JP2008249043A - Rolling element housing belt and linear motion guide device - Google Patents

Abstract

Even if there is a step in an infinite circulation path, the rolling element accommodation belt for a linear motion guide device and a linear motion guide device that can relieve the rolling element accommodation belt from being caught by the step and smoothly circulate the rolling element. I will provide a.
The rolling element containing belt has an end shape, and the positions of both end portions of the connecting arm portion of the rolling arm containing belt are equal to the thickness of the spacer portion located at the end in the arrangement direction of the balls. Further, in the inner and outer circumferential directions of the infinite circulation path, the guide groove is infinite circulation in the surface of the connecting arm portion 52 that connects the spacer portion 51 other than the spacer portion 59 located at the end. When the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S, which is the surface facing the outer peripheral side of the road, is used as a reference, the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S is formed at a position separated by a distance H closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path.
[Selection] Figure 4

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, includes a rolling element housing belt for aligning rolling elements in an alignment direction in an infinite circuit. The present invention relates to a linear motion guide device.

  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. 8. 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 an end cap 22 that is disposed on the slider body 17 and moves together with the slider body 17.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the slider body 17 has a load rolling element guide that forms a rolling element raceway 26 together with the rolling element guide surface 14 facing the rolling element guide surface 14 formed on the guide rail 12. A surface 18 is formed, and a direction changing path 24 is formed in the end cap 22 so as to be continuous with the rolling element raceway 26. Further, the slider body 17 is formed with a rolling element return passage 20 that communicates with the direction changing path 24, and the rolling element raceway 26, the direction changing path 24, and the rolling element return path 20 communicate with each other in a circulating manner. Thus, an infinite circuit 28 is formed. And in this infinite circulation path 28, the guide groove 60 extended along the row direction of the said rolling element is formed in the both sides of the width direction.

  Here, this type of linear motion guide device moves the slider relative to the guide rail via a plurality of rolling elements that circulate while rolling in the infinite circulation path. However, when the slider moves relative to the guide rail, each rolling element moves while rotating in the same direction, and therefore adjacent rolling elements rub against each other, preventing smooth rolling of the rolling elements. 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, a rolling element housing belt has been proposed in which the rolling elements are aligned in the alignment direction in the infinite circulation path.

  As this kind of rolling element accommodation belt, for example, a rolling element accommodation belt such as a rolling element accommodation belt 150 illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 10 is known. This kind of end rolling-element accommodation belt includes a spacer portion 159 located at both ends, and has a spacer portion 151 interposed between adjacent rolling elements, and these spacer portions 151. 159 are connected to each other on both sides in the width direction of the infinite circulation path 28 by a belt-like connecting arm portion 152, and are guided by the guide groove 60.

By the way, in this type of linear motion guide device, in order to facilitate the manufacture thereof, the endless circulation path is usually configured by combining a plurality of members such as the end cap 22 and the slider body 17 as described above. It is. Therefore, it is difficult to avoid the occurrence of a slight step at the connecting portion between the combined members.
That is, for example, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 11, the connection portion between the end cap 22 and the slider main body 17, that is, a portion where the direction change path 24 and the rolling element raceway 26 are connected, for example, The guide groove 60 may have a step as described above (the portion indicated by the symbol D in the figure). And especially in the direction change path 24, since the edge part 156 of the connection arm part 152 formed in the end shape of the rolling element accommodation belt 150 is pressed on the outer peripheral side of the guide groove 60 at the time of circulation, the direction change path 24, when there is even a slight step D at the joint between the guide groove 60 in the guide line 60 and the guide groove 60 in the linear portion of the endless circulation path 28, when the rolling element housing belt 150 reaches the step D, the end 156 If it is easy to get caught by this step D, and the smooth circulation of the rolling element housing belt 150 in the endless circulation path 28 is thereby obstructed, the smooth rolling of the ball 46 is prevented, and the smooth movement of the slider 16 is prevented. Will be disturbed.

