JP4539574B2 - Rolling element housing belt and linear motion guide device - Google Patents

Description

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

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9 in a sectional view along an infinite circulation path, the linear guide device of this type is disposed so as to be movable relative to the guide rail 12 and the guide rail 12. And a plurality of rolling elements that roll while applying a load between the guide rail 12 and the slider 16 (in this example, balls 46). The guide rail 12 has a rolling element guide surface 14 on which the ball 46 rolls. The slider 16 includes a slider body 17 and a pair of end caps 22 attached to both ends in the moving direction.

  The slider body 17 is opposed to the rolling element guide surface 14 of the guide rail 12, and together with the rolling element guide surface 14, a load rolling element guide surface 18 constituting a rolling element raceway 26, which is a region where a load acts on the rolling element. 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.

Furthermore, the rolling element accommodation belt normally used in this type of linear motion guide device is configured to include a spacer portion 151 and a coupling portion 152 as in the rolling element accommodation belt 150 shown in FIG. Yes.
The spacer 151 has a pair of rolling element contact surfaces 151 a 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. A portion for accommodating the rolling elements (hereinafter referred to as “rolling element accommodating portion”) is defined between the adjacent adjacent spacers 151. Then, as shown in the figure, balls 46 are accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portion to form a rolling element row 162, and the rolling element row 162 is guided in the guide groove 60 while passing through the endless circulation path 28. It comes to circulate. Thereby, rubbing and competition between the balls 46 are suppressed, and the circulation of the balls 46 is improved.

Here, as a linear motion guide apparatus provided with this type of rolling element housing belt, for example, techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known.
In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the rolling element housing belt is used as the pair of rolling element contact surfaces to hold the balls accommodated in the rolling element accommodation portions in a slidable manner while restraining the balls in all directions. A recess is provided in the spacer (ball holding member). And the structure which hold | maintains a ball between the spacer parts adjacent by this holding | maintenance recessed part is disclosed.

Further, the technique described in Patent Document 2 aims to facilitate the replacement of the rolling elements with respect to the technique described in Patent Document 1, and each rolling element accommodation portion is a rolling element accommodated therein. A configuration is disclosed in which rolling elements that circulate without being held are aligned at predetermined intervals.
Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 3, the rolling element housing belt is formed in an end shape, and a pair of concave tip surfaces are formed at the tip of the spacer portion located at the end. These concave tip surfaces face each other in the endless circulation path, and a single rolling element for buffering is sandwiched between the end surfaces. Therefore, during the circulation of the rolling elements in the endless circulation path, both ends of the rolling element accommodation belt are bent following the movement of the buffer rolling elements circulating in the endless circulation path, and the rolling element accommodation belt It is possible to prevent as much as possible that both end portions of the rubbing against the inner wall of the infinite circulation path.

Japanese Patent No. 2607933 Japanese Patent No. 3299450 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-2241

However, for example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the rolling elements are held between the adjacent spacers so as to be restrained in all directions. It is not easy to incorporate or remove the rolling elements.
In addition, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is easy to incorporate and remove the rolling element from the rolling element housing belt as compared with the technique described in Patent Document 1, but conversely, the rolling element is replaced with the rolling element. Since the rolling element cannot be constrained by the accommodating belt or the rolling element accommodating belt cannot be constrained by the rolling element, the connecting part of the rolling element accommodating belt is guided over the entire circumference of the infinite circulation path. Even if there is a guide groove, the rolling element housing belt meanders within the range of the guide groove.

Therefore, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, if there is a step at the joint (for example, a portion indicated by T in the figure) between the parts constituting the infinite circulation path 28, the tip part of the rolling element housing belt (see FIG. 9). The portion indicated by the reference numeral 159 in FIG.
Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 3, the concave tip surfaces of the rolling element housing belts face each other in the endless circulation path, and a single rolling element for buffering is sandwiched between the end surfaces. Therefore, the rolling element housing belt has a problem that there is no escape in the endless circulation path and friction increases.
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and facilitates the incorporation and removal of the rolling elements from the rolling element containing belt, and the effects of steps in the infinite circulation path. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rolling element housing belt and a linear motion guide device which are less susceptible to friction and can reduce friction fluctuations.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is used in a linear motion guide device having an infinite circulation path in which a plurality of rolling elements roll, and has a plurality of rolling element accommodating portions that individually accommodate the rolling elements. A rolling element accommodation belt formed in an end shape that accommodates the rolling elements in the rolling element accommodation portion and aligns the rolling elements in a row direction in the endless circulation path as a row of rolling elements. Of these, each of the rolling element accommodating portions positioned at both ends has a surface that is in contact with the rolling elements accommodated in the endless circulation path so as to restrain movement of each end portion toward the outer peripheral side. The other rolling element housing portions are formed so that the rolling elements accommodated therein are detachable on at least one of the inner circumferential side and the outer circumferential side of the infinite circulation path. It is characterized by.

