Linear motion guide and method for manufacturing side seal members for linear motion guide

Abstract

The present invention relates to a linear motion guide and a method for manufacturing side seal members for a linear motion guide. According to the present invention, the linear motion guide comprises: a guide rail extending in a rod-like form and having rolling body grooves formed on both sides in the width direction; a slider having rolling body grooves facing the rolling body grooves of the guide rail; and a plurality of rolling bodies provided between the rolling body grooves of the guide rail and the rolling body grooves of the slider; and side seal members, each coupled to either end of the slider in the width direction thereof and having a seal convex-concave portion formed on the inner surface facing the guide rail, wherein the seal convex-concave portion has protrusions and recesses alternatively formed along the axial direction, and the inner end portions of the protrusions are spaced apart from the guide rail.

Description

Method for manufacturing a linear motion guide and a side seal member for a linear motion guide

[0001] The present invention relates to a linear motion guide and a method for manufacturing a side seal member for a linear motion guide, and more specifically, to a linear motion guide and a method for manufacturing a side seal member for a motion guide comprising a side seal member formed integrally and provided with a seal protrusion portion.

[0002] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional general linear motion guide.

[0003] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the linear motion guide comprises a guide rail (101) that extends in the axial direction and a slider (102) installed on the guide rail (101) so as to be movable relative in the axial direction.

[0004] On each side of the guide rail (101), an axially extending drive element drive groove (103) is formed, and on the slider body (102A) of the slider (102), a drive element drive groove (107) is formed on the inner side of each of the two hands (104) that is opposite to the drive element drive groove (103). Then, between these two opposing drive element drive grooves (103, 107), a plurality of balls (B) as an example of a drive element are provided to drive, and the slider (102) is configured to move relative to the guide rail (101) along the axial direction by interposing the drive of these balls (B).

[0005] As the above slider (102) moves, the ball (B) interposed between the guide rail (101) and the slider (102) moves to the end of the slider (102), but in order to continuously move the slider (102) in the axial direction, it is necessary to infinitely circulate these balls (B).

[0006] For this reason, a rolling element passage (108) that penetrates axially is formed within the hand portion (104) of the slider body (102A), and at the same time, an end cap (105) that is approximately 'C' shaped is fixed to each end of the slider body (102A) using a fixing means such as a screw (112), and a direction change path (106) that is curved in a semicircular arc shape is formed in the end cap (105) to connect the two rolling element driving grooves (103, 107) and the rolling element passage (108), thereby forming an infinite rolling element loop.

[0007] A pair of side seal members (111) are fixed to both axial ends of the slider (102) together with an end cap (105) via a screw (112). Each side seal member (111) is provided to suppress dust generation from the linear motion guide. Like the end cap (105), the side seal member (111) is approximately 'C'-shaped and has an inner circumference that forms a sealing surface that slides in contact with the guide rail (101). The side seal member (111) is formed, for example, by bonding rubber to a steel plate.

[0008] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 110 is a tap hole of a screw (112) formed in the cross-section of a slider body (102A), 113 is a feeding nipple, and 114 is a fixing bolt hole of a guide rail (101).

[0009] Meanwhile, as a side seal member used in a linear guide device for a vacuum environment, for example, the one shown in FIG. 2 is known.

[0010] The side seal member (211) illustrated in FIG. 2 is fixed to the cross section of a slider body (not illustrated) by interposing a screw (215) together with an end cap (not illustrated). This side seal member (211) is composed of a plurality of first and second plates (212, 213) in the shape of thin plates that are alternately stacked, and a holding plate (214) to which the first and second plates (212, 213) are attached. Each of the first and second plates (212, 213) of the side seal member (211) has an opening (212a, 213a) formed to match the external shape of the guide rail (201) (see FIG. 3), and the holding plate (214) also has an opening (214a) formed to match the external shape of the guide rail (201). The size of the openings (212a, 213a) of the first and second plates (212, 213) constituting the side seal member (211) is larger than the external shape of the guide rail (101), and a gap is created between the side seal member (211) and the guide rail (201). Because of this, the side seal member (211) does not come into contact with the guide rail (201) and moves along the guide rail (201) while maintaining a small gap. In this gap, the shape of the opening (213a) of the second plate (213) is slightly larger than the opening (212a) of the first plate (212), and as shown in FIG. 3, the gap β between the second plate (213) and the guide rail (201) is larger than the gap α between the first plate (212) and the guide rail (201) and forms an uneven shape. In this way, by making the gap between the side seal member (211) and the guide rail (201) an uneven shape, when the gas from which the lubricating oil has evaporated flows between the side seal member (211) and the guide rail (201), a greater resistance is created compared to when it is formed in a flat shape, thereby more effectively suppressing the lubricating oil inside the linear motion guide from vaporizing and leaking to the outside.