Thus, for example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the rolling element accommodation belt is configured to have a band-like connecting arm portion with ends, and both ends of the connecting arm portion are positioned at the ends of the rolling element accommodation belt. A thin plate-shaped guide piece projecting in the direction of circulating movement is provided at the tip of the spacer. And this guide piece is engaged with the guide groove formed along the infinite circulation path.
According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the guide piece provided at the tip of the spacer portion located at the end prevents the tip of the rolling element housing belt from rubbing against the inner wall of the infinite circulation path, and smooth circulation is achieved. Intended to get.

  On the other hand, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, for example, the rolling element housing belt is configured to have a band-like connecting arm portion with ends, and simple chamfers are provided at both ends thereof. In addition, this strip | belt-shaped connection arm part is a plane where the surface which faces the inner-periphery direction of an infinite circulation path is one plane in the expansion | deployment state. That is, the surfaces facing the inner and outer circumferential directions of the infinite circulation path are located at the same position over the entire length of the connecting arm portion (see, for example, FIGS. 4 and 5 in the same publication).

According to the technique described in Patent Document 2, the chamfering provided at both ends thereof suppresses interference between the tip of the rolling element housing belt and a step in the endless circulation path, and intends to obtain smooth circulation. ing. In the technique described in Patent Document 2, both end portions of the connecting arm portion are formed without protruding in the arrangement direction of the rolling elements from the spacer portion positioned at the end. The induction piece like is not provided.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-2241 JP 2002-122136 A

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, 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 from the spacer part located in an end, it is in a so-called cantilever state, and changes, such as bending, are easy to occur. For this reason, depending on the degree of bending, the degree of rubbing with the guide groove is increased, which may increase the circulation resistance. Further, the guide piece may be damaged depending on the degree of bending.

  Further, since the guide piece protrudes from the spacer portion located at the end, the two end portions of the rolling element housing belt cannot be brought close to each other in the infinite circulation path by the amount of the protrusion. 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. .

  On the other hand, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, for example, the connecting arm portion of the rolling element housing belt is formed without protruding in the arrangement direction of the rolling elements from the spacer portion located at the end. There is no problem related to the provision of the guide piece as in the technique described in Patent Document 1. However, although this rolling element containing belt is provided with simple chamfers at both ends, the belt-like connecting arm portion has a surface facing the inner and outer peripheral directions of the endless circulation path over the entire length of the connecting arm portion. Therefore, there is no difference in the position facing the step in the state illustrated in FIG. In other words, the positions of both end portions in the inner and outer circumferential directions of the infinite circulation path are not changed from entering the step from almost the same position as the other parts of the connecting arm portion, and the step in the infinite circulation path as described above. This is insufficient to prevent or alleviate the trapping.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and even if there is a step in the infinite circulation path, the rolling element containing belt is eased by reducing the catch of the rolling element containing belt on the step. An object of the present invention is to provide a rolling element housing belt for a linear motion guide device and a linear motion guide device that can be circulated smoothly.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first invention of the present invention includes an infinite circulation path in which a plurality of rolling elements circulate while rolling, and the rolling elements on both sides in the width direction in the infinite circulation path. Used in a linear motion guide device having a guide groove extending along the alignment direction, and a spacer portion interposed between adjacent rolling elements, and the spacer portion on both sides in the width direction of the infinite circulation path A rolling element containing belt that is connected to each other and includes a belt-like connecting arm portion that protrudes outward from the end face of the spacer portion and is guided by the guide groove, The positions of both end portions of the connecting arm portion in the no-load state are within the thickness range of the spacer portion positioned at the end in the arrangement direction of the rolling elements, and further, the inner and outer peripheral directions of the infinite circulation path Then, among the surfaces of the connecting arm part that connects the spacer parts other than the spacer part located at the end, The guide groove is a position that is spaced from the outer peripheral side facing surface closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path than the outer peripheral side opposing surface when the outer peripheral side opposing surface that is the surface facing the outer peripheral side of the infinite circuit is used as a reference. It is characterized by being formed.

