JP2007132445A - Linear guide device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a slider from comimg in contact with a guide rail and stably roll rolling elements. <P>SOLUTION: The slider comprises (1) a body 1 having leg parts 11, 12 disposed on the lateral both sides of the guide rail and a horizontal part 13 connecting the both leg parts to each other, (2) retainers 2, 3 fitted to the leg parts and formed by integrating plate-like parts 21, 31 brought into contact with both end faces of the leg parts with holding parts 22, 32 disposed on the inner surfaces of the leg parts and in which balls are held on two rows of rolling grooves 43a, 43b, and (3) end caps secured to both end faces of the body 1 with the plate-like parts 21, 31 disposed therebetween. The holding parts 22, 32 are composed of three members 22a to 22c, 32a to 32c. The inside dimensions A of the retainers 2, 3 between plate-like parts 21, 31 are smaller than the dimension B of the body 1 between the end faces. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear guide device.

  The linear guide device includes a guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rolling elements. The guide rail and the slider have a rolling groove (a rolling surface when the rolling element is a “roller”) that are arranged to face each other and form a rolling passage of the rolling element. The slider further includes a return path for the rolling elements and a direction changing path for communicating the return path and the rolling path. The rolling path, the return path, and the direction changing path constitute a circulation path of the rolling element, and the rolling element circulates in the circulation path so that one of the guide rail and the slider is relative to the other. Move in a straight line.

  The linear guide device includes a separator including a spacer disposed between adjacent rolling elements and an arm portion (guide portion) that is fixed to the spacer and extends in the arrangement direction of the rolling elements. Some of them have guide grooves formed in the circulation path of the rolling elements. In this case, the rolling element moves in the circulation path while being held or accommodated in the separator, and the arm portion of the separator moves along the guide groove.

  Patent Document 1 below describes that the slider includes a main body (block main body), a resin circulation path molded body, and an end cap (side lid). The main body is composed of leg portions arranged on both sides in the width direction of the guide rail and a horizontal portion connecting both the leg portions, and a rolling groove is formed inside the leg portion. As the resin circulation path molded body, for each leg part, a holding part (a load ball path constituting part extending along both side edges of the rolling groove) that holds the rolling element on the rolling surface, and an inner peripheral guide part of the direction changing path And a plate-like part that is brought into contact with both end faces of each leg part (resin frame). The end cap is fixed to the end surface of the main body via the plate-like portion.

The ball enters the circulation path of the slider while being held by a separator (ball holding band). In this separator, receiving portions for receiving adjacent balls are connected by a pair of arm portions extending in the ball arrangement direction. A guide groove for guiding the arm portion is formed in the circulation path.
40 to 44 of JP-A-2002-276656

  In the slider of Patent Document 1, the dimension between the plate-like portions of the resin frame is made larger than the end face of the main body, and the resin frame is attached to the main body with a gap fit in the longitudinal direction of the slider (direction in which the guide rail extends). When the end cap is attached, the plate-like portion is pressed against the end surface side of the main body, the holding portion integrated with the plate-like portion bends, contacts the guide rail, or stably rolls the rolling element. There is a risk that movement will be hindered.

  In addition, a separator having a guide portion such as the above-described arm portion is provided, and a slider is provided on a main body composed of a leg portion disposed on both sides in the width direction of the guide rail and a horizontal portion connecting both the leg portions, and on both end faces of the main body. An end cap to be fixed, and a guide member having a groove for guiding the guide portion of the separator, the guide member contacting the both end surfaces of each leg portion, and the inner surface of each leg portion Even in the case of a linear guide device in which the guide groove constituting portion arranged so as not to contact the guide rail near the rolling surface is a member integrated for each leg portion, the guide member is attached to the main body, Guide groove configuration in which the plate-like part is pressed against the end face side of the main body when the end cap is attached when it is attached with a gap fit in the longitudinal direction of the slider (direction in which the guide rail extends), and integrated with the plate-like part The part is bent and the guide rail Contact or, which may or stable rolling of the rolling elements is inhibited.

