Patent ID: 6517244
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A linear motion guide unit comprising;a track rail provided lengthwise with first raceway grooves and a slider movable with respect to the track rail; the slider being composed of a casing made with second raceway grooves confronting the first raceway grooves and return passages, rolling elements running through load areas formed between the confronting first and second raceway grooves, end caps fastened to end faces of the casing, one to each end face, and provided therein with turnarounds connecting the load areas and the return passages to form recirculating passages where the rolling elements are allowed to run through in an endless manner, lubricating means arranged ion end faces of the end caps, one to each end cap, to lubricate the first raceway grooves formed on the track rail, and end seals disposed over the lubricating means; wherein the lubricating means is comprised of a lubricant-impregnated plate made of a sintered resinous component of porous structure impregnated with lubricant, a backing plate attached to any one of opposing major surfaces of the lubricant-impregnated plate to support the lubricant-impregnated plate, and a cartridge formed as unit having a recess fully enclosing another exposed major surface and a periphery of the lubricant-impregnated plate thereby accommodating the lubricant-impregnated plate in the recess, wherein the lubricant-impregnated plate held in the recess with the backing plate and the cartridge on forward and aft major surfaces thereof is protected from deformation due to any external force, making certain of smooth sliding-contact of the lubricant-impregnated plate with the raceway grooves on the track rail to help reduce sliding resistance.