JP4992402B2 - Linear motion guidance device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a linear motion guide device used for a machine tool, an injection molding machine, or the like.

Linear motion guide devices used for machine tools, injection molding machines, etc. move the slider relative to the guide rail by moving the rolling elements while rolling in the rolling element rolling path. ing.
Such a linear motion guide device suppresses noise generated during operation, and in order to operate the linear motion guide device smoothly, by keeping the interval between adjacent rolling elements at a predetermined distance, A separator is provided to prevent contact between moving bodies.
An example of such a separator is shown in FIG. The separator 8 includes a disc-shaped spacer portion 26 interposed between adjacent balls 6 and a connecting portion 28 that connects the adjacent spacer portions 26 to each other.

  The spacer 26 is provided with a pair of recesses 32 a and 32 b that are slidably in contact with the outer periphery of the ball 6. The connecting portion 28 is movably fitted in a connecting portion guide groove formed in the rolling element rolling path. When the ball 6 moves, the connecting portion 28 moves in the connecting portion guide groove as the ball 6 moves. Move on rolling element rolling path. The connecting part guide groove is formed continuously along the rolling element rolling path, and the load guide part formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove of the slider and the return formed in the rolling element return path. It is comprised from the guide part and the curve guide part formed in the direction change path. Further, the rolling elements 34 are constituted by the balls 6 and the separators 8. FIG. 17 shows a part of the rolling element row 34 in the rolling element rolling path. Since this separator 8 can hold the balls 6 by the recesses 32a and 32b, it is possible to prevent the adjacent balls 6 from contacting each other and to facilitate the assembly of the linear motion guide device. Is possible.

  There is also a separator as shown in FIG. The separator 8 has the same configuration as the separator 8 described above, that is, the separator 8 shown in FIG. 17 except that the recess portion is not provided in the spacer portion 26. That is, the separator 8 keeps the interval between the adjacent balls 6 at a predetermined interval, but does not hold these balls 6. FIG. 18 shows a part of the rolling element row 34 in the rolling element rolling path.

  Conventionally used separators including the separators described above are formed of an elastic material such as an elastomer and can be bent according to the shape of the rolling element rolling path. And the connection part with which these separators are provided is curved along the shape of the curved guide part when passing through the curved guide part. The necessary force is larger than the force necessary to bend the portion near the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the separator. For this reason, when the rigidity of the separator is high, when the connecting portion moves from the load guide portion or the return guide portion to the curved guide portion, the portions of the connecting portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator are not smoothly bent. There is a risk that the load guide unit or the return guide unit may be caught between the curved guide unit. If the parts on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator of the connecting part are caught between the load guide part or the return guide part and the curved guide part, smooth movement of the separator is hindered, and the rolling element row Since smooth movement is hindered, the operability of the linear motion guide device is reduced. Therefore, in order to improve the operability of the linear motion guide device, it is necessary to smoothly curve the both ends of the connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the separator so that the separator moves smoothly in the connecting portion guide groove. is there.

Therefore, the rigidity of the separator is reduced by adjusting the hardness of the material for molding the separator, and the connecting portion is directly provided with a separator that is molded so that both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator are smoothly curved. There is a motion guide device.
Moreover, the linear motion guide which can smoothly bend the part of the both ends of the separator in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion without changing the rigidity of the separator and can move the separator smoothly in the connecting portion guide groove. As the device, for example, there are the following two types of linear motion guide devices.

  The first linear motion guide device is provided with a chamfered portion in a spacer portion located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator as described in Patent Document 1, and the shape of this chamfered portion is determined by the separator being a connecting portion. When the guide groove is moved, the linear guide device is formed in such a manner that portions on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator in the connecting portion are guided from the load guide portion or the return guide portion to the curved guide portion. In this linear motion guide device, a mechanism for holding the rolling elements is not formed between the spacers on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator.

  Further, the second linear motion guide device is provided with guide pieces projecting from the spacer portions at the spacer portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator as described in Patent Document 2, and this guide This is a linear motion guide device in which the shape of the piece is formed such that portions on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator in the connecting portion are guided from the load guide portion or the return guide portion to the curved guide portion. In this linear motion guide device, since the guide piece protrudes from the spacer portion, similarly to the linear motion guide device described in Patent Document 1, between the spacer portions on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator, A mechanism for holding the rolling elements is not formed.

Moreover, as a linear motion guide apparatus which can move a rolling element row | line | column smoothly in a rolling element rolling path, there exists a thing as described in patent document 3, for example. This linear motion guide device projects the inner peripheral surface of the direction changing path from the inner peripheral surface of the load rolling path to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path at the portion where the direction changing path and the load rolling path are connected. A step is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the direction change path and the inner peripheral surface of the load rolling path. With such a linear motion guide device, the rolling elements that enter the load rolling path from the direction change path are prevented from being caught on the edge of the load rolling path. It becomes possible to smoothly feed into the region or from the no-load region to the load region, and it is possible to smoothly move the rolling element row in the rolling element rolling path.
JP 2002-122136 A (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent No. 3263005 (FIG. 11) Japanese Patent No. 3420204 (FIG. 5)

However, among the above-described conventional linear motion guide devices, in the linear motion guide device in which the hardness of the material for molding the separator is adjusted, the rigidity of the separator is lowered, and thus the durability of the separator is lowered. May occur.
Among the conventional linear motion guide devices described above, in the linear motion guide devices described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a mechanism that holds the rolling elements between the spacers on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator. Not formed. For this reason, the number of rolling elements that can be loaded in the rolling element rolling path is reduced, which may cause a problem that the load capacity of the linear motion guide device is reduced.

  In addition, as a problem common to the above-described conventional linear motion guide device, it is difficult to form a joint portion between the load guide portion and the curved guide portion and a joint portion between the return guide portion and the curved guide portion. There is a problem. For this reason, the problem that the level | step difference as shown in FIG. 19 will be formed in the junction part of a load guide part and a curved guide part, and the junction part of a return guide part and a curved guide part generate | occur | produces.

  As shown in FIG. 19, this step is such that the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42 is more rolling than the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 and the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40. The outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42 protrudes to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 from the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 and the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40. Is formed. If such a step is formed, the connecting portion may be caught by the step during the operation of the linear motion guide device, which may cause a problem that the operability of the linear motion guide device is lowered. Further, when the linear motion guide device is operated, the sliding resistance between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is increased, and wear generated in the connecting portion may be increased, so that the durability of the separator is reduced. Problems may arise. In FIG. 19, for the sake of explanation, the rolling element rolling path 24 (the rolling element return path 18, the load rolling path 20, and the direction changing path 22) and the connecting portion guide groove (the load guide portion 38, the return guide). Only the part 40 and the curved guide part 42) are described.

This problem is caused by the mounting accuracy of the end cap on which the curved guiding portion is formed and the molding accuracy of the end cap with respect to the slider body on which the load guiding portion and the return guiding portion are formed. In order to improve this, there is a possibility that problems such as a decrease in efficiency of assembly work and an increase in manufacturing cost may occur.
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and can prevent the durability of the separator and the load capacity of the linear motion guide device from being lowered, and can improve the operability. It is an object of the present invention to provide a possible linear motion guide device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention includes a guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on an outer surface, and the rail-side rolling element rolling groove. A slider main body having an opposing slider-side rolling element rolling groove and strung over the guide rail so as to be relatively movable, and having a linear rolling element return path, and joined to both axial end surfaces of the slider main body. And an end cap formed with an arcuate direction change path that connects the linear load rolling path formed between the rolling grooves and the rolling element return path, the load rolling path, and the rolling path. A plurality of rolling elements that are movably loaded in a rolling element rolling path formed from a moving body return path and the direction changing path, and the rolling elements are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval and the plurality of rolling elements. As the rolling elements of the Includes a closed end like separator moving body rolling path, the,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
The portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from the portion on the load guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, the portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion is projected to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path rather than the portion on the load guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. . For this reason, it is possible to prevent the portions on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator of the connecting portion from being caught between the load guide portion and the curved guide portion when moving from the load guide portion to the curved guide portion. It becomes.

Next, the invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, and is directed to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path of the curved guide portion side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion. The relational expression of A1 <B / 2 is established, where A1 is a protruding amount and B is a gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove.
According to the present invention, the amount of protrusion of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is less than half of the gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove. Yes. For this reason, a gap is formed between the connecting portion, the load guide portion, and the bending guide portion when portions of the connecting portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator move from the load guide portion to the bending guide portion. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion from being caught between the load guide portion and the bending guide portion.

