Linear guide device

Abstract

To provide a linear guide device that enables connection of a slider and a dust-proof cover with a simple operation.SOLUTION: A linear guide device 100 includes: a guide rail 1; a slider 10 that slides relatively to the guide rail 1 on the guide rail 1; a dust-proof cover 20 formed of a bellows-shaped member, connected to an end of the slider 10 in a slide direction, and covering at least a part of the guide rail 1; a first fixation member 22 provided in an end of the dust-proof cover 20; and a second fixation member 14 provided in the end of the slider 10. A first cross-sectional shape along a height direction orthogonal to the slide direction of the first fixation member 22 and a second cross-sectional shape along a height direction orthogonal to the slide direction of the second fixation member 14 have shapes that can fit to each other. When the first fixation member 22 lifted upward is lowered downward, the first fixation member 22 and the second fixation member 14 fit to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a linear guide device in which a slider moves relatively to, for example, a guide rail. [Background technology]

[0002] Linear guide devices used in machine tools and the like are sometimes used in environments where foreign matter such as cutting chips and welding spatter is generated. If foreign matter enters the slider of the linear guide device in such an environment, it could cause damage to the linear guide device. Therefore, to prevent foreign matter from entering the slider from both axial ends of the guide rail of the end caps located at the ends of the slider, side seals or the like are used. Furthermore, to prevent foreign matter from entering from the top surface of the guide rail, a dust cover made of bellows or the like is placed on the top surface of the guide rail to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the guide rail or the like.

[0003] Typically, the bellows that make up the dust cover are screwed to the end caps of the slider, with the bellows mounting plate, dustproof components such as side seals, and lubrication components sandwiched between them. When installing the linear guide device, screws securing the dustproof components such as side seals and lubrication components must be removed to attach the bellows, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, there is a risk that the mounting screws securing the end cap to the slider may be accidentally removed during removal, causing the end cap to come off and the balls inside the slider to fall out. Furthermore, because screws must be inserted from the bellows side to secure the slider and the bellows, the folded portion of the bellows can get in the way, making the screw installation process difficult.

[0004] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose methods for attaching a dustproof cover to a linear guide device.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a bellows serving as a dustproof cover for a linear guide device has mounting plates at both ends of the bellows. The mounting plate at one end of the bellows is screwed to the end face of the guide rail, and the mounting plate at the other end is screwed to the slider with a mounting screw while sandwiching a side seal and an end cap between them, thereby attaching the dustproof cover between the end of the slider and the end of the guide rail.

[0006] Patent Document 2 discloses a snap joint for attaching a dust cover to a slider in a linear guide device. The snap joint has a male joint member and a female joint member that fit together. The male joint member has an outer circumferential surface with a smaller diameter than the through hole formed in the end plate of the dust cover, and has a recess on one end surface that fits with the head of a side seal fixing screw. The female joint member has an outer circumferential surface with a larger diameter than the through hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-83328 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-002874 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In Patent Document 1, the slider-side mounting plate is attached to the end cap using mounting screws, which makes the work complicated. In Patent Document 2, a snap-type joint makes removal easy, but there are issues with the reliability of the attachment.