  According to the rolling element housing belt according to the first invention, both end portions of the connecting arm portion are within the thickness range of the spacer portion located at the end in the arrangement direction of the rolling elements. Unlike the guide piece, it does not have a portion protruding from the end. Therefore, no special care is required during storage or handling during installation. In addition, since there is no portion that protrudes in the direction in which the rolling elements are arranged, the two ends of the rolling element-accommodating belt are brought closer to each other within the infinite circulation path when used in the linear motion guide device. be able to. For this reason, the number of rolling elements subjected to a load is not reduced. Therefore, the load capacity and rigidity of the linear motion guide device are not reduced.

  According to the rolling element accommodation belt according to the first invention, for example, when the end of the rolling element accommodation belt is pressed against the outer peripheral side of the guide groove in the direction changing path in the endless circulation path, When there is a slight step at the joint between the guide groove in the direction change path and the guide groove in the straight part of the infinite circulation path, the end of this rolling element containing belt is in an unloaded state against this step. The positions of both end portions in the inner and outer circumferential directions of the infinite circulation path are formed at positions spaced a distance closer to the inner circumference of the infinite circulation path than the position of the outer peripheral side facing surface. The end can be advanced to avoid a step. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or alleviate the rolling element housing belt from being caught on the step. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly circulate the rolling element housing belt in the endless circulation path, and thereby it is possible to smoothly circulate the rolling elements.

  Here, in the rolling element housing belt according to the first invention, both ends of the connecting arm portion are formed such that positions where the both ends are to be formed and the vicinity thereof are biased toward the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path. By doing so, it is preferable that the outer peripheral side facing surface is formed at a position that is spaced closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path. Such a configuration is suitable as a configuration in which both end portions of the connecting arm portion are positioned closer to the inner periphery.

  Further, in the rolling element housing belt according to the first aspect of the present invention, both ends of the connecting arm portion are in an endless circulation path from the vicinity of the position where the connecting arm portion should form the both end portions toward the end. It is preferable that it is formed at a position that is spaced closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path than the outer peripheral side facing surface by being inclined toward the inner periphery. With such a configuration, both end portions of the connecting arm portion are positioned closer to the inner periphery, and the surface facing the step at the end of the rolling element housing belt is gradually entered in the direction of the step by the inclination. Preferred above.

  Further, in the rolling element housing belt according to the first aspect of the present invention, both ends of the connecting arm portion are in an endless circulation path from the vicinity of the position where the connecting arm portion should form the both end portions toward the end. It is preferable that it is formed at a position spaced apart closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path than the outer peripheral side facing surface by being curved toward the inner periphery. With such a configuration, both ends of the connecting arm portion are positioned closer to the inner periphery, and the surface facing the step at the end of the rolling element housing belt is gradually entered in the direction of the step by the curvature. Preferred above.

  Further, in the rolling element housing belt according to the first invention, the both ends of the connecting arm portion are formed in accordance with the thickness of the connecting arm portion in the inner and outer circumferential directions of the endless circulation path. It is preferable that it is formed at a position spaced away from the outer peripheral side facing surface toward the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path by making it thin continuously or stepwise from the vicinity of the end toward the end. With such a configuration, both end portions of the connecting arm portion are positioned closer to the inner periphery, and the surface facing the step at the end portion of the rolling element housing belt is gradually increased from the thinned end portion side. It is suitable for entering in the direction of the step.

