JP2003239964A - Linear motion device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a linear motion device which gives sufficient resiliency to a separator and improves the operation property without using a special elastic raw material. <P>SOLUTION: This linear motion device has an inner member having a guide groove and a rolling body return passage communicating with both ends of a guide groove forming a rolling body rolling passage in opposition to the guide groove of the inner member and the rolling body rolling passage and is provided with an outer member arranged so as to move relatively for the inner member, many rolling bodies B mounted so as to roll freely in the rolling body rolling passage and the rolling body return passage, and the separator S provided between mutually adjacent rolling bodies in the direction of circulation. The separator S has a pair of rolling body contact faces 11L, 11R with which adjacent rolling bodies come into contact individually. Rolling body contact angles θ1 and θ2 of both rolling body contact faces 11L, 11R are set to different angles. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a linear guide device used for industrial machines,
The present invention relates to linear motion devices such as ball screw devices, ball spline devices, and linear ball bush devices.

[0001]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional linear motion device, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
000-314420 (hereinafter referred to as a first conventional example), JP 2000-213538 A (hereinafter referred to as a second conventional example), and JP 2001-41303 A (hereinafter referred to as a third conventional example). What is done is known.

In the first conventional example, spherical holding surfaces for holding balls are formed at both ends in the traveling direction of the spacer so that the radius of curvature thereof is smaller than the radius of the balls. A spacer for a linear motion device in which a groove extending in the circumferential direction is formed on a side surface of the spacer so as to be elastically deformable toward the other spherical holding surface, and a linear motion device using the spacer are described.

Further, in the second conventional example, a gap is provided in a row of steel balls and a row of separators which are infinitely circulating for infinite circulation start of rolling elements, and a separator is provided so that the gap and the span between the steel balls have appropriate values. By setting the axial thickness of the, the gap dimension that varies depending on the steel ball phase at the position of the phase of the steel ball that minimizes, the gap dimension is 2% or more of the diameter of the steel ball,
A linear motion guide bearing device is disclosed in which the clearance dimension in this range is set to an appropriate value as 63% or less.

Further, in the third conventional example, a columnar (or disk-shaped) spacer is disposed between adjacent balls, and a part of the spherical surface of the ball 10 is provided on both axial end faces of the spacer. A concave surface is formed to slidably fit in, and convex portions are equally arranged at three locations on the same circumferential surface of the concave surface, and these convex portions and the spherical surface of the ball form a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of the ball and the spacer. Describes a rolling linear motion device that is point-contacted with.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In this type of linear motion device, a rolling element which rolls in a rolling element rolling passage formed by a guide groove formed between the inner member and the outer member is provided. The moving body is
It returns to the rolling element passage through the rolling element return passage, and a circulation path is formed by the rolling element rolling passage and the rolling element returning passage. At this time, if the rolling element is slightly moved from the rolling element passage to the entrance of the rolling element return path by Δx _IN , the rolling element is moved by a minute amount Δx _OUT at the exit side of the rolling element return passage.
Normally, Δx _IN and Δx _OUT do not match. This means that the rolling element return passage is composed of a combination of straight lines and curves, and that the rolling elements are arranged in a zigzag pattern due to the minute play existing between the rolling element return passage and the rolling elements. Is the cause. On the other hand, all the rolling elements in the rolling element rolling passage move by substantially the same amount due to the friction between the rolling element and the inner surface of the rolling element rolling passage.

Therefore, if the amount of movement on the outlet side is larger than the amount of movement on the inlet side of the rolling element return passage, the rolling element will be at the outlet of the rolling element return passage and the rolling element in the rolling element rolling passage. They may come into contact with each other, which hinders smooth rolling of the rolling elements. Since this rolling inhibition may or may not occur depending on the position of the rolling element, the frictional resistance required to drive the linear motion device fluctuates and the operability deteriorates.

Fluctuations in frictional resistance affect the performance of machines that use linear motion devices. In particular, when it is necessary to perform control that precisely follows a required curve / curved surface, such as with an electric discharge machine, die processing machine, or drawing device, or when using a precision device such as a semiconductor manufacturing device (exposure device). When it is necessary to perform positioning, it is an important issue to reduce the fluctuation of frictional resistance. Further, in the case where driving at a low speed and a constant speed is required as in a precision measuring device or the like, if the frictional resistance fluctuates, it becomes difficult to drive at a constant speed.

As the separator inserted between the adjacent rolling elements, if elasticity in the direction of revolution is sufficiently imparted, it is possible to absorb the above-mentioned difference in the amount of movement between the inlet and the outlet. However, in the separators of the first and second conventional examples described above, the contact surface with the rolling elements has a bilaterally symmetrical shape. When the contact surface with the rolling elements is symmetrical in this way, the orbital load received by the separator from the rolling elements is such that the action points match at the same height position on the left and right, as schematically shown in FIG. 32. become.

