JP4556830B2 - Rolling body accommodation belt for linear motion guide device and linear motion guide device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rolling element housing belt for a linear motion guide device and a linear motion guide device.

  The linear motion guide device moves the slider relative to the guide rail via a plurality of rolling elements that circulate while rolling in an infinite circulation path. However, in the linear motion guide device, when the slider moves relative to the guide rail, each rolling element moves while rotating in the same direction, so that adjacent rolling elements rub against each other and smooth rolling of the rolling elements occurs. Be disturbed. Therefore, noise increases and the progress of wear of the rolling elements is accelerated. Therefore, conventionally, in order to suppress the generation of noise and smoothly operate the linear motion guide device, a rolling element housing belt has been proposed in which the rolling elements are aligned in the alignment direction in the infinite circulation path (for example, Patent Documents). 1-3).

For example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 includes a spacer portion interposed between adjacent rolling elements and a connecting arm portion that connects the spacer portions to each other, and is formed in an end shape. A rolling element containing belt is disclosed. The connecting arm portions of the rolling element housing belt are paired by connecting spacers on both sides in the width direction of the infinite circuit, and are formed symmetrically in the width direction of the endless circuit. And each connection arm part is projected and formed outside the outer peripheral surface of the spacer part. Further, in the endless circuit, guide grooves that are continuous in the direction in which the rolling elements are arranged are formed on both sides in the width direction of the endless circuit, and the connecting arm portion is guided in the guide grooves. . With such a configuration, this rolling element housing belt is arranged in the endless circulation path together with the rolling elements, with the connecting arm portion being guided along the guide groove while aligning the rolling elements in the alignment direction in the endless circulation path. It is intended to circulate smoothly.
Japanese Patent No. 3243415 JP 2002-122136 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-318257

However, in this type of linear motion guide device, in order to facilitate manufacture, the infinite circulation path is usually configured by combining a plurality of infinite circulation path constituent paths. For this reason, it is difficult to avoid a slight step in the guide groove at the connecting portion of the combined infinite circulation path constituting paths.
For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the slider includes a slider body and an end cap that is disposed on the slider body and moves together with the slider body. The slider body is formed with a load rolling element guide surface that constitutes a rolling element track along with the rolling element guide surface, facing the rolling element guide surface formed on the guide rail. Further, a direction changing path is formed in the end cap so as to be continuous with the rolling element raceway. Further, a rolling element return passage communicating with the direction changing path is formed in the slider body, and the rolling element raceway, the direction changing path, and the rolling element return path are infinite circulation path constituting paths. In other words, these endless circulation path com- munications communicate with each other so as to circulate to form one infinite circulation path. For this reason, there may be a step as described above in the guide groove in the endless circulation path at the connecting portion between the end cap and the slider body, that is, the portion where the direction change path and the rolling element raceway are connected. Therefore, when the rolling element housing belt reaches the step, the end portions of the pair of connecting arm portions formed in an end shape are caught in the step of the guide groove. Particularly in this example, the pair of connecting arms are symmetrical in the width direction of the infinite circulation path. Therefore, the pair of connecting arm portions at the end portions enter the step of the guide groove almost simultaneously. Therefore, the smooth circulation of the rolling element housing belt in the endless circulation path is easily hindered, and the smooth movement of the slider is hindered.

In addition, when a compact linear guide is required due to space restrictions or the like, the guide groove may not be provided over the entire area of the infinite circulation path due to dimensions. At this time, when the tip of the rolling element accommodation belt approaches the portion having a step from the portion without the guide groove, the rolling element accommodation belt is easily caught.
Further, for example, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, a rolling element housing belt is disclosed in which a pair of end-like connecting arm portions are formed symmetrically in the width direction of the infinite circulation path as in Patent Document 1. . And in this rolling-element accommodation belt, the simple chamfering is provided in the connection arm part located in the edge part. However, even if such simple chamfering is made at the end of the connecting arm portion, the pair of connecting arm portions are symmetrical in the width direction of the infinite circulation path, so that it changes into entering the step of the guide groove almost simultaneously. No, it is easy to get caught in the step of the guide groove.