[0009] The present invention provides a linear guide device that allows a slider and a dustproof cover to be connected by a simple operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration. (1) a guide rail; a slider that is disposed on the guide rail and slides relatively to the guide rail; a dustproof cover that is formed of a bellows-shaped member, is connected to an end of the slider in the sliding direction, and covers at least a part of the guide rail; a first fixing member provided at an end of the dustproof cover; a second fixing member provided at an end of the slider; A linear guide device comprising: a first cross-sectional shape of the first fixing member along a height direction perpendicular to the sliding direction and a second cross-sectional shape of the second fixing member along a height direction perpendicular to the sliding direction have shapes that can be fitted together; The first fixing member is then lowered downward, so that the first fixing member and the second fixing member are fitted together. The engagement between the first fixing member and the second fixing member is released by lifting the first fixing member upward from the engaged state. Linear guide device. (2) One of the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape includes a convex portion that protrudes along the sliding direction, and the other includes a concave portion that is recessed along the sliding direction, and either an upper end or a lower end of the concave portion is open. The linear guide device described in (1). (3) The first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape include a trapezoidal shape at least in the convex portion and the concave portion. (2) The linear guide device described above. (4) The first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape include a substantially T-shape at least in the convex portion and the concave portion. (2) The linear guide device described above. (5) One of the first fixing member and the second fixing member has a notch at an upper end or a lower end of a surface facing the other of the first fixing member and the second fixing member, and an end of the recess is open at a bottom of the notch. A linear guide device according to any one of (2) to (4). (6) One of the first fixing member and the second fixing member has a recessed portion at an upper end of the recess on a surface facing the other of the first fixing member and the second fixing member, and the upper end of the recessed portion is open at a bottom of the recessed portion. A linear guide device according to any one of (2) to (4). [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the slider and the dust cover can be connected with a simple operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a linear guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a slider and a dust cover are separated. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the linear guide device according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the slider and the dustproof cover are connected to each other. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first fixing plate attached to the dust cover. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second fixed plate attached to the slider. [Figure 5A] 5A is an enlarged view of a protrusion of the first fixing plate of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5B] 5B is an enlarged view of the recess of the second fixing plate of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a state when the first fixing plate of the dustproof cover is attached to the second fixing plate of the slider. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a top view of Modification 1 of the first fixing plate. [Figure 7B]FIG. 7B is a top view of the second fixing plate according to the first modification. [Figure 8A] 8A is a top view of the first fixing plate of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 8B] 8B is a front view of the first fixing plate of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 9A] 9A is a top view of the second fixing plate of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 9B] 9B is a front view of the second fixing plate of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A is a top view of Modification 2 of the second fixing plate. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a front view of the second fixing plate according to the second modification. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A is a top view of Modification 3 of the second fixing plate. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a front view of the third modified example of the second fixing plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a linear guide device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view of a linear guide device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a slider 10 and a dustproof cover 20 are separated on a guide rail 1. Fig. 2 is a side view of the linear guide device 100, showing a state in which the slider 10 and the dustproof cover 20 are connected to each other.

[0014] The linear guide device 100 includes a guide rail 1, a slider 10, and a dust cover 20. The guide rail 1 is a rail member that is installed on a base or the like (not shown) and guides the movement of the slider 10.

[0015] The slider 10 is driven by a motor or the like and moves on the guide rail 1 by sliding relative to the guide rail 1. The slider 10 includes a slider body 11, end caps 12, and side seals 13. The slider body 11 is installed straddling the guide rail 1. The end caps 12 are cap members that seal both ends of the slider body 11 in the sliding direction (left and right direction in FIG. 1). The side seals 13 are attached to the outside of the end caps 12 and serve to prevent dust and provide lubrication.

[0016] The dustproof cover 20 includes a cover body 21 made of a bellows-shaped member. The dustproof cover 20 is connected to the end of the slider 10 in the sliding direction, and covers at least a part of the guide rail 1, thereby protecting the guide rail 1 from foreign matter such as dust and dirt. The cover body 21 is a so-called bellows, and the dustproof cover 20 can expand and contract along the sliding direction.

[0017] In this embodiment, the dustproof cover 20 further includes a first fixing plate 22, which is a first fixing member, provided at an end of the dustproof cover 20. The first fixing plate 22 is fixed to the end of the cover body 21 on the slider 10 side by a mounting screw 23. The slider 10 also includes a second fixing plate 14, which is a second fixing member, provided at the end on the dustproof cover 20 side, i.e., adjacent to the side seal 13. The second fixing plate 14 is fixed to the end cap 12 together with the side seal 13 by a mounting screw 15.

[0018] To connect the dustproof cover 20 to the slider 10, a user of the linear guide device 100 first lifts the first fixed plate 22 at the end of the dustproof cover 20, which is in the state shown in FIG. 1, upward as indicated by the arrow. The user then moves the first fixed plate 22, which has been lifted upward, toward the second fixed plate 14 as indicated by the arrow and lowers it downward, thereby fitting the convex portion 22a of the first fixed plate 22 into the concave portion 14a of the second fixed plate 14, as shown in FIG. 2. The user of the linear guide device 100 can connect the slider 10 and the dustproof cover 20 with this simple operation. Furthermore, when disconnecting the dustproof cover 20, for example to replace it, the connection can be easily released by simply lifting the first fixed plate 22 upward.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first fixing plate 22 attached to the dustproof cover 20. The first fixing plate 22 has an inverted U-shape overall. The first fixing plate 22 has two legs 22c extending in a height direction (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 3) perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider 10. Each leg 22c is provided with a protrusion 22a. The protrusion 22a protrudes from the leg 22c toward the slider 10 along the sliding direction and has a ridge shape extending along the height direction. Each leg 22c is provided with a screw hole 22b below the protrusion 22a into which a mounting screw 23 is threaded.