  The present invention is a main body in which the slider comprises (1) a leg portion disposed on both sides in the width direction of the guide rail, and a horizontal portion connecting the both leg portions, and a rolling surface is formed inside the leg portion. (2) A member provided for each of the leg portions, a plate-like portion that is brought into contact with both end surfaces of each leg portion, and a holding member that is disposed on the inner surface of each leg portion and holds the rolling elements on the rolling surface. Are arranged so as not to contact the guide rail near the rolling surface on the inner surface of each leg. And a guide member integrated with each leg part, and (3) an end cap fixed to both end faces of the main body via the plate-like part. In the linear guide device having the above structure, the slider is prevented from coming into contact with the guide rail, and the rolling element is placed in the rolling path. To be able to roll in Joteki, separator and an object thereof is to be moved stably.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rolling elements, and the guide rail and the slider are arranged to face each other to form a rolling passage of the rolling element. The slider further includes a return path of the rolling element, and a direction changing path that communicates the return path and the rolling path, and the slider includes the rolling path, the return path, and the direction changing path. In the linear guide device in which a circulation path of the rolling elements is configured, and one of the guide rail and the slider moves linearly relative to the other by the circulation of the rolling elements in the circulation path, the slider has (1) a guide A main body comprising leg portions arranged on both sides of the rail in the width direction and horizontal portions connecting the both leg portions, and a rolling surface is formed inside the leg portions; (2) provided for each of the leg portions Members that are in contact with both end faces of each leg. A retainer integrated with a plate-like portion and a holding portion disposed on the inner side surface of each leg portion and holding the rolling element on the rolling surface, and (3) the plate-like portion on both end faces of the main body The linear guide device is provided, characterized in that the inner dimension between the plate-like portions of the cage is made smaller than the dimension between the end faces of the main body.

  According to this, since the inner dimension between the plate-like parts of the cage is made smaller than the dimension between the end faces of the main body, the cage is attached to the slider main body with an interference fit in the longitudinal direction of the slider. It will be in the state. Therefore, when the plate-like portion of the cage is pressed against the end face side of the main body in order to attach the end cap, the holding portion integrated with the plate-like portion is less likely to bend, so the slider is connected to the guide rail. In addition to preventing contact, the rolling elements can be stably rolled in the rolling passage.

  The present invention also includes a guide rail, a slider, a plurality of rolling elements, and a separator, and the guide rail and the slider are arranged to face each other to form a rolling surface that forms a rolling passage of the rolling element. The slider further includes a return path of the rolling element, a direction changing path for communicating the return path and the rolling path, and the separator includes a spacer disposed between the rolling elements, and the rolling element. A rolling section, a return path, and a direction changing path that form a circulation path of the rolling element, and the rolling element circulates in the circulation path, whereby the guide rail and the slider In the linear guide device in which one of the two linearly moves relative to the other, the slider has a leg portion disposed on both sides in the width direction of the guide rail and a horizontal portion connecting the both leg portions, and both end faces of the main body. Hard And a guide member that constitutes a groove that guides the guide portion of the separator, the guide member contacting the both end surfaces of each leg portion, and the inner surface of each leg portion The guide groove constituting portion arranged so as not to contact the guide rail near the rolling surface is an integrated member for each leg portion, and the inner dimension between the plate-like portions of the guide member is the end face of the main body. Provided is a linear guide device characterized in that the linear guide device is made smaller than the dimension between them.

  According to this, since the inner dimension between the plate-like portions of the guide member is made smaller than the dimension between the end faces of the main body, the guide member is attached to the slider main body with an interference fit in the longitudinal direction of the slider. It will be in the state. Therefore, when the plate-like portion of the guide member is pressed against the end face side of the main body in order to attach the end cap, the guide groove constituting portion integrated with the plate-like portion is unlikely to bend, so the slider is guided. The separator can be moved stably while being prevented from contacting the rail.