Further, the second 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 linear motion guide device according to the present invention, since the rolling element accommodation belt according to the present invention is used, both ends of the connecting arm portion of the rolling element accommodation belt are infinitely circulated more than the outer peripheral facing surface. It is formed at a position spaced apart from the inner periphery of the road. Therefore, even when the rolling element housing belt is pressed against the outer peripheral side of the guide groove when its end is approached to the direction change path, for example, in the state of use attached to the linear motion guide device, An end can be made to approach a level difference so that the level difference may be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or alleviate the catch between the tip of the rolling element housing belt and the step. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly circulate the rolling element housing belt in the infinite circulation path, to smoothly roll the rolling element, and to move the slider smoothly.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even if there is a step in the infinite circulation path, the rolling motion for the linear motion guide device that can smoothly circulate the rolling element by reducing the catch of the rolling element housing belt on the step is provided. A moving body accommodation belt and a linear motion guide device can be provided.

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 an embodiment of a linear guide apparatus 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 embodiment, the rolling element housing belt 50 is opposed to each other in the endless circulation path 28 in a non-contact state, and the ball 46 is incorporated between the opposed ends. Not. 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 view of a part including one end in a no-load state where the rolling element housing belt is unfolded and extended. FIG. 2B is a plan view thereof. In addition, since this rolling element accommodation belt is the same shape at both ends, even when both ends are shown in the following description, it will be described with reference to the drawing showing one end, and the other end is not shown.

This rolling element housing belt 50 is formed by injection molding from a flexible synthetic resin material, and as shown in the figure, as a spacer portion interposed between adjacent balls 46, A spacer portion 51 for partitioning the ball 46 in the revolving direction and spacer portions 59 located at both ends 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. A ball receiving hole 53 (see FIG. 5B) is opened 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. Note that the positions of the both end portions 56 of the connecting arm portion 52 in the arrangement direction of the balls 46 are within the thickness range of the spacer portion 59 located at the end. That is, it is formed without protruding in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged from the spacer portion 59.

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 located at this end 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. 6A, the connecting portion center line ML, which is a line connecting the centers of the portions where the pair of connecting portions 52 connect the spacer portions 51 and 59, is a ball to be accommodated. The position CL is deviated by a predetermined 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 46.
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. The rolling element contact surface 54 is formed so as to face the opposite side in the alignment direction. Each rolling element contact surface 54 is formed of a concave spherical surface, and the concave spherical surfaces of the rolling element contact surfaces 54 facing each other in the arrangement direction are paired with each other. In addition, the pair of rolling element contact surfaces 54 facing each other in the arrangement direction are formed on the curved surfaces of the balls 46 on the surfaces facing the balls 46 to be accommodated among the short cylindrical end surfaces of the spacers 51 and 59. It is formed by a concave spherical surface to be copied, and the inner diameter dimension of the opposing spherical surface is slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 46 accommodated so that the ball 46 can roll. And when the rolling element accommodation belt 50 is integrated in the infinite circulation path 28, the pair of rolling element contact surfaces 54 of each rolling element accommodation part 55 have the concave spherical surfaces formed on the balls 46 accommodated therein. On the other hand, the ball 46 is abutted so as to be restrained in each rolling element housing portion 55 while allowing the rolling.

  Here, in this rolling element containing belt 50, as shown in FIG. 6A, the positions of the both end portions 56 of the connecting arm portion 52 are as shown in FIG. The position of the both end portions 56 in the inner and outer peripheral directions of the endless circulation path 28 is the guide arm groove 52 in the surface of the connecting arm portion 52 that connects the spacer portion 51 other than the spacer portion 59 located at the end. 60, when the position of the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S, which is the surface facing the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28, is used as a reference, the distance from the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S is closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path 28. It is formed in the position.

  In the example of this embodiment, the both end portions 56 of the connecting arm portion 52 are connected to the end portions of the connecting arm portion 52 from the vicinity of the positions where the both end portions 56 should be formed (reference numeral P in the figure) toward the end. 28 is provided with an inclination at a predetermined inclination angle θ on the inner peripheral side at 28, so that the height H in the width direction is closer to the inner periphery in the infinite circulation path 28 than the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S. Both end portions 56 are formed at positions separated by a distance. The height H is preferably set to about 2 to 6% of the diameter of the ball 46. In the example of the present embodiment, the height H is 0.2 mm with respect to the diameter of the ball 46 = 4.76 mm.

