LINEAR MOTION BEARING ASSEMBLY

摘要

A linear motion bearing assembly as provided for movement along a shaft. The ball retainer of the bearing assembly is assembled from a plurality of arcuate interengageable self-contained ball retainer segments (22). Preferably, the plurality of segments are all identical and can be assembled to a variety of configurations for either open-type bearing assemblies or closed-type bearing assemblies. Each of the ball retainer segments (22) includes at least one ball track (30) having a load bearing portion (32) and a return portion (34). These segments are preferably formed of an engineering polymer and are substantially self-contained to protect the bearing balls (52) contained therein from ambient contamination. At least one load bearing plate (44) is axially positioned in each segment (22) and serves to receive and transmit loads from the bearing balls (52) in the load bearing portion (32) of the ball tracks (30). The load bearing plates (44) are preferably retained in the segments (22) to facilitate ease of assembly and to eliminate the need for an outer housing. The segments (22) are joined together to form the overall bearing assembly either through interlocking structure formed on each segment or by retainer clips or bands (24). Optionally, end seals may be positioned on the longitudinal ends to protect the bearing assembly from ambient contamination. A novel and efficient assembly process is also provided for linear motion bearing assemblies. This process includes the steps of providing a plurality of arcuate self-containing ball retainer segments (22), each of said segments including at least one ball track (30) having a load bearing portion (32) and a return portion (34), loading a plurality of bearing balls (52) into the ball track (30), positioning a load bearing plate (44) in the segment (22) adjacent the load bearing portion of the ball track (30), and assembling the arcuate self-containing ball retainer segments (22) to form a linear motion bearing assembly.