Seal member

Abstract

To provide a seal member used for a linear motion device and having excellent sealing performance over a long period of time even under a foreign matter environment while reducing seal frictional force.SOLUTION: The seal member 4161 is used, for example, in a linear motion device such as a linear guide 1, is made of an elastic material, and includes a lip part 1362 that is in sliding contact with a side 3b of a guide rail 3 as a facing surface and has an interference with respect to the side 3b. The lip portion 13,62 has a substantially planar sealing surface 17,63, and the sealing surface 17,63 has a texture structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing member used in a linear motion device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, linear motion devices (e.g., linear guides, ball screws, etc.) are used in machine tools, food processing machines, press machines, etc., and are used in so-called foreign object environments. Therefore, sealing members are used to prevent foreign objects scattered onto the linear motion device from entering the inside of the moving parts of the linear motion device (e.g., the slider of a linear guide or the nut of a ball screw).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a motion guide device that is composed of a track shaft and a moving member that moves along this track shaft, with oil film floating seals (also called "sealing members") attached to both axial ends of the moving member to seal the gap between the moving member and the track shaft. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-84811 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5757455 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In this type of linear motion device, high adhesion is required between the seal lip of the seal member and the opposing surface, but at the same time, heat generated by seal frictional force induces thermal deformation of the machine and reduces the accuracy of the feed movement of the processing part, so it is necessary to reduce the above-mentioned heat generation as much as possible.

[0006] In the motion guide device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the seal member has a seal surface facing the track axis, and multiple grooves extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction are formed on the seal surface, and the seal surface is divided into small protrusions that contact the track axis, so as to ensure smooth operation of the moving member relative to the track axis while providing sufficient sealing between the track axis and the moving member. However, the above seal member has problems such as the lubricating oil concentrating and leaking at the point where it leaks out first on the seal surface during sliding, which makes it easy for the amount of oil on the seal surface to vary (whether or not an oil film is formed), and where the oil film is insufficient, a boundary lubrication state occurs, accelerating wear in that area, causing the shape of the seal surface to collapse, and there is a risk of a relatively early deterioration in sealing performance.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a sealing device that has a seal lip that is in close contact with a mating member and that has irregularities on its sliding surface. In this sealing device, irregularities having a size of 1.0 to 3.0 μmRa are randomly formed on the seal lip, which can reduce the seal friction force, but cannot completely prevent the intrusion of minute external foreign matter, leading to early wear and the risk of reducing the motion accuracy of the machine.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a seal member for use in a linear motion device that reduces sealing friction and has excellent sealing properties over a long period of time even in a foreign matter environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration of the seal member. [1] A sealing member used in a linear motion device, a lip portion made of an elastic material, in sliding contact with the opposing surface, and having an interference with the opposing surface; The lip portion has a sealing surface having a shape corresponding to the opposing surface, and the sealing surface has a textured structure. Sealing material. [2] The sealing member according to [1], the textured structure includes a concave-convex structure in which a sliding surface that is in sliding contact with the opposing surface and a concave surface that is recessed from the sliding surface are arranged adjacent to each other in the sliding direction; Sealing material. [3] [2] The sealing member according to the present invention, the textured structure is arranged so as to be aligned at least in the order of the sliding surface, the concave surface, and the sliding surface, or the concave surface, the sliding surface, and the concave surface, across a contact width in contact with the opposing surface in the sliding direction. Sealing material. [4] The sealing member according to [2] or [3], the textured structure is such that the sliding surface and the concave surface are adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction; Sealing material. [5] The sealing member according to any one of [2] to [4], The texture structure has a plurality of concave surfaces arranged independently of each other. Sealing material. [6] The sealing member according to any one of [2] to [5], The textured structure is continuous on the sliding contact surface and on the sealing surface. Sealing material. [7] [1] to [6], the sealing member according to any one of [1] to [6], The linear motion device is a linear guide, a ball screw, or a ball spline. Sealing material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a seal member used in a linear motion device that reduces seal friction and has excellent sealing properties over a long period of time even in a foreign matter environment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide including a seal member according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a side seal joined to an end surface in the movement direction of the slider shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first holding member that constitutes the side seal. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of the side seal before assembly. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the side seal during or after assembly. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view of the sealing member shown in FIG. 4A as viewed from the direction of arrow A. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is an example of a cross-sectional view of a linear guide for explaining an under seal and an inner seal. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a seal member constituting an underseal joined to the fixing surface of slider 20 shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a first modified example of the texture structure, where (a) corresponds to FIG. 5 and (b) corresponds to FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a second modified example of the texture structure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a third modified example of the texture structure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and showing a fourth modified example of the texture structure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5, showing a fifth modified example of the texture structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] A seal member according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The seal member is a reciprocating seal used in linear motion devices such as linear guides, ball screws, and ball splines. In the following description, a seal member according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described as being applied to a side seal and an under seal of a linear guide. Note that in this specification, a textured structure refers to a structure having projections and recesses.

