Abstract:
A linear device ( 10 ) includes a driver, which is arranged to be moveable back and forth along a drive track, and at least one lubricating device ( 28 ) non-moveably connected with the driver. The lubricating device ( 28 ) has at least one lubricating element ( 32 ) that is in lubricating contact with the drive track and at least one lubricant reservoir ( 34 ). At least one functional device ( 34 ) is provided, which maintains the pressure in the lubricant reservoir at a constant value.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a linear device with a driver, which is arranged to be moveable back and forth along a drive track, and with at least one lubrication device non-moveably connected with the driver, which has at least one lubricating element in lubricating contact with the drive track and at least one lubricant reservoir. The invention also relates in particular to a further development of the lubricating device of the linear device known from DE 100 26 238 A1. Therefore, the disclosure of DE 100 26 238 A l  is incorporated by reference herein and is made a part of the disclosure of the present application.  
           [0002]    In practice, it has been shown that with the linear device known from DE 100 26 238 A1, the lubricant is not provided with the uniformity sufficient for the high quality specifications of the Applicants. In addition, an unwanted oscillation of the lubricating means dispenser takes place.  
           [0003]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a linear device of the above-described type, with which the lubricant is released with a more constant dispensing apparatus.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    This object is solved according to the present invention with a linear device of the above-described type, with which at least one functional unit is provided, which holds the pressure in the lubricant reservoir essentially at a constant value. The invention is based on the following understanding: With this type of lubricating device, a negative pressure is formed in the lubricant reservoir by the suction action of the lubricating element, which transfers the lubricant onto the lubricated surfaces. By means of this negative pressure, the lubricating device only dispenses lubricant in operation, while in a non-operation state of the linear device, no lubricant is dispensed. With current lubricant dispensers, the negative pressure in the lubricant reservoir first keeps increasing, and at a random point in time, arrives at a more or less marked pressure equalization with a subsequently higher lubricant dispenser. The present invention provides that in the pressure in the lubricant reservoir essentially is no longer subject to fluctuations, so that the lubricant is dispensed in operation of the linear device with an essentially constant rate.  
           [0005]    In order to prevent contaminating the entire assembly in which the linear device is installed with lubricant, it can be provided that the functional device allows the entry of air from the surrounding environment, which prevents the discharge of lubricant from the lubricant reservoir. In view of the fact that a negative pressure exists in the lubricant reservoir, the functional unit, then, can be formed with a repulsion function.  
           [0006]    In a further form of the invention, it is proposed that the functional device is arranged in a receiving passage of a wall limiting the lubricant reservoir. In this manner, the functional device can be secured in this receiving passage n a simple manner by means of an assembly bushing.  
           [0007]    With a linear device with a worm drive, in which a nut of the driver surrounds a worm threaded spindle representing the drive track and also the lubricant reservoir surrounds at least a part of the circumference of the threaded spindle and is arranged radially outside of the lubricant element, at least one receiving passage can be provided in one wall limiting the lubricant reservoir radially inward. In this manner, in a simple manner, an unintended discharge of lubricant with the result of contaminating the entire linear device and its surroundings is prevented. With an unintended discharge of lubricant radially inward, this lubricant moves to the threaded spindle and from this, by means of the commonly provided devices for clearing away dirt and/or an excess of lubricant is further removed. Alternatively, however, it is possible that at least one receiving passage is a passage running essentially in the direction of the spindle axis.  
           [0008]    According to a first alternative embodiment, the functional device can be formed as a return valve, which connects the lubricant reservoir with the surrounding environment. The return function can be realized in that the return valve has an opening defines by an elastic material, which normally is closed based on the elasticity of the material, but which, however, opens upon exceeding of a predetermined pressure difference. As the elastic material, preferably rubber or a rubber-like material can be used. The opening, preferably formed as a slit, can be provided in a closed end of an essentially tube-shaped section of the return valve, for example.  
           [0009]    In order to be able to form the valve in a constructively simple manner as a return valve, the essentially tube-shaped section can taper in an extension direction that runs orthogonal to the tubular axis. Minimal manufacturing costs of the valve can be ensured, therefore, in that the valve is formed completely from an elastic material. For the return function, it is also advantageous if the valve is arranged in the receiving passage, such that the opening is directed at the lubricant reservoir.  
           [0010]    According to a second alternative embodiment, the functional device can have a semi-permeable membrane, that is, a membrane, which is permeable for air but impermeable for lubricant.  