  According to the rolling element accommodation belt according to the present invention, among the rolling element accommodation portions, the rolling element accommodation portions located at both ends are constrained to move on the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path. Since it is formed, it is possible to suppress meandering of the tip of the rolling element housing belt in the infinite circulation path in the state of use attached to the linear motion guide device. Thereby, interference with the level | step difference of the structural members in an infinite circuit, especially in the vicinity of a direction change path, and a catch can be reduced. Therefore, it is difficult to be affected by the step in the infinite circulation path, and the friction fluctuation can be reduced.

  That is, in the direction change path, a bending force is generated in the rolling element accommodation belt, and the rolling element accommodation belt tends to swell on the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path, so that the front end portion is along the outer peripheral side of the guide groove. To move. Therefore, when there is a seam between the direction change path and the straight line portion that follows, if the movement of the end to the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path is restrained against the catch due to the step, the step The effect of suppressing interference and catching is great.

And according to the rolling element accommodation belt which concerns on this invention, rolling element accommodation parts other than the rolling element accommodation part located in both ends are used for the rolling element accommodated in the inner peripheral side in the said infinite circuit, and Since at least one side of the outer peripheral side is detachable, the rolling element can be easily incorporated, removed or replaced from the detachable side.
Here, it is preferable that the rolling element accommodating portions positioned at both ends are formed so as to detachably accommodate the rolling elements accommodated therein on the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path. If it is such a structure, including the other rolling element accommodating part, the rolling element accommodated therein is formed detachably on at least one of the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path Therefore, it is preferable to easily incorporate, remove or replace the rolling elements from the detachable side.

In addition, when both ends of the rolling element housing belt face each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path, a rolling element that is not accommodated in the rolling element housing section is incorporated between the opposite ends. The end-to-end rolling element accommodating portion is further provided, and the end-to-end rolling element accommodating portion has a contact surface that abuts against the rolling element accommodated therein, at each end. The contact surface is preferably a surface having a shape that comes into contact with the rolling elements accommodated therein so as to restrain the movement of each end to the outer peripheral side in the endless circulation path.
With such a configuration, since the rolling elements can be arranged between the ends of the rolling element housing belt in the use state mounted on the linear motion guide device, the number of rolling elements that receive a load on the rolling element track Can be suppressed. Therefore, it is more suitable for suppressing a decrease in load capacity and rigidity of the linear motion guide device.

Furthermore, since the movement of the end portion is restricted to the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path on the side of the end-to-end rolling element accommodating portion, the meandering of the tip of the rolling element accommodating belt is more preferably suppressed in the use state. be able to. Thereby, interference with the step between the constituent members in the endless circulation path, particularly in the vicinity of the direction change path, and the catch can be more suitably reduced.
Moreover, this invention is a linear motion guide apparatus, Comprising: It uses the rolling element accommodation belt which concerns on the said invention, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. According to the linear motion guide device according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a linear motion guide device that exhibits the functions and effects of the rolling element housing belt according to the present invention described above.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is easy to incorporate and remove the rolling elements from the rolling element housing belt, make the rolling elements less susceptible to steps in the endless circulation path, and reduce friction fluctuations. A rolling element 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 a first embodiment of a linear guide device according to the present invention. 2 is an explanatory view showing the slider of the linear guide of FIG. 1 in a transverse section, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the linear guide of FIG.

