JP6090507B2 - Linear motion guide device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear motion guide device.

  Generally, the linear motion guide device has a substantially rectangular guide rail having a rolling element raceway surface extending in the axial direction, a rolling element raceway surface facing the rolling element raceway surface of the guide rail, and relative movement in the axial direction. And a slider having a substantially U-shaped cross-section attached to the guide rail. That is, the slider has a substantially U-shaped cross section composed of a flat plate portion extending in the axial direction and arm portions extending in the same direction from the left and right side portions of the flat plate portion, and is guided between the left and right arm portions. It is attached to the guide rail so as to sandwich the rail.

A plurality of rolling elements roll in a rolling element rolling path formed between the rolling element raceway surfaces on both the left and right sides of the guide rail and the rolling element raceway surfaces on the inner side surfaces of the left and right arms of the slider. The slider is freely arranged, and the slider can move in the axial direction along the guide rail through the rolling of the rolling elements in the left and right rolling element rolling paths.
Lubricants such as lubricating oil and grease are supplied to the rolling elements in the rolling element rolling path for lubrication. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a linear motion guide device including an oil passage that supplies a lubricant to end caps at both ends in the axial direction of a slider. The lubricant supplied to the end cap spreads in the rolling element rolling path through the rolling of the rolling element in the end cap.

  Further, a linear motion guide device having a lubricant discharge port at the center position in the axial direction and the center position in the width direction of the inner surface of the flat plate portion of the slider is conventionally known. Since the inner surface of the flat plate portion of the slider faces the upper surface of the guide rail, the lubricant discharged from the lubricant discharge port falls to the center position in the width direction of the upper surface of the guide rail and travels along the upper surface of the guide rail. It will be supplied to the left and right rolling element rolling paths.

JP 2010-190363 A

However, in the linear motion guide device described in Patent Document 1, a sufficient amount of lubricant may be distributed only in the vicinity of the end cap in the rolling element rolling path, so the axial length of the slider is long. In such a case, the axial center portion of the rolling element rolling path may be insufficient in the lubricant, and the linear motion guide device may be damaged.
Further, in the conventional linear motion guide device having the lubricant discharge port described above, the lubricant is supplied to the axial central portion of the rolling element rolling path, but in the vicinity of the axial central portion of the rolling element rolling path. Since there is a risk that a sufficient amount of lubricant will spread only to the part, if the slider is long in the axial direction, both ends of the rolling element rolling path in the axial direction will be short of lubricant, and the linear motion guide device will There was a risk of damage.

In addition, a mounting hole for mounting the guide rail to a mounting portion such as a base using a bolt is formed in the guide rail, but the mounting hole opens on the top surface of the guide rail. There is also a problem that a large amount of lubricant is required until the lubricant that has fallen into the mounting hole enters the mounting hole and is supplied to the rolling element rolling path.
Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the lubricant is supplied to the entire area of the rolling element rolling path in the axial direction so that it is not easily damaged due to the lack of the lubricant and has a long life linear motion guide. It is an object to provide an apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, the linear motion guide device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a guide rail having a rolling element raceway surface extending in the axial direction, a rolling element raceway surface facing the rolling element raceway surface of the guide rail, and in the axial direction. A slider attached to the guide rail so as to be relatively movable, and a rolling element raceway surface formed between the rolling element raceway surface of the guide rail and the rolling element raceway surface of the slider. A plurality of rolling elements, and a plurality of lubricant outlets for supplying a lubricant to the rolling element rolling path, wherein the rolling elements roll with the plurality of lubricant outlets spaced apart in the axial direction. An oil passage that is disposed along a path and communicates with the lubricant introduction port that is opened to the outer surface of the slider and into which the lubricant is introduced, and the plurality of lubricant discharge ports arranged in the axial direction with the lubricant introduction port; The oil passage is downstream of the lubricant inlet A first oil passage that branches first at a branch start point located at the first branch, further branches on the downstream side of the branch start point, and communicates between the lubricant inlet and the branch start point; A branched second oil passage communicating the branch start point and the lubricant discharge port, wherein the second oil passage is an oil passage length between the branch start point and the lubricant discharge port. Is the same for all the lubricant outlets, and the number of branch points existing between the branch start point and the lubricant outlet is the same for all the lubricant outlets, Further, the second oil passage is attached to a concave portion of the slider having a substantially U-shaped cross section with a plate-like oil passage forming member having a groove on the surface thereof, with the surface having the groove facing the slider. And the groove formed between the oil passage forming member and the oil passage forming member And features.

