JP4501862B2 - Rolling element housing belt and linear motion guide device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear motion guide device used in various machines such as a manufacturing apparatus, a processing machine, or a measuring instrument, and in particular, has a plurality of rolling element accommodating portions that individually accommodate rolling elements, and the rolling element accommodation BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rolling element accommodation belt that accommodates rolling elements in a section and aligns them as a rolling element row in an arrangement direction in an infinite circulation path, and a linear motion guide device including the rolling element accommodation belt.

  This type of linear motion guide device includes, for example, a guide rail 12, a slider 16 disposed so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail 12, and these guides as in the linear motion guide device 100 illustrated in FIG. 14. A plurality of rolling elements that roll while applying a load between the rail 12 and the slider 16 (in this example, balls 46) are provided. The guide rail 12 has a rolling element guide surface 14 on which the ball 46 rolls. The slider 16 includes a slider body 17 and a pair of end caps 22 attached to both ends in the moving direction.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15 with a cross-sectional view along the infinite circuit, the slider main body 17 is opposed to the rolling element guide surface 14 of the guide rail 12 so that the main part of the slider 16 faces the rolling element guide. A load rolling element guide surface 18 constituting a rolling element raceway 26 which is a region where a load acts on the rolling elements together with the surface 14 is formed. Further, the slider body 17 is formed with a rolling element return passage 20 in which the unloaded ball 46 rolls. Further, the pair of end caps 22 are formed with direction change paths 24 respectively connected to both ends of the rolling element track 26 and the rolling element return path 20. The rolling element raceway 26, the pair of direction changing paths 24, and the rolling element return path 20 form a plurality of infinite circulation paths 28, and a plurality of balls 46 roll in each infinite circulation path 28. The slider 16 can be moved relative to the guide rail 12.

Here, as a rolling element accommodation belt used in this type of linear motion guide device, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known.
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the rolling element accommodation belt is formed in an end shape like a rolling element accommodation belt 150 illustrated in FIG. 15, for example. It is configured with.

  The spacer 151 has a pair of rolling element contact surfaces 154 a and 154 b that slidably contact the outer periphery of the ball 46. The connecting portion 152 is a strip-shaped member made of a flexible thin material, and connects the adjacent spacer portions 151 to each other. A portion for accommodating the rolling elements (hereinafter referred to as “rolling element accommodating portion”) is defined between the adjacent adjacent spacers 151. The pair of rolling element contact surfaces 154a and 154b are concave curved surfaces that hold the balls 46 accommodated in the respective rolling element accommodating portions in a slidable manner while being restrained in all directions. Hold the ball between the parts. Then, as shown in the figure, the balls 46 are accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion to form a rolling element row 162, and the rolling element row 162 is guided in the guide groove 60 while passing through the endless circulation path 28. It comes to circulate. Thereby, rubbing and competition between the balls are suppressed, and the circulation of the balls is improved.

Furthermore, the rolling element accommodation belt described in Patent Document 1 is a thin plate that protrudes in the direction of circulating movement at the tip of a spacer portion 159 located at the end thereof, like the rolling element accommodation belt 150 illustrated in FIG. A guide piece 153 having a shape is provided. The guide piece 153 is engaged with a guide groove 60 formed along the endless circulation path 28. This intends to prevent the tip of the rolling element housing belt from rubbing against the inner wall of the infinite circulation path and to obtain smooth circulation.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-2241

However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, although rubbing between the inner wall of the infinite circulation path and the tip of the rolling element housing belt can be prevented, it is not possible to prevent the guide piece from rubbing against the guide groove. Therefore, friction between the rolling element housing belt and the guide groove is generated, so that there is still room for study in reducing the circulation resistance.
In particular, the guide piece has a thin plate shape, and the material of the rolling element housing belt is generally a flexible resin material. Therefore, this guide piece portion is easily deformed during handling, and the degree of bending thereof changes.

  And since this guide piece is the structure which protrudes greatly from the rolling element located in an end, it is easy to change such as bending, and depending on the degree of the bending, the degree of rubbing with the guide groove becomes larger, and the circulation resistance is further increased. May increase. For this reason, in order to suppress the increase in circulation resistance and incorporate it in a smooth circulation state, for example, the tip of the guide piece needs to be bent in advance toward the inner circumference of the infinite circulation path.

  However, when the rolling element housing belt is handled, if the bending applied in advance is reduced or the bending direction is reversed, smooth circulation as expected cannot be obtained. Therefore, in order to suppress the change in the degree of the bending, it is necessary to handle the rolling element accommodation belt carefully in each operation such as conveyance and assembly. Therefore, the work efficiency of incorporating and removing the rolling elements from the rolling element housing belt is reduced, and the production cost of the linear motion guide device is increased.

  Furthermore, since this guide piece largely protrudes from the rolling element located at the end portion, the two end portions of the rolling element accommodation belt cannot be brought close to each other within the endless circulation path. Therefore, a portion where the rolling elements are not arranged in the vicinity of the end of the rolling element housing belt exists over a long range. Therefore, when the end of the rolling element housing belt reaches the rolling element raceway, the number of rolling elements to be loaded is reduced, so that the load capacity and rigidity of the linear motion guide device are reduced. .

  Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, eliminates the need for special care in handling the rolling element housing belt, and further reduces the load capacity and rigidity of the linear motion guide device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rolling element accommodation belt and a linear motion guide device that can alleviate circulation resistance due to friction between the inner wall or guide groove of the infinite circulation path and the tip of the rolling element accommodation belt without lowering.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first invention of the present invention is used in a linear motion guide device having an infinite circulation path in which a plurality of rolling elements roll, and a plurality of rolling elements that individually accommodate the rolling elements. A rolling element containing belt formed in an end shape having a moving element containing portion, accommodating the rolling elements in the rolling element containing portion, and aligning the rolling elements in a row direction in the endless circulation path; Both ends of the rolling element housing belt face each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path, and an end where the rolling elements that are not housed in the rolling element housing section can be incorporated between the opposing both ends. It is an inter-part rolling element accommodating portion, and the end-to-end rolling element accommodating portion has a first abutting surface, which is an abutting surface that abuts against the rolling element accommodated therein, at each end. The first abutment surface has rolling elements accommodated in the rolling elements positioned at both ends. To the rolling elements housed in the volume unit is characterized that it is in contact with the surface to bias the outer circumferential side in the endless circulation path.