According to the linear guide device of the first aspect, when the plate-like portion of the cage is pressed against the end face side of the main body in order to attach the end cap to the main body, it bends to the holding portion integrated with the plate-like portion. Therefore, the slider can be prevented from coming into contact with the guide rail, and the rolling element can be stably rolled in the rolling path.
According to the linear guide device of claim 2, when the plate-like portion of the guide member is pressed against the end face side of the main body in order to attach the end cap to the main body, the guide groove constituting portion integrated with the plate-like portion. Therefore, the slider can be prevented from coming into contact with the guide rail, and the separator can be stably moved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main body of a slider constituting the linear guide device of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a slider holder constituting the linear guide device of this embodiment. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which the retainer of FIG. 2 is attached to the main body of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 1 of the slider includes leg portions 11 and 12 arranged on both sides in the width direction of the guide rail, and a horizontal portion 13 that connects the leg portions 11 and 12. Each of the leg portions 11 and 12 is formed with two through holes 41 for return passages, screw holes 42 for attaching end caps are formed between the two through holes 41, and two rows each on the inner surface. Rolling grooves (rolling surfaces) 43a and 43b having an arcuate cross section are formed. A screw hole 45 for attaching an end cap is formed on the end face of the horizontal portion 13. A screw hole 46 for attaching the slider to another member is formed on the upper surface of the horizontal portion 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slider cages 2, 3 are members provided for each of the leg portions 11, 12, and the plate-like portions 21, 31 and the holding portions 22, 32 are integrated, and the whole is almost the same. It is formed with a thickness. The cages 2 and 3 can be manufactured by synthetic resin injection molding.
The plate-like portions 21 and 31 are portions that are brought into contact with both end faces of the leg portions 11 and 12 of the main body 1 and are close to the boundary between the holding portions 22 and 32 between the two plate-like portions 21 and 31. The inner dimension A at the position is made smaller than the dimension B between the end faces of the main body 1. This dimensional difference is, for example, in the range of 0.005 mm to 0.2 mm, and is set as appropriate according to the size of the slider.

The holding portions 22 and 32 are members that are disposed on the inner surface of the main body 1 and hold the balls (rolling bodies) in the two rows of rolling grooves 43a and 43b, respectively, and include three members 22a to 22c and 32a to 32c. Consists of. FIG. 3 is a view in which the plate-like portion 21 of the left cage 22 is cut along a contact surface with both end faces of the main body 1.
As can be seen from this figure, the first members 22a and 32a have an arcuate surface 61 which is disposed on the upper side of the upper rolling groove 43a and is continuous with the upper side of the rolling groove 43a. The second members 22b and 32b are arranged between the upper and lower rolling grooves 43a and 43b, and are formed on the upper surface of the lower rolling groove 43b and the circular arc surface 62 continuous to the lower side of the upper rolling groove 43a. It has a continuous arc surface 63. The third members 22c and 32c are disposed on the upper side of the lower rolling groove 43b and have an arcuate surface 64 that continues to the lower side of the rolling groove 43b.

  A smooth arc surface is formed by the upper rolling groove 43a and the arc surfaces 61 and 62 of the holding portions 22 and 32 with the cages 2 and 3 attached to the main body 1. A continuous arc surface 51 is formed on the plate-like portions 21 and 31. Similarly, a smooth arc surface is formed by the lower rolling groove 43b and the arc surfaces 63 and 64 of the holding portions 22 and 32 with the cages 2 and 3 attached to the main body 1. A circular arc surface 52 continuous with the surface is formed in the plate-like portions 21 and 31.

