Sealing material and method for attaching the sealing material

Abstract

To provide a seal material which can prevent the intrusion of chips and foreign matters into a slide part of a slider for a long period of time.SOLUTION: A seal material being a seal material for sealing an end part of a slider in a slide direction of a machine tool having a rail and a slider sliding on the rail comprises; a support body which is formed in a plate shape, and in which a notched face which can be engaged with a periphery of the rail is formed at its plate thickness part; and a fiber-made seal part arranged at the notched face. The fiber-made seal part has a fiber face composed of a fiber raw material, and the fiber face slidably abuts on a peripheral face of the rail.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing material and a method for attaching the sealing material.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as a drive mechanism of a machine tool such as a machining center or a lathe, one including a rail and a slider that slides on this rail (referred to as a linear motion guide, etc.) is known. The slider smoothly reciprocates and advances on the rail, and rolling elements or rollers are arranged at the contact portion between the inside of the slider and the rail to ensure slidability.

[0003] Cutting by a machine tool is performed, for example, while using a coolant (cutting oil), and chips are generated by cutting. When this coolant or chips enter the inside of the slider, the slidability of the slider decreases and its life decreases. Since the coolant and chips mainly enter from the end portions in the sliding direction, a sealing material for sealing the end portions in the sliding direction of the slider has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-189863).

[0004] The above-mentioned sealing material includes a plate-shaped support member and a plate-shaped elastic member fixed to the support member via an adhesive layer, and the elastic member contacts the sliding surface in the machine tool at its sliding contact side surface to ensure sealing performance. Examples of the elastic member include NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber), urethane elastomer, fluororubber, silicone rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber), etc., and among them, urethane elastomer is preferably used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When a urethane elastomer is used for the elastic member, the elastic member is likely to wear due to friction between the elastic member and the rail, and chips and foreign matters enter from the worn part, impairing the sealing performance and smooth movement. Further, when the elastic member directly collides with chips or foreign matters, the elastic member may be damaged or torn, resulting in impaired sealing performance. For this reason, it is necessary to replace the sealing material in units of several months.

[0007] The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a sealing material capable of preventing chips and foreign matters from entering the sliding portion of a slider over a long period of time, and a method for attaching the sealing material.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A sealing material according to an aspect of the present invention is a sealing material for sealing an end portion in a sliding direction of a slider in a machine tool including a rail and a slider that slides on the rail, and is plate-shaped, and a notch surface that can be fitted around the rail is formed on the plate thickness surface thereof. It includes a support body and a fiber sealing portion disposed on the notch surface, the fiber sealing portion has a fiber surface formed of a fiber material, and the fiber surface slidably contacts the peripheral surface of the rail.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] The sealing material of the present invention can prevent chips and foreign matters from entering the sliding portion of the slider over a long period of time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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Figure 15

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be listed and described.

[0012] The sealing material according to one aspect of the present invention is a sealing material for sealing an end portion in the sliding direction of the slider in a machine tool including a rail and a slider that slides on the rail. The sealing material is plate-shaped and has a support body in which a notch surface that can be fitted around the rail is formed on the plate thickness surface, and a fiber sealing portion disposed on the notch surface. The fiber sealing portion has a fiber surface formed of a fiber material, and the fiber surface slidably abuts against the peripheral surface of the rail.

[0013] In the sealing material, the fiber surface formed of the fiber material slidably abuts against the peripheral surface of the rail. With the fibers of this fiber surface, it is possible to prevent chips and foreign matter from entering the sliding portion of the slider. Further, since the fibers of the fiber surface are in line contact with the sliding surface of the rail, they have lower friction and are less likely to wear compared to conventional sealing materials that contact in a plane. Furthermore, due to the cushioning property of the fibers, the fiber surface is less likely to be damaged or torn even when directly impacted by chips or foreign matter, and the sealing property is maintained. Therefore, the sealing material can prevent chips and foreign matter from entering the sliding portion of the slider over a long period of time.

[0014] The fiber material is preferably a cut pile material. By making the fiber material a cut pile material which is a high-density fiber in this way, it is possible to more effectively prevent chips and foreign matter from entering the sliding portion of the slider.

