JP2009287652A - Linear motion guide - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a linear motion guide having improved productivity, operability and durability. <P>SOLUTION: The linear motion guide 1 comprises a slider body 10 having a slider side rolling element rolling groove 12 stepped over a guide rail 2 having in the outer face a rail side rolling element rolling groove 8 extending in the axial direction, in a relatively movable manner and opposed to the rail side rolling element rolling groove 8, and a cage 6 arranged between the guide rial 2 and the slider body 10 for holding rolling elements 20 rollingly loaded in a load rolling path 18 formed between and the rail side rolling element rolling groove 8 and the slider side rolling element rolling groove 12. The cage 6 is put in contact with the face of the slider body 10 opposite to the guide rail 2, and the slider body 10 is formed of a magnetic substance. The cage 6 consists of an elastic part 24 having elasticity, and a magnetized part 38 formed of a magnetic substance magnetized to attract the slider body 10 and the cage 6 to each other. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear motion guide device used for a machine tool, an injection molding machine, or the like.

As a linear motion guide device used for machine tools, injection molding machines, etc., for example, there is a linear motion guide device as described in Patent Document 1.
As shown in FIG. 7, this linear guide device includes a slider 4 and a cage 6. In addition, FIG. 7 is a figure which shows the linear motion guide apparatus 1 of a prior art example.
The slider 4 includes a slider body 10 and an end cap 46, and is assembled across a guide rail to a guide rail (not shown) having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction.

The slider body 10 has a slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12 facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove, and is straddled with respect to the guide rail so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction of the guide rail. .
The end cap 46 is joined to the end surface of the slider body 10 in the moving direction.
The cage 6 includes a holding plate 48 and a fixed band 50.
The holding plate 48 is a plate-like member extending in the longitudinal direction of the slider main body 10, and a plurality of rolling elements (see FIG. 5) disposed between the rail-side rolling element rolling groove 12 and the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12. (Not shown).

The fixed band 50 is a plate-like member that extends in the longitudinal direction of the slider body 10, and supports the holding plate 48 in a state of being pressed from the guide rail side by engaging both end portions with the end cap 46. .
In the linear motion guide device 1 having such a configuration, after the holding plate 48 is attached to the fixed band 50, both ends of the fixed band 50 are engaged with the end cap 46, whereby the cage 6 is moved to the slider body 10. And the end cap 46 can be attached. For this reason, the holding plate 48 can be fixed to the slider 4 with a simple operation, and the time required for assembling the slider 4 can be shortened. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the linear guide device 1 can be reduced. Is possible.

As a structure for fixing the cage to the slider, there is, for example, one described in Patent Document 2 in addition to the method described above.
In this structure, a dovetail groove is formed between the upper and lower two slider-side rolling element rolling grooves on the surface facing the guide rail of the slider body, and a part of the cage is fitted into the dovetail groove, and a screw is fixed. To fix the cage to the slider.
If the cage is fixed to the slider with such a structure, the positioning operation of the cage with respect to the slider can be omitted, and the assembly efficiency of the slider can be improved.
Japanese Patent No. 2918429 Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-55694

However, in the configuration in which the cage is fixed to the slider using a member different from the cage, as in the linear motion guide device described in Patent Document 1, the positional relationship between the components is from the normal positional relationship. If it changes, there exists a possibility that the operativity and durability of a linear motion guide apparatus may fall.
For this reason, in the assembling work of the slider, a precise positioning process between parts is required. As a result, the assembly efficiency of the linear motion guide device is lowered, which may cause a problem that the productivity of the linear motion guide device deteriorates. In addition, in order to fix the cage to the slider, a member different from the cage is required, so a space for arranging a member different from the cage is required, and this is applicable to small linear motion guide devices. There is a possibility that the problem of being difficult.

Further, in the structure in which the dovetail is formed in the slider body, such as the structure in which the cage is fixed to the slider as described in Patent Document 2, the shape of the dovetail is complicated and small. It is difficult to process the dovetail on the main body.
For this reason, in the manufacturing operation of the slider main body, the work efficiency is lowered, and there is a possibility that the productivity of the linear motion guide device is deteriorated.

