Linear Guide Side Seal with Thin Film Gap Filler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional side seals in linear guide apparatuses increase sliding friction and allow easier entry of foreign matter due to auxiliary lip portions, which are pressed back by the guide rail, enlarging gaps and compromising the seal's effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A side seal with a thin film that fills part of the gap between the lip portion and the guide rail, ensuring the end face of the thin film is flush with the side seal, reducing friction and preventing foreign matter entry without degrading the original lip function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an auxiliary lip portion is formed on the side seal to fill the gap, then foreign matter entry is prevented, but the contact area between the lip portion and guide rail extends, increasing sliding friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film structure that is flexible enough to deform and fill gaps between the lip portion and guide rail, preventing foreign matter entry while maintaining low contact area. The thin film can adapt to surface irregularities without creating excessive friction, resolving the contradiction between seal effectiveness and friction reduction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the relief portion is provided to provide freedom in deformation, then sliding friction is reduced, but the gap communicates with the inside of the slider, allowing foreign matter entry and lubricant outflow
Solution Approach 1:
A thin film is introduced to cover the relief portion while maintaining the deformation freedom of the lip portion. The thin film acts as a barrier that prevents foreign matter entry and lubricant outflow through the relief portion, while allowing the lip portion to deform and maintain low contact pressure, thus reducing sliding friction.
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 solution effectively prevents foreign matter entry and lubricant outflow while maintaining low sliding friction, thus enhancing the seal's performance without damaging the original lip function.
Implementation Method 1
a thin film coming into sliding contact with the guide rail to fill a part of a gap formed by the lip portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide a side seal capable of preventing the entrance of the foreign matter to the inside of the slider and the outflow of the lubricant without damaging or reducing the original function of the lip, and to provide a linear guide apparatus including the above described side seal. A linear guide apparatus (1) includes a side seal (30) attached to an end of the slider (20) in the axial direction and including a lip portion (33) coming into sliding contact with the guide rail (10) .. The side seal (30) includes a thin film (40) coming into sliding contact with the guide rail (10) and filling a part of a gap (34) of the lip portion (33).