  In such a linear motion guide device, the branch start point is arranged at the axial center position and the width center position of the slider at the interface portion between the slider and the oil passage forming member, and the branch start point. A branching point bifurcated in the direction toward both ends in the axial direction and a bifurcation point bifurcating in the direction toward both ends in the width direction from It is preferable that the branching shape of the road is a shape that sequentially branches into two branches from the branch start point toward the downstream side.

  In addition, it is preferable that the plurality of lubricant discharge ports be arranged along the rolling element rolling path while being equally spaced in the axial direction and face the rolling element rolling path.

  In the linear motion guide device according to the present invention, the plurality of lubricant discharge ports that supply the lubricant to the rolling element rolling path are arranged along the rolling element rolling path while being spaced apart in the axial direction. Lubricant is supplied to the entire area of the rolling element rolling path in the axial direction, and it is difficult to cause damage due to lack of lubricant and has a long life.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the linear guide apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the front view which looked at the linear motion guide apparatus of FIG. 1 from the axial direction edge part side. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is the figure which looked at the slider of the linear guide device of FIG. 1 from the lower surface side. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is the figure which looked at the slider from the lower surface side explaining the example of the linear guide apparatus in which the lubricant inlet has opened in the axial direction end surface of the slider. It is the figure which looked at the slider from the lower surface side explaining the example of the linear guide apparatus attached to the slider by pinching | interposing an oil-path formation member between end caps. It is the top view and sectional drawing of an oil path formation member. It is a top view of the oil passage formation member of a modification. It is a top view of the oil passage formation member of another modification. It is a top view of the oil passage formation member explaining a flow control mechanism. It is a top view of the oil passage formation member explaining another flow rate adjustment mechanism. It is a top view of the oil passage formation member explaining another flow rate adjustment mechanism.

  An embodiment of a linear motion guide device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an embodiment of a linear motion guide device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the linear motion guide device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the axial end side (however, the end cap is omitted). 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, and is a partial cross-sectional view showing a rolling element circulation path of the linear motion guide device of FIG.

  In the drawings referred to in the following description, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following description, “cross section” means a cross section when cut along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction unless otherwise specified. Further, in the following description, terms indicating directions such as “up”, “down”, “left”, and “right” mean the respective directions in FIG. 2 for convenience of description unless otherwise specified. It is.

  On a guide rail 1 having a substantially square cross section extending in the axial direction, a slider 2 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is assembled so as to be movable in the axial direction. On the ridge where the left and right side surfaces 1a, 1a and the upper surface 1b of the guide rail 1 cross each other, rolling element rolling grooves 10, 10 comprising concave grooves having a substantially ¼ arc cross section extending in the axial direction (the present invention). Corresponding to the rolling element raceway surface, which is a constituent element of the guide rail 1, and is formed of a concave groove having a substantially semicircular cross section extending in the axial direction at the center in the vertical direction of the left and right side surfaces 1a, 1a of the guide rail 1. Rolling element rolling grooves 10, 10 are formed.

  The slider 2 includes a flat plate portion 7 along the upper surface 1b of the guide rail 1 and two arm portions 6 and 6 extending downward from the left and right side portions of the flat plate portion 7 along the side surface 1a. Since the angle formed by the arm portions 6 and 6 is substantially a right angle, the cross-sectional shape of the slider 2 is substantially U-shaped. The slider 2 is movably attached to the guide rail 1 such that the guide rail 1 is sandwiched between the arms 6 and 6.

  Such a slider 2 includes a slider main body 2A and end caps 2B and 2B that are detachably attached to both end portions in the axial direction. Further, at both ends in the axial direction of the slider 2 (the axial outer end surface of each end cap 2B), the side that seals the portion facing the axial end surface of the opening of the gap between the guide rail 1 and the slider 2 is sealed. Seals 5 and 5 are mounted, and under the slider 2, under seals 8 and 8 that seal the portion facing the lower surface side of the slider 2 in the opening of the gap between the guide rail 1 and the slider 2. It is installed. The side seals 5 and 5 and the under seals 8 and 8 prevent foreign matter from entering the gap from the outside and leakage of the lubricant from the gap to the outside.

