Compact Linear Motion Guide Unit With Integrated Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear motion guide units with unprotected guide rails face issues with foreign substances adhering to the surfaces, leading to interrupted movement and require numerous components for sealing, which increases size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact linear motion guide unit design featuring a guide rail, slider, end seals with integrated lip portions, oil-impregnated wiper seals, and a scraper, where the wiper seals are fixedly interposed between the scraper and the recessed portion's bottom face, reducing the number of components and maintaining high sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sealing components (end seals, mounting plates, wiper seal assemblies, scrapers) are provided to maintain high sealing performance, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the end seal and wiper seal into a single integrated end seal assembly. The end seal includes a lip portion that contacts the guide rail and a recessed portion that receives the wiper seal, eliminating the need for separate mounting plates and wiper seal assemblies. This merging reduces the number of components while maintaining the sealing functions of both elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated end seal performs multiple functions: the lip portion provides sealing contact with the guide rail, the recessed portion houses and secures the wiper seal, and the single assembly is mounted directly to the slider without requiring additional mounting plates. This multi-functionality reduces component count and simplifies the overall structure.
2Reliability
If multiple sealing components are provided to prevent foreign substance entry, then reliability is improved, but the size of the slider increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the end seal and wiper seal into a single integrated assembly that mounts directly to the slider, the overall length of the slider in the sliding direction is reduced. The elimination of separate mounting plates and the compact integration of sealing functions minimize the space required, thereby reducing the slider volume.
3Reliability
If numerous sealing components are used to maintain sealing performance, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated end seal assembly consolidates multiple sealing functions into a single component that can be mounted in one operation. The recessed portion is formed as an integral part of the end seal, allowing the wiper seal to be received and secured without requiring separate mounting plates or multiple assembly steps, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
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 design achieves high sealing performance over a long term while reducing the number of components and size, stabilizing the wiper seal function and preventing deformation, ensuring smooth sliding and effective foreign substance removal.
Implementation Method 1
wiper seals provided on an outer side of the end seal and impregnated with oil
Implementation Method 2
a lip portion integrally formed on a contact face with the guide rail
Data Source
AI summary
By reducing the component count, a more compact linear motion guide unit having sealing structures capable of maintaining high sealing performance between slider and guide rail over a long term is realized. A rubber-made end seal, attached to each end face of a slider slidably straddling a guide rail, has a lip portion integrally formed on a contact face with the guide rail, and a recessed portion formed in a face opposite to a mounting face attached to the slider. A positional relationship is determined such that the lip portion is located closer to the slider than the recess bottom face is. An oil-impregnated wiper seal is mounted in the recessed portion of the end seal. A scraper is disposed along the outer side of the wiper seal mounted in the recessed portion, so that the wiper seal is fixedly interposed between the scraper and the recess bottom face.