Auxiliary Lip Seal Mechanism for Linear Guide Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing seal mechanisms in linear guide apparatuses experience lubricant leakage due to gaps formed at the contact points between the end portions of under seals and side seals, primarily caused by precision issues and relative movement between the slider and guide rail.
Innovation Solution
The proposed seal mechanism incorporates auxiliary lips on the end caps that are bent in the middle to cover the end portions of under seals from two directions, with intersecting and axial direction lips that narrow and extend the leakage route, enhancing the labyrinth effect and improving sealability. Additionally, recessed portions on the side surfaces of the intersecting direction lip further enhance the sealing performance by fitting the under seal end portions within these recesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If under seals and side seals are used to seal between the guide rail and slider main body, then lubricant leakage is prevented, but gaps are formed at the end portions of under seals due to precision issues and relative movement, causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary lip extends in the axial direction and intersects with the side seal, adding a new dimensional sealing approach. This creates an additional sealing path that compensates for gaps in the original under seal-side seal interface, effectively addressing precision issues by sealing from a different spatial dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary lip acts as an intermediary sealing element between the under seal and the side seal. It fills and seals the gaps that form at the interface between the under seal end portion and the side seal, preventing lubricant from leaking through these precision-related gaps.
2Reliability
If under seals and side seals are used to seal between the guide rail and slider main body, then lubricant leakage is prevented, but gaps are formed due to displacement of the seal caused by relative movement, causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary lip is designed to be flexible and adaptable, capable of adjusting to the dynamic conditions caused by relative movement between the slider and guide rail. This dynamic characteristic allows the auxiliary lip to maintain effective sealing contact even when the original seal configuration experiences displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing the auxiliary lip that extends axially and intersects the side seal, the invention creates a multi-directional sealing system. This additional dimensional approach ensures that even if the original seals experience displacement in certain directions, the auxiliary lip provides compensating sealing coverage.
3Reliability
If auxiliary lips are added to cover end portions of under seals, then sealing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary lip is integrated with the end cap structure, merging the sealing function with the existing structural component. This integration approach adds the necessary sealing capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by reusing the end cap as the mounting basis for the auxiliary lip.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The auxiliary lip design effectively seals leaks from both sides, increasing the distance and narrowing the leakage route, thereby significantly improving the sealing performance and preventing lubricant leakage, even when deformation occurs during movement.
Implementation Method 1
The auxiliary lip bent in its middle in the longitudinal direction covers the end portion of the under seal between the end cap and the guide rail from two directions... the axial direction lip and the intersecting direction lip make the route of the leakage to the outside narrow and bent and increase the distance of the route, so that the labyrinth effect advantageously improves the sealing performance.
Implementation Method 2
a lip portion on surfaces, of the third back portion and the third arm portions, facing toward the guide rail, the lip portion being in sliding contact with the guide rail
Implementation Method 3
the under seals and the side seals seal an inside from an outside... the end surface of the retainer is flush with an end surface of the under seal. Although not illustrated, as recited in PTL 1 at paragraph 0023, a side seal is closely fitted to the end surface of the retainer without gaps
Data Source
AI summary
To improve sealability of end portions of under seal in a linear guide apparatus. A seal mechanism of the linear guide apparatus includes under seals and side seals to provide seals between a guide rail and a slider. Auxiliary lip is attached on an inner surface of an end cap and in sliding contact with the guide rail. The auxiliary lip is bent in its middle and covers the end portion of the under seal from two directions. The auxiliary lip includes an axial direction lip and an intersecting direction lip integrally formed with the axial direction lip and continuously extending from an end portion of the axial direction lip.