Therefore, the deformation of the separator with respect to the revolution load is only the compressive deformation of the extremely thin portion sandwiched between the contact portions between the rolling elements, and a large amount of deformation cannot be secured. Therefore, in order to secure a sufficient amount of deformation, it is necessary to use a material having elasticity to some extent as the base material itself constituting the separator such as an elastomer resin.

However, when an elastomer resin is used, the separator swells due to the influence of lubricants such as oil and grease usually used in linear motion devices, rust preventive agents, and other liquid agents existing in the operating environment. There is a problem that the size becomes large. The size of the separator in the radial direction is larger than that in the thickness direction.
It mainly appears in the radial direction.

When the rolling element comes into contact with the separator at a contact angle exceeding zero, as in the third conventional example, the contact position of the rolling element is widened due to the increase in the radial dimension of the separator, and the contact of the present applicant is increased. From the experimental results, as shown in FIG.
It was found that the pitch between rolling elements sandwiching the separator was reduced. This reduction in the pitch between rolling elements increases the total amount of clearance in the rolling element row, and if the total amount of clearance becomes too large, there is an unsolved problem that the separator may collapse.

Further, the separator may be used by applying a preload in the revolving direction of the rolling element. If a sufficient preload is applied, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned swelling from causing a gap, but in this case, the separator is
It is necessary to give some elasticity. However, as described above, in the separators described in the second conventional example and the third conventional example, the amount of deformation with respect to the load is small, and it is difficult to deform in the revolution direction, so it is not suitable as a separator to be used under preload. There is an unsolved problem that is.

The separator described in the above-mentioned first conventional example is suitable as the separator to be applied with this preload. This separator has a structure in which it is easily deformed in the revolution direction by forming a groove on the outer peripheral portion. However, in order to obtain this large amount of deformation, it is necessary to form the groove deep enough to some extent, which makes it difficult to manufacture. There is a problem. That is, the separator is often manufactured by injection molding, but in order to form the groove of the outer peripheral portion, the mold has to be divided into complicated parts, and there is an unsolved problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

Therefore, the present invention has been made by paying attention to the unsolved problem of the above-mentioned conventional example, and imparts sufficient elasticity to the separator without using a special material having elasticity. An object of the present invention is to provide a linear motion device capable of improving operability.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, a linear motion device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an inner member having a guide groove, and a rolling element rolling member facing the guide groove of the inner member. An outer member that has a guide groove that forms a moving passage and a rolling member return passage that communicates with both ends of the rolling member rolling passage, and is arranged to be movable relative to the inner member, and the rolling member. A linear motion device comprising a large number of rolling elements rotatably loaded in a rolling passage and a rolling element return passage, and a separator interposed between rolling elements adjacent to each other in the circulation direction, wherein the separator Has a pair of rolling element contact surfaces with which adjacent rolling elements individually contact each other, and the rolling element contact positions of both rolling element contact surfaces are set to different positions.

Further, the linear motion device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to the first aspect, the rolling element contact surface is formed in a Gothic shape. further,
A linear motion device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to the first aspect, the rolling element contact surface is formed of a support protrusion. Furthermore, the linear motion device according to a fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the invention according to the first aspect, the rolling element contact surface is formed by an annular ridge.

Still further, the linear motion device according to claim 5 is
The invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the rolling element contact surface is constituted by a split ridge obtained by dividing the annular ridge into a plurality of pieces. The linear motion device according to claim 6 is
The invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the rolling element contact surface is formed by an annular spherical seat.

Further, a linear motion device according to a seventh aspect is characterized in that, in the invention according to the first aspect, the rolling element contact surface is a conical surface. Furthermore,
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the linear motion device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the rolling element contact surface is a pyramidal surface. Still further, in the linear motion device according to claim 9, in the invention according to claim 1, the pair of rolling element contact surfaces are set so as to have different contact forms and different rolling element contact positions. Is characterized by.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the linear motion device according to the ninth aspect, the pair of rolling element contact surfaces are:
The rolling element contact surface having the smaller rolling element contact angle is configured to make point or line contact with the rolling element at the central portion.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view for explaining a separator of a linear guide device showing a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a linear guide device to which the separator of FIG. is there.

First, a linear guide device as a linear motion device to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIG. This linear guide device includes a guide rail 1 as an inner member that extends in the axial direction, and a slider 2 as an outer member that is mounted on the guide rail 1 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction. Guide grooves 3 extending in the axial direction are provided on both side surfaces of the guide rail 1, respectively.
Guide grooves 31 are provided on the inner surfaces of both sleeves 4 of the a so as to face the guide grooves 3 and form the rolling element rolling passages 6, respectively.

A large number of balls B as rolling elements are rotatably loaded in the rolling element rolling passage 6, and the slider 2 is axially moved on the guide rail 1 through the rolling of the balls B. It is configured to be mobile. As the slider 2 moves, the ball B interposed between the guide rail 1 and the slider 2 rolls and moves to the end of the slider 2, but in order to continuously move the slider 2 in the axial direction, , The ball B must be infinitely circulated.