Next, the invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 1 or 2 , wherein an inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion is provided on a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion on the curved guide portion side. It is formed.
According to the present invention, the inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion is formed on the curved guide portion side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion. For this reason, when the connecting portion moves from the load guide portion to the bending guide portion, when the connecting portion comes into contact with the inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion, the connecting portion moves along the shape of the inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion. The connecting portion can be moved smoothly.

Next, an invention described in claim 4 is the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a load guide portion side portion of an inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion is loaded with a load. A side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed.
According to the present invention, the load-side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed on the load guide portion side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. For this reason, when the connecting portion moves from the load guide portion to the bending guide portion, when the connecting portion comes into contact with the load-side inner peripheral curved guide chamfer portion, the connecting portion follows the shape of the load-side inner peripheral curved guide chamfer portion. Therefore, the connecting portion can be moved smoothly.

Next, the invention described in claim 5 includes a guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on an outer surface, and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path that is straddled so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail, and joined to both end surfaces in the axial direction of the slider body and from between the rolling element rolling grooves. An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that connects the linear load rolling path and the rolling element return path, and the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements that are slidably loaded in the rolling element rolling path, the rolling elements are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval, and the rolling elements Ended separator moving in rolling element rolling path Includes a chromatography data, the,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
The portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from the portion on the return guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, the curved guide portion side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from the return guide portion side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. . For this reason, it is possible to prevent the portions of the connecting portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator from being caught between the return guide portion and the curved guide portion when moving from the return guide portion to the curved guide portion. It becomes.

Next, the invention described in claim 6 is the invention described in claim 5, and is directed to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path of the curved guide part side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide part. When the projecting amount of A2 is A2 and the clearance between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is B, the relational expression A2 <B / 2 is established.
According to the present invention, the protrusion amount of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is less than half of the gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove. Yes. For this reason, a gap is formed between the connecting portion, the load guide portion, and the bending guide portion when the portions of the connecting portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator move from the return guide portion to the bending guide portion. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion from being caught between the return guide portion and the curved guide portion.

Next, the invention described in claim 7 is the invention described in claim 5 or 6 , wherein an inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion is provided on a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side. It is formed.
According to the present invention, the inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion is formed on the curved guide portion side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion. For this reason, when the connecting portion moves from the return guide portion to the curved guide portion, if the connecting portion comes into contact with the inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion, the connecting portion moves along the shape of the inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion. The connecting portion can be moved smoothly.

Next, the invention described in claim 8 is the invention described in any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the return guide portion side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion is returned to the return guide portion side. A side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed.
According to the present invention, the return-side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed on the return guide portion side portion of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. For this reason, when the connecting portion moves from the return guide portion to the curved guide portion, if the connecting portion comes into contact with the return side inner curved guide chamfer portion, the connecting portion follows the shape of the return side inner curved guide chamfer portion. Therefore, the connecting portion can be moved smoothly.

Next, the invention described in claim 9 is provided with a guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on an outer surface, and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path that is straddled so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail, and joined to both end surfaces in the axial direction of the slider body and from between the rolling element rolling grooves. An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that connects the linear load rolling path and the rolling element return path, and the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements that are slidably loaded in the rolling element rolling path, the rolling elements are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval, and the rolling elements Ended separator moving in rolling element rolling path Includes a chromatography data, the,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
The curved guide portion side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from the load guide portion side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. It is what.

  According to the present invention, the portion on the curved guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path rather than the portion on the load guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the portions of the connecting portion at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator from being caught between the load guide portion and the curved guide portion when moving from the curved guide portion to the load guide portion. It becomes.

Next, an invention described in claim 10 is the invention described in claim 9 , wherein the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion on the curved guide portion side toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path. When the protruding amount is A3 and the gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is B, the relational expression of A3 <B / 2 is established.
According to the present invention, the protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is less than half of the gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove. . For this reason, a gap is formed between the connecting portion, the curved guide portion, and the load guide portion when portions of both ends of the connecting portion in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion move from the curved guide portion to the load guide portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion from being caught between the bending guide portion and the load guide portion.

Next, the invention described in claim 11 is the invention described in claim 9 or 10 , wherein an outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion on the curved guide portion side. It is characterized by this.
According to the present invention, the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion is formed in the curved guide portion side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion. For this reason, when the connecting portion moves from the curved guide portion to the load guide portion, if the connecting portion comes into contact with the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion, the connecting portion moves along the shape of the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion. The part can be moved smoothly. Further, when the connecting portion moves from the load guide portion to the bending guide portion, the connecting portion moves along the shape of the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion when the connecting portion comes into contact with the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion. Can be moved smoothly.

Next, the invention described in claim 12 is the invention described in any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the load guide portion side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion is connected to the load side. The outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed.
According to the present invention, the load-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed on the load guide portion side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. For this reason, when the connecting portion moves from the curved guide portion to the load guide portion, when the connecting portion comes into contact with the load side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer portion, the connecting portion moves along the shape of the load side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer portion. Therefore, it becomes possible to move the connecting portion smoothly.

Next, the invention described in claim 13 is provided with a guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on the outer surface, and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path that is straddled so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail, and joined to both end surfaces in the axial direction of the slider body and from between the rolling element rolling grooves. An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that connects the linear load rolling path and the rolling element return path, and the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements that are slidably loaded in the rolling element rolling path, the rolling elements are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval, and the rolling elements Ended cell moving in rolling element rolling path Includes a regulator, the,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side is protruded to an outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side ;
When the protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is A4 and the clearance between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is B In addition, the relational expression of A4 <B / 2 is established .

According to the present invention, the portion on the curved guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path rather than the portion on the return guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the portions of the connecting portion at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator from being caught between the return guide portion and the curved guide portion when moving from the curved guide portion to the return guide portion. It becomes.
Further, according to the present invention, the protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is less than half of the gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove. ing. For this reason, a gap is formed between the connecting portion, the curved guide portion, and the return guide portion when portions of the connecting portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator move from the curved guide portion to the return guide portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion from being caught between the bending guide portion and the return guide portion.

Next, an invention described in claim 14 is provided with a guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on an outer surface, and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path that is straddled so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail, and joined to both end surfaces in the axial direction of the slider body and from between the rolling element rolling grooves. An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that connects the linear load rolling path and the rolling element return path, and the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements that are slidably loaded in the rolling element rolling path, the rolling elements are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval, and the rolling elements Ended cell moving in rolling element rolling path Includes a regulator, the,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side is protruded to an outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side;
A return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed at a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side .
According to the present invention, the amount of protrusion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is less than half of the gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove. . For this reason, a gap is formed between the connecting portion, the curved guide portion, and the return guide portion when portions of the connecting portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator move from the curved guide portion to the return guide portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion from being caught between the bending guide portion and the return guide portion.
Further, according to the present invention, the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed on the return guide portion side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. For this reason, when the connecting portion moves from the curved guide portion to the return guide portion, when the connecting portion comes into contact with the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer portion, the connecting portion moves along the shape of the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer portion. Therefore, it becomes possible to move the connecting portion smoothly. Further, when the connecting portion moves from the return guide portion to the curved guide portion, when the connecting portion comes into contact with the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer portion, the connecting portion moves along the shape of the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer portion. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly move the connecting portion.

Next, the invention described in claim 15 includes a guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on an outer surface, and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path that is straddled so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail, and joined to both end surfaces in the axial direction of the slider body and from between the rolling element rolling grooves. An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that connects the linear load rolling path and the rolling element return path, and the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements that are slidably loaded in the rolling element rolling path, the rolling elements are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval, and the rolling elements Ended cell moving in rolling element rolling path Includes a regulator, the,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side is protruded to an outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side;
When the protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is A4 and the clearance between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is B In addition, the relational expression of A4 <B / 2 is established,
A return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed at a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side .
According to the present invention, the portion on the curved guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path rather than the portion on the return guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the portions of the connecting portion at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator from being caught between the return guide portion and the curved guide portion when moving from the curved guide portion to the return guide portion. It becomes.
Further, according to the present invention, the protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is less than half of the gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove. ing. For this reason, a gap is formed between the connecting portion, the curved guide portion, and the return guide portion when portions of the connecting portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator move from the curved guide portion to the return guide portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion from being caught between the bending guide portion and the return guide portion.
Further, according to the present invention, the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed on the return guide portion side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. For this reason, when the connecting portion moves from the curved guide portion to the return guide portion, when the connecting portion comes into contact with the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer portion, the connecting portion moves along the shape of the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer portion. Therefore, it becomes possible to move the connecting portion smoothly. Further, when the connecting portion moves from the return guide portion to the curved guide portion, when the connecting portion comes into contact with the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer portion, the connecting portion moves along the shape of the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer portion. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly move the connecting portion.