  Moreover, 2nd invention among this invention is used for the linear motion guide apparatus which has an infinite circulation path where a some rolling element rolls, and has a some rolling element accommodating part which accommodates the said rolling element separately. A rolling element accommodation belt formed in an end shape that accommodates the rolling elements in the rolling element accommodation portion and aligns them as rolling element rows in the arrangement direction in the endless circulation path, Among them, the rolling element accommodating portions located at both ends are first contact surfaces that abut against the rolling elements accommodated therein so as to restrain movement of each end portion at least on the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path. Each of the second contact surfaces includes a rolling element accommodated in a rolling element accommodation portion adjacent to the rolling element accommodation portion located at both ends. It is a surface that comes into contact with the moving body so as to be biased toward the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path. It is characterized.

According to the first invention, the rolling element accommodating portion between the end portions is a rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portions located at both ends of the rolling element accommodated therein by the first contact surface. On the other hand, since the surface is abutted so as to be biased toward the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path, it is possible to bend the inner periphery of the tip of the rolling element housing belt.
Moreover, according to 2nd invention, each of the rolling element accommodating part located in both ends is made into the rolling element accommodating part located in both ends by the 2nd contact surface. The rolling element accommodated in the adjacent rolling element accommodating portion is a surface that comes in contact with the outer circumferential side of the infinite circulation path so as to be biased, so that the end of the rolling element accommodating belt is bent toward the inner circumference. be able to.

  Here, the rolling element accommodation belt according to the present invention includes, for example, the configuration of the first contact surface in the first invention and the second contact surface in the second invention. can do. In this case, it is preferable that the size of the deviation due to the first contact surface is the same as or larger than the size of the displacement due to the second contact surface. Such a configuration is suitable for imparting a bending toward the inner circumference to the tip of the rolling element housing belt and making the bending at the end of the rolling element housing belt a gentle bend.

  Further, in the rolling element accommodation belt according to the present invention, each of the rolling element accommodation portions adjacent to the rolling element accommodation portions located at both ends of the rolling element accommodation portions is each end in the endless circulation path. A third abutment surface that is a contact surface that abuts against the rolling elements housed therein so as to restrain movement of the portion to at least the outer peripheral side, and the third abutment surface The rolling element to be accommodated shall be provided as a surface that comes into contact with the rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion positioned third from both ends so as to be biased toward the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path. Can do.

In this case, it is more preferable that the size of the deviation due to the first contact surface is the same as or larger than the size of the displacement due to the third contact surface. With such a configuration, it is more preferable to give a bending toward the inner circumference to the tip of the rolling element housing belt and to make the bending at the end of the rolling element housing belt more gentle.
In this case, it is more preferable that the size of the deviation due to the second contact surface is the same as or larger than the size of the displacement due to the third contact surface. With such a configuration, it is more preferable to give a bending toward the inner circumference to the tip of the rolling element housing belt and to make the bending at the end of the rolling element housing belt more gentle.

Furthermore, the third invention of the present invention is a linear motion guide device, characterized in that the rolling element housing belt according to the present invention is used.
According to the present invention, the rolling element accommodation belt can bend the inner circumference of the tip of the rolling element accommodation belt, so that the rolling element accommodation belt can be used in a state of use attached to the linear motion guide device. When the end portion reaches, for example, the direction change path, the tip can be easily bent along the inner wall or the guide groove of the infinite circulation path. Therefore, circulation resistance due to friction between the inner wall or guide groove of the infinite circulation path and the tip of the rolling element housing belt can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to this invention, the rolling element accommodation belt can be set as the structure which does not have a part which protrudes from an edge part like the guide piece illustrated above, for example. Therefore, it is not necessary to pay special attention in the handling work, and furthermore, both ends can be brought close to each other in the use state attached to the linear motion guide device, so that the number of rolling elements to be loaded can be reduced. Absent. Therefore, the load capacity and rigidity of the linear motion guide device are not reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, special care in handling the rolling element housing belt is not required, and further, the inner wall of the infinite circulation path or the linear motion guide device is not reduced without reducing the load capacity or rigidity of the linear motion guide device. It is possible to provide a rolling element accommodation belt and a linear motion guide device that can relieve circulation resistance caused by friction between the guide groove and the tip of the rolling element accommodation belt.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a linear motion guide device according to the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated about the part similar to the conventional linear motion guide apparatus demonstrated above.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide of a first embodiment of a linear guide device according to the present invention. 2 is an explanatory view showing the slider of the linear guide of FIG. 1 in a transverse section, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the linear guide of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the linear guide 10 includes a guide rail 12 having a rolling element guide surface 14 and a slider 16 straddling the guide rail 12 so as to be movable relative to the guide rail 12. And.
The guide rail 12 has a substantially square cross-sectional shape, and a total of four rolling element guide surfaces 14 are formed on each side of the guide rail 12 along the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the slider 16 includes a slider body 17 and end caps 22 that are a pair of lid members attached to both ends of the slider body 17 in the axial direction. The shape of the slider body 17 and the end cap 22 that are continuous in the axial direction is a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slider body 17 has a substantially semicircular load rolling element guide surface facing the respective rolling element guide surfaces 14 of the guide rail 12 inside the substantially U-shaped sleeves. A total of 4 strips are formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the end cap 22 is formed with a pair of direction change paths 24 respectively connected to both ends of the load rolling element guide surface 18.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the slider body 17 communicates with the pair of direction change paths 24, and is a rolling element return path formed of a through hole having a circular cross section parallel to the load rolling element guide surface 18. 20 is formed inside the sleeve.
As shown in FIG. 3, a space sandwiched between the rolling element guide surface 14 of the guide rail 12 and the load rolling element guide surface 18 of the slider body 17 facing the rolling member guide path 12 forms a rolling element track 26. ing. The pair of direction change paths 24, the rolling element return paths 20, and the rolling element raceways 26 constitute a total of four rows of infinite circulation paths 28 (see FIG. 2).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each infinite circulation path 28 is loaded with a plurality of balls 46 as rolling elements that roll while applying a load between the guide rail 12 and the slider 16. The plurality of balls 46 in each infinite circulation path 28 constitute a rolling element row 62 together with the rolling element accommodation belt 50 by a single rolling element accommodation belt 50 formed in an end shape.
Here, in this first embodiment, the rolling element housing belt 50 is opposed to each other in the non-contact state in the endless circulation path 28 between the opposite ends, The ball 46 is not incorporated. As shown in FIG. 2, the rolling element containing belt 50 has a groove-shaped guide formed in the endless circulation path 28 in the slider 16 with a connecting portion 52 that projects in the width direction in the endless circulation path 28. The groove 60 is guided on both sides in the width direction.