The plate-like portions 21 and 31 are also provided with through holes 53 that communicate with the through holes 41 of the leg portions 11 and 12 of the main body 1 and through holes that communicate with the screw holes 42 of the leg portions 11 and 12 of the main body 1. 54 is formed.
When the cage 2 is attached to the main body 1, the cage 2 is elastically deformed so as to widen the space between the two plate-like portions 21, and the holder 22 is fitted to the inner side surface of the leg portion 11, and both end surfaces are fitted. The plate-like part 21 is fitted. Similarly, the cage 3 is attached to the leg portion 12 of the main body 1. As a result, the cages 2 and 3 are attached to the main body 11 with an interference fit in the longitudinal direction of the slider. That is, tension is applied to the holding portions 22 and 32 by the tightening force of the two plate-like portions 21 and 31 to the end face of the main body 1.

Next, in this state, a ball is put into the circulation path in the same manner as in the prior art, and end caps are attached to both end faces of the main body 1 via the plate-like portions 21 and 31. At that time, the end cap is attached to the main body 1 with bolts using the through holes 52 of the plate-like portions 21 and 31, the screw holes 42 of the main body 1 communicating with the through holes 52, and the screw holes 45 of the main body 1.
Even when a gap is generated between the plate-like portions 21 and 31 of the cage 2 and the end surface of the main body 1 in a state where the cage 2 is attached to the main body 1, the plate-like portion 21 is attached by attaching an end cap. , 31 are pressed against the end face of the main body 1, so that a gap can be eliminated.

  As the end cap, an outer peripheral groove of the direction changing path is formed on the inner side surface, and a member (return guide) forming the inner peripheral groove of the direction changing path is attached to a mounting recess provided on the inner surface of the end cap. . Further, as the member forming the inner circumferential groove of the direction change path, a member separate from the end cap may be used, and this may be attached to the outer surfaces of the plate-like portions 21 and 31. Further, if the cages 2 and 3 are formed by integrating the members forming the inner peripheral groove of the direction change path on the outer surfaces of the plate-like portions 21 and 31, a separate return guide is not necessary.

According to the slider of this embodiment, when the plate-like portions 21 and 31 of the cages 2 and 3 are pressed against the end face side of the main body 1 in order to attach the end cap to the main body 1, It is difficult for the integrated holding portions 21 and 31 to be bent. Therefore, the slider can be prevented from contacting the guide rail, and the ball can be stably rolled in the rolling path.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, an embodiment in which a ball (rolling element) is held by a separator and a slider includes a main body, an end cap, and a separator guide member will be described.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view (a) showing a boundary portion between the guide rail 7 and one leg portion 12 of the slider body in the linear guide device of this embodiment, and a view corresponding to this boundary portion. It is a figure (b) which shows the state before attaching a cap. FIG. 5 is a partial sectional plan view (a) and a partial sectional side view (b) showing the separator used in this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4A, a ball is formed in a rolling passage formed by a rolling groove (rolling surface) 71 of the guide rail 7 and a rolling groove (rolling surface) 16 of the leg 12 of the slider body. 8 is arranged. The ball 8 is held by a separator 80 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the separator 80 is formed by connecting a large number of receiving portions (spacers) 81 arranged at predetermined intervals with a pair of arm portions (guide portions) 82 extending in the arrangement direction of the balls 8. . A spherical surface 81 a for receiving the ball 8 is formed in the receiving portion 81, and an arc surface 82 a corresponding to the diameter of the ball 8 is also formed in the arm portion 82.
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the guide member 9 has a plate-like portion 91 brought into contact with both end surfaces of each leg portion of the slider body, and the vicinity of the rolling groove 16 on the inner side surface of each leg portion. The guide groove constituting portion 92 disposed so as not to come into contact with the guide rail 7 is a member integrated for each leg portion.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the guide groove constituting portion 92 has a concave portion 92a that extends over the entire longitudinal direction of the slider. The concave portion 92a constitutes a guide groove 93 that guides the arm portion 82 of the separator 80 over the entire length of the slider, together with the leg surface 12a. As shown in FIG. 4B, the plate-like portion 91 is formed with a concave portion 91 a that is continuous with the concave portion 92 a of the guide groove constituting portion 92 and the surface 12 a of the leg portion. This guide member 9 can be manufactured by injection molding of synthetic resin, for example.