Next, an invention described in claim 16 is the invention described in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein an outer peripheral return is provided on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide part on the curved guide part side. A guide chamfered portion is formed.
According to the present invention , the outer peripheral return guide chamfered portion is formed on the curved guide portion side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion. For this reason, when the connecting portion moves from the curved guide portion to the return guide portion, if the connecting portion comes into contact with the outer peripheral return guide chamfer portion, the connecting portion moves along the shape of the outer peripheral return guide chamfer portion. The part can be moved smoothly.

Next, the invention described in claim 17 includes a guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on an outer surface, and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path that is straddled so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail, and joined to both end surfaces in the axial direction of the slider body and from between the rolling element rolling grooves. An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that connects the linear load rolling path and the rolling element return path, and the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements that are slidably loaded in the rolling element rolling path, the rolling elements are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval, and the rolling elements Ended cell moving in rolling element rolling path Includes a regulator, the,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion on the load guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion;
The portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from the portion on the return guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a portion of the connecting portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator from being caught between the return guide portion and the curved guide portion when moving from the return guide portion to the curved guide portion. In addition, when moving from the load guide portion to the bending guide portion, it is possible to prevent the load guide portion and the bending guide portion from being caught.

Next, according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on an outer surface, and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path that is straddled so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail, and joined to both end surfaces in the axial direction of the slider body and from between the rolling element rolling grooves. An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that connects the linear load rolling path and the rolling element return path, and the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements that are slidably loaded in the rolling element rolling path, the rolling elements are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval, and the rolling elements Ended cell moving in rolling element rolling path Includes a regulator, the,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion on the curved guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path rather than a portion on the load guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion;
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side is protruded to an outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side. It is what.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the portions of the connecting portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator from being caught between the load guide portion and the curved guide portion when moving from the curved guide portion to the load guide portion. In addition, when moving from the curved guide part to the return guide part, it is possible to prevent the hook from being caught between the return guide part and the curved guide part.

Next, the invention described in claim 19 includes a guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on an outer surface, and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path that is straddled so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide rail, and joined to both end surfaces in the axial direction of the slider body and from between the rolling element rolling grooves. An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that connects the linear load rolling path and the rolling element return path, and the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements that are slidably loaded in the rolling element rolling path, the rolling elements are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval, and the rolling elements Ended cell moving in rolling element rolling path Includes a regulator, the,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion on the load guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion;
A portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion is projected to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path rather than a portion on the return guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion;
A portion on the curved guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path rather than a portion on the load guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion;
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side is protruded to an outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side. It is what.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the portions of the connecting portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator from being caught between the load guide portion and the curved guide portion when moving from the load guide portion to the curved guide portion. In addition, when moving from the return guide unit to the curved guide unit, it is possible to prevent the hook from being caught between the return guide unit and the curved guide unit. In addition, it is possible to prevent the portions on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator of the connecting portion from being caught between the load guide portion and the curved guide portion when moving from the curved guide portion to the load guide portion. At the same time, when moving from the curved guide part to the return guide part, it is possible to prevent the hook from being caught between the return guide part and the curved guide part.

Next, an invention described in claim 20 is the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 19 , wherein at least a portion on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator is not included in the connecting portion. A curved connecting portion curved in a direction along the bending direction of the bending guide portion in a load state;
When the radius of curvature of the curved connecting portion is R1 and the radius of curvature of the curved guide portion is R2, the relational expression R1 ≧ R2 is established.

According to the present invention, when the rolling element and the separator move in the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part that moves from the load guide part or the return guide part to the curved guide part is provided with the load guide part or the return guide part and the curved guide. It is possible to prevent the unit from being caught between the parts.
In addition, according to the present invention, since the portion protruding from both the spacers in the longitudinal direction of the separator is not formed in the spacers at the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator, A mechanism for holding the rolling elements can be formed.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the sliding resistance between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is equalized when the linear motion guide device is operated, vibration generated when the linear motion guide device is operated can be suppressed. It becomes possible.
In addition, according to the present invention, when the separator is new, such as immediately after the assembly of the linear motion guide device, the radius of curvature of the curved guide portion is not loaded when the portions on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator are unloaded. It will be curved corresponding to. For this reason, when the rolling element and the separator move in the rolling element rolling path from the start of use of the linear motion guide device, the connecting part that moves from the load guide part or the return guide part to the curved guide part is provided with the load guide. It is possible to prevent the part or the return guide part and the curved guide part from being caught.

Next, an invention described in claim 21 is the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 20 , wherein the material forming the separator is a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic elastomer. It is a feature.
According to the present invention, since the material forming the separator is thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer, when the separator is heated during use of the linear motion guide device, the separator is softened and easily bent. Further, when the separator softened by heating is cooled, the softened separator is cured.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly move the separator within the connecting portion guide groove without reducing the durability of the separator, so that the durability of the separator and the load capacity of the linear motion guide device are reduced. This can be prevented and the operability of the linear motion guide device can be improved.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the case where a ball is used as the rolling element will be described as an example. However, the configuration of the rolling element is not limited to this, and a cylindrical roller may be used as the rolling element, for example. Good.
First, the configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the same components as those shown in FIGS. 17 to 19 will be described with the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a linear motion guide device 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the linear motion guide device 1 of this embodiment includes a guide rail 2, a slider 4 straddling the guide rail 2 so as to be relatively movable with the guide rail 2, and a plurality of balls made of steel balls. 6 and a separator 8.
The guide rail 2 has a rail-side rolling element rolling groove 10 extending in the axial direction on the outer surface.

  The slider 4 includes a slider body 12 and end caps 14 respectively joined to both end surfaces in the axial direction of the slider body 12. The slider body 12 has a slider-side rolling element rolling groove 16 that faces the rail-side rolling element rolling groove 10 and a linear rolling element return path 18 that is parallel to the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 16. ing. A linear load rolling path 20 is formed between the rail-side rolling element rolling groove 10 and the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 16. The end cap 14 has an arcuate direction changing path 22 that allows the load rolling path 20 and the rolling element return path 18 to communicate with each other. In addition, a rolling element rolling path 24 is formed by the rolling element return path 18, the load rolling path 20 and the direction changing path 22, and a plurality of balls 6 are rolled in the rolling element rolling path 24. It is loaded freely. Adjacent balls 6 are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval by a separator 8.

The separator 8 is formed of a plurality of disc-shaped spacer portions 26 and a connecting portion 28 that connects the adjacent spacer portions 26 to each other. The spacer part 26 and the connecting part 28 are made of thermoplastics such as Toyobo's Perprene (trade name), Toray Du Pont's Hytrel (trade name), Mitsubishi Chemical's Primalui (trade name), and the like. The separator 8 is formed by integrally molding the spacer part 26 and the connecting part 28 thus formed.
Each spacer portion 26 is interposed between adjacent balls 6, and slidably contacts the outer periphery of the ball 6 as a holding portion of the ball 6 with a flat portion 30 facing the ball 6. A recess 32 is provided.

  The connecting portion 28 is formed to be bendable along the rolling element rolling path 24, and the rolling element row 34 including the balls 6 and the separator 8 is endless in the rolling element rolling path 24. Adjacent spacers 26 are connected to each other. That is, in the rolling element rolling path 24, the adjacent spacer parts 26 except for the spacer part 26 a at both ends are connected by the connecting part 28, and the rolling element rolling path 24 has a single rolling element rolling path 24. One separator 8 is arranged. Moreover, the connection part 28 is fitted in the connection part guide groove (not shown) formed in the rolling-element rolling path 24 so that a movement is possible.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, the configuration of the connecting portion guide groove and the rolling element rolling path 24 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the connecting portion guide groove.
As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting portion guide groove 36 is formed in a continuous shape along the rolling element rolling path 24, and is a linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove 16. 38, a linear return guide portion 40 formed in the rolling element return path 18, and an arcuate curved guide portion 42 formed in the direction change path 22. In addition, the alternate long and short dash line indicated as R2 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle III in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 is a portion of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 on the curved guide portion 42 side, and the load guide portion of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. It is formed so as to protrude to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 rather than the portion on the 38 side.
In addition, the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 has a protruding amount of the portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 as A1. 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36 are formed so that the relational expression of A1 <B / 2 is established, where B is B.

