JP2613333B2 - Rodless cylinder - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rodless cylinder which promotes a reduction in occupied space and can operate smoothly without being affected by a horizontal load.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of rodless cylinders have been adopted as a work transfer device in a factory or the like.

[0003] A rodless cylinder can reduce the stroke length as compared with a cylinder with a rod, and therefore occupies a small area, is easy to handle, and has more dust in the cylinder than a cylinder with a rod. This is because it is possible to prevent the intrusion of the position and the like, and as a result, it is possible to perform an advanced positioning operation and the like.

For example, US Pat. No. 4,373,427 or German Patent 3,124,915 discloses such a rodless cylinder. In particular, German Patent 31249
In the rodless cylinder according to No. 15, a guide groove is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder tube and the upper surface of the cylinder in which the slit is defined, and a leg extending from both ends of the slide table to the cylinder tube side in the guide groove. It is configured such that different guide means provided on the portion are engaged. According to German Patent No. 3124915, when a lateral force is applied, the guide means are engaged with each other to prevent the slit from widening.

[0005]

However, according to the above-mentioned German Patent 3,124,915, it is necessary to extend the legs from the slide table further outward than the outer surface of the cylinder tube, and to hold the guide means. Therefore, when the guide means are engaged with each other when a lateral force is applied, one end face of the cylinder tube forcibly defining the slit is forced to the other end face of the cylinder tube for defining the mating slit. And the bore diameter is reduced as a whole, forcing the piston to stop. That is, it has been pointed out that the application of a lateral force causes the piston to stop, which unexpectedly stops the transfer action on the work, which is extremely dangerous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to overcome the above problems, and in particular, it is possible to prevent the bore diameter from being reduced even when a lateral force acts on the slide table. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rodless cylinder capable of smoothly reciprocating the slide table without causing the slide table.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a cylinder and a slide table, and the cylinder reciprocates in a cylinder tube and a bore defined in the cylinder tube. A slit extending in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder tube and communicating the outside with the bore, the slit being associated with a first seal member engaged with the piston and the slide table. A first holding mechanism that is closed by a mating second seal member, guides the slide table to the cylinder tube and the slide table when the piston reciprocates, and supports a load acting on the slide table. And a second holding mechanism,
The first holding mechanism includes a set of first rail members provided on the cylinder tube for carrying a load F applied to the slide table, and a set of first rotating bodies provided on the slide table. The second holding mechanism includes a set of a second rail member provided on the cylinder tube, and a second rail member provided on the cylinder tube for supporting a load A orthogonal to a load F applied to the slide table. A set of second rotating bodies provided,
The axis of the second rotator is inclined at an angle that intersects with the axis of the first rotator, and on the opposite side of the slit with respect to the application site of the load A applied to the slide table. The second rotating body provided
By transmitting the load A to the rail member, the diameter of the bore of the cylinder tube is prevented from being reduced. Still further, the present invention comprises a cylinder and a slide table, wherein the cylinder has a cylinder tube and a piston that reciprocates in a bore defined in the cylinder tube. The slit extends to communicate the outside and the bore, and the slit is closed by a first seal member engaged with a piston and a second seal member engaged with the slide table, and the cylinder tube and A first holding mechanism and a second holding mechanism for guiding the slide table when the piston reciprocates and supporting a load acting on the slide table, wherein the first holding mechanism includes A set provided on the cylinder tube to carry the load F applied to the slide table A first rail member consists of a pair of rotating bodies which are provided on the slide table,
The second holding mechanism includes a set of second rail members provided on the cylinder tube for carrying a load A orthogonal to a load F applied to the slide table, and a set of second rail members provided on the slide table. The sliding surface of the sliding member is inclined at an angle intersecting with the rolling surface of the first rail member, and the load A applied to the slide table is applied to a portion where the load A is applied. On the other hand, by transmitting the load A from the sliding body provided on the opposite side of the slit to the second rail member, the diameter of the bore of the cylinder tube is prevented from being reduced. .

[0008]

According to the rodless cylinder of the present invention, the first holding mechanism and the second holding mechanism capable of supporting the load acting on the slide table and preventing a change in the bore diameter are provided. When a force is applied to the slide table in the vertical direction, it is received by the first holding mechanism, and when a force is applied to the slide table in the horizontal direction, it is received by the second holding mechanism.
In particular, even when an unexpected lateral force is applied, it is possible to reliably prevent the bore inner diameter from being reduced, and to prevent the piston from being stopped during the transfer of the work.