[0015] The sealing material includes a sheet-shaped rubber sealing portion disposed on the plate surface of the support body on the side facing the end portion of the slider. The rubber sealing portion preferably includes a rubber material that slidably abuts against the peripheral surface of the rail. With the above-described configuration, the rubber sealing portion and the fiber sealing portion are arranged in this order from the side closer to the end portion of the slider. With this arrangement, the fiber sealing portion prevents chips and foreign matter from entering inside, and the rubber sealing portion located inside is prevented from being torn by chips and foreign matter. And the rubber sealing portion effectively prevents coolant from entering the sliding portion of the slider. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent coolant, in addition to chips and foreign matter, from entering the sliding portion of the slider over a long period of time.

[0016] The rubber material is preferably urethane rubber or silicone rubber. By using urethane rubber or silicone rubber as the rubber material in this way, resistance to swelling caused by the coolant is increased, and the sealing performance is less likely to decrease.

[0017] The rubber material is preferably a thermosetting urethane rubber. By using a thermosetting urethane rubber as the rubber material in this way, durability is increased, and it becomes easier to maintain the sealing performance for a long period of time.

[0018] The rubber material may protrude toward the rail from the fiber surface. By protruding the rubber material toward the rail from the fiber surface in this manner, the protruding portion is recessed below the fiber surface, and its tip faces outward in the sliding direction of the end of the slider (in the direction away from the slider). Since the tip faces outward in the sliding direction of the end of the slider, chips, foreign matter, and coolant can be swept outward in the sliding direction, and thus it is possible to effectively prevent them from entering the sliding portion of the slider.

[0019] The textile seal may have one or more protruding pieces protruding in the sliding direction from the plate surface of the support, and the one or more protruding pieces may be disposed on one or both sides in the sliding direction. By providing the textile seal with the protruding pieces in this way, the textile seal can be fixed to the support by, for example, sandwiching the protruding pieces between the support and the slider that is in direct or indirect contact with it. This makes it possible to prevent the textile seal from falling off and becoming caught in the sliding portion.

[0020] The support has an inner frame with the notch surface formed thereon, and an outer frame configured to be fitted with the inner frame from the sliding direction. The inner frame has a pair of arm portions that sandwich the circumferential surface of the rail from the left and right directions, and a connecting portion that covers the circumferential surface of the rail from above and connects the pair of arm portions. A V-shaped notch with the notch surface side as the apex is formed in the connecting portion, and the connecting portion is bendable about the apex. In the normal position where the connecting portion is not bent, the inner frame is configured to be non-insertable / removable from above the rail, and in the bent position where the connecting portion is bent, the inner frame is configured to be insertable / removable from above the rail. It is preferable that the outer frame is configured to be insertable / removable from above the rail. By configuring the support as described above, after inserting the inner frame and the outer frame from above the rail and then fitting them, it can be attached to the end of the slider. Therefore, compared with the case of fitting along the sliding direction from the end of the rail, the handling property is high, and it is possible to prevent the fiber seal portion from being damaged when attaching the seal material.

[0021] A method for attaching a seal material according to another aspect of the present invention is a method for attaching a seal material of the present invention to the slider, including an inner frame fitting step of fitting the inner frame into the rail from above while bending the inner frame to the bent position, an inner frame engaging step of engaging the inner frame with the rail so as to be non-insertable / removable by returning it to the normal position after the inner frame fitting step, an outer frame fitting step of fitting the outer frame into the rail from above, a fitting step of fitting the inner frame and the outer frame after the inner frame engaging step and the outer frame fitting step, and a fixing step of fixing the support having the inner frame and the outer frame to the end of the slider after the fitting step.

[0022] Since the method for attaching the seal material uses the seal material of the present invention, it can be attached to the end of the slider by inserting the inner frame and the outer frame from above the rail and then fitting them. Therefore, compared with the case of fitting along the sliding direction from the end of the rail, the handling property is high, and it is possible to prevent the fiber seal portion from being damaged when attaching the seal material.

[0023] Another method for attaching the sealing material according to still another aspect of the present invention is the method for attaching the sealing material of the present invention, wherein the outer frame is fixed to the end of the slider, and while bending the inner frame to the bending position, an inner frame fitting step of fitting the inner frame onto the rail from above, and after the inner frame fitting step, by returning to the normal position, an inner frame engagement step of engaging the inner frame with the rail so that it cannot be inserted or removed from the rail, and after the inner frame engagement step, an inner frame fitting step of fitting the inner frame to the outer frame.

[0024] Since the method for attaching the sealing material can be performed while fixing the outer frame to the end of the slider, it has excellent handleability.

[0025] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Invention] Hereinafter, the sealing material and the method for attaching the sealing material according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described with appropriate reference to the drawings.