For this reason, in the sleeve portion 4 of the slider body 2A, a linear rolling element passage 8 further penetrating in the axial direction is formed, and at the front and rear ends of the slider body 2A, respectively, as rolling element rolling element circulating parts. Fix the end cap 5,
By forming a rolling element communication passage 7 which is curved in a semi-circular shape and which connects the rolling element rolling passage 6 and the rolling element passage 8 in the end cap 5, the rolling element communicating passage 7 and the rolling element passage 8 form rolling elements. A return passage 9 is formed, and balls B are also loaded in the rolling element return passage 9.

As shown in FIG. 1, between the balls B adjacent to each other in the rolling element rolling passage 6 and the rolling element returning passage 9, as shown in FIG. A separator S is provided for the purpose of achieving the above-mentioned characteristics. As shown in FIG. 1, the separator S is injection-molded with an elastomer resin (trade name: Perprene, Hytrel, etc., manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) or the like, and is formed into a disk shape having a smaller thickness than the radius. A pair of concave ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R as rolling element contact surfaces that contact the ball B are formed on both axial end surfaces thereof.

Each of the ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R has a Gothic cross section. Then, the rolling element contact angle of both ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R in contact with the ball B, that is, the angle formed by the center axis of the separator S passing through the center of the ball B and the line connecting the center of the ball B and the contact point of the separator. θ1 and θ2 are set to different angles. That is, the rolling element contact angle θ1 of one ball contact surface 11L is set to about 15 °, and the rolling element contact angle θ2 of the other ball contact surface 11R is set to about 35 °.

Further, at the central axis position of the separator S, a through hole 12 is formed at a ball non-contact position on the central axis side of the rolling element contact angle θ1 of the ball contact surface 11L. here,
The specific specification of the separator S is that the diameter of the ball B is 5.5.
56 mm, the Gothic arc radius of the left ball contact surface 11L is 3.3 mm (60% of the diameter of the ball B), the rolling element contact angle θ1 = 15 °, the Gothic arc radius of the right ball contact surface 11R is 3.3 mm (the diameter of the ball B). 60%), the rolling element contact angle θ2 = 35 °, the ball center distance is 6.0 mm, and the outer diameter of the separator S is 4.5 mm (81 of the diameter of the ball B).
%), Maximum thickness 1.8 mm (32% of the diameter of the ball B)
Then, the diameter of the through hole 12 in the central portion is set to 0.6 mm.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. When the slider 2 is moved with respect to the guide rail 1,
As described above, in the rolling element rolling passage 6, the amount of movement of all the balls B in the rolling element rolling passage 9 is substantially the same due to the contact friction between the ball B and the guide grooves 7 and 8, but Since the passage 9 is composed of a combination of straight lines and curves, and since there is a slight play between the rolling element return passage 9 and the ball B, the rolling elements are arranged in a zigzag pattern, so that the rolling element return passage is formed. The amount of movement of the ball B on the inlet side of 9 and the amount of movement of the ball B on the outlet side do not match.

In this state, the orbital load that the separator S receives from the balls B is, as schematically shown in FIG. 3, the rolling element contact angles θ1 and θ of the ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R.
When 2 is different, the points of action of the orbital load on the contact surfaces 11L and 11R are displaced in the radial direction, and act as a large bending force instead of merely acting as a compressing force. From the unloaded state shown by the chain double-dashed line, it is possible to greatly deform it as shown by the solid line.

As described above, in the separator S according to the first embodiment, a large amount of deformation can be ensured with respect to the load in the revolution direction, so that there is a case where the separator is preloaded in the revolution direction and the other is not applied. Both can provide a linear motion device having good operability. Moreover, since a large amount of deformation can be secured when a revolving direction load is applied, a linear motion device having good operability even when the separator S is formed using a material having relatively poor elasticity is provided. As such a material, for example, a non-elastomeric resin, a fiber-reinforced resin, a metal, an injection-molded metal, a sintered metal, an oil-impregnated metal, a ceramic or the like can be used. Of course, elastomer resins other than the above,
The separator S can also be formed using an elastic material such as an oil-containing resin or rubber.

Further, since the through hole 12 functions by collecting the lubricant, the linear motion device can be specified in a good lubrication state. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described. In the second embodiment, a larger amount of deformation is secured as compared with the separator S in the first embodiment.