[0020] 4 is a perspective view of the second fixing plate 14 attached to the slider 10. The second fixing plate 14 has an inverted U-shape overall and includes two legs 14e extending in a height direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider 10. Each leg 14e is provided with a recess 14a. The recess 14a is recessed from the leg 22c toward the slider body 11 along the sliding direction and has a groove shape extending in the height direction. In addition, a screw hole 14b that engages with the mounting screw 15 is provided in the leg portion.

[0021] Fig. 5A is an enlarged view of the protrusion 22a of the first fixing plate 22 in Fig. 3. This figure also shows a first cross-sectional shape along the height direction of the first fixing plate 22. As is clear from this figure, this first cross-sectional shape includes a trapezoidal shape at least in the portion of the protrusion 22a.

[0022] Fig. 5B is an enlarged view of recess 14a of second fixed plate 14 in Fig. 4. This figure also shows a second cross-sectional shape along the height direction of second fixed plate 14. As is clear from this figure, this second cross-sectional shape includes a trapezoidal shape at least in the portion of recess 14a.

[0023] 5A and 5B, the first cross-sectional shape of the first fixing plate 22 and the second cross-sectional shape of the second fixing plate 14 are configured to be interlocked with each other. That is, the convex portion 22a included in the first cross-sectional shape and the concave portion 14a included in the second cross-sectional shape are trapezoidal and have the same size, and the convex portion 22a and the concave portion 14a are interlocked with each other. However, because the convex portion 22a fits into the concave portion 14a, to be precise, the convex portion 22a is smaller than the concave portion 14a. Apart from the requirements for such interlocking, the convex portion 22a and the concave portion 14a are identical in shape and size.

[0024] 6 is a side view illustrating the state when the first fixed plate 22 of the dustproof cover 20 is attached to the second fixed plate 14 of the slider 10. A user of the linear guide device 100 first lifts the portion of the first fixed plate 22 at the end of the dustproof cover 20 upward as shown by arrow A and brings it closer to the second fixed plate 14. The user then lowers the portion of the first fixed plate 22 that has been lifted upward as shown by arrow B.

[0025] The upper end of the recess 14a of the second fixed plate 14 is open. Therefore, the ridge-shaped convex portion 22a fits into the groove-shaped recess 14a. As the first fixed plate 22 descends, the convex portion 22a slides downward within the recess 14a, and eventually, as shown in FIG. 2, the first fixed plate 22 and the second fixed plate 14 fit together. A user of the linear guide device 100 can connect the slider 10 and the dustproof cover 20 with this simple operation. In addition, a user can release the connection by simply lifting the first fixed plate 22 upward.

[0026] Furthermore, when the protrusion 22a and the recess 14a are fitted together, the long side of the trapezoid forms the bottom of the fit, creating a relationship similar to the undercut of a mold. Therefore, even if a force is applied to separate the slider 10 and the dustproof cover 20 from each other, the connection between them will not be released and the connection can be maintained.

[0027] Second fixing plate 14 also has a notch 14c at the upper end of the surface facing first fixing plate 22. Notch 14c has a stepped shape, and the upper end of recess 14a opens to the bottom of notch 14c. In other words, the upper end of recess 14a is located lower than the upper end of second fixing plate 14.

[0028] With the above configuration, when lifting the first fixed plate 22 in the operation shown in Fig. 6, the user only needs to lift it until the lower end of the convex portion 22a is slightly above the upper end of the concave portion 14a, and does not need to lift it until the convex portion 22a reaches the upper end of the second fixed plate 14. In other words, due to the presence of the cutout portion 14c, the user does not need to lift the first fixed plate 22 very high in the operation shown in Fig. 6, making the operation easier and reducing the burden on the accordion-shaped cover body 21. Furthermore, even if the working space around the linear guide device 100 is narrow, the dustproof cover 20 does not interfere with surrounding parts, making the connection work easy.

[0029] 7A is a top view of Variation 1 of the first fixed plate 22, and FIG. 7B is a top view of Variation 1 of the second fixed plate 14. In this variation, the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape include a substantially T-shape. In this variation, the user can also connect the slider 10 and the dustproof cover 20 using the method shown in FIG. 6.

[0030] Fig. 8A is a top view of the first fixed plate 22 in Fig. 3. Fig. 8B is a front view of the first fixed plate 22 in Fig. 3. Fig. 9A is a top view of the second fixed plate 14 in Fig. 4. Fig. 9B is a front view of the second fixed plate 14 in Fig. 4.