[0026] [Sealing Material] The sealing material 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a sealing material for sealing the end portion in the sliding direction of the slider Y in a machine tool provided with a rail X and a slider Y that slides on this rail X.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the rail X includes a top surface X1 that supports the slider Y from below and left and right side surfaces X2, and a groove portion X3 for preventing the slider Y from falling off the rail X is formed in the side surface X2. The slider Y is arranged so as to straddle the top surface X1 and the left and right side surfaces X2 of the rail X, and is configured to fit into the groove portion X3. The slider Y slides while contacting at least the surface of the groove portion X3 (sliding surface) of the top surface X1 and the left and right side surfaces X2 of the rail X.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the sealing material 1 includes a support 10, a fiber sealing portion 20, and a rubber sealing portion 30. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the sealing material 1 seals both ends of the slider Y, but it can also be configured to seal only one end.

[0029] <Support body> The support body 10 is plate-shaped, and as shown in Fig. 3, a notch surface 10a that can be fitted around the rail X is formed on its plate thickness surface.

[0030] The material of the support body 10 is not particularly limited as long as it has the strength to support the fiber sealing part 20 and be slidable on the rail X, but synthetic resin, stainless steel material, aluminum material, etc. can be used.

[0031] The shape of the support body 10 is not particularly limited as long as it can be fitted around the rail X, but as shown in Fig. 1, it is preferable that at least the upper edge and the side edge match the shape of the end part of the slider Y. By making the upper edge and the side edge of the support body 10 match the shape of the end part of the slider Y, it is possible to stably fix to the slider Y while avoiding obstacles to the operation of the machine tool.

[0032] The average plate thickness of the support body 10 depends on the contact length in the sliding direction of bringing the fiber sealing part 20 into contact with the rail X and the required strength, etc., but can be, for example, 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The "average plate thickness" refers to the average value of the plate thickness measured at any 10 points excluding the intentionally provided uneven parts. The same applies to the "average" of length, etc. below.

[0033] In the sealant 1, the support body 10 has an inner frame 11 in which a notch surface 10a is formed, as shown in Fig. 3, and an outer frame 12 configured to be fitted with the inner frame 11 from the sliding direction of the slider Y. In the support body 10 shown in Fig. 3, the inner frame 11 and the outer frame 12 are configured to be fitted and fixed by fitting a plurality of recesses 11a provided in the inner frame 11 and a plurality of convex parts 12a provided at positions corresponding to the respective recesses 11a of the outer frame 12, but the configuration for fitting the inner frame 11 and the outer frame 12 is not limited to this.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the inner frame 11 has a pair of arm portions 11b that sandwich the circumferential surface of the rail X from the left and right directions, and a connecting portion 11c that covers the circumferential surface of the rail X from above and connects the pair of arm portions 11b to each other. Further, a V-shaped notch 11d with the notch surface 10a side as the apex is formed in the connecting portion 11c.

[0035] The connecting portion 11c is bendable about the apex. In the normal position (Fig. 4) where the connecting portion 11c is not bent, the inner frame 11 is configured such that it cannot be inserted into or removed from the rail X from above. In the bent position (Fig. 5) where the connecting portion 11c is bent, the inner frame 11 is configured such that it can be inserted into and removed from the rail X from above.

[0036] The connecting portion 11c may be separated into two pieces at the apex, or may be connected at the apex. When the connecting portion 11c is separated into two pieces at the apex, the two pieces are connected by a fiber seal portion 20 described later. Also, when connected at the apex, the connection portion has flexibility and the connecting portion 11c can be bent about the apex. In this case, the inner frame 11 is preferably made of synthetic resin.

[0037] The opening angle α (see Fig. 4, the angle of the V shape) of the notch 11d is appropriately determined so that the inner frame 11 can be inserted into and removed from the rail X from above in the bent position, and can be, for example, 30° or more and 90° or less.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 6, the outer frame 12 has a fall-preventing surface 12b that prevents it from falling off when the inner frame 11 is fitted therein. This fall-preventing surface 12b has a concave portion 12c, and the outer frame 12 is configured to be insertable into and removable from the rail X from above. That is, the width of the concave portion 12c is larger than the maximum width of the rail X and smaller than the maximum width of the inner frame 11.

[0039] Further, the support 10 is provided with a plurality of through holes 10b for screwing to the slider Y. In the seal material 1, these plurality of through holes 10b are provided in the outer frame 12. Note that all or part of the through holes 10b can also be provided in the inner frame 11.