That is, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 which is a side view thereof, the ball contact surface 11R on the right side of the separator S in the configuration of FIG. 1 in the above-described first embodiment. A circular groove 21 having a U-shaped cross-section reaching the center in the thickness direction of the separator is formed outside the rolling element contact position PR of the ball contact surface 11L on the left side and the central axis side of the rolling element contact position PL of the circle. 1 has the same configuration as that of FIG. 1 except that a plurality of, for example, eight through holes 22 are formed at the bottom of the annular groove 21 at predetermined intervals to penetrate the left ball contact surface 11L. Corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Separator S in the second embodiment
The specific specifications are the same as those in the first embodiment, but the installation position of the annular groove 21 is set to a position corresponding to a contact angle of 20 °, and the groove width is 0.2 mm and the through hole diameter is 0.2 mm. It is set. According to the second embodiment, the ball contact surface 11R on the right side having a large rolling element contact angle is inside the ball contact position and the ball contact surface 11L on the left side having a small rolling element contact angle is outside the ball contact position. Since the annular groove 21 is formed, the separator thickness at the position of the annular groove 21 becomes thin, so that a larger separator is applied when a revolving direction load is applied as in the first embodiment described above. The amount of deformation of S can be secured. Further, since the annular groove 21 functions as a lubricant reservoir, more lubricant reservoir can be secured as compared with the first embodiment, and the linear motion device can be used in a better lubricated state.

Further, since a plurality of through holes 12 reaching the ball contact surface 11L on the opposite side are formed in the bottom of the annular groove 21, a separator S larger than that in the case where only the annular groove 21 is provided. The amount of deformation can be secured, and the lubricant pool can be increased. In addition, in the said 2nd Embodiment, although the case where the annular groove 21 of a U-shaped cross section was formed in the ball contact surface with a large rolling element contact angle was demonstrated, it is not limited to this, An annular groove is demonstrated. The cross-sectional shape of 21 may be an arbitrary shape such as a trapezoidal shape or a bowl shape, and is not limited to a circular ring-shaped groove, but may be a polygonal ring-shaped groove, and further, both the ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R. It is also possible to form an annular groove.

In the second embodiment, the case where the through hole 22 is formed at the bottom of the annular groove 21 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the through hole 2
2 may be omitted. Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. In the third embodiment, the ball contact surface is set to a point contact state instead of a line contact state with the ball.

That is, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the left side view of FIG. 7 and the right side view of FIG. 8, in the separator S in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment described above. As shown in FIG. 7, on the ball contact surface 11L on the left side, three hemispherical contact protrusions 31a to 31c that make point contact with the ball B at equal intervals on a concentric circle CL having a relatively small diameter.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, three hemispherical contact projections 32a, which are in contact with the balls B at equal intervals, are formed on the ball contact surface 11R on the right side on a concentric circle CR having a relatively large diameter.
It has the same configuration as that of FIG. 1 except that 32c is formed, and the portions corresponding to those of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Separator S in the third embodiment
The specific specification of is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the rolling element contact angle θ2 on the right ball contact surface 11R is 25.
Is set to ° and point contact protrusions 31a to 31c
And the radius of the arc in 32a to 32c is set to 0.1 mm. According to the third embodiment, different rolling element contact angles θ1 and θ2 are set on the left ball contact surface 11L and the right ball contact surface 11R of the separator S, so that the same operation as the first embodiment is performed. Since the effect is obtained and the ball B is held in contact with the separator S by the contact protrusions 31a to 31c and 32a to 32c, the contact resistance of the ball B can be reduced and the ball B and the ball contact surface 11L can be reduced. , 11R, a gap 33 is formed, and the lubricant can be retained in the gap 33, and the linear motion device can be specified in a better lubricated state.

In the third embodiment described above, the contact protrusions 31a to 31c and 32a to 32c are described as having a hemispherical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the tip is a hemispherical conical shape. The shape may be an arbitrary shape such as a pyramid shape or a column shape. In the third embodiment, the contact protrusions 31a to 31c and 32a to 32 are formed on the left and right ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R at the same angle.
Although the case of forming c has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the left and right ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R are formed.
By shifting the arrangement angles of the contact protrusions 31a to 31c and 32a to 32c, a larger deformation amount of the separator S can be secured.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, the contact protrusions that come into contact with the balls B are set to a line contact state instead of a point contact state. That is, the fourth
9 and FIG. 10 which is a right side view thereof, in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 in the above-described third embodiment, the ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R are respectively replaced with the contact protrusions. Circular ridge 4 with semi-circular cross section with different radii
It has the same configuration as that of FIGS. 5 and 7 except that 1L and 41R are formed, and the corresponding portions to those of FIGS. 6 and 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

Also according to the fourth embodiment, the annular projection 41L is formed on the left and right ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R.
And 41R come into contact with the ball B at different rolling element contact angles θ1 and θ2, so that when a load in the revolution direction is applied from the ball B, a large amount of deformation can be secured by the separator S, and the ball B and the ball contact with each other. Faces 11L and 1
Since the clearance 33 is formed between the clearance 33 and the 1R, the lubricant can be retained in the clearance 33, and the linear motion device can be specified in a better lubricated state.

