JP2008169983A - Linearly moving device and its inspecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means to certainly inspect failure such as wear, exfoliation, etc. generated in a circulation path irrespective of the service conditions of a ball screw device. <P>SOLUTION: The invention applies to the ball screw device 1 equipped with the circulation path on which a plurality of balls 2 circulate, wherein the circulation path is furnished with an inspection hole 18 having a smaller opening than the diameter of the balls 2, and an inspecting member 20 made of a soft material and having a contact surface 23 where the balls 2 make a slide contact is set in this inspection hole 18 removably. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear motion device having a circulation path for circulating rolling elements such as a ball screw device and a linear guide device, and an inspection method thereof.

  In the conventional ball screw device, a shaft raceway groove formed in a spiral shape on the outer peripheral surface of a screw shaft and a nut raceway groove opposed to the shaft raceway groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of a nut are screwed together via a plurality of balls. Then, the load path formed by the nut raceway groove and the shaft raceway groove arranged opposite to each other is communicated by a return tube provided on the nut to form a circulation path, and the load path is rotated while circulating the ball through this circulation path. When the load applied to the nut is supported by the moving ball, the rotational motion of the screw shaft is converted to the linear motion of the nut, and a vibration sensor is attached to the bent portion of the return tube. It is determined that an abnormality such as wear has occurred in the shaft raceway groove or the nut raceway groove of the ball screw device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Also, a nut of a ball screw device similar to the above is provided with a magnetostrictive sensor for detecting the displacement of the axial raceway groove that does not constitute the load path of the screw shaft, and the displacement of the axial raceway groove detected by the magnetostrictive sensor is a threshold value. In some cases, it is determined that an abnormality such as peeling has occurred in the axial raceway groove of the ball screw device (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2001-349407 A (mainly, page 4 paragraph 0035-5 page paragraph 0042, FIG. 1) JP 2004-12209 A (mainly, page 4 paragraph 0024-5 page 5 paragraph 0029, FIG. 1)

  However, in the technique of the above-mentioned conventional patent document 1, when a vibration sensor is attached to the bent portion of the return tube and the vibration exceeds a threshold value, it is determined that the ball screw device as the linear motion device is abnormal. Therefore, when the usage conditions (rotation speed, load condition, lubrication state, acceleration / deceleration, temperature, stroke, etc., and combinations thereof) of the ball screw device are different, the threshold value under these various conditions should be determined. There is a problem that is difficult.

In addition, there are steps and bends in the circulation path of the ball screw device, and the vibrations caused by the balls passing through them are much larger than the vibrations that occur due to peeling, etc., so it is possible to detect abnormalities such as initial peeling. There is a problem that is difficult.
In the technique of Patent Document 2, when the displacement of the shaft raceway groove detected by the magnetostrictive sensor provided on the nut exceeds a threshold value, the ball screw device as the linear motion device is determined to be abnormal, and therefore, injection molding. In the case of a ball screw device having a short stroke and a long nut length, it is difficult to measure the entire shaft raceway groove.

Further, since the displacement of the shaft raceway groove is detected by the magnetostrictive sensor, there is a problem that it is difficult to detect abnormality of the nut raceway groove and the ball.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a means for reliably inspecting abnormalities such as wear and separation occurring in the circulation path regardless of the use conditions of the linear motion device. Objective.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a linear motion device having a circulation path for circulating a plurality of rolling elements, wherein the circulation path is provided with an inspection hole having an opening smaller than the diameter of the rolling elements, An inspection member having a contact surface with which the rolling element is in sliding contact is detachably attached to the inspection hole.

  As a result, the present invention makes it possible to capture the foreign matter adhering to the rolling elements circulating in the circulation path at the contact surface of the inspection member when the foreign matter is generated. First, by observing the state of the foreign matter powder captured on the contact surface, it is possible to surely check for abnormalities such as wear and peeling occurring in the circulation path of the linear motion device.