[0040] By configuring the support 10 as described above, after inserting the inner frame 11 and the outer frame 12 from above the rail X and then fitting them, it can be attached to the end of the slider Y. Therefore, compared with the case of fitting along the sliding direction from the end of the rail X, the handling property is high, and it is possible to prevent the fiber seal part 20 from being damaged when the sealing material 1 is attached. This attachment method will be described later.

[0041] <Fiber seal part> As shown in FIG. 3, the fiber seal part 20 is disposed on the notch surface 10a of the support 10. The fiber seal part 20 has a fiber surface 20a formed of a fiber material, and the fiber surface 20a slidably contacts the peripheral surface of the rail X. The fiber seal part 20 seals (closes) the gap between the rail X and the slider Y by contacting the peripheral surface of the rail X, and prevents chips and foreign matters from entering the sliding part of the slider Y.

[0042] The fiber surface 20a can be formed of a woven fabric or a knitted fabric. Further, as the fiber material, a non-woven fabric, a cut pile material, or the like can be used.

[0043] As the fiber material, a cut pile material is preferable. The cut pile material is a fiber material in which the tips of the pile fibers floating further toward the inner surface side from the ground yarn fixed to the inner surface side of the base are cut to raise the pile. Since the tips of the cut pile material are cut and raised, the fibers spread radially toward the tips. Since the fibers spread in this way and there are no gaps, it is difficult for fine chips and foreign matters to enter inside.

[0044] As the base, metal, resin, or a combination of metal and resin can be used. When the base is made of metal, it can be appropriately bent along the shapes of both ends of the rail X and the slider Y, so that adhesion is easily obtained and a stable base can be easily obtained. As the metal, for example, aluminum or zinc can be used. When the base is made of resin, general-purpose plastics such as ABS resin, engineering plastics such as polyacetal resin (POM), polycarbonate-polysulfone, and super engineering plastics can be used. Such plastic resins are light and difficult to restrict movement, and it is difficult for heat and force to be excessively transmitted, so they have excellent durability. For fixing the base and the ground yarn, for example, a hot melt adhesive can be used. As the resin or metal, those that can be integrally formed by a mold are preferred, and for example, a metal base manufactured by aluminum-zinc die casting can be used.

[0045] When the cut pile material is based on a knitted fabric, polyester fiber or the like can be used as the ground yarn, and polyester-based hollow fiber or the like can be used as the pile fiber. When the cut pile material is based on a woven fabric, nylon, acrylic fiber or the like can be used as the ground yarn, and rayon, acrylic-cotton fiber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), polyester, berylma or the like can be used as the pile fiber.

[0046] The diameter of the pile fiber is preferably 5 μm or more and 20 μm or less. The density of the pile fiber is preferably 500,000 or more and 1,500,000 or less per square inch.

[0047] As a method for fixing the pile fiber (ground yarn) to the inner surface side of the base, when the base is made of metal, the pile fiber can be directly adhered to a die-cast or a metal shaving part (base) shaved into a seal shape with an adhesive or the like. When the base is a resin such as engineering plastic, as the fixing method, the pile fiber can be adhered to the base with a double-sided tape, a hot melt adhesive, or the like.

[0048] By using the fiber material as a cut pile material which is a high-density fiber in this way, it is possible to more effectively prevent chips and foreign matters from entering the sliding part of the slider Y.

[0049] As the lower limit of the average length of the fiber surface 20a with respect to the sliding direction, 1 mm is preferable, 2 mm is more preferable, and 5 mm is even more preferable. On the other hand, as the upper limit of the average length of the fiber surface 20a, 15 mm is preferable, and 10 mm is more preferable. If the average length of the fiber surface 20a is less than the lower limit, there is a possibility that chips and foreign matters cannot be sufficiently prevented from entering the sliding part of the slider Y. Conversely, if the average length of the fiber surface 20a exceeds the upper limit, there is a possibility that the sliding property may be excessively reduced due to an increase in the contact area and an increase in the frictional force compared to the improvement in the effect of preventing chips and foreign matters from entering.

[0050] Due to the characteristics of the fiber, when the fiber surface 20a is pressed against the sliding surface, it adheres along its shape. By adjusting this degree of adhesion, even a very fine powder fluid with a diameter of less than 5 μm can be sufficiently sealed. As the lower limit of the pressing amount of the fiber surface 20a against the rail X, 0.1 mm is preferable, and 0.5 mm is more preferable. On the other hand, as the upper limit of the pressing amount, 3 mm is preferable, and 2 mm is more preferable. If the pressing amount is less than the lower limit, there is a possibility that chips and foreign matters cannot be sufficiently prevented from entering the sliding part of the slider Y. Conversely, if the pressing amount exceeds the upper limit, there is a possibility that the sliding property may be reduced due to an increase in the frictional force.