Moreover, since the revolution load of the ball B on the annular protrusions 41L and 41R can be dispersed, the contact surface pressure per unit area can be reduced as compared with the third embodiment described above. Yes, annular ridge 41L
And 41R can be made less likely to undergo creep deformation. Note that, also in the fourth embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the annular protrusions 41L and 41R is not limited to the semicircular shape, but may be a triangular shape having a circular tip, a rectangular shape having a circular tip, or the like. It can have any shape.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fifth embodiment, the annular protrusions 41L and 41R in the fourth embodiment are divided into a plurality of parts. That is, in the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 which is a right side view thereof, in the configuration of FIGS. 9 and 10 in the above-described fourth embodiment, the annular protrusions 41L and 41R are provided. Except that the divided protrusions 43L and 43R are formed by making the cross section into a triangular shape, and cutting out a predetermined length at intervals of 90 ° to form four communicating portions 42 that communicate the inside and the outside. The fourth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the fourth embodiment, and the portions corresponding to those in FIGS. 9 and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to the fifth embodiment, the left and right ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R of the separator S are formed with the split ridges 43L and 43R having different rolling element contact angles θ1 and θ2. It is possible to secure a large amount of deformation of the separator S when a directional load is applied, and since the communication portion 42 is formed between these split ridges 43L and 43R, the split ridges 53L and 53L are formed through these communication passages 42. The lubricant can easily enter from the outer side to the inner side of 43R, and a better lubricating effect can be exhibited.

In the fifth embodiment, the case where the sectional shapes of the split ridges 43L and 43R are triangular has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the semicircular shape and the tip end are semi-circular. The shape may be an arbitrary shape such as a circular shape or a triangular shape. Further, in the fifth embodiment described above, the case where the split ridges 43L and 43R have a four-divided shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, a two-divided shape, a three-divided shape, a five-divided shape or more. Can be any number of divided shapes.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the sixth embodiment, the left and right ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R are conical surfaces. That is, in the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, which is a right side view of the separator S, the separator S has the ball contact surface 11L on the left ball contact surface 11L.
Is a conical surface 51 that makes line contact in an annular shape with a rolling element contact angle θ1 (for example, 15 °) that is relatively small.
A concave portion 52 having a cylindrical side surface with which the ball B is in a non-contact state is formed around the center of 1R, and an annular shape is formed outside the concave portion 51 at a relatively large rolling element rolling angle θ2 (for example 35 °) with the ball B. It has a conical surface 53 that comes into line contact. Here, the bottom surface of the recess 52 is a conical surface parallel to the left conical surface 51.

According to the sixth embodiment, since the left and right ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R contacting the ball B are each formed of a conical surface, the Gothic shape is obtained as in the first embodiment. It is possible to form a ball contact surface with higher accuracy than in the case. Moreover, since the recess 52 is formed in the right ball contact surface 11R, the thickness of the separator S in this portion can be reduced, and a larger amount of deformation can be secured.
A large amount of lubricant can be stored in the recess 52, and a better lubricating effect can be exhibited.

In the sixth embodiment, the case where the bottom surface of the recess 52 is a conical surface has been described.
The shape of the side surface is not limited to this, and the shape of the side surface is not limited to a cylindrical surface, but may be a square, a pentagon, or a hexagon.
It can be a polygonal cylindrical surface such as a corner. Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this seventh embodiment, the ball contact surface 11
L and 11R are formed in a polygonal pyramid surface instead of the conical surface. That is, in the seventh embodiment, the separator S
Is formed in a regular octagonal prism shape, and the ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R in the sixth embodiment are conical surfaces 51.
15 and FIG. 15 which is a right side view thereof in place of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, both ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R are regular octagonal pyramid surfaces 61 and 63, the side surface of the recess 62 of the right ball contact surface 11R is a regular octagonal cylindrical surface, and the bottom surface is a regular octagonal surface on the left side. It has the same configuration as that of FIGS. 13 and 14 except that it is a regular octagonal pyramid surface parallel to the pyramidal surface 61.

According to the seventh embodiment, a large amount of deformation can be ensured in the separator S with respect to the revolution load applied from the ball B in the same manner as in the sixth embodiment, and the ball B can be secured. Comes into contact with the ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R at eight points, and a gap is formed between the ball B and the ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R between the contact points, so that the lubricant easily enters the recess 62 through the gap. Therefore, a better lubrication effect can be exhibited.

In the above seventh embodiment, the case where the outer peripheral surface of the separator S is also a regular octagon has been described, but the invention is not limited to this, and it may be a circle or a polygon. Similarly, the side surface and the bottom surface of the recess can be formed in any shape such as a circle or a polygon. Also,
In the seventh embodiment, the case where both the ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R have a regular octagonal pyramid shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ball contact surface 1
1L and 11R can have different polygonal pyramid shapes,
One of the ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R has a conical shape,
The other side can also have a polygonal pyramid shape.

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the eighth embodiment, one of the left and right ball contact surfaces 11L and 11R, for example, the contact angle of the smaller rolling element contact angle is set to be zero, and the point contact state is set. That is, in the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, in the separator S, the left ball contact surface 11L is formed into a spherical surface 71 having a radius larger than the radius of the ball B, and the right ball contact surface 11R is described above. Similar to the first embodiment, a relatively large rolling element contact angle θ2
The groove 72 is formed in a Gothic shape (for example, 25 °), and a recess 72 is formed in the center only on the right side ball contact surface 11R.

