JP4305162B2 - Linear motion guide bearing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear motion guide bearing device used in an industrial machine field such as a machine tool or an injection molding machine.

As a conventional linear motion guide bearing device of this type, for example, the one shown in FIG. 12 is known. This linear motion guide bearing device includes a guide rail 1 extending in the axial direction and a slider 2 straddling the guide rail 1 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction.
On both side surfaces of the guide rail 1 in the width direction, rolling element rolling grooves 3 extending in the axial direction are formed in two rows on the upper and lower sides, for a total of four rows, and the slider body 2A of the slider 2 has both sleeves. On the inner surface of the portion 4, rolling element rolling grooves 5 that face the rolling element rolling grooves 3 are formed in two rows on one side, a total of four rows.

A large number of cylindrical rollers 6 as rolling elements are movably loaded between the rolling grooves 3 and 5 of the rolling elements, and the slider 2 pivots on the guide rail 1 through the rolling of these cylindrical rollers 6. Relative movement along the direction is possible.
Along with this movement, the cylindrical roller 6 interposed between the guide rail 1 and the slider 2 rolls and moves to the end of the slider 2 in the axial direction, but the slider 2 continues to move in the axial direction. Needs to circulate these cylindrical rollers 6 indefinitely.

  For this reason, holes 7 penetrating in the axial direction in both sleeve portions 4 of the slider body 2A are formed in two places on the upper and lower sides, for a total of four places, and the inside of the holes 7 is a passage (rolling element passage) 8a of the cylindrical roller 6. A pair of end caps 9 as rolling element circulation parts are fixed to both ends of the slider body 2A in the axial direction via screws or the like, and both the rolling elements are attached to the end cap 9. An infinite circulation track of the cylindrical roller 6 is formed by forming a direction changing path 10 (see FIG. 13) curved in an arc shape that communicates between the rolling grooves 3 and 5 and the rolling element passage 8a.

As shown in FIG. 13, the direction change path 10 includes an end cap 9, a first return guide 3A fitted in the axial direction of the guide rail 1 on the side of the end cap 9 facing the end surface of the slider body 2A, and the first return guide 3A. 2 return guides 4A.
Both the first return guide 3A and the second return guide 4A are plate-like members having substantially the same outer shape, and unevenness for forming the direction change path 10 on the parallel joint surface and the outer surface facing each other. A plurality of holes are provided. The joint surfaces of the first return guide 3A and the second return guide 4A are concavo-convexly fitted so that the outer shapes thereof substantially coincide with each other, and in this state, the first return guide 3A side is axially connected to the end cap 9 Mated.

And in this example, the direction return path 10 which connects between the upper rolling element channel | path 8a and the lower rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 5 is formed in the 1st return guide 3A side, and the 2nd return A direction changing path 10 that communicates between the lower rolling element passage 8a and the upper rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 5 is formed on the guide 4A side (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In FIG. 12, reference numeral 20 denotes a separator interposed between the cylindrical rollers 6 adjacent to each other. The separator 20 prevents direct contact between the cylindrical rollers, thereby suppressing the skew. In addition to smooth running, the noise during running is reduced.
JP 2002-54633 A

In the conventional linear motion guide bearing device, the thickness of the end cap 9 is made as thin as possible in order to make the device compact. However, if the thickness of the end cap 9 is made thin in this way, the end cap 9 And the fitting depth between the first return guide 3A and the fitting depth between the second return guide 4A located on the slider body 2A side and the first return guide 3A located on the end cap 9 side become shallower. A sufficiently stable combination cannot be achieved.
The second return guide 4A is joined to the end surface of the slider main body 2A, so that the position thereof is restricted to some extent, but when fitted with the first return guide 3A, the concave portion of the end cap 9 moves toward the slider main body 2A. Since it cannot protrude, generally, the tolerance of the thickness dimension of the second return guide 4A in the axial direction (fitting direction) is made negative.