[0051] As a method for attaching the fibrous seal portion 20 to the notch surface 10a of the support 10, there is no particular limitation, and it can be fixed, for example, with a hot melt adhesive or a double-sided tape.

[0052] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the fibrous seal portion 20 has one or a plurality of protruding pieces 20b that protrude in the sliding direction from the plate surface of the support 10, and the one or a plurality of protruding pieces 20b may be arranged on one side or both sides in the sliding direction. By providing the protruding pieces 20b on the fibrous seal portion 20 in this way, for example, the protruding pieces 20b can be bent so as to overlap the plate surface of the support 10 as shown in FIG. 3, and while sandwiching the protruding pieces 20b between the support 10 and the rubber seal portion 30 thereon, by attaching to the slider Y, the fibrous seal portion 20 can be physically fixed to the support 10. This attachment method is preferably used in combination with chemical fixation using an adhesive or the like. If the adhesiveness decreases for some reason in chemical fixation, the fibrous seal portion 20 may fall off from the support 10 and get caught in the sliding portion. Physically fixing the fibrous seal portion 20 to the support 10 with the protruding pieces 20b can prevent such getting caught.

[0053] A lubricant may be held between the fibers of the fibrous material. The fibrous material can easily hold a sufficient amount of lubricant between the fibers. By making the fibrous seal portion 20 wet in this way, lubricant can ooze out between the slider Y and the rail X every time the slider Y slides, so that the lubricant can be replenished, and the sealing performance can be maintained for a longer time.

[0054] <Rubber seal portion> As shown in FIG. 2, the rubber seal portion 30 is in a sheet shape and is arranged on the plate surface of the support 10 on the side facing the end of the slider Y. The rubber seal portion 30 includes a rubber material that slidably abuts against the peripheral surface of the rail X. In the example of FIG. 2, the rubber seal portion 30 is composed of a rubber material, but only the portion that abuts against the rail X can also be composed of a rubber material.

[0055] With the above configuration, the rubber seal portion 30 and the fiber seal portion 20 are arranged in this order from the side closer to the end of the slider Y. With this arrangement, the fiber seal portion 20 prevents chips and foreign matters from entering inside, and prevents the rubber seal portion 30 located inside from being torn by chips and foreign matters. And the rubber seal portion 30 effectively prevents coolant from entering the sliding portion of the slider Y. Therefore, the seal material 1 can effectively prevent coolant, in addition to chips and foreign matters, from entering the sliding portion of the slider Y over a long period of time.

[0056] As the above rubber material, urethane rubber or silicone rubber is preferable. By using urethane rubber or silicone rubber as the above rubber material, the resistance to swelling by coolant can be enhanced, and the sealing performance is less likely to deteriorate.

[0057] Among them, as the above rubber material, thermosetting urethane rubber is more preferable. By using thermosetting urethane rubber as the above rubber material, the durability is enhanced, so it is easier to maintain the sealing performance over a longer period of time.

[0058] Similar to the support 10, it is preferable that at least the upper edge and the side edge of the rubber seal portion 30 match the shape of the end of the slider Y. Also, it is preferable to have a through hole at a position corresponding to the through hole 10b of the support 10. By providing a through hole in the rubber seal portion 30 in this way, the support 10 and the rubber seal portion 30 can be screwed together with the same screw.

[0059] The lower limit of the average thickness of the rubber seal portion 30 (the average thickness of the rubber material) is preferably 0.3 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm. On the other hand, the upper limit of the average thickness of the rubber seal portion 30 is preferably 3.0 mm, more preferably 1.5 mm, and even more preferably 1.0 mm. If the average thickness of the rubber seal portion 30 is less than the lower limit, the strength may be insufficient. Conversely, if the average thickness of the rubber seal portion 30 exceeds the upper limit, the rubber seal portion 30 may not be able to move along the rail X due to insufficient flexibility, and the coolant may not penetrate into the sliding portion of the slider Y insufficiently. In addition, the sliding resistance when the rubber seal portion 30 abuts against the rail X may increase, and the sliding load on the machine tool may become too high.