Further, the inner dimension at a position close to the boundary between the plate-shaped part 91 and the guide groove constituting part 92 is made smaller than the dimension between the end faces of the slider body. This dimensional difference is, for example, in the range of 0.005 mm to 0.2 mm, and is set as appropriate according to the size of the slider.
When the guide member 9 is attached to the slider body, the guide member 9 is elastically deformed so as to widen the space between the two plate-like portions 91, and the guide groove constituting portion 92 is fitted to the inner side surface of the leg portion. The plate-like portion 91 is fitted into the plate. As a result, the guide member 9 is attached to the slider body with an interference fit in the longitudinal direction of the slider. That is, tension is applied to the guide groove constituting portion 92 by the tightening force of the two plate-like portions 91 against the end face of the slider body.

Next, in this state, the arm portion 82 enters the guide groove 93, and the ball 8 held by the separator 80 is put into the circulation path by the same method as in the prior art. End caps are attached to both end faces via plate-like portions 91.
Even when a gap is generated between the plate-like portion 91 of the guide member 9 and the end face of the slider body with the guide member 9 attached to the slider main body, the plate-like portion 91 is attached to the slider by attaching the end cap. Since it is pressed against the end face of the main body, the gap can be eliminated.

  As the end cap, an outer peripheral groove of the direction changing path is formed on the inner side surface, and a member (return guide) forming the inner peripheral groove of the direction changing path is attached to a mounting recess provided on the inner surface of the end cap. . Further, a member separate from the end cap may be used as a member forming the inner circumferential groove of the direction changing path, and this may be attached to the outer surface of the plate-like portion 91. Further, if the guide member 9 is formed by integrating the outer surface of the plate-like portion 91 with the member forming the inner circumferential groove of the direction change path, a separate return guide is not necessary.

  According to the slider of this embodiment, when the plate-like portion 9 of the guide member 9 is pressed against the end face side of the slider body in order to attach the end cap, the guide groove constituting portion integrated with the plate-like portion 91. It is difficult for 92 to bend. Therefore, the slider can be prevented from coming into contact with the guide rail, the separator can be stably moved, and the ball can be stably rolled in the rolling path.

In addition, as a separator guided by the guide member 9, as shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the separator 80 in which the receiving portion 81 that is the spacer is connected by the arm portion 82, the spacers are independently one by one. One having a guide portion such as an arm portion in each spacer is mentioned.
When the ball is held by the separator 80 with the arm portion 82 as shown in FIG. 5 with the slider shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a cage 20 as shown in FIG. 6A is used. The cage 20 is formed by integrating two plate-like portions 210 and a holding portion 220 including three members 22a to 22c. FIG. 6B is a view in which the plate-like portion 21 of the cage 20 is cut along contact surfaces with both end faces of the main body 1.

The first member 22a has a concave portion 94a extending over the entire longitudinal direction of the slider. The concave portion 94a and the surfaces 11a and 12a of the leg portions 11 and 12 of the main body 1 constitute a guide groove 94 that guides the arm portion 82 on the upper side of the upper rolling groove 43a.
The second member 22b has concave portions 95a and 96a that extend over the entire longitudinal direction of the slider. The recess 95a, together with the leg surfaces 11a and 12a of the main body 1, constitutes a guide groove 95 that guides the arm portion 82 below the upper rolling groove 43a. The recess 96a, together with the leg surfaces 11a and 12a of the main body 1, constitutes a guide groove 96 that guides the arm 82 on the upper side of the lower rolling groove 43b.

The third member 22c has a recess 97a that extends over the entire length of the slider. The recess 97a, together with the leg surfaces 11a and 12a of the main body 1, constitutes a guide groove 97 that guides the arm portion 82 below the lower rolling groove 43b.
In the slider of FIG. 6, a sleeve having a guide groove for guiding the arm portion 82 is inserted into the return hole forming through hole 41 of the main body 1 and the through hole 53 communicating with the through hole 41.