  Embodiments of a linear motion device and an inspection method thereof according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 is an explanatory view showing the upper surface of the ball screw device of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a circulation path of the ball screw device of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a return tube of the first embodiment. 4 is an explanatory view showing an attachment state of the inspection member of Example 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a cross section taken along the line AA of FIG.
1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a ball screw device as a linear motion device.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a ball as a rolling element of the ball screw device 1, which is a sphere made of a steel material such as alloy steel.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a screw shaft of the ball screw device 1, which is a rod-shaped member made of a steel material such as alloy steel, and an axial raceway groove 4 having an arc-shaped cross-section is spirally formed with a predetermined lead on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Is formed.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a nut of the ball screw device 1, which is a cylindrical member made of a steel material such as alloy steel, and the inner peripheral surface thereof has a nut raceway groove 6 having an arcuate cross-sectional shape facing the shaft raceway groove 4. Is formed with the same lead as the shaft raceway groove 4.
8 is a communication member, which is made of a resin material or the like and has a communication path 9 bent in a substantially U shape having a diameter through which the ball 2 can pass, and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the nut 5 is axially The fitting portions 11 at both ends are fitted into fitting holes 10 reaching the nut raceway grooves 6 provided on the flat surface 5a cut out in parallel to the nut 5 and fixed to the nut 5 with a machine screw 12 or the like.

Thereby, both ends of the load path 14 formed by the shaft raceway groove 4 and the nut raceway groove 6 are communicated by the communication path 9 formed in the communication member 8, and the circulation path through which the ball 2 shown in FIG. It is formed.
As shown in FIG. 3, the communication member 8 of this embodiment is divided into divided pieces 8 a and 8 b by a mating surface 16 and formed by injection molding or the like. At the same time, the fitting portion 11 is fitted into the fitting hole 10 of the nut 5 so as to function in the same manner as the tube-type circulation type communication passage using the inner diameter of the return tube as the communication passage.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 18 denotes an inspection hole, which is formed so as to penetrate the communication passage 9 from the outer peripheral surface in the radial direction of the nut 5 of the communication member 8 and include the mating surface 16 along the circulation direction of the ball 2. It is a long hole, and the width in the direction orthogonal to the circulation direction is shorter than the diameter of the ball 2.
Thereby, the opening of the inspection hole 18 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the ball 2, and the ball 2 is prevented from dropping from the communication path 9.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 20 denotes an inspection member, which is a plug-like member formed using a soft material much softer than the ball 2 such as resin or elastomer, and an insertion portion 21 to be inserted into the inspection hole 18 and the insertion member 21. A flange 22 that restricts the insertion length of the portion 21 is formed. On the opposite side of the flange 22 of the insertion portion 21, the insertion portion 21 is inserted into the inspection hole 18 to connect the flange 22 to the outer periphery of the communication member 8. An arcuate contact surface 23 that matches the inner surface shape of the communication path 9 when formed in contact with the surface is formed, and is fixed to the inspection hole 18 by press-fitting using the elasticity or a presser (not shown).

  A circulation path formed by communicating both ends of the load path 14 with the communication path 9 is filled with a plurality of balls 2 and a predetermined amount of lubricant, for example, grease, and is rotated by rotating the screw shaft 3. The ball 2 circulates in the circulation path, and the ball 2 rolling on the load path 14 moves the nut 5 in the axial direction while supporting the load applied to the nut 5 so as to be able to reciprocate freely. It is converted into a linear motion of the nut 5, and the ball screw device 1 functions as a linear motion device.

A method for checking an abnormality occurring in the ball screw device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.
The ball screw device 1 is operated by assembling the inspection member 20 into the inspection hole 18 of the communication member 8.
During this operation, if the shaft raceway groove 4, the nut raceway groove 6 or the ball 2 is worn or peeled off, foreign matter powder such as the wear powder or peeling powder adheres to the ball 2 with grease, and the ball 2 rolls or slides. When passing through the communication passage 9, the ball 2 is in sliding contact with the contact surface 23 of the inspection member 20, and the foreign material adhering to the ball 2 is formed of a soft material that is much softer than the ball 2. The contact surface 23 is pierced by 20 and is captured by the contact surface 23.