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 containing belt 50 has the thickness of the spacer portion 59 located at the end of the connecting arm portion 52 at the both ends 56 in the alignment direction of the balls 46. And is formed without projecting in the direction in which the balls 46 are aligned from the spacer portion 59. For example, like the guide piece illustrated above, it protrudes from the spacer portion 59 located at the end. It has no part. Therefore, no special care is required during storage or handling during installation. Further, since there is no portion that protrudes in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged, in the state of use attached to the linear guide 10, the both ends (spacer portions 59) of the rolling element containing belt 50 are endlessly circulated. It can be approached in the path 28. 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. Further, in this embodiment, the example in which the balls 46 are not interposed between the spacers 59 facing each other in the endless circulation path 28 has been described, but for example, the spacer parts 59 facing each other in the endless circulation path 28. It is possible to further interpose the ball 46 between them, and this makes it possible to further suppress or prevent a decrease in load capacity and rigidity of the linear guide 10 at the end.

  Furthermore, when this rolling element accommodation belt 50 (rolling element row 62) is incorporated into the endless circulation path 28, both end portions 56 of the connecting arm portion 52 are only a height H in the width direction of the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S. Since the distance (height H) is formed closer to the inner circumference of the endless circuit 28, the rolling element is formed in the direction change path 24 in the endless circuit 28 as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. When the end portion 56 of the accommodation belt 50 is pressed against the outer peripheral side of the guide groove 60, a slight amount is present at the joint between the guide groove 60 in the direction changing path 24 and the guide groove 60 in the linear portion of the infinite circulation path 28. Even when there is a step D, the end 56 on the tip side can be made to enter the step D so as to avoid the step D. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or alleviate the rolling element containing belt 50 from being caught on the step D. Therefore, it is possible to circulate the rolling element accommodation belt 50 in the endless circulation path 28 more smoothly, and thereby the balls 46 can be circulated more smoothly.

  Moreover, according to this rolling element accommodation belt 50, the positions of both end portions 56 of the connecting arm portion 52 are endlessly circulated from the vicinity of the positions where the both end portions 56 are to be formed (symbol P in the figure) toward the ends. By being provided with a predetermined inclination angle θ on the inner peripheral side of the path 28, the distance is formed closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path 28 than the reference outer peripheral side facing surface 52S. Therefore, the surface facing the step D at the end portion 56 of the rolling element housing belt 50 can be gradually moved in the direction of the step by the inclination. That is, when approaching the direction change path 24, the end portion 56 of the rolling element housing belt 50 can smoothly enter along the inner wall or the guide groove 60 of the endless circulation path 28 in the circulation direction. . Therefore, the circulation resistance due to the 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 50 can be suitably reduced. Therefore, the linear guide 10 can be operated smoothly.

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-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an 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, similar actions and effects can be obtained.
For example, in the said embodiment, as the structure for forming the both ends 56 of the connection arm part 52 in the position which distanced the inner periphery side of the infinite circulation path 28 rather than the outer peripheral side opposing surface 52S used as a reference | standard. The both end portions 56 of the connecting arm portion 52 are formed so as to be inclined toward the inner peripheral side along the arrangement direction of the balls 46 in the endless circulation path 28 from the vicinity of the position where the connection arm portion 52 should be formed toward the end. Although an example in which the distance is formed closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path 28 than the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.