  Further, the corners on the inner side surfaces of the left and right arms 6 and 6 of the slider body 2A and the central portion in the vertical direction are substantially semicircular in cross section facing the rolling element rolling grooves 10, 10, 10, 10 of the guide rail 1. Rolling element rolling grooves 11, 11, 11, 11 (corresponding to the rolling element raceway surface, which is a constituent element of the present invention). And between the rolling element rolling grooves 10, 10, 10, 10 of the guide rail 1 and the rolling element rolling grooves 11, 11, 11, 11 of the slider 2, the rolling element rolling path 13, having a substantially circular cross section, 13, 13 and 13 are formed, respectively, and these rolling element rolling paths 13, 13, 13, and 13 extend in the axial direction.

  In these rolling element rolling paths 13, a plurality of rolling elements 3 (for example, balls made of steel and ceramics) are movably loaded, and the slider 2 guides through the rolling of these rolling elements 3. It moves along the rail 1 in the axial direction. In addition, the kind of rolling element 3 is not limited to a ball | bowl, A roller may be sufficient. Further, the number of rolling element rolling grooves 10 and 11 provided in the guide rail 1 and the slider 2 is not limited to two rows on one side, and may be, for example, one row on one side or three or more rows. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the rolling element rolling grooves 10 and 11 may be an arc shape formed of a single arc as described above, but is substantially V-shaped (Gothic arc shape) formed by combining two arcs having different centers of curvature. Groove).

Furthermore, the slider 2 penetrates in the axial direction in parallel with the rolling element rolling paths 13, 13, 13, 13 in the upper and lower portions of the thick portions of the left and right arms 6 and 6 of the slider body 2A. A straight path 14, 14, 14, 14 comprising a straight hole having a circular cross section is provided.
On the other hand, the end cap 2B is made of a molded product of a resin material, for example, and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. In addition, on the left and right sides of the back surface of the end cap 2B (the contact surface with the slider body 2A), a curved path 16 having a circular cross-section and a half donut shape is formed in two upper and lower stages. When the end cap 2B is attached to the slider body 2A, the rolling element rolling path 13 and the linear path 14 are communicated with each other by the curved path 16.

  The linear path 14 and the curved paths 16 and 16 at both ends constitute a rolling element return path 17 that sends the rolling element 3 from the end point of the rolling element rolling path 13 to the starting point (the rolling element return path 17 is the rolling element rolling path). The rolling element rolling path 13 and the rolling element return path 17 constitute a substantially annular rolling element circulation path. The substantially annular rolling element circulation path is formed on both the left and right sides of the guide rail 1.

  When the slider 2 assembled to the guide rail 1 moves in the axial direction along the guide rail 1, the rolling element 3 loaded in the rolling element rolling path 13 rolls in the rolling element rolling path 13. However, it moves in the same direction as the slider 2 with respect to the guide rail 1. When the rolling element 3 reaches the end point of the rolling element rolling path 13, the rolling element 3 is scooped up from the rolling element rolling path 13 and sent to the curved path 16. The rolling element 3 entering the curved path 16 makes a U-turn and is introduced into the linear path 14, and reaches the curved path 16 on the opposite side through the linear path 14. Here, the U-turn is performed again to return to the starting point of the rolling element rolling path 13, and the circulation in the rolling element circulation path is repeated infinitely.

  In such a linear motion guide device according to the present embodiment, a lubricant such as lubricating oil or grease is supplied to the rolling element rolling path 13 and the rolling element 3 and the rolling element rolling groove in the rolling element rolling path 13 are supplied. A lubricant supply mechanism for lubricating 10 and 11 is provided. The lubricant supply mechanism includes a lubricant inlet 21 for introducing the lubricant into the slider 2 and a plurality of lubricants for supplying the lubricant introduced from the lubricant inlet 21 to the rolling element rolling path 13. It is comprised by the agent discharge port 23, and the oil path 25 which connects the lubricant introduction port 21 and the some lubricant discharge port 23. As shown in FIG.

