JP2775125B2 - Linear guide device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a linear guide device used for, for example, linear movement of a table of a machine tool, and more particularly, to a linear guide rail and a moving body that moves across the guide rail. And a linear guide device comprising:

[0002] In this specification, front, rear, left and right refer to the moving direction of a moving body.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a direct-acting type guide device of this type, a moving body has a substantially U-shaped cross section with one annular ball circulating path (rolling element circulating path) in each of leg portions on both sides. The moving block is composed of a block and a plurality of balls (rolling elements) that circulate between the guide rails by circulating through the ball circulation paths of the moving block, and the moving block includes end cap portions at both ends and a remaining intermediate portion. Each ball circulation path has a groove-like outward path formed on the guide rail side of the leg section on both sides of the intermediate portion of the moving block so as to face the guide rail, and an outer side of the outward path of these leg sections. There is known a hole-shaped return path formed by a formed return path and an inversion path formed at end cap portions at both ends of the moving block and connecting the end of the outward path and the end of the return path. In this linear motion guide device, the return path includes a groove formed on the left and right outer surfaces of the leg-like portions on both sides of the intermediate portion, and a front and rear end portion attached to the end cap portion and closing the intermediate portion. It is formed by members. The reversing path is formed by a recess formed on the inner surface in the front-rear direction of the end cap portion and a guide member fitted in the recess.

[0004]

However, in the conventional linear guide device, the moving block is composed of two end cap portions, an intermediate portion, a closing member, and a guide member, so that the number of parts increases. At the same time, there is a problem that the number of assembling steps increases and the cost increases.

An object of the present invention is to provide a linear guide device which solves the above problem.

[0006]

A linear guide device according to the present invention comprises a linear guide rail and a moving body which moves along the guide rail, wherein the moving body has a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section. A moving block which is straddled on a guide rail and has annular rolling element circulation paths on both left and right leg portions, and a plurality of rolling blocks which circulate between the rolling element circulation paths of the moving block and guide rails. Rolling element circulation paths, each rolling element circulation path is formed on the guide rail side of the left and right leg-like portions of the moving block, a groove-like outward path formed to face the guide rail, and these leg-like portions In a linear motion guide device comprising a hole-shaped return path formed on the outer side in the left-right direction of the outward path and a reversing path formed at both front and rear ends of the moving block and connecting the end of the outward path and the end of the return path, But, The end cap portion of the rear ends,
A first component member consisting of a connecting portion that integrally connects the two end cap portions and forms a lower portion on the outside in the left-right direction of both leg portions of the moving block; a main body portion fitted between the two end cap portions; A second projecting member formed integrally with the second portion and forming a lower portion on the left and right sides of the two leg-shaped portions of the moving block; The lower surface of the projecting portion is exposed below both leg portions of the moving block.

[0007]

The moving block has a first component member comprising end cap portions at both front and rear ends, and a connecting portion which integrally connects the two end cap portions and forms a lower portion on the left and right sides of both leg portions of the moving block. A main body portion fitted between the two end cap portions, and a downwardly projecting portion formed integrally with the main body portion and forming a lower portion on the inner side in the left-right direction of the two leg-shaped portions of the moving block, and a forward path is formed. Since the number of components is two, the number of parts is reduced and the number of assembling steps is reduced as compared with the conventional linear guide device.

Further, since the lower surface of the downwardly protruding portion of the second component is exposed below the two leg-shaped portions of the moving block, the downwardly protruding portion is formed from the contact point between the forward path and the rolling element in the second component. The distance to the lower surface can be made relatively large. Therefore, the rigidity of this portion is improved. In addition, the distance from the lower end of the guide rail to the lower surface of the lower protruding portion can be made relatively large without reducing the rigidity of the lower portion of the lower protruding portion.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the linear guide device in an exploded state, and FIGS. 2 to 5 show the linear guide device in an assembled state.

2 to 5, a guide device comprises a linear guide rail (1) and a moving body moving along the guide rail (1).
(2)

The guide rail (1) is set in a fixed portion, for example, a shallow groove (B) formed on the upper surface of the bed (A). The guide rail (1) has a substantially trapezoidal cross section,
An inclined surface (1a), which is inclined upward and inward in the left-right direction, is formed at the upper part of each of the left and right side surfaces. One arc-shaped ball extending in the front-rear direction on the inclined surface (1a). A guide surface (3) is formed.