In the linear motion guide device, a separator may be interposed between adjacent rolling elements in order to reduce noise during operation and improve durability.
However, in the linear motion guide device in which the separator is interposed between the adjacent rolling elements, it is necessary to form the separator circulation path in the circulation path of the rolling element, so compared with the linear motion guide device that does not use the separator. The shape of the cage becomes complicated.

In many cases, the space in which the cage is disposed is limited in its width, such as between the slider body and the guide rail. For this reason, in a linear motion guide device in which a separator is interposed between adjacent rolling elements, the cage is formed into a complicated shape, such as being formed with a non-uniform thickness. Thereby, since it becomes easy to produce a deformation | transformation in the cage after shaping | molding, there exists a possibility that the problem that productivity of a cage and the holding capability of the rolling element by a cage may fall arises.
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and does not require processing of a member or a slider different from the cage, and is capable of suppressing deformation of the cage. It is an object to provide an apparatus.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention spans a guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction so as to be relatively movable, and A slider body having a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove; and disposed between the guide rail and the slider body, and the rail-side rolling element rolling groove and the slider side A retainer for holding a rolling element that is movably loaded into a load rolling path formed between the rolling element rolling grooves, and a linear motion guide device comprising:
Bringing the retainer into contact with the surface of the slider body facing the guide rail;
Forming at least a part of the slider body using a magnetic material;
Forming at least a part of the cage using a magnetic material;
At least one of the slider body and the cage is magnetized so that the slider body and the cage are attracted to each other.

According to the present invention, the cage disposed between the guide rail and the slider body is brought into contact with the surface of the slider body facing the guide rail. Further, at least a part of the slider body and at least a part of the cage are formed using a magnetic material, and at least one of the slider body and the cage is magnetized so that the slider body and the cage are attracted to each other. ing.
For this reason, it becomes possible to fix a holder | retainer to a slider main body with magnetic force. As a result, the cage can be fixed to the slider body without using a member different from the cage and without processing the slider body.
In addition, when inserting the bearing of the linear motion guide device into the guide rail, the rolling elements disposed between the rail-side rolling element rolling groove and the slider-side rolling element rolling groove are displaced. Even when the moving body presses the cage, deformation of the cage can be suppressed.

Next, the invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein the cage includes an elastic part having elasticity, and a magnetized part formed of a magnetic material and attached to the elastic part. With
The elastic part is arranged between the rolling element and the magnetized part.
According to the present invention, the cage is configured to include an elastic part having elasticity and a magnetized part formed of a magnetic material and attached to the elastic part. Moreover, the elastic part is arrange | positioned between the rolling element and the magnetization part which are loaded so that rolling in the load rolling path is possible.
For this reason, only the elastic portion having elasticity comes into contact with a plurality of rolling elements loaded so as to be able to roll into the load rolling path, and it is possible to reduce noise generated when the linear motion guide device is operated. At the same time, it is possible to suppress wear generated in the rolling elements.

Next, the invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 2, wherein the magnetized portion includes a fitting portion for fitting a part of the elastic portion,
The fitting portion is arranged between both end portions along the slider-side rolling element rolling groove of the magnetizing portion.
According to the present invention, the magnetizing portion includes the fitting portion for fitting a part of the elastic portion, and the fitting portion is disposed between both end portions along the slider-side rolling element rolling groove of the magnetizing portion. ing.
For this reason, even when the elastic part and the magnetized part are displaced along the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, such as when the rolling element presses the cage during operation of the linear motion guide device, Can be prevented from coming off.

Next, an invention described in claim 4 is the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of rolling elements to be slidably loaded into the load rolling path are predetermined. With separators that are arranged in a row at intervals of
The separator is interposed between the rolling elements adjacent to each other, and extends from the spacer part toward the arrangement direction of the rolling elements, and is disposed between the rolling elements and the cage. Arm, and
The cage is provided with an arm guide groove for movably arranging the arm,
The arm guide groove is formed in parallel with the slider-side rolling element rolling groove.

