JP4609303B2 - Linear motion guide device and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear motion guide device and a method for manufacturing the linear motion guide device, and in particular, is used in various machines such as a manufacturing device and a processing machine, and has a plurality of rolling element accommodating portions that individually accommodate rolling elements. The present invention relates to a linear motion guide device including a rolling element accommodation belt which is formed in an end shape while accommodating rolling elements in a portion and arranging them as a rolling element row in an arrangement direction in an infinite circulation path.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the linear motion guide device includes a guide rail 12, a slider 16 disposed so as to be movable relative to the guide rail 12, and a load between the guide rail 12 and the slider 16. And a plurality of rolling elements (in this example, balls 46) that roll while being loaded. 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 end caps 22 that are a pair of lid members attached to both ends in the moving direction.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the slider body 17 is provided with a rolling element track 26 which is opposed to the rolling element guide surface 14 of the guide rail 12 and is a region where a load is applied to the rolling element together with the rolling element guide surface 14. A load rolling element guide surface 18 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.
By the way, in the linear motion guide device, when the slider moves relative to the guide rail, each rolling element moves while rotating in the same direction, so that the adjacent rolling elements rub against each other and smooth rolling of the rolling elements occurs. Be disturbed. Therefore, noise increases and the progress of wear of the rolling elements is accelerated. Therefore, conventionally, in order to suppress the generation of noise and smoothly operate the linear motion guide device, there has been provided a rolling element housing belt that constitutes a rolling element array by aligning rolling elements in an infinite circulation path in the arrangement direction thereof. Proposed.

  As this type of linear motion guide device, for example, techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known. In the technologies described in these patent documents, the rolling element housing belt is formed in an end shape from a flexible material, and both ends thereof are used without being connected (for example, in FIG. 7, see FIG. 1 and paragraph number 0018 in Patent Document 2 and FIG. 6 in Patent Document 3).

Here, the outline of the rolling element row in the technique described in these patent documents will be described with reference to FIG.
This type of rolling element accommodation belt includes a spacer portion 151 and a connecting portion 152, like a rolling element accommodation belt 150 shown in FIG. 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 part 152 is a belt-like member made of a flexible thin material, and connects adjacent spacer parts 151 to each other. And the part (henceforth a "rolling body accommodating part") which accommodates a rolling element is defined so that the ball | bowl 46 can be clamped from both sides by the adjacent spacer parts 151 connected.

Then, the balls 46 are accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion to form a rolling element array 162, and the rolling element array 162 circulates in the infinite circulation path 28.
Thereby, rubbing and competition between the balls 46 are suppressed, and the circulation of the balls 46 is improved. Here, the rolling element accommodation belt 150 of this example is formed in an end shape, and there is a gap between both ends 159 (success) of the rolling element accommodation belt 150, and they are not connected to each other. According to this rolling element accommodation belt, it is possible to omit the connection work of connecting the both ends of the rolling element accommodation belt to make them endless. It is also easy to automate the assembly process.
JP 7-317762 A JP-A-10-068417 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-052217

Here, this type of rolling element housing belt is conventionally incorporated in a linear motion guide device, for example, in the procedure shown in FIG.
That is, as shown in the figure, first, the balls 46 are assembled in advance to the rolling element accommodation portion of the rolling element accommodation belt 150 to form the rolling element row 162. On the other hand, the slider 16 has one end cap 22 (upper side in the figure) removed in advance, and a part of the infinite circulation path 28 on the slider body 17 side is opened (see (a) in the figure).

  Next, the rolling element row 162 assembled in advance is inserted into the endless circulation path 28 on the slider body 17 side from the opening 28a of the endless circulation path 28 (see FIG. 4B). And after inserting the rolling element row | line | column 162 in all the infinite circulation paths, the opening part 28a of the infinite circulation path 28 is block | closed with the end cap 22 (refer the figure (c)-(d)). Thereby, the assembly of the rolling element accommodation belt (the rolling element row 162) into the slider 16 is completed.

  By the way, conventionally, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the facing distance between the end portions 159 of the rolling element housing belt is usually set to about one rolling element (see, for example, FIG. 6 in Patent Document 3). The purpose is to prevent the load capacity and rigidity of the linear motion guide device from being reduced due to the decrease in the number of rolling elements that receive a load when the end of the rolling element containing belt reaches the rolling element raceway. is there.