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

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

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

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

Hereinafter, the rolling element accommodation belt 50 will be described in more detail.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the rolling element accommodation belt. FIG. 4 (a) is a perspective view of the state in which the rolling element accommodation belt is unfolded and extended, and FIG. 4 (b) is the same drawing (a). It is explanatory drawing which expands a part including the edge part of the rolling-element accommodation belt shown, and shows in the cross section in the row direction of a ball | bowl.
This rolling element housing belt 50 is formed by injection molding from a synthetic resin material having flexibility, and is interposed between adjacent balls 46 as shown in FIG. The spacer part 51 which partitions off 46 in a revolution direction, and the spacer part 59 located in an edge part 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 belt-shaped members, and the portions where the pair of connecting portions 52 face each other are substantially circular in the direction of the front and back of the connecting portion 52 (thickness direction). An opening ball receiving hole 53 (see FIG. 4A) is formed. Each ball accommodation hole 53 is formed side by side in the longitudinal direction of the rolling element accommodation belt 50, and the inner diameter of the ball accommodation hole 53 is such that the ball 46 can freely engage and disengage in the front and back direction of the connecting portion 52. It is slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 46 to be played.
On the other hand, each of the spacer portions 51 and 59 is a short cylindrical member having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ball 46, and the short cylindrical axis is in the longitudinal direction of the rolling element housing belt 50. Match.

  The spacer part 59 is a spacer part located in the both ends of the rolling element accommodation belt 50 formed in the end shape. A spacer portion other than the spacer portion 59 is a spacer portion 51. These spacers 51 and 59 are arranged on both sides of each ball receiving hole 53 at a predetermined distance, and are connected by a pair of connecting parts 52 on both sides of the infinite circulation path 28 in the width direction. Thereby, as for this rolling element accommodation belt 50, the part defined between the adjacent spacer parts and the ball accommodation hole 53 is comprised as a rolling element accommodation part which accommodates each ball | bowl 46 separately. That is, in this rolling element accommodation belt 50, the spaces defined by the respective ball accommodating holes 53 of the spacer portions 51, 59 and the connecting portion 52 constitute a plurality of rolling element accommodation portions. The balls 46 are individually accommodated in the unit at predetermined intervals, and can be arranged as rolling element rows 62 as shown in FIG.

  Here, in the present embodiment, among the plurality of rolling element accommodating portions, each of the rolling element accommodating portions positioned at both ends separates the balls 46 accommodated therein on the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. The endless portion of the endless circulation path 28 is accommodated freely, and is formed so as to restrain the movement of the end portion. The other rolling element accommodating portions store the rolling elements accommodated in the endless circulation path. 28 is formed so as to be detachable on the inner peripheral side.

That is, in this rolling element accommodation belt 50, as shown in FIG. 4, the rolling element accommodation portions include the first rolling element accommodation portion 55A located at both ends and the first rolling element accommodation portion 55A. The second rolling element accommodating portion 55B and the second rolling element accommodating portion 55B.
55 A of 1st rolling element accommodating parts are rolling element accommodating parts defined between the spacer part 59 located in both ends, and the spacer part 51 which opposes the spacer part 59 in the alignment direction.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the first rolling element housing portion 55A has a first rolling element contact surface 54A on the spacer 59 and the spacer 51 on both sides thereof. ing. 54 A of this 1st rolling element contact surface is formed from the concave spherical surface part 54c and the outer peripheral side cylindrical surface part 54a continuing to the concave spherical surface part 54c. The concave spherical surface portions 54c facing each other in the alignment direction and the outer cylindrical surface portions 54a facing each other in the alignment direction are paired with each other, whereby the first rolling element contact facing each other in the alignment direction. A pair of the surfaces 54A is also formed.

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

Thereby, when the rolling element accommodation belt 50 is incorporated in the infinite circulation path 28, in this 1st rolling element accommodation part 55A, the 1st rolling element contact surfaces 54A are shown in FIG.4 (b). As shown, the pair of concave spherical surface portions 54 c function as engaging portions that restrain the movement of the ball 46 toward the inner peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28. Further, the first rolling element housing portion 55A is configured such that the outer circumferential side cylindrical surface portions 54a can removably accommodate the balls 46 to be accommodated toward the outer circumferential side of the infinite circulation path 28.
In the first embodiment, the spacer 59 has a flat surface on the side opposite to the ball receiving hole 53 side (see FIG. 4B).

On the other hand, the second rolling element accommodating portion 55B is a rolling element accommodating portion other than the first rolling element accommodating portion 55A.
As shown in FIG. 4 (b), the second rolling element housing portion 55B is configured to include second rolling element contact surfaces 54B on the spacer portions 51 on both sides thereof. The second rolling element contact surface 54B is formed of a concave spherical surface portion 54c and an inner peripheral cylindrical surface portion 54b continuous with the concave spherical surface portion 54c. Then, the concave spherical surface portions 54c facing each other in the alignment direction and the inner peripheral cylindrical surface portions 54b opposing each other in the alignment direction are paired with each other, whereby the second rolling element contact surfaces 54B facing each other in the alignment direction. There is also a pair with each other.