Further, for example, in the technique described in Patent Document 3, a rolling element housing belt that is formed in an end shape and has a locking structure that can be connected to each other at both ends of a pair of connecting arm portions is disclosed. Therefore, according to this rolling element accommodation belt, the both ends which oppose in an infinite circuit can be connected mutually. However, also in this example, the pair of end-like connecting arm portions are formed symmetrically in the width direction of the infinite circulation path as in the above-mentioned patent documents. Accordingly, since the pair of connecting arm portions enter the step of the guide groove almost simultaneously, it is easy to be caught by the step of the guide groove.
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and even if there is a step in the guide groove in the endless circuit, it is possible to alleviate the hooking of the connecting arm portion to the step. An object of the present invention is to provide a rolling element housing belt for a motion guide device and a linear motion guide device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with an infinite circulation path in which a plurality of rolling elements circulate while rolling, and the guide grooves extending in the direction in which the rolling elements are arranged in the infinite circulation path. And a spacer between the adjacent rolling elements and the spacer on both sides in the width direction of the infinite circuit, and the spacer. And a pair of connecting arm portions projecting outward from the end face of the guide member and guided by the guide groove, the rolling element containing belts aligning the rolling elements in the arrangement direction in the endless circulation path, The connecting arm portion has an end portion in the arrangement direction, and the end portions of the pair of connecting arm portions are formed back and forth in the arrangement direction toward the side where the end portions face each other. In addition, a rolling element is interposed between the end portions. , Each having a concave curved surface that follows the rolling elements interposed between the end portions, and the concave curved surfaces are formed by combining the connecting arm portions whose end portions face each other in the arrangement direction of the rolling elements. The rolling elements interposed between the end portions can be restrained .

The invention according to claim 2 is a linear motion guide device, characterized in that it comprises the rolling element housing belt for linear motion guide device according to claim 1 .

  According to the present invention, the pair of connecting arm portions having end portions are formed so that the end portion positions in the endless circulation path are arranged back and forth on at least one end side of the pair of connecting arm portions. Has been. Therefore, when the end portion enters the step of the guide groove in the endless circulation path, the pair of connecting arm portions at the end portion can enter the step by shifting one side at a time. Therefore, the hook of the connecting arm part to the step of the guide groove can be alleviated.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a rolling element housing belt for a linear motion guiding device according to the invention and a linear motion guiding device including the rolling element housing belt will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide of one embodiment of a linear guide device provided with a rolling element housing belt according to the present invention. 2A is a front view with the end cap of the linear guide shown in FIG. 1 removed, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of the linear guide shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the linear guide 10 is provided on a guide rail 12 having a rolling element guide surface 14 and straddling the guide rail 12 so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail 12. The slider 16 is provided.
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 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 (a), the slider body 17 has a substantially semicircular cross section facing the respective rolling element guide surfaces 14 of the guide rail 12 inside the substantially U-shaped sleeves. A total of four moving body guide surfaces 18 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. 2A and 3, the slider body 17 communicates with the pair of direction change paths 24 and is formed of a rolling hole having a circular cross section parallel to the load rolling element guide surface 18. A moving body return passage 20 is formed inside the sleeve portion.

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. And a pair of direction change path 24, rolling-element return channel | path 20, and rolling-element track path 26 are the infinite circulation path structure path. A total of four infinite circulation paths 28 that are annularly continuous are formed by these infinite circulation path constituting paths.
Further, as shown in the figure, each infinite circulation path 28 is loaded with a plurality of balls 46 as rolling elements. The plurality of balls 46 in each endless circulation path 28 constitute a rolling element row 62 together with the rolling element accommodation belt 50 by the rolling element accommodation belt 50.