Accordingly, since the gap between the second return guide 4A and the end surface of the slider body 2A is not zero, the fitting depth between the second return guide 4A and the first return guide 3A or the end cap 9 and the first If the fitting depth with the return guide 3A is shallow, the second return guide 4A can tilt in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide rail 1 with respect to the original position due to vibration or impact during use of the apparatus. Due to this inclination, the joint portion between the second return guide 4A and the circulating sleeve 8 forming the rolling element passage 8a on the slider body 2A side or the joint portion between the rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 5 is formed. A step may be produced, which may adversely affect the movement of the cylindrical roller 6 or the separator 20 and thus the operability of the apparatus.
The present invention has been made to eliminate such inconveniences, and an object of the present invention is to provide a linear motion guide bearing device capable of obtaining good operability by suppressing the inclination of the second return guide. To do.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a guide rail having a rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction, and a rolling element rolling groove facing the rolling element rolling groove of the guide rail. And a slider straddling the guide rail so as to be relatively movable along the axial direction through rolling of a large number of rollers as rolling elements inserted between the rolling grooves of both the rolling elements. ,
The slider has a slider body having a rolling element passage penetrating in the axial direction, and a curved direction changing path that communicates between the rolling element rolling grooves and the rolling element passage. End caps fixed to both end faces of the direction,
The rolling element rolling grooves are arranged in four rows in total on one side of the upper and lower two rows, and the rolling element passages are made up of four in one on the upper and lower sides, and further, the direction changing path includes the end cap, The end cap is formed by a first return guide and a second return guide which are fitted in the axial direction of the guide rail on the side facing the end face of the slider body, and the first return guide and the second return guide are formed. One of the return guides is formed on one return guide side with the direction change path communicating the upper rolling element passage and the lower rolling element rolling grooves, and on the other return guide side. In the linear motion guide bearing device in which the direction change path that communicates between the rolling element passage on the side and the both rolling element rolling grooves on the upper side is formed,
The first return guide and the second return guide have a substantially rectangular shape in which the raceway surface of the roller is provided on the short side when viewed from the axial direction of the guide rail, and are arranged substantially orthogonal to each other. Between the long side of the second return guide and the first return guide and / or the end cap, and substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide rail of the second return guide. An uneven fitting portion for restricting the inclination in the plane is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a convex portion is provided on the long side of the second return guide, and the convex portion is fitted to the first return guide and / or the end cap. A recess is provided.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the convex portion is provided at a plurality of locations spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction at a substantially central portion on the long side of the second return guide. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guide rail having rolling element rolling grooves extending in the axial direction, a rolling element rolling groove facing the rolling element rolling groove of the guide rail, and both the rolling elements. A slider straddling the guide rail so as to be relatively movable along the axial direction through rolling of a large number of rollers as rolling elements inserted between the rolling grooves,
The slider has a slider body having a rolling element passage penetrating in the axial direction, and a curved direction changing path that communicates between the rolling element rolling grooves and the rolling element passage. End caps fixed to both end faces of the direction,
The rolling element rolling grooves are arranged in four rows in total on one side of the upper and lower two rows, and the rolling element passages are made up of four in one on the upper and lower sides, and further, the direction changing path includes the end cap, The end cap is formed by a first return guide and a second return guide which are fitted in the axial direction of the guide rail on the side facing the end face of the slider body, and the first return guide and the second return guide are formed. One of the return guides is formed on one return guide side with the direction change path communicating the upper rolling element passage and the lower rolling element rolling grooves, and on the other return guide side. In the linear motion guide bearing device in which the direction change path that communicates between the rolling element passage on the side and the both rolling element rolling grooves on the upper side is formed,
Between the fitting body of the first return guide and the second return guide and the end cap, the inclination of the second return guide in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide rail is regulated. An uneven fitting portion is provided.

  According to the present invention, between the long side of the second return guide and the first return guide and / or the end cap, substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide rail of the second return guide. Since the concave / convex fitting portion that restricts the inclination in the plane to be provided is provided, the position of the second return guide can be restricted and the inclination of the second return guide can be suppressed. Good operability can be obtained by preventing a step from occurring at the junction between the return guide and the rolling element passage on the slider body side or between the rolling elements rolling grooves.