[0013] First, a schematic configuration of a linear guide 1 that uses a sealing member according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] 1, the linear guide 1 includes a guide rail 3 extending in one direction, and a slider 20 with a C-shaped cross section that straddles the guide rail 3 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the left-right direction refers to the width direction of the slider 20 attached to the guide rail 3.

[0015] The guide rail 3 is made of metal, and two rail-side track surfaces 5 are formed on each of the left and right side surfaces 3b thereof along the axial direction of the guide rail 3. The guide rail 3 has a plurality of rail mounting holes 4 penetrating the guide rail 3 in the height direction, and rail fixing bolts (not shown) are inserted into these rail mounting holes 4 to fix the guide rail 3 to a mounting surface (not shown).

[0016] The slider 20 includes a slider body 21 having sleeves on both the left and right sides of the guide rail 3, a pair of end caps 30, 30 attached to both ends of the slider body 21 in the moving direction (corresponding to the "sliding direction" of the present invention), and return guides (not shown) incorporated into each of the end caps 30, 30. A plurality of rolling elements (not shown) are rollably filled in the interior of the slider 20 and in the rolling element rolling paths defined between the slider 20 and the rail-side raceway surface 5 of the guide rail 3. The rolling of these rolling elements allows the slider 20 to move axially relative to the guide rail 3. These rolling elements circulate endlessly while rolling within the rolling element rolling paths as the guide rail 3 and the slider 20 move relative to each other.

[0017] The top surface of the slider body 21 is provided with screw insertion holes 25 through which bolts for fixing a driven body such as a table to the slider 20 are inserted. End caps 30 attached to both ends of the slider body 21 in the movement direction are, for example, injection-molded products made of synthetic resin, and are formed with a C-shaped cross section like the slider body 21. A grease nipple 6 for supplying grease or the like to the inside of the slider 20 is attached to the end caps 30. In addition, a pair of side seals 50, 50 are arranged on the end faces of the slider 20 in the movement direction.

[0018] The side seals 50 seal the gap between the guide rail 3 and the slider 20, and serve to prevent foreign matter such as dirt, dust, and dirt from entering the inside of the slider 20. The side seals 50 are provided with a plurality of mounting screw insertion holes 58 (see FIG. 2), and the end caps 30 are also provided with mounting screw insertion holes (not shown). Mounting screws 35 are inserted into the mounting screw insertion holes 58 and the like provided in the side seals 50 and the end caps 30, so that the side seals 50 are joined to the end faces of the slider 20, which have the end caps 30 and the slider main body 21, in the movement direction.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a side seal 50 joined to the end surface in the movement direction of the slider 20 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a first holding member 11 constituting the side seal 50. Fig. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of the side seal before assembly, and Fig. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of the side seal during or after assembly. Note that Fig. 2 shows the side seal 50 divided into two in the left-right direction.

[0020] 2 and 3, the side seal 50 is an assembly formed by combining and integrating parts made of different materials, and is formed in a C-shape in plan view, similar to the cross-sectional shape of the slider body 21. The side seal 50 includes a seal member 41 (corresponding to the "seal member" of the present invention) that slides against the guide rail 3, and a first holding member 11 and a second holding member 12 that sandwich the seal member 41. The first holding member 11 is disposed closer to the slider 20 than the seal member 41, and the second holding member 12 is disposed on the side of the seal member 41 opposite to the side on which the first holding member 11 is disposed. Note that the seal member 41, the first holding member 11, and the second holding member 12 are not integrally fixed to each other in advance, but are assembled by inserting a fitting protrusion 22 of the first holding member 11, which will be described later, into a fitting hole 23 of the second holding member 12.