  The pair of concave spherical surface portions 54c has the same configuration as the concave spherical surface portion 54c in the first rolling element housing portion 55A. And a pair of inner peripheral side cylindrical surface part 54b is infinite on the opposite side to the outer peripheral side cylindrical surface part 54a in said 1st rolling element accommodating part 55A, ie, the use condition with which the linear guide 10 was mounted | worn. Only the point which is formed on the inner circumference side in the circulation path 28 is different.

  Thereby, when the rolling element accommodation belt 50 is incorporated in the endless circulation path 28, in this second rolling element accommodation portion 55B, the pair of second rolling element contact surfaces 54B is a pair of concave spherical surface portions 54c. However, it functions as an engaging portion that restrains the movement of the ball 46 toward the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. Further, the pair of inner peripheral side cylindrical surface portions 54b are configured such that the balls 46 accommodated therein can be detached toward the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. In FIG. 4B, the arrow indicated by the symbol A represents an image in which the ball 46 can be freely detached to the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28, and the arrow indicated by the symbol B indicates that the ball 46 is the endless circulation path 28. An image that can be freely separated is shown on the inner circumference side of the head (hereinafter the same in other drawings).

Next, functions and effects of the linear guide 10 will be described.
As described above, according to the linear guide 10, the rolling element accommodation belt 50 has the first rolling element accommodation portion 55 </ b> A located at both ends of the rolling element accommodation portion, and the outer circumference of the endless circulation path 28. Since the movement of the end portion (spacer portion 59) is constrained by the ball 46 accommodated therein, the rolling element is accommodated when the linear guide 10 is used. The meandering of the tip of the belt 50 can be suppressed.

  In particular, in the direction change path 24, a bending force is generated in the rolling element accommodation belt 50, and the rolling element accommodation belt 50 tends to swell toward the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 28, so that the front end portion (spacer portion 59). ) Moves along the outer peripheral side of the guide groove 60. Therefore, when there is a seam T between the direction change path 24 and the straight line portion that follows (see FIG. 3), the end of the endless circulation path 28 moves to the outer peripheral side against the catch caused by the step. If restrained, the effect of suppressing interference and catching with the step is great. For this reason, at the portion of the joint T between the direction change path 24 and the straight line portion, interference and catching with the step at the joint T between the constituent members can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to this linear guide 10, the first rolling element accommodating portion 55 </ b> A located at both ends of the rolling element accommodating portion has the balls 46 accommodated therein on the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. The second rolling element accommodating portion 55B, which is a rolling element accommodating portion other than the first rolling element accommodating portion 55A, allows the ball 46 to be accommodated to pass through the infinite circulation path 28. Since it is formed so as to be detachably accommodated on the inner peripheral side, it is possible to easily incorporate, remove, or replace the ball 46 from the rolling element accommodating belt 50 from the detachable side.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The linear guide of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above only in the configuration of the rolling element housing belt and the rolling element row by the rolling element accommodation belt, and the other configurations are the same. Therefore, only different points will be described, and other descriptions will be omitted.
Here, in the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 3, the rolling element accommodation belt 50 is opposed to each other in the non-contact state in the endless circulation path 28. In the above example, the ball 46 is not incorporated between the opposite ends, but a ball may be incorporated. The second embodiment is an example in which a ball 46 is incorporated between opposite ends.

  That is, in the linear guide of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the rolling element accommodation belt 70 is the rolling element accommodation belt 50 in the first embodiment described above, among the rolling element accommodation portions. Similarly, the rolling element accommodating portions located at both ends are the first rolling element accommodating portions 55A, and the other rolling element accommodating portions are all configured from the second rolling element accommodating portions 55B. . Further, the rolling element housing belt 80 is configured such that when the spacers 59 which are both ends thereof face each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path 28, the balls 46 are placed between the opposite ends. The developed lengths are opposed to each other at a distance that can be assembled, and between both end portions, there is an end-to-end rolling element housing portion 57 that can incorporate a ball 46 that is not accommodated in the rolling element housing portion.

  The end-to-end rolling element accommodating portion 57 has a contact surface that abuts against the ball 46 to be accommodated at each end. That is, as shown in the figure, the abutment surface is constituted by a surface having the same configuration as the first rolling element contact surface 54A in the first embodiment, and the infinite circulation path 28. On the outer peripheral side, a surface of a shape abutting on the ball 46 accommodated therein is constrained so as to restrain the movement of each end portion (spacer portion 59).