However, considering the work efficiency in the assembling process as described above, it is not desirable from the following points to reduce the distance between the end portions of the rolling element housing belt.
That is, in the above assembling procedure, one end cap 22 is removed, and the rolling element housing belt (rolling element row 162) is inserted from the opening 28a on the slider main body 17 side. The end 159 of the moving body accommodation belt 150 is positioned in the vicinity of the opening 28a of the slider body 17 as shown in an enlarged view in FIG.

  At this time, when the facing distance between the end portions 159 of the rolling element containing belt 150 is small, when the rolling element row 162 is inserted with the end cap 22 removed, the end portion 159 becomes the end surface of the slider body 17. It will protrude greatly from 17f. Therefore, when the end cap 22 is attached, if the end cap 22 comes into contact with the rolling element accommodation belt 150 (for example, an arrow indicated by symbol P in FIG. 15), the rolling element accommodation belt 150 bends in an unexpected direction and rolls. The moving body (the ball 46 in this example) may fall off.

  For example, in the rolling element accommodation belt described in Patent Document 1, the rolling element accommodation belt can be accommodated in a state in which the rolling element accommodation belt is straightened. Since the distance increases, the rolling elements easily fall off. Therefore, careful attention is required for attaching the end cap. Actually, since the slider body 17 has a plurality of infinite circulation paths 28, the end cap 22 is prevented from coming into contact with the rolling element housing belt 150 in all of the infinite circulation paths 28 while the end cap 22 is attached to the slider body. It is quite difficult to attach to 17. Therefore, it becomes a factor which reduces the efficiency of the operation | work which manufactures a linear guide.

Such a problem is particularly noticeable in the case of a component configuration in which the end cap is attached to the slider after the return member constituting the inner periphery of the direction change path is attached to the end cap. That is, in this case, the opening of the end cap is limited to two hole portions (opening portion of the direction change path). Therefore, it is necessary to assemble while adjusting the position so that the rolling element housing belt fits well in the direction change path, and the work requires skill.
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and is a linear motion guide that can facilitate the work of attaching an end cap after inserting the rolling element housing belt in the process of assembling the rolling element housing belt. An object is to provide an apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a guide rail having a rolling element guide surface, and the rolling element guide surface disposed so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail and facing the rolling element guide surface. And a slider having a load rolling element guide surface that forms a rolling element raceway, and a plurality of rolling elements that roll on the rolling element raceway, the slider rolling when the rolling element is in an unloaded state. A slider body having a rolling element return passage, and a pair of end caps that are attached to both ends of the slider body in the moving direction to form direction change paths that are respectively connected to both ends of the rolling element raceway and the rolling element return path; The rolling element raceway, the pair of direction change paths, and the rolling element return path constitute an infinite circulation path, and a plurality of the rolling elements are individually accommodated in the infinite circulation path. A linear motion guide device incorporating a rolling element housing belt that has a moving body accommodating portion and accommodates the rolling elements in the rolling element accommodating portion and aligns them as rolling element rows in an alignment direction in an infinite circuit. One endlessly formed rolling element housing belt is incorporated in the circulation path for each infinite circulation path, and the developed length of the rolling element accommodation belt is the rolling element accommodation position located at both ends thereof. The center-to-center distance between the rolling elements is shorter than the path length of the endless circuit where one end cap is removed from the slider.

The present invention also provides a guide rail having a rolling element guide surface and a rolling element track that is disposed so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail and faces the rolling element guide surface together with the rolling element guide surface. A slider having a loaded rolling element guide surface and a plurality of rolling elements that roll on the rolling element raceway, the slider having a rolling element return path through which the rolling element rolls in an unloaded state. And a pair of end caps that are attached to both ends of the slider body in the moving direction and have direction change paths that are respectively connected to both ends of the rolling element raceway and the rolling element return path. In addition, a plurality of infinite circulation paths are configured from the rolling element raceway, the pair of direction change paths, and the rolling element return path, and a plurality of rolling element accommodations for individually accommodating the rolling elements in the infinite circulation paths. Part A method of manufacturing a linear motion guide device in which a rolling element housing belt formed into an end shape is incorporated that accommodates the rolling elements in the rolling element housing portion and aligns the rolling elements as a row of rolling elements in an arrangement direction in an infinite circulation path. In the rolling element housing belt, the unfolded length of the rolling element housing belt is infinite when the distance between the centers of the rolling element housing portions located at both ends thereof is one when the one end cap is removed from the slider. One rolling element shorter than the remaining path length of each circulation path is used for each endless circulation path, and one of the pair of lid members is removed from each of the sliders on each endless track. A rolling element row insertion process for inserting the rolling elements in a state where the rolling elements are accommodated in the accommodation belt; and an end cap attachment process for attaching the removed end cap to the slider body after the rolling element row insertion process. It is characterized in that.