[0011] The linear motion guide equipped with the side seal member (211) shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 requires managing the gap between multiple first and second plates (212, 213) and the guide rail (201), and there is a problem in that managing the amount of the gap is difficult, that is, when multiple first and second plates (212, 213) overlap, each plate needs to be positioned. In reality, the gap between the outermost plate and the guide rail can be checked by looking at it or using a gap gauge, but the gap between the inner plate and the guide rail cannot be checked, and there was a problem in that manufacturing and assembly were cumbersome.

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, a linear motion guide (1) as shown in FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 5 is disclosed in Korean Publication No. 10-2013-0111624, but since the gap between the guide rail (2) and the side seal member (10) is of a constant shape, the suppression of the leakage of vaporized lubricant is not effective, and there is a problem that the gap amount must be strictly managed in proportion to the thickness, and there is a problem that the vaporized lubricant leaking from both sides of the ball's rotation cannot be effectively suppressed.

[0013] The present invention is proposed to solve the problems of the conventional technology described above, and aims to provide a linear motion guide and a method for manufacturing a side seal member for a motion guide, wherein the side seal member included within the linear motion guide is integrated and manufactured to form a seal protrusion portion.

[0014] For the purposes mentioned above, the present invention is provided.

[0015] A linear motion guide according to the present invention comprises a guide rail that extends in a rod shape and has rolling element grooves formed on both sides in the width direction, a slider having a rolling element groove formed opposite to the rolling element groove of the guide rail, a plurality of rolling elements provided between the rolling element groove of the guide rail and the rolling element groove of the slider, and a side seal member coupled to the axial end of the slider; wherein the inner surface of the side seal member facing the guide rail is provided with a seal protrusion portion having protrusions and concave portions alternately formed along the axial direction; and the inner end of the protrusion of the seal protrusion portion is spaced apart from the guide rail.

[0016] In addition, the inner surface of the side seal member is provided with a lateral concave portion formed concavely on both sides in the width direction at a position corresponding to the drive groove of the guide rail, and a lateral protrusion protruding inwardly downward from the lower portion of the lateral concave portion; the depth of the concave portion formed in the lateral protrusion portion of the seal is formed deeper than the concave portion formed in the inner side of the base and the lateral concave portion.

[0017] In addition, the side seal member is composed of seal member segments divided in the width direction, and is characterized by having a coupling hole formed in each seal member segment and being coupled to a slider with a bolt.

[0018] In addition, a method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide according to the present invention comprises the steps of: inserting an insert having an insert protrusion and an insert recess formed alternately along the axial direction on an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of a 'C'-shaped side seal member into the recess of the molding die formed with the insert recess, such that the bottom surface of the insert contacts the inner surface of the molding die recess; introducing a molding mixture mixed with metal powder and synthetic resin powder into the molding die recess containing the insert; removing the synthetic resin from the molding mixture by heating it once; removing the insert by heating it twice; and cooling the side seal member.

[0019] In addition, a method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide according to the present invention comprises the steps of: inserting an insert having an outer surface that corresponds to the inner surface of the side seal member into the molding mold in which the insert bottom surface contacts the inner surface of the molding mold in which the molding mold indentation is formed; introducing a molding mixture in which metal powder and synthetic resin powder are mixed into the molding mold indentation into which the insert is inserted; heating the molding mixture to remove the synthetic resin; heating it to a second time to melt the metal powder and form it; applying pressure with a roller having a roller protrusion portion formed alternately with a roller indentation portion along the axial direction along the inner surface of the molded side seal member to form a seal protrusion portion with alternating protrusions and indentations on the inner surface of the side seal member; and cooling the side seal member with the seal protrusion portion formed.