           [0011]    Finally, the functional device can be an elastic membrane, which defines the lubricant reservoir at least partially and whose surface facing away from the lubricant reservoir is connected with the surrounding environment. With increasing lubricant dispensing, this membrane deforms in the sense of a decrease of the storage volume of the lubricant reservoir. The elasticity of the membrane sees to the negative pressure, which is necessary in order to ensure that the lubricant is dispensed only in operation of the linear device. By tensioning of the elastic membrane, the amount of the pressure in the lubricant reservoir can be adjusted to a desired value, on the one hand, and on the other hand, it can be ensured that the value of the negative pressure during the course of the lubricant dispensing is not changed or only insignificantly changed.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a rough schematic, not-to-scale sectional view of the basic parts of the linear device;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the linear device of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective explosion illustration of the linear device according to FIG. 2;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a valve element of the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the valve element according to FIG. 4 along the line V-V in FIG. 4;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a part of a second embodiment of a linear device according to the present invention; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a part of a third embodiment of a linear device according to the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]    In FIG. 1, a rolling element worm gear for a linear unit according to the present invention is designated generally with reference numeral  10 . It includes a threaded spindle  12  with a spindle axis S and a guide carriage  14  on the threaded spindle  12  that is drivable back and forth in the direction of the spindle axis S. The guide carriage  14  serves for applying a functional device (not shown) that can be positioned by means of the rolling element worm gear  10 . The guide carriage  14  includes a guide carriage main part  16  and a nut device  18  formed separately from the guide carriage main part  16 , which is inserted non-rotatably in an axial passage  16   a  of the guide carriage main part  16 .  
         [0020]    In the outer circumferential surface  12   a  of the threaded spindle  12 , at least one spindle groove  12   b  is formed. According to the number of the screw-type spindle grooves  12   b  running into one another, the threaded spindle  12  operates as a one or more-gear threaded spindle. In the inner circumferential surface  18   a  of the threaded nut device  18 , a corresponding number of counter spindle grooves  18   b  are formed, which together with the spindle grooves  12   b  of the threaded spindle  12 , form a threaded channel  20 , which like the return channel  22  shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, is part of an unless circumferential channel  24 , in which a plurality of rolling elements, preferably spheres (not shown in FIGS. 1) is arranged.  
         [0021]    Ina known manner, the guide carriage  14  is guided to a profile bar (not shown), which is braced to transmit a load on a guide housing, so that the nut device  18  transfers no or almost no load onto the threaded spindle  12  and with reference to the spindle axis S, is non-rotatably, which is supported in end pieces (not shown) of the guide housing to be rotatable about the spindle axis S. In this manner, a rotation of the threaded spindle  12  about the spindle axis S can be converted into a linear movement of the guide carriage  14 .  
         [0022]    As one can see further from FIG. 1, space  26  is available with the rolling element worm gear  10  in the region of the left axial end of the guide carriage main part  16  bordering on the front face  18   c  of the threaded nut device  18 , which is used for receiving a lubricating device  28 , whose structure will be described in greater detail with reference to the next figures:  
         [0023]    According to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lubricating device  28  includes a base body  30 , on whose inner circumferential surface  30   a , a helical groove  3   b  is provided. In the helical groove  3   b , screw-type elements, for example, made from felt or the like, are arranged. From these screw-type elements, the element  32  is a lubricating element, while the elements  33  arranged in the direction of the spindle axis S in front or and/or behind the lubricating element  32  are stripping elements. These stripping elements  33  have the purpose of protecting the lubricating element against dirt particles, which can enter in the area of the lubricating device  28 . In addition, the elements  33  have the purpose of re-collecting the lubricant that runs off from the threaded spindle  12 , in order to ensure its uniform lubrication.  
         [0024]    On the outer side of the base body  30 , a lubricant reservoir  34  is formed. The base body  30  includes annular projections  30   c  and  3   c  in the region of its two longitudinal ends, which project out in a radial direction over the essentially cylindrical outer circumferential surface  30   e  of the bas body. On these annular projections  30   c  and  30   c , a cover bushing  36  is loaded, so that in cooperation with sealing rings  38 , a closed hollow chamber for the lubricant reservoir  38  is formed. In addition, a closure screw  35  for an inlet opening for filling the lubricant reservoir  34  with lubricant, preferably lubricant oil, is shown.  