[0009]

1, a reference numeral 10 indicates a rodless cylinder according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The rodless cylinder 10 has a cylinder tube 12 and a slide table 14. The cylinder tube 12
As shown in FIG. 3, it is hung on the mounting wall 15 at the time of use, and has a bore 16 extending in the longitudinal direction therein (see FIG. 2). Is in communication with the outside through the slit 18 defined in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, long grooves 20a to 20d extending in the longitudinal direction for sensor mounting are defined on the side surface of the cylinder tube 12, and the fluid bypass passages 22a and 22b for centralized piping are similarly formed. Are defined to extend in the longitudinal direction.

In FIG. 3, below the long grooves 20a and 20c, the first corner portion of the cylinder tube 12 is
A recess 28 and a second recess 30 are formed, and first side surfaces 32 a and 32 b defining the first and second recesses 28 and 30.
Is slightly (several degrees) in opposite directions to the horizontal
On the other hand, the second side surfaces 34a, 34b defining the recesses 28, 30 are inclined at a predetermined angle, for example, 45 °, in directions opposite to each other with respect to the vertical direction. The slit 18 communicates the bore 16 with the outside as described above, and the side walls defining the slit 18 are provided with steps 36a and 36b so as to expand toward the bore 16 side. The surface extending downward from the inner side surface of the slit 18 is configured as a horizontal plane, and once it becomes a vertical plane,
The first and second concave portions 28 and 30 are connected to each other.

The two ends of the cylinder tube 12 constructed as described above are hermetically closed by end caps 40a, 40b in which ports 38a, 38b are defined (see FIG. 1). In FIG. 3, reference numeral 42 denotes a sensor for detecting the position of the piston or the slide table 14.

Next, the slide table 14 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slide table 14 includes a relatively thick U-shaped plate 50, and arm portions 51a extending upward in FIG. , 51b and the first and second recesses 28, 30 of the cylinder tube 12 guide the slide table 14 during reciprocating operation of a piston (described later) and support a load acting on the slide table 14 to bore the same. 16
The first holding mechanism 52 and the second
A holding mechanism 54 is provided. The first holding mechanism 52
Actually, the load acting on the slide table 14 in the vertical direction can be supported, while the second holding mechanism 54
Can support a load acting on the slide table 14 in the horizontal direction.

The first holding mechanism 52 has arms 51a and 51b.
A plurality of rods 55a, 55b fixed slightly inclining in directions opposite to each other with respect to the horizontal direction (downward with respect to the direction approaching each other in FIG. 3) on the opposing wall surfaces.
And guide rollers (rotating bodies) 56a, 56b rotatably mounted on the distal ends of the rods 55a, 55b, and the guide rollers 56a, 56b fixed to the first side surfaces 32a, 32b of the cylinder tube 12 to rotate. Rail members 58a and 58b that move.

Similarly, the second holding mechanism 54 includes the arm 51
a, 51b on opposite wall surfaces in directions opposite to each other with respect to the vertical direction (directions approaching each other in FIG. 3).
° a plurality of rods 55c, 55d fixed at an angle,
Guide rollers 56c, 56d rotatably mounted on the distal ends of the rods 55c, 55d, and rail members 58c, which are fixed to the second side surfaces 34a, 34b of the cylinder tube 12, and on which the guide rollers 56c, 56d roll, 5
8d.

A groove 62 extending in the longitudinal direction is defined through the center of the slide table 14, and the center of the groove 62 expands in a circular shape to form a space 64. Groove 62
Has a curved concave portion 66 directed toward the lower surface 50a of the plate body 50 in FIG. 3 on the opposite side to the cylinder tube 12, as can be understood from FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the piston 70. The piston 70 has a first pressure receiving surface 72 and a second pressure receiving surface 74 opposite to the first pressure receiving surface 72, and cushion seals 76a, 76
6b is provided (see FIG. 6). Above the cylindrical piston 70, belt separators 78a and 78b are fixed to the piston yoke 80, and above the piston yoke 80, a roller 84 is fixed via a coupler 82. As shown in FIG. 6, in the inside of the slide table 14, scraper 84a, and 84b are provided, the coupler 82 is configured to fit in the space 64 of the circular shape having a flat circular shape ing. FIG.
Reference numeral 86 denotes a passage through which a first seal member described later intrudes into the piston.
Indicates a cushion ring.

