Side seal and linear guide

Abstract

In the present invention, a side seal (50) has a seal member (41) that is in sliding contact with a guide rail (3), a first holding member (11) that is attached to a slider (20) to a greater extent than the seal member (41) and that holds the seal member (41), and a second holding member (12) that sandwiches the seal member (41) together with the first holding member (11). The first holding member (11) has a plurality of fitting projections (22) that protrude toward the second holding member (12), the second holding member (12) has a plurality of fitting holes (23) into which the plurality of fitting projections (22) are fitted, and the fitting projections (22) are fitted into the fitting holes (23), whereby the side seal (50) is integrated. The first holding member (11) is flexible, and the contact pressure between the fitting projections (22) and the fitting holes (23) increases with the deformation of the first holding member (11).

Description

Side seals and linear guides

[0001] The present invention relates to a side seal and a linear guide.

[0002] Generally, a linear guide comprises a guide rail extending in the axial direction and a slider mounted on the guide rail so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. The slider moves relative to the guide rail in the axial direction via a plurality of rolling elements (balls) that circulate between rolling element rolling grooves formed in the guide rail and the slider. Such linear guides are widely used in linear motion mechanisms in various production facilities.

[0003] In addition, the slider is fitted with side seals on both end faces in the direction in which the guide rail extends, sealing the gap between the guide rail and the slider and preventing foreign matter such as dirt, dust and dirt from entering the inside of the slider.

[0004] Recently, side seals with various structures have been proposed with the aim of improving sealing performance, durability, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a linear guide device in which a sliding scraper having a groove that slides against a guide rail is fitted into a U-shaped groove in a mounting plate attached to the end face of a slider in the sliding direction. The sliding scraper is formed with protrusions and recesses for fitting into the mounting plate, and the force with which it abuts against the guide rail can be adjusted by changing the size and shape of the protrusions and recesses or the positions at which they are formed on the outer surface of the sliding scraper.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a side seal that uses lips to seal between a slider and the upper and both side surfaces of a guide rail. The side seal has multiple seal members with independent lips that are connected to each other so that they can move relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the linear motion direction. The multiple seal members are connected by engaging convex and concave portions that are integrally formed with each seal member.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 proposes a high-tight sealing device comprising a holder case, at least one plate-shaped seal plate disposed within the holder case, and a sealing plate. The seal plate is made of mechanical froth urethane foam, and the seal plate itself has a three-layer structure consisting of rubber-like skin layers forming the surface layers on both sides and a sponge layer forming the intermediate layer between the surface layers.

[0007] Japanese Patent No. 6863550 Japanese Patent No. 6295624 Japanese Patent No. 4615466

[0008] Recently, there has been a demand for manufacturing products that have a low environmental impact, and in the field of linear guides, studies are being conducted on parts that can be easily separated by material and disposed of or recycled. In all of the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 to 3, the sealing member and the parts that support this sealing member are separate, and can be easily separated.

[0009] However, the side seals described in Patent Documents 1 and 3 are not integrated with each other, and the work of attaching them to both ends of the slider is complicated.

[0010] In contrast, the multiple sealing members described in Patent Document 2 are joined and integrated by engaging convex and concave portions. During transportation and storage of the sealing members, the integrated sealing members are stacked and packaged, so the integrated sealing members do not come apart.

[0011] However, when inserting and moving the sealing member into the guide rail, the friction between the sealing member and the guide rail increases, causing the integrated sealing members to separate, which can make the installation work more time-consuming and reduce work efficiency.

[0012] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining problems that occur when assembling a conventional linear guide, and Fig. 9 and Fig. 10A to Fig. 10C are schematic enlarged views of conventional side seals.

[0013] 8, a description will be given of a case in which a first slider 20a and a second slider 20b are assembled to an axially extending guide rail 3. The first slider 20a has a first slider body 21a and end caps 30a, 30a arranged on both end surfaces of the first slider body 21a in the movement direction, and side seals 50a, 51a are arranged on both end surfaces of the first slider 20a in the movement direction. The second slider 20b has a second slider body 21b and end caps 30b, 30b arranged on both end surfaces of the second slider body 21b in the movement direction, and side seals 50b, 51b are arranged on both end surfaces of the second slider 20b in the movement direction.