  According to the present invention, the developed length of the rolling element containing belt is such that the distance between the centers of the rolling elements of the rolling element containing parts located at both ends thereof is the path of the endless circuit where one end cap is removed from the slider. Because it is shorter than the length, when the end cap is opened in the process of assembling the rolling element housing belt, the center positions of the rolling elements arranged at both ends of the rolling element accommodation belt are both positioned inside the end face of the slider body. Can be incorporated. Therefore, when the end cap is attached, even if the end cap contacts the rolling element accommodation belt, the rolling element accommodation belt extending from the end surface of the slider body bends so that the rolling element falls off in an unexpected direction. There is nothing. Therefore, the end cap can be easily and quickly attached.

  Here, in the linear motion guide device according to the present invention, both end portions of the rolling element housing belt are opposed to each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path, and between the facing both end portions, It is preferable if one or more of the rolling elements that are not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion are incorporated. With such a configuration, even if the gap between the ends of the rolling element containing belt is wide, one or more rolling elements are arranged in the gap, so that the rolling element that receives a load on the rolling element raceway The decrease in the number can be suppressed. Therefore, it is more suitable for suppressing a decrease in load capacity and rigidity of the linear motion guide device.

  Further, in the method of manufacturing a linear motion guide device according to the present invention, when the rolling element housing belt further faces both ends thereof in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path, the facing Between the two end portions that can be incorporated with one or more rolling elements that are not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion, and further, after the lid member mounting step, the rolling elements within the plurality of rows of infinite circulation paths By moving the position of the end portion of the accommodation belt in the arrangement direction, from the opening window portion opened inside the slider so as to oppose the rolling element guide surface, a gap portion between the opposite end portions It is preferable to include a non-accommodating rolling element incorporating step of incorporating one or more rolling elements that are not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion. As a result, even if the rolling element containing belt has a wide gap between the ends of the rolling element containing belt, one or more rolling elements are arranged in the gap. A decrease in the number of moving objects can be suppressed. Therefore, it is more suitable for suppressing a decrease in load capacity and rigidity of the linear motion guide device.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device according to the present invention, the rolling element accommodation belt has an abutting surface that abuts against a rolling element that is not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion, and the abutting surface is a rolling element that abuts on the abutting surface. It is more preferable if the surface has a shape that allows movement of the infinite circulation path in the outer circumferential direction. In such a configuration, the contact surface does not restrain the rolling element at least in the outer circumferential direction of the infinite circulation path, and therefore, after assembling the rolling element accommodation belt in the slider, between the opposite ends, The rolling element can be easily inserted.

  Further, in the method for manufacturing a linear guide device according to the present invention, the rolling element housing belt has a contact surface that contacts a rolling element that is not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion, It is more preferable to use a rolling element that has a shape that allows movement in the outer circumferential direction of the endless circulation path. Thereby, since this contact surface does not restrain a rolling element at least in the outer peripheral direction of the infinite circulation path, the rolling element can be easily inserted in the non-accommodating rolling element incorporation step.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a linear motion guide device that can facilitate the work of attaching an end cap after inserting the rolling element housing belt in the step of assembling the rolling element housing belt, and a manufacturing method thereof. .

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. In the example shown in the figure, the return member 25 constituting the inner peripheral surface of the direction changing path 24 is attached to the end cap 22. Depending on the component configuration, the return member may be attached to the end surface of the slider body 17.

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 above-described pair of direction change paths 24, rolling element return paths 20, and rolling element raceways 26 constitute a total of four rows of infinite circulation paths 28 that are annularly continuous.