[0060] The rubber material may protrude toward the rail X side from the fiber surface 20a of the fiber seal portion 20. The rubber seal portion 30 is attached from the outside of the sliding direction of the end of the slider Y. If the rubber material protrudes toward the rail X side from the fiber surface 20a of the fiber seal portion 20, the protruding portion of the rubber material is attached to the end of the slider Y from the outside of the sliding direction with the protruding portion in contact with the rail X. Therefore, the protruding portion of the rubber material faces outward in the sliding direction. Then, the protruding portion slips under the fiber surface 20a and is fixed in a state where its tip faces outward in the sliding direction of the end of the slider Y. Then, by the tip facing outward in the sliding direction of the end of the slider Y, chips, foreign matter, and coolant can be swept outward in the sliding direction, so that it is possible to effectively prevent these from entering the sliding portion of the slider Y.

[0061] <Advantages> When the sealing material 1 is in contact, the fiber surface 20a formed of a fiber material is slidably in contact with the peripheral surface of the rail X. The sealing material 1 can prevent chips and foreign matters from entering the sliding portion of the slider Y by the fibers of the fiber surface 20a. Further, since the fibers of the fiber surface 20a are in line contact with the sliding surface of the rail X, the friction is lower than that of a conventional sealing material that contacts with a surface, and it is difficult to wear. Furthermore, due to the cushioning property of the fibers, the fiber surface 20a is less likely to be damaged or torn even when directly collided with chips or foreign matters, and the sealing property is maintained. Therefore, the sealing material 1 can prevent chips and foreign matters from entering the sliding portion of the slider Y over a long period of time.

[0062] 〔Mounting method of sealing material (1)〕 A first method for attaching the sealing material 1 of the present invention to the slider Y will be described. The method for attaching the sealing material can be carried out when replacing the support 10 of the sealing material 1 including the fiber sealing portion 20 attached to the support 10. That is, the method for attaching the sealing material is performed with the rubber sealing portion 30 remaining fitted to the rail X. When replacing the support 10, it is necessary to first remove the support 10, but since it can be removed by performing the attachment procedure in reverse, only the method for attaching the support 10 will be described below.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the method for attaching the sealing material includes an inner frame fitting step S1, an inner frame engaging step S2, an outer frame fitting step S3, a fitting step S4, and a fixing step S5.

[0064] <Inner frame fitting step> In the inner frame fitting step S1, while bending the inner frame 11 at the bending position, it is fitted into the rail X from above.

[0065] Specifically, the connecting portion 11c of the inner frame 11 is bent with the vertex of the V-shaped cut 11d as a base point, and after bringing it into the state shown in FIG. 5, it is fitted into the rail X from above as shown in FIG. 8.

[0066] <Inner frame engaging step> In the inner frame engagement step S2, after the inner frame insertion step S1, the connection part 11c is returned to its normal position where it is not bent, so that the inner frame 11 is engaged with the rail X in a state where it cannot be inserted or removed.

[0067] Specifically, from the state shown in FIG. 8, the bent connection part 11c is returned to the state shown in FIG. 4. Then, the pair of arm parts 11b sandwich the peripheral surface of the rail X from the left and right directions, and the inner frame 11 can be made into a state where it cannot be inserted or removed from the rail X.

[0068] <Outer frame insertion step> In the outer frame insertion step S3, the outer frame 12 is inserted into the rail X from above.

[0069] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the outer frame 12 is inserted into the rail X from above at a position outside the sliding direction with respect to the slider Y, relative to the inner frame 11 that is already engaged with the rail X.

[0070] Note that the inner frame engagement step S2 and the outer frame insertion step S3 can be performed in either order, and it is also possible to perform the outer frame insertion step S3 first. In this case, in the inner frame engagement step S2, the inner frame 11 is inserted into the position between the slider Y and the outer frame 12.

[0071] <Fitting step> In the fitting step S4, after the inner frame engagement step S2 and the outer frame insertion step S3, the inner frame 11 and the outer frame 12 are fitted together.

[0072] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, the outer frame 12 is moved in the direction of the slider Y, and the inner frame 11 is inserted into the outer frame 12 to form the support 10.

[0073] <Fixing step> In the fixing step S5, after the fitting step S4, the support 10 having the inner frame 11 and the outer frame 12 is fixed to the end of the slider Y.

[0074] Specifically, after the support 10 is further moved in the direction of the slider Y until it abuts against the slider Y, a screw is passed through the through hole 10b and fixed to the slider Y together with the rubber seal part 30.