[0014] The side seals 50a, 51a each have a retaining plate 11a, 31a arranged on the first slider body 21a side, a seal cover 12a, 32a arranged outside the retaining plate 11a, 31a, and a seal member 41a, 42a sandwiched between the retaining plate 11a, 31a and the seal cover 12a, 32a. The seal member 41a, 42a each have a base 15a, 16a held by the retaining plate 11a, 31a, and a lip 13a, 14a that slides against the guide rail 3. The retaining plate 11a, 31a and the seal cover 12a, 32a are engaged with each other by some kind of engaging portion (not shown), and the side seals 50a, 51a each have an integrated structure. The lip portions 13a and 14a are configured to slope outward as they approach the guide rail 3 in order to prevent foreign matter such as dirt, dust, and dirt from entering the inside of the first slider 20a.

[0015] Similarly, the side seals 50b, 51b each have a retaining plate 11b, 31b arranged on the second slider body 21b side, a seal cover 12b, 32b arranged outside the retaining plate 11b, 31b, and a seal member 41b, 42b sandwiched between the retaining plate 11b, 31b and the seal cover 12b, 32b. The seal members 41b, 42b each have a base 15b, 16b held by the retaining plate 11b, 31b, and a lip 13b, 14b that slides against the guide rail 3. The retaining plate 11b, 31b and the seal cover 12b, 32b are engaged with each other by some engaging portion (not shown), and the side seals 50b, 51b each have an integrated structure. In addition, the lip portions 13b and 14b are configured to slope outward as they approach the guide rail 3 in order to prevent foreign matter such as dirt, dust, and dirt from entering the inside of the second slider 20b.

[0016] When assembling the linear guide 1, for example, the first slider 20a is moved along the guide rail 3 in the direction indicated by arrow D1. Next, the side seal 50a is moved in the direction indicated by arrow D1 and fixed to the first slider 20a. Thereafter, the side seal 51a is moved along the guide rail 3 in the direction indicated by arrow D2 and fixed to the first slider 20a. Thereafter, in order to attach the side seal 50b to the second slider 20b, the side seal 50b is moved in the direction indicated by arrow D3 and positioned in the desired position. Thereafter, the second slider 20b is moved in the direction indicated by arrow D3 and the side seal 50b is fixed to the second slider 20b. Thereafter, the side seal 51b is moved in the direction indicated by arrow D4 and fixed to the second slider 20b.

[0017] As described above, when two or more sliders are assembled to the guide rail 3, the side seals 50a, 51a, 51b move in a direction (hereinafter referred to as the "with-grain direction") where the frictional force between the lip portions 13a, 14a, 14b and the guide rail 3 is small. On the other hand, when the side seal 50b moves, the tip of the lip portion 13b faces the movement direction, and the side seal 50b moves in a direction (hereinafter referred to as the "against-grain direction") where the frictional force between the lip portion 13b and the guide rail 3 is large.

[0018] In such a case, as shown in Figure 9, the retaining plate 11b bends in a bow shape due to the large frictional force between the lip portion 13b and the guide rail 3, creating a gap 17 between the retaining plate 11b and the seal cover 12b. As a result, the integrated side seal 50b may be separated into the retaining plate 11b and the seal cover 12b, and the two must be reassembled, reducing work efficiency.

[0019] Similar problems also occur with side seals 51a that move in the grain direction, for example. In normal assembly, the side seal 51a is moved in the direction indicated by arrow D2, as shown in FIG. 10A. However, when an operator changes hands or fine-tunes the position of the side seal 51a during assembly, the side seal 51a may be moved in the counter-grain direction, as indicated by arrow D5, as shown in FIG. 10B. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10C, the side seal 50b may disassemble into the retaining plate 31a and the seal cover 32a. In such cases, the retaining plate 31a and the seal cover 32a must be aligned and integrated using an engagement portion (not shown), reducing assembly efficiency.

[0020] Side seals with a snap-fit ​​structure at the engaging parts are also known to prevent the side seal from coming apart during assembly, but if the parts are tightly joined together, disassembly during recycling is time-consuming.