  Further, as shown in the figure, each endless 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. Here, in this linear guide 10, one end of the rolling element housing belt 50 formed in an end shape is incorporated in each infinite circulation path 28, and the balls 46 constituting each rolling element row 62 are arranged. The number and the length of the rolling element housing belt 50 are the same.

  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 part 60 is guided on both sides in the width direction. In addition, the slider 16 has an opening window portion 17k that is opened to face the rolling element guide surface 14 on the inner side of both of the substantially U-shaped sleeve portions. The portion constituting the opening window portion 17k is formed of a resin material (for example, polyacetal, polyamide, etc.).

  4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining the rolling element housing belt. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state in which the rolling element housing belt is expanded and extended, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the rolling element housing belt. The figure of the state which accommodated and comprised the rolling-element row | line | column, the same figure (c) is explanatory drawing which expands a part including the edge part of the rolling-element accommodation belt shown to the same figure (a), and shows it in a cross section. FIG. 4D is a diagram in the plan view direction in FIG.

  The rolling element housing belt 50 is formed into an end shape by injection molding from a flexible synthetic resin material (for example, polyester elastomer, polyurethane, etc.), and as shown in FIG. Respectively. These two end portions 59 are opposed to each other in the endless circuit 28 in a non-contact state (see FIG. 3). The rolling element housing belt 50 includes a spacer 51 interposed between adjacent balls 46 in the endless circulation path 28, and the spacers 51 on both sides in the width direction of the endless circulation path 28. A belt-like pair of connecting portions 52 to be connected is provided.

  The spacer portion 51 is a short columnar member having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ball 46. The spacer 51 has spherical concave curved surfaces 54a and 54b imitating the curved surfaces of adjacent balls 46 on both end surfaces of the short columnar shape so that the balls 46 are aligned in the endless circulation path 28. In the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged, they are arranged on both sides of each ball receiving hole at a predetermined distance (see FIG. 4C). Note that the end portions 59 at both ends have concave curved surfaces 59e that can come into contact with the balls 46 in the same manner as the concave curved surfaces 54a and 54b on the side opposite to the rolling element housing portion side (FIG. 4C). reference).

  The connecting portion 52 is a thin and long belt-shaped member, and circular ball accommodation holes 55 for accommodating the balls 46 are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 4D). The ball receiving hole 55 is formed with an inner diameter dimension that allows the ball 46 to freely engage and disengage in the front and back directions of the connecting portion 52. Here, as shown in FIG. 4C, the connecting portion 52 is offset in the direction of the inner peripheral side in the infinite circulation path 28 with respect to the center line CL <b> 3 connecting the centers of the balls 46. The spacers 51 are connected to each other in the width direction of the infinite circulation path 28 at a position deviated by T.

  A space defined by the spacer 51 and the connecting portion 52 corresponds to each of the ball receiving holes 55, and is a plurality of rolling element accommodating portions. As shown in FIG. 4B, the rolling element rows 62 are arranged so as to be aligned. At this time, in the example of the present embodiment, the rolling element accommodating portion is configured to be restrained in all directions so that the accommodated ball 46 does not fall off due to the predetermined interval and the opposed concave curved surfaces 54a and 54b. Has been.

  The developed length of the rolling element accommodating belt 50 is such that the center-to-center distance W1 (see FIG. 4B) between the balls 46 of the rolling element accommodating parts located at both ends thereof is from the slider 16 shown in FIG. The length is shorter than the path length WL of the endless circuit 28 with one end cap 22 removed (center-to-center distance W1 <path length WL). In addition, the codes | symbols CL1 and CL2 shown in FIG.4 (b) have shown the center position of the ball | bowl 46 of the rolling element accommodating part located in both ends. 5 indicates a center line connecting the centers of the balls 46 in the endless circulation path 28, and the path length WL is an inner circumference side in the endless circulation path 28 from the center line CL3. The line CL6 deviated by the offset amount T from the one opening 28a of the end surface 17f of the slider body 17 to the other opening 28a.

  Further, in this linear guide 10, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the rolling element rows 62 in each infinite circulation path 28 configured in four rows is provided at both end portions of the rolling element accommodation belt 50 in each infinite circulation path 28. 59 are opposed to each other in the endless circuit 28 in a non-contact state. Two balls 46 that are not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion are incorporated between the opposite end portions 59.