  The rolling element housing belt 50 is a belt that connects the spacers 51 interposed between the adjacent balls 46 in the endless circulation path 28 and the spacers 51 on both sides in the width direction of the endless circulation path 28. And a pair of connecting arm portions 52. In the rolling element accommodation belt 50, the space defined by the spacer 51 and the connecting arm portion 52 is a plurality of rolling element accommodation portions, and balls 46 are individually placed at predetermined intervals in the rolling element accommodation portion. The rolling element row 62 can be configured by being housed in the infinite circulation path 28 and aligned in the direction of arrangement in the endless circulation path 28. As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the rolling element containing belt 50 has a guiding arm formed in the endless circulation path 28 in the slider 16 with a connecting arm portion 52 projecting in the width direction in the endless circulation path 28. The groove 60 is guided on both sides in the width direction of the infinite circulation path 28. The rolling element housing belt 50 moves while the connecting arm portion 52 is elastically deformed inside the direction changing path 24 and the entire rolling element row 62 is rotated. For this reason, the groove width of the guide groove 60 is increased in the direction change path 24 in consideration of the curvature according to the deformation range of the connecting arm portion 52.

Next, the rolling element accommodation belt 50 will be described in more detail.
4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating the rolling element housing belt 50. FIG. 4 (a) is a plan view showing the rolling element housing belt 50 in a developed state, and FIG. 4 (b) is a front view thereof. is there. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state in which both ends of the rolling element housing belt 50 are opposed to each other in the endless circulation path. In FIG. 5, both opposite ends of the rolling element housing belt 50 are enlarged. It shows.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the rolling element housing belt 50 is formed in an end shape, and the spacer 51 and the spacer 51 are formed by injection molding from a flexible synthetic resin material. The connecting arm portion 52 is formed integrally.
The pair of connecting arm portions 52 are thin and long belt-shaped members, and circular ball accommodating holes 55 for accommodating the balls 46 are formed side by side in the longitudinal direction. The ball receiving hole 55 has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the ball 46.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the spacer portion 51 is a short columnar member having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ball 46. The spacer 51 has spherical concave curved surfaces 51 a and 51 b that follow the curved surface of the adjacent ball 46, facing both ends of the short cylindrical shape in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged in the endless circulation path 28. is doing. That is, the spacer portion 51 is disposed on both sides of each ball receiving hole 55 in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged with respect to the pair of connecting arm portions 52, and is spaced apart by a distance that can prevent the balls 46 from falling off. The above-mentioned rolling element accommodation part is constituted.

  Here, in this rolling element housing belt 50, the pair of connecting arm portions 52 have end portions in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged, and the end positions of the ends of the pair of connecting arm portions are the balls 46. It moves back and forth in the direction. That is, as shown in the figure, one end of the pair of connecting arm portions 52 at both ends forming the end shape protrudes toward the side where the ends are opposed to each other in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged. Each is formed.

  More specifically, at the left end portion in the drawing, one connecting arm portion 52A is formed in a convex semicircular arc shape. The other connecting arm portion 52B is formed by an arc substantially concentric with the ball receiving hole 55 located at the end portion, and the radius R1 of the arc is set at the spacer portion 51 located at the end portion. The arc 46 is formed in such a length that the arc substantially touches the surface 51p facing outward in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged. Then, at the right end portion in the figure, like the left end portion, one connecting arm portion 52A has a convex semicircular arc shape, and the other connecting arm portion 52B is a ball positioned at the end portion. It is substantially concentric with the receiving hole 55 and is formed by an arc having a radius R1 substantially in contact with the surface 51p facing outward in the arrangement direction of the balls 46 at the spacer 51 located at the end.

  Further, as shown in the figure, when the rolling element housing belt 50 is incorporated in the endless circulation path 28, one end (in this example, in the figure, of both ends facing each other in the endless circulation path 28). The connecting arm portion 52A protruding from the other connecting arm portion 52B at the left end) is formed to face the connecting arm portion 52B not protruding from the one connecting arm portion 52A at the other end. Yes.

