JP3299450B2 - Linear motion guide device and method of incorporating rolling element chain thereof - 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 motion guide device incorporating rolling element chains such as balls and rollers, and a method of incorporating the rolling element chains.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As rolling element chains used in this type of conventional linear motion guide device, there are a number of rolling elements arranged in a row, and a flexible and long chain body to which each rolling element is attached. And a rolling element holding portion is provided in order to prevent the ball from dropping out of the rolling element housing section that houses the rolling element.

[0003]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional rolling element chain, the step of assembling the rolling element with the chain main body, and assembling the rolling element chain with the rolling element assembled into the rolling element circulation path of the moving block. Process 2
A process was required, and assembly was troublesome.

The present invention focuses on the fact that the rolling element holding portion does not function in a state where the rolling element chain is actually incorporated in the linear motion guide device and is used while satisfying the functions required during use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rolling element chain having a structure that facilitates the work of incorporating the rolling element into a main body.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a track member, a moving member movably provided along the track member, and a moving member provided between the track member and the moving member. A plurality of rolling elements interposed in a load rolling element passage between the load rolling element rolling grooves opposed to each other, wherein the moving member is arranged in parallel with the load rolling element rolling grooves and the load rolling element rolling grooves; A moving member main body provided with a rolling element return passage, and a side cover provided at both ends of the moving member main body and constituting a direction change path communicating both ends of the load rolling element path and both ends of the rolling element return path, Wherein the rolling element is assembled to a rolling element chain and a linear motion guide device that circulates a load rolling element path, a direction change path, and a rolling element return path, wherein the rolling element chain does not hold the rolling element, Circular moving roll
A flexible and long chain main body having a function of aligning moving objects at predetermined intervals, the chain main body includes:
A rolling element housing is provided, and the rolling element housing is
Spacers interposed between the rolling elements and a link connecting the spacers
Rolling member for each rolling element
Engage in the body arrangement direction to maintain the spacing between the rolling elements, and
The rolling elements are separated in the direction of contact with the rolling elements
It is characterized by being housed separately .

[0006] The rolling element chain does not have a function of holding the rolling element, and the rolling element housed in the rolling element accommodating portion of the chain body falls off when removed from the moving block.

The rolling element chain has a function of holding the rolling elements in a non-contact state when the rolling elements are mounted on the moving block and rolled and circulated between the rolling elements and the track rail. And generation of abnormal noise. Further, it has a function of drawing the rolling elements in the no-load region into the load region. In other words, when the moving member is moved along the track rail, the rolling elements are interposed between the load ball rolling grooves in the load area and roll and shift, and the chain body moves with the rolling elements as the rolling elements move. Direction, and the ball in the no-load area smoothly moves to the load area.

[Claim 2] The chain body has a thin and long belt shape, and is rolled.
Rolling body can pass through from body to back
To engage from both the front and back of the chain body
It is characterized by being detachable .

[Claim 3 ] A rolling element which engages with the rolling element when the track member is pulled out of the moving element and prevents the rolling element from falling off at the groove side edge of the load rolling element rolling groove of the moving element body. It is characterized in that a holding portion is provided.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the rolling elements from falling off when the track member is extracted from the moving member. Further, the chain main body can be held by the rolling element holding portion, and the chain main body can be prevented from falling off.

[0011] the groove side edges of the claims 4] moving member body of loaded rolling member rolling groove, a chain holder for holding the engagement chained body chain body when the extracted track member from moving member It is characterized by having been provided.

In this case, when the track member is extracted from the moving member, the rolling element is held by the chain main body, and the chain main body is held by the chain holding section.

[Claim 5 ] It is preferable to provide a chain guide for guiding the chain body in the load rolling element passage, the direction change path and the rolling element return path of the moving member.