Hereinafter, other examples in which both end portions 56 of the connecting arm portion 52 are formed at positions separated from the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path 28 with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 as appropriate. explain.
FIG. 6A shows a first modification.
As shown in the figure, in this first modification, both end portions 56B of the connecting arm portion 52 have their vicinity including the positions where the both end portions 56B are to be formed on the inner peripheral side of the infinite circuit 28. By forming the offset by an offset amount F, both end portions 56B are positioned at a position spaced a distance closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path 28 than the reference outer peripheral side facing surface 52S. The offset start portion P1 and the offset end portion P2 are connected to each other by the inclined portion 56b. The offset amount F is set to the same dimension as the height H in the width direction. Even with such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 6B shows a second modification.
As shown in the figure, in the second modification, both end portions 56C of the connecting arm portion 52 are arranged in the vicinity of the positions where the both end portions 56C of the connecting arm portion 52 are to be formed, as in the above embodiment. By forming the ball 46 so as to incline along the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged on the inner circumferential side of the endless circulation path 28 from the outer edge toward the end, the distance from the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S is closer to the inner circumference of the endless circulation path 28. Both end portions 56C are positioned at the positions where the start portion P1 of the inclination toward the inner peripheral side is closer to the end than the above embodiment (position in the vicinity of the surface facing the spacer portion 51 side of the spacer portion 59). ) Is different. Even with such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 6C shows a third modification.
As shown in the figure, in this third modification, both end portions 56D of the connecting arm portion 52 are connected to the end portions of the connecting arm portion 52 from the vicinity of the positions where the both end portions 56D are to be formed. 28 is curved along the alignment direction of the balls 46 toward the inner peripheral side at 28, so that a distance (height H) is spaced closer to the inner periphery in the infinite circulation path 28 than the outer peripheral facing surface 52S. Both end portions 56D are located at the positions. In addition, regarding the method of separating the distance from the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S serving as a reference, the first curvature R1 of the outer peripheral side surface of the connecting arm portion 52 from the vicinity of both end portions 56D to be formed toward the end. The surface 52N opposite to the outer peripheral facing surface 52S is curved with a second curvature R2 smaller than the first curvature R1. Even with such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 6D shows a fourth modification.
As shown in the figure, in the fourth modified example, as in the third modified example, the connecting arm portion 52 is moved along the endless circulation path 28 from the vicinity of both end portions 56E to be formed. A curved portion is formed along the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged toward the inner peripheral side, and the thickness of the connecting arm portion 52 in the inner and outer peripheral direction of the infinite circulation path 28 is set to a portion in the vicinity of both end portions 56E to be formed. The two end portions 56E are positioned at positions spaced apart closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path 28 than the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S by continuously thinning from the end toward the end. In this example, the bending start position is closer to the end than the third modification (position in the vicinity of the surface facing the spacer portion 51 side of the spacer portion 59). Even with such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Further, in this example, the thickness of the connecting arm portion 52 is continuously reduced from the vicinity of both end portions 56E to be formed toward the end, but for example, by the offset shown in the first modified example. By combining the structures to be biased and thinning in stages, both ends may be positioned at a position spaced away from the reference outer peripheral side facing surface 52S closer to the inner periphery in the endless circulation path 28. .

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment or each modification, the connecting arm portion 52 is inclined or curved along the alignment direction of the balls 46 in the inner and outer peripheral directions of the endless circulation path 28, so that both ends of the connecting arm portion 52. The example in which the portion 56 (or 56B, C, D, E) is positioned at a position that is separated from the reference outer peripheral side facing surface 52S closer to the inner periphery in the endless circulation path 28 has been described. There is no limitation, and both end portions of the connecting arm portion of the present invention are formed so as to be positioned at a distance from the outer peripheral side facing surface 52S serving as a reference closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path 28. For example, the configuration is not limited to that which is inclined or curved only along the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged, and a configuration including an inclination or curvature other than these is also possible.

For example, FIG. 7 shows a fifth modification.
As shown in the figure, in the fifth modification, in addition to the configuration of the second modification, as shown in FIG. By forming the connecting arm portion 52 by inclining the connecting arm portion 52 at a predetermined inclination angle θ2 toward the inner periphery of the endless circulation path 28 toward the end in the width direction, both end portions 56F of the connecting arm portion 52 are set as reference outer peripheral sides. It is located at a position spaced away from the facing surface 52S closer to the inner periphery of the endless circulation path 28. Even with such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, the rolling element housing belt and the linear motion guide device including the rolling element storage belt according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment or each of the above-described modifications. Of course, they can be combined.