According to the present invention, the linear motion guiding device is interposed between the adjacent rolling elements, the spacer part projects from the spacer part toward the arrangement direction of the rolling elements, and between the rolling element and the cage. A separator having an arm portion to be arranged is provided. Further, the cage is provided with an arm guide groove for arranging the arm portion, and the arm guide groove is formed in parallel with the slider-side rolling element rolling groove.
For this reason, when inserting the bearings of the linear motion guide device into the guide rail, the rolling elements and the separator press the retainer due to the displacement of a plurality of rolling elements that are loaded freely into the load rolling path. Even in this case, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the cage.
In addition, since the deformation of the cage is suppressed by the magnetic force, it is possible to prevent the rolling elements from falling off even if the cage is thin and long. Furthermore, since it becomes possible to correct the deformation of the cage due to the molding, the cage can be easily molded.

  According to the present invention, the retainer can be fixed to the slider body without using a member different from the retainer and without processing the slider body. Can be improved. Further, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to suppress the deformation of the cage, so that the productivity of the cage by molding can be improved and the operability and durability of the linear motion guide device can be improved. It becomes.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Constitution)
First, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the structure similar to what was shown in FIG. 7, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a linear motion guide device 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the linear motion guide device 1 of this embodiment includes a guide rail 2, a slider 4, and a cage 6.

The guide rails 2 are fixed to the upper surface of the base using, for example, bolts, and the upper and lower rows of rail-side rolling elements that extend along the axial direction are provided on the outer surface, specifically on both side surfaces. A moving groove 8 is provided.
The slider 4 includes a slider body 10 and an end cap (not shown).
The slider body 10 is formed using, for example, a magnetic material such as steel, and is straddled so as to be movable relative to the guide rail 2.
The slider body 10 has a slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12 and a through hole 14.

  The slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12 is a linear groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove 8, and is formed on the inner side surfaces of both sleeve portions 16. The slider-side rolling element rolling grooves 12 face the two upper and lower rail-side rolling element rolling grooves 8, and are formed in two upper and lower rows on the inner side surfaces of both sleeve portions 16. In the drawings and the following description, among the upper and lower two rows of slider-side rolling element rolling grooves 12, the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12 disposed at the upper side is the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12a, and the slider disposed at the lower side. The side rolling element rolling groove 12 is referred to as a slider side rolling element rolling groove 12b.

A load rolling path 18 is formed between the rail-side rolling element rolling groove 8 and the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12.
A plurality of rolling elements 20 are slidably loaded in the load rolling path 18.
As the rolling element 20, a cylindrical roller is used. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where cylindrical rollers are used as the rolling elements 20 will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, balls may be used as the rolling elements 20.
A separator 22 is disposed in the load rolling path 18.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the separator 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
2 is an enlarged view of a range surrounded by a circle II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line III in FIG. In FIG. 2, for the sake of explanation, only the rolling elements 20 and the separator 22 and only a part of the elastic part 24 a and the elastic part 24 b described later are shown. Moreover, in FIG. 3, only the rolling element 20 and the separator 22 are shown for description.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the separator 22 includes a spacer portion 26 and an arm portion 28.

  The spacer 26 is interposed between the adjacent rolling elements 20, and the rolling element contact part 30 is formed on the surface facing the rolling elements 20. Further, the width of the spacer portion 26 viewed from the arrangement direction of the rolling elements 20 is less than the diameter of the rolling elements 20. In the present embodiment, as an example, the width W of the spacer portion 26 viewed from the arrangement direction of the rolling elements 20 is set in the range of 60% to 80% with reference to the diameter D of the rolling elements 20.

