JP2010133520A - Linear guide device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a linear guide device wherein a slider can be easily set in a guide rail because of a simple design, load capacity is not decreased, and circulation of rolling elements (cylindrical rollers) is not hindered. <P>SOLUTION: The linear guide device 1 includes the guide rail 10 having axially extending rail-side rolling-elements rolling-contact-surfaces 10a, 10b; the slider 20 which has slider-side rolling-element rolling-contact-surfaces 20a, 20b opposite to the rail-side rolling-elements rolling-contact-surfaces 10a, 10b, and moving axially relatively to the guide rail 10; and a plurality of rolling rollers 30, which are provided so as to roll in a circulation path formed of the rail-side rolling-elements rolling-contact-surface 10a, 10b and the slider side rolling-elements rolling-contact-surface 20a, 20b and the like. In a circulation circuit 40, spherical one-piece of adjustment rolling-element 50 is placed sandwiched between the cylindrical rollers 30, 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear motion guide device, and more particularly to a linear motion guide device used for a machine tool, conveyance, and a spot welding gun.

Conventionally, as this type of linear motion guide device, for example, the one shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction) showing the linear motion guide device (rolling guide unit) described in Patent Document 1.
A rolling guide unit 100 shown in FIG. 5 includes a track rail 101 and a slider 102 that is provided on the track rail 101 through a number of cylindrical rollers 105 so as to be movable.

The track rail 101 is formed with a pair of left and right rolling element rolling surfaces 101a and 101b extending in the axial direction so that the contact angle is 45 ° at the corner of the upper protruding portion in the width direction.
On the other hand, on the inner peripheral surface 103 of the slider 102 having a C-shaped cross section that opens downward, the rolling element rolling surface 102 a facing the rolling element rolling surfaces 101 a and 101 b formed on both side surfaces of the track rail 101. 102b extend in the axial direction.

  Rolling paths 104 and 104 in which a large number of cylindrical rollers 105 move in an endless manner are formed by the rolling element rolling surfaces 101a and 101b and the rolling element rolling surfaces 102a and 102b formed in this way. That is, the slider 102 is straddled on the guide rail 101 so as to be movable in the axial direction through rolling of the cylindrical roller 105 that moves infinitely in the rolling paths 104 and 104.

6 is a view showing a linear motion guide device (linear motion rolling bearing) 200 described in Patent Document 2, wherein (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view. It is sectional drawing which follows the 6b-6b line of (a).
As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the linear motion rolling bearing 200 is movable through an annular body 201, a large number of rolling elements 204, and a large number of guide rollers 205 (205 ′). And a shaft 202 provided. The guide roller 205 is a barrel-shaped rolling element having the same length and a smaller diameter (maximum diameter) as the barrel-shaped rolling element 204. Further, the guide roller 205 ′ is a barrel-shaped rolling element that is smaller in length and diameter (maximum diameter) than the rolling element 204.

The annular body 201 includes a cylindrical outer sleeve 206, a cylindrical support sleeve 208 disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the outer sleeve 206, and a cylindrical shape disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the support sleeve 208. The holder 209 is assembled. The support sleeve 208 and the cage 209 have a cylindrical shape concentric with the outer sleeve 206. A return groove 207 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer sleeve 206 along the axial direction. The cage 209 is disposed in an annular space between the shaft 202 and the support sleeve 208.
The cage 209 consists of two parts of a half-cylindrical shape, each part having an axial web 210 (210 ′), and the rolling element 204 is separated from the shaft 202 in the interval between adjacent webs 210 (210 ′). Induced by contact. Semicircular turning paths 12 and 12 ′ are formed on the inner surfaces of the cover rings 211 and 211 ′ provided at both axial ends of the cage 209. The endless circulation path 203 on which the rolling element 204 and the guide rollers 205 and 205 ′ roll is an outer cavity portion 203 a formed by the return groove 207, the turning paths 12 and 12 ′, and the two webs of the cage 209. And an inner hollow portion 203b formed between 210 and 210 ′.

Thus, since the small diameter guide roller 205 (205 ′) disposed between the rolling elements 204 and 204 prevents the rolling elements 204 and 204 from contacting each other, the operability is improved. Moreover, the clearance gap between the rolling elements 204 and 204 can be adjusted by adjusting the diameter of a guide roller.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-280537 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 54-40951

  However, in the rolling guide unit described in Patent Document 1, since the rolling elements are all cylindrical rollers, the gap between the cylindrical rollers cannot be adjusted, and the slider length and the direction turning path are adjusted to the gap. There is a complexity that must be designed. Further, when the gap is large, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to insert the slider into the rail because the cylindrical rollers are easily inclined.

  Further, the linear motion rolling bearing described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that the number of rolling elements arranged on the transfer surface is reduced and the load capacity is reduced because the guide roller is arranged. . Moreover, there is a concern that the guide roller rolls over while the slider is running. In this case, there is a problem that not only the circulation of the rolling elements is hindered but also the guide roller is clogged in the turning path and the end cap is damaged.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose thereof is simple design, easy insertion of the slider into the rail, and the rolling element (cylindrical roller) without reducing the load capacity. An object of the present invention is to provide a linear motion guide device that does not hinder circulation.