  The lubricant introduction port 21 is open to the outer surface of the slider 2, and the lubricant can be introduced into the slider 2 from this opening. In the linear motion guide device of the present embodiment, the lubricant introduction port 21 is opened on the right outer surface of the slider 2 as shown in FIGS. However, the outer surface on which the lubricant introduction port 21 is open may be the left outer surface of the slider 2, the upper surface of the slider 2, or the axial end surface of the slider 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the lubricant introduction port 21 is open on the end surface in the axial direction of the slider 2. Further, the number of the lubricant introduction ports 21 provided in the slider 2 may be one or plural.

  On the other hand, the plurality of lubricant discharge ports 23 are provided in the vicinity of the rolling element rolling path 13 inside the slider 2. The plurality of lubricant discharge ports 23 are arranged along the rolling element rolling path 13 while being spaced apart in the axial direction, and face the rolling element rolling path 13. The lubricant introduced from the lubricant introduction port 21 reaches the respective lubricant discharge ports 23 through the oil passages 25, and the lubricant discharged from the respective lubricant discharge ports 23 flows into the rolling element rolling passages 13. To be supplied.

  On the other hand, a part of the oil passage 25 (corresponding to the first oil passage which is a constituent element of the present invention, and hereinafter referred to as “first oil passage 25A”) is formed inside the slider body 2A, and the other part. (Corresponding to the second oil passage, which is a constituent requirement of the present invention, hereinafter referred to as “second oil passage 25B”), by attaching an oil passage forming member 27 having a groove 28 on the surface to the slider body 2A, It is formed between the slider body 2 </ b> A and the oil passage forming member 27.

  The first oil passage 25A extends horizontally from the lubricant introduction port 21 on the outer surface of the slider 2 toward the center in the width direction of the slider 2, bends at the center in the width direction of the slider 2, and extends downward. 1 is open on the inner surface (lower surface) of the flat plate portion 7 facing the upper surface 1b. In the present invention, the width direction means a direction parallel to the upper surface 1b of the guide rail 1 facing the inner surface of the flat plate portion 7 of the slider body 2A among the directions orthogonal to the axial direction.

  Further, the second oil passage 25B is screwed to the plate-like oil passage forming member 27 having the groove 28 on the surface, and the inner surface of the flat plate portion 7 of the slider body 2A with the surface having the groove 28 facing the slider body 2A. It is formed by attaching by a conventional fixing means such as adhesion and welding. That is, the second oil passage 25 </ b> B is formed by the groove 28 between the slider main body 2 </ b> A and the oil passage forming member 27 (interface portion between the slider main body 2 </ b> A and the oil passage forming member 27).

As shown in FIG. 7, the oil passage forming member 27 has a long shape having a length equal to or longer than the length of the slider body 2A in the axial direction, and both ends of the oil passage forming member 27 in the axial direction are end caps 2B, The oil passage forming member 27 may be attached to the slider 2 by being sandwiched between 2B. Then, the oil passage forming member 27 can be attached to the slider main body 2A without using screws, adhesives, etc., and the oil passage forming member 27 can be attached to the slider main body 2A by screwing, bonding, welding or the like. Compared with the installation work is easier.
Here, the groove 28 formed in the oil passage forming member 27 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a plate surface on which the groove 28 of the oil passage forming member 27 is formed. 8B is a CC cross-sectional view of FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8C is a DD cross-sectional view of FIG. 8A.

  The groove 28 extends the same length along the axial direction from the center position (axial position in the axial direction and central position in the width direction) of the oil passage forming member 27 toward both ends in the axial direction. Each is bifurcated and extends the same length along the width direction. Further, each of the four branched grooves 28 is bifurcated in the direction toward both ends in the axial direction, extends the same length along the axial direction, and is bent at a right angle in the direction toward the end in the width direction. The groove 28 branched into eight reaches the width direction end of the oil passage forming member 27. As described above, the groove 28 formed in the oil passage forming member 27 is branched.