Hereinafter, the rolling element accommodation belt 50 will be described in more detail.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the rolling element housing belt. FIG. 4A is an enlarged perspective view showing a part including an end portion in a state where the rolling element housing belt is expanded and extended. FIG. 2B is a side view thereof, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view in the ball arrangement direction in FIG.
The rolling element housing belt 50 is formed by injection molding from a synthetic resin material having flexibility, and is interposed between adjacent balls 46 to revolve each ball 46 as shown in FIG. A spacer portion 51 that partitions in the direction and a spacer portion 59 located at the end portion are provided. The spacer portions 51 and 59 are connected by a pair of connecting portions 52.

  Specifically, the pair of connecting portions 52 are thin and long band-shaped (belt-shaped) members, and the portions where the pair of connecting portions 52 face each other are in the front and back direction (thickness direction) of the connecting portion 52. It is a ball receiving hole 53 (see FIG. 4A) that opens in a substantially circular shape. Each ball accommodation hole 53 is formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the rolling element accommodation belt 50, and the inner diameter of the ball accommodation hole 53 is such that the ball 46 can freely engage and disengage in the front and back direction of the connecting portion 52. It is slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 46 to be played.

On the other hand, both of the spacer portions 51 and 59 have the same shape and have a short cylindrical shape having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ball 46, and the short cylindrical axis line of the rolling element containing belt 50 It coincides with the longitudinal direction.
The spacer part 59 is a spacer part located in the both ends of the rolling element accommodation belt 50 formed in the end shape. A spacer portion other than the spacer portion 59 is a spacer portion 51. These spacers 51 and 59 are arranged on both sides of each ball receiving hole 53 at a predetermined distance, and are connected by a pair of connecting parts 52 on both sides of the infinite circulation path 28 in the width direction. Thereby, as for this rolling element accommodation belt 50, the part defined between the adjacent spacer parts and the ball accommodation hole 53 is comprised as the rolling element accommodation part 55 which accommodates each ball | bowl 46 separately.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, the position where the pair of connecting portions 52 connect the spacer portions 51 and 59 is the ball 46 to be stored (however, it is stored so as to be biased, which will be described later). The line CL connecting the centers of the center of the endless circulation path 28 is deviated by the offset amount T with respect to the line CL connecting the centers of the balls 46 (excluding the ball 46 positioned at the end portion or the like).
Further, each spacer 51, 59 is configured to have rolling element contact surfaces 54 on both sides thereof. The rolling element contact surface 54 is formed so that one rolling element contact surface 54 faces the adjacent one ball 46 side, and the other rolling element contact surface 54 faces the other adjacent ball 46 side. It is formed facing the opposite side to the rolling element contact surface 54. And this rolling-element contact surface 54 is comprised from the concave spherical part 54c and the cylindrical surface part 54a which continues to the concave spherical part 54c. The concave spherical surface portions 54c that face each other in the arrangement direction and the cylindrical surface portions 54a that face each other in the arrangement direction are paired with each other. There is a pair.

More specifically, the pair of concave spherical portions 54c are concave spherical surfaces that follow the curved surfaces of the balls 46 on the surfaces facing the side of the balls 46 to be accommodated among the short cylindrical end surfaces of the spacer portions 51 and 59. The inner diameter dimension of the formed ball 46 is slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 46 accommodated so that the ball 46 can roll.
The cylindrical surface portion 54 a is formed on the side that becomes the outer peripheral surface of the infinite circulation path 28 in the use state where the linear guide 10 is mounted. These cylindrical surface portions 54a are paired in the same manner as the concave spherical surface portion 54c, and the pair of cylindrical surface portions 54a are formed of concave curved surfaces that are cylindrical in plan view. Each cylindrical surface portion 54a is a surface that smoothly continues to each of the concave spherical surface portions 54c, and extends upward in the drawing to the end portions of the spacer portions 51 and 59. In the cylindrical surface portion 54a, the inner diameter dimension between the cylindrical concave curved surfaces is equal to the inner diameter dimension between the pair of concave spherical surface portions 54c.

  When the rolling element accommodation belt 50 is incorporated in the endless circulation path 28, the pair of rolling element contact surfaces 54 of each rolling element accommodation portion 55 is formed as a pair of concave spherical surfaces as shown in FIG. The portion 54 c serves as an engaging portion that restrains the movement of the ball 46 toward the inner peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28. In addition, the pair of cylindrical surface portions 54a are opposed surfaces having a certain width so that the balls 46 to be accommodated can be detached toward the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. In other words, each rolling element accommodation portion 55 has a ball accommodated therein such that the rolling element contact surface 54 restrains the movement of the spacer portions 51 and 59 toward the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28. 46 is configured as a surface in contact with 46.

  Furthermore, in this rolling element accommodation belt 50, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), only the spacer 59 located at the end of the rolling element housing belt 50 is the outer periphery of the endless circulation path 28 with respect to the other spacers 51. It is connected to the side by a deviation amount (hereinafter, “deviation amount” is also referred to as “offset amount”) F1. As a result, the spacers 59 located at both ends are connected to the other spacers 51 with the offset amount F1, respectively. The abutting surface is configured to abut against the ball 46 accommodated in the other rolling element accommodating portion 55 so that the accommodated ball 46 is biased toward the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28. The offset amount F1 is preferably set to about 2 to 6% of the diameter of the ball 46. In the example of the present embodiment, the offset amount F1 is 0.2 mm with respect to the diameter of the ball 46 = 4.76 mm. Here, the rolling element contact surfaces 54 facing the rolling element accommodating portions 55 located at both ends of each spacer 59 correspond to the second contact surface, respectively.

Next, functions and effects of the linear guide 10 will be described.
According to the linear guide 10 having the above-described configuration, the rolling element accommodation belt 50 has a plurality of spaces defined by the ball receiving holes 53 of the spacer portions 51 and 59 and the connecting portion 52. It is possible to accommodate the balls 46 individually at predetermined intervals in each rolling element accommodating portion 55. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the rolling element row 62 can be formed in the endless circulation path 28 to align the balls 46, so that friction and competition between the balls 46 are suppressed, and the circulation property of the balls 46 is reduced. Is improved.