         [0025]    Also in the area of the longitudinal center of the base body  30 , two annular ribs  30   f  are formed, which extend in a radial direction outer circumferential surface  30   e  of the base body  30 , however, not so far as the annular projections  30   c  and  30   d . In the annular groove  30   g  limited by these two annular ribs  30   f , a lubricant suction element  40  is provided, which rests with its outer circumferential surface  40   a  on the inner surface of the cover bushing  36 . On the inner circumferential surface  40   b  of the lubricant suction element  40 , a wick (not shown) is provided, which penetrates a radial passage of the base body  30  and contacts the outer circumferential surface of the screw-shaped lubricating element  32 . In this manner, the lubricant can be guided from the lubricant reservoir  34  to the lubricating element  32 . This wick can be made as a wick projection of the suction element  40  or as a pat formed separately from the suction element  40  and can be inserted into the connection opening. In addition, instead of the wick, a membrane device can be arranged in the passage, which allows passage of lubricant only in one direction, namely, from the reservoir  34  to the lubricating element  32 , that is, it operates as a type of return valve.  
         [0026]    In order to prevent a discharge of lubricant from the region of the lubricating device  28 , in the area of the longitudinal ends  30   i  and  30   k  of the base body  30 , sealing devices  42  with inner sealing lips  42   a  are provided. An outer nose  42   b  (FIG. 3) ensures the maintenance of the desired relative rotational position between the sealing device  42  and the threaded spindle  12 .  
         [0027]    According to FIG. 2, in the region of the longitudinal ends  30   k  of the base body  30 , in this base body a locking pin  44  additionally is screwed in, whose radial inner end is predetermined for engagement in a spindle groove  12   b  of the threaded spindle  12  and so the desired relative position of the base body  30  and, therewith, the entire lubricating device  28 , is secured with reference to the threaded spindle.  
         [0028]    Finally, in the base body  30 , a plurality of passages  46  and  48  are provided, of which the passage  46  extends in a radial direction with reference to the spindle axis S and the lubricant reservoir  34  is connected with the inner circumferential surface  30   a  of the base body  30 , and of which the passage  48  extends in the axial direction. Each of these passages  46 ,  48  is widened on one of its ends. In each of these passages  46 ,  48 , a valve element  50  is inserted. The valve elements  50  include a shaft  50   a , a widened head part  50   b  and an axial passage  50   c , which is narrowed on the free end of the shaft  50   a  to a slit  50   d . The valve element  50  is made of rubber or a rubber-like material. The end of the shaft  50   a  having the slit  50   d , in addition, is designed so that the slit  50   d  normally is closed, based on the elasticity of the material of the valve element  50 , but when a predetermined pressure difference between the pressure in the passage  50   c  and the pressure of the surrounding environment is exceeded, the slit  50   d  opens.  
         [0029]    The valve element  50  is inserted with its widened head  50   b  into the widened section of the passage  46 ,  48 , whereby the shaft  50   a , respectively, points to the lubricant reservoir. The valve elements  50  are secured in the passages  46 ,  48  by mounting bushings  52 , which are inserted in the widened sections of these passages in a press-fit after insertion of the valve elements  50  into the passages  46 ,  48 . As can be seen from FIG. 2, the outer diameter of the shaft  50   a  has an insignificantly smaller value than the inner diameter of passages  48  or the mounting bushings  52 .  
         [0030]    As an addendum to the previous explanation of an embodiment, in which the functional devices are formed from return valves  50 , it should be noted that additionally or alternatively, also functional devices can be provided, which, according to FIG. 6, are formed as semi-permeable membranes  150 , that is, as membranes that are permeable to air but are impermeable to lubricant. Although the membrane  150  illustrated in FIG. 6 is provided in a radial passage  146 , of course, also the membrane can be accommodated in an axial passage, similar to the passage  48  of the preceding embodiment.  
         [0031]    According to FIG. 7, the functional device can be formed as an elastic membrane  250 , which is tensioned between the base body  230  and the cover bushing  236 . The back side  250   e  of this membrane  250  is connected with the surrounding environment via a passage  236   a  of the cover bushing  236  and therewith, is pressurized with atmospheric pressure. The pressure difference between the negative pressure in the lubricant reservoir  234  and the atmospheric pressure is therefore equalized by means of the elasticity of the membrane  250 .  
         [0032]    If, in connection with the present invention, a “substantially constant pressure” is intended, then this is to be understood that the valve opens with a first, predetermined pressure in the lubricant reservoir and with a second, predetermined pressure in the lubricant reservoir, again closes, whereby the pressure difference between the first and the second predetermined pressure has the smallest possible value.  
         [0033]    It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.  
         [0034]    While the invention has been illustrated and described herein as a lubricating device with pressure equalization, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0035]    Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.