Here, a procedure for assembling the rolling element row 62 in each infinite circulation path 28 and its operation in the assembling process of the rolling element accommodation belt 50 in the linear guide 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the process of assembling the rolling element housing belt 50, first, as shown in FIG. 6A, one end cap 22 is removed from the slider 16 as a rolling element row insertion process, and the opening is thereby opened. The rolling element row 62 shown in FIG. 4B is inserted into the endless circulation path 28 from the portion. Then, as shown in FIG. 6A, the rolling element row 62 is inserted into the endless circulation path 28 until the two end portions 59 are aligned with the open portion.

  At this time, the center-to-center distance W1 (see FIG. 4B) is shorter than the path length WL (see FIG. 5) of the infinite circuit 28 in which one end cap 22 is removed from the slider 16. As shown in FIG. 6A, the balls 46 arranged in the opening 28a can be incorporated so that the center position CL5 at that position is located inside the end face 17f of the slider body 17 (see FIG. 6A). Symbol U in the figure). In the same manner, the rolling element rows 62 are sequentially incorporated in each infinite circulation path 28. In the example shown in the figure, the central positions CL5 of the balls 46 arranged at both ends of the rolling element containing belt 50 are shown in the same height, but the central position CL5 has the same height. It is not necessary to incorporate them so that the center positions of the balls 46 at both ends are so positioned as to be located inside the end surface 17 f of the slider body 17.

Next, after the rolling element row insertion step, as shown in FIG. 6B, the removed end cap 22 (lid member) is attached to the slider body 17 (end cap attachment step).
Then, after the end cap mounting step, as shown in FIGS. 6C to 6D, first, for each rolling element row 62 of the plurality of rows of infinite circulation paths 28, an end portion 59 of the rolling element accommodation belt 50 is provided. Are moved to the position of the opening window portion 17k formed to open facing the rolling element guide surface. Next, the two balls 46 that are not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion are incorporated into the gap K between the opposite end portions 59 (non-accommodating rolling element incorporating step). These balls 46 are inserted from the opening window portion 17k of the slider 16, as shown in FIGS. Here, the opening width of the opening window portion 17k is smaller than the diameter of the ball 46. However, as described above, the opening window portion 17k is made of a resin material such as polyacetal or polyamide, and thus has elasticity. Therefore, the ball 46 can be snapped in from the opening window portion 17k, and the inserted ball 46 does not fall off. Finally, the slider 16 in which the rolling element row 62 is incorporated as described above is attached to the guide rail 12.

Next, functions and effects of the linear guide 10 will be described.
According to this linear guide 10, the developed length of the rolling element housing belt 50 is such that the center-to-center distance W1 between the balls 46 of the rolling element housing portions located at both ends thereof is infinite when one end cap 22 is removed from the slider 16. Since the path length WL is shorter than the path length WL of the circulation path 28 (inter-center distance W1 <path length WL), when the end cap 22 is removed and the endless circulation path 28 is opened in the assembly process of the rolling element housing belt 50. The center positions CL5 of the balls 46 disposed at both ends of the rolling element housing belt 50 can be incorporated so as to be located inside the end face 17f of the slider body 17. Therefore, when the removed end cap 22 is attached, even if the end cap 22 comes into contact with the rolling element accommodation belt 50, the rolling element accommodation belt 50 extending from the end surface 17f of the slider body 17 is expected. The rolling element will not bend in such a way that it will fall off. Therefore, the end cap 22 can be easily and quickly attached.

  Further, according to this linear guide 10, both end portions 59 of the rolling element housing belt 50 face each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path 28, and the rolling elements are disposed between the opposing both end portions 59. Two balls 46 that are not accommodated in the accommodating portion are incorporated. Thereby, even if the gap (gap portion K) between the end portions 59 of the rolling element housing belt 50 is wide, the ball 46 is also disposed in the gap, so that the load of the ball 46 that receives the load on the rolling element raceway 26 is reduced. The decrease in the number can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in load capacity and rigidity of the linear guide 10.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the linear guide of the second embodiment, only the rolling element accommodation belt is different from the first embodiment described above, and the other configurations are the same. Therefore, only the rolling element accommodation belt will be described. Other explanations are omitted.
In the linear guide of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the rolling element housing belt 70 is different only in the shape of the spacer.