Then, at regular or necessary inspections, the inspection member 20 is removed from the inspection hole 18, and the state of the contact surface 23, that is, the state of foreign matter powder captured by the contact surface 23 is observed.
At this time, if foreign particles captured on the contact surface 23 are present, the degree of damage to the circulation path of the ball screw device 1 is determined with reference to a preset limit sample or the like. The inspection member 20 or a new inspection member 20 is attached and the operation of the ball screw device 1 is resumed.

In this way, the life of the ball screw device 1 according to the inspection method of this embodiment is determined.
Further, even when the circulation failure is caused by the breakage of the communication member 8 or the like, the ball 2, the shaft raceway groove 4 and the nut raceway groove 6 are worn, so that the abnormality can be determined by the same inspection method.
As described above, the inspection member 20 of the present embodiment is provided in the communication path 9 through which the ball 2 after rolling on the load path 14 always passes. The nut can be reliably captured by the contact surface 23, and can be easily determined by inspecting the contact surface 23 even when initial peeling occurs, and normally a nut that cannot be observed unless the ball screw device 1 is disassembled. It is possible to discover the wear or delamination generated in the raceway groove 6 or the ball 2 without disassembling, and the abnormality occurring in the ball screw device 1 can be reliably inspected regardless of the use conditions.

Thus, it is possible to obtain a reliable inspection method for the ball screw device 1 that can perform an inexpensive and accurate inspection and confirmation without unnecessary stopping of the mechanical device due to the difficulty in setting the threshold value depending on use conditions. A stable check of the ball screw device 1 can be realized over a long period of time.
Further, since the opening of the inspection hole 18 of the present embodiment is formed smaller than the diameter of the ball 2, the ball 2 is not dropped from the communication passage 9 when the inspection member 20 is attached or removed, and the inspection work is performed. Thus, the operation efficiency of the mechanical device using the ball screw device 1 can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the inspection hole 18 is described as including the mating surface 16, but as shown in FIG. 5, the inspection hole 18 is divided into one of the divided pieces 8a and 8b (in the example of FIG. It may be provided in the divided piece 8a), and the inspection member 20 may be attached thereto.
In the present embodiment, the inspection member 20 is described as being attached to the inspection hole 18 provided in the communication path 9, but the portion where the inspection hole 18 is provided is not limited to the above, and may be provided in the load path 14. In short, any circuit may be provided as long as the ball 2 circulates.

  In this case, the inspection hole 18 may be formed so as to penetrate along the direction toward the outside of the curvature radius of the curved surface at a portion where the circulation path is curved, for example, a portion as close as possible to the bent portion of the communication passage 9. . In this way, the ball 2 is pressed against the contact surface 23 of the inspection member 20 by the inertial force when the ball 2 passes through the bent portion, and foreign matter can be captured more reliably by the contact surface 23. is there.

  As described above, in this embodiment, an inspection hole having an opening smaller than the diameter of the ball is provided in the circulation path of the ball screw device provided with a circulation path for circulating a plurality of balls, and the inspection hole is in contact with the ball. By attaching the inspection member having a contact surface to be detachable, when foreign matter powder is generated, it becomes possible to capture the foreign matter adhering to the ball circulating in the circulation path at the contact surface of the inspection member, Regardless of the conditions of use of the ball screw device, by observing the state of the foreign matter powder trapped on the contact surface, it is possible to surely check for abnormalities such as wear and separation occurring in the circulation path.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a communication member according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating a side surface of the holding piece according to the second embodiment.
In addition, the same part as the said Example 1 attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits the description.
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 25 denotes an inspection hole, which is a slit that penetrates the communication path 9 from the outer peripheral surface of the nut 5 of the communication member 8 in the radial direction and is formed in a direction orthogonal to the circulation direction of the ball 2, The width in the circulation direction is shorter than the diameter of the ball 2 and longer than the length of the holding piece 27 in the circulation direction, and the length in the direction orthogonal to the circulation direction is longer than the diameter of the holding piece 27. During the operation of the screw device 1, the screw device 1 is closed with a lid body having an inner surface having the same shape as the inner surface shape of the communication path 9, which is fixed by a pressing tool (not shown).