  An inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion 50 is formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38. The inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion 50 may be configured such that the connecting portion between the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 and the slider body side facing surface 48 is an R chamfer, or the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion 38. The connecting portion between 44 and the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42 may be R chamfered. Further, the configuration of the inner peripheral load guide chamfer 50 may be a C chamfer instead of an R chamfer.

  A load side inner circumferential curved guide chamfered portion 54 is formed at a portion of the inner circumferential surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42 on the load guide portion 38 side. The configuration of the load side inner curved guide chamfer 54 may be an R chamfer at the connecting portion between the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide 42 and the end cap side facing surface 52. The connecting portion between the peripheral surface 46 and the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 may be an R chamfer. Further, the configuration of the load side inner curved guide chamfer 54 may be C chamfering instead of R chamfering.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle IV in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 is such that the portion of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 on the curved guide portion 42 side is the return guide portion of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. It is formed so as to protrude to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 rather than the portion on the 40 side.
Further, the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 has an amount of protrusion of the portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24, and is a connecting portion. 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36 are formed so that the relational expression of A2 <B / 2 is established, where B is B.

  An inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion 58 is formed on a portion of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 on the curved guide portion 42 side. The inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion 58 may be configured such that the connection portion between the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 and the slider body-side facing surface 48 is an R chamfer, or the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion 40. A connection portion between the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42 and 56 may be an R chamfer. The configuration of the inner peripheral return guide chamfer 58 may be C chamfering instead of R chamfering.

  A return-side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 60 is formed on a portion of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42 on the return guide portion 40 side. The configuration of the return side inner curved guide chamfered portion 60 may be an R chamfer at the connecting portion between the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42 and the end cap side facing surface 52. The connecting portion between the peripheral surface 46 and the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 may be R chamfered. The configuration of the return side inner curved guide chamfer 60 may be C chamfering instead of R chamfering.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle V in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 is such that the portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 is on the load guide portion 38 side of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. It forms so that it may protrude to the outer peripheral side of the rolling-element rolling path 24 rather than a part.
Further, the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 has a protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 on the curved guide portion 42 side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 as A3, It is formed so that the relational expression of A3 <B / 2 is established, where B is the gap with the connecting portion guide groove 36.

  An outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 66 is formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38. In the configuration of the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 66, the connecting portion between the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 and the slider main body side facing surface 48 may be an R chamfer, and the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 is curved. The connecting portion with the inner peripheral surface 46 of the guide portion 42 may be an R chamfer. Further, the configuration of the configuration of the outer peripheral load guide chamfer 66 may be C chamfering instead of R chamfering.

  A load-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 68 is formed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42 on the load guide portion 38 side. The configuration of the load-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 68 may be an R chamfer at the connection portion between the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42 and the end cap side facing surface 52, and the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. The connecting portion between the load guide portion 38 and the outer peripheral surface 62 may be chamfered. Further, the configuration of the load side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer 68 may be C chamfering instead of R chamfering.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle VI in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide 40 has a portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 on the return guide portion 40 side of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. It forms so that it may protrude to the outer peripheral side of the rolling-element rolling path 24 rather than a part.
Further, the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 has a protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 on the curved guide portion 42 side toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 as A4, When the clearance with the connecting portion guide groove 36 is B, the relational expression A4 <B / 2 is established.

  An outer peripheral return guide chamfered portion 72 is formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40. The outer peripheral return guide chamfered portion 72 may be configured such that the connection portion between the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 and the slider body-side facing surface 48 is an R chamfer, and the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 is curved. The connecting portion with the outer peripheral surface 64 of the guide portion 42 may be an R chamfer. The configuration of the outer peripheral return guide chamfer 72 may be a C chamfer instead of an R chamfer.

  A return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 74 is formed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42 on the return guide portion 40 side. The return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 74 may be configured such that the connection portion between the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42 and the end cap side facing surface 52 is an R-chamfer. The connecting portion between the return guide portion 40 and the outer peripheral surface 70 may be chamfered. Further, the configuration of the return side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer 74 may be a C chamfer instead of an R chamfer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the rolling element row 34.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the connecting portion 28, a portion 28 a that connects the first spacer portion 26 a and the second spacer portion 26 b from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8, and the length of the separator 8. The portion 28b connecting the second spacer portion 26b and the third spacer portion 26c from both ends in the direction is curvedly connected in a direction along the bending direction of the bending guide portion 42 in an unloaded state. Part 76 is configured. The curved connecting portion 76 is set so that the relational expression R1 ≧ R2 is established when the radius of curvature of the curved connecting portion 76 indicated by a one-dot chain line in the drawing is R1 and the radius of curvature of the curved guide portion 42 is R2. Is formed. When the curved guide portion 42 has an elliptical shape, the radius of curvature R2 of the curved guide portion 42 indicates the radius of curvature of the arc portion of the curved guide portion 42.

Next, operations and effects of the linear motion guide device having the above-described configuration will be described.
When the slider 4 moves relative to the guide rail 2 during the operation of the linear guide device 1, the ball 6 in the load rolling path 20 moves at a slower speed than the slider 4 in the moving direction of the slider 4. Then, a U-turn is made in the direction change path 22 on one end side, and the rolling element return path 18 moves while rolling in the reverse direction, and a reverse U-turn is made in the direction change path 22 on the other end side in the load rolling path 20 Repeat the cycle to return to.

  When the slider 4 moves relative to the guide rail 2, the separator 8 moves in the rolling element rolling path 24 as the ball 6 moves. When the ball 6 in the load rolling path 20 makes a U-turn on the direction changing path 22 and moves while rolling on the rolling element return path 18 in the reverse direction, the connecting portion 28 curves from the load guide portion 38. After moving to the guide unit 42, the curve guide unit 42 moves to the return guide unit 40. Further, when the ball 6 in the rolling element return path 18 returns to the load rolling path 20 by making a reverse U-turn on the direction changing path 22, the connecting portion 28 moves from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42. Later, the curve guide unit 42 moves to the load guide unit 38. That is, when the linear motion guide device 1 is operated, the rolling element row 34 circulates infinitely in the rolling element rolling path 24, and the connecting portion 28 circulates infinitely in the connecting portion guide groove 36.

  At this time, the portion 28a and the portion 28b constituting the curved connecting portion 76 of the connecting portion 28 are in an unloaded state, the radius of curvature of the curved connecting portion 76 is set to R1, and the radius of curvature of the curved guiding portion 42 is set. When R2, R1 ≧ R2 is satisfied. That is, of the connecting portion 28, the portions 28 a and 28 b on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 constitute a curved connecting portion 76, and the curved connecting portion 76 corresponds to the radius of curvature R 2 of the curved guiding portion 42. It is curved. For this reason, when the rolling element row 34 moves in the rolling element rolling path 24, even if the bending connection part 76 moves from the load guide part 38 or the return guide part 40 to the bending guide part 42, the bending connection part 76. Is prevented from being caught between the load guide portion 38 or the return guide portion 40 and the curved guide portion 42.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11, a contact state between the connecting portion 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36 when the connecting portion 28 circulates infinitely in the connecting portion guide groove 36 will be described. 8 to 11, illustration of the ball 6 and the spacer 26 is omitted for the sake of explanation.
First, with reference to FIG. 8, the contact state between the bending connecting portion 76, the load guiding portion 38, and the bending guiding portion 42 when the connecting portion 28 moves from the load guiding portion 38 to the bending guiding portion 42 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a contact state between the bending connecting portion 76, the load guiding portion 38, and the bending guiding portion 42 when the connecting portion 28 moves from the load guiding portion 38 to the bending guiding portion 42. 8A to 8D show a state where the bending connecting portion 76 moves from the load guide portion 38 to the bending guide portion 42 in the order shown in FIG. In addition, the arrow described in Fig.8 (a)-(d) has shown the moving direction of the connection part 28. FIG.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a contact state between the bending connecting portion 76 that moves in the load guide portion 38 toward the bending guide portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38.
As shown in FIG. 8A, among the connecting portions 28 that move from the load guide portion 38 to the bending guide portion 42, the bending connecting portion 76 that is the leading side of the rolling element row 34 is the bending portion of the bending connecting portion 76. Since it is curved in the direction along the direction, it moves in the load guide portion 38 toward the curved guide portion 42 in a state of being in contact with the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38. For this reason, while the curved connecting portion 76 moves in the load guide portion 38, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 and the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 is constant or substantially constant, and the curved connecting portion 76 and the load The sliding resistance with the inner peripheral surface 44 of the guide portion 38 is made uniform or substantially uniform.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 that moves in the load guide portion 38 toward the curved guide portion 42 and the inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion 50.
As shown in FIG. 8B, an inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion 50 is formed in a portion of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 on the curved guide portion 42 side. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the load guide portion 38 to the curved guide portion 42, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the inner peripheral load guide chamfer 50, the curved connecting portion 76 becomes the inner peripheral load guide chamfer. Since it moves along the shape of the part 50, it becomes possible to move the curved connection part 76 smoothly.