[0075] <Advantages> <Since the method of attaching the sealing material uses the sealing material 1 of the present invention, after inserting the inner frame 11 and the outer frame 12 from above the rail X and then fitting them, it can be attached to the end of the slider Y. Therefore, when replacing the support portion of the sealing material 1, it is not necessary to disassemble the machine tool such as opening the end of the rail X. Therefore, compared with the case of fitting along the sliding direction from the end of the rail X, the handleability is high, and it is possible to prevent the fiber sealing portion 20 from being damaged when the sealing material 1 is attached.

[0076] 〔Method of attaching the sealing material (2)〕 <A second method of attaching the sealing material 1 of the present invention to the slider Y will be described. In the first method of attaching the sealing material, the falling prevention surface 12b of the outer frame 12 is located outside the sliding direction with respect to the slider Y, and the inner frame 11 is configured to be fitted into the outer frame 12 from the inner side in the sliding direction. On the other hand, in the second method of attaching the sealing material, as shown in FIG. 11, the falling prevention surface 12b of the outer frame 12 is located inside the sliding direction with respect to the slider Y, and the inner frame 11 is configured to be fitted into the outer frame 12 from the outer side in the sliding direction.

[0077] <The method of attaching the sealing material can be carried out when only the inner frame 11 of the support 10 of the sealing material 1 is replaced including the fiber sealing portion 20 attached to the inner frame 11. That is, in the method of attaching the sealing material, the rubber sealing portion 30 and the outer frame 12 are fixed to the end of the slider Y. When replacing the inner frame 11, it is necessary to first remove the inner frame 11, but since it can be removed by performing the attachment procedure in reverse, only the method of attaching the inner frame 11 will be described below.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 12, the method for attaching the sealing material includes an inner frame fitting step S1 of bending the inner frame 11 at the bending position and fitting it into the rail X from above, and after the inner frame fitting step S1, by returning it to the normal position, an inner frame engaging step S2 of engaging the inner frame 11 with the rail X so that it cannot be inserted or removed, and after the inner frame engaging step S2, an inner frame fitting step S4 of fitting the inner frame 11 into the outer frame 12.

[0079] The inner frame fitting step S1 and the inner frame engaging step S2 can be performed in the same procedure as the first method for attaching the sealing material. After the inner frame engaging step S2, as shown in FIG. 13, the inner frame 11 is fitted into the outer frame 12 on the outer side in the sliding direction with respect to the slider Y.

[0080] In the inner frame fitting step S4, specifically, the inner frame 11 is moved in the direction of the slider Y, the inner frame 11 is fitted into the outer frame 12, and the support 10 is obtained. Since the outer frame 12 is already fixed to the slider Y, when the inner frame 11 is fitted, the replacement of the sealing material 1 is completed.

[0081] <Advantages> The method for attaching the sealing material can be performed while fixing the outer frame 12 to the end of the slider Y, so it has excellent handleability.

[0082] [Other Embodiments] The above embodiments do not limit the configuration of the present invention. Therefore, in the above embodiments, based on the description in this specification and common technical knowledge, omission, substitution, or addition of the components of each part of the above embodiments is possible, and all of them should be interpreted as belonging to the scope of the present invention.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the case where the sealing material includes a support, a fiber sealing portion, and a rubber sealing portion has been described. However, the rubber sealing portion is not an essential component, and a sealing material composed of a support and a fiber sealing portion is also within the scope intended by the present invention.

[0084] In addition, the sealing material of the present invention may have other members disposed between the slider or on the outer surface side in the sliding direction (the surface side opposite to the slider). Examples of such other members include a grease holding portion that is disposed between the slider and holds grease. By providing the grease holding portion, it becomes possible to maintain the slidability of the slider for a long period of time.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the support and the rubber sealing portion are screwed to the slider has been described, but the method of fixing to the slider is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to fix using an adhesive or the like.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the case where the support has an inner frame and an outer frame has been described, but the support is not limited to this configuration. For example, the support may be composed of a single member. In such a support, it can be fitted along the rail from the end of the rail and attached to the slider.

[0087] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the case where one V-shaped cut 11d is located at the central portion of the connecting portion 11c has been described, but as in the inner frame 13 shown in FIG. 14, one V-shaped cut 13d may be displaced to one side from the center of the connecting portion 11c. By providing the cut 13d at a position displaced from the center in this way, even if the opening angle α is small or the rail X has a wide width (the width of the top surface X1 is large; see FIG. 1), it can be configured to be insertable and removable from the rail X. Therefore, the handleability of the inner frame 13 can be improved.

