Curvilinear Rolling Guide Porous Resin Return Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional curvilinear motion rolling guide units require periodic lubrication, leading to increased maintenance costs and complexity, especially in compact designs for industrial robots and semiconductor fabrication apparatus, where a maintenance-free design with reduced lubricant usage is desired.
Innovation Solution
The curvilinear motion rolling guide unit incorporates arcuate pipe members formed from porous sintered resin impregnated with lubricant, directly connected to the casing's undercuts and end caps, eliminating the need for cutting return passage holes and allowing for a compact, lightweight structure with reduced lubricant consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional curvilinear motion rolling guide units are used with periodic lubrication, then smooth rolling operation is achieved, but maintenance cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The porous sintered resin return passage members automatically supply lubricant to the rolling elements through capillary action during operation, eliminating the need for external lubrication systems and periodic maintenance. The members serve themselves by continuously delivering lubricant from their porous structure to the raceway grooves.
Solution Approach 2:
The return passage members are made from porous sintered resin material that can absorb and store lubricant within its porous structure. This porous structure enables continuous lubricant supply through capillary action, replacing conventional solid non-porous return passage components.
2Productivity
If return passage holes are cut in the casing for conventional designs, then rolling element circulation is enabled, but machining complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The return passage function is segmented from the casing structure and implemented as separate porous sintered resin members. These members are positioned in grooves on the casing outer surface and connected to raceway grooves, eliminating the need to cut complex return passage holes through the casing body.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous sintered resin return passage members act as intermediary components between the raceway grooves and the external environment. They provide the circulation path for rolling elements without requiring direct hole-cutting into the casing, serving as a mediating structure that simplifies manufacturing.
3Weight of moving object
If arcuate pipe members are used for return passages, then compact and lightweight structure is achieved, but connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous sintered resin return passage members are positioned locally in grooves on the outer surface of the casing, conforming to the arcuate shape of the raceway. This localized placement with specific geometric adaptation enables compact design without requiring complex connection mechanisms throughout the entire structure.
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
This design simplifies machining, reduces costs, and achieves a maintenance-free lubrication system by ensuring smooth rolling of balls without gaps, while maintaining a compact and balanced structure, thus lowering the overall apparatus weight and maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
arcuate pipe members formed from porous sintered resin impregnated with lubricant
Data Source
AI summary
A curvilinear motion rolling guide unit is such that pipe members adapted to form return passages are disposed respectively at undercuts of wings of an arcuate casing, thereby reducing working costs. A slider has a casing and end caps fixed to respective opposite ends of the casing. Pipe members adapted to form return passages are disposed at the respective undercuts formed on the wings of the casing. Cover members have longitudinally extending grooves, respectively, for covering the pipe members. Fitting grooves formed at opposite ends of the grooves of the cover members are fitted to direction changing passages provided in the respective end caps, whereby the cover members are fixed to the end caps.