  In this rolling element housing belt 70, the spacer 51A has a contact surface with a shape that allows the balls 46 to be accommodated to move in the inner circumferential direction of the endless circulation path 28, except for the end spacer 59A. 54c and 54d are formed. The spacer portion 59A located at the end portion has a contact surface 54d having a shape that allows movement in the inner circumferential direction of the endless circulation path 28 on the rolling element housing portion side, The contact surface 59f has a shape that allows the endless circulation path 28 to move in the outer circumferential direction.

Next, an assembling process of the rolling element housing belt 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.
In assembling the ball 46 to the rolling element housing belt 70, first, as shown in FIG. 8, only the ball 46 is disposed on the recess 90a in the jig 90 having a substantially U-shaped cross section.
Next, the rolling element housing belt 70 is positioned above the ball 46, and as shown in FIG. 9, the balls 46 are sequentially moved from one end side (the left end in FIG. 9B) to the rolling element housing belt 70. It accommodates in each rolling element accommodating part. Then, as the rolling element row 72 in which all the balls 46 are incorporated in the rolling element accommodation belt 70, the upper surface opening of the jig 90 is closed with the top plate 90b (see FIG. 5A). Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the rolling element row 72 accommodated in the jig 90 is placed in the slider 16 in the same procedure as described in the first embodiment (the procedure described with reference to FIG. 6). insert.

  According to this rolling element housing belt 70, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), even in the linear guide of this second embodiment, the centers of the balls 46 at both ends of the rolling element accommodation belt 70 are the same as in the first embodiment. The position CL5 is located inside the end surface 17f of the slider main body 17 together. For this reason, the deflection of the rolling element housing belt 70 is suppressed, and the balls 46 are not dropped when the end cap 22 is assembled.

Furthermore, according to this rolling element accommodation belt 70, since the ball 46 is configured to be detachable on one of the front and back sides, the labor for assembling the ball 46 to the rolling element accommodation belt 70 can be greatly reduced.
That is, at least one of the front and back of the rolling element housing belt is configured such that the rolling element can be detached, so that the ball 46 cannot be removed from both the front and back of the rolling element housing belt as in the first embodiment described above. In comparison, the labor of assembling the rolling elements to the rolling element housing belt can be greatly reduced.

  In particular, in such a rolling element housing belt configured to be able to detach the rolling elements on at least one of the front and back surfaces, the rolling element is incompletely constrained to the rolling element accommodation belt, so that the conventional example shown in FIG. When the leading end of the rolling element housing belt protrudes from the end surface of the slider body, the rolling element is more likely to drop off from the rolling element accommodation belt. Therefore, the advantage of applying the present invention to the rolling element housing belt having a configuration in which the rolling element can be detached is particularly great in reducing the possibility of the rolling element falling off.

  Furthermore, according to this rolling element housing belt 70, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 7A, the spacer portion 59A located at the end portion is in contact with the ball 46 on the side opposite to the rolling element housing portion side. Since the contact surface 59e does not restrain the ball 46 to the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28, the contact is made when the ball 46 is inserted between the spacer portions 59A from the opening window portion 17k. The surface 59e does not hinder insertion. In other words, according to this rolling element housing belt 70, the ball 46 can be more easily inserted between the opposing seat portions 59 </ b> A in the endless circulation path 28 after the rolling element accommodation belt 70 is assembled in the slider 16. Can be inserted.

As described above, according to the linear guide 10, it is possible to facilitate the work of attaching the end cap after inserting the rolling element accommodation belt in the rolling element accommodation belt assembling step.
The linear motion guide device according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit 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.

  Further, for example, in the first embodiment, the spacer portion 59 located at the end portion has a contact surface 59e with the ball 46 on the side opposite to the rolling element housing portion side so that the curved surface of the ball 46 is formed. In the second embodiment described above, the spacer portion 59A located at the end portion is connected to the ball 46 on the side opposite to the rolling element housing portion side. Although the example in which the contact surface 59f is a surface that does not restrain the ball 46 on the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the contact surface 59f can be configured by a surface having an arbitrary shape. However, in order to make it easier to insert the rolling elements between the spacers at opposite ends in the infinite circulation path after the rolling element containing belt is assembled in the slider, at least the infinite circulation path It is preferable to make it a contact surface which does not restrain a rolling element in the outer peripheral direction. As another shape, for example, a modification of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, this modified example is different in that a spacer portion 59B located at an end portion has a contact surface 59g that is a mere flat surface instead of the contact surface 59f. According to the rolling element housing belt having the contact surface 59g of this modified example, when the ball 46 is inserted between the spacer portions 59B from the opening window portion 17k, as in the second embodiment, the contact is made. The surface 59g does not hinder insertion. And compared with 2nd embodiment, since a shape is simple, the manufacture is easy.