FIG. 7 shows a seal member fitted to the steps 36a and 36b. The first sealing member 90 includes tongue pieces 92a, 92
b, and bulges 94a, 94b are further provided above the tongue pieces 92a, 92b. The bulges 94a, 9
The engagement piece 9 is directed upward from the base 4b so as to slightly expand.
6a and 96b extend. The bulging portions 94a, 94
b is for engaging the step portions 36a, 36b when an internal pressure is applied to the inside of the piston 70, and the engaging pieces 96a, 96b are further provided with inner surfaces 98a, 98b for defining the slit 18. Engages. This first seal member 9
Numeral 0 is integrally formed of a flexible synthetic resin body as a whole. On the other hand, the second sealing member 97
And is fitted into a groove 99 extending in a longitudinal direction from above a slit defined on the upper end surface of the cylinder tube 12. The first seal member 90 is
It penetrates into the passage 86 of the piston 70, and both ends thereof are
End caps 40a and 40b together with the sealing member 97
It is stuck to.

Next, the operation of the rodless cylinder 10 configured as described above will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, after the cylinder tube 12 is suspended from the mounting wall surface 15, the work W is fixed to the lower surface 50a of the slide table 14. When compressed air is introduced from the port 38a, the compressed air presses the first pressure receiving surface 72 through a passage defined inside the cushion ring 87. Thereby, the piston 70 is displaced to the left (in the direction of arrow X) in FIG. At this time, since the coupler 82 is fitted in the space 64 of the slide table 14, the piston 70 integrally displaces the slide table 14 and similarly moves the slide table to the left. At this time, the belt separators 78a, 78
8b acts to separate the first seal member 90 and the second seal member 97 between the slide table 14 and the piston 70. Therefore, the work W placed on the slide table 14 can be transferred to the left side in FIG. When compressed air is introduced into the port 38b, the opposite operation is performed.

The roller 84 slides on the second seal member 97 during the transfer to facilitate the transfer.

In FIG. 3, when a relatively heavy work W is fixed to the slide table 14,
A vertical load F acts on the slide table 14, and a horizontal load easily acts on the arms 51a and 51b via a moment M. At this time, in the present embodiment, the guide rollers 56a constituting the first holding mechanism 52,
56b and the rail members 58a and 58b, the vertical load F
And a guide roller 56c that constitutes the second holding mechanism 54 and is inclined with respect to the vertical direction.
The load acting in the horizontal direction via the moment M can be reliably received by the 56d and the rail members 58c, 58d. Here, the axes of the guide rollers 56a and 56b constituting the first holding mechanism 52 are slightly inclined downward in a direction approaching each other with respect to the horizontal direction. Therefore, with respect to the moment M acting on the slide table 14,
The piston 70 can be displaced without increasing the width of the slit 18 or the like.

Furthermore, even if an unexpected load is applied to the slide table 14 in the horizontal direction, for example, in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 3, by providing the second holding mechanism 54, this load is applied via the guide roller 56c. Rail member 58c
And the arms 51a and 51b can be reliably prevented from being deformed. Therefore, even when an unexpected load is applied to the slide table 14, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the inner diameter of the bore 16 is reduced and the piston 70 is stopped as shown in the related art. The effect is obtained.

The sensor 42 is connected to the slide table 1
The position of such a piston 70 and the slide table 14 is detected via a detection member such as a magnet provided directly on the arm 51b of the fourth.

Next, a rodless cylinder 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition,
The same reference numerals as those of the rodless cylinder 10 according to the first embodiment denote the same components, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The rodless cylinder 100 includes a cylinder tube 102 and a slide table 103.
The first concave portion 104 is provided on both sides of the cylinder tube 102.
a and 104b are formed, and second concave portions 106a and 106b are formed in the lower surface of the cylinder tube 102. The first defining the first recesses 104a, 104b
While the rail members 58a, 58b are fixed to the side surfaces 108a, 108b, the rail members 58c, 5b are attached to the second side surfaces 110a, 110b defining the second concave portions 106a, 106b.
8d is fixed.