As a result, the opening of the inspection hole 25 is formed smaller than the diameter of the ball 2 and larger than the size of one holding piece 27, preventing the ball 2 from dropping from the communication path 9, and preventing the holding piece 27 from communicating. Insertion / removal from the passage 9 becomes possible.
The holding piece 27 is a columnar member made of a soft material similar to the inspection member of the first embodiment, and has an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the ball 2. The holding surfaces 28, which are spherical concave surfaces formed with a radius larger than the radius, are respectively formed, and are disposed between adjacent balls 2 and have a function of preventing the balls 2 from contacting each other.

A method for checking an abnormality occurring in the ball screw device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.
The holding piece 27 is disposed between the adjacent balls 2 to fill the circulation path with the plurality of balls 2 and the holding piece 27, and a lid (not shown) is attached to the inspection hole 25 of the communication member 8. Do the driving.
During this operation, if the shaft raceway groove 4, the nut raceway groove 6, or the ball 2 is worn or peeled off, foreign matter powder such as wear powder or peeling powder adheres to the ball 2 due to grease, and the ball 2 is attached to the holding piece 27. When circulating through the circulation path while being spaced apart, the ball 2 is in sliding contact with the holding surface 28 of the holding piece 27, and the foreign matter adhering to the ball 2 is formed of a soft material that is much softer than the ball 2. The holding piece 27 pierces the holding surface 28 and is captured by the holding surface 28.

Then, a lid (not shown) is removed at regular or necessary inspections, and as shown in FIG. 8, the filling gap of the holding piece 27 is pushed wide to tweeze one holding piece 27 from the inspection hole 25. The holding tool 28 is pulled out, and the state of the holding surface 28, that is, the state of the foreign matter captured on the holding surface 28 is observed.
In this case, when the filling gap is set so that the holding piece 27 does not come out from between the balls 2 even if the filling gap is expanded, the communication member 8 is lifted by a predetermined amount, and the path length of the circulation path is increased. The distance between the balls 2 may be long so that the holding piece 27 can be extracted.

When trapped foreign matter powder as shown in FIG. 9 is present on the holding surface 28 of the extracted holding piece 27, damage to the circulation path of the ball screw device 1 with reference to a preset limit sample or the like If there is no abnormality, the removed holding piece 27 or a new holding piece 27 is loaded between the balls 2, a lid (not shown) is attached, and the operation of the ball screw device 1 is resumed.
In this way, the life of the ball screw device 1 according to the inspection method of this embodiment is determined.

Further, even when the circulation failure is caused by the breakage of the communication member 8 or the like, the ball 2, the shaft raceway groove 4 and the nut raceway groove 6 are worn, so that the abnormality can be determined by the same inspection method.
As described above, since the holding piece 27 of the present embodiment is disposed between the balls 2 circulating in the circulation path, the foreign particles adhering to the ball 2 are reliably captured by the holding surface 28 of the holding piece 27. In the case where initial peeling occurs, it can be easily determined by checking the holding surface 28, and the wear on the nut raceway groove 6 and the ball 2 that cannot be observed unless the ball screw device 1 is normally disassembled. It is possible to find out without disassembling or peeling, and it is possible to surely check for an abnormality occurring in the ball screw device 1 regardless of the use conditions.

Thus, it is possible to obtain a reliable inspection method for the ball screw device 1 that can perform an inexpensive and accurate inspection and confirmation without unnecessary stopping of the mechanical device due to the difficulty in setting the threshold value depending on use conditions. A stable check of the ball screw device 1 can be realized over a long period of time.
In addition, since the opening of the inspection hole 25 of the present embodiment is smaller than the diameter of the ball 2 and the holding piece 27 can be inserted and removed, the ball 2 is connected to the communication path 9 when the holding piece 27 is removed or loaded. It is possible to improve the operating efficiency of the mechanical device using the ball screw device 1 by shortening the work time of the inspection work.