Next, functions and effects of the rolling element housing belt and the linear guide will be described.
In the linear guide 10 having the above-described configuration, when the slider 16 is relatively moved in the axial direction of the guide rail 12, the ball 46 moves while rotating in the infinite circulation path 28, and the rolling element housing belt 50 is also infinite along with the ball 46. It moves in the circulation path 28. At this time, the spacer 51 of the rolling element containing belt 50 in the endless circulation path 28 pushes the ball 46 in front of its own moving direction, and the ball 46 is in front of its own moving direction. Press 51. As a result, the entire rolling element row 62 circulates in the endless circulation path 28. Then, the rolling element row 62 moves in the direction opposite to the slider 16 in the rolling element raceway 26 and enters one direction changing path 24 that is continuous from one end of the rolling element raceway 26 to change the moving direction. , Repeating the circulation of entering the rolling element return passage 20 from the direction changing path 24 and moving in the same direction as the slider 16, entering the other direction changing path 24, changing the moving direction again, and returning to the rolling element raceway 26. Can do.

  According to this linear guide 10, since the spacer 51 is interposed between the balls 46 in the endless circulation path 28, the balls 46 are not in direct contact with each other. Generation of noise and wear due to rubbing is prevented. In addition, since the spacer portions 51 are connected to each other by the connecting arm portion 52 to form the rolling element accommodation belt 50, each ball 46 smoothly moves as a rolling element row 62 in the endless circulation path 28 while maintaining a predetermined interval. Can circulate.

  Further, according to this linear guide 10, the connecting arm portion 52 of each rolling element housing belt 50 is engaged with the guide groove 60. Therefore, each spacer 51 is prevented from falling in the rolling element raceway 26, and the arrangement of the rolling element rows 62 is disturbed to prevent the smooth movement thereof. Further, since the connecting arm portion 52 of the rolling element accommodation belt 50 is guided along the guide groove 60 along the endless circulation path 28, the deflection when the rolling element accommodation belt 50 moves is restricted, and the rolling element accommodation belt 50 is The swing of the balls 46 held between the connecting arm portions 52 is also restricted, and the entire rolling element row 62 can be moved accurately and smoothly in the endless circulation path 28. Further, in the rolling element housing belt 50, the connecting arm portion 52 engages with the guide groove 60, and the ball 46 held between the spacer portions 51 is also supported and held by the concave curved surfaces 51a and 51b. Even when the slider 16 is extracted from the guide rail 12, the rolling element row 62 is prevented from falling off the slider 16.

  Here, in this linear guide 10, a pair of direction change paths 24, rolling element return paths 20, and rolling element raceways 26 are infinite circulation path constituting paths, and are continuously annularly formed by these infinite circulation path constituting paths. A total of four infinite circulation paths 28 are configured. Therefore, a step may exist in the guide groove in the infinite circulation path at the portion where the infinite circulation path constituting paths are connected to each other. However, according to this linear guide 10, the pair of connecting arm portions 52 have end portions in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged, and both ends of the pair of connecting arm portions are positioned at the end portions of the balls 46. It is moving back and forth in the line direction Therefore, when the end portion enters the step of the guide groove 60 in the endless circulation path 28, the pair of connecting arm portions 52 first enters the semicircular arc-shaped connecting arm portion 52A first, The connecting arm portion 52B that does not protrude compared to the connecting arm portion 52A enters the step. That is, according to this rolling element accommodation belt 50, a pair of connection arm part 52 can be made to approach the level | step difference of the guide groove 60 by shifting timing one side at a time. Accordingly, the hooking of the connecting arm portion 52 to the step of the guide groove 60 can be reduced.

  Further, according to the linear guide 10, the connecting arm portion 52 of each rolling element housing belt 50 is installed at one end of both end portions facing each other in the endless circulation path 28 when incorporated in the endless circulation path 28. The connecting arm portion 52A protruding from the connecting arm portion 52B is formed to face the connecting arm portion 52B that does not protrude from the connecting arm portion 52A at the other end. That is, the projecting portion and the non-projecting portion are opposed to each other. Therefore, the distance between both ends in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the number of balls 46 that can apply a load in the region of the infinite circulation path 28 where the load is applied to the balls 46.