  Further, the first return guide and the second return guide are fitted in a state in which the first return guide and the second return guide are formed in a substantially rectangular shape in which a raceway groove of the roller is provided on the short side when viewed from the axial direction of the slider body and are arranged substantially orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the shape of the first return guide and the second return guide can be simplified to avoid the requirement of high molding accuracy, and the first return guide and the second return guide can be avoided. The fitting operation in the axial direction can be easily performed, and as a result, the efficiency of the assembling work can be improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the guide rail of the second return guide is between the end cap and the fitting body of the first return guide and the second return guide. By providing the concave-convex fitting portion that restricts the inclination of the second return guide, the position of the second return guide can be restricted and the inclination of the second return guide can be suppressed, whereby the second return guide can be suppressed. Good operability can be obtained by preventing a step from occurring at the junction between the guide and the rolling element passage on the slider body side or between the rolling elements rolling grooves.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a fitting structure of first and second return guides on the side facing an end surface of a slider main body of an end cap in a linear guide bearing device which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a side view of the first return guide, FIG. 3 is a view from the right side of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a side view of the second return guide, FIG. 5 is a view from the right side of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second return guide, and FIGS. 8 to 11 are perspective views showing modifications of the convex portions provided on the second return guide. In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the conventional linear motion guide bearing device already described with reference to FIG. 12 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, or description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, a linear guide bearing device that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention guides a direction change path 10 to an end cap 9 and a side of the end cap 9 facing the end face of the slider main body 2A. A first return guide 30 fitted in the axial direction of the rail 1 and a second return guide 40 fitted in the first return guide 30 in the axial direction of the guide rail 1 are provided. The return guide 30 and the second return guide 40 have a substantially rectangular shape in which the raceway surface 6a of the cylindrical roller 6 is provided on the short side when viewed from the axial direction of the guide rail 1, and are arranged substantially orthogonal to each other. Yes.
In this embodiment, the direction change path 10 is formed on the first return guide 30 side so as to communicate the upper rolling element passage 8a and the lower rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 5 with each other. A direction changing path 10 is formed on the return guide 40 side to communicate between the lower rolling element passage 8a and the upper rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 5.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first return guide 30 has a U shape, and both end portions thereof in the circumferential direction are arranged to face each other in the longitudinal direction (y direction) viewed from the axial direction of the guide rail 1. The roller raceway surface 6 a is disposed on the outer peripheral surface, and the bottom portion on the opposite side of the both end portions is fitted to the end cap 9 in the axial direction of the guide rail 1. A direction change path 10 is formed to communicate between the moving body passage 8a and the lower rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 5. It should be noted that the fitting portion of the first return guide 30 with the end cap 9 has an x-direction restriction reference surface 32 and a y-direction restriction reference surface for restricting the positioning and inclination angles of the return guides 30 and 40. 33 is provided.
Further, the second return guide 40 shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the first return guide 30 in a direction (x direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first return guide 30. ) In the axial direction of the guide rail 1.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the second return guide 40 has roller raceway surfaces 6 a disposed on both side portions in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the axial direction of the guide rail 1. A part of the first return guide 30 forms a direction change path 10 that communicates between the lower rolling element passage 8a and the upper rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 5.
Here, in this embodiment, the first return guide 40 is provided with the two convex portions 41 projecting from each other in the longitudinal direction at a substantially central portion of the long side portion on one side of the second return guide 40. The first return guide 30 fitted in the axial direction of the rail 1 on the side facing the end surface of the slider body 2A of the end cap 9 is provided with the concave portion 31 into which the convex portion 41 is fitted on the side 30. The second return guide 40 is fitted in the axial direction of the guide rail 1, and the convex portion 41 of the second return guide 40 is fitted into the concave portion 31 on the first return guide 30 side so that the second return guide 40 is fitted. The inclination θ (see FIG. 7) in a plane substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the 40 guide rails 1 is regulated. Note that the fitting force (binding force) between the convex portion 41 and the concave portion 31 is adjusted by managing the depth of the concave and convex portions or by managing the gap between the concave and convex portions.

  Thus, in this embodiment, in the plane substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the guide rail 1 of the second return guide 40 between the long side of the second return guide 40 and the first return guide 30. Since the concave-convex fitting portions 31 and 41 for regulating the inclination θ of the second cap are provided, the second return guide located on the slider body 2A side with the end cap 9 made as thin as possible to make the device compact. Even when the fitting depth between the first return guide 30 positioned on the side of the end cap 9 and the first return guide 30 becomes shallow, the position of the second return guide 40 is restricted and the inclination of the second return guide 40 is reduced. Can be suppressed.

As a result, there is a step at the junction between the second return guide 40 and the circulating sleeve 8 forming the rolling element passage 8a on the slider body 2A side or between the rolling elements rolling grooves 3 and 5. The movement of the cylindrical roller 6 or the separator 20 and thus the operability of the apparatus can be improved.
Further, the first return guide 30 and the second return guide 40 are arranged substantially orthogonally to each other in a substantially rectangular shape having a roller raceway groove 6a provided on the short side when viewed from the axial direction of the slider body 2A. Therefore, the shapes of the first return guide 30 and the second return guide 40 are simplified, and a high molding accuracy requirement is avoided, and the shafts of the first return guide 30 and the second return guide 40 are avoided. The fitting operation in the direction can be easily performed, and as a result, the efficiency of the assembling work can be improved, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The linear guide bearing device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the length of the convex portion 41 is further increased, or as shown in FIG. 9, two convex portions are respectively provided at substantially central portions of both long side portions of the second return guide 40. 41 are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, or as shown in FIG. 10, one convex portion 41 is arranged to be substantially point-symmetric on each of the long side portions of the second return guide 40. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, the length of the convex portion 41 in FIG. 10 may be further increased.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the convex part 41 is made into the substantially prismatic shape, it may replace with this and the convex part 41 may be made into circular arc shape or another shape, and also the convex part 41 so that it may be easy to fit. A tapered surface may be provided.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the long side of the second return guide 40 and the first return guide 30 are concavo-convexly fitted is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the second return guide The long side of 40 and the end cap 9 may be unevenly fitted, or the long side of the second return guide 40 and the first return guide 30 and the end cap 9 may be unevenly fitted. Good.
Further, between the end cap 9 and the fitting body of the first return guide 3A and the second return guide 4A shown in FIG. 13 and the end cap 9, it is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the guide rail 1 of the second return guide 4A. An uneven fitting portion (not shown) that restricts the inclination in the plane to be performed may be provided.