In the present embodiment, the holding piece 27 has been described as being extracted from the inspection hole 25 provided in the communication path 9, but the portion where the inspection hole 25 is provided is not limited to the above, and may be provided in the load path 42. . The point is that the ball 2 and the holding piece 27 may be provided anywhere as long as they circulate.
In this case, the inspection hole 25 may be formed by penetrating to the communication path 9 in a portion where the circulation path is linear, for example, on the outside of the straight portion of the communication path 9 in the radial direction of the nut 5. This is because when the holding piece 27 is pulled out, the ball 2 can be prevented from moving due to its own weight, and the insertion / extraction property of the holding piece 27 can be improved.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a holding piece having a holding surface for holding the balls on both sides is provided between adjacent balls of a ball screw device having a circulation path for circulating a plurality of balls, and the circulation is performed. By holding an inspection hole in the path that is smaller than the diameter of the ball and has an opening through which one holding piece can be inserted / extracted, it retains foreign powder adhering to the ball circulating in the circulation path when foreign powder is generated It is possible to capture on the holding surface of the piece, and regardless of the usage conditions of the ball screw device, the circulation path can be observed by observing the state of the foreign matter captured on the holding surface of the holding piece extracted from the inspection hole. It is possible to reliably check for abnormalities such as wear and delamination.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a ball screw device using a circulation system corresponding to a tube type in which a ball is circulated by a communication path provided in a communication member has been described as an example. The present invention is not limited to the above, and the same effect can be obtained even if the present invention is applied to a circulation type ball screw device in which the communication path is a top type, an end cap type, a deflector type or the like.
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the nut is moved in the axial direction by rotating the screw shaft of the ball screw device has been described as an example, but the type or nut in which the nut is rotated and the screw shaft is moved in the axial direction. Even if the present invention is applied to a ball screw device that moves in the axial direction on a screw shaft fixed while rotating, the same effect can be obtained.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the linear guide device of the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a circulation path of the linear guide device of the third embodiment.
In FIG. 10, 31 is a linear guide device as a linear motion device.
Reference numeral 32 denotes a rail of the linear guide device 1, which is a long rod-shaped member made of a steel material such as alloy steel, and the upper surface of the rail 32 extends along the longitudinal direction of the rail 32 to the base of the machine device or the like. A plurality of rail mounting holes 33, which are stepped bolt holes for mounting, are provided at a predetermined pitch.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a rail track groove as a rail rolling element guide surface, which is a groove having an arcuate cross section formed along the longitudinal direction of the side surfaces of the rails 32 on both sides.
Reference numeral 36 denotes a slider, which is a bowl-shaped member having a U-shaped cross section made of a steel material such as an alloy steel. A screw hole 37 is provided on the upper surface thereof, and the screw hole 37 is used. A moving table or the like of a mechanical device (not shown) is attached with a bolt or the like.

Reference numeral 38 denotes a slider raceway groove as a slider rolling element guide surface, which is a groove having an arcuate cross section provided inside the sleeve walls 36 a of the slider 36 so as to face the rail raceway groove 35.
Reference numeral 39 denotes a ball as a rolling element, which is a sphere made of a steel material such as alloy steel.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a return path having a diameter larger than the diameter of the ball 39 for circulating the ball 39 formed in the thick part of the sleeve wall 36a of the slider 36, and is referred to as a moving direction of the slider 36 (referred to as a slider moving direction). ) Through-holes through the sleeve wall 36a, corresponding to the respective slider track grooves 38.

Reference numeral 41 denotes an end cap, which is made of a metal material, a resin material, or the like, and is arranged at the front and rear end portions of the slider 36 in the slider moving direction. The slider raceway groove 38 and the rail raceway groove 35 are arranged to face each other on the slider 36 side. A direction change path 43 that is a U-shaped curved path that connects the load path 42 formed by the above and the return path 40 of the slider 36 is provided corresponding to each load path 42. A grease supply nipple 44 for replenishing grease as a lubricant to the passage 43 is attached.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 45 denotes an inspection hole, which is a long hole that penetrates the return path 40 from the outer surface of the sleeve wall 36 a of the slider 36 and is formed along the circulation direction of the ball 39, and is orthogonal to the circulation direction. Is formed shorter than the diameter of the ball 39.