[0021] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a side seal in which a sealing member and a member that clamps the sealing member are integrated, which can be assembled without using special tools, has excellent work efficiency when attaching to a slider, and can be easily disassembled to improve recyclability, as well as a linear guide equipped with this side seal.

[0022] The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration: (1) A side seal joined to an end surface of a slider in a movement direction of a linear guide having a guide rail and a slider straddling the guide rail so as to be relatively movable, the side seal comprising: a seal member that makes sliding contact with the guide rail, a first holding member that is attached to the slider side of the seal member and holds the seal member, and a second holding member that is attached to the side of the seal member opposite the first holding member and holds the seal member together with the first holding member, wherein one of the first holding member and the second holding member has a plurality of fitting protrusions that protrude toward the other holding member, and the other holding member has a plurality of fitting holes into which the plurality of fitting protrusions are fitted, the fitting protrusions being fitted into the fitting holes, the first holding member being flexible, and the side seal configured so that contact pressure between the fitting protrusions and the fitting holes increases as the first holding member deforms. (2) The side seal according to (1), wherein the first holding member has the fitting protrusion, and when the first holding member is deformed, the axial direction of the fitting protrusion is tilted, thereby increasing the contact pressure between the fitting protrusion and the fitting hole. (3) The side seal according to (1), wherein the first holding member has the fitting hole, and when the first holding member is deformed, the axial direction of the fitting hole is tilted, thereby increasing the contact pressure between the fitting protrusion and the fitting hole. (4) The side seal according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the fitting protrusion protrudes from a surface of the other holding member. (5) The side seal according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein, in a cross section parallel to the movement direction of the slider, the cross-sectional shape of the fitting protrusion and the cross-sectional shape of the fitting hole are substantially the same. (6) The side seal according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the fitting protrusion and the fitting hole are disposed at a position spaced apart from a surface where the seal member and the guide rail make sliding contact. (7) A linear guide including the side seal according to any one of (1) to (6).

[0023] The side seal of the present invention can be assembled without using special tools, has excellent work efficiency when attached to the slider, and can be easily disassembled, improving recyclability. Furthermore, the linear guide of the present invention is provided with side seals having excellent performance as described above, which improves work efficiency during assembly and recyclability.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a side seal joined to an end surface of the slider shown in FIG. 1 in the movement direction. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first holding member constituting the side seal. FIG. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of the side seal before assembly. FIG. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion of the side seal during or after assembly. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a side seal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a schematic view showing an initial state of the side seal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a schematic view showing a state in which the second holding member is inclined in the side seal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is a schematic view showing an example of the relationship between a fitting protrusion and a fitting hole. FIG. 7B is a schematic view showing another example of the relationship between a fitting protrusion and a fitting hole. FIG. 7C is a schematic view showing another example of the relationship between a fitting protrusion and a fitting hole. FIG. 7D is a schematic view showing another example of the relationship between a fitting protrusion and a fitting hole. Fig. 7E is a schematic diagram showing another example of the relationship between the fitting protrusion and the fitting hole. Fig. 7F is a schematic diagram showing another example of the relationship between the fitting protrusion and the fitting hole. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining problems that occur when assembling a conventional linear guide. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of a conventional side seal. Fig. 10A is a schematic diagram showing a conventional side seal when moved in the direction indicated by arrow D2. Fig. 10B is a schematic diagram showing a conventional side seal when moved in the direction indicated by arrow D5. Fig. 10C is a schematic diagram showing a conventional side seal disassembled.

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the side seal and linear guide according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and can be implemented with any modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0026] 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 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 movable relative to the guide rail 3 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.

[0027] 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).

[0028] The slider 20 comprises 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, 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.

[0029] 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 is attached to the end cap 30 for supplying grease or the like to the inside of the slider 20. In addition, a pair of side seals 50, 50 are arranged on the end faces of the slider 20 in the movement direction.

[0030] 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 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, thereby joining the side seals 50 to the end faces of the slider 20, which include the end caps 30 and the slider main body 21, in the movement direction.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the side seal 50 joined to the end surface of the slider 20 shown in Fig. 1 in the movement direction. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the 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.