By guiding the chain main body by the chain guide portion, the engagement position of the chain main body with respect to the ball can be kept constant.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a linear motion guide device incorporating a rolling element chain, comprising: a track member; a moving member movably provided along the track member; A plurality of rolling elements interposed in a load rolling element passage between the opposing load rolling element rolling grooves of the member, wherein the moving member includes a load rolling element rolling groove and the load rolling element rolling groove; A moving member main body having a rolling element return passage parallel to the main body, and a side cover provided at both ends of the moving member main body and forming a direction change path connecting both ends of the load rolling element passage and both ends of the rolling element return passage. The rolling element is assembled to a rolling element chain to circulate a load rolling element path, a direction change path, and a rolling element return path, and the rolling element chain is a flexible and long chain body. To the chain body and rolling elements Rolling element housing portion that engages in the rolling element array direction to maintain the interval between the rolling elements, and separates and accommodates the rolling elements so as to be detachable in the contact direction with the corresponding load rolling element rolling groove. A linear motion guide device provided with a moving member, wherein one side lid of the moving member is removed to open the load rolling element passage and the rolling element return path, and one of the load rolling element path and the rolling element return path is opened. The chain body is intermittently fed from the part with the pitch of the rolling element accommodation part,
The rolling element accommodating portion is sequentially positioned immediately before the opening, the rolling element is supplied to the rolling element accommodating portion immediately before the opening, and the rolling element is incorporated in the load rolling element passage or the rolling element return path together with the chain body. And

[0016] In this way, the incorporation of rolling elements to chain body, embedder to the mobile member of the ball chain can be carried out simultaneously, easily performed that Te Wa Me <br/> can the embedder Can be.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiment.

[0018] First Reference Example 1, the linear motion guide apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention have been described.

The linear motion guide device 1 includes a track rail 2 as a track member, a moving block 3 as a moving member movably provided along the track rail 2, and a mutual movement of the track rail 2 and the moving block 3. A number of balls 7 as rolling elements interposed in load ball passages 6 between load ball rolling grooves 4 and 5 as opposing load rolling element rolling grooves
And

The moving block 3 includes a moving block main body 9 having a loaded ball rolling groove 5 and a ball return path 8 parallel to the loaded ball rolling groove 5, and provided at both ends of the moving block main body 9. And a side cover 11 that forms a direction change path 10 that connects both ends of the load ball passage 6 and both ends of the ball return passage 8.

The ball 7 is mounted on a ball chain 12 as a rolling element chain to guide circulation.

The ball chain 12 has a flexible and long chain main body 13, which is engaged with each of the balls 7 in the direction in which the balls 7 are arranged so as to maintain an interval between the balls 7. And the corresponding loaded ball rolling grooves 4, 5
A ball housing hole 14 is provided in the contact direction with the ball member as a rolling element housing portion that is detachable.

The chain main body 13 has a thin and long belt shape, and the ball receiving hole 14 allows the ball 7 to freely engage and disengage. In the case of this embodiment, the ball 7 can pass from the front side to the back side with respect to the ball receiving hole 14 and can be disengaged from both the front side and the back side of the chain main body 13.

That is, the ball chain 12 is
And the ball 7 accommodated in the ball accommodating portion 14 of the chain main body 13 falls off when the ball 7 is detached from the moving block 3.

The function of the ball chain 12 is to hold the balls 7 in a non-contact state when the balls 7 are mounted on the moving block 3 and roll and circulate with the track rail 2, and the wear between the balls 7 is reduced. And generation of abnormal noise. Further, it has a function of drawing the ball 7 in the no-load region into the load region. That is, when the moving block 3 is moved along the track rail 2, the ball 7 is sandwiched between the load ball rolling grooves 4 and 5 in the load area and rolls and shifts. 13 is pulled in the moving direction of the ball 7, so that the ball 7 in the no-load area smoothly moves to the load ball passage in the load area.

A ball holding portion 15 which engages with the ball 7 when the track rail 2 is pulled out of the moving block 3 to prevent the ball 7 from dropping is provided on the groove side edge of the loaded ball rolling groove 5 of the moving block main body. Is provided. The ball holding portions 15 are provided on both side edges of the load ball rolling groove 5 to constitute a tunnel-like load ball passage 6, and have an opening width smaller than the ball diameter so that the ball does not fall off. are doing.

This makes it possible to prevent the ball 7 from falling off when the track rail 2 is pulled out of the moving block 3. Further, the chain main body 13 can be held by the ball holding section 15, and the chain main body 13 can be prevented from falling off.

On the other hand, the ball holding portion 1 of the load ball passage 6
Chain guide grooves 6a, 8a, and 10a as chain guide portions with which side edges of the chain main body 13 are engaged are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the ball return passage 8 and the direction change path 10, and the ball return passage 8. Thereby, the engagement position of the chain main body 13 with the ball 7 becomes constant over the entire circumference, and the ball can be circulated and guided stably.