Thereby, the opening of the inspection hole 45 is formed smaller than the diameter of the ball 39, and the drop of the ball 39 from the return path 40 is prevented.
Reference numeral 46 denotes an inspection member, which is a plug-like member formed using a soft material similar to that of the inspection member 20 of the first embodiment. The insertion portion 47 to be inserted into the inspection hole 45 and the insertion length of the insertion portion 47 are set as follows. A restricting collar part 48 is formed, and when the insertion part 47 is inserted into the inspection hole 45 on the opposite side of the collar part 48 of the insertion part 47 and the collar part 48 is brought into contact with the outer surface of the sleeve wall 36a. An arcuate contact surface 49 that matches the shape of the inner surface of the return path 40 is formed, and is fixed to the inspection hole 45 by press-fitting using its elasticity or a presser (not shown).

  Both ends of the load path 42 are connected to each other by a communication path 50 constituted by the direction change path 43 of the end cap 41 and the return path 40 of the slider 36 to form a circulation path. The ball 39 and a predetermined amount of lubricant, for example, grease, are sealed, and the rail raceway groove 35 and the slider raceway groove 38 are fitted via the ball 39. As the slider 36 moves, the ball 39 moves through the circulation path. A ball 39 that circulates and rolls on the load path 42 supports the load applied to the slider 36 so as to freely reciprocate, and the slider 36 is supported so as to be capable of linear reciprocation along the longitudinal direction of the rail 32. 31 functions as a linear motion device.

A method for inspecting an abnormality occurring in the linear guide device 31 having the above-described configuration will be described.
The linear guide device 31 is operated by assembling the inspection member 46 into the inspection hole 45 of the sleeve wall 36 a of the slider 36.
During this operation, if the rail raceway groove 35, slider raceway groove 38, or ball 39 is worn or peeled off, the foreign powder adheres to the ball 39 with grease, and the ball 39 passes through the return path 40 while rolling or sliding. In addition, the ball 39 is in sliding contact with the contact surface 49 of the inspection member 46, and the foreign powder adhering to the ball 39 pierces the contact surface 49 of the inspection member 46 formed of a softer material that is much softer than the ball 39. And captured by the contact surface 49.

Then, at regular or necessary inspection, the inspection member 46 is removed from the inspection hole 45, and the state of the contact surface 49, that is, the state of the foreign matter trapped on the contact surface 49 is observed.
At this time, if foreign particles captured on the contact surface 49 are present, the degree of damage to the circulation path of the linear guide device 31 is determined with reference to a preset limit sample or the like. The inspection member 46 or a new inspection member 46 is attached and the operation of the linear guide device 31 is resumed.

Thus, the lifetime of the linear guide device 31 by the inspection method of the present embodiment is determined.
In addition, even when the circulation is poor due to damage to the end cap 41 or the like, the balls 39, the rail raceway grooves 35, and the slider raceway grooves 38 are worn, so that an abnormality can be determined by the same inspection method.

  As described above, the inspection member 46 of the present embodiment is provided in the return path 40 through which the ball 39 after rolling the load path 42 always passes. A slider track that can be reliably captured by the contact surface 49 and can be easily determined by inspecting the contact surface 49 even when initial peeling occurs, and normally cannot be observed unless the linear guide device 31 is disassembled. It is possible to find out the wear and separation generated in the groove 38 and the ball 39 without disassembling them, and it is possible to surely check the abnormality generated in the linear guide device 31 regardless of the use conditions.

Thereby, it is possible to obtain a reliable inspection method for the linear guide device 31 that can perform an inexpensive and accurate inspection and confirmation without unnecessary stopping of the mechanical device due to the difficulty in setting the threshold depending on the use conditions, A stable check of the linear guide device 31 can be realized over a long period of time.
In addition, since the opening of the inspection hole 45 of this embodiment is formed smaller than the diameter of the ball 39, the ball 39 does not fall out of the return path 40 when the inspection member 46 is attached or removed, and inspection work is performed. Thus, the operation efficiency of the mechanical device using the linear guide device 31 can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the inspection member 46 is described as being attached to the inspection hole 45 provided in the return path 40 that constitutes the communication path 50, but may be provided in the direction changing path 43 that constitutes the communication path 50. The load path 42 may be provided. In short, any circuit may be provided as long as the balls 39 circulate.
In this case, when the inspection hole 45 is formed so as to penetrate along the direction toward the outside of the curvature radius of the curved surface at a part where the circulation path is curved, for example, a part as close as possible to the bent portion of the direction changing path 43. Good. By doing so, the ball 39 is pressed against the contact surface 49 of the inspection member 46 by the inertial force when the ball 39 passes through the bent portion, and foreign matter can be captured more reliably by the contact surface 49. is there.