[0032] 2 and 3 , the side seal 50 is an assembly formed by combining and integrating parts made of different materials, and is C-shaped in plan view, similar to the cross-sectional shape of the slider body 21. The side seal 50 includes a seal member 41 that slides against the guide rail 3, and a first holding member (holding plate) 11 and a second holding member (seal cover) 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 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.

[0033] The seal member 41 is made of a material such as polyester elastomer. 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 shape of the side and top surfaces of the guide rail 3. The seal member 41 includes a lip portion 13 that slides against 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. 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 seal member 41 is held by the first holding member 11 by the engagement of the recess 26a and protrusion 26b with the protrusion 45a and recess 45b. The lip portion 13 extending from the base portion 15 of the seal 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.

[0034] 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, the seal member 41, and the second holding member 12 are integrated to form a side seal 50.

[0035] 4A, the lip portion 13 of the single side seal 50 before assembly is not subjected to any external force and maintains the shape it had at the time of manufacture. However, when the side seal 50 is attached to the slider 20, the lip portion 13 is pressed against the guide rail 3 and deforms in a more inclined direction.

[0036] Here, during assembly, when the side seal 50 is moved toward the slider 20 to which it is attached, the lip portion 13 moves in the grain direction, so the frictional force between the lip portion 13 and the guide rail 3 is small. In addition, the first holding member 11 is moved while being pressed against almost the entire surface by the second metal holding member 12, so the first holding member 11 and the second holding member 12 do not come off.

[0037] However, when the side seal 50 is moved in a direction away from the slider 20, as shown in Fig. 4B, the lip portion 13 moves in the direction against the grain while being pressed against the guide rail 3, so the frictional force between the lip portion 13 and the guide rail 3 becomes significantly large. With a conventional side seal, as shown in Fig. 9, the retaining plate 11b is no longer able to follow the direction of movement, and the seal cover 12b tries to come off the retaining plate 11b.

[0038] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , when the side seal 50 is moved in the direction of arrow D11 (away from the slider), the first holding member 11 is configured to bend in a bow shape. As a result, the axial direction of the fitting protrusion 22 is tilted so that the tip of the fitting protrusion 22 approaches the guide rail 3, increasing the angular difference with the axial direction of the fitting hole 23 of the second holding member 12. That is, as the first holding member 11 deforms, a prying force is generated between the fitting protrusion 22 and the fitting hole 23, increasing the contact pressure between the fitting protrusion 22 and the fitting hole 23. Furthermore, as the angular difference between the axial direction of the fitting protrusion 22 and the axial direction of the fitting hole 23 increases, the fitting protrusion 22 also bites into the corner of the fitting hole 23 farther from the guide rail 3. As a result, the fitting protrusion 22 can be prevented from coming out of the fitting hole 23. As will be described later, it is more preferable that the length of the fitting projection 22 is longer than the depth of the fitting hole 23 .

[0039] In this embodiment, the first holding member 11 is made of a flexible material, but the second holding member 12 and the end cap 30 are made of a material that has sufficient rigidity and does not easily deform. Therefore, after the side seal 50 and the end cap 30 are fixed to the slider body 21 with the mounting screws 35, the side seal 50 is hardly deflected by the frictional force between the lip portion 13 and the guide rail 3, and the desired sealing performance can be maintained.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in a cross-sectional view parallel to the movement direction of the slider 20, the cross-sectional shape of the fitting protrusion 22 and the cross-sectional shape of the fitting hole 23 are approximately the same, and it is preferable that the tip of the fitting protrusion 22 does not have an engaging portion such as a hook or claw that engages with the fitting hole 23. With this configuration, the unnecessary side seal 50 can be more easily disassembled into the first holding member 11, the seal member 41, and the second holding member 12 without using special tools. Note that the tip of the fitting protrusion 22 may be chamfered to make it easier to insert the fitting protrusion 22 into the fitting hole 23, for example.

[0041] 6A and 6B , a preferred relationship between the fitting projection 22 and the fitting hole 23 will be specifically described. In the initial state shown in Fig. 6A , the first holding member 11 and the second holding member 12 are arranged parallel to each other, and the relationship between the fitting projection 22 and the fitting hole 23 is, for example, a clearance fit.