The arm 112a of the slide table 103,
The guide rollers 56a and 56b forming the first holding mechanism 52 are supported by the base 112b so that the axes thereof are directed in the horizontal direction, and the guide rollers 56c forming the second holding mechanism 54 are provided at the corners of the slide table 103. , 56d are supported with their axes inclined at a predetermined angle from the vertical direction. Rod 5 supporting this guide roller 56d
5d, a screw portion 120 is formed.
The nut member 122 is engaged with the guide roller 56d.
Is configured to be adjustable in its axial direction. Note that the present invention is not limited to the guide roller 56d, and the other guide rollers 56a to 56c may be configured to be selectively position-adjustable.

In the rodless cylinder 100 configured as described above, the work W is fixed to the lower surface of the slide table 103 after the cylinder tube 102 is hung on the mounting wall 15. Therefore, even if a load acts on the slide table 103 in the vertical and horizontal directions, the rodless cylinder 100 applies the load to the first and second holding mechanisms 52 and 54 similarly to the rodless cylinder 10 described above. Thus, the piston 70 can be reliably received, and the smooth movement of the piston 70 can be performed.

Incidentally, the guide rollers 56a and 56b constituting the first holding mechanism 52 can be configured to be inclined similarly to the rodless cylinder 10 according to the first embodiment.

Further, a rodless cylinder 200 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same reference numerals as those of the rodless cylinder 10 according to the first embodiment denote the same components, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The rodless cylinder 200 includes a cylinder tube 202 and a slide table 204.
In use, a slide table 204 is mounted on the cylinder tube 202 so as to be able to advance and retreat. First concave portions 206a, 206b are provided on both sides of the slide table 204.
Are formed, and second concave portions 208a and 208b are formed in the upper surface of the cylinder tube 202. Cylinder tube 20 corresponding to first recesses 206a, 206b
The rail members 58a, 5
8b is fixed, while the rail members 58c and 58c are attached to the side surfaces 212a and 212b that define the second concave portions 208a and 208b.
58d is fixed.

At the corner of the slide table 204, a first
Guide rollers 56a and 56b constituting the holding mechanism 52
And a guide roller 56c constituting the second holding mechanism 54,
The guide rollers 56a and 56b are supported, and the axes of the guide rollers 56a and 56b are inclined by a desired angle from the horizontal direction as necessary, while the axes of the guide rollers 56c and 56d are inclined at a predetermined angle (eg, 45 °) from the vertical direction. Only inclined.

Thus, in the rodless cylinder 200 according to the third embodiment, the first and second holding mechanisms 5
2, 54 can reliably receive loads acting on the slide table 204 in the vertical and horizontal directions,
The same effect as that of the rodless cylinder 10 described above can be obtained.

Further, a rodless cylinder 300 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The rodless cylinder 20 according to the third embodiment
Reference numerals that are the same as 0 denote the same components, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The rodless cylinder 300 according to the fourth embodiment has a second holding mechanism 54 different from the second holding mechanism 54 described above.
The second holding mechanism 302 includes a pair of guide members 304a, 304b fixed to the slide table 204 and extending in the moving direction, and defines second concave portions 208a, 208b of the cylinder tube 202. The synthetic resin body 306 fixed to the side surfaces 212a and 212b and sliding the set of guide members 304a and 304b.
a, 306b. This synthetic resin body 306a, 3
06b is formed of a material having excellent rocking characteristics and excellent wear resistance.

Therefore, in this rodless cylinder 300, the guide members 304a and 304b are
a, 306b can be moved smoothly by sliding on the slide table 204. It should be noted that the second holding mechanism 302 is composed of the guide members 304a and 304b and the synthetic resin body 3
06a and 306b, but the first holding mechanism 5
2 can be adopted. In addition, the synthetic resin body 306
a, 306b without using the guide members 304a,
It is also possible to coat a desired surface portion of 04b with an abrasion-resistant surface treatment layer such as a synthetic resin film or hard alumite coating, and to make the coating surface slidably contact the side surfaces 212a and 212b.