[0021] The seal member 41 is made of materials such as elastomers, such as polyester elastomers, fluororubber, and nitrile rubber. In a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide rail 3, the seal member 41 has a shape that conforms to the shapes of the side surface 3b and the top surface of the guide rail 3. The seal member 41 has a lip portion 13 that slides against the side surface 3b (corresponding to the "opposing surface" of the present invention) of the guide rail 3, and a base portion 15 that is sandwiched between the first holding member 11 and the second holding member 12. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B , a holding portion 46 of the first holding member 11 that holds the seal member 41 is formed with a recess 26a and a protrusion 26b that extend along the shape of the seal member 41. Furthermore, the base portion 15 of the seal member 41 is formed with a protrusion 45a and a recess 45b that fit into the recess 26a and protrusion 26b formed in the first holding member 11. The recessed portion 26a and the protruding portion 26b are fitted into the protruding portion 45a and the recessed portion 45b, whereby the sealing member 41 is held by the first holding member 11. The lip portion 13 extending from the base portion 15 of the sealing member 41 toward the guide rail 3 is inclined outward, i.e., in a direction away from the slider 20, as it approaches the guide rail 3.

[0022] The first holding member 11 is made of a flexible material such as polyacetal or nylon. The second holding member 12 is made of a metal such as steel or aluminum. In this embodiment, the first holding member 11 has two fitting protrusions 22 (see FIG. 3 ) that protrude toward the second holding member 12, and the second holding member 12 has two fitting holes 23 into which the fitting protrusions 22 of the first holding member 11 are fitted. The fitting protrusions 22 are fitted into the fitting holes 23, whereby the second holding member 12 presses the seal member 41 toward the first holding member 11, and the first holding member 11, seal member 41, and second holding member 12 are integrated to form a side seal 50.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 4A, the lip portion 13 of the single side seal 50 before assembly is in a state where no external force is applied, and it maintains the shape it had at the time of manufacture. On the other hand, when the side seal 50 is attached to the slider 20, the lip portion 13 is pressed against the guide rail 3, and is deformed in a more inclined direction, as shown in Fig. 4B. In other words, it can be said that the lip portion 13 has an interference fit with the side surface 3b.

[0024] Next, the lip portion 13 will be described. Fig. 5 is a view of the seal member shown in Fig. 4A as seen from the direction of arrow A. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 5.

[0025] 5 and 6, the lip portion 13 has a sealing surface 17 formed in a substantially flat shape corresponding to the side surface 3b of the guide rail 3, and this sealing surface 17 is textured. The texturing of the sealing surface 17 can be achieved, for example, by applying dimple processing or hailing processing (regardless of method) to the portion of the mold for molding the seal member 41 that corresponds to the sealing surface 17.

[0026] In this example, the seal surface 17 is textured by forming a plurality of recesses (in this example, approximately diamond-shaped recesses) on the seal surface 17. That is, the seal surface 17 has a textured structure consisting of a diagonal lattice-shaped sliding surface 171 that slides against the side surface 3b of the guide rail 3 and a plurality of approximately diamond-shaped recesses 172 recessed from the sliding surface 171. The sliding surface 171 (seal surface 17) may have a slight curvature or distortion as long as it allows the present invention to be implemented. In this example, since the side surface 3b is the opposing surface, the sliding surface 171 (seal surface 17) is formed in an approximately flat shape. However, the sliding surface 171 (seal surface 17) may be formed in a shape corresponding to the opposing surface, for example, a curved surface that matches the curved surface if the opposing surface is curved.

[0027] The sliding surface 171 and the concave surface 172 are arranged adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction in the movement direction of the slider 20, and are also arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction on the seal surface 17 in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction. In addition, in order to ensure excellent sealing performance while reducing sealing friction force, the seal surface 17 is arranged so that the sliding surface 171, the concave surface 172, and the sliding surface 171 (the concave surface 172, the sliding surface 171, and the concave surface 172) are lined up in this order within the contact width with the side surface 3b of the guide rail 3 in the movement direction. That is, the seal surface is in sliding contact with the side surface 3b of the guide rail 3 with the sliding surface 171 sandwiching the concave surface 172 (or with the concave surface 172 sandwiching the sliding surface 171) at least in the movement direction. Therefore, from the viewpoint of solving the problem, it is preferable that the sliding surfaces 171 and the concave surfaces 172 are arranged alternately in the movement direction, and it is also preferable that the sliding surfaces 171 and the concave surfaces 172 are arranged side by side in the contact width in the perpendicular direction, and that they are arranged alternately.

[0028] The sealing surface 17 thus configured is preferably formed so that its surface roughness is 0.4 μmRa or less. Additionally, the sealing surface 17 is preferably formed so that the depth of the recess, i.e., the amount of recession of the recessed surface 172 from the sliding contact surface 171, is 20 μm or more.