The rolling element contact portion 30 is formed in a concave shape along the outer peripheral surface of the rolling element 20 and is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rolling element 20.
A gap C between the rolling element contact portions 30 facing each other across the rolling element 20 is less than the diameter D of the rolling element 20. Specifically, the gap C between the rolling element contact portions 30 is smaller than the diameter D of the rolling element 20 by the amount of the holding allowance K that the adjacent spacers 26 hold the rolling element 20.

The arm portion 28 is formed integrally with the spacer portion 26, and is disposed between the rolling element 20 and the cage 6 by being fixed above and below the spacer portion 26.
Further, the arm portion 28 protrudes from the spacer portion 26 toward the arrangement direction of the rolling elements 20.
As described above, the separator 22 has a plurality of rolling elements 20 that are arranged so as to be freely rollable between the rail-side rolling element rolling grooves 8 and the slider-side rolling element rolling grooves 12 and are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals. Will be allowed to.

Returning to the description with reference to FIG.
The through-holes 14 of the slider body 10 are formed in a straight line parallel to the load rolling path 18 at two upper and lower portions in the thick portions of the sleeve portions 16.
A tube 32 formed of resin or the like is inserted into each through hole 14. In the tube 32, a hole having a rectangular cross section through which the rolling element 20 can pass is formed, and a linear rolling element return path 34 parallel to the load rolling path 18 is formed by the hole having the rectangular section. .

In the tube 32, an in-tube guide groove 36 for movably arranging the arm portion 28 of the separator 22 is formed. The in-tube guide groove 36 is formed continuously with a hole having a square cross section formed in the tube 32.
The end caps are made of an elastic material such as resin, and are joined to the end surfaces of the slider body 10 in the moving direction.

  Further, the end cap is formed with a direction changing path for communicating the load rolling path 18 and the rolling element return path 34 and a positioning groove for fitting a part of the cage 6. Thereby, the rolling element rolling path which is an infinite circulation path of the rolling element 20 is formed by the direction changing path, the load rolling path 18 and the rolling element return path 34. The rolling element 20 arranged in the rolling element rolling path circulates infinitely while rolling in the rolling element rolling path as the guide rail 2 and the slider 4 move relative to each other. Further, in the rolling element rolling path, a lubricant (not shown) such as grease is arranged together with the rolling element 20.

The cage 6 includes a cage upper portion 6 a, a cage middle portion 6 b, and a cage lower portion 6 c, and is disposed between the guide rail 2 and the slider body 10.
The cage upper part 6a is arranged above the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12a.
The cage middle portion 6b is disposed between the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12a and the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12b.
The cage lower portion 6c is disposed below the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12b.

  Each of the cage upper part 6 a, the cage middle part 6 b, and the cage lower part 6 c includes an elastic part 24 and a magnetized part 38 attached to the elastic part 24. In the drawings and the following description, the elastic part 24 included in the cage upper part 6a is the elastic part 24a, the elastic part 24 provided in the cage middle part 6b is the elastic part 24b, and the elastic part 24 provided in the cage lower part 6c is the elastic part. It is described as 24c. Similarly, the magnetized portion 38 included in the cage upper portion 6a is referred to as a magnetized portion 38a, the magnetized portion 38 included in the cage middle portion 6b is referred to as a magnetized portion 38b, and the magnetized portion 38 included in the cage lower portion 6c is referred to as a magnetized portion 38c.

The elastic part 24a is formed using a material having elasticity such as resin, and is disposed between the rolling element 20 loaded in the load rolling path 18 and the magnetized part 38a. The same positional relationship is also applied to the elastic portion 24b and the magnetized portion 38b, and the elastic portion 24c and the magnetized portion 38c.
Each elastic part 24a-24c is provided with an arm part guide groove 40 in which the arm part 28 of the separator 22 is movably disposed.
The arm guide groove 40 is formed in a straight line parallel to the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12.

  Each of the magnetized portions 38 a to 38 c is formed using a magnetic material such as steel, for example, similarly to the slider body 10. The magnetized portions 38a to 38c are magnetized so that the slider body 10 and the magnetized portions 38a to 38c attract each other. Thus, the cage 6 is disposed between the guide rail 2 and the slider body 10 in contact with the surface of the slider body 10 facing the guide rail 2.