[0042] As the first holding member 11 deforms, the contact pressure between the fitting protrusion 22 and the fitting hole 23 increases, preventing the fitting protrusion 22 from slipping out of the fitting hole 23. For example, the gap between the two can be adjusted. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6B , while one end of the first holding member 11 and the second holding member 12 remains in contact, the first holding member 11 and the second holding member 12 are separated from each other at a portion spaced apart from this end. The first holding member 11 and the second holding member 12 are then designed to come into contact with the fitting protrusion 22 and the fitting hole 23 when the angle between them is 1°.

[0043] In the side seal 50 configured in this manner, when the first holding member 11 is bent and a space is formed between it and the second holding member 12, the fitting protrusion 22 comes into contact with the fitting hole 23, increasing the contact pressure between them. Therefore, the fitting protrusion 22 can be prevented from coming out of the fitting hole 23.

[0044] Even when the fitting protrusion 22 and the fitting hole 23 are in contact with each other with high contact pressure, some slippage occurs between them. Therefore, to further prevent the fitting protrusion 22 from coming out of the fitting hole 23 even when slippage occurs, it is preferable to form the axial length of the fitting protrusion 22 longer than the axial length of the fitting hole 23. In other words, if the fitting protrusion 22 protrudes from the surface of the second holding member 12 opposite the first holding member 11 side, the more the first holding member 11 bends, the more strongly the fitting protrusion 22 of the first holding member 11 hits the fitting hole 23 of the second holding member 12. As a result, the slippage prevention effect can be further improved, and the side seal 50 can be assembled to the slider 20 without disassembling the first holding member 11 and the second holding member 12.

[0045] Furthermore, when the second holding member 12 is manufactured by press molding, sheared surfaces and fractured surfaces are formed on the inner wall of the fitting hole 23 due to the press working. When the fitting protrusion 22 is thinner than the thickness of the second holding member 12, the fitting force varies depending on whether the surface of the second holding member 12 facing the first holding member 11 is the sheared surface side or the fractured surface side. In this embodiment, when the axial length of the fitting protrusion 22 is longer than the axial length of the fitting hole 23, excellent fitting force can be obtained regardless of the orientation of the second holding member 12. Furthermore, when the second holding member 12 has a left-right or top-bottom symmetrical shape, it is not necessary to consider the front and back when arranging the second holding member 12, which improves workability during assembly.

[0046] 7A to 7F are schematic diagrams showing examples of the relationship between the fitting protrusions and the fitting holes. As shown in FIG. 7A, the fitting protrusion 22a may have a smaller diameter than the fitting hole 23a, resulting in a clearance fit with a gap C. As shown in FIG. 7B, the fitting protrusion 22b and the fitting hole 23b may have substantially the same diameter, or may have an interference fit with the fitting protrusion 22b having a larger diameter to the extent that they can be fitted together. Also, as shown in FIG. 7C, the fitting protrusion 22c and the fitting hole 23c may have different cross-sectional shapes, resulting in an interference fit. As shown in FIG. 7D, the distance P1 between two fitting protrusions 22d may be smaller than the distance P2 between two fitting holes 23d, resulting in a partial gap. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7E, one fitting protrusion 221e and fitting hole 231e may have an interference fit relationship, and the other fitting protrusion 222e and fitting hole 232e may have a clearance fit relationship.

[0047] The number of fitting protrusions and fitting holes does not need to be two, and multiple fitting protrusions and fitting holes may be provided. For example, as shown in Fig. 7F, three fitting protrusions 221f, 222f, and 223f and three fitting holes 231f, 232f, and 233f may be provided. The shapes and sizes of the fitting protrusions 221f, 222f, and 223f and the fitting holes 231f, 232f, and 233f may be combined in any manner. For example, the fitting protrusions 221f and the fitting hole 231f may have an interference fit relationship, and the fitting protrusions 222f and the fitting hole 232f, and the fitting protrusions 223f and the fitting hole 233f may have a clearance fit relationship.