  The cross-sectional shape of the groove 28 (the cross-sectional shape when cut along a plane perpendicular to the continuous direction of the groove 28) is not particularly limited, but is an arc shape, a gothic arc shape, a polygonal shape (for example, a triangular shape, a square shape). Shape). 8A to 8C, the oil passage forming member 27 is provided with a plurality of screw holes 29 for screwing to the slider body 2A.

When such an oil passage forming member 27 is attached to the inner surface of the flat plate portion 7 of the slider main body 2A with the surface including the groove 28 facing the slider main body 2A, the space between the slider main body 2A and the oil passage forming member 27 (slider main body 27A). The second oil passage 25 </ b> B is formed by the groove 28 in the interface portion between 2 </ b> A and the oil passage forming member 27. That is, a branched second oil passage 25B having the same shape as the groove 28 having the shape described above is formed.
The first oil passage 25A opens to the inner surface (lower surface) of the flat plate portion 7 as described above. However, the first oil passage 25A opens to a position facing the center position of the oil passage forming member 27. The first oil passage 25A and the second oil passage 25B are connected at the opening portion of the oil passage 25 (this connection portion 31 corresponds to a “branch start point” which is a constituent of the present invention).

  The oil passage 25 first bifurcates at the connecting portion 31 located on the downstream side of the lubricant introduction port 21, and each branch passage further branches on the downstream side of the connecting portion 31. The end communicates with the lubricant discharge port 23. The oil passage 25 on the downstream side of the connecting portion 31, that is, the second oil passage 25 </ b> B, has a branched shape in which each branch passage sequentially branches into a bifurcated direction toward the downstream side of the connecting portion 31. The second oil passage 25B has all the oil passage length between the connecting portion 31 and the lubricant discharge port 23 and the number of branch points existing between the connecting portion 31 and the lubricant discharge port 23. This is the same for the lubricant outlet 23.

  Since the oil passage 25 having such a shape is provided, the lubricant introduced from the lubricant introduction port 21 reaches the connecting portion 31 through the first oil passage 25A, where the lubricant is divided into two directions and axially opposite ends. It flows in the direction toward the club. Then, the lubricant reaches the T-shaped branch point 33 in each of the two branch paths, further splits in two directions and flows in the direction toward both ends in the width direction, and further in each of the four branch paths. It reaches a character-shaped branch point 33, where it further divides into two directions and flows in a direction toward both ends in the axial direction. Then, the lubricant bends in the direction toward the end in the width direction in each of the eight branch paths, reaches the lubricant discharge port 23 at the end in the width direction, and moves from the lubricant discharge port 23 toward the rolling element rolling path 13. Discharged to be used for lubrication of the rolling element 3 and the rolling element rolling grooves 10 and 11 in the rolling element rolling path 13.

  In such a linear motion guide device according to the present embodiment, a plurality of lubricant discharge ports 23 are provided along the rolling element rolling path 13 at intervals in the axial direction, from which the rolling element rolling path 13 is provided. Thus, the lubricant can be uniformly supplied to the entire area of the rolling element rolling path 13 in the axial direction. Therefore, since the lubricant does not reach only a part of the rolling element rolling path 13 in the axial direction, even if the axial length of the slider 2 is long, the rolling element 3 and the rolling element rolling are not affected. The moving grooves 10 and 11 are unlikely to be damaged such as seizure due to lack of lubricant. Therefore, the linear motion guide device of this embodiment has a long life.

Further, since the oil passage 25 has a branched shape, even when only one lubricant inlet 21 is provided in the slider 2, the rolling element rolling passage 13 is positioned at any and a plurality of axial positions. Lubricant can be supplied.
Further, in the linear motion guide device of the present embodiment, the lubricant provided for lubrication does not fall on the upper surface 1b of the guide rail 1, and the guide rail 1 is bolted to the mounted portion such as the base. Since the lubricant does not enter the mounting hole 1c for use and mounting, there is no inconvenience that a large amount of lubricant is required before being supplied to the rolling element rolling path 13.

  In addition, this embodiment shows an example of this invention and this invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, as can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 8, the axial intervals between the lubricant discharge ports 23 are not equal, but the oil passage in which the grooves 28 having the shape shown in FIG. 9 are formed. If the forming member 27 is used, the plurality of lubricant discharge ports 23 can be arranged along the rolling element rolling path 13 at equal intervals in the axial direction. It becomes possible to supply the lubricant more uniformly. Therefore, the linear motion guide device has a longer life.