According to the eighth embodiment, the ball contact surface 11L on the left side is formed by the spherical surface 71 larger than the radius of the ball B, so that the ball B contacts the ball contact surface 1L.
The point contact state with 1L makes it possible to reduce the amount of change in the center-to-center distance of the ball B when the separator S swells, and when the orbital load is applied from the ball B, the left and right ball contact surfaces 11L It is possible to further increase the shift amount of the action points of 11R and 11R, and it is possible to further increase the deformation amount of the separator S.

Further, the recess 7 is formed on the ball contact surface 11R on the right side.
2 is formed, the recess 72 can serve as a lubricant reservoir, and if the recess 72 is used to accommodate the gate for injection molding, the rolling element contact portion is adversely affected. Can be avoided. next,
A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the ninth embodiment, the ball contact surface in the point contact state is a flat surface. That is, in the ninth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, in the separator S, the ball contact surface 11L on the left side is formed as a circular flat surface 82 formed on the bottom surface of the mortar-shaped recess 81, and the flat surface 82 is formed. As shown in FIG. 19, the outer peripheral side of the ball penetrates the separator S and the left and right ball contact surfaces 11L and 11
Through holes 83 formed at predetermined intervals on a concentric circle reaching R
Are formed.

According to the ninth embodiment, the mortar-shaped recess 81 having the flat surface 82 formed on the bottom surface is formed on the ball contact surface 11L on the left side, so that the thickness of the separator S at this portion is reduced. Can, separator S
When a revolving direction load is applied to the ball B, a large amount of separator deformation can be secured as compared with the eighth embodiment described above. Moreover, since the through hole 83 penetrating the separator S is formed outside the flat surface 82, a larger amount of separator deformation can be ensured and a function as a lubricant reservoir can be exerted.

In the ninth embodiment, the case where the flat surface 82 is formed on the bottom surface of the mortar-shaped recess 81 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the flat surface 82 may be used instead of the ball. A spherical concave surface having a radius larger than the radius of B or a spherical convex surface having an arbitrary radius may be applied. Further, in the ninth embodiment, the case where the right side ball contact surface 11R has a Gothic shape has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, a contact protrusion 92 that comes into contact with the ball B at three points similar to that of the above-described third embodiment, or, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the above-described fifth embodiment. Ball B similar to
It is also possible to use four divided ridges 93 that come into contact with, or other arbitrary shapes such as an annular ridge and a polygonal pyramid surface.

Further, in the above-mentioned first to ninth embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the linear guide device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a ball using a ball B as a rolling element. The present invention can be applied to other linear motion devices such as a screw device, a ball spline device, and a linear ball bush device. Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The tenth embodiment is applied to a linear motion roller bearing instead of the linear guide device, and the roller R is applied instead of the ball B as the rolling element. That is, in the tenth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 which is a right side view thereof, the roller R is applied as the rolling element, and the separator S is interposed between the adjacent rollers R. The separator S is formed in a rectangular plate shape having a length shorter than that of the roller R and a height shorter than the diameter of the roller R, and serves as a ball contact surface having different roll contact angles θ1 and θ2 on its left and right end surfaces. Roll contact surface 101
L and 101R are formed.

These roll contact surfaces 101L and 101R
Is formed in a Gothic shape in cross section that makes line contact with the roll R at vertically symmetrical positions with a straight line connecting the center points of the rollers R interposed therebetween.
The roller contact surface 101 on the right side of the separator S is on the inside of the roller contact position PL of the roller contact surface 101R and on the left side
A linear groove 102 having a U-shaped cross section reaching the center of the separator S in the thickness direction is formed outside the roller contact position PR of 1 L and extends in the axial direction of the roll, and a predetermined interval is maintained at the bottom of the linear groove 102. A plurality of, for example, seven through holes 103 penetrating the left roll contact surface 11L are formed, and a through hole 104 penetrating the separator S in the left and right direction is formed extending in the roller axial direction at the central portion in the vertical direction. Has been done.

The specific specifications of the separator S in the tenth embodiment are: roller diameter 4 mm, roller total length 8 m.
m, of which the chamfered one side is 0.2 mm, the Gothic arc radius of the left roller contact surface 101L is 2.4 mm (60% of the roller diameter), and the roller contact angle θ1.
= 15 °, the Gothic arc radius of the right roller contact surface 101R is 2.4 mm (60% of the roller diameter), the roller contact angle θ2 = 35 °, and the distance between the roller centers is 4.3 mm.
Separator height 3.2 mm (80% of roller diameter), length 6 mm (75% of roller diameter), maximum thickness 1.2 mm
The roller is set to 30% of the diameter, and the material is made of an elastomer resin (trade name: Perprene, Hytrel, manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd.) by injection molding, and the gate has a through hole 1
No. 04, and the mold dividing line was positioned on the outer peripheral portion of the separator.