  Further, for example, in each of the embodiments described above, both end portions 59 of the rolling element housing belt 50 face each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path 28, and the rolling elements are disposed between the facing both end portions 59. Although the example in which the two balls 46 that are not accommodated in the accommodating portion are incorporated has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a configuration may be adopted in which rolling elements are not incorporated between the opposite end portions 59. However, in order to suppress a decrease in the number of rolling elements that receive a load on the rolling element raceway and to suppress a decrease in load capacity and rigidity of the linear motion guide device, a rolling element accommodating portion is provided between the opposing ends. It is preferable to incorporate a rolling element that is not accommodated in the housing. Further, even when a rolling element that is not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion is incorporated between the opposite end portions, the number of the rolling elements is not limited to the two exemplified above, for example, one rolling element is Further, it can be configured so as to be incorporated between the opposite end portions, or can be configured so that three or more rolling elements are incorporated between the opposite end portions. Thus, there is no restriction | limiting in the number of rolling elements arrange | positioned without accommodating in a rolling element accommodation belt.

  However, in order to prevent the adjacent rolling elements from coming into direct contact and to prevent noise and wear, it is desirable that the number of rolling elements arranged without being accommodated in the rolling element accommodation belt is small. However, if only one rolling element is arranged without being accommodated in the rolling element accommodating belt, the center position of the rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion at the end of the rolling element accommodating belt is located inside the end surface of the slider body. For these reasons, the number of rolling elements arranged without being accommodated in the rolling element accommodating belt is preferably two.

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. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a rolling element housing belt, in which FIG. 1A illustrates a state in which the rolling element housing belt is expanded and extended, and FIG. 2B illustrates a rolling element housing belt that accommodates the rolling element. The figure of the state which comprised the moving body row | line | column, the figure (c) is explanatory drawing which expands one part including the edge part of the rolling element accommodation belt shown to the figure (a), and shows in cross section, the figure (d) These are the figures of the planar view direction in the figure (c). It is a figure explaining the slider in which the rolling element accommodation belt is integrated in the linear guide apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the assembly procedure and operation | work of the rolling element row | line | column to a slider in the integration process of the rolling element accommodation belt in the linear guide apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the modification of the rolling element accommodation belt in the linear motion guide apparatus which concerns on this invention, The figure (a) expands and shows a part including the edge part of a rolling element accommodation belt in a cross section. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the rolling element housing belt is unfolded and extended, and FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a state in which the rolling element row is accommodated in the rolling element housing belt. It is. It is a figure explaining the incorporating procedure and operation | work which accommodate a rolling element in the rolling element accommodation belt of a modification, and comprise a rolling element row | line | column. It is a figure explaining the incorporating procedure and operation | work which accommodate a rolling element in the rolling element accommodation belt of a modification, and comprise a rolling element row | line | column. It is a figure explaining the assembly procedure and operation | work of the rolling element row | line | column to a slider in the assembly process in the rolling element accommodation belt of a modification. It is a figure explaining the modification of the rolling element accommodation belt in the linear motion guide apparatus which concerns on this invention, and the figure expands and shows a part including the edge part of a rolling element accommodation belt in the cross section. It is a perspective view explaining the conventional linear motion guide apparatus, and a part is broken and shown in the same figure. It is a figure explaining the conventional linear motion guide apparatus, In this figure, a part of rolling element row | line | column seen from the planar view direction in FIG. 12 is shown with sectional drawing. It is a figure explaining the assembly procedure and the operation | work of the rolling element row | line | column to a slider in the integration process of the rolling element accommodation belt in the conventional linear motion guide apparatus. It is a figure which expands and shows the edge part of the inserted rolling-element accommodation belt in FIG.14 (c).