[0048] The first holding member 11 is preferably designed to bend 5 to 20 degrees due to the frictional force generated between the lip portion 13 and the guide rail 3 when it is moved in a direction away from the slider 20. For example, it is preferable to position the fitting protrusion 22 and fitting hole 23 of the first holding member 11 at a position separated from the surface where the lip portion 13 of the seal member 41 and the guide rail 3 slide against each other. Specifically, it is preferable to position the fitting protrusion 22 of the first holding member 11 outside the side surface 3b of the guide rail 3 in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide rail 3. It is also preferable to provide a recess in the first holding member 11 to adjust the rigidity (flexibility) of the holding plate.

[0049] As described above, the side seal 50 according to this embodiment is an assembly, but it can be easily assembled and disassembled without the use of special tools. This allows the components that make up the side seal 50 to be easily separated and disposed of or recycled, even if they are made of different materials. Furthermore, when assembling the side seal 50 to the slider 20, even if the frictional force between the lip portion 13 and the guide rail 3 is large, the side seal 50 can be easily attached to the slider 20 without disassembling the first holding member 11 and the second holding member.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the first holding member 11 is provided with the fitting protrusions 22, the second holding member 12 is provided with the fitting holes 23, and the fitting protrusions 22 are fitted into the fitting holes 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this. One of the first holding member 11 and the second holding member 12 may be provided with a plurality of fitting protrusions 22 that protrude toward the other holding member, and the other holding member may be provided with a plurality of fitting holes 23 into which the plurality of fitting protrusions 22 are fitted. In other words, the second holding member 12 may be provided with the fitting protrusions 22, and the first holding member 11 may be provided with the fitting holes 23, and the fitting protrusions 22 may be fitted into the fitting holes 23. Even with this configuration, if the first retaining member 11 is deformed, the axial direction of the mating hole 23 will tilt, and the contact pressure with the axial direction of the mating protrusion 22 of the second retaining member 12 will increase, thereby preventing the first retaining member 11 and the second retaining member 12 from coming apart.

[0051] The linear guide according to this embodiment is equipped with the side seal 50 according to the above embodiment. By providing the side seal 50, which can be easily assembled and disassembled, it is possible to improve workability when assembling and disassembling the linear guide, and also to improve recyclability.

[0052] 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.

[0053] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0054] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2023-109502) filed on July 3, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 linear guide 3 guide rail 11 first holding member 12 second holding member 13 lip portion 15 base portion 20 slider 21 slider body 22, 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 221e, 222e, 221f, 222f, 223f fitting protrusions 23, 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 231e, 232e, 231f, 232f, 233f fitting holes 30 end cap 41 seal member 50 side seal

Claims

1. A side seal attached to an end surface of a slider in a moving direction of a linear guide having a guide rail and a slider mounted on the guide rail for relative movement, the side seal comprising: a seal member that slides against the guide rail; a first retaining member that is attached to the slider side of the seal member and holds the seal member; and a second retaining member that is attached to the side of the seal member opposite the first retaining member and holds the seal member together with the first retaining member, wherein one of the first retaining member and the second retaining member has a plurality of fitting projections that protrude toward the other retaining member, and the other retaining member has a plurality of fitting holes into which the multiple fitting projections are fitted, the fitting projections being fitted into the fitting holes, the first retaining member is flexible, and the side seal is configured such that the contact pressure between the fitting projections and the fitting holes increases as the first retaining member deforms.

2. A side seal as described in claim 1, wherein the first retaining member has the fitting protrusion, and when the first retaining member is deformed, the axial direction of the fitting protrusion becomes inclined, and the contact pressure between the fitting protrusion and the fitting hole increases.

3. A side seal as described in claim 1, wherein the first retaining member has the fitting hole, and when the first retaining member is deformed, the axial direction of the fitting hole inclines and the contact pressure between the fitting protrusion and the fitting hole increases.

4. A side seal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fitting projection protrudes from a surface of said other holding member.

5. The side seal according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the fitting projection and the cross-sectional shape of the fitting hole are substantially the same in a cross-sectional view parallel to the moving direction of the slider.

6. A side seal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fitting projection and said fitting hole are disposed at a position spaced apart from the surface where said seal member and said guide rail make sliding contact.

7. A linear guide equipped with a side seal according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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