[0031] Fig. 10A is a top view of Modified Example 2 of second fixed plate 14. Fig. 10B is a front view of Modified Example 2 of second fixed plate 14. Modified Example 2 does not have notch portion 14c, but the slider 10 and dustproof cover 20 can be connected by a simple operation.

[0032] FIG. 11A is a top view of Modification 3 of second fixing plate 14. FIG. 11B is a front view of Modification 3 of second fixing plate 14. In Modification 2, instead of cutout portion 14c, recessed portion 14d, which is recessed similarly to recess 14a, is provided at the upper end of recess 14a, and the upper end of recess 14a is open at the bottom of recessed portion 14d. The height dimension of recessed portion 14d is greater than the height dimension of protrusion 22a, so protrusion 22a can be inserted into recessed portion 14d. In this example, too, the user does not need to lift first fixing plate 22 high in the operation shown in FIG. 6, making the operation easier and reducing the burden on accordion-shaped cover main body 21.

[0033] 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.

[0034] For example, unlike the above embodiment, the first and second cross-sectional shapes may be provided on the opposite fixing members. That is, second fixing plate 14 may have a convex portion as shown in Figures 5A, 7A, 8A, and 8B, and first fixing plate 22 may have a concave portion as shown in Figures 5B, 7B, 9A to 11B. In this case, first fixing plate 22 may have portions corresponding to notch portion 14c and concave portion 14a. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Guide rail 10 Sliders 11 Slider body 12 End cap 13 Side seal 14 Second fixing plate (second fixing member) 14a Recess 14c Cutout 14d recess 20 Dustproof cover 21 Cover body 22 First fixing plate (first fixing member) 22a Convex part 100 Linear guide device

Claims

1. Guide rails and a slider that is disposed on the guide rail and slides relatively to the guide rail; a dustproof cover that is formed of a bellows-shaped member, is connected to an end of the slider in the sliding direction, and covers at least a part of the guide rail; a first fixing member provided at an end of the dustproof cover; a second fixing member provided at an end of the slider; A linear guide device comprising: a first cross-sectional shape of the first fixing member along a height direction perpendicular to the sliding direction and a second cross-sectional shape of the second fixing member along a height direction perpendicular to the sliding direction have shapes that can be fitted together; The first fixing member is then lowered downward, so that the first fixing member and the second fixing member are fitted together. The engagement between the first fixing member and the second fixing member is released by lifting the first fixing member upward from the engaged state; (i) when the first cross-sectional shape includes a convex portion protruding along the sliding direction and the second cross-sectional shape includes a concave portion recessed along the sliding direction, an upper end of the concave portion of the second cross-sectional shape is open, (ii) when the second cross-sectional shape includes a convex portion that protrudes along the sliding direction and the first cross-sectional shape includes a concave portion that is recessed along the sliding direction, a lower end of the concave portion of the first cross-sectional shape is open, one of the first fixing member and the second fixing member has a notch portion at an upper end of a surface facing the other of the first fixing member and the second fixing member, and an end of the recess is open at a bottom of the notch portion; Linear guide device.

2. A guide rail; a slider that is disposed on the guide rail and slides relatively to the guide rail; a dustproof cover that is formed of a bellows-shaped member, is connected to an end of the slider in the sliding direction, and covers at least a part of the guide rail; a first fixing member provided at an end of the dustproof cover; a second fixing member provided at an end of the slider; A linear guide device comprising: a first cross-sectional shape of the first fixing member along a height direction perpendicular to the sliding direction and a second cross-sectional shape of the second fixing member along a height direction perpendicular to the sliding direction have shapes that can be fitted together; The first fixing member is then lowered downward, so that the first fixing member and the second fixing member are fitted together. The engagement between the first fixing member and the second fixing member is released by lifting the first fixing member upward from the engaged state; (i) when the first cross-sectional shape includes a convex portion protruding along the sliding direction and the second cross-sectional shape includes a concave portion recessed along the sliding direction, an upper end of the concave portion of the second cross-sectional shape is open, (ii) when the second cross-sectional shape includes a convex portion that protrudes along the sliding direction and the first cross-sectional shape includes a concave portion that is recessed along the sliding direction, a lower end of the concave portion of the first cross-sectional shape is open, One of the first fixing member and the second fixing member has a recessed portion at an upper end of the recess on a surface facing the other of the first fixing member and the second fixing member, and the upper end of the recessed portion is open at a bottom of the recessed portion. Linear guide device.

3. the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape include a trapezoidal shape at least in the convex portion and the concave portion; The linear guide device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the first cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape include a substantially T-shape at least in the convex portion and the concave portion; The linear guide device according to claim 1 or 2.

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