According to the tenth embodiment, when an orbital load is applied from the adjacent rollers R, these action points are displaced in the vertical direction. Therefore, similar to the separator of the ball B described above, It is possible to secure a large amount of deformation of S, and it is possible to provide a linear motion device having good operability both in the case of applying preload to the separator S and in the case of not applying preload.

Moreover, when a load in the direction of revolution is applied,
Since it is possible to secure a large amount of deformation, it is possible to provide a linear motion device having good operability even when the separator S is formed using a material having relatively poor elasticity, and as such a material, for example, Elastomer resin, fiber reinforced resin, metal, injection-molded metal, sintered metal, oil-impregnated metal, ceramic and the like can be used. Of course, the separator S can be formed using an elastic material other than the above, such as an elastomer resin, an oil-containing resin, or rubber.

Further, since the through holes 103 and 104 function by collecting the lubricant and functioning, the linear motion device can be specified in a good lubrication state. Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28. In the eleventh embodiment, the roll contact surface is formed into an inclined surface instead of the Gothic shape.

That is, in the eleventh embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 28, which is a right side view thereof, a relatively small roller contact angle θ1 (for example, 15 °) at a symmetrical position sandwiching a line connecting the center points of adjacent rollers R with the roller contact surface 101L on the left side of the separator S. ) Is formed on the inclined surface 111 that is in line contact with the roller R and extends in the tangential direction, and the roller contact surface 101R on the right side is the roller contact surface 10
It is formed on an inclined surface 112 that extends in the tangential direction by making line contact with a relatively large roller contact angle θ2 (for example, 35 °) outside the line contact position of 1 L, and the separator inside the roller contact position of this inclined surface 112. A recess 113 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed, and an inclined surface parallel to the inclined surface 111 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 113. Further, a plurality of circular through holes 114, for example, seven, are formed in the center of the vertical direction so as to penetrate right and left at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction.

According to the eleventh embodiment, the left and right roller contact surfaces 101L and 101R are inclined surfaces 111 and 1.
Since it is formed of 12, the injection molding can be performed with high accuracy and easily as compared with the Gothic shape in the tenth embodiment described above. Further, since a plurality of through holes 114 are formed in the central portion at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction,
The lubricant can be satisfactorily held in the through holes 114 by the surface tension, and a good lubricating effect can be exhibited.

Next, FIG. 29 shows a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
Will be described. In the twelfth embodiment, the roller contact angle θ1 of the roller contact surface of the separator S, which has a relatively small roller contact angle θ1, is set to 0 °. That is, in the twelfth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29, in the tenth embodiment described above, the ball B has the roller R.
And the separator S has the same cross-sectional shape and is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the roller R, as in FIG. Flat surface 1 in line contact with roller R at 0 °
A mortar-shaped recess 122 having a cross-section 21 at the center of the bottom is formed, and an inclined surface 123 that contacts the roller R at a relatively large roller contact angle θ2 is formed on the roller contact surface 101R.

According to the twelfth embodiment, the left side roller contact surface 101L is provided with the mortar-shaped recess 122 having a flat surface 121 on the bottom surface, so that the thickness of the separator S at this portion is reduced. Since the roller contact angle θ1 is zero, the separator S
When a revolving direction load is applied to the roller R, it is possible to secure a larger amount of separator deformation than that of the eleventh embodiment described above.

In the twelfth embodiment described above,
The case where the flat surface 121 is formed in the mortar-shaped recess 122 of the roller contact surface 101L on the left side has been described, but the invention is not limited to this, and instead of the flat surface 121, an arc whose central portion projects toward the roller R side. The surface or the central portion may be an arcuate surface which is recessed on the side opposite to the roller R. Also,
In the above twelfth embodiment, the case where the inclined surface 123 is formed on the right roller contact surface 101R has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and instead of the inclined surface 123, a Gothic shape or roller R is used. A cylindrical surface or the like having a radius larger than the radius can be applied.

Next, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
And FIG. 31 is demonstrated. In the thirteenth embodiment, the separator S and the roller R are brought into contact with each other in a point contact state. That is, in the thirteenth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31, which is a right side view thereof, the left roller contact surface 101L of the separator S has a flat surface 131 at the center of the bottom, and the flat surface 131 Hemispherical protrusions 13 are provided at the center in the vertical direction and on the front and rear end side positions, respectively.
A mortar-shaped recess 133 having a cross section is formed, and a cylindrical surface 1 concentric with the roller R is formed on the right roller contact surface 101R.
34 are formed, and hemispherical projections 135 are formed at upper and lower positions symmetrical with respect to the line connecting the center points of the rollers R on the cylindrical surface 134 and at the front and rear end side positions, respectively.
Further, the separator S has a configuration in which a through hole 136 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in the central portion in the vertical direction.

According to the thirteenth embodiment, the contact between the separator S and the roller R is caused by the hemispherical projections 132 and 135.
The contact resistance of the roller R can be reduced to a minimum, the rotation of the roller R can be easily performed, and the hemispherical protrusions 132 and 135 of the separator S can be performed.
A wide lubricant pool can be secured at positions other than.

