainers in the lateral direction, so that each of the first retainers and each of the second retainers form a fastening for each of the rolling elements that roll and run, Each of the elongated first cages has a first side facing the slide rail, a second side facing the rolling elements, and a third side on its radial circumferential side, each of the first sides and each of the second sides being adjacent to a corresponding third side, each of the first sides and each of the third sides being obliquely adjacent to a corresponding second side, each of the third sides having a protrusion protruding therefrom, and each of the third sides having a recessed fitting hole; the first retainer of each circulation unit is coupled to the first retainer of a respective separate circulation unit, the third sides of each retainer are adjacent to each other, and the protrusions are fitted into the fitting holes; The protrusions each have a first surface formed on a side in a direction adjacent to the first side, the protrusions each have a second surface formed on a side farther away from the first side that is perpendicular to the corresponding third side, the second surface being located between the first surface and the first half-pipe, and each of the first retainers has a second opposing surface formed on a peripheral wall of each of the fitting holes that matches the second surface, and the second surfaces are attached to the second opposing surfaces, thereby causing the first retainers to abut against each other.
2. a recess formed in each of the first retainers, the recess extending to the second side and the third side of each of the first retainers; 2. The linear slide rail according to claim 1, wherein each of the first retainers has a third surface formed thereon, the third surface being located inside the corresponding recess, the third surface being adjacent to the second side and the third side, the third surface being obliquely adjacent to the third side of each of the first retainers to form an included angle, and the third surface being adjacent to the second side to form an included angle.
3. A circulation unit having a cage used to configure the linear slide rail according to claim 1, The circulation unit includes a first circulation structure and a second circulation structure, the first circulation structure being integrally connected mainly from the first half pipe, the first turning portion, and the first retainer, and each second circulation structure being integrally connected mainly from the second half pipe, the second turning portion, and the second retainer, the first half pipe and the second half pipe being tightly joined to each other in a lateral direction, and the first retainer and the second retainer being opposed to each other in a lateral direction, The elongated first retainer has the first side, the second side, and the third side on its radial circumferential side, the first side and the second side are adjacent to the third side, the first side and the third side are obliquely adjacent to the second side, a protrusion is protruded on the third side, and a fitting hole is recessed on the third side, The protrusion has a first surface formed on a side in a direction close to the first side, A circulation unit characterized in that each of the convex portions has a second surface formed on a side farther away from the first side that is perpendicular to the third side, the second surface being located between the first surface and the first half pipe, and the first retainer has a second opposing surface formed on the peripheral wall of the fitting hole.
4. a recess formed in the first retainer, the recess extending to the second side and the third side; The circulation unit of claim 3, characterized in that the first retainer has third surfaces formed thereon, the third surfaces being located inside each of the recesses, the third surfaces being adjacent to the second side and the third side, and forming an included angle between each of the third surfaces and each of the second surfaces.