[0020] In addition, a method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide according to the present invention comprises the steps of: inserting an insert having an outer surface that corresponds to the inner surface of the side seal member into the molding mold in which the molding mold indentation is formed, such that the bottom surface of the insert contacts the inner surface of the molding mold indentation; introducing a molding mixture in which metal powder and synthetic resin powder are mixed into the molding mold indentation into which the insert is inserted; heating the molding mixture to remove the synthetic resin; heating it to a second time to melt the metal powder and form it; inserting a slider into the inner surface of the molded side seal member such that a slider indentation and a slider protrusion are alternately formed along the thickness direction to form a seal irregularity portion with alternating protrusions and indentations on the inner surface of the molded side seal member; and cooling the side seal member with the seal irregularity portion formed therein.

[0021] In addition, a method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide according to the present invention comprises the steps of: preparing a molding die having an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of a seal member piece and a molding die recess formed therein; introducing a molding mixture in which metal powder and synthetic resin powder are mixed into the molding die recess; heating the molding mixture to remove the synthetic resin; heating it to a second time to melt the metal powder and form it; inserting a slider into the inner surface of the molded seal member piece, in which a slider recess and a slider protrusion are alternately formed along the thickness direction, to form a seal irregularity portion having alternating protrusions and recesses on the inner surface of the molded side seal member; and cooling the side seal member in which the seal irregularity portion is formed.

[0022] The present invention has a side seal member formed integrally, making it easy to manufacture, and a seal protrusion portion having protrusions and concave portions alternately formed on the inner surface facing the guide rail, thereby increasing resistance to fluid flow between the seal protrusion portion and the guide rail and effectively suppressing leakage of vaporized lubricant.

[0023] In addition, the present invention forms a gap by separating the inner end of the protrusion of the seal protrusion formed on the side seal member from the guide rail, and the gap between the seal protrusion and the guide rail repeatedly increases and decreases along the axial direction, but a larger gap is formed between the guide rail and the concave portion formed adjacent to the protrusion, thereby increasing the resistance to the flow of gas from which the lubricating oil has evaporated, so that the sealing performance can be improved.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating a conventional general linear motion guide, and

[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a side seal member used in a conventional linear guide device for vacuum environments, and

[0026] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the relationship between the side seal member and the guide rail illustrated in FIG. 2, and

[0027] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view illustrating another example of a conventional linear motion guide, and

[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of a side seal member of a linear motion guide illustrated in FIG. 4, and

[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a linear motion guide according to the present invention, and

[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide of the present invention, and

[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the gap between a side seal member and a guide rail provided in the linear motion guide of the present invention, and

[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide of the present invention, and

[0033] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrated to explain another example of a method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide of the present invention, and

[0034] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrated to explain another example of a method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide of the present invention, and

[0035] FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrated to explain a modified example of a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide of the present invention and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0036] All technical and scientific terms used in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise defined, have the meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. All terms used in the present disclosure are selected for the purpose of further clarifying the present disclosure and are not selected to limit the scope of the rights under the present disclosure.

[0037] Expressions such as "comprising," "having," "having," etc. used in the description of the present invention should be understood as open-ended terms implying the possibility of including other embodiments, unless otherwise stated in the phrase or sentence containing such expressions.

[0038] Singular expressions used in the description of the present invention may include the meaning of the plural form unless otherwise stated, and this applies likewise to singular expressions described in the claims.

[0039] Expressions such as "first," "second," etc., used in the description of the present invention are used to distinguish multiple components from one another and do not limit the order or importance of said components.

[0040] Where in the description of the present invention it is mentioned that a component is "connected" or "combined" to another component, it should be understood that the component can be directly connected or combined to the other component, or can be connected or combined through a new or different component.

[0041] The manufacturing method of the linear motion guide and the side seal member provided in the linear motion guide according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a linear motion guide according to the present invention, and

[0043] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide of the present invention, and

[0044] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the gap between a side seal member and a guide rail provided in the linear motion guide of the present invention, and

[0045] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide of the present invention, and

[0046] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrated to explain another example of a method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide of the present invention, and

[0047] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrated to explain another example of a method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide of the present invention, and

[0048] FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrated to explain a modified example of a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide of the present invention and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0049]

[0050] In the following description, the x-direction of Fig. 6 is described as the width direction, and the y-direction is described as the axis direction or length direction.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 6, a linear motion guide (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a guide rail (210), a slider (220), an end cap (230), and a side seal member (240).

[0052] First, the guide rail (210) is extended in the shape of a rod, and a rail hole (211) for fixing the guide rail (210) is formed on the inner side, and a drive body drive groove (213) is formed on both sides in the width direction.

