SECURING DEVICE AND LINEAR GUIDING MECHANISM

Abstract

Disclosed is a securing device for providing a movable unit of a linear guiding mechanism with additional safety in that the securing device prevents the movable unit from coming off a guiding rail in case of a bearing malfunction. The securing device comprises at least one securing portion and a coupling portion for coupling the at least one securing portion to the movable unit. The securing portion is engageable with the guiding rail in case of a failure of the movable unit.

Claims

1. A securing device configured to be coupled to a movable unit of a linear guiding mechanism and to secure said movable unit to a guiding rail of said linear guiding mechanism, the securing device comprising: at least one securing portion; and a coupling portion; wherein the coupling portion is configured to couple the at least one securing portion to said movable unit, and wherein the securing portion is engageable with said guiding rail in case of a failure of said movable unit in order to prevent said movable unit from coming off said guiding rail.

2. The securing device according to claim 1, wherein each securing portion comprises one or more abutment portions configured to limit a movement of the securing portion with respect to the guiding rail in at least a direction different to the movement direction of the movable unit.

3. The securing device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the one or more abutment portions is integrally formed with the securing portion.

4. The securing device according to claim 3, wherein each abutment portion is configured to protrude into an elongate groove formed in said guiding rail.

5. The securing device according to claim 4, wherein at least one abutment portion is at least partially formed on the basis of the shape of a respective elongate groove of the guiding rail.

6. The securing device according to 5, wherein each securing portion comprises two abutment portions extending towards each other with a configuration to protrude into respective elongate grooves formed on opposite sides of said guiding rail.

7. The securing device according to claim 6, comprising two securing portions arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, said two securing portions defining an accommodating space for accommodating said movable unit.

8. The securing device according to claim 7, wherein said accommodating space is further defined by said coupling portion.

9. The securing device according to claim 8, wherein said coupling portion comprises two support sections each of which connecting the securing portions.

10. The securing device according to claim 9, wherein said support sections are at least partially flat and extend substantially in parallel to each other, wherein each support section comprises a supporting surface for contacting a mounting surface of said movable unit, and wherein said support sections are coupled to said securing portions such that said abutment portions are arranged at a predetermined distance from said supporting surfaces.

11. A linear guiding mechanism comprising: a guiding rail comprising two guiding grooves arranged on opposite sides of said guiding rail; a movable unit; and a securing device mounted to said movable unit, wherein the securing device is configured to be coupled to a movable unit of a linear guiding mechanism and to secure said movable unit to a guiding rail of said linear guiding mechanism, the securing device comprising: at least one securing portion; and a coupling portion; wherein the coupling portion is configured to couple the at least one securing portion to said movable unit; and wherein the securing portion is engageable with said guiding rail in case of a failure of said movable unit in order to prevent said movable unit from coming off said guiding rail.

12. The linear guiding mechanism according to claim 11, wherein said securing device is mounted on said movable unit by the coupling portion such that the at least one securing portion is arranged with its one or more protrusions protruding into a guiding groove.

13. The linear guiding mechanism according to claim 12, wherein said securing device comprises two securing portions arranged on opposite sides of said movable unit in a movement direction of the movable unit.

14. The linear guiding mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said guiding grooves comprise ball races providing a support for a linear ball bearing.

15. The linear guiding mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said movable guide comprises two raceways each guiding multiple balls such that ball roll axes of the balls contacting the ball races are arranged substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the travelling direction of the balls.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The various embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a linear guiding mechanism with a securing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a securing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a linear guiding mechanism with a securing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed in the movement direction of the movable unit.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a linear guiding mechanism without a securing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure or the application and uses of the present disclosure. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background on the following detailed description.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a perspective schematic view of a linear guiding mechanism 5 with a movable unit 3, a guiding rail 7 and a securing device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] The movable unit 3 is movably engaged with guiding grooves 17, 19 provided on opposite sides of the guiding rail 7 by means of bearings (not shown in FIG. 1). In this way, the movable unit 3 is movable on the guiding rail 7 along the extension direction of the guiding rail 7.