It is a figure for demonstrating the fitting structure of the 1st and 2nd return guide of the side which faces the end surface of the slider main body of the end cap in the linear guide bearing apparatus which is an example of embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the 1st return guide. It is the figure seen from the right side of FIG. It is a side view of the 2nd return guide. It is the figure seen from the right side of FIG. It is the figure seen from the right side of FIG. It is a perspective view of the 2nd return guide. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the convex part provided in a 2nd return guide. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the convex part provided in a 2nd return guide. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the convex part provided in a 2nd return guide. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the convex part provided in a 2nd return guide. It is the figure which notched one part for demonstrating the conventional linear guide bearing apparatus. It is a disassembled perspective view of the end cap attached to the end surface of the slider main body of the linear guide bearing apparatus of FIG. 12, and the 1st and 2nd return guide.

Explanation of symbols

1 Guide rail 2 Slider 2A Slider body 3 Rolling element rolling groove (guide rail side)
5 Rolling element rolling groove (slider side)
6 cylindrical roller 6a roller raceway surface 8a rolling element passage 9 end cap 10 direction change passage 30 first return guide 31 recess 40 second return guide 41 protrusion

Claims (4)

A guide rail having rolling element rolling grooves extending in the axial direction, and a rolling element rolling groove facing the rolling element rolling groove of the guide rail, and is inserted between these rolling element rolling grooves. A slider straddling the guide rail so as to be relatively movable along the axial direction through rolling of a large number of rollers as rolling elements,
The slider has a slider body having a rolling element passage penetrating in the axial direction, and a curved direction changing path that communicates between the rolling element rolling grooves and the rolling element passage. End caps fixed to both end faces of the direction,
The rolling element rolling grooves are arranged in four rows in total on one side of the upper and lower two rows, and the rolling element passages are made up of four in one on the upper and lower sides, and further, the direction changing path includes the end cap, The end cap is formed by a first return guide and a second return guide which are fitted in the axial direction of the guide rail on the side facing the end face of the slider body, and the first return guide and the second return guide are formed. One of the return guides is formed on one return guide side with the direction change path communicating the upper rolling element passage and the lower rolling element rolling grooves, and on the other return guide side. In the linear motion guide bearing device in which the direction change path that communicates between the rolling element passage on the side and the both rolling element rolling grooves on the upper side is formed,
The first return guide and the second return guide have a substantially rectangular shape in which the raceway surface of the roller is provided on the short side when viewed from the axial direction of the guide rail, and are arranged substantially orthogonal to each other. Between the long side of the second return guide and the first return guide and / or the end cap, and substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide rail of the second return guide. A linear motion guide bearing device, characterized in that a concave-convex fitting portion for restricting inclination in a plane is provided.   2. A convex portion is provided on the long side of the second return guide, and a concave portion in which the convex portion is fitted is provided in the first return guide and / or the end cap. The linear motion guide bearing device described in 1.   The linear guide bearing device according to claim 2, wherein the convex portion is provided at a plurality of locations in a substantially central portion on the long side of the second return guide and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. A guide rail having rolling element rolling grooves extending in the axial direction, and a rolling element rolling groove facing the rolling element rolling groove of the guide rail, and is inserted between these rolling element rolling grooves. A slider straddling the guide rail so as to be relatively movable along the axial direction through rolling of a large number of rollers as rolling elements,
The slider has a slider body having a rolling element passage penetrating in the axial direction, and a curved direction changing path that communicates between the rolling element rolling grooves and the rolling element passage. End caps fixed to both end faces of the direction,
The rolling element rolling grooves are arranged in four rows in total on one side of the upper and lower two rows, and the rolling element passages are made up of four in one on the upper and lower sides, and further, the direction changing path includes the end cap, The end cap is formed by a first return guide and a second return guide which are fitted in the axial direction of the guide rail on the side facing the end face of the slider body, and the first return guide and the second return guide are formed. One of the return guides is formed on one return guide side with the direction change path communicating the upper rolling element passage and the lower rolling element rolling grooves, and on the other return guide side. In the linear motion guide bearing device in which the direction change path that communicates between the rolling element passage on the side and the both rolling element rolling grooves on the upper side is formed,
Between the fitting body of the first return guide and the second return guide and the end cap, the inclination of the second return guide in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the guide rail is regulated. A linear motion guide bearing device comprising a concave-convex fitting portion.

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