[0053] The slider (220) is installed so as to be movable axially on the guide rail (101), and a drive body drive groove is formed opposite to the drive body drive groove (213) of the guide rail.

[0054] Additionally, a rolling element passage (not shown) penetrating in the axial direction is formed on the side of the slider (210), and screw holes are formed on both sides in the axial direction.

[0055] The end cap (230) is located at both lateral ends of the slider (220), and the end cap (230) has a direction change path formed in a semicircular shape that connects the drive groove of the slider (220) and the drive groove (213) of the guide rail (210) with the drive passage of the slider (220).

[0056] Next, the side seal member (240) is provided by being laminated on the outer side of the end cap (230) as shown in FIG. 7, and includes a base (241) that extends in a direction traversing the guide rail (210) in the width direction, and a side portion (243) that extends downward from both sides of the base (241) in the width direction and is located on both sides of the guide rail (210) in the width direction. In addition, the side seal member (240) includes a plurality of coupling holes (242) that penetrate in the axial direction.

[0057] And, a groove of the same shape is formed on the lower side of the side seal member (240) so that the guide rail (210) can pass through in the axial direction. Hereinafter, the upper surface of the groove is referred to as the inner surface of the base (241), and the side is referred to as the inner surface of the side (243).

[0058] Meanwhile, a lateral concave portion (248) is formed on the side of the base (241) in a shape corresponding to the drive groove (213) of the guide rail (210), and a corner portion (246) protruding inward is formed at the upper side of the lateral concave portion (248), that is, at the corner where the inner surface of the base (241) and the inner surface of the side portion (243) are connected. In addition, a lateral protrusion portion (244) protruding inward is provided on the lower side of the lateral concave portion (248).

[0059] Additionally, seal unevenness (245) is additionally formed on the inner surface and corner portion (246), lateral concave portion (248), and lateral protrusion portion (244) of the base (241). The seal unevenness (245) is formed such that protrusions (2451) and concave portions (2453) formed on the inner surface facing the guide rail (210) are alternately formed along the axial direction.

[0060] At this time, the depth of the concave portion (2453) formed in the lateral protrusion (244) is formed deeper than the concave portion (2453) formed on the inner surface of the base (241) and the concave portion (2453) formed in the lateral concave portion (248).

[0061] In addition, the concave portion (2453) provided in the corner portion (246) at the upper end of the lateral concave portion (248) and the seal protrusion portion (245) at the lower end of the lateral protrusion portion (244) is formed deeper than the concave portion (2453) formed in the inner surface of the base (241) and the lateral concave portion, thereby increasing the resistance to the flow of gas from which the lubricating oil has evaporated, and thus improving the sealing performance.

[0062] In the linear motion guide (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention, end caps (230) and side seal members (240) are stacked sequentially on both sides in the axial direction centered on a slider (220) on a guide rail (210). At this time, screw holes (not shown) formed on both sides in the axial direction of the slider (220) are formed at the same location as the coupling holes (not shown) formed in the end cap (230) and the coupling holes (242) formed in the side seal members (240). Accordingly, a screw inserted in the axial direction through the coupling holes (242) of the side seal members (240) is fastened into the screw holes of the slider (220), thereby causing the end cap (230) and the side seal member (240) to be integrally coupled to the axial end of the slider (220).

[0063] Additionally, a drive body drive groove is formed on the inner side of the slider (220) to engage with a drive body drive groove (213) formed in the lateral direction of the guide rail (210), and a plurality of drive bodies (not shown) are provided between the drive body drive groove of the slider (220) and the drive body drive groove of the guide rail (210) to enable the slider (220) to move in the axial direction. Furthermore, a direction change path is formed in the end cap (230) so that the drive bodies can circulate infinitely.

[0064] Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the seal protrusions (245) formed on the inner surface of the side seal member (240) have protrusions (2451) and concave portions (2453) formed alternately along the axial direction, and the inner end of the protrusion (2451) is spaced apart from the guide rail (210) at a certain distance, and a larger gap is formed between the guide rail (210) and the concave portion (2453) formed adjacent to the protrusion (2451). That is, the gap between the seal protrusions (245) and the guide rail (210) can be repeatedly increased and decreased along the axial direction to increase resistance to fluid flow, etc.

[0065]

[0066] A side seal member (240) for a linear motion guide (200) according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by integrating irregularities to increase the ease of manufacturing and resistance to fluid flow.