  As described above, according to the linear guide 10, the rolling element accommodation belt 50 drops the ball 46 in a direction in which the rolling element accommodation portion 55 is on the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28 when used. Since it is held incapable and is detachable in the direction of the outer peripheral side, the ball 46 can be easily incorporated into each rolling element housing 55 from the detachable side. Therefore, the efficiency of the work of assembling the ball 46 into the rolling element housing belt 50 can be improved.

  Furthermore, when this rolling element accommodation belt 50 (rolling element row 62) is incorporated in the endless circulation path 28, the spacer portions 59 located at both ends are in the endless circulation path 28 with respect to the other spacer portions 51. As shown in FIG. 5, the spacer portions 59 located at both ends are connected to the rolling element contact surface 54 facing the rolling element accommodation portion 55 side because they are connected to the outer peripheral side at an offset amount F1. Is pushed by the ball 46 in the direction toward the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28.

  As a result, the connecting arm portion 52 located at the tip of the rolling element housing belt 50 is bent toward the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. Therefore, the tip can be bent in the inner circumferential direction. Therefore, when approaching the direction change path 24, the tip of the rolling element housing belt 50 is directed toward the circulation direction toward the inner wall or guide of the infinite circulation path 28. The groove 60 can be smoothly moved along. That is, since the tip can be easily bent following the inner wall or guide groove 60 of the endless circulation path 28, the circulation resistance due to friction between the inner wall or guide groove 60 of the endless circulation path 28 and the tip of the rolling element housing belt 50. Can be relaxed. Therefore, the linear guide 10 can be operated smoothly. In the figure, an arrow indicated by a symbol P indicates an image in which the spacer 59 is pushed by the ball 46 in the direction toward the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. Moreover, the arrow shown with the code | symbol A has shown the image of the circulation direction at the time of approaching the direction change path 24 in the infinite circuit 28 (it is the same in other examples hereafter).

  In addition, according to the linear guide 10, the rolling element containing belt 50 has a spacer in which the inner circumferential bending at the tip is connected at a biased position by the offset amount F1 instead of the bending given in advance. Since the rolling element contact surface 54 of the portion 59 is bent by being pushed by the ball 46, even if the tip of the rolling element accommodation belt 50 is bent during handling, the degree of bending during use is affected. Never give. Therefore, special care is not required in the handling operation, and handling is easy.

  Further, since the rolling element housing belt 50 does not have a portion protruding from the end portion (spacer portion 59), for example, like the guide piece illustrated above, both ends of the rolling element housing belt 50 in the use state attached to the linear guide 10 are used. The spacers 59 can be brought close to each other. Therefore, for example, the number of balls 46 that are subjected to a load is not reduced as compared with the example having the guide piece illustrated above. Therefore, the load capacity and rigidity of the linear guide 10 are not reduced.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The linear guide of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that only the configuration of the rolling element housing belt and the rolling element row is different, and the other configurations are the same. And other explanations are omitted.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the rolling element accommodation belt and the rolling element row in the rolling element accommodation belt in the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the rolling element accommodation belt. FIG. 7A is a side view showing an enlarged part including an end portion in a state where the rolling element accommodation belt is expanded and extended. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a cross section in the direction in which the balls are arranged.

In the linear guide according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the rolling element containing belt 72 is opposed so that the spacers 59 </ b> B at both ends thereof are not in contact with each other in the endless circulation path 28. In addition, between the opposite ends, a ball 46A that is not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion is an inter-end rolling element accommodating portion that can be incorporated, and the ball 46A is further incorporated therein.
Further, the rolling element housing belt 72 has the rolling element contact surface 54 of the spacer part 59B and the position where the spacer part 59B and the connecting part 52 are connected to each other according to the first embodiment described above. Different with respect to the receiving belt 50.

  Specifically, in the rolling element housing belt 50 in the first embodiment described above, the spacer portion 59 is connected to each of the other spacer portions 51 with an offset amount F1. However, in the rolling element housing belt 72 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the spacer portions 59B themselves located at both ends do not have an offset amount, They are connected at the same alignment position BL as the spacer 51. However, in this second embodiment, each spacer 59B has the rolling element contact surfaces 54A on the opposite sides of the rolling element contact surfaces on both sides thereof on the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. It is provided at a position that is translated in parallel by a deviation amount (offset amount) F2. Here, the deviation amount F2 is set to about 2 to 6% of the diameter of the ball 46 as in the case of the offset amount F1, and in this example, the deviation amount with respect to the diameter of the ball 46 = 4.76 mm. The amount F2 = 0.2 mm. As a result, the opposing rolling element contact surface 54A causes the ball 46A accommodated therein to be biased toward the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28 with respect to the ball 46 accommodated in the other rolling element accommodating portion 55. The surface is in contact with the. Here, the rolling contact surfaces 54A on the opposite sides of the spacer portions 59B correspond to the first contact surfaces, respectively.

  According to the linear guide of the second embodiment configured as described above, when the rolling element housing belt 72 is incorporated in the endless circulation path 28, the rolling element contacts on the opposite sides of the both spacers 59B. The surface 54A accommodates the ball 46A at a position displaced by an amount of deviation (offset amount) F2 on the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28 with respect to the rolling element contact surface 54 of each other spacer 51. As shown in FIG. 8, the spacers 59 located at both ends of the spacer 59 are pushed in the direction in which the rolling element contact surface 54A is on the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28 by the balls 46A (symbol P in the figure). It will be.

  As a result, the connecting arm portion 52 located at the tip of the rolling element housing belt 72 is bent toward the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the tip can be bent in the inner circumferential direction. Therefore, when approaching the direction change path 24, the tip of the rolling element housing belt 72 is directed toward the circulation direction. The inner wall of the infinite circulation path 28 or the guide groove 60 can be smoothly entered. That is, since the tip can be easily bent following the inner wall or guide groove 60 of the endless circulation path 28, the circulation resistance due to friction between the inner wall or guide groove 60 of the endless circulation path 28 and the tip of the rolling element housing belt 72. Can be relaxed. Therefore, the linear guide can be operated smoothly.

  Further, the rolling element housing belt 72 has a rolling element contact surface 54A formed at a position displaced by an amount of deviation F2 instead of a bending that is given in advance at the tip of the rolling element housing belt 72. Since the seat portion 59 is bent by being pushed by the ball 46A, as in the first embodiment, even if the tip of the rolling element housing belt 72 is bent at the time of handling, the bending portion at the time of use is not bent. Does not affect the degree. Therefore, it is not necessary to pay special attention in the handling work and can be handled easily.