Next, a method of assembling the ball chain 12 into the linear motion guide device will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the one side cover 11 of the moving block 3 is removed to open the load ball passage 6 and the ball return passage 8, and the moving block 3 is placed vertically with the opened side facing upward.

The load ball passage 6 and the ball return passage 8
In the illustrated example, one end of the chain main body 13 is inserted into the opening of the ball return passage 8, and the chain main body 13 is intermittently fed at the pitch of the ball receiving hole 14 by an intermittent feed mechanism (not shown). The ball accommodating holes 14 are sequentially positioned just before the section.

On the other hand, the ball 7 is supplied by its own weight through the guide tube 16 toward the ball receiving hole 14 located immediately before the opening, and the ball 7 is incorporated into the ball return passage 8 together with the chain main body 13. In the example shown,
The ball 7 dropped into the ball receiving hole 14 contacts the inner peripheral guide portion 10A of the direction change path 10 and
4 is prevented from falling off, and is sent into the ball return passage 8 together with the chain main body 13.

The supply timing of the ball 7 is controlled by opening and closing the gate 17 for regulating the drop of the ball 7 in synchronization with the feeding timing of the chain main body 13.

As described above, the balls 7 are sequentially accommodated in the ball accommodating holes 14 of the chain main body 13 and are fed into the ball return passage 8, and the leading ends of the balls 7 pass from the lower end of the ball return passage 8 to the load ball passage 6 through the direction change path 10. U-turn, and the built-in jig 1 erected in parallel with the moving block 3
8 and moves upward, and finally the tip comes out of the upper end opening of the load ball passage 6 upward. The mounting jig 18 has a rail shape and is provided with a guide surface 19 corresponding to the load ball rolling groove 5.

At this point, the feeding of the chain main body 13 is stopped, the excess chain main body 13 is cut off, the side cover 11 is closed, and the assembling operation is completed.

In this embodiment, the loaded ball rolling groove 5
Since the chain guide 15 is provided on the groove side edge of
The chain main body 13 can be guided by the chain guide 15 without the installation jig 18.

As described above, the incorporation of the ball 7 into the chain main body 13 and the movement block 3 of the ball chain 12
Incorporation work can be performed at the same time, and the incorporation work can be performed extremely easily.

[0038] The Second Example] FIGS. 3 and 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] The reference example, the configuration of the ball chain 22 is different from that of the first reference example. That is, the chain main body 2
3 is smaller than the ball diameter, the ball 7 is detachable on one side and the ball 7 is not detachable on the other side. The ball 7 is directed to the moving block 3 in a direction in which the ball 7 can be detached.

Load ball rolling groove 5 of moving block body 9
Are engaged with the chain main body 23 when the track rail 2 is pulled out from the moving block 3,
Is provided.

The first reference point is that the chain holding section 20 is not provided with a ball holding section that engages with the ball 7.
Different from the example . However, a ball holding portion may be provided as in the first reference example .

In the case of the present embodiment , when the track rail 2 is extracted from the moving block 3, the ball 7 is held by the chain main body 23, and the chain main body 23 is held by the chain holding section 20.

Also in the case of this reference example , the ball chain 2
2 assembly, as shown in FIG. 4, the first reference example and is susceptible to automated assembly as well, the position of the ball guide tube opposite across the chain body 23 in FIG. 2,
The ball is supplied from the inner circumference guide portion side of the direction change path.

Other configurations and operations are described in the first
Since it is the same as the reference example , the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[Other Reference Examples and Embodiments] Next, other reference examples and embodiments of the ball chain used in the linear motion guide device of the present invention will be described.

The ball chain 32 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B as an embodiment has a spacer 34 a provided between ball receiving holes 34 provided in a chain main body 33. That is, the chain main body 31 has a configuration including the spacer 34a interposed between the balls 7 and the connecting belt 36 connecting the spacers 34a.
Are constituted by a pair of adjacent spacers 34 a and a connecting belt 36.

Also in this case, the chain body 33 does not have a function of holding the balls 7 but only has a function of aligning the circulating balls 7 at predetermined intervals.