The moving body (2) includes a moving block (4) having a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section which straddles the upper part of the rail (1), and a moving block (4).
A plurality of balls (rolling elements) that circulate in an annular ball circulation path (5) formed in the leg portions (7) on both the left and right sides and roll between the guide surface (3) of the rail (1) (6)

The ball circulation path (5) is formed in the leg portions (7) on both sides of the moving block (4) as will be described in detail below. On the rail (1) side of the leg-like portions (7) on both sides of the moving block (4), that is, on the inner side in the left-right direction, an arc-shaped groove-like outward path (8) facing the guide surface (3) of the rail (1) is formed. ing. Further, a hole-shaped return path (9) is formed outside the forward path (8) of the leg-shaped parts (7) on both sides of the moving block (4). A semicircular reversing path (10) connecting the end of the forward path (8) and the end of the return path (9) is formed at both front and rear ends of the moving block (4), and the forward path (8), the return path (9) and The reversal path (1
A circulation path (5) is formed by (0). Ball circulation path
The ball (6) is sealed in (5), and the ball (6) on the outward path (8) is in contact with the guide surfaces (3) on both sides of the rail (1).

The moving block (4) is composed of first and second 2
It is constituted by combining two constituent members (11) and (12).

As shown in FIG. 1, the first constituent member (11) is integrally formed of a synthetic resin, and includes a substantially inverted U-shaped end cap portion (13) at both front and rear ends. It is formed integrally with the portion (13), and consisting of a left and right leg portions (13a) 2 single linking moiety linking of both the end cap portion (13) (14). The connecting part (14) is a moving block
The lower part on the left and right sides of the left and right leg-shaped parts (7) of (4) is formed. Also, at the front and rear ends of the connecting portion (14),
A protruding portion (14a) is formed integrally with the leg portion (13a) of the end cap portion (13) and protrudes to the inner end in the front-rear direction. The upper and lower surfaces of the protruding portion (14a) are flush with the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting portion (14). Then, a predetermined length portion at the front and rear ends on the upper surface of the connecting portion (14), that is, the protrusion (14
a) An arc-shaped grooved ball guide surface extending in the front-rear direction except for the length of (a) and opening upward and inward in the left-right direction (15)
Are formed. One end of the ball guide surface (15) is attached to the front and rear ends of the connecting portion (14) and the upper surface of the protrusion (14a).
A semicircular arc groove-shaped ball guide surface (16) is formed, which is continuous with the end portion and has the other end opened in the front, rear, left and right sides of the protruding portion (14a).

The second component (12) of the moving block (4) is entirely integrally formed of synthetic resin, and has a main body portion (17) fitted between the upper portions of both end cap portions (13).
And a moving block (4) formed integrally with the lower surface of the body portion (17) except for a predetermined length portion at both front and rear ends.
And two lower protruding portions (18) forming a lower portion on the inner side in the left-right direction. Downward protruding part (18)
Is equal to the distance between the projecting portions (14a) before and after the connecting portion (14). The inner surface in the left-right direction of the downward protruding portion (18) is opposed to the inclined surface (1a) of the guide rail (1), and the ball outward path (8) is formed here.

The first and second components (11) and (12) are
The main body portion (17) of the component member (12) fits between the upper portions of the end cap portions (13) before and after the first component member (11), and the downward projecting portion (18) projects forward and backward of the connecting portion (14). It is assembled so as to fit between the parts (14a) and fixed with screws (9). As a result, the lower surface of the main body portion (17) is connected to the connecting portion (14) and the protrusion (1).
4a), the left and right outer surfaces of the downwardly projecting portion (18) contact the left and right inner surfaces of the connecting portion (14), and the downwardly projecting portion (18)
The front and rear end surfaces contact the inner surface of the protrusion (14a) in the front-rear direction. The lower surface of the downward protruding part (18) is exposed below both leg-like parts (7) of the moving block (4), and the connecting part (14)
It is flush with the lower surface of. A return path (9) is formed by the straight ball guide surface (15) of the connecting portion (14), the lower surface of the main body portion (17), and the outer surface in the left-right direction of the downward projecting portion (18). Further, a reversing path (10) is formed by the semicircular ball guide surface (16) of the connecting portion (14) and the lower surface of the main body portion (17). The outgoing route (8) and the return route (9) are
The ball circulation path (5) is formed in communication with the ball circulation path (0).

When the moving block (4) moves back and forth, the ball (6) circulates in each ball circulation path (5) while rolling on the guide surface (3) of the rail (1) as follows. I do.
That is, the movement of the moving block (4) causes the circulation path (5)
Ball (6) on the outbound path (8) of the rail (1) guide surface (3)
Roll up and move behind the outbound path (8). Therefore, the ball (6) on the outgoing path (8) enters the reversing path (10) in order, and the ball (6) on the reversing path (10) enters the returning path (9) in order and returns to the returning path (9). The balls (6) that have entered enter the outbound path (8) in order.