  According to the linear guide of the second embodiment having such a configuration, the operations and effects of the first embodiment described above are exhibited. And since both ends (spacer part 59) are provided with both 55 A of 1st rolling element accommodating parts, and the rolling element accommodating part 57 between edge parts, both ends are received by the ball 46 accommodated there. (Spacer part 59) can be restrained more reliably. That is, meandering of the tip of the rolling element housing belt 80 can be more suitably suppressed as compared with the configuration of the first embodiment.

Furthermore, according to the linear guide of the second embodiment, since the ball 46 is incorporated between the opposite end portions (spacer portion 59), the ball 46 that receives a load on the rolling element raceway 26 is provided. The decrease in the number can be suppressed, and the decrease in load capacity and rigidity of the linear guide can be suppressed.
In the second embodiment described above (FIG. 5), there is no gap between the opposing ends (spacer portion 59) and the ball 46 for the sake of convenience. In the configuration in which the balls 46 are pressed and clamped with each other by the portion 59), the rolling element housing belt 80 and the guide groove 60 come into contact with each other, causing friction to increase. It is desirable that there is a gap between both end portions (spacer portion 59) and the ball 46.

The rolling element accommodation belt and the linear motion guide device according to the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments.
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 second rolling element accommodating portion 55B is described as an example in which the ball 46 accommodated therein is formed to be detachable on the inner peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 28. However, the detachable side is not limited only to the inner peripheral side, and any configuration may be used as long as the rolling element can be detached on at least one side of the rolling element housing belt.

  For example, FIG. 6A shows a first modification thereof. In the second rolling element housing portion 55B, the pair of second rolling element contact surfaces 54B are simply formed by flat surfaces 54d, respectively. The facing distance between the facing spacers 51 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the ball receiving hole 53. That is, the second rolling element housing portion 55B has an opening size larger than the outer diameter size of the ball 46, and allows the ball 46 to drop in both the front and back directions of the connecting portion 52. That is, the ball 46 can freely engage and disengage in both the inner and outer peripheral directions in the endless circulation path 28. Even in such a configuration, the second rolling element housing portion 55B in the first modified example is configured to be able to detach the ball 46, so that the assembly of the ball 46 to the rolling element housing belt 50 is possible. Time and effort can be reduced.

For example, the 2nd modification is shown in FIG.6 (b). In this example, all the rolling element accommodation parts are constituted by the first rolling element accommodation part 55A in the first embodiment. Even with such a configuration, it is easy to incorporate and remove the ball 46 from the rolling element housing belt 50, make it less susceptible to steps in the infinite circulation path 28, and reduce friction fluctuations. It is possible.
Further, for example, in the first embodiment, the first rolling element housing portion 55A is described as an example formed on the outer peripheral side so as to restrain movement of each end portion (spacer portion 59). However, the constraining side is not limited to the outer peripheral side, and any configuration is possible as long as the movement of each end (spacer portion 59) can be constrained to at least the outer peripheral side of the front and back of the rolling element housing belt.

  For example, FIG. 7A shows a third modification. In the first rolling element housing portion 55A, the pair of first rolling element contact surfaces 54A are configured only by the concave spherical surface portions 54c and 54c, respectively. Thereby, this 1st rolling element accommodating part 55A is restrained in all directions so that the ball | bowl 46 may not drop out from the inside of the 1st rolling element accommodating part 55A. Therefore, even in such a configuration, the first rolling element housing portion 55A is configured to restrain movement of each end portion (spacer portion 59) on the outer peripheral side. The meandering of the tip can be suppressed.

  In particular, in this example, since the ball 46 is restrained in all directions, interference with the step between the constituent members in the endless circulation path 28, particularly in the vicinity of the direction change path 24, and the catch are further reduced, and the friction fluctuations. Can be suppressed more. In this example, since the ball 46 is constrained in all directions, on the contrary, the work of assembling the ball 46 to the rolling element housing belt 50 is required accordingly. For this reason, it is preferable to employ a combination of appropriate configurations in accordance with necessary conditions in consideration of the time and effort of assembly.

Furthermore, the rolling element housing belt and the linear motion guide device according to the present invention are not limited to the above embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made in combination with each other without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Is possible.
For example, FIG. 7B shows a fourth modification. This example is an example in which, in the first modified example, the configuration in the third modified example is adopted as the configuration of the first rolling element housing portion 55A.
Further, for example, FIG. 7C shows a fifth modification. This example is an example in which the configuration of the third modified example is adopted as the configuration of the first rolling element housing portion 55A in the second modified example.