If the spacer 34a is provided in this manner, even if the position of the chain main body 33 changes, the largest diameter portion of the ball 7 is held between the spacers 34a, and the ball 7 is stably circulated. I do.

In the ball chain 62 shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D as another reference example , the chain main body 63 connects the spacer 65 interposed between the balls 7 and the spacer 65. With the configuration having the connecting belt portion 66, the ball housing portion 6
4 is constituted by a pair of adjacent spacers 65 and a connecting belt 63. In the case of this example, the connecting belt portion 66 connecting the spacer portions 65 is provided only on one side, and
4 is open on the side where the connecting belt portion 66 is not provided.

A ball chain 42 shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F as another reference example is a belt-shaped chain main body 43.
Has a ball receiving hole 44 as a ball receiving portion. A lip 45 is provided on the periphery of the ball receiving hole 44 so as to engage with the ball 7, so that the ball 7 can be released on one side and cannot be released on the other side. Things.

In each of the above reference examples and embodiments,
Although the case where a ball is used as a rolling element has been described, as a matter of course, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the present invention can also be applied to a roller chain 52 in which the rolling element is a roller 57. That is, the flexible belt-shaped chain main body 53 is engaged with the rollers 57 in the arrangement direction of the rollers 57 to maintain the interval between the rollers 57 and to contact the corresponding load roller rolling grooves. The roller 57 is detachable.
The roller accommodating portion 54 is provided for accommodating the toner separately.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention ,
The rolling element chain does not have the function of holding the rolling elements.However, when the rolling elements are mounted on the moving block and rolled and circulated between the track rails, the rolling elements are held in a non-contact state. Prevents wear and noise. Further, it has a function of drawing the rolling elements in the no-load region into the load region. In other words, when the moving member is moved along the track rail, the rolling elements are interposed between the load ball rolling grooves in the load area and roll and shift, and the chain body moves with the rolling elements as the rolling elements move. Direction, and the ball in the no-load area smoothly moves to the load area.

On the other hand, when the chain main body is incorporated into the moving member, the rolling elements can be freely incorporated into the rolling element accommodating portion at the same time, so that the work of incorporating the ball chain into the moving member can be performed simultaneously. Can be performed very easily.

A rolling element holding portion for engaging the rolling element when the track member is extracted from the moving member to prevent the rolling element from falling off is provided on the groove side edge of the load rolling element rolling groove of the moving member main body. If provided, it is possible to prevent the rolling elements from falling off when the track member is extracted from the moving member. Further, the chain main body can be held by the rolling element holding portion, and the chain main body can be prevented from falling off.

Further, if a chain guide for guiding the chain main body is provided in the load rolling element passage, the direction change path and the rolling element return path of the moving member, the engagement position of the chain main body with the ball can be kept constant. it can.

According to the method of incorporating the rolling element chain of the linear motion guide device of the present invention, one side cover of the moving member is removed to open the load rolling element passage and the rolling element return path,
The chain main body is intermittently fed at the pitch of the rolling element housing from one of the openings of the load rolling element passage and the rolling element return path, and the rolling element housing is sequentially positioned immediately before the opening, and immediately before the opening. Since the rolling elements are dropped into the rolling element accommodating portion, and the rolling elements are incorporated into the load rolling element passage or the rolling element return path together with the chain main body, the assembling work can be automated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a linear motion guide device according to a first reference example of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view, FIG. 1 (b) is a half sectional front view, FIG. 3C is a half sectional side view, FIG. 4D is a sectional view of a ball circulation path, FIG. 4E is a top view of a ball chain, and FIG. 4F is a partially broken front view of the ball chain. It is.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a method of incorporating a ball chain into the linear motion guide device of FIG. 1;