The magnetized portion 38a is in contact with the upper portion of the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12a on the surface of the slider body 10 facing the guide rail 2.
The magnetized portion 38b is in contact with the portion between the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12a and the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12b on the surface of the slider body 10 facing the guide rail 2.
The magnetized portion 38c is in contact with the lower portion of the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12b on the surface of the slider body 10 facing the guide rail 2.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the cage 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1, FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. In FIGS. 4 and 5, only the cage 6 is shown for the sake of explanation.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cage upper portion 6a, the cage middle portion 6b, and the cage lower portion 6c are integrally formed by integrally molding both end portions of the elastic portions 24a to 24c. .
Both end portions of each of the elastic portions 24a to 24c are protruded from the moving direction end surface of the slider body 10, and are fitted into positioning grooves formed in the end cap.
Each magnetization part 38a-38c is provided with the fitting part 42 of three places, respectively, and each fitting part 42 is made to fit a part of each elastic part 24a-24c. Thereby, each magnetization part 38a-38c is attached to each elastic part 24a-24c.

  Each fitting portion 42 is an opening formed by cutting out a part along the longitudinal direction of each of the magnetized portions 38 a to 38 c, and the contour line is formed in a square shape that is parallel to the outer contour of the magnetized portion 38. It is. Moreover, each fitting part 42 is formed between the both ends along the slider side rolling element rolling groove 12 of each magnetization part 38a-38c. Thereby, the fitting part 42 functions as a retaining part for the elastic part 24 of the magnetized part 38.

(Assembly work)
Next, the assembly work of the linear motion guide device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and FIG.
The assembly operation of the linear motion guide device 1 includes a straddling step of straddling the slider 4 over the guide rail 2.
As work processes performed before the straddling process, there are a cage forming process for forming the cage 6 and a slider assembling process for assembling the slider 4.
Hereinafter, the cage forming process will be described.
In the cage forming step, each of the elastic portions 24a to 24c is fitted to each of the magnetized portions 38a to 38c by fitting a part of each of the elastic portions 24a to 24c to each of the fitting portions 42 included in each of the magnetized portions 38a to 38c. Are attached to form the cage 6.

Next, the slider assembly process will be described.
In the slider assembling process, the cage 6 is attached to the surface of the slider body 10 facing the guide rail 2.
At this time, the magnetized portions 38a to 38c included in the cage 6 are magnetized so that the slider body 10 and the magnetized portions 38a to 38c attract each other.

For this reason, it is possible to attach the retainer 6 to the surface of the slider body 10 facing the guide rail 2 by magnetic force by bringing the retainer 6 into contact with the surface of the slider body 10 facing the guide rail 2. Become. That is, the cage 6 can be fixed to the slider body 10 by magnetic force.
As a result, even if the elastic portion 24 formed of resin is deformed due to “sinking” or the like at the time of molding, this deformation can be suppressed by magnetic force.

After the retainer 6 is attached to the surface of the slider body 10 facing the guide rail 2, both end portions of the elastic portions 24a to 24c are fitted into positioning grooves formed in the end caps, respectively. Attach the end cap to the.
At this time, both end portions of the respective elastic portions 24 a to 24 c are projected from the moving direction end surface of the slider body 10. The cage 6 is attached to the surface of the slider body 10 facing the guide rail 2 by a magnetic force. Thereby, the both ends of each elastic part 24a-24c will form the positioning part with respect to the slider main body 10 of an end cap.

Therefore, it is possible to attach the end cap to the slider body 10 without requiring a precise alignment process between the end cap and the slider body 10. Thereby, it becomes possible to form a rolling element rolling path, without requiring the precise alignment process of the direction change path with respect to the load rolling path 18 and the rolling element return path 34.
In the slider assembling process described above, a plurality of rolling elements 20 are installed in the rolling element rolling path formed in the slider 4 with the spacers 26 interposed between the adjacent rolling elements 20. 6 to hold. Description of the step of holding the plurality of rolling elements 20 in the rolling element rolling path will be omitted.