In the thirteenth embodiment,
The case where the hemispherical protrusions 132 and 135 are provided has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
In place of 32 and 135, a ridge having a semicircular cross section that extends in the longitudinal direction of the separator S (in this case, the through hole 136 is omitted), or a divided ridge obtained by dividing the ridge into a predetermined number (this In this case, a through hole may be formed between the split ridges, and the left and right roller contact surfaces 101 may be provided.
The L and 101R may have different contact shapes.

In the tenth to thirteenth embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the linear motion roller bearing has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the roller R is provided as a rolling element. The present invention can be applied to the linear motion device.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The separator inserted between the rolling elements adjacent to each other in the circulation direction has a pair of rolling element contact surfaces where the adjacent rolling elements individually contact each other, and the rolling element contact positions of both rolling element contact surfaces are different. Since the configuration is set to the position, when a rolling direction load is applied to the separator, it is possible to shift the point of action to secure a large amount of separator deformation and use a material with relatively poor elasticity. It is possible to provide the linear motion device having good operability in any of the case where the separator is formed by forming the separator and the case where the separator is formed by using the material having elasticity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear guide device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view showing a linear guide device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a separator used to explain the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear guide device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a right side view of the separator of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear guide device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a left side view of the separator of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the separator of FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear guide device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a right side view of the separator of FIG. 9. FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear guide device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a right side view of the separator of FIG.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear guide device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a right side view of the separator of FIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear guide device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a right side view of the separator of FIG.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear guide device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear guide device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

19 is a right side view of the separator of FIG. 18. FIG.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the separator of the linear guide device according to the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing another modification of the separator of the linear guide device according to the ninth embodiment.

22 is a right side view of the separator of FIG. 21. FIG.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing still another modification example of the separator of the linear guide device according to the ninth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a right side view of the separator of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear motion roller bearing according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

26 is a right side view of the separator of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear motion roller bearing according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

28 is a right side view of the separator of FIG. 27. FIG.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear motion roller bearing according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing a separator of a linear motion roller bearing according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

31 is a right side view of the separator of FIG. 30. FIG.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the conventional separator.

FIG. 33 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of change in pitch between steel balls, the number of days, and the contact position with the separator.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Guide rail 2 slider 3,31 guide groove 6 Rolling element rolling passage 7 rolling element communication passage 8 rolling element passages 9 Rolling element return passage 11L, 11R Ball contact surface 12 through holes 21 annular groove 22 Through hole 31a to 31c hemispherical protrusions 32a to 32c hemispherical protrusions 33 gap 41L, 41R annular projection 43L, 43R split ridge 51,53 conical surface 52 recess 61,63 8 pyramidal surface 62 recess 71 spherical surface 81 mortar-shaped recess 82 flat surface 83 through hole 91 conical surface 92 hemispherical protrusion 93 split ridges 101L, 101R Roller contact surface 102 straight groove 103 through hole 104 through hole 111,112 inclined surface 121 flat surface 122 Mortar-shaped recess 123 inclined surface 131 flat surface 132,135 hemispherical protrusion

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 3J101 AA02 AA33 AA64 BA13 BA14                       BA15 DA14 EA01 EA31 EA41                       EA49 EA75 FA41 GA60                 3J104 AA03 AA23 AA65 AA69 AA74                       BA13 CA01 CA11 CA13 CA33                       DA06 EA10

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An inner member having a guide groove, a guide groove facing the guide groove of the inner member to form a rolling element rolling passage, and a rolling element return communicating with both ends of the rolling element rolling passage. An outer member having a passage and arranged to be movable relative to the inner member, and a large number of rolling elements rotatably loaded in the rolling element rolling passage and the rolling element return passage. In a linear motion device provided with a separator interposed between rolling elements adjacent to each other in the circulation direction, the separator has a pair of rolling element contact surfaces in which adjacent rolling elements individually contact, A linear motion device characterized in that the rolling element contact surfaces of the rolling element contact surfaces are set at different positions. 2. The linear motion device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element contact surface is formed in a Gothic shape. 3. The linear motion device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element contact surface comprises a support protrusion. 4. The linear motion device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element contact surface is formed of an annular ridge. 5. The linear motion device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element contact surface is composed of a split ridge formed by dividing an annular ridge into a plurality of pieces. 6. The linear motion device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element contact surface is formed of an annular spherical seat. 7. The linear motion device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element contact surface is a conical surface. 8. The linear motion device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element contact surface is a pyramidal surface. 9. The linear motion device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of rolling element contact surfaces are set so as to have different contact forms and different rolling element contact positions. 10. The pair of rolling element contact surfaces are configured such that the rolling element contact surface having the smaller rolling element contact angle makes point or line contact with the rolling element at the central portion. The linear motion device according to claim 9.