As described above, according to the rolling element accommodation belt 50 and the linear guide 10 including the rolling element accommodation belt 50, the hooking of the connecting arm portion 52 to the step of the guide groove 60 can be reduced.
Moreover, in the example of the above embodiment, the case where the guide groove is continuously provided on the entire circumference of the endless circulation path has been described. However, even when the guide groove is not partially provided, The effect of keeping the circulation smooth is obtained. For example, what is shown in FIG.2 (b) is an example of the linear guide which does not have a guide groove only in a rolling element track. In this example, the shape is simplified by partially eliminating the guide groove, and the cost is reduced. In such a linear guide, when the tip of the connecting arm portion moves from the region without the guide groove to the region with the guide groove, it tends to be caught, but if the rolling element housing belt according to the present invention is used, Since the connecting arm portion moves to a region having a guide groove with the timing shifted by one side, the catch can be alleviated.

The rolling element accommodating belt for linear motion guide device and the linear motion guide device according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the linear guide provided with the ball has been described as an example of the linear motion guide device including the rolling element housing belt according to the present invention. Can be applied to a roller guide provided with a roller.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, at both ends of the endless rolling element housing belt 50, one pair of the connecting arm portions is directed toward the side where the ends are opposed to each other in the arrangement direction of the balls 46 from the other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pair of connecting arm portions 52 have end portions in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged. Any configuration may be used as long as the position of the portion moves back and forth in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged. However, in order to alleviate the hooking of the connecting arm portion 52 to the step of the guide groove 60 in any direction of the circulation direction of the rolling element row 62, a pair of connecting arm portions are formed at both ends as in the above embodiment. It is preferable that one end protrudes toward the side where the ends are opposed to each other in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged.

  Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, one end of the pair of connecting arm portions 52 at both ends forming the end of the rolling element housing belt 50 is on the side where the ends are opposed to each other in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged. The projecting arm 52A projecting at one end of the both ends facing each other in the endless circulation path 28 is formed at the other end. Although the example is described so as to face the connecting arm portion 52B that does not protrude, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the protruding connecting arm portions 52A at both ends may be configured to face each other. . However, in order to reduce the decrease in the number of balls 46 that can load a load in the region of the infinite circulation path 28 where the load acts on the balls 46 by reducing the distance between both ends in the arrangement direction of the balls 46, As in the above-described embodiment, the connecting arm portion 52A that protrudes at one end of the both ends facing each other in the endless circulation path 28 is formed to face the connecting arm portion 52B that does not protrude at the other end. Is preferred.

  Further, for example, in the above embodiment, the pair of connecting arm portions 52 at the end of the rolling element containing belt 50 is substantially concentric with the connecting arm portion 52A having a semicircular arc shape and the ball containing hole 55 located at the end. In the spacer portion 51 located at the end portion, the description has been made with the example constituted by the connecting arm portion 52B formed by the arc having the radius R1 substantially in contact with the surface 51p facing outward in the arrangement direction of the balls 46. The shape of the pair of connecting arm portions 52 is not limited to this as long as the pair of connecting arm portions 52 can enter the step of the guide groove 60 with the timing shifted by one side.

For example, FIG. 6 shows another configuration of the end portion as the first modification.
In this example, as shown in the figure, a connecting arm portion 52C formed by protruding toward the side where the end portions face each other in the arrangement direction of the balls 46 among the end portions, and a connecting arm portion 52C. A pair of connecting arm portions 52 that extend back and forth at the ends are formed by the connecting arm portions 52D that do not protrude as compared with the above. The connecting arm portion 52C and the connecting arm portion 52D have ridge lines on the side where the end portions face each other in the alignment direction of the balls 46, and both corners in the width direction are rounded and chamfered. Has been. In addition, as for the edge parts which oppose, the connection arm part 52C which is a protrusion part in one end, and the connection arm part 52D which is a non-protrusion part in the other end are opposing similarly to the said embodiment.

  Even with such a configuration, the pair of connecting arm portions 52 at each end portion can enter the step of the guide groove 60 with the timing shifted by one side. Therefore, the rolling element row 62 can be smoothly circulated as compared with a configuration in which a pair of connecting arm portions 52 enter the step of the guide groove 60 simultaneously on both sides and overcome the step by simple chamfering. . Further, as in the above-described embodiment, since the protruding portion and the non-projecting portion of the opposing ends are opposed to each other, the distance between both ends in the arrangement direction of the balls 46 is further reduced, and the load is applied to the balls 46. In the region of the infinite circulation path 28 that acts, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the balls 46 that can be loaded with a load.