[0047] As is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the guiding rail 7 comprises ball races 33, 35 in the respective guiding grooves 17, 19 which provide a support for balls 41, 43 of a linear ball bearing. The movable unit 3 comprises two raceways 37, 39 for guiding the balls 41, 43 of the linear ball bearing, one raceway on each side of the guiding rail 7. In other words, the movable unit 3 is supported on the guiding rail 7 by means of the balls 41, 43. It is to be noted that although only two balls 41, 43 are shown in FIG. 4, multiple balls 41, 43 which are guided in the raceways 37, 39 in a closed loop are used.

[0048] In order to enable the movable unit 3 to receive loads in all directions, the guiding grooves 17, 19 may be specifically shaped for an optimum force transfer via the balls 41, 43. For example, the guiding grooves 17, 19 comprising the ball races 33, 35 can have a Gothic-arch shape. As is further shown in FIG. 4, the balls 41, 43 are guided on the guiding rail 7 such that their roll axes A1, A2 are substantially parallel to each other when the balls 41, 43 contact the guiding rail 7. In this way, a compact linear guiding mechanism 5 is provided.

[0049] As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the securing device 1 comprises two securing portions 9A, 9B which are coupled to each other at their upper ends by means of a coupling portion 11 having two support sections 23, 25. The support sections 23, 25 comprise supporting surfaces 27, 29 which in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the lower surfaces of the support sections 23, 25 facing towards and contacting the movable unit 3 when mounted on the same. More precisely, as shown in FIG. 1, the supporting surfaces 27, 29 contact a mounting surface 31 of the movable unit 3.

[0050] An accommodating space 21 is defined by the support sections 23, 25 and the inner end faces of the securing portions 9A, 9B. As is shown in FIG. 1, when the securing device 1 is placed on the movable unit 3, the movable unit 3 is accommodated in the accommodating space 21. As is also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, multiple fixation bores are provided in the support sections 23, 25 at positions which are aligned with respective threaded openings provided in the movable unit such that the securing device 1 can be threadedly coupled to the movable unit 3. Consequently, when coupled to each other, the securing device 1 and the movable unit 3 form an integral assembly.

[0051] The securing device 1 comprises abutment portions 13, 15 provided on the respective securing portions 9A, 9B as is shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In the present embodiment, the abutment portions 13, 15 are protrusions which are formed so as to protrude in the guiding grooves 17, 19 formed in the guiding rail 7. In the embodiment, the structure of the securing device 1 is rigid. Consequently, it is necessary to slide the securing device 1 onto the guiding rail 7 in the extension direction of the guiding rail 7. As soon as the abutment portions 13, 15 are arranged such that their free ends are located in the guiding grooves 17, 19, the securing device 1 cannot be separated from the guiding rail 7 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction or longitudinal direction of the guiding rail 7 as a movement of the securing device 1 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail would result in the abutment portions 13, 15 contacting sections of the walls of the guiding grooves 17, 19.

[0052] On the other hand, the securing device 1 is configured such that in a condition in which the securing device 1 is mounted on a respective movable unit 3, the abutment portions 13, 15 are not in contact with the walls of the guiding grooves 17, 19. In other words, in a mounted condition, the abutment portions 13, 15 are arranged at a distance from the walls of the guiding grooves 17, 19 so that no friction occurs between the abutment portions 13, 15 and the guiding grooves 17, 19 when the movable unit 3 is linearly moved along the guiding rail 7.

[0053] Due to the above construction of the securing device 1, the movable unit 3 is accommodated between the guiding rail 7 and the securing device 1 and carries the securing device 1. The securing device 1 does not affect the function of the movable unit 3 but is able to keep the movable unit 3 on the rail in case a supporting function between the movable unit 3 and the guiding rail 7 is lost. In such a case, the movable unit 3 is only allowed to slightly move in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction along the guiding rail 7 until the abutment portions 13, 15 of the securing device 1 contact sections of the guiding grooves 17, 19 and a further movement of the movable unit 3 is limited.

[0054] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure any way. Rob, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.