[0036]

According to the present invention, even if an excessive load is applied to the slide table as described above, it is possible to reliably prevent the bore diameter from decreasing, and the slide table and the piston are stopped. A smooth operation is achieved without. In particular, even when an unexpected lateral force is applied, it is possible to effectively prevent the bore diameter from being reduced and prevent the piston from stopping during the transfer of the workpiece.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view of a rodless cylinder according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective view of a cylinder tube of the rodless cylinder.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a slide table and a cylinder tube of the rodless cylinder.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory perspective view of a slide table constituting the rodless cylinder.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory perspective view of a piston of the rodless cylinder.

FIG. 6 is a side vertical sectional view of the rodless cylinder.

FIG. 7 is a partially omitted longitudinal sectional view showing an engagement state between a first seal member and a slit of the rodless cylinder.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rodless cylinder according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rodless cylinder according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rodless cylinder according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Rodless cylinder 12 ... Cylinder tube 14 ... Slide table 16 ... Bore 28, 30 ... Recess 52, 54 ... Holding mechanism 56a-56d ... Guide roller 58a-58d ... Rail member 70 ... Piston 100 ... Rodless cylinder 102 ... Cylinder Tube 103: slide table 104a, 104b, 106a, 106b: recess 200: rodless cylinder 202: cylinder tube 204: slide table 206a, 206b, 208a, 208b: recess 300: rodless cylinder 302: holding mechanism 304a, 304b: guide Members 306a, 306b: synthetic resin body

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-1-247812 (JP, A) JP-A-63-190908 (JP, A) JP-A-63-172013 (JP, A) JP-A-2- 279243 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Hei 1-1121705 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Showa 60-182522 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Showa 64-45008 (JP, U)

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A cylinder and a slide table,
The cylinder has a cylinder tube and a piston that reciprocates in a bore defined in the cylinder tube, and defines a slit extending in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder tube to communicate the bore with the outside. The slit is closed by a first seal member engaged with a piston and a second seal member engaged with the slide table, and the slide table is provided on the cylinder tube and the slide table respectively when the piston reciprocates. And a first holding mechanism and a second holding mechanism for guiding a load acting on the slide table,
The first holding mechanism includes a set of first rail members provided on the cylinder tube for carrying a load F applied to the slide table, and a set of first rotating bodies provided on the slide table. The second holding mechanism includes a set of a second rail member provided on the cylinder tube, and a second rail member provided on the cylinder tube for supporting a load A orthogonal to a load F applied to the slide table. A set of second rotating bodies provided,
The axis of the second rotator is inclined at an angle that intersects with the axis of the first rotator, and on the opposite side of the slit with respect to the application site of the load A applied to the slide table. The second rotating body provided
A rodless cylinder, wherein the load A is transmitted to the rail member to prevent the bore of the cylinder tube from being reduced in diameter. 2. The rodless cylinder according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the rotating bodies constituting the first holding mechanism, the second holding mechanism, or the first holding mechanism and the second holding mechanism is positioned in the axial direction. A rodless cylinder characterized by being adjustable. 3. A system comprising a cylinder and a slide table,
The cylinder has a cylinder tube and a piston that reciprocates in a bore defined in the cylinder tube, and defines a slit extending in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder tube to communicate the bore with the outside. The slit is closed by a first seal member engaged with a piston and a second seal member engaged with the slide table, and the slide table is provided on the cylinder tube and the slide table respectively when the piston reciprocates. And a first holding mechanism and a second holding mechanism for guiding a load acting on the slide table,
The first holding mechanism is configured to carry a set of first rail members provided on the cylinder tube and a set of rotating bodies provided on the slide table in order to carry a load F applied to the slide table. A second rail member provided on the cylinder tube for carrying a load A orthogonal to a load F applied to the slide table, and a second rail provided on the slide table. The sliding surface of the sliding member is inclined at an angle that intersects the rolling surface of the first rail member, and the load A applied to the slide table is reduced by the load A of the load A. By transmitting the load A to the second rail member from the sliding member provided on the opposite side of the slit with the slit as the center with respect to the application portion, the cylinder tube is fixed. Rodless cylinder, characterized in that blocking diameter of. 4. The rodless cylinder according to claim 3, wherein said sliding body is a synthetic resin body. 5. The rodless cylinder according to claim 3, wherein said sliding body has a wear-resistant surface treatment layer.