Linear actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11391306-B2
Application number	US-202117179616-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 19, 2021
Priority date	Mar 3, 2020
Publication date	Jul 19, 2022
Grant date	Jul 19, 2022

Abstract

In a linear actuator, a slide table is attached to a cylinder body via a guide mechanism so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder body. The slide table includes a table body arranged above the cylinder body and extending in the longitudinal direction, and an end plate joined to an end of the table body in the longitudinal direction so as to be substantially orthogonal to the table body. The end plate includes a storage chamber provided on one surface thereof in the longitudinal direction facing a guide mechanism and depressed from the one surface in a direction away from the guide mechanism. For example, when the linear actuator is used in an environment where powder dust and the like is scattered, the storage chamber stores therein a solidified matter made up of the powder dust and the like.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A linear actuator, comprising:
a cylinder body containing therein a cylinder chamber to which a pressure fluid is supplied;
a slide table configured to be movable along a longitudinal direction of the cylinder body;
a cylinder mechanism having a piston arranged in the cylinder chamber and configured to be movable along the cylinder chamber; and
a guide mechanism attached to the cylinder body and configured to guide the slide table along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder body under rolling action of a plurality of rolling elements circulating a passage, the linear actuator being configured to reciprocate the slide table relative to the cylinder body under moving action of the piston, wherein:
the slide table includes a main body extending in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder body, and an end part arranged substantially orthogonal to the main body so as to face an end portion of the cylinder body in the longitudinal direction;
the end part is configured to have a storage portion that is opened on an end surface, of the end part, that faces the cylinder body, the storage portion extending in the longitudinal direction, the storage portion being configured to store dust and dirt therein;
the storage portion is formed so as to penetrate through the end part in the longitudinal direction; and
the end part has a work hole extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to an extending direction of the storage portion, the work hole being configured to establish communication between the storage portion and outside.

2. The linear actuator according to claim 1 , wherein the storage portion is formed at a position facing the guide mechanism when viewed from the longitudinal direction.

3. The linear actuator according to claim 1 , further comprising a cover member configured to cover an opening of the storage portion, the cover member being detachably attached to the end part.

4. A linear actuator comprising:
a cylinder body containing therein a cylinder chamber to which a pressure fluid is supplied;
a slide table configured to be movable along a longitudinal direction of the cylinder body;
a cylinder mechanism having a piston arranged in the cylinder chamber and configured to be movable along the cylinder chamber; and
a guide mechanism attached to the cylinder body and configured to guide the slide table along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder body under rolling action of a plurality of rolling elements circulating a passage, the linear actuator being configured to reciprocate the slide table relative to the cylinder body under moving action of the piston, wherein:
the slide table includes a main body extending in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder body, and an end part arranged substantially orthogonal to the main body so as to face an end portion of the cylinder body in the longitudinal direction;
the end part is configured to have a storage portion that is opened on an end surface, of the end part, that faces the cylinder body, the storage portion extending in the longitudinal direction, the storage portion being configured to store dust and dirt therein;
the storage portion is formed so as not to penetrate through the end part in the longitudinal direction, and
the end part has a work hole extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to an extending direction of the storage portion, the work hole being configured to establish communication between the storage portion and outside.

Assignees

• Smc Corp

Inventors

• Toshimori Yoshihiro
• Sato Toshio
• Tsukada Atsumi

Classifications

• F16C29/0633

  with a bearing body defining a U-shaped carriage, i.e. surrounding a guide rail or track on three sides · CPC title

• F15B15/1461

  Piston rod sealings · CPC title

• F15B15/20 Primary

  Other details {, e.g. assembly with regulating devices} · CPC title

• F15B15/1404 Primary

  in clusters, e.g. multiple cylinders in one block · CPC title

• F15B15/02 Primary

  Mechanical layout characterised by the means for converting the movement of the fluid-actuated element into movement of the finally-operated member · CPC title