FIG. 8C is a view showing a contact state between the bending connecting portion 76 moved from the load guide portion 38 to the bending guide portion 42 and the load side inner peripheral bending guide chamfer portion 54.
As shown in FIG. 8C, a load side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 54 is formed on the load guide portion 38 side portion of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the load guide portion 38 to the curved guide portion 42, if the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the load side inner circumferential curved guide chamfer 54, the curved connecting portion 76 is brought into the load side inner side. Since it moves along the shape of the circumferential curved guide chamfered portion 54, the curved connecting portion 76 can be moved smoothly.

FIG. 8D is a view showing a contact state between the bending connecting portion 76 moved to the bending guide portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface 46 of the bending guide portion 42.
As shown in FIG. 8D, the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 is such that the portion of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 on the curved guide portion 42 side is the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. It is formed so as to protrude to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 rather than the portion on the load guide portion 38 side. For this reason, when the bending connecting portion 76 moved from the load guiding portion 38 to the bending guiding portion 42 moves from the load guiding portion 38 to the bending guiding portion 42, the bending connecting portion 76 is connected to the load guiding portion 38 and the bending guiding portion 42. 42 is prevented from being caught between the two.

  In addition, the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 has a protruding amount of the portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 as A1. 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36 are formed so that the relational expression of A1 <B / 2 is established, where B is B. Therefore, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the load guide portion 38 to the curved guide portion 42, a gap is formed between the curved connecting portion 76, the load guide portion 38, and the curved guide portion 42. The portion 76 is prevented from being caught between the load guide portion 38 and the curved guide portion 42.

After the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the load guide portion 38 to the curved guiding portion 42, a portion of the connecting portion 28 closer to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 than the curved connecting portion 76 is the curved connecting portion 76. Subsequently, the load guide unit 38 moves to the bending guide unit 42.
At this time, since the connecting portion 28 is formed to be able to bend along the rolling element rolling path 24, the connecting portion 28 moved from the load guide portion 38 to the bending guide portion 42 follows the shape of the bending guide portion 42. The curved guide 42 is moved by being deformed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76, the curved guide portion 42, and the return guide portion 40 when the connecting portion 28 moves from the curved guide portion 42 to the return guide portion 40 will be described. .
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76, the curved guide portion 42, and the return guide portion 40 when the connecting portion 28 moves from the curved guide portion 42 to the return guide portion 40. 9A to 9C show a state in which the bending connecting portion 76 moves from the bending guide portion 42 to the return guide portion 40 in the order shown in FIG. In addition, the arrows described in FIGS. 9A to 9C indicate the moving direction of the connecting portion 28.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 moving from the curved guide portion 42 toward the return guide portion 40 and the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the connecting portion 28 that moves from the bending guide portion 42 to the return guiding portion 40 is bent in a direction along the bending direction of the bending connecting portion 76, and thus the bending guide portion 42. In the state of being in contact with the outer peripheral surface 64, the curved guide part 42 is moved toward the return guide part 40. For this reason, while the curved connecting portion 76 moves in the curved guiding portion 42, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 and the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guiding portion 42 is constant or substantially constant, and the curved connecting portion 76 and the curved guiding portion are in constant contact. The sliding resistance with the outer peripheral surface 64 of the part 42 is made uniform or substantially uniform.

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 that moves in the curved guide portion 42 toward the return guide portion 40 and the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 74.
As shown in FIG. 9B, a return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 74 is formed on the return guide portion 40 side of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the return guiding portion 40, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer 74, the curved connecting portion 76 returns to the return-side outer peripheral curved portion. Since it moves along the shape of the guide chamfered portion 74, the curved connecting portion 76 can be moved smoothly.

FIG. 9C is a diagram showing a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 moved to the return guide portion 40 and the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40.
As shown in FIG. 9 (c), the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 is such that the portion of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 on the curved guide portion 42 side is the return guide of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. It is formed so as to protrude toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 rather than the portion on the part 40 side. For this reason, the bending connecting portion 76 that moves from the load guiding portion 38 to the bending guiding portion 42 is prevented from being caught between the load guiding portion 38 and the bending guiding portion 42.

Further, the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 has a protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 on the curved guide portion 42 side toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 as A4, When the clearance with the connecting portion guide groove 36 is B, the relational expression A4 <B / 2 is established. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the return guiding portion 40, a gap is formed between the curved connecting portion 76, the curved guiding portion 42, and the returning guide portion 40. The portion 76 is prevented from being caught between the curved guide portion 42 and the return guide portion 40.
After the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the return guiding portion 40, a portion of the connecting portion 28 nearer the center of the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 than the curved connecting portion 76 is the curved connecting portion 76. Subsequently, the curved guide unit 42 moves to the return guide unit 40.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76, the return guide portion 40, and the curved guide portion 42 when the connecting portion 28 moves from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42 will be described. .
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a contact state between the bending connecting portion 76, the return guiding portion 40, and the bending guiding portion 42 when the connecting portion 28 moves from the return guiding portion 40 to the bending guiding portion 42. FIG. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the bending connecting portion 76 moves from the return guide portion 40 to the bending guide portion 42 in the order of FIG. In addition, the arrow described in Fig.10 (a)-(d) has shown the moving direction of the connection part 28. FIG.

FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 moving from the return guide portion 40 toward the curved guide portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40.
As shown in FIG. 10A, among the connecting portions 28 that move from the return guide portion 40 to the bending guide portion 42, the bending connecting portion 76 that is the leading side of the rolling element row 34 is the bending portion of the bending connecting portion 76. Since it is curved in the direction along the direction, it moves in the return guide 40 toward the curved guide 42 while in contact with the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide 40. For this reason, while the curved connecting portion 76 moves within the return guide portion 40, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 and the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 becomes constant or substantially constant, and the curved connecting portion 76 and the return guide portion 40 return. The sliding resistance with the inner peripheral surface 56 of the guide portion 40 is made uniform or substantially uniform.

FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 that moves in the return guide portion 40 toward the curved guide portion 42 and the inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion 58.
As shown in FIG. 10B, an inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion 58 is formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42, if the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the inner peripheral return guide chamfer 58, the curved connecting portion 76 becomes the inner peripheral return guide chamfer. Since it moves along the shape of the part 58, it becomes possible to move the curved connection part 76 smoothly.

FIG. 10C is a diagram showing a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 moved from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42 and the return side inner circumferential curved guide chamfered portion 60.
As shown in FIG. 10 (c), a return-side inner curved guide chamfered portion 60 is formed on the return guide portion 40 side of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the return side inner circumferential curved guide chamfered portion 60, the curved connecting portion 76 is returned to the inner side of the return side. Since it moves along the shape of the circumferential curved guide chamfered portion 60, the curved connecting portion 76 can be moved smoothly.

FIG. 10D is a diagram showing a contact state between the bending connecting portion 76 moved to the bending guide portion 42 and the inner peripheral surface 46 of the bending guide portion 42.
As shown in FIG. 10 (d), the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 is such that the portion of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 on the curved guide portion 42 side is the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. It is formed so as to protrude to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 rather than the portion on the return guide portion 40 side. For this reason, the curved connecting portion 76 that moves from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42 is prevented from being caught between the return guide portion 40 and the curved guide portion 42.