  Furthermore, since this rolling element accommodation belt 72 does not have a protruding portion from the end portion (spacer portion 59), for example, as in the guide piece illustrated above, both end portions are used in the state of use attached to the linear guide. The spacer portions 59 can be brought close to each other. And since the ball | bowl 46A is further interposed between the spacer parts 59 between them, the reduction | decrease of the number of the balls 46 which receive a load can be suppressed more suitably. Therefore, it is more preferable to make the configuration without reducing the load capacity and rigidity of the linear guide.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The linear guide of the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the rolling element housing belt, and the other configurations are the same. Other explanations are omitted.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the rolling element accommodation belt and the rolling element row in the rolling element accommodation belt in the third embodiment. FIG. The side view which expands and shows a part including the edge part in the state extended, the figure (b) is a sectional view in the arrangement direction, and the figure (c) is attached to the linear guide In use, a part including the end portion of the rolling element housing belt is enlarged.

  In the linear guide of the first embodiment, the pair of rolling element contact surfaces 54 in each rolling element accommodating portion 55 slide while restraining the ball 46 accommodated on the inner peripheral side in the infinite circulation path 28. Although described in the example of holding freely, in this third embodiment, each rolling element housing portion 55C is engaged on both inner and outer peripheral sides of the endless circulation path 28 with the balls 46 accommodated between the facing spacer portions. This is an example of being removable.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9B, in the rolling element housing belt 73, each spacer 51C has a pair of rolling element contact surfaces 54C and 54C that are flat, and adjacent spacers 51C are adjacent to each other. Each rolling element accommodating portion 55 </ b> C in between does not restrain the ball 46 toward both the inner and outer peripheral sides of the infinite circulation path 28. Further, the spacer portion 59C at both ends is different from the spacer portion 59 in the first embodiment only in that the surface on the side opposite to the rolling element housing portion 55C is a flat surface. As shown in the figure, in this example, the connecting position of the spacer 59C located at the end is shifted as in the first embodiment described above, and the offset amount is This is the same as the offset amount F1 in one embodiment.

Also with the linear guide of the third embodiment configured as described above, the balls 46 can be easily incorporated into the respective rolling element housing portions 55C from the detachable side as in the first embodiment. Can do. Therefore, the efficiency of the work of assembling the ball 46 into the rolling element housing belt 73 can be improved.
Further, when this rolling element housing belt 73 is incorporated into the endless circulation path 28, the spacer portions 59C positioned at both ends are offset to the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28 with respect to the other spacer portions 51C. As shown in FIG. 9C, the spacer portions 59C located at both ends are infinitely connected to the rolling element contact surfaces 54 by the balls 46 located at the ends. It is pushed in the direction of the inner circumference side of the circulation path 28. Therefore, the tip can be bent in the inner circumferential direction. Therefore, when approaching the direction change path 24, the tip of the rolling element housing belt 73 is directed toward the circulation direction toward the inner wall or guide of the infinite circulation path 28. The groove 60 can be smoothly moved along. Therefore, circulation resistance due to friction between the inner wall of the infinite circulation path 28 or the guide groove 60 and the tip of the rolling element housing belt 73 can be reduced. Therefore, the linear guide can be operated smoothly.

  Further, the rolling element housing belt 73 is connected at a position where the inner circumferential bending at the tip thereof is not a predetermined bending, but the rolling element contact surface 54 of the spacer 59C is biased by the offset amount F1. Therefore, the bending is caused by being pushed by the ball 46 located at the end portion, so that the degree of bending in use is not affected. Therefore, it is not necessary to pay special attention in the handling work and can be handled easily.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The linear guide of the fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the rolling element housing belt, and the other configurations are the same. Other explanations are omitted.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the rolling element accommodation belt according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 (a) is an enlarged view of a part including an end portion in a state where the rolling element accommodation belt is expanded and extended. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view in the direction in which the balls are arranged, and FIG. 4C includes the end of the rolling element housing belt in a use state where the linear guide is mounted. A part of it is shown enlarged.

  In the linear guide of the first embodiment, each of the rolling element accommodating portions 55 includes a pair of rolling element contact surfaces 54 that restrain the ball 46 accommodated therein on the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. In the fourth embodiment, the rolling element accommodating portions 55D are configured to restrain the balls 46 accommodated therein on the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. It is an example hold | maintained slidably. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, in this rolling element containing belt 74, the pair of rolling element contact surfaces 54D of the spacer 51D is formed between the pair of rolling elements 51 of the spacer 51 in the first embodiment. The only difference is that the direction in the inner and outer circumferential directions of the infinite circulation path 28 is directed opposite to the moving body contact surface 54. However, only the spacer 59D located at both ends is configured in the same manner as the rolling element contact surface 54 in the first embodiment.

  That is, in the spacer 59D, the rolling element contact surface 54 facing the rolling element accommodation portion 55D located at the end has the ball 46 to accommodate the same as the rolling element contact surface 54 in the first embodiment. The endless circulation path 28 is not constrained toward the outer peripheral side but is constrained toward the inner peripheral side. Then, only the spacer 59D located at the end thereof is connected to the other spacers 51 on the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28 at a position biased by the offset amount F1.

  As a result, the spacer portions 59D positioned at both ends are connected to the other spacer portions 51D with the offset amount F1, so that the rolling element contact surfaces 54 are connected to both ends. A contact surface that abuts the ball 46 accommodated in the positioned rolling element accommodating portion 55D so as to be biased toward the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28 with respect to the ball 46 accommodated in the other rolling element accommodating portion 55D. become. Therefore, the linear guide of the fourth embodiment can provide the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The linear guide of the fifth embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the rolling element housing belt, and the other configurations are the same. Other explanations are omitted.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the rolling element accommodation belt in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 11A is a partially enlarged view including an end portion in a state where the rolling element accommodation belt is expanded and extended. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view in the direction in which the balls are arranged, and FIG. 4C includes the end of the rolling element housing belt in a use state where the linear guide is mounted. A part of it is shown enlarged.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration example in which the end of the rolling element housing belt is provided with a one-stage deviation amount (offset amount) has been described. However, the rolling element housing belt 75 has two stages at the end. It is an example provided with deviation | shift amount (offset amount).
As shown in FIG. 11, the rolling element housing belt 75 includes spacer portions 51 </ b> E and 59 </ b> E instead of the spacer portions 51 and 59 in the first embodiment. The spacer portions 51E and 59E are short columnar members having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ball 46, as in the spacer portions 51 and 59 in the first embodiment. In this example, the outer diameter is smaller than the spacers 51 and 59.