A linear motion guide device according to claim 1 of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a guide rail having a plurality of rail-side rolling element rolling surfaces extending in the axial direction,
A slider having a slider-side rolling element rolling surface facing the rail-side rolling element rolling surface, and moving relative to the guide rail in the axial direction;
A linear motion guide device comprising a plurality of cylindrical rollers movably disposed in a circulation path formed including the rail-side rolling element rolling surface and the slider-side rolling element rolling surface. There,
One adjusting rolling element having a spherical shape is arranged in the circulation path so as to be sandwiched between the plurality of cylindrical rollers.

  Moreover, the linear motion guide device according to claim 2 of the present invention for solving the above-described problem is the linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the adjustment rolling element is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical roller. Is also small.

According to the linear motion guide device of the first aspect of the present invention, since one spherical rolling element is arranged in addition to the cylindrical roller in the circulation path, a complicated design is not required. Further, since the shape of the adjustment rolling element is a sphere, the rolling element and the adjustment rolling element are not clogged in the circulation path.
According to the linear motion guide device of the second aspect of the present invention, since the diameter of the adjusting rolling element is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical roller, the gap between the rows of the cylindrical rollers can be adjusted. Further, since only one adjustment rolling element ball smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical roller is interposed in the circulation path, the load capacity is hardly changed.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a linear guide apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of the linear motion guide device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a circulation path along line 2-2 in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the linear motion guide device 1 includes a guide rail 10 and a longitudinal direction with respect to the guide rail 10 via a large number of cylindrical rollers 30 and adjusting rolling elements 50. And a slider 20 provided so as to be relatively movable in the (axial direction). The guide rail 10 and the slider 20 are made of a metal material such as alloy steel. The cylindrical roller 30 is made of a metal material such as alloy steel and is formed in a cylindrical shape.

The guide rail 10 has a pair of left and right rolling element rolling surfaces (rail-side rolling element rolling surfaces) 10a and 10b that extend in the axial direction so that the contact angle is 45 ° at the corner of the upper widthwise protruding portion. Is formed.
On the other hand, on the inner peripheral surface 21 of the slider 20 having a C-shaped cross section opened downward, the rolling element rolling surfaces (slider) facing the rolling element rolling surfaces 10 a and 10 b formed on both side surfaces of the guide rail 10. Side rolling element rolling surfaces) 20a, 20b are formed extending in the axial direction. A pair of end caps 25, 25 are installed at both ends of the slider 20 in the axial direction. Each end cap 25 is formed with a turning path 42 communicating with a rolling path 41 formed by the rolling element rolling surfaces 10a and 10b and the rolling element rolling surfaces 20a and 20b. Further, a return path 43 that penetrates in the axial direction and communicates with the turning paths 42 and 42 formed in the end caps 25 and 25 installed at both ends in the axial direction is formed inside the slider 20.

  Circulation paths 40 and 40 in which the large number of cylindrical rollers 30 and the adjustment rolling elements 50 are circulated infinitely are formed by the rolling path 41 thus formed, the pair of turning paths 42 and the return path 43. ing. That is, the slider 20 is straddled on the guide rail 101 so as to be movable in the axial direction through rolling of the cylindrical roller 30 that moves infinitely in the circulation paths 40 and 40. Note that only one adjusting rolling element 50 having a spherical shape having the same diameter as that of the cylindrical roller 30 is accommodated in one circulation path 40.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the cylindrical roller 30, one spherical adjustment rolling element 50 is interposed in the circulation path 40, so that a complicated design is not required. Further, since the shape of the adjustment rolling element 50 is a sphere, a large number of cylindrical rollers 30 are not clogged in the circulation path 40.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
Here, as a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2B, which is a cross-sectional view of the circulation path along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, it is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical roller 30. One adjusting rolling element 50 having a spherical diameter may be accommodated in the circulation path 40. Since the diameter of the adjustment rolling element 50 is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical roller 30, the adjustment rolling element 50 is not involved in the relative movement of the guide rail 10 and the slider 20 itself.