[0067] Below, a method for manufacturing a side seal member (240) for a linear motion guide is described in more detail using FIGS. 9 to 12.

[0068] First, the first manufacturing method of the side seal member (240) according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method of processing the seal unevenness using a melting point.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 9, a rectangular molding mold (320) having a molding mold recess (321) formed therein is prepared. Then, an insert (310) is placed on the upper surface of the molding mold recess (321).

[0070] At this time, the insert (310) has an insert protrusion (311) formed along the axial direction on its outer surface to correspond to the 'C'-shaped inner surface of the side seal member (240), and includes a bottom surface (313) that contacts the side of the molding mold recess (320).

[0071] Here, the insert protrusions and insert depressions (311) are formed alternately.

[0072] Accordingly, an insert (310) is positioned opposite to the inner surface of the side sea member (240), wherein the bottom surface of the insert (310) contacts the upper surface of the molding mold recess (320), and the bottom surface (313) of the insert (310) contacts the inner surface of the molding mold recess (321).

[0073] Next, the molding mixture of metal powder and synthetic resin powder is poured into the molding mold recess (310) into which the insert (310) is inserted.

[0074] A molding die (320) into which a molding mixture has been introduced is inserted into a heating device (not shown) and heated for the first time. To elaborate, when the molding die (210) is gradually heated using the Metal Injection Molding Process (MIM), the synthetic resin vaporizes and evaporates through thermal decomposition. Then, a first molded product with a uniform density can be obtained.

[0075] Next, a second heating is performed on the mold (320) in which the first molding is completed. At this time, the melting temperature of the first molded product and the insert (310) is made different so that only the insert (310) undergoes a phase change from solid to liquid, and then the liquefied insert (310) is removed from the mold (320). At this time, it is preferable that the insert (310) melts at a heating temperature of approximately 1,100 to 1,300°C.

[0076] Finally, the entire secondary molded product is uniformly cooled, and then the secondary molded product is separated from the mold (320). Then, a plurality of connecting holes (242) are machined into the separated secondary molded product to manufacture a side seal member (240).

[0077]

[0078] A second manufacturing method of the side seal member (240) according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method of processing the seal unevenness using a slider.

[0079] To elaborate, as in the first method described above, an insert (310) is inserted into a mold (320) in which a molding mold concave portion (321) is formed, and the bottom surface of the insert (310) is positioned so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the molding mold concave portion (321). At this time, the inserted insert (310) has an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of the side seal member (240), and unlike the first manufacturing method, it is not necessary for the insert to have an uneven surface.

[0080] Next, metal powder and synthetic resin powder are mixed according to a preset ratio to create a molding mixture, and the created molding mixture is introduced into the molding mold recess (321) where the insert (310) is located.

[0081] Next, the mold is heated once to vaporize the synthetic resin powder contained in the molding mixture, thereby producing a primary molded product in which only the metal powder remains.

[0082] When the first molded product is produced, a second heating is performed on the mold (320). During the second heating, the metal powder melts and bonds firmly together to form the second molded product, and the insert (310) is melted and removed. At this time, the melting points of the first molded product and the insert (310) are formed differently from each other, and it is preferable that the melting point of the insert (310) be lower than that of the first molded product.

[0083] Next, the mold (320) containing only the secondary molded product is cooled. Meanwhile, when the cooling temperature reaches 700 to 900°C, the mold (320) is removed, and then the slider (340) is inserted into the position where the insert (310) was located.

[0084] At this time, the slider (340) is formed in a rectangular shape, and a slider protrusion (341) is formed along the outer surface. In the slider protrusion (341), slider protrusions (3411) and slider depressions (3413) are alternately formed in the thickness direction. Meanwhile, it is preferable that the slider (340) be made of metal.

[0085] The slider (340) inserted into the secondary molded product is removed in the opposite direction from where it was inserted after a certain period of time. Then, a seal protrusion (245) is formed on the inner surface of the side seal member (240) in which protrusions and concave parts are alternately molded.

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 9, since the slider (340) is formed in a rectangular shape, the concave portion (2453) formed in the corner portion (246) is formed deeper than the concave portion (2453) formed in the lateral concave portion (248), and the concave portion (2453) formed in the lateral protrusion (244) is formed deeper than the concave portion (2453) of the corner portion (246).