Next, the straddling process will be described.
In the straddling process, the slider 4 assembled in the slider assembling process is straddled on the guide rail 2.
At this time, for example, when it is straddled on the guide rail 2 without using a temporary shaft, it is formed from the rolling elements 20 and the separator 22 in the load rolling path 18 as shown in FIG. The rolling element row 44 may be disturbed. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which a part of the rolling element row 44 is disturbed in the load rolling path 18. Moreover, in FIG. 6, illustrations other than the rolling element 20 and the separator 22 are abbreviate | omitted for description.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the rolling element row 44 is disturbed in the load rolling path 18 and the rolling element 20 or the separator 22 presses the cage 6 due to this disturbance, the cage 6 may be deformed. . And when the deformation | transformation of the holder | retainer 6 is large and the clearance gap C between the rolling element contact parts 30 which oppose on both sides of the rolling element 20 becomes more than the diameter D of the rolling element 20, the rolling element 20 will drop | omit and linear motion guidance will be carried out. There is a risk that the productivity of the apparatus 1 is lowered.

However, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the magnetized portions 38a to 38c included in the cage 6 are magnetized so that the slider body 10 and the magnetized portions 38a to 38c are attracted to each other. Is fixed to the slider body 10 by magnetic force.
For this reason, even if the rolling element row 44 is disturbed in the load rolling path 18, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the cage 6 caused by the disorder, and the rolling element 20 from the load rolling path 18. Can be prevented from falling off.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the linear guide apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the slider 4 is moved in the axial direction of the guide rail 2 and the slider 4 and the guide rail 2 are moved relative to each other when the linear guide device 1 is operated, the rolling elements 20 in the rolling element rolling path are rolled. While infinitely circulating in the rolling element rolling path.
Among the rolling elements 20 that circulate infinitely in the rolling element rolling path, the rolling elements 20 in the load rolling path 18 slide with the rail-side rolling element rolling groove 8 and the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12. Roll.

Here, when disorder occurs in the rolling element row 44 in the load rolling path 18, the rolling element 20 and the separator 22 may press the cage 6, and the cage 6 may be deformed (see FIG. 6).
At this time, the magnetized portions 38a to 38c included in the cage 6 are magnetized so that the slider body 10 and the magnetized portions 38a to 38c are attracted to each other, and the cage 6 is fixed to the slider body 10 by a magnetic force. It is.
For this reason, even if the rolling element row 44 is disturbed in the load rolling path 18, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the cage 6 caused by the disorder, and the rolling element 20 from the load rolling path 18. Can be prevented from falling off.

(effect)
Therefore, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the slider body 10 and the magnetized portion 38 included in the cage 6 are formed using a magnetic material such as steel, and the magnetized portion 38 is formed with the slider body 10. The magnetized portions 38 are magnetized so as to attract each other. Accordingly, the cage 6 is disposed between the guide rail 2 and the slider body 10 so as to contact the surface of the slider body 10 facing the guide rail 2.

Therefore, the cage 6 can be fixed to the slider main body 10 by magnetic force, and the cage 6 can be fixed to the slider without using a member different from the cage 6 and without processing the slider main body 10. It can be fixed to the main body 10.
As a result, the assembly operation of the slider 4 does not require a precise alignment process between components, and the assembly efficiency of the linear motion guide device 1 can be improved, and the productivity of the linear motion guide device 1 is improved. It becomes possible.

Further, since a member different from the retainer 6 is not required to fix the retainer 6 to the slider 4, the retainer 6 can be applied to a small linear motion guide device 1, and various types of direct motion guide devices can be applied. For example, productivity can be improved.
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to form a fitting part or the like having a complicated shape on the slider body 10, it is possible to suppress a reduction in work efficiency in the manufacturing work of the slider body 10, and to improve the productivity of the linear motion guide device 1. It becomes possible to improve.

Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the cage 6 is magnetized so that the slider main body 10 and the magnetized portion 38 are attracted to each other by magnetizing the magnetized portion 38 included in the cage 6, so 10 is fixed.
For this reason, even when the rolling elements 20 press the cage 6 due to the displacement of the plurality of rolling elements 20 loaded in the load rolling path 18 during the operation of the linear motion guide device 1, It becomes possible to suppress the deformation of the vessel 6.

As a result, it is possible to smoothly roll the rolling element 20 that rolls while sliding with the rail-side rolling element rolling groove 8 and the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12 in the load rolling path 18. The operability and durability of the linear motion guide device 1 can be improved.
Further, even if the shape of the cage 6 is a shape having a low rigidity such as a thin and long plate shape, or a complicated shape that is likely to be deformed after molding, the cage 6 is produced when the rolling element row 44 is disturbed. Deformation can be suppressed. Thereby, since it becomes possible to suppress the reduction | decrease of the holding | maintenance capability of the rolling element 20 by the holder | retainer 6, it becomes possible to improve the operativity and durability of the linear motion guide apparatus 1. FIG.

Furthermore, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the structure of the cage 6 is attached to the elastic portion 24 having elasticity and the elastic portion 24, and the slider body 10 and the cage 6 are magnetized so as to attract each other. The magnetized portion 38 is provided. Further, the elastic portion 24 is formed between the rolling element 20 and the magnetized portion 38 in the load rolling path 18.
For this reason, only the elastic part 24 having elasticity comes into contact with the plurality of rolling elements 20 loaded in the load rolling path 18, and it is possible to reduce noise generated when the linear guide device 1 is operated. At the same time, it is possible to suppress wear generated in the rolling elements 20.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the noise during operation of the linear motion guide device 1, and it is possible to improve the operability and durability of the linear motion guide device 1.
Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the magnetizing portion 38 includes the fitting portion 42 for fitting a part of the elastic portion 24, and the fitting portion 42 is connected to the slider side of the magnetizing portion 38. It arrange | positions between the both ends along the rolling-element rolling groove | channel 12.

For this reason, when the rolling element 20 presses the cage 6 during the operation of the linear motion guide device 1, even if the elastic part 24 and the magnetized part 38 are displaced along the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12. Thus, it is possible to prevent the magnetized portion 38 from being detached from the elastic portion 24.
As a result, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the cage 6 that occurs when the rolling element row 44 is disturbed, and thus it is possible to suppress a reduction in the holding ability of the rolling element 20 by the cage 6. The operability and durability of the motion guide device 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 according to the present embodiment, the spacer portion 26 interposed between the adjacent rolling elements 20, and projects from the spacer portion 26 toward the arrangement direction of the rolling elements 20, and the rolling elements 20. And a separator 22 including an arm portion 28 disposed between the holder 6 and the cage 6. Further, the cage 6 is provided with an arm guide groove 40 in which the arm portion 28 is disposed, and the arm guide groove 40 is formed in parallel with the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 12.

For this reason, when the linear motion guide device 1 is operated, the rolling elements 20 and the separators 22 press the cage 6 when the plurality of rolling elements 20 loaded in the load rolling path 18 are displaced. In addition, the deformation of the cage 6 can be suppressed.
As a result, it is possible to reduce the noise during operation of the linear motion guide device 1, and it is possible to improve the operability and durability of the linear motion guide device 1.

(Application example)
In the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the cage 6 is opposed to the guide rail 2 of the slider body 10 by magnetizing the magnetized portion 38 so that the slider body 10 and the magnetized portion 38 attract each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the slider body 10 may be magnetized so that the slider body 10 and the magnetized portion 38 attract each other, and the slider body 10 and the magnetized portion 38 are magnetized so that the slider body 10 and the magnetized portion 38 attract each other. May be. In short, at least one of the slider body 10 and the magnetized portion 38 is magnetized so that the slider body 10 and the magnetized portion 38 are attracted to each other, so that the slider body 10 and the cage 6 are attracted to and brought into contact with each other by magnetic force. Any configuration can be used.