  Further, the number of lubricant discharge ports 23 and the number of branch points of the second oil passage 25B (that is, the number of branches between the connecting portion 31 and the lubricant discharge port 23) are not particularly limited. For example, if an oil passage forming member 27 having grooves 28 as shown in FIG. 10 is used, the number of lubricant discharge ports 23 and the number of branch points of the second oil passage 25B are set as shown in FIGS. It can be doubled as in the example.

Furthermore, as described above, in order to uniformly supply the lubricant to the entire area of the rolling element rolling path 13 in the axial direction, the length of the oil path between the connecting portion 31 and the lubricant discharge port 23, and the connecting portion 31. And the number of branch points existing between the lubricant outlets 23 are preferably the same for all the lubricant outlets 23.
However, if the lubricant can be supplied to some extent uniformly in the entire axial direction of the rolling element rolling path 13, the lubricant is supplied only to both axial ends or the axial center of the rolling element rolling path. Since the lubricity is better than that of the linear motion guide device, the oil path length between the connecting portion 31 and the lubricant discharge port 23 and the branch existing between the connecting portion 31 and the lubricant discharge port 23 are provided. The number of points may not be the same for all the lubricant discharge ports 23.

For example, in the example using the oil passage forming member 27 in which the groove 28 having the shape as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 is used, the most downstream branching point of the second oil passage 25B is bifurcated. However, it may be branched into three or more branches. When branched into three or more branches, the oil path length between the connecting portion 31 and the lubricant discharge port 23 varies depending on the lubricant discharge port 23.
Even if the oil path length between the connecting portion 31 and the lubricant discharge port 23 is different depending on the lubricant discharge port 23, the amount of lubricant discharged from each lubricant discharge port 23 is made uniform. When it is desired to supply the lubricant uniformly to the entire axial direction of the rolling element rolling path 13, the lubricant flowing in the second oil path 25B is interposed between the lubricant discharge port 23 and the most downstream branch point. A flow rate adjusting mechanism for adjusting the flow rate may be provided.

  The flow rate adjusting mechanism will be described. For example, in the example using the oil passage forming member 27 in which the groove 28 having the shape as shown in FIG. 9 is used, the most downstream branch point of the branch points of the second oil passage 25B is bifurcated. However, in the case of branching into three branches, the oil path length between the connecting portion 31 and the lubricant discharge port 23 differs depending on the lubricant discharge port 23 and is arranged downstream of the branching point of the three branches. Among the three lubricant discharge ports 23, the oil path length of the central lubricant discharge port 23 is shorter than the oil path lengths of the other two lubricant discharge ports 23. Therefore, the amount of lubricant discharged from the central lubricant discharge port 23 is larger than the amount of lubricant discharged from the other two lubricant discharge ports 23.

  Therefore, a flow rate adjusting mechanism for adjusting the flow rate of the lubricant flowing in the second oil passage 25B may be provided between the central lubricant discharge port 23 and the most downstream branch point. For example, by using an oil passage forming member 27 in which a groove 28 having a shape as shown in FIG. 11 is formed, an oil passage width is formed in the oil passage between the central lubricant discharge port 23 and the most downstream branch point. If the widened portion 41 having a large width is provided, the lubricant stays in the widened portion 41 and the flow of the lubricant is slowed down, so that the amount of lubricant discharged from the central lubricant discharge port 23 is suppressed. If the width and length of the widened portion 41 are appropriately adjusted, the amount of lubricant discharged from the three lubricant discharge ports 23 arranged on the downstream side of the trifurcated branch point can be made uniform.