  As described above, in this embodiment, an inspection hole having an opening smaller than the diameter of the ball is provided in the circulation path of the linear guide device having a circulation path for circulating a plurality of balls, and the inspection hole is in contact with the ball. By attaching the inspection member having a contact surface to be detachable, when foreign matter powder is generated, it becomes possible to capture the foreign matter adhering to the ball circulating in the circulation path at the contact surface of the inspection member, Regardless of the use conditions of the linear guide device, by observing the state of the foreign matter powder trapped on the contact surface, it is possible to reliably check for abnormalities such as wear and separation occurring in the circulation path.

In the present embodiment, the inspection of the abnormality of the linear guide device by the inspection member has been described. However, when the holding piece is disposed between the balls, the inspection hole similar to the inspection hole of the second embodiment is provided in the circulation path. Preferably, it is provided in the communication path.
In this embodiment, the linear guide device using balls as rolling elements has been described as an example, but the same applies to a linear guide device using rollers as rolling elements. In this case, the rail rolling element guide surface and the slider rolling element guide surface forming the load path are constituted by a rail raceway surface on which the roller rolls and a slider raceway surface.

Explanatory drawing which shows the upper surface of the ball screw apparatus of Example 1. Explanatory drawing which shows the circulation path of the ball screw apparatus of Example 1. FIG. The perspective view which shows the communicating member of Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the attachment state of the inspection member of Example 1. Explanatory drawing which shows the other attachment state of the inspection member of Example 1. The perspective view which shows the communicating member of Example 2. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the holding piece of Example 2. Explanatory drawing which shows the extraction state of the holding piece of Example 2. The photograph which shows the foreign material powder captured by the holding surface of the holding piece of Example 2 The perspective view which shows the linear guide apparatus of Example 3. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the circulation path of Example 3.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ball screw apparatus 2, 39 Ball 3 Screw shaft 4 Shaft raceway groove 5 Nut 5a Plane 6 Nut raceway groove 8 Communication member 8a, 8b Split piece 9, 50 Communication path 10 Fitting hole 11 Fitting part 12 Machine screw 14, 42 Load path 16 Matching surface 18, 25, 45 Inspection hole 20, 46 Inspection member 21, 47 Insertion part 22, 48 Saddle part 23, 49 Contact surface 27 Holding piece 28 Holding surface 31 Linear guide device 32 Rail 33 Rail mounting hole 35 Rail Track groove 36 Slider 36a Sleeve wall 37 Screw hole 38 Slider track groove 39 Ball 40 Return path 41 End cap 43 Direction change path 44 Greasing nipple

Claims (6)

In a linear motion device having a circulation path for circulating a plurality of rolling elements,
An inspection hole having an opening smaller than the diameter of the rolling element is provided in the circulation path,
A linear motion device, wherein an inspection member having a contact surface with which the rolling element is in sliding contact is detachably attached to the inspection hole. In claim 1,
A linear motion device, wherein the inspection member is formed using any one of a resin and an elastomer. In a linear motion device having a circulation path for circulating a plurality of rolling elements,
A holding piece having a holding surface for holding the rolling elements on both sides is provided between the adjacent rolling elements,
A linear motion device characterized in that an inspection hole having an opening which is smaller than the diameter of the rolling element and into which one holding piece can be inserted and removed is provided in the circulation path. In claim 1,
A linear motion device, wherein the holding piece is formed using any one material of resin and elastomer. A method for inspecting a linear motion device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein
An inspection method for a linear motion device, wherein the inspection member is removed at the time of inspection, and the life of the linear motion device is determined based on a state of the contact surface of the removed inspection member. A method for inspecting a linear motion device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein
An inspection method for a linear motion device, wherein at the time of inspection, one holding piece is extracted from the inspection hole, and the life of the linear motion device is determined based on the state of the retaining surface of the extracted retaining piece.