Each spacer 51E, 59E has a rolling element contact surface 54E that slidably contacts the outer periphery of the ball 46, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the rolling element contact surface 54E is formed on the surface facing the ball 46 to be accommodated of both short cylindrical end surfaces of the spacers 51E and 59E. It is formed as a concave curved surface (concave spherical surface) that follows the curved surface, and the inner diameter dimension formed by the respective rolling element accommodating portions 55E facing each other is slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball 46 accommodated so that the ball 46 can roll. Big. Thereby, the pair of opposing rolling element contact surfaces 54E and 54E hold the balls 46 accommodated in the respective rolling element accommodating portions 55E so as to be slidable while being restrained in all directions. Note that only the spacer 59E located at the end has a flat surface opposite to the rolling element housing 55E.

  And in this rolling-element accommodation belt 75, the position where a pair of connection part 52 has connected each spacer part 51E like the said 1st embodiment is accommodated, as shown to the figure (a). This is a position that is offset by an offset amount T on the inner circumferential side of the endless circulation path 28 when used with respect to the line CL connecting the centers of the balls 46. When the bottom of each spacer 51E at a position displaced by this offset amount T is used as a reference BL, each of the spacer 59E located at both ends and the spacer 51E adjacent thereto is infinite. The circulation path 28 is connected to the outer peripheral side at a position biased.

  That is, each of the spacer portions 59E at both ends is connected to the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28 at a position displaced by the offset amount F4. Further, each of the spacer portions 51E adjacent to this is connected to the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28 at a position displaced by the offset amount F3. Here, the magnitude of the offset amount F4 is larger than the offset amount F3. In the example of the present embodiment, the offset amount F3 = 0.2 mm and the offset amount F4 = 0.4 mm with respect to the diameter of the ball 46 = 4.76 mm. In this example, the second contact surface corresponds to the rolling element contact surface 54E of the spacer 59E located at both ends, and the third contact surface is located at both ends. Of the rolling element contact surfaces 54E of the spacer part 51E adjacent to the spacer part 59E, the rolling element contact surface 54E facing the opposite side to the rolling element accommodating part 55 on the end side corresponds.

  According to the linear guide of the fifth embodiment, when the rolling element housing belt 75 is incorporated in the endless circulation path 28, the spacer portion 59E located at both ends and the spacer portion 51E adjacent thereto are Since each spacer 51E is connected to the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28 at an offset amount by offset amounts F4 and F3, as shown in FIG. The spacer portion 51E adjacent to the rolling element contact surface 54E is in a direction in which the rolling element contact surface 54E becomes the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28 by the ball 46 positioned at the end and the ball 46 accommodated adjacent thereto. Will be pushed. Therefore, since it is possible to bend the tip of the rolling element housing belt 75 in the inner circumferential direction, when approaching the direction change path 24, the tip is directed toward the circulation direction toward the inner wall of the endless circulation path 28 or The guide groove 60 can be imbedded smoothly. Therefore, circulation resistance due to friction between the inner wall of the infinite circulation path 28 or the guide groove 60 and the tip of the rolling element housing belt 75 can be reduced. Therefore, the linear guide can be operated smoothly.

  In addition, the rolling element housing belt 75 is not bent in the inner circumference at the tip, but the spacer 59E and the rolling element contact surface 54E of the spacer 51E adjacent to the spacer 59E. By being connected at a position deviated by the offset amounts F4 and F3, the bending is caused by being pushed by the ball 46 located at the end and the ball 46 accommodated adjacent thereto, so that the bending during use Does not affect the degree. Therefore, it is not necessary to pay special attention in the handling work and can be handled easily.

Further, according to the rolling element housing belt 75, since the offset amount is given to the plurality of balls 46 from the tip, for example, as in the first embodiment, only the tip ball 46 is offset. In comparison, the rolling element housing belt can be circulated more smoothly.
This is because the rolling element accommodation belt is made of an elastic resin material, and when the rolling element accommodation belt is bent, a “spring” is generated between the rolling element accommodation belt and the ball by the elastic force. Power is generated. And when this force is large, the frictional force between a ball | bowl and a rolling-element accommodation belt will increase. Therefore, smooth circulation of the rolling element housing belt is hindered. Here, the greater the bending per unit length of the rolling element accommodation belt, the greater the force required to bend the rolling element accommodation belt. In other words, the gentler the bending of the rolling element accommodation belt, the less the force required to bend the rolling element accommodation belt. Therefore, if the amount of offset is given to the plurality of balls 46 from the tip as in the rolling element containing belt 75, the rolling element containing belt is made gentler than the case where the amount of offset is given only to the ball 46 at the tip. Since it can be bent, the rolling element housing belt can be circulated more smoothly.

  In particular, according to the rolling element housing belt 75, the size of the offset amount F3 of the spacer portion 51E adjacent to the spacer portion 59E and the offset amount F4 of the spacer portion 59E located at both ends are different. Since the offset amount F4 is larger than the offset amount F3 and bent stepwise, the rolling element housing belt can be bent more gently.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The linear guide of the sixth embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment described above only in the configuration of the rolling element housing belt, and the other configurations are the same. Other explanations are omitted.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the rolling element accommodation belt in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 12A is a partially enlarged view including an end portion in a state where the rolling element accommodation belt is expanded and extended. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view in the direction in which the balls are arranged, and FIG. 4C includes the end of the rolling element housing belt in a use state where the linear guide is mounted. A part of it is shown enlarged.

In the above-described fifth embodiment, the example in which the plurality of balls 46 are provided with the shift amounts (offset amounts F3, F4) in stages from the tip of the rolling element accommodation belt 75 has been described. Is different from the fifth embodiment only in that it has a configuration including a one-stage shift amount (the same offset amount).
That is, in this rolling element accommodation belt 76, as shown in FIG. 12B, each of the spacer portion 59E located at both ends and the spacer portion 51E adjacent to the spacer portion 59E is infinitely circulated. The same amount of the offset amount F5 is connected to the outer peripheral side of the path 28 at a position offset. As a result, the rolling element contact surface 54E of the ball 46 accommodated in the end part and the rolling element accommodation part 55F adjacent to the end part moves the spacers 51E and 59E toward the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. It is configured as an abutment surface that restrains and abuts on the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28 so as to be biased by the offset amount F5. In the figure, the offset amount F5 is shown based on the outer peripheral surface of the ball 46 to be accommodated.