Still further, for example, FIG. 8A shows a sixth modification. In this example, in the second embodiment, the rolling element accommodating portion 57 between the end portions is configured only by the concave spherical surface portions 54c and 54c, and the configuration of the other rolling element accommodating portion is the same as the above. It is the example which employ | adopted the structure in one modification.
Further, for example, FIG. 8B shows a seventh modification. In this example, in the second embodiment, the inter-end rolling element accommodation portion 57 is configured by the first rolling element contact surface 54A in the second embodiment, and the other rolling element accommodation is performed. It is an example which employ | adopted the structure in the said 3rd modification for the structure of a part.

For example, FIG. 8C shows an eighth modification. In this example, in the second embodiment, the rolling element accommodating portion 57 between the end portions is configured only by the concave spherical surface portions 54c and 54c, and the configuration of the other rolling element accommodating portion is the same as the above. It is the example which employ | adopted the structure in a 4th modification.
Such a configuration shown in each of the above modifications also facilitates the incorporation and removal of the rolling elements from the rolling element containing belt, makes it less susceptible to steps in the infinite circulation path, and further reduces friction fluctuations. Can be reduced.

It is a perspective view which shows the linear guide which concerns on 1st embodiment of the linear guide apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the slider of the linear guide of FIG. 1 in a cross section. It is sectional drawing in the XX line part in the linear guide of FIG. It is a figure explaining the rolling element accommodation belt in 1st embodiment, The figure (a) is a perspective view of the state which unfolded and extended the rolling element accommodation belt, The figure (b) is the figure ( It is explanatory drawing which expands a part including the edge part of the rolling element accommodation belt shown to a), and shows it in the cross section in a row direction. It is a figure explaining the rolling element accommodation belt in 2nd embodiment, In the same figure, a part including the edge part of a rolling element accommodation belt is shown in the cross section. It is a figure ((a) and (b)) explaining the modification (1st and 2nd modification) of the rolling element accommodation belt in the linear motion guide apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure ((a)-(c)) explaining the modification (3rd-5th modification) of the rolling element accommodation belt in the linear guide apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure ((a)-(c)) explaining the modification (6th-8th modification) of the rolling element accommodation belt in the linear guide apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the conventional linear motion guide apparatus, In the same figure, the part of the infinite circulation path is shown with sectional drawing in the arrangement direction of a rolling element.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Linear guide 12 Guide rail 14 Rolling element guide surface 16 Slider 17 Slider body 18 Load rolling element guide surface 20 Rolling element return path 22 End cap 24 Direction change path 26 Rolling element track 28 Endless circulation path 46 Ball (Rolling element)
50, 70 Rolling body accommodation belt 51 Spacer portion 52 Connection portion 53 Ball housing hole 54A First rolling element contact surface 54B Second rolling element contact surface 54a Outer peripheral side cylindrical surface portion 54b Inner peripheral side cylindrical surface portion 54c Concave spherical surface portion 55A First rolling element accommodating portion 55B Second rolling element accommodating portion 57 Inter-end rolling element accommodating portion 59 (located at the end portion) Spacer portion 60 Guide groove 62 Rolling element row

Claims (2)

It is used for a linear motion guide device having an infinite circulation path in which a plurality of rolling elements roll, and has a plurality of rolling element accommodating portions that individually accommodate the rolling elements, and the rolling elements are accommodated in the rolling element accommodating portions. A rolling element containing belt formed in an end shape to be arranged as a rolling element row in the direction of arrangement in the endless circulation path,
Both ends of the rolling element housing belt face each other in a non-contact state in the endless circulation path, and a rolling element that is not housed in the rolling element housing section can be incorporated between the opposing both ends. And
Furthermore, each end portion has a contact surface that contacts the rolling element accommodated between the both end portions, and the contact surface has a planar shape .
Among the rolling element accommodating portions, each of the rolling element accommodating portions positioned at both ends restricts movement of each end portion on the endless circulation path to the outer peripheral side and does not restrict it to the inner peripheral side. The other rolling element housing portions are formed on the inner circumferential side and the outer circumferential side of the infinite circulation path. A rolling element containing belt, wherein the rolling element containing belt is formed to be detachable on at least one side. A linear motion guide device using the rolling element housing belt according to claim 1.

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