It is a perspective view which shows the main body of the slider which comprises the linear guide apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the holder | retainer of the slider which comprises the linear guide apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a state where the retainer of FIG. 2 is attached to the main body of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view (a) showing a boundary portion between a guide rail and a leg portion of a slider body in a linear guide device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and a view corresponding to the boundary portion before attaching an end cap. It is a figure (b) which shows the state of. They are the partial cross-section top view (a) and partial cross-section side view (b) which show the separator used in embodiment of FIG. It is a perspective view explaining the holder | retainer provided with the guide groove which guides an arm part.

Explanation of symbols

1 Slider body 11, 12 Leg part 13 Horizontal part 16 Rolling groove (rolling surface) of slider body
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2,3 Cage 21, 31 Cage plate-like part 22, 32 Cage holding part 20 Cage provided with a concave part constituting a guide groove 22a First member 22b of holding part Second member of holding part 22c Third member of holding part 210 Plate-like part of cage 220 Holding part of cage 41 Through hole for return passage 42 Screw hole 43 Rolling groove (rolling surface)
45 Screw hole 46 Screw hole 51 Arc surface 52 Arc surface 53 Through hole 54 Through hole 61 Arc surface of the first member 62 Arc surface of the second member 63 Arc surface of the second member 64 Arc surface of the third member 7 Guide rail 71 Rolling groove (rolling surface) of guide rail
8 Ball 80 Separator 81 Receiving part (spacer)
82 Arm (guide)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Guide member 91 Plate-shaped part of guide member 92 Guide groove structure part of guide member 93 Guide groove 94 Guide groove 95 Guide groove 96 Guide groove 97 Guide groove

Claims (2)

A guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rolling elements,
The guide rail and the slider have a rolling surface that is disposed opposite to each other and forms a rolling passage of the rolling element,
The slider further includes a return path of the rolling element, and a direction changing path that connects the return path and the rolling path.
The rolling path, the return path, and the direction changing path constitute a circulation path of the rolling elements,
In the linear guide device in which one of the guide rail and the slider moves linearly relative to the other by the rolling elements circulating in the circulation path,
The slider comprises (1) a main body having leg portions arranged on both sides in the width direction of the guide rail and horizontal portions connecting the both leg portions, and a rolling surface formed on the inner side of the leg portion, (2) A member provided for each of the leg portions, a plate-like portion that is brought into contact with both end faces of each leg portion, and a holding portion that is disposed on the inner surface of each leg portion and holds the rolling elements on the rolling surface. An integrated retainer, and (3) an end cap fixed to both end faces of the main body via the plate-like portion,
A linear guide device characterized in that the inner dimension between the plate-like portions of the cage is made smaller than the dimension between the end faces of the main body. A guide rail, a slider, a plurality of rolling elements, and a separator;
The guide rail and the slider have a rolling surface that is disposed opposite to each other and forms a rolling passage of the rolling element,
The slider further includes a return path of the rolling element, and a direction changing path that connects the return path and the rolling path.
The separator includes a spacer disposed between the rolling elements, and a guide portion extending in the arrangement direction of the rolling elements,
The rolling path, the return path, and the direction changing path constitute a circulation path of the rolling elements,
In the linear guide device in which one of the guide rail and the slider moves linearly relative to the other by the rolling elements circulating in the circulation path,
The slider comprises a main body composed of leg portions arranged on both sides of the guide rail in the width direction and horizontal portions connecting the both leg portions, end caps fixed to both end faces of the main body, and a groove for guiding the guide portion of the separator. And a guiding member
The guide member includes a plate-shaped portion that is brought into contact with both end surfaces of each leg portion, and a guide groove constituting portion that is arranged so as not to contact the guide rail near the rolling surface on the inner surface of each leg portion. It is a member integrated for each part,
A linear guide device characterized in that an inner dimension between plate-like portions of a guide member is made smaller than a dimension between end faces of a main body.

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