[0029] Furthermore, the sealing surface 17 is preferably formed so that the ratio of the area occupied by the multiple concave surfaces 172 to the area of ​​the sealing surface 17, i.e., the ratio of the total area of ​​the multiple concave surfaces 172 to the area of ​​the sealing surface 17, is 20% to 80%, more preferably 30% to 50%, and even more preferably 40%. The ratio is adjusted appropriately depending on the environment in which the sealing member 41 is used. For example, when the friction between the sliding surface 171 and the opposing surface is low, the ratio is preferably 50 to 70%, and when the above case (bottom friction) and high dust resistance are required, the ratio is preferably 30 to 50%.

[0030] Next, the under seal 60 will be described. Fig. 7A is an example of a cross-sectional view of a linear guide for explaining the under seal and the inner seal. Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a seal member constituting the under seal joined to the fixing surface of the slider 20 shown in Fig. 1.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7A, in the linear guide 1, an underseal 60 is attached to the fixed surface of the slider 20, i.e., the underside of the slider body 21, to seal the gap between the side surface 3b of the guide rail 3 and the inner surface of the slider 20 at the tip side of the sleeve portion of the slider body 21 (see, for example, JP 2020-85089 A). This underseal 60 has a seal member 61 (corresponding to the "seal member" of the present invention) that slides against the guide rail 3, and a retaining member 64 for attaching this seal member 61 to the sleeve portion of the slider body 21. A seal surface 63 of a lip portion 62 of this seal member 61 also has a textured structure, similar to the seal surface 17 of the lip portion 13 of the seal member 41 (see FIG. 7B).

[0032] 7A, an inner seal 70 may be provided in the linear guide 1 (see, for example, JP 2020-85089 A). In this case, the lip portion 71 of the inner seal 70 may also have a textured structure similar to the seal surface 17 of the lip portion 13 in the seal member 41.

[0033] As described above, according to this embodiment, the lip portion 13, which is made of an elastic material and comes into sliding contact with the side surface 3b of the guide rail 3, has an interference with the side surface 3b, thereby increasing the pressing force of the lip tip against the side surface 3b, reducing the rate at which foreign matter enters from the lip tip side and facilitating the distribution of grease inside the slider 20 to the lip tip. Furthermore, the lip portion 13 has a textured structure on its sealing surface 17, which promotes fluid film formation while retaining grease, thereby reducing seal friction and absorbing and adsorbing foreign matter, particularly finer than a fluid film, thereby reducing the intrusion of foreign matter into the slider 20. In other words, according to this embodiment, a seal member used in a linear motion device such as the linear guide 1 can be provided that reduces seal friction and exhibits excellent sealing performance over a long period of time, even in a foreign matter environment.

[0034] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the textured structure is an uneven structure in which the sliding surface 171 and the concave surface 172 are arranged adjacent to each other in the movement direction, thereby promoting the formation of a fluid film on the sliding surface 171 and reducing the seal friction force. Also, since the concave surface 172 is formed independently, it is possible to capture foreign matter smaller than the oil film thickness that has entered between the side surface 3b and the lip portion 13 while ensuring a necessary and sufficient oil film thickness.

[0035] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, at least the sliding surface 171, the concave surface 172, and the sliding surface 171 are arranged in this order within the contact width with the side surface 3b in the movement direction, and the sliding surface 171 and the concave surface 172 are arranged adjacent to each other in the direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the sealing surface 17, thereby obtaining localized rigidity for the lip portion 13 and preventing performance degradation due to the collapse of the uneven shape, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the proportion of the area of ​​the sealing surface 17 occupied by the multiple concave surfaces 172 is 20% or more and 80% or less, so the contact area rate with the side surface 3b is reduced, thereby reducing the seal friction force.

[0037] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the sliding surface 171 is continuous in the movement direction and the lip portion 13 is made of an elastic material and has a clamping margin, the possibility of a gap occurring between the side surface 3b and the lip portion 13 when the slider 20 is stopped can be extremely reduced (it can also be said that no gap will actually occur).

[0038] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the surface roughness of the sealing surface 17 is 0.4 μmRa, and the proportion of the area of ​​the sealing surface 17 occupied by the multiple concave surfaces 172 is 30% or more and 50% or less, so that the thickness of the oil film formed between the side surface 3 b and the lip portion 13 when the slider 20 moves can be made thin, and it is possible to prevent the intrusion of fine foreign matter into the interior of the slider 20.

[0039] Here, a first modified example of the texture structure will be described. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the first modified example of the texture structure, where (a) is a diagram corresponding to Figure 5 and (b) is a diagram corresponding to Figure 6. 8, in the first modified example, a plurality of recesses (in this example, approximately diamond-shaped recesses) are formed on the seal surface 17 as texture processing on the seal surface 17, and the recesses are formed so that the depression amount decreases from the tip of the lip portion toward the base end of the lip portion. As a result, in the texture structure according to the first modified example, the height of the sliding surface 171 remains constant, and the recessed surface 172 is formed in steps. As a result, the amount of foreign matter captured and the pressing force on the seal surface 17 can be adjusted locally.