It is a perspective view which shows the linear guide which concerns on one 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure explaining one Embodiment of the rolling element accommodation belt which concerns on this invention, The figure (a) is a part including the edge part at the time of the unloaded state which expand | deployed and extended the rolling element accommodation belt. It is the front view which expands and shows the figure (b). It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the rolling element accommodation belt which concerns on this invention, 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 shown in a cross section. ing. It is a figure ((a)-(d)) explaining the modification of the rolling element accommodation belt which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the modification of the rolling element accommodation belt which concerns on this invention, The figure (a) is the front view, The figure (b) is the right view. 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. It is a figure explaining an example of the conventional rolling element accommodation belt, In the same figure, a part including the edge part of the conventional rolling element accommodation belt in the state of no load which developed and extended the rolling element accommodation belt is shown. Show. It is a figure explaining the effect | action of the conventional rolling element accommodation belt, In the figure, in the use condition with which the linear guide was mounted | worn, the part including the edge part of the conventional rolling element accommodation belt is expanded and shown in a cross section. ing.

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)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Rolling body accommodation belt 51 Spacer part 52 Connection part 52S Outer peripheral side opposing surface 53 Ball accommodation hole 54 Rolling body contact surface 55 Rolling body accommodation part 56 End part (connection arm part) 59 (Locating at end) 60 guide groove 62 rolling element row

Claims (6)

A plurality of rolling elements are provided in an infinite circulation path that circulates while rolling, and are used in a linear motion guide device having guide grooves that extend along the alignment direction of the rolling elements on both sides in the width direction in the infinite circulation path. The spacer portion interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the spacer portion are connected to each other on both sides in the width direction of the infinite circulation path, and projecting outward from the end surface of the spacer portion. A belt-shaped connecting arm portion guided by the guide groove, and a rolling element containing belt formed in an end shape,
The positions of both end portions of the connecting arm portion in the no-load state are within the thickness range of the spacer portion positioned at the end in the arrangement direction of the rolling elements, and further, the inner and outer peripheral directions of the infinite circulation path Then, of the surfaces of the connecting arm portion that connects the spacer portions other than the spacer portion located at the end when the guide groove is a surface facing the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path on the outer peripheral side facing surface In addition, the rolling element housing belt for a linear motion guide device is formed at a position spaced a distance closer to the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path than the outer peripheral side facing surface.   Both end portions of the connecting arm portion are formed such that positions where the both end portions are to be formed and the vicinity thereof are biased toward the inner peripheral side of the infinite circuit, so that the endless circuit is more infinite than the outer peripheral facing surface. The rolling element housing belt for a linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein the belt is formed at a position spaced apart from the inner periphery of the linear motion guide device.   Both end portions of the connecting arm portion are formed by inclining the connecting arm portion from the vicinity of the position where the both end portions are to be formed toward the end toward the inner circumference side in the endless circulation path, The rolling element accommodation belt for a linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element accommodation belt is formed at a position separated from the outer peripheral side facing surface closer to the inner circumference of the infinite circulation path.   Both end portions of the connecting arm portion are formed by bending the connecting arm portion from the vicinity of the position where the both end portions are to be formed toward the end toward the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path. 2. The rolling element containing belt for a linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling element containing belt is formed at a position that is spaced closer to the inner circumference of the infinite circulation path than the opposed surface on the outer circumference side.   The both end portions of the connecting arm portion are formed continuously or stepwise from the vicinity of the position where the both end portions are to be formed toward the end in the inner and outer circumferential directions of the endless circulation path. It is formed in the position spaced apart from the outer peripheral side opposing surface near the inner periphery of the infinite circulation path by making it thin, The direct according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized by things. A rolling element housing belt for a motion guide device.   A linear motion guide device using the rolling element accommodation belt according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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