IP Library Granted Patent US 7,178,981
Granted Patent B2
US 7,178,981 · App. 11/212,089 · Granted Feb 20, 2007

Linear roller bearing

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,178,981
App. No.
11/212,089
Granted
Feb 20, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A linear roller bearing is provided having a guide carriage ( 1 ) which can be mounted on a guide rail ( 2 ) in a rolling manner via roller bodies ( 4 ). The guide carriage is provided with at least one continuous roller body channel ( 3 ) for the roller bodies ( 4 ). The roller body channel ( 3 ) includes a support channel ( 5 ) for supporting the roller bodies ( 4 ), a return channel ( 11 ) for returning the roller bodies ( 4 ), and deflecting channels ( 10 ) which connect the support channel ( 5 ) to the return channel ( 11 ). The deflecting channels ( 10 ) are provided in end elements ( 9 ) of the guide carriage ( 1 ), and the roller bodies ( 4 ) in the roller body channel ( 3 ) are subject to displacement resistance in the direction of rotation. The end elements ( 9 ) are respectively provided with a sensor ( 12 ), whereby a preferably electric sensor signal therefrom is dependent on the displacement resistance.

Claims (17)

1. Linear roller bearing comprising a guide carriage ( 1 ), which can be supported by rollers on a guide rail ( 2 ) via roller bodies ( 4 ) and which is provided with at least one endless roller body channel ( 3 ) for the roller bodies ( 4 ), wherein the roller body channel ( 3 ) has a support channel ( 5 ) for supporting the roller bodies ( 4 ), a return channel ( 11 ) for returning the roller bodies ( 4 ), and deflecting channels ( 10 ) connecting the support channel ( 5 ) to the return channel ( 11 ), wherein the deflecting channels ( 10 ) are provided on end elements ( 9 ) of the guide carriage ( 1 ), and wherein the roller bodies ( 4 ) in the roller body channel ( 3 ) are subject to a displacement resistance in a rotational direction, the end elements ( 9 ) are each provided with a sensor ( 12 ) that generates a signal that is dependent on the displacement resistance.

2. Linear roller bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor ( 12 ) detects deformation of the end element ( 9 ).

3. Linear roller bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor ( 12 ) detects a pressure or force acting on the end element ( 9 ).

4. Linear roller bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is formed as a sensor film ( 13 ).

5. Linear roller bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is formed as a sensor switch ( 21 ), which triggers a switching signal if the displacement resistance exceeds a threshold.

6. Linear roller bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the end element ( 9 ) is formed by a head piece ( 18 ), that is connected via attachment fasteners ( 19 ) to a support body ( 8 ) of the guide carriage ( 1 ), and the sensor ( 27 ) is actively arranged between the attachment fasteners and the head piece ( 18 ).

7. Linear roller bearing according to claim 6 , wherein a shaft of the fastener ( 19 ) is guided through a passage opening of the head piece ( 18 ), a head ( 25 ) of the fastener is supported on a shoulder ( 26 ) of the head piece ( 18 ), and the sensor ( 27 ) is arranged between the fastener head ( 25 ) and the shoulder ( 26 ).

8. Linear roller bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the end element ( 9 ) is formed by a head piece ( 18 ), that is connected via attachment fasteners ( 19 ), to a support body ( 8 ) of the guide carriage ( 1 ), wherein the sensor ( 23 ) is actively arranged between the support body ( 8 ) and the head piece ( 18 ).

9. Linear roller bearing according to claim 8 , wherein a fastener shaft of the fastener ( 19 ) is guided through a passage opening of the head piece ( 18 ), a fastener head ( 25 ) of the fastener ( 19 ) is supported on a shoulder ( 26 ) of the head piece ( 18 ), and wherein the sensor ( 23 ) is arranged between the head piece ( 18 ) and the support body ( 8 ).

10. Linear roller bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor ( 12 ) is integrated into a head piece ( 18 ) forming the end element ( 9 ).

11. Linear roller bearing according to claim 10 , wherein the head piece ( 18 ) is produced from plastic and the sensor ( 12 ) is embedded in the plastic.

12. Linear roller bearing according to claim 11 , wherein the head piece is produced in an injection-molding process.

13. Linear roller bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the signal of the sensor ( 12 , 13 , 21 , 23 , 27 ) is transmitted to an evaluation unit ( 22 ).

14. Linear roller bearing according to claim 13 , further comprising wiring between the sensor ( 12 , 13 ) and the evaluation unit ( 22 ).

15. Linear roller bearing according to claim 13 , wherein the signal of the sensor ( 12 ) is transmitted wirelessly, e.g., via radio, to the evaluation unit.

16. Linear roller bearing according to claim 13 , wherein the evaluation unit ( 22 ) is integrated into the head piece ( 18 ).

17. Linear roller bearing according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor produces an electric signal.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PROPERTY NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037732 FRAME 0347. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE APP. NO. 14/553248 SHOULD BE APP. NO. 14/553258. Recorded Oct 11, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 040404/0530 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG; SCHAEFFLER VERWALTUNGS 5 GMBH
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037732/0228 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 037732/0347 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 9, 2012
From: SCHAEFFLER KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 027830/0135 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 9, 2012
From: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
To: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 027830/0143 →