[0087] Once cooling is complete, a plurality of connecting holes (242) are machined into the secondary molded product to manufacture a side seal member (240).

[0088]

[0089] A third manufacturing method of the side seal member (240) according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method of processing the seal unevenness using a roller.

[0090] To elaborate, as with the first and second methods described above, an insert (310) is inserted into a mold (320) in which a mold concave portion (321) is formed, and the bottom surface of the insert (310) is positioned so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the mold concave portion (321). At this time, the inserted insert (310) has an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of the side seal member (240), and unlike the first manufacturing method, it is not necessary for the insert to have an uneven surface.

[0091] Next, metal powder and synthetic resin powder are mixed according to a preset ratio to create a molding mixture, and the created molding mixture is introduced into the molding mold recess (321) where the insert (310) is located.

[0092] Next, the mold is heated once to vaporize the synthetic resin powder contained in the molding mixture, thereby producing a primary molded product in which only the metal powder remains.

[0093] When the first molded product is produced, a second heating is performed on the mold (320). During the second heating, the metal powder melts and bonds firmly together to form the second molded product, and the insert (310) is melted and removed. At this time, the melting points of the first molded product and the insert (310) are formed differently from each other, and it is preferable that the melting point of the insert (310) be lower than that of the first molded product.

[0094] Next, the mold (320) containing only the secondary molded product is cooled. Meanwhile, when the cooling temperature reaches 700 to 900°C, the mold (320) is removed, and then a roller (350) is applied to one side of the secondary molded product.

[0095] First, regarding the roller (350), as shown in FIG. 11, the outer diameter surface of the roller (350) is provided with a roller uneven surface (351) in which roller concave portions (3513) and roller protrusions (3511) are alternately formed along the axial direction. Meanwhile, it is preferable that the roller (350) be made of metal.

[0096] The roller pressing step can be performed multiple times until the cooling temperature of the secondary molded product reaches approximately 25°C, which corresponds to room temperature.

[0097] And when cooling is complete, a plurality of connecting holes (242) are machined into the secondary molded product to manufacture a side seal member (240).

[0098]

[0099] The fourth manufacturing method of the side seal member (240) according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method of processing the seal uneven portion using a seal member piece.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 12, the molding die (320) in the fourth manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured in the shape of a seal member piece (240a), unlike the first to third molding dies (320) described above.

[0101] That is, the molding mold (320) having the molding mold concave portion (321) formed therein has an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of the seal member piece (240a) and is formed in a roughly 'L' shape including the base (241a), the side portion (243a), and the inner surface (246a).

[0102] Next, a molding mixture of metal powder and synthetic resin powder is poured into the molding mold's concave portion (321).

[0103] A molding mold (320) into which a molding mixture is introduced is heated first to vaporize the synthetic resin powder contained in the molding mixture, thereby producing a first molded product in which only metal powder remains.

[0104] When the first molded product is produced, a second heating is performed on the mold (320). Through the second heating, the metal powder constituting the first molded product is melted, and a second molded product with a strong bond is formed.

[0105] The molding die (320) that has been heated twice is slowly cooled to separate the secondary molded product from the molding die (320). The separated secondary molded product is formed into a seal member piece (240a) divided in the width direction, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0106] Next, a slider (360) is inserted into the inner surface of the seal member (240a). At this time, the slider (360) is formed with the same shape as the insert (310), and slider concave portions (361) and slider protrusions (363) are alternately formed along the thickness direction.

[0107] The inserted slider (360) is moved in the "A" direction and removed. Then, an uneven surface having the same depth is formed on the inner surface (246a) of the seal member (240a).

[0108] Then, when cooling is complete, a plurality of connecting holes (242) are machined into the secondary molded product to manufacture a seal member piece (240a). Each seal member piece (240a) is connected to a slider (220) by a bolt using the connecting holes (242) formed in each seal member piece (240a).

[0109]

[0110] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true technical scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the following claims.

[0111] The present invention is an integrally formed side seal member, making it easy to manufacture, and is provided with a seal protrusion portion in which protrusions and concave portions are alternately formed on the inner surface facing the guide rail, thereby increasing resistance to fluid flow between the seal protrusion portion and the guide rail and effectively suppressing leakage of vaporized lubricant. Furthermore, the present invention is an efficient seal in which the inner end of the protrusion of the seal protrusion portion formed on the side seal member is spaced apart from the guide rail to form a gap, and the gap between the seal protrusion portion and the guide rail repeatedly increases and decreases along the axial direction, while a larger gap is formed between the guide rail and the concave portion formed adjacent to the protrusion, thereby increasing resistance to the flow of gas resulting from the evaporation of lubricant, and thus improving sealing performance.