  In the example of FIG. 11, the widened portion 41 is provided in the middle portion of the oil passage between the central lubricant discharge port 23 and the most downstream branch point. However, as shown in FIG. Even if the widened portion 41 is provided continuously from the point, the same effect can be obtained. 11 and 12, the widened portion 41 is rectangular. However, the shape of the widened portion 41 is not limited to a rectangle, and may be a polygonal shape such as a triangle or a pentagon, or a circle, an ellipse, or the like. But you can.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a bent portion 43 (which may be a curved portion where the oil passage is curved) is provided between the central lubricant discharge port 23 and the most downstream branch point. The oil passage length between the central lubricant outlet 23 and the most downstream branch point may be increased. Then, the amount of lubricant discharged from the central lubricant discharge port 23 is suppressed. If the oil path length between the central lubricant outlet 23 and the most downstream branch point is appropriately adjusted, the oil is discharged from the three lubricant outlets 23 arranged on the downstream side of the trifurcated branch point. The amount of lubricant can be made uniform. Note that the number of times the oil passage is bent in the bent portion 43 is four in the example of FIG. 13, but is not limited thereto. Further, the bending angle of the oil passage is a right angle in the example of FIG. 13, but is not limited to this.

  Furthermore, if the lubricant can be supplied to some extent in the entire axial direction of the rolling element rolling path 13, the second oil path 25B has only a portion extending along the axial direction and a portion extending along the width direction. It is not necessary to be comprised by, and you may include the part extended in the diagonal direction. For example, it may be an X-shaped oil passage extending in four directions from the connecting portion 31 and reaching the four lubricant discharge ports 23.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the oil passage forming member 27 having the groove 28 on the surface is attached to the slider body 2A to form the second oil passage 25B. However, the oil passage is formed without using the oil passage forming member 27. May be. For example, although the labor of processing increases, by forming a plurality of holes in the slider body 2A that are continuous from the lubricant inlet 21 and open in the vicinity of the rolling element rolling path 13, an oil path is formed inside the slider body 2A. It may be formed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Guide rail 2 Slider 2A Slider main body 2B End cap 3 Rolling body 10 Rolling body rolling groove 11 Rolling body rolling groove 13 Rolling body rolling path 21 Lubricant introduction port 23 Lubricant discharge port 25 Oil path 25A 1st oil path 25B Second oil passage 27 Oil passage forming member 28 Groove 31 Connection portion 33 Branch point

Claims (3)

A guide rail having a rolling element raceway surface extending in the axial direction; a slider having a rolling element raceway surface opposed to the rolling element raceway surface of the guide rail and attached to the guide rail so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction; A plurality of rolling elements arranged in a rolling element rolling path formed between the rolling element raceway surface of the guide rail and the rolling element raceway surface of the slider, and a lubricant in the rolling element rolling path A plurality of lubricant outlets, and the plurality of lubricant outlets are arranged along the rolling element rolling path while being spaced apart in the axial direction,
A lubricant introduction port that is opened on the outer surface of the slider and into which a lubricant is introduced, and an oil passage that communicates the plurality of lubricant discharge ports arranged in the axial direction with the lubricant introduction port,
The oil passage first branches at a branch start point located on the downstream side of the lubricant introduction port, and further branches on the downstream side of the branch start point, respectively, the lubricant introduction port and the branch start point A first oil passage that communicates with each other, and a branched second oil passage that communicates the branch start point and the lubricant discharge port,
In the second oil passage, the oil passage length between the branch start point and the lubricant discharge port is the same for all the lubricant discharge ports, and further, the branch start point and the lubricant discharge port are the same. The number of branch points existing between the outlets is the same for all the lubricant outlets,
Further, the second oil passage is attached to a concave portion of the slider having a substantially U-shaped cross section with a plate-like oil passage forming member having a groove on the surface thereof, with the surface having the groove facing the slider. The linear guide device is formed by the groove between the oil passage forming member and the oil passage forming member.   The branch start point is disposed at the axial center position and the width center position of the slider at the interface between the slider and the oil passage forming member, and between the branch start point and the lubricant discharge port. A branch point bifurcated in the direction toward both axial ends and a bifurcation point bifurcated in the direction toward both ends in the width direction, the branch shape of the second oil passage is defined as the branch start point The linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein the linear motion guide device has a shape that sequentially branches into a bifurcated portion from the downstream side toward the downstream side.   The plurality of lubricant discharge ports are arranged along the rolling element rolling path at equal intervals in the axial direction, and are opposed to the rolling element rolling path. 2. The linear motion guide device according to 2.

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