[0040] Next, a second modified texture structure will be described. Fig. 9 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 5, showing the second modified texture structure. As shown in Fig. 9, in the second modified example, the seal surface 17 is textured such that a plurality of recesses are formed symmetrically in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction on the seal surface 17 and arranged side by side in the movement direction. Furthermore, collection grooves 173, which are larger in size than the recesses, are formed at both ends in the perpendicular direction and extend in the movement direction. The recesses are formed to be inclined with respect to the movement direction, and the angle of inclination varies from the tip of the lip portion to the base end of the lip portion (see arrow B in Fig. 9). As a result, in the texture structure according to the second modified example, approximately V-shaped sliding surfaces 171 and approximately V-shaped concave surfaces 172 are alternately arranged side by side in the movement direction, and the angle of the approximately V shape varies (see θ1 and θ2 in Fig. 9) from the tip of the lip portion to the base end of the lip portion (see arrow B in Fig. 9). Furthermore, a pair of collection grooves 173 is formed to sandwich the sliding surfaces 171 and the concave surfaces 172 in the perpendicular direction. As a result, the grease inside the slider 20 flows from the base end of the lip portion toward the tip of the lip portion (opposite the direction of arrow B) along the shape of the substantially V-shaped concave surface 172, making it easier to spread the grease to the tip of the lip portion. Furthermore, fine foreign matter that has entered the concave surface 172 can be moved along the slope of the concave surface 172 and collected in the collection groove portion 173.

[0041] Next, a third modified example of the texture structure will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 5, showing the third modified example of the texture structure. 10, in the third modified example, a plurality of recesses (in this example, approximately triangular) are formed on the seal surface 17 as texture processing on the seal surface 17. As a result, the texture structure according to the third modified example is composed of a mesh-like sliding surface 171 and a plurality of approximately triangular recessed surfaces 172.

[0042] Next, a fourth modified texture structure will be described. Fig. 11 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 5, showing the fourth modified texture structure. 11, in the fourth modified example, a plurality of recesses (in this example, substantially rectangular) arranged side by side in the movement direction are formed in pairs in the perpendicular direction on the sealing surface 17 as texture processing on the sealing surface 17. As a result, the texture structure according to the fourth modified example is composed of a substantially lattice-shaped sliding surface 171 and a plurality of substantially rectangular recesses 172.

[0043] Next, a fifth modified example of the texture structure will be described. Fig. 12 is a diagram corresponding to Fig. 5, showing the fifth modified example of the texture structure. The texture structure according to the fifth modification is formed by incorporating the texture structures according to modifications 1 to 4. In this way, the texture structure may be made up of a plurality of textures with different shapes.

[0044] As long as the texture structure allows the present invention to be implemented, the concave surface 172 may be formed in any desired shape, such as a circle, a semicircle, or a triangle.

[0045] As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, numerical values, form, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Linear guide 3 Guide rails 3b side 13 Lip 17 Sealing surface 20 Slider 30 End Cap 41 Sealing material 50 Side seal 60 Underseal 61 Sealing material 62 Lip 63 Sealing surface 171 Sliding surface 172 Concave 173 Collection groove

Claims

1. A sealing member used in a linear motion device, a lip portion made of an elastic material, in sliding contact with the opposing surface, and having an interference with the opposing surface; The lip portion has a sealing surface having a shape corresponding to the opposing surface, and the sealing surface has a textured structure. Sealing material.

2. The seal member according to claim 1, the textured structure includes a concave-convex structure in which a sliding surface that is in sliding contact with the opposing surface and a concave surface that is recessed from the sliding surface are arranged adjacent to each other in the sliding direction; Sealing material.

3. The seal member according to claim 2, the textured structure is arranged so as to be aligned at least in the order of the sliding surface, the concave surface, and the sliding surface, or the concave surface, the sliding surface, and the concave surface, across a contact width in contact with the opposing surface in the sliding direction. Sealing material.

4. The seal member according to claim 2, the textured structure is such that the sliding surface and the concave surface are adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction; Sealing material.

5. The seal member according to claim 2, The texture structure has a plurality of concave surfaces arranged independently of each other. Sealing material.

6. The seal member according to claim 2, The textured structure is continuous on the sliding contact surface and on the sealing surface. Sealing material.

7. The seal member according to claim 1, The linear motion device is a linear guide, a ball screw, or a ball spline. Sealing material.

Images