Furthermore, each end portion is linearly connected to the ridge line on the side where the end portions face each other in the arrangement direction of the balls 46, and therefore has no remarkable convex shape at the end portion. For example, when the rolling element housing belt 50 is handled, the protruding end portion is not easily broken.
Further, FIG. 7 shows another configuration of the end portion as a second modification.
In this example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a ball 46 is interposed between opposing ends. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing the state before the ball 46 is interposed between the opposite ends, and FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing the state where the ball 46 is interposed.

  The connecting arm portion 52B which is a non-projecting portion in this example is the same as that in the above-described embodiment. The connecting arm portion 52E, which is a protruding portion, is formed so as to protrude toward the side where the end portions face each other in the arrangement direction of the balls 46, and follows the ball 46 interposed between the end portions. It has a concave curved surface 55a. The protruding tip end of the connecting arm 52E is chamfered in an arc shape. In addition, as for the edge parts which oppose, the connection arm part 52E which is a protrusion part in one end, and the connection arm part 52B which is a non-protrusion part in the other end are facing similarly to the said embodiment. Here, the concave curved surface 55a is an arc having substantially the same curvature as the ball receiving hole 55, and the ball 46 can be restrained in the same manner as the other ball receiving holes 55 by combining the connecting arm portions 52E. It has become.

  Even in such a configuration, the pair of connecting arm portions 52 at each end can enter the step of the guide groove 60 while shifting the timing one side at a time, and the same operations and effects as in the above embodiment can be achieved. it can. Further, in this example, the ball 46 is interposed between the opposing end portions, and the ball 46 is restrained by the concave curved surfaces 55a of the pair of connecting arm portions 52E at each end portion. In the region where a load acts on the ball 46 at 28, a decrease in the number of balls 46 that can be loaded can be more suitably suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the load resistance performance of the linear guide 10 from being lowered.

Further, FIG. 8 shows another configuration of the end portion as a third modification.
This example is substantially the same as the second modification except that the two balls 46 are interposed between the opposing ends and the shape of the protruding tip of the connecting arm 52F.
That is, in this example, as shown in the figure, two balls 46 are interposed between the opposing ends, and each ball 46 is restrained at the end on each side. In addition, the shape of the protruding end portion of the connecting arm portion 52F is such that the ridge line on the side where the end portions face each other is a straight line, and the corner portion is chamfered at about 45 degrees in the second modification. It is different.

  Even with such a configuration, the same operations and effects as the above-described embodiment can be achieved. Furthermore, in this example, since the spacer 51 of the end of the rolling element housing belt is substantially unnecessary, in the region where the load acts on the ball 46 in the endless circulation path 28 as in the above-described modification 2, A decrease in the number of balls 46 that can be loaded can be more suitably suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the load resistance performance of the linear guide 10 from being lowered.

Further, FIG. 9 shows another configuration of the end portion as a fourth modification.
This example is different from the above-described embodiment and each modified example in that it further includes a connection structure that connects opposite ends so as to be movable with respect to each other.
That is, in this example, as shown in the figure, at one end (the left end in the figure), a connecting space having a bottomed hole 56a extending in the direction in which the balls 46 are arranged in the center thereof. A seat 56 is provided. The other end portion is connected to the bottomed hole 56a of the connecting spacer portion 56. The connecting shaft portion has an outer shape that fits inside with an appropriate gap so as to be movable in the alignment direction of the balls 46. A connecting spacer 57 having 57a is provided. The connecting spacers 56 and 57 have spherical concave surfaces that follow the curved surfaces of the balls 46 similar to the spacers 51 on the surfaces facing the ball receiving holes 55 located at the ends. Each has.