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 25 Return member 26 Rolling element track 28 Endless circulation path 46 Ball (Rolling) Moving body)
50, 70 Rolling body accommodation belt 51 Spacer portion 52 Connection portion 55 Ball accommodation hole 60 Guide portion 62, 72 Rolling body row 90 Assembly jig WL Path length of the infinite circulation path with one end cap removed from the slider W1 Center distance distance

Claims (6)

A guide rail having a rolling element guide surface, and a loaded rolling element guide that is disposed so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail and that forms a rolling element track along with the rolling element guide surface. A slider having a surface, and a plurality of rolling elements that roll on the rolling element raceway, the slider having a rolling element return passage in which the rolling elements roll in an unloaded state, A pair of end caps that are attached to both ends of the slider body in the moving direction and that form direction change paths that are respectively connected to both ends of the rolling element raceway and the rolling element return path. An endless circulation path is constituted by the moving body track path, the pair of direction change paths, and the rolling element return path, and the rolling element accommodation section has a plurality of rolling element accommodation sections that individually accommodate the rolling elements in the endless circulation path. Before A rolling element was housed linear guide apparatus rolling elements accommodation belt which is formed into a closed end shape to align the rolling element row in the arrangement direction of the endless circulation passage is incorporated,
The rolling elements accommodation belt is disposed one by one for one endless circulation path, the developed length of that is the center distance between the rolling elements between the rolling element accommodating portions located at both ends thereof, said slider A linear motion guide device characterized in that it is shorter than the remaining path length of the infinite circulation path when one end cap is removed from.   Both ends of the rolling element housing belt are opposed to each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path, and one or two or more rolling elements that are not accommodated in the rolling element housing section are disposed between the opposing both ends. The linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein a moving body is incorporated.   The rolling element housing belt has an abutting surface that abuts against a rolling element that is not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion, and the abutting surface moves the abutting rolling element in the outer circumferential direction of the infinite circulation path. The linear motion guide device according to claim 2, wherein the linear motion guide device has an allowable shape. A guide rail having a rolling element guide surface, and a loaded rolling element guide that is disposed so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail and that forms a rolling element track along with the rolling element guide surface. A slider having a surface, and a plurality of rolling elements that roll on the rolling element raceway, the slider having a rolling element return passage in which the rolling elements roll in an unloaded state, A pair of end caps that are attached to both ends of the slider body in the moving direction and that form direction change paths that are respectively connected to both ends of the rolling element raceway and the rolling element return path. A plurality of infinite circulation paths are configured from the moving body track path, the pair of direction change paths, and the rolling element return path, and each of the infinite circulation paths has a plurality of rolling element accommodating portions that individually accommodate the rolling elements. Moving body A method of manufacturing a linear guide apparatus rolling elements accommodation belt which is formed into a closed end shape aligning the separate component to accommodate the rolling elements as rolling element row in the arrangement direction of the endless circulation passage is incorporated,
The unfolded length of the rolling element housing belt is such that the center-to-center distance between the rolling elements of the rolling element housing portions located at both ends thereof is the remaining of the endless circulation path when one end cap is removed from the slider. Use one shorter than the path length for each infinite circuit ,
A rolling element row insertion step for inserting a rolling element in a state where the rolling element is accommodated in the rolling element accommodation belt from a portion where one of the pair of lid members is removed in each endless track of the slider, and the rolling element row insertion step And a step of attaching an end cap to the slider main body, and a method of manufacturing the linear motion guide device. Furthermore, when the both ends of the rolling element accommodation belt face each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path, the rolling element accommodation belt is not accommodated in the rolling element accommodation part between the opposing both ends. Or use what can incorporate two or more rolling elements,
Further, after the lid member mounting step, the positions of the end portions of the rolling element housing belts in the plurality of rows of infinite circulation paths are moved in the arrangement direction so as to face the rolling element guide surface inside the slider. And a non-contained rolling element incorporating step of incorporating one or more rolling elements that are not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating part into the gap between the opposing both ends from the opening window part that is opened. The manufacturing method of the linear guide apparatus of Claim 4.   The rolling element housing belt has an abutting surface that abuts against a rolling element that is not accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion, and the abutting surface moves the abutting rolling element in the outer circumferential direction of the infinite circulation path. 6. The method of manufacturing a linear motion guide device according to claim 5, wherein a surface having a shape that allows the movement is used.

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