  As described above, as a modification of the first embodiment, in the circulation path 40, a spherical shape is formed in addition to the cylindrical roller 30, and one adjustment rolling element 50 having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical roller 30 is interposed. Thus, the gap between the rows of cylindrical rollers 30 can be adjusted. Further, the load capacity of the linear motion guide device in which only the cylindrical roller 30 is accommodated in the circulation path 40 hardly changes.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the linear motion guide device according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the shape of the guide rail and the slider, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used to describe the same configuration. Omitted. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction showing the configuration of the linear motion guide device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the circulation path taken along line 4-4 of FIG. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the linear motion guide device 1 according to this embodiment includes a guide rail 10, a large number of cylindrical rollers 30 and one adjustment rolling element 50 (see FIG. 2), the slider 20 is provided so as to be relatively movable in the longitudinal direction (axial direction). The guide rail 10 and the slider 20 are made of a metal material such as alloy steel. The cylindrical roller 30 is made of a metal material such as alloy steel and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The adjusting rolling element 50 is a spherical body having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical roller 30. In the present embodiment, the guide rail 10 has a C-shaped cross section along the width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 3) with an upper surface opened. On the left and right inner side surfaces 11 of the guide rail 10, rolling element rolling surfaces (rail side rolling element rolling surfaces) 10a and 10b extending along the longitudinal direction are formed. The rolling element rolling surfaces 10a and 10b are formed in pairs in two rows on the left and right sides at a predetermined angle in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. For example, on the left side in the width direction of the guide rail 10, a rolling element rolling surface 10 a facing the lower side of the right side of the guide rail 10 is 45 ° in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction above the left side surface of the guide rail 10. Provided. Further, below the left side surface of the guide rail 10, a rolling element rolling surface 10b facing the upper side of the right side surface of the guide rail 10 is provided at 45 ° in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface 21 of the slider 20 having a rectangular cross section, a rolling element rolling surface (slider side rolling surface) facing the rolling element rolling surfaces 10 a and 10 b formed on both side surfaces 11 and 11 of the guide rail 10. (Moving body rolling surfaces) 20a and 20b are formed extending in the axial direction.
Here, as shown in FIG. 4, inside the guide rail 10, a turning path 42 communicating with a rolling path 41 formed by the rolling element rolling surfaces 10 a and 10 b and the rolling element rolling surfaces 20 a and 20 b, 42 and a return path 43 penetrating in the axial direction and communicating with the turning paths 42 and 42 are formed.

  Circulation paths 40 and 40 in which the large number of cylindrical rollers 30 and the adjustment rolling elements 50 are circulated infinitely are formed by the rolling path 41 thus formed, the pair of turning paths 42 and the return path 43. ing. That is, the slider 20 is straddled on the guide rail 101 so as to be movable in the axial direction through rolling of the cylindrical roller 30 that moves infinitely in the circulation paths 40 and 40. Note that only one adjustment rolling element 50 is accommodated in one circulation path 40. Further, since the diameter of the adjustment rolling element 50 is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical roller 30, the adjustment rolling element 50 is not involved in the relative movement itself between the guide rail 10 and the slider 20.

  As described above, also in the present embodiment, since one spherical adjustment rolling element 50 is interposed in addition to the cylindrical roller 30 in the circulation path 40, a complicated design is not required. Further, since the shape of the adjustment rolling element 50 is a sphere, a large number of cylindrical rollers 30 are not clogged in the circulation path 40. Moreover, the gap between the rows of the cylindrical rollers 30 can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the diameter of the adjustment rolling element 50 set smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical rollers 30. Further, since the adjustment rolling element 50 smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical roller 30 is accommodated in the circulation path 40, the load capacity of the linear motion guide device in which only the cylindrical roller 30 is accommodated in the circulation path 40 is almost the same. There is no change.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, this invention is not limited to this, A various change and improvement can be performed. For example, a feed carrier means such as a ball screw may be in the form of a so-called monocarrier integrally formed at the center of the slider. Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the structure which accommodates the spherical rolling element 50 for adjustment in the circulation path 40, the number of the rolling elements 50 for adjustment may be plural, and it can accept | permit according to the objective. It is set as appropriate within the range.

It is sectional drawing which follows the surface orthogonal to the axial direction in 1st Embodiment of the linear guide apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a circulation path along line 2-2 in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing which follows the surface orthogonal to the axial direction in 2nd Embodiment of the linear guide apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a circulation path along line 4-4 in FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing which follows the surface orthogonal to the axial direction which shows the structure of the conventional linear motion guide apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional linear motion guide apparatus, (a) is sectional drawing which follows the surface orthogonal to an axial direction, (b) is sectional drawing which follows the 6b-6b line of (a).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Linear motion guide apparatus 10 Guide rail 10a, 10b (Rail side) Rolling body rolling surface 20 Slider 20a, 20b (Slider side) Rolling body rolling surface 30 Rolling body (cylindrical roller)
40 Circulating path 50 Rolling element for adjustment

Claims (2)

A guide rail having a plurality of rail-side rolling elements rolling surfaces extending in the axial direction;
A slider having a slider-side rolling element rolling surface facing the rail-side rolling element rolling surface, and moving relative to the guide rail in the axial direction;
A linear motion guide device comprising a plurality of cylindrical rollers movably disposed in a circulation path formed including the rail-side rolling element rolling surface and the slider-side rolling element rolling surface. There,
A linear motion guide device characterized in that one adjustment rolling element having a spherical shape is disposed in the circulation path so as to be sandwiched between the plurality of cylindrical rollers.   The linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the adjusting rolling element is smaller than a diameter of the cylindrical roller.

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