Claims

1. A guide rail extending in a rod shape and having rolling element grooves formed on both sides in the width direction; a slider having a rolling element groove formed opposite to the rolling element groove of the guide rail; a plurality of rolling elements provided between the rolling element groove of the guide rail and the rolling element groove of the slider; and a side seal member coupled to the axial end of the slider; A linear motion guide characterized in that the inner surface facing the guide rail of the side seal member is provided with a seal protrusion portion in which protrusions and concave portions are alternately formed along the axial direction; and the inner end of the protrusion of the seal protrusion portion is spaced apart from the guide rail.

2. In claim 1, the inner surface of the side seal member is provided with a lateral concave portion formed concavely on both sides in the width direction at a position corresponding to the drive groove of the drive body of the guide rail, and a lateral protrusion protruding inwardly downward from the lower portion of the lateral concave portion; A linear motion guide characterized in that the depth of the concave portion formed in the lateral protrusion portion of the above seal is deeper than the depth of the concave portion formed in the inner side of the base and the lateral concave portion.

3. A linear motion guide according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side seal member is composed of seal member segments divided in the width direction, and each seal member segment has a coupling hole formed therein and is coupled to a slider by a bolt.

4. A method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide as described in claim 1, A step of inserting an insert having an insert protrusion and an insert recess formed alternately along the axial direction on an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of a 'U'-shaped side seal member into the molding die concave portion formed therein, such that the bottom surface of the insert contacts the inner surface of the molding die concave portion; A step of introducing a molding mixture of metal powder and synthetic resin powder into the concave portion of a molding die containing an insert; A step of removing synthetic resin from a molding mixture by heating for the first time; A step of melting and removing the insert by heating it a second time; Manufacturing of a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide, characterized by including a step of cooling the side seal member.

5. A method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide as described in claim 1, A step of inserting an insert having an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of a side seal member into a molding die having a molding die concave portion formed therein, such that the bottom surface of the insert contacts the inner surface of the molding die concave portion; A step of introducing a molding mixture of metal powder and synthetic resin powder into the concave portion of a molding die containing an insert; A step of removing synthetic resin from the molding mixture by heating it once; A step in which metal powder is melted and molded by secondary heating; A roller pressing step of forming a seal irregular portion having alternating protrusions and concave portions on the inner surface of a side seal member by applying pressure with a roller having a roller irregular portion formed alternately with roller concave portions and roller protrusions along the axial direction on the outer diameter surface along the inner surface of the molded side seal member; Manufacturing of a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide, characterized by including a step of cooling a side seal member having a seal protrusion formed thereon.

6. A method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide as described in claim 1, A step of inserting an insert having an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of a side seal member into a molding die having a molding die concave portion formed therein, such that the bottom surface of the insert contacts the inner surface of the molding die concave portion; A step of introducing a molding mixture of metal powder and synthetic resin powder into the concave portion of a molding die containing an insert; A step of removing synthetic resin from the molding mixture by heating it once; A step in which metal powder is melted and molded by secondary heating; A step of forming a seal irregularity portion on the inner surface of the molded side seal member, in which slider concave portions and slider protrusions are alternately formed along the thickness direction by inserting a slider into the inner surface of the molded side seal member; and Manufacturing of a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide, characterized by including a step of cooling a side seal member having a seal protrusion formed thereon.

7. A method for manufacturing a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide as described in claim 3, Step of preparing a molding mold having an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of the sealing member and a molding mold with a formed concave portion. A step of introducing a molding mixture, in which metal powder and synthetic resin powder are mixed, into the concave part of a molding die; A step of removing synthetic resin from the molding mixture by heating it once; A step in which metal powder is melted and molded by secondary heating; A step of forming a seal uneven surface on the inner surface of a molded side seal member, in which slider concave portions and slider protrusions are alternately formed along the thickness direction by inserting a slider into the inner surface of a molded seal member, and a step of forming a seal uneven surface with alternating protrusions and concave portions on the inner surface of a molded side seal member; Manufacturing of a side seal member provided in a linear motion guide, characterized by including a step of cooling a side seal member having a seal protrusion formed thereon.

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