Therefore, even with the linear guide of the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7C, the rolling elements are compared with the configuration in which only the tip ball 46 is offset as in the first embodiment, for example. Since the accommodation belt can be bent relatively gently, the rolling element accommodation belt can be smoothly circulated.
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. The linear guide of the seventh embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the rolling element housing belt, and the other configurations are the same. Other explanations are omitted.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the rolling element accommodation belt in the seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 (a) is an enlarged view of a part including an end portion in a state where the rolling element accommodation belt is expanded and extended. (B) is a side view thereof, FIG. (C) is a cross-sectional view in the direction in which the balls are arranged, and (d) is attached to the linear guide. In the used state, a part including the end of the rolling element housing belt is shown enlarged.

  As shown in the figure, the rolling element housing belt 77 does not include a spacer. That is, a thin and long belt-like shape (belt shape) is formed only by the pair of connecting portions 52, and the ball receiving holes 53 that open to the portions where the pair of connecting portions 52 face each other are used as they are. Is configured as a rolling element accommodating portion 55G that individually accommodates. And this rolling element accommodation belt 77 is provided with the latching claw part 58 in the both ends, respectively (refer the figure (b)).

  The locking claw portion 58 has a rectangular shape in a plan view so as not to interfere with the inner wall of the endless circulation path 28 and the guide groove 60, and the side view thereof is as shown in FIG. This is a plate-like member that curves following the ball 46 accommodated in the ball accommodation hole 53 (rolling element accommodation portion 55G) located at the end of the rolling element accommodation belt 77. A surface that contacts the ball 46 is formed as a rolling element contact surface 54G. The rolling element contact surface 54 </ b> G is formed as a concave curved surface that follows the curved surface of the ball 46, and the ball 46 accommodated in the ball accommodating hole 53 positioned at the end is further passed to the other ball accommodating hole 53. It is a surface that abuts the accommodated ball 46 on the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28 so as to be biased by the offset amount F6. The offset amount F6 is the same amount as the offset amount F1 in the first embodiment.

Even with the linear guide of the seventh embodiment configured as described above, the balls 46 can be easily incorporated into the ball receiving holes 53 (rolling member receiving portions 55G), as in the first embodiment. Can do. Therefore, the efficiency of the work of assembling the ball 46 into the rolling element housing belt 77 can be improved.
Then, when this rolling element housing belt 77 is incorporated into the endless circulation path 28, as shown in FIG. 13 (d), the locking claw portions 58 provided at both ends have the rolling element contact surface 54G at the end. The ball 46 located in the portion is pushed in the direction toward the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. Therefore, like the above embodiments, the circulation resistance due to the friction between the inner wall of the endless circulation path 28 or the guide groove 60 and the tip of the rolling element housing belt 77 can be reduced. Therefore, the linear guide can be operated smoothly.

Also, in this rolling element housing belt 77, as in the above-described embodiments, it is not a pre-given bend, but a bend caused by being pushed by the ball 46 located at the end, so that it affects the degree of bend during use. Never give. Therefore, it is not necessary to pay special attention in the handling work and can be handled easily.
In particular, according to the rolling element housing belt 72, the side on which the locking claw portion 58 is provided is the inner peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28. The locking claw portion 58 is to confirm this visually. Therefore, when the rolling element housing belt 72 is assembled in the endless circulation path 28, it is easy to distinguish the front and back. Therefore, assembly is easy.

In addition, the rolling element accommodation belt and the linear motion guide device including the same according to the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in each of the above embodiments, the example in which the rolling element is a ball has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even when the rolling element is a roller, the same action and effect can be obtained.

The rolling element accommodation belt according to the present invention and the linear motion guide device including the rolling element accommodation belt are not limited to the above embodiments, and it is a matter of course that the configurations of the embodiments can be appropriately combined.
For example, in the second embodiment, as the first contact surface, the rolling element contact surfaces 54A on the opposite sides of both spacer portions 59B of the rolling element accommodation belt 72 correspond to each other. However, the first contact surface according to the present invention may be configured to further include other embodiments. Moreover, it is the same in said 3rd contact surface, For example, it can be set as the structure further provided with the 3rd contact surface which concerns on this invention with respect to said 1st or 2nd embodiment.

  Further, for example, the first to third contact surfaces are biased toward the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path with respect to the rolling elements accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion that does not have these contact surfaces. Although described in the example of the contact surface, the action and effect of the present invention is at least infinite circulation with respect to the rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodation part adjacent to the rolling element accommodation part having these contact surfaces. The surface should just contact | abut so that it may be biased to the outer peripheral side in a road.

That is, the first contact surface biases the rolling elements accommodated therein at least on the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path with respect to the rolling elements accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portions located at both ends. Thus, if it becomes the surface to contact | abut, the bending of inner peripheral direction can be given to the front-end | tip of a rolling element accommodation belt.
Further, the second contact surface has the infinite circulation path with respect to the rolling elements accommodated therein at least in the rolling element accommodation portions adjacent to the rolling element accommodation portions located at both ends. If it is a surface that comes into contact with the outer peripheral side of the roller, the bending of the rolling element housing belt can be imparted to the inner periphery.

  Further, the third contact surface is configured to be provided with at least one contact surface of the first contact surface and the second contact surface, and the third contact surface is a rolling element having the same. The rolling element accommodated in the accommodating part is at least in contact with the rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodating part located third from both ends so as to be biased toward the outer peripheral side in the infinite circulation path. If it has, it will be possible to bend the inner circumference of the tip of the rolling element housing belt.