  Further, the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 has an amount of protrusion of the portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24, and is a connecting portion. 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36 are formed so that the relational expression of A2 <B / 2 is established, where B is B. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42, a gap is formed between the curved connecting portion 76 and the return guide portion 40 and the curved guide portion 42. The portion 76 is prevented from being caught between the curved guide portion 42 and the return guide portion 40.

After the curved connecting portion 76 is moved from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guiding portion 42, a portion of the connecting portion 28 closer to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 than the curved connecting portion 76 is the curved connecting portion 76. Subsequently, the return guide 40 moves to the bending guide 42.
At this time, since the connecting portion 28 is formed to be able to bend along the rolling element rolling path 24, the connecting portion 28 moved from the return guide portion 40 to the bending guide portion 42 follows the shape of the bending guide portion 42. The curved guide 42 is moved by being deformed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76, the curved guide portion 42, and the load guide portion 38 when the connecting portion 28 moves from the curved guide portion 42 to the load guide portion 38 will be described. .
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76, the curved guiding portion 42, and the load guiding portion 38 when the connecting portion 28 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the load guiding portion 38. FIG. 11 shows a state in which the bending connecting portion 76 moves from the bending guide portion 42 to the load guide portion 38 in the order of FIG. In addition, the arrow described in Fig.11 (a)-(c) has shown the moving direction of the connection part 28. FIG.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 that moves from the curved guide portion 42 toward the load guide portion 38 and the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the connecting portion 28 that moves from the bending guide portion 42 to the load guide portion 38 is bent in a direction along the bending direction of the bending connecting portion 76, and thus the bending guide portion 42. The curved guide part 42 is moved toward the load guide part 38 in a state in contact with the outer peripheral surface 64. For this reason, while the curved connecting portion 76 moves in the curved guiding portion 42, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 and the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guiding portion 42 is constant or substantially constant, and the curved connecting portion 76 and the curved guiding portion are in constant contact. The sliding resistance with the outer peripheral surface 64 of the part 42 is made uniform or substantially uniform.

FIG. 11B is a view showing a contact state between the bending connecting portion 76 that moves in the return guide portion 40 toward the bending guide portion 42 and the load side outer peripheral bending guide chamfer portion 68.
As shown in FIG. 11B, a load side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 68 is formed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42 on the load guide portion 38 side. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the load guiding portion 38, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the load side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer 68, the curved connecting portion 76 is loaded side outer peripheral curved. Since it moves along the shape of the guide chamfered portion 68, the curved connecting portion 76 can be moved smoothly.

FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating a contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 moved to the load guide portion 38 and the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38.
As shown in FIG. 11C, the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 is a portion of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 on the curved guide portion 42 side, and the load guide of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. It is formed so as to protrude to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 from the portion on the side of the portion 38. Therefore, the bending connecting portion 76 that moves from the bending guide portion 42 to the load guide portion 38 is prevented from being caught between the bending guide portion 42 and the load guide portion 38.

Further, the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 has a protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 on the curved guide portion 42 side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 as A3, It is formed so that the relational expression of A3 <B / 2 is established, where B is the gap with the connecting portion guide groove 36. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the load guiding portion 38, a gap is formed between the curved connecting portion 76, the curved guiding portion 42, and the load guiding portion 38. The portion 76 is prevented from being caught between the curved guide portion 42 and the return guide portion 40.
After the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the load guiding portion 38, a portion of the connecting portion 28 closer to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 than the curved connecting portion 76 is the curved connecting portion 76. Subsequently, the curve guide unit 42 moves to the load guide unit 38.

  Therefore, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the direction along the bending direction of the bending guide portion 42 in an unloaded state by the portions 28a and 28b on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 in the connecting portion 28. The curved connecting portion 76 is curved, and when the curved connecting portion 76 has a radius of curvature R1 and the curved guiding portion 42 has a radius of curvature R2, the relational expression R1 ≧ R2 is obtained. It is formed to be established. That is, since the curved coupling portion 76 is curved corresponding to the curvature radius R2 of the curved guide portion 42, the curved coupling portion 76 is moved when the ball 6 and the separator 8 move in the rolling element rolling path 24. Even if the load guide unit 38 or the return guide unit 40 moves to the curve guide unit 42, the curve connection unit 76 is prevented from being caught between the load guide unit 38 or the return guide unit 40 and the curve guide unit 42. It becomes possible. As a result, the separator 8 can be smoothly moved in the connecting portion guide groove 36, and the rolling element row 34 can be smoothly moved in the rolling element rolling path 24. 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear guide device 1 of the present embodiment, among the plurality of spacers 26, the spacers 26 a on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 are formed in the same shape as the other spacers 26. Therefore, a mechanism for holding the ball 6 can be formed between the adjacent spacers 26a and 26a. As a result, since the number of balls 6 that can be loaded in the rolling element rolling path 24 is prevented from decreasing, the load capacity of the linear motion guiding device 1 can be prevented from decreasing.

  Furthermore, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the direction along the bending direction of the bending guide portion 42 in an unloaded state by the portions 28a and 28b on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 in the connecting portion 28. A curved connecting portion 76 that is curved in a straight line is configured. That is, before the separator 8 is inserted into the connecting portion guide groove 36 in the assembly operation of the linear motion guide device 1, the curved connecting portion 76 is bent corresponding to the curvature radius R <b> 2 of the bending guide portion 42. For this reason, when the ball 6 and the separator 8 move in the rolling element rolling path 24, even if the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the load guide portion 38 or the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42, the curved connecting portion 76 is connected. It is possible to prevent the portion 76 from being caught between the load guide portion 38 or the return guide portion 40 and the curved guide portion 42. As a result, the separator 8 can be smoothly moved in the connecting portion guide groove 36, and the rolling element row 34 can be smoothly moved in the rolling element rolling path 24. 1 makes it possible to obtain good operability.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 is the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 and the portion on the curved guide portion 42 side is the inner periphery of the curved guide portion 42. It is formed so as to protrude to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 from the portion of the surface 46 on the load guide portion 38 side. For this reason, when the bending connecting portion 76 moved from the load guiding portion 38 to the bending guiding portion 42 moves from the load guiding portion 38 to the bending guiding portion 42, the bending connecting portion 76 is connected to the load guiding portion 38 and the bending guiding portion 42. It becomes possible to prevent being caught between 42 and 42, and it becomes possible to improve the operativity of the linear guide device 1.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 is the outer periphery of the rolling element rolling path 24 at the portion of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 on the curved guide portion 42 side. When the protruding amount to the side is A1, and the gap between the connecting portion 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36 is B, the relational expression A1 <B / 2 is established. Therefore, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the load guide portion 38 to the curved guide portion 42, a gap is formed between the curved connecting portion 76, the load guide portion 38, and the curved guide portion 42, and the curved connecting portion 76. Can be prevented from being caught between the load guide portion 38 and the curved guide portion 42, and the operability of the linear guide device 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion 50 is formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the load guide portion 38 to the curved guide portion 42, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the inner peripheral load guide chamfer 50, the curved connecting portion 76 becomes the inner peripheral load guide chamfer. Since it moves along the shape of the part 50 and the curved connecting part 76 moves smoothly, it becomes possible to improve the operability of the linear guide device 1.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the load side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 54 is formed in the portion on the load guide portion 38 side of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the load guide portion 38 to the curved guide portion 42, if the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the load side inner circumferential curved guide chamfer 54, the curved connecting portion 76 is brought into the load side inner side. Since it moves along the shape of the circumferential curved guide chamfered portion 54 and the curved connecting portion 76 moves smoothly, the operability of the linear guide device 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the curved connecting portion 76 that is the leading side of the rolling element row 34 among the connecting portions 28 that move from the load guiding portion 38 to the curved guiding portion 42 is the curved connecting portion 76. Therefore, the load guide unit 38 moves toward the bending guide unit 42 while being in contact with the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide unit 38. For this reason, while the curved connecting portion 76 moves in the load guide portion 38, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 and the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 is constant or substantially constant, and the curved connecting portion 76 and the load The sliding resistance with the inner peripheral surface 44 of the guide portion 38 is made uniform or substantially uniform. As a result, it is possible to suppress vibrations that occur during operation of the linear motion guide device 1.