Figure 3 shows a linear motion guide apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. (A) is a semi-cross-sectional front view, and FIG. (B) is a sectional view of the ball circulation path, FIG. 3C is a top view of the ball chain, and FIG. 3D is a partially broken front view of the ball chain.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a method of incorporating a ball into the linear motion guide device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view showing another reference example and an embodiment of a ball chain used in the linear motion guide device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a roller chain used in the linear motion guide device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Linear motion guide device 2 Track rail (track member) 3 Moving block (moving member) 4 Load ball rolling groove (track rail side) 5 Load ball rolling groove (moving block side) 6 Load ball passage 7 Ball (rolling element) 8) Ball return passage 9 Moving block main body (moving member main body) 10 Direction changing path 6a, 8a, 10a Chain guide groove (chain guide portion) 11 Side cover 12, 22, 32, 42, 62 Ball chain (rolling element chain) 52 Roller chain (rolling element chain) 13, 23, 33, 43, 53, 63 Chain main body 14, 24, 34, 44, 64 Ball storage section (rolling element storage section) 54 Roller storage section (rolling element storage section) 34a , 65 spacer 36, 66 connecting belt 57 roller (rolling element) 15 ball holder 16 guide tube 17 gate 18 sets Inclusive jig 19 guide surface 20 chain holder

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-7-208466 (JP, A) JP-A-5-231431 (JP, A) JP-A 5-231432 (JP, A) JP-A-4-208 283032 (JP, A) JP-A-5-196036 (JP, A) JP-A-5-196037 (JP, A) JP-A-62-242126 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 50-111550 (JP, U) 1-987839 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F16C 29/04-29/06 F16C 33/38 F16C 35/00-35/078 F16C 43 / 00-43/08

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A track member, a moving member movably provided along the track member, and a load rolling element passage interposed between load track rolling grooves opposed to each other of the track member and the moving member. A moving member having a load rolling element rolling groove and a rolling element return path parallel to the load rolling element rolling groove; A side cover provided at both ends to form a direction change path connecting both ends of the load rolling element passage and both ends of the rolling element return path, and assembling the rolling element to a rolling element chain, In a linear motion guide device that circulates a direction change path and a rolling element return path, the rolling element chain is circulated without holding a rolling element.
A function that aligns rolling elements that move in a ring at predetermined intervals
Having a chain body elongated flexible with, the Chey
The rolling element housing is provided on the main body, and the rolling element housing is interposed between a pair of adjacent rolling elements.
The spacer and the connecting belt connecting the spacers
Is configured and engaged with each rolling element in the rolling element array direction.
Keep the spacing between the rolling elements and make contact with the load rolling element rolling groove.
A linear motion guide device characterized in that rolling elements are separated and accommodated in the direction of contact so as to be detachable . 2. The chain body is a thin long bell.
The rolling element moves from the front to the back with respect to the rolling element
Can be passed through, either on the front or back of the chain body
A contractor characterized in that it can be disengaged from
The linear motion guide device according to claim 1. 3. A rolling element holding portion for engaging a rolling element when the track member is extracted from the moving member and preventing the rolling element from falling off is provided on a groove side edge of the load rolling element rolling groove of the moving member main body. linear motion guide apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that provided. The groove side edges of 4. A moving member body of loaded rolling member rolling groove, providing the chain holding portion for holding the chain body to engage the chain body when the extracted track member from moving member The linear motion guide device according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 , wherein: Loaded rolling element passage 5. moving member, the return passage direction changing passage and the rolling element, according to claim 1, 2 chain guide portion for guiding the chain body is provided, 3 or
Linear motion guide device according to 4. 6. A track member, a moving member movably provided along the track member, and a load rolling element passage interposed between load track rolling grooves opposed to each other of the track member and the moving member. A moving member having a load rolling element rolling groove and a rolling element return path parallel to the load rolling element rolling groove; A side cover provided at both ends to form a direction change path connecting both ends of the load rolling element passage and both ends of the rolling element return path, and assembling the rolling element to a rolling element chain, The rolling element chain circulates through the direction change path and the rolling element return path. The rolling element chain has a flexible and long chain body, and is engaged with the rolling elements in the rolling element arrangement direction with the rolling elements. To maintain the spacing between the rolling elements, and The direction of contact with the body rolling groove a linear motion guide device provided with a rolling element accommodating portion removably, to remove the one side cover of the movable member opens the load rolling element path and the rolling element return path The chain main body is intermittently fed at the pitch of the rolling element accommodating portion from one of the openings of the load rolling element passage and the rolling element return passage, and the rolling element accommodating portion is sequentially positioned immediately before the opening, A method of assembling a rolling element chain of a linear motion guide device, comprising: supplying a rolling element to a rolling element housing section immediately before an opening; and incorporating the rolling element in a load rolling element passage or a rolling element return path together with the chain main body.