  Moreover, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the structure of the cage 6 includes an elastic portion 24 having elasticity, and a magnetized portion 38 that is magnetized so that the slider body 10 and the cage 6 attract each other. Although configured, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the cage 6 may be formed only by the magnetized portion 38. Further, for example, the cage 6 is formed by mixing a magnetic material such as steel in a material having elasticity such as resin, so that the cage 6 has both physical properties of the elastic portion 24 and the magnetized portion 38. It is good.

Furthermore, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the magnetized portion 38 includes the fitting portion 42 for fitting a part of the elastic portion 24, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the magnetized portion 38 is not limited thereto. It is good also as a structure which is not provided with the fitting part 42. FIG. In this case, the magnetization part 38 and the elastic part 24 are couple | bonded using means, such as adhesion | attachment, for example.
Moreover, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the separator 22 including the spacer portion 26 and the arm portion 28 is provided. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the separator 22 may not be provided. .

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the configuration of the separator 22 is formed integrally with the spacer portion 26 interposed between the adjacent rolling elements 20 and the spacer portion 26. Although it is set as the structure provided with the arm part 28 fixed to the upper and lower sides of this, it is not limited to this. That is, the configuration of the separator 22 may be a configuration in which a plurality of spacers 26 are connected by one long arm 28. In this case, the arm portion 28 is formed of an elastic material that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path.

  Moreover, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the cage upper part 6a, the cage middle part 6b, and the cage lower part 6c are integrally formed by integrally molding both end portions of the elastic portions 24a to 24c. However, it is not limited to this. That is, the cage upper part 6a, the cage middle part 6b, and the cage lower part 6c may be formed separately. However, since the cage 6 can be easily assembled, it is preferable to integrally form the cage upper portion 6a, the cage middle portion 6b, and the cage lower portion 6c as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment. is there.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the linear motion guide apparatus of this invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a range surrounded by a circle II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a view taken along line III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4. It is a figure which shows the state in which disorder occurred in a part of rolling-element row | line | column in a load rolling path. It is a figure which shows the linear motion guide apparatus of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Linear motion guide device 2 Guide rail 4 Slider 6 Cage 8 Rail side rolling element rolling groove 10 Slider body 12 Slider side rolling element rolling groove 18 Load rolling path 20 Rolling element 22 Separator 24 Elastic part 26 Spacer part 28 Arm part 30 Rolling body contact part 34 Rolling body return path 38 Magnetizing part 40 Arm part guide groove 42 Fitting part

Claims (4)

A slider main body having a slider-side rolling element rolling groove straddling a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction so as to be relatively movable on a guide rail having an outer surface and facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove; , Which is disposed between the guide rail and the slider body and is movably loaded into a load rolling path formed between the rail-side rolling element rolling groove and the slider-side rolling element rolling groove. A linear motion guide device comprising: a cage that holds a rolling element that
Bringing the retainer into contact with the surface of the slider body facing the guide rail;
Forming at least a part of the slider body using a magnetic material;
Forming at least a part of the cage using a magnetic material;
A linear motion guide device, wherein at least one of the slider body and the cage is magnetized so that the slider body and the cage are attracted to each other. The cage includes an elastic part having elasticity, and a magnetized part formed of a magnetic material and attached to the elastic part,
The linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is disposed between the rolling element and the magnetized portion. The magnetized portion includes a fitting portion for fitting a part of the elastic portion,
The linear guide apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the fitting portion is disposed between both end portions of the magnetizing portion along the slider-side rolling element rolling groove. A separator that arranges a plurality of rolling elements that are movably loaded into the load rolling path in a row at a predetermined interval,
The separator is interposed between the rolling elements adjacent to each other, and extends from the spacer part toward the arrangement direction of the rolling elements, and is disposed between the rolling elements and the cage. Arm, and
The cage is provided with an arm guide groove for movably arranging the arm,
4. The linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein the arm portion guide groove is formed in parallel with the slider-side rolling element rolling groove. 5.

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