In the above, the lower surface of the downwardly projecting portion (18) of the second component member (12) is the lower leg of the movable block (4).
(7), the portion protruding downward from the contact point between the forward path (8) and the ball (6) in the second component member (12).
The distance (h) to the lower surface of (18) can be made relatively large. Therefore, the rigidity of this portion is improved. Moreover, the distance (H) from the lower end of the guide rail (1) to the lower surface of the lower protruding part (18) can be compared without reducing the distance (h) and reducing the rigidity of the lower part of the lower protruding part (18). Target can be increased. Therefore, the depth of the groove (B) can be made relatively large, and the guide rail (1)
Can be securely and easily mounted.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows the linear guide device in the disassembled state.
Indicates a second component member. In FIG. 6, the first component (1
A semi-circular notch extending vertically in the front-rear inner surface of the protruding portion (14a) at the front and rear ends of the connecting portion (14) of (1).
(20) is formed. That is, the ball guide surface (16) on the inner side in the front-rear direction of the protrusion (14a) of the first embodiment.
A semi-cylindrical portion surrounded by a circle and a portion connected to the lower end thereof are cut away.

As shown in FIG. 7, a semi-cylindrical guide portion (21) is integrally formed on both front and rear end surfaces of the downwardly projecting portion (18) of the second component member (12), as shown in FIG. . Then, the lower part of the guide part (21) is fitted into the notch (20). As a result, the reversing path (10) has a semicircular ball guide surface (16) of the connecting portion (14), a lower surface of the main body portion (17), and a guide portion (21).
And is formed by. Other configurations are the same as those of the first
And the same reference numerals are given to the same parts.

In the above two embodiments, balls are used as rolling elements, but rollers may be used instead of balls. The guide rail has a substantially trapezoidal cross section, but is not limited to this, and may have a rectangular shape. Furthermore, the ball guide surface (3) of the guide rail (1)
And the outward path (8) is an arc-shaped groove, but is not limited thereto, and may be formed, for example, by a Gothic arch-shaped groove, that is, a ball (6)
It may be formed of two arc surfaces having a larger radius of curvature or two planes.

[0024]

According to the linear guide device of the present invention,
As described above, the number of parts is reduced and the number of assembling steps is reduced as compared with the conventional linear guide device, so that the cost is reduced. Further, since the distance from the contact point between the outward path and the rolling element in the second component member to the lower surface of the downwardly protruding portion can be made relatively large, the rigidity of the portion of the second component member where the outward path is formed is reduced. improves. Furthermore, since the distance from the lower end of the guide rail to the lower surface of the downwardly projecting portion can be made relatively large, the depth of the guide rail fitting groove formed in a fixed portion such as a bed can be increased, and the guide rail can be enlarged. Can be securely and easily mounted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a linear guide device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same assembled state.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the same.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the linear motion guide device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second component viewed from below.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Guide rail 2 Moving body 4 Moving block 5 Ball circulation path (rolling element circulation path) 6 Ball (rolling element) 7 Leg part 8 Outbound path 9 Return path 10 Inversion path 11 First component member 12 Second component member 13 End cap portion 14 Connecting part 17 Body part 18 Downward projecting part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F16C 29/00-29/06

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vehicle comprising: a linear guide rail; and a moving body that moves along the guide rail.
A moving block having a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section and straddling the guide rail, and having a circular rolling element circulation path in each of the left and right leg-shaped portions, and a guide rail circulating through each rolling element circulation path of the moving block. And a plurality of rolling elements that roll between the rolling elements, each rolling element circulating path is formed in a groove-like shape formed on the guide rail side of the left and right leg-like portions of the moving block so as to face the guide rail. A straight path comprising a forward path, a hole-shaped return path formed on the outer side of the forward path of these leg-shaped portions in the left and right direction, and a reverse path formed at both front and rear ends of the moving block and connecting the end of the forward path and the end of the return path. In the dynamic guide device, the moving block includes a first end cap portion at each of the front and rear ends, and a first connecting portion that integrally connects the two end cap portions and forms a lower portion on the left and right outer sides of both leg portions of the moving block. And a main body portion fitted between the end cap portions, and a downwardly projecting portion formed integrally with the main body portion and forming a lower portion on the inside in the left-right direction of both leg-like portions of the moving block, and the outward path is formed. A linear motion guide device comprising a second component member, wherein a lower surface of a downwardly projecting portion of the second component member is exposed below both leg portions of the moving block.