It is a perspective view which shows the linear guide which concerns on 1st embodiment of the linear guide apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the slider of the linear guide of FIG. 1 in a cross section. It is sectional drawing in the XX line part in the linear guide of FIG. It is a figure explaining the rolling-element accommodation belt in 1st embodiment, The figure (a) is a plane which expands and shows a part including the edge part in the state which expand | deployed and extended the rolling-element accommodation belt. FIG. 1B is a side view thereof, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view in the direction of ball alignment in FIG. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the rolling element accommodation belt in 1st embodiment, In the same figure, in the use condition with which the linear guide was mounted | worn, a part including the edge part of a rolling element accommodation belt is expanded and it is a cross section. Is shown. It is a figure explaining the structure of the rolling element accommodation belt in 2nd embodiment, and a rolling element row | line | column, The figure shows the figure corresponding to sectional drawing in the XX line part in 1st embodiment. Yes. It is a figure explaining the rolling element accommodation belt in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the rolling element accommodation belt in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure explaining the rolling-element accommodation belt in 3rd embodiment, and its effect | action. It is a figure explaining the rolling-element accommodation belt in 4th embodiment, and its effect | action. It is a figure explaining the rolling-element accommodation belt in 5th embodiment, and its effect | action. It is a figure explaining the rolling-element accommodation belt in 6th embodiment, and its effect | action. It is a figure explaining the rolling-element accommodation belt in 7th embodiment, and its effect | action. It is a perspective view explaining an example of the conventional linear motion guide apparatus, In the same figure, it has shown in the state fractured | ruptured. It is a figure explaining an example of the conventional linear motion guide apparatus, In the same figure, the part of the infinite circulation path is shown with sectional drawing in the arrangement direction of a rolling element.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Linear guide 12 Guide rail 14 Rolling element guide surface 16 Slider 17 Slider body 18 Load rolling element guide surface 20 Rolling element return path 22 End cap 24 Direction change path 26 Rolling element track 28 Endless circulation path 46 Ball (Rolling element)
50, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 Rolling body housing belt 51 Spacer portion 52 Connecting portion 53 Ball housing hole 54 Rolling body contact surface 55 Rolling body housing portion 58 Locking claw portion 59 (located at the end) ) Spacer 60 Guide groove 62 Rolling element row

Claims (7)

It is used for a linear motion guide device having an infinite circulation path in which a plurality of rolling elements roll, and has a plurality of rolling element accommodating portions that individually accommodate the rolling elements, and the rolling elements are accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portions. A rolling element containing belt formed in an end shape to be arranged as a rolling element row in the direction of arrangement in the endless circulation path,
Both ends of the rolling element housing belt face each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path, and an end where the rolling elements that are not housed in the rolling element housing section can be incorporated between the opposing both ends. It is an inter-part rolling element accommodating portion, and the end-to-end rolling element accommodating portion has a first abutting surface, which is an abutting surface that abuts against the rolling element accommodated therein, at each end. ,
The first abutment surface is adapted to bias the rolling elements accommodated therein toward the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path with respect to the rolling elements accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portions located at both ends. A rolling element containing belt characterized by being a contact surface. It is used for a linear motion guide device having an infinite circulation path in which a plurality of rolling elements roll, and has a plurality of rolling element accommodating portions that individually accommodate the rolling elements, and the rolling elements are accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portions. A rolling element containing belt formed in an end shape to be arranged as a rolling element row in the direction of arrangement in the endless circulation path,
Among the rolling element accommodating portions, the rolling element accommodating portions positioned at both ends abut against the rolling elements accommodated therein so as to restrain movement of each end portion of the endless circulation path to at least the outer peripheral side. Each has a second contact surface that is a contact surface,
The second contact surface has an outer periphery in the endless circulation path with respect to the rolling elements accommodated in the rolling element accommodation portions adjacent to the rolling element accommodation portions located at both ends. A rolling element-accommodating belt, wherein the rolling element-accommodating belt is a surface abutting so as to be biased toward the side. It is used for a linear motion guide device having an infinite circulation path in which a plurality of rolling elements roll, and has a plurality of rolling element accommodating portions that individually accommodate the rolling elements, and the rolling elements are accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portions. A rolling element containing belt formed in an end shape to be arranged as a rolling element row in the direction of arrangement in the endless circulation path,
Both ends of the rolling element housing belt face each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path, and an end where the rolling elements that are not housed in the rolling element housing section can be incorporated between the opposing both ends. It is an inter-part rolling element accommodating portion, and the end-to-end rolling element accommodating portion has a first abutting surface, which is an abutting surface that abuts against the rolling element accommodated therein, at each end. ,
Among the rolling element accommodating portions, the rolling element accommodating portions positioned at both ends abut against the rolling elements accommodated therein so as to restrain movement of each end portion of the endless circulation path to at least the outer peripheral side. Each has a second contact surface that is a contact surface,
Further, the first contact surface and the second contact surface both have rolling elements accommodated in rolling element accommodation portions adjacent to the rolling element accommodation portions located at both ends. It is a surface that comes into contact with the moving body so as to be biased toward the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path,
The rolling element-accommodating belt according to claim 1, wherein a size of the deviation due to the first contact surface is equal to or greater than a size of the displacement due to the second contact surface. In the rolling element accommodation belt according to claim 1,
Of the rolling element accommodating portions, each of the rolling element accommodating portions adjacent to the rolling element accommodating portions located at both ends is arranged to restrain movement of each end portion at least on the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path. A third contact surface that is a contact surface that contacts the rolling element housed in
The third contact surface biases the rolling element accommodated therein to the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path with respect to the rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodation part located third from both ends. It is a surface to abut,
The rolling element-accommodating belt according to claim 1, wherein a size of the deviation due to the first contact surface is equal to or greater than a size of the displacement due to the third contact surface. In the rolling element accommodation belt according to claim 2,
Of the rolling element accommodating portions, each of the rolling element accommodating portions adjacent to the rolling element accommodating portions located at both ends is arranged to restrain movement of each end portion at least on the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path. A third contact surface that is a contact surface that contacts the rolling element housed in
The third abutment surface is a surface that abuts the rolling element accommodated therein so as to bias the rolling element accommodated in the other rolling element accommodating portion toward the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path. And
The rolling element-accommodating belt according to claim 1, wherein a size of the deviation due to the second contact surface is equal to or greater than a size of the displacement due to the third contact surface. In the rolling element accommodation belt according to claim 3,
Of the rolling element accommodating portions, each of the rolling element accommodating portions adjacent to the rolling element accommodating portions located at both ends is arranged to restrain movement of each end portion at least on the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path. A third contact surface that is a contact surface that contacts the rolling element housed in
The third contact surface biases the rolling element accommodated therein to the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path with respect to the rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodation part located third from both ends. It is a surface to abut,
The rolling element-accommodating belt according to claim 1, wherein a size of the deviation due to the second contact surface is equal to or greater than a size of the displacement due to the third contact surface.   A linear motion guide device using the rolling element accommodation belt according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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