  According to such a configuration, the same operation and effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained, and the opposing ends are connected to each other by the connecting spacers 56 and 57, so that the direction change path 24 can be connected. Thus, the circulation of the rolling element row 62 can be further stabilized. Further, in this example, since the connecting spacers 56 and 57 are connected so as to be movable in the arrangement direction of the balls 46, the tolerance of the dimensional accuracy of the entire length of the rolling element containing belt 50 is increased. be able to. Therefore, there exists an effect that manufacture can be made easy.

Further, FIG. 10 shows another configuration of the end portion as a fifth modification.
This example is different from the above-described modification 4 in that it includes a connecting structure that holds opposite ends so as not to move with respect to each other.
That is, in this example, as shown in the figure, one end (the left end in the figure) has a bottomed hole 56a extending in the alignment direction of the balls 46 at the center thereof, In addition, a connecting spacer portion 56 having a widened portion 56b extending in the width direction of the rolling element housing belt 50 is provided at the bottom of the bottomed hole 56a. The other end portion has a connecting shaft portion 57a having an outer shape that fits into the bottomed hole 56a of the connecting spacer portion 56 with a gap, and is formed at the tip of the connecting shaft portion 57a. In addition, a connecting spacer 57 having a latching portion 57b having a width wider than the width of the bottomed hole 56a is provided so as to be latched on the widened portion 56b.

According to such a configuration, the same operation and effect as in the above embodiment are achieved, and the end portions are connected to each other by the connecting spacer portions 56 and 57. The circulation of the moving body row 62 can be further stabilized. Further, in this example, the connecting spacers 56 and 57 are connected to the widened portion 56b so as not to move in the arrangement direction of the balls 46, so that the connecting portions are connected to the balls 46. Does not move in the direction of the line. Therefore, more reliable connection is possible, and there is an effect that the connection portion is difficult to come off during use.
In addition, the said embodiment and each modification are not limited to the individual example demonstrated above, Of course, the change and combination of a mutual component can be implemented suitably.

It is a perspective view which shows the linear guide of one Embodiment of the linear motion guide apparatus provided with the rolling element accommodation belt which concerns on this invention. FIG. 4A is a front view with the end cap of the linear guide shown in FIG. 1 removed. FIG. 4B is a diagram for explaining a modification thereof. 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 which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the both ends of a rolling element accommodation belt are mutually opposing in an infinite circulation path. It is a figure explaining the modification (modification 1) of the edge part of a rolling element accommodation belt. It is a figure explaining the modification (modification 2) of the edge part of a rolling element accommodation belt. It is a figure explaining the modification (modification 3) of the edge part of a rolling element accommodation belt. It is a figure explaining the modification (modification 4) of the edge part of a rolling element accommodation belt. It is a figure explaining the modification (modification 5) of the edge part of a rolling element accommodation belt.

Explanation of symbols

10 Linear guide (linear motion guide device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Guide rail 14 Rolling element guide surface 16 Slider 17 Slider main 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 element accommodation belt 51 Spacer part 52 Connection arm part 55 Ball accommodation hole 60 Guide groove 62 Rolling element row

Claims (2)

A plurality of rolling elements are provided in an infinite circulation path that circulates while rolling, and are used in a linear guide device that has a guide groove extending in the direction in which the rolling elements are arranged in the infinite circulation path. And a pair of spacers that are connected to each other on both sides in the width direction of the infinite circulation path and that project outward from the end surface of the spacer and are guided by the guide grooves. A rolling element containing belt comprising a connecting arm part, and aligning the rolling elements in an alignment direction in the endless circulation path,
The pair of connecting arm portions have end portions in the arrangement direction, and the end portions of the pair of connecting arm portions move back and forth in the arrangement direction toward the side where the end portions face each other. The rolling elements are interposed between the ends, and each has a concave curved surface following the rolling elements interposed between the ends, The concave curved surface is configured such that the rolling elements interposed between the end portions can be restrained by combining the connecting arm portions whose end portions face each other in the arrangement direction of the rolling elements. A rolling element housing belt for a linear motion guide device. A linear motion guide device comprising the rolling element housing belt for the linear motion guide device according to claim 1.

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