  In the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 is the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40, and the portion on the curved guide portion 42 side is the inner periphery of the curved guide portion 42. It is formed so as to protrude to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 rather than the portion of the surface 46 on the return guide portion 40 side. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent the curved connecting portion 76 moving from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42 from being caught between the return guide portion 40 and the curved guide portion 42. The operability can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 is an outer periphery of the rolling element rolling path 24 at a portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40. When the projecting amount to the side is A2, and the clearance between the connecting portion 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36 is B, the relational expression A2 <B / 2 is established. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42, a gap is formed between the curved connecting portion 76, the return guide portion 40, and the curved guide portion 42, and the curved connecting portion 76. Can be prevented from being caught between the curved guide portion 42 and the return guide portion 40, and the operability of the linear guide device 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, an inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion 58 is formed in a portion of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 on the curved guide portion 42 side. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42, if the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the inner peripheral return guide chamfer 58, the curved connecting portion 76 becomes the inner peripheral return guide chamfer. Since it moves along the shape of the part 58 and the curved connecting part 76 moves smoothly, it becomes possible to improve the operability of the linear motion guide device 1.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the return-side inner curved guide chamfered portion 60 is formed on the return guide portion 40 side portion of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the return side inner circumferential curved guide chamfered portion 60, the curved connecting portion 76 is returned to the inner side of the return side. Since it moves along the shape of the circumferential curved guide chamfered portion 60 and the curved connecting portion 76 moves smoothly, the operability of the linear guide device 1 can be improved.

  Moreover, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the curved connecting portion 76 that is the leading side of the rolling element row 34 among the connecting portions 28 that move from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guiding portion 42 is the curved connecting portion 76. Therefore, in the state where it is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide part 40, the return guide part 40 moves toward the curved guide part 42. For this reason, while the curved connecting portion 76 moves within the return guide portion 40, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 and the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 becomes constant or substantially constant, and the curved connecting portion 76 and the return guide portion 40 return. The sliding resistance with the inner peripheral surface 56 of the guide portion 40 is made uniform or substantially uniform. As a result, it is possible to suppress vibrations that occur during operation of the linear motion guide device 1.

  Further, in the linear guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 is the portion of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 on the curved guide portion 42 side, and the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42 is. It is formed so as to protrude toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 from the portion on the load guide portion 38 side. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent the bending connecting portion 76 moving from the bending guide portion 42 to the load guide portion 38 from being caught between the bending guide portion 42 and the load guide portion 38. The operability can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 is directed to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 in the portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38. Is formed so that the relational expression of A3 <B / 2 is established, where A3 is the amount of protrusion and B is the gap between the connecting portion 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36. For this reason, when the bending connecting portion 76 moves from the bending guiding portion 42 to the load guiding portion 38, a gap is formed between the bending connecting portion 76, the bending guiding portion 42 and the load guiding portion 38, and the bending connecting portion 76. Can be prevented from being caught between the curved guide portion 42 and the return guide portion 40, and the operability of the linear guide device 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 66 is formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38. Therefore, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the load guiding portion 38, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 66, the curved connecting portion 76 becomes the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 66. Since the curved connecting portion 76 moves smoothly along the shape of the linear guide device 1, the operability of the linear guide device 1 can be improved. In addition, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the load guide portion 38 to the curved guide portion 42, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 66, the curved connecting portion 76 becomes the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 66. Since it moves along a shape and the curved connecting part 76 moves smoothly, it becomes possible to improve the operability of the linear motion guide device 1.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the load side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 68 is formed in the portion on the load guide portion 38 side of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the load guiding portion 38, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the load side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer 68, the curved connecting portion 76 is loaded side outer peripheral curved. Since it moves along the shape of the guide chamfered portion 68 and the curved connecting portion 76 moves smoothly, the operability of the linear guide device 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the connecting portion 28 that moves from the bending guide portion 42 to the load guide portion 38 is bent in a direction along the bending direction of the bending connecting portion 76, so that the bending guide is provided. While in contact with the outer peripheral surface 64 of the part 42, the curved guide part 42 moves toward the load guide part 38. For this reason, while the curved connecting portion 76 moves in the curved guiding portion 42, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 and the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guiding portion 42 is constant or substantially constant, and the curved connecting portion 76 and the curved guiding portion are in constant contact. The sliding resistance with the outer peripheral surface 64 of the part 42 is made uniform or substantially uniform. As a result, it is possible to suppress vibrations that occur during operation of the linear motion guide device 1.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 is the portion of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 on the curved guide portion 42 side and the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. It is formed so as to protrude to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 from the portion on the return guide portion 40 side. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the bending connecting portion 76 moving from the load guiding portion 38 to the bending guiding portion 42 from being caught between the load guiding portion 38 and the bending guiding portion 42. The operability can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 is directed to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 at a portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40. Is formed so that the relational expression of A4 <B / 2 is established, where A4 is the amount of protrusion and B is the gap between the connecting portion 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the return guiding portion 40, a gap is formed between the curved connecting portion 76, the curved guiding portion 42, and the returning guide portion 40. It becomes possible to prevent the part 76 from being caught between the curved guide part 42 and the return guide part 40, and to improve the operability of the linear motion guide device 1.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral return guide chamfered portion 72 is formed on the curved guide portion 42 side portion of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40. Therefore, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the return guiding portion 40, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the outer peripheral return guiding chamfered portion 72, the curved connecting portion 76 becomes the outer peripheral return guiding chamfered portion 72. Since the curved connecting portion 76 moves smoothly along the shape of the linear guide device 1, the operability of the linear guide device 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, a return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 74 is formed at a portion of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42 on the return guide portion 40 side. For this reason, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the curved guiding portion 42 to the return guiding portion 40, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the return-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfer 74, the curved connecting portion 76 returns to the return-side outer peripheral curved portion. Since it moves along the shape of the guide chamfered portion 74 and the curved connecting portion 76 moves smoothly, the operability of the linear guide device 1 can be improved. Further, when the curved connecting portion 76 moves from the return guide portion 40 to the curved guide portion 42, when the curved connecting portion 76 comes into contact with the return side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 74, the curved connecting portion 76 returns to the return side outer peripheral curved guide. Since it moves along the shape of the chamfered portion 74 and the curved connecting portion 76 moves smoothly, the operability of the linear guide device 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the connecting portion 28 that moves from the bending guide portion 42 to the return guide portion 40 is bent in a direction along the bending direction of the bending connecting portion 76, so that the bending guide is provided. While in contact with the outer peripheral surface 64 of the portion 42, the curved guide portion 42 moves toward the return guide portion 40. For this reason, while the curved connecting portion 76 moves in the curved guiding portion 42, the contact state between the curved connecting portion 76 and the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guiding portion 42 is constant or substantially constant, and the curved connecting portion 76 and the curved guiding portion are in constant contact. The sliding resistance with the outer peripheral surface 64 of the part 42 is made uniform or substantially uniform. As a result, it is possible to suppress vibrations that occur during operation of the linear motion guide device 1.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, since the material forming the separator 8 is thermoplastic plastic, when the separator 8 is heated when the linear motion guide device 1 is used, the separator 8 softens. And bend easily. As a result, the separator 8 can be smoothly moved in the connecting portion guide groove 36, and the rolling element row 34 can be smoothly moved in the rolling element rolling path 24. 1 can be improved. Further, when the heated separator 8 is cooled, the softened separator 8 is cured, so that it is possible to prevent the durability of the separator 8 from being lowered.

In the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the separator 8, the rolling element rolling path 24, and the connecting portion guide groove 36 are configured so as to satisfy the following conditions (1) to (5). .
(1) Of the connecting portion 28, the portions 28a and 28b on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 constitute a curved connecting portion 76 that is curved in a direction along the bending direction of the bending guide portion 42 in an unloaded state. The curved connecting portion 76 is formed so that the relational expression of R1 ≧ R2 is established when the radius of curvature of the curved connecting portion 76 is R1 and the radius of curvature of the curved guide portion 42 is R2.

(2) The inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 is a portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38, and the portion on the load guide portion 38 side of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. Rather than projecting toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24.
(3) The inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 is a portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40, and the return guide portion 40 side portion of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. Rather than projecting toward the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24.

(4) The portion of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 on the side of the curved guide portion 42 is moved more than the portion of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42 on the side of the load guide portion 38. It forms so that it may protrude to the outer peripheral side of the moving body rolling path 24. FIG.
(5) The outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide 40 is moved so that the portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 is more than the portion on the return guide portion 40 side of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. It forms so that it may protrude to the outer peripheral side of the moving body rolling path 24. FIG.