[0088] Also, as shown in the inner frame 14 of FIG. 15, it is also possible to provide a plurality of V-shaped cuts 14d. In the inner frame 14 shown in FIG. 15, a pair of cuts 14d are arranged offset from the center of the connecting portion 11c to both sides (one side and the other side). The pair of cuts 14d are preferably arranged symmetrically with the center in between. By providing such a pair of cuts 14d, for example, even when the groove portion X3 (see FIG. 1) of the rail X is deep or when the replacement space for the inner frame 14 is limited, the inner frame 14 can be easily replaced.

[0089] In FIGS. 14 and 15, the same components as those of the inner frame 11 shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

Industrial Applicability

[0090] As described above, the sealing material of the present invention can prevent chips and foreign matters from entering the sliding portion of the slider over a long period of time.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0091] 1 Sealing material 10 Support 10a Notch surface 10b Through hole 11, 13, 14 Inner frame 11a Recess 11b Arm portion 11c Connecting portion 11d, 13d, 14d Cut 12 Outer frame 12a Protrusion 12b Anti-drop surface 12c Recess 20 Fiber sealing portion 20a Fiber surface 20b Protruding piece 30 Rubber sealing portion X Rail X1 Top surface X2 Side surface X3 Groove portion Y Slider α Opening angle

Claims

1. A sealing material for sealing an end portion in the sliding direction of a slider in a machine tool including a rail and a slider that slides on the rail, the sealing material comprising: a support that is plate-shaped and has a notch surface formed on a plate thickness surface thereof and capable of fitting around the rail; a fiber sealing portion disposed on the notch surface; a sheet-shaped rubber sealing portion disposed on a plate surface of the support on a side facing an end portion of the slider; and wherein the fiber sealing portion has a fiber surface formed of a fiber material; the fiber surface is slidably abutted against a peripheral surface of the rail; the rubber sealing portion is slidably abutted against the peripheral surface of the rail; and the rubber material protrudes toward the rail side more than the fiber surface.

2. The sealing material according to claim 1, wherein the fiber material is a cut pile material.

3. The sealing material according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rubber material is urethane rubber or silicone rubber.

4. The sealing material according to claim 3, wherein the rubber material is thermosetting urethane rubber.

5. The fiber sealing portion has one or more protruding pieces that protrude in the sliding direction more than a plate surface of the support, and the one or more protruding pieces are disposed on one side or both sides in the sliding direction. The sealing material according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A sealing material for sealing an end portion in the sliding direction of a slider in a machine tool including a rail and a slider that slides on the rail, the sealing material comprising: a support that is plate-shaped and has a notch surface formed on a plate thickness surface thereof and capable of fitting around the rail; a fiber sealing portion disposed on the notch surface; and wherein the fiber sealing portion has a fiber surface formed of a fiber material; the fiber surface is slidably abutted against a peripheral surface of the rail; the support has an inner frame on which the notch surface is formed, and an outer frame configured to be fitted with the inner frame from the sliding direction; wherein the inner frame has a pair of arm portions that sandwich the peripheral surface of the rail from left and right directions, and a connecting portion that covers the peripheral surface of the rail from above and connects the pair of arm portions; wherein a V-shaped cut is formed in the connecting portion with the notch surface side as a vertex, and the connecting portion is bendable about the vertex; and in a normal position where the connecting portion is not bent, the inner frame is configured to be non-insertable and non-removable from above the rail. At the bending position where the connecting portion is bent, the inner frame is configured to be insertable and removable from the rail from above, A sealing material in which the outer frame is configured to be insertable and removable from the rail from above.

7. A method for attaching a sealing material according to Claim 6 to the slider, comprising: An inner frame fitting step of bending the inner frame at the bending position and fitting it into the rail from above; After the inner frame fitting step, an inner frame engaging step of engaging the inner frame with the rail so as to be non-removable from the rail by returning it to the normal position; An outer frame fitting step of fitting the outer frame into the rail from above; After the inner frame engaging step and the outer frame fitting step, a fitting step of fitting the inner frame and the outer frame; After the fitting step, a fixing step of fixing the support having the inner frame and the outer frame to the end portion of the slider A method for attaching a sealing material comprising the steps.

8. A method for attaching a sealing material according to Claim 6, comprising: The outer frame is fixed to the end portion of the slider, An inner frame fitting step of bending the inner frame at the bending position and fitting it into the rail from above; After the inner frame fitting step, an inner frame engaging step of engaging the inner frame with the rail so as to be non-removable from the rail by returning it to the normal position; After the inner frame engaging step, an inner frame fitting step of fitting the inner frame into the outer frame A method for attaching a sealing material comprising the steps.

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