  However, the configuration of the linear motion guide device 1 is not limited to this. That is, for example, among the above conditions (1) to (5), only (1) may be satisfied, or only (2) may be satisfied. In short, the configuration of the linear motion guide device 1 can smoothly move the separator 8 in the connecting portion guide groove 36, and can smoothly move the rolling element row 34 in the rolling element rolling path 24. Any configuration is possible.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the concave portion 32 that slidably contacts the outer periphery of the ball 6 as the holding portion of the ball 6 on the flat portion 30 of the spacer portion 26 facing the ball 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, even if the notch 78 is formed in the spacer 26 so as to communicate with the recess 32 and the recess 32 opens to the outer peripheral side of the spacer 26. Good. In this case, it becomes easy to load the balls 6 between the adjacent spacers 26. Also, as shown in FIG. 13, the spacers 26 may not have a holding part for the balls 6. . In this case, the molding process of the spacer 26 is simplified. In short, the spacer 26 may be configured so that the interval between the adjacent balls 6 can be kept at a predetermined interval.

  Furthermore, in the linear motion guide device 1 according to the present embodiment, the curved connecting portion 76 is connected to the first spacer portion 26a and the second spacer portion 26b of the connecting portion 28 from both ends of the separator 8 in the longitudinal direction. And a portion 28b that connects the second spacer portion 26b and the third spacer portion 26c from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8, but is limited to this. is not. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the curved connecting portion 76 is connected to the first spacer portion 26 a and the second spacer portion 26 b from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 in the connecting portion 28. You may comprise only the part 28a to connect. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the curved connecting portion 76 connects the first spacer portion 26 a and the second spacer portion 26 b from the longitudinal ends of the separator 8 in the connecting portion 28. Between the portion 28a, the portion 28b connecting the second spacer portion 26b and the third spacer portion 26c from both longitudinal ends of the separator 8, and the third portion from both longitudinal ends of the separator 8 You may comprise from the part 28c which connects the seat part 26c and the 4th spacer part 26d. In short, it is only necessary that the connecting portion 28 on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 constitutes the curved connecting portion 76, and although not particularly shown, only a part of the connecting portion 28 on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator 8 is used. However, it may be formed so as to be curved in a shape along the curvature radius R1 in an unloaded state, and so that a relational expression of R1 ≧ R2 is satisfied.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the shape of the spacer 26 is a disc shape, but is not limited to this. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the separator 8 is formed into a plate shape and a gap 80 having a shape capable of holding the ball 6 is provided, and the separator 8 is adjacent by a portion between the adjacent gaps 80. A configuration in which the interval between the balls 6 is maintained at a predetermined interval, that is, the spacer portion 26 may be configured.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 is the outer periphery of the rolling element rolling path 24 at the portion of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 on the curved guide portion 42 side. When the amount of protrusion to the side is A1, and the gap between the connecting portion 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36 is B, the relational expression of A1 <B / 2 is established, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not a thing. That is, the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 may be formed so that, for example, the relational expression A1 = B / 2 is established. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 is formed so that the relational expression of A1 <B / 2 is satisfied. This is preferable because the operability can be improved.

  In the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion 50 is formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is not. That is, the inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion 50 may not be formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, forming the inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion 50 on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 44 of the load guide portion 38 is a linear motion guide device. It is preferable because the operability of 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the load side inner circumferential curved guide chamfered portion 54 is formed on the load guide portion 38 side portion of the inner circumferential surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. That is, the load side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 54 may not be formed in the portion of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42 on the load guide portion 38 side. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, it is straightforward to form the load side inner curved guide chamfered portion 54 on the load guide portion 38 side portion of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. This is preferable because the operability of the motion guide device 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the rolling element rolling path 24 of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 is a portion of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 on the curved guide portion 42 side. When the projecting amount to the side is A2 and the clearance between the connecting portion 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36 is B, the relational expression of A2 <B / 2 is established, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not a thing. That is, the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 may be formed so that, for example, the relational expression A2 = B / 2 is established. However, like the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40 is formed so that the relational expression of A2 <B / 2 is satisfied. This is preferable because the operability can be improved.

  Moreover, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion 58 is formed in the curved guide portion 42 side portion of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is not. That is, the inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion 58 may not be formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to form the inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion 58 on the curved guide portion 42 side portion of the inner peripheral surface 56 of the return guide portion 40. It is preferable because the operability of 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the return side inner circumferential curved guide chamfered portion 60 is formed on the return guide portion 40 side of the inner circumferential surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. In other words, the return side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 60 may not be formed on the return guide portion 40 side of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, it is straightforward to form the return side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 60 on the return guide portion 40 side portion of the inner peripheral surface 46 of the curved guide portion 42. This is preferable because the operability of the motion guide device 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 is moved to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 at a portion on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38. Is formed so that the relational expression of A3 <B / 2 is established, where A3 is the amount of protrusion and B is the gap between the connecting portion 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. That is, the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 may be formed so that, for example, the relational expression A3 = B / 2 is satisfied. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 is formed so that the relational expression of A3 <B / 2 is satisfied. It is preferable because it is possible to improve the property.

  In the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 66 is formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . That is, the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 66 may not be formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, forming the outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 66 on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 62 of the load guide portion 38 This is preferable because the operability can be improved.

  In the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the load side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 68 is formed on the load guide portion 38 side portion of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is not. In other words, the load-side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 68 may not be formed in the portion on the load guide portion 38 side of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the load side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 68 is formed on the load guide portion 38 side portion of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. This is preferable because the operability of the apparatus 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide 40 is moved to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path 24 at the portion of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide 40 on the curved guide 42 side. Is formed so that the relational expression of A4 <B / 2 is established, where A4 is the amount of protrusion and B is the gap between the connecting portion 28 and the connecting portion guide groove 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. That is, the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide 40 may be formed so that, for example, the relational expression A4 = B / 2 is established. However, like the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to form the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 so that the relational expression of A4 <B / 2 is satisfied. It is preferable because it is possible to improve the property.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the outer peripheral return guide chamfered portion 72 is formed on the curved guide portion 42 side portion of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . In other words, the outer peripheral return guide chamfered portion 72 may not be formed on the curved guide portion 42 side of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, forming the outer peripheral return guide chamfered portion 72 on the curved guide portion 42 side portion of the outer peripheral surface 70 of the return guide portion 40 This is preferable because the operability can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the return side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 74 is formed on the return guide portion 40 side portion of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. is not. That is, it is good also as a structure which does not form the return side outer periphery curved guide chamfering part 74 in the part by the side of the return guide 40 of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide part 42. FIG. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to form the return side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 74 on the return guide portion 40 side of the outer peripheral surface 64 of the curved guide portion 42. This is preferable because the operability of the apparatus 1 can be improved.

  Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the material forming the separator 8 is a thermoplastic plastic. However, the material is not limited to this, and the material forming the separator 8 may be a thermoplastic elastomer. Good. In short, the separator 8 is softened when the separator 8 is heated, and the separator 8 may be formed of a material that hardens the softened separator 8 when the heated separator 8 is cooled. As the thermoplastic elastomer, for example, polyester elastomers such as Perprene (trade name) manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., Hytrel (trade name) manufactured by Toray Du Pont Co., Ltd., and Primalui (trade name) manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation are used.

  Moreover, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the material for forming the separator 8 is a thermoplastic, that is, a material having thermoplasticity, but is not limited thereto, and the separator 8 is formed. The material may be a material that does not have thermoplasticity. In short, the separator 8 may be formed of a material that allows the connecting portion 28 to be bent along the rolling element rolling path 24. However, in order to improve the operability of the linear motion guide device 1, the material forming the separator 8 is made of a thermoplastic material as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment. Is preferred.

Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, one separator 8 is disposed in one rolling element rolling path 24, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one Two or more separators 8 may be arranged in the rolling element rolling path 24.
Further, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the separator 8 is configured such that the plurality of spacers 26 are connected by the single connecting part 28, but is not limited thereto. That is, for example, the connecting portion 28 may be configured by a plurality of spacer portion constituent members, and the adjacent spacer portions 26 may be connected by a single spacer portion constituent member. However, as in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the operability of the linear motion guide device 1 is such that the separator 8 has a configuration in which a plurality of spacers 26 are connected by one connection portion 28. It is suitable for improving.

It is a figure which shows the linear motion guide apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of a connection part guide groove. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle V in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a circle VI in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the rolling element row | line | column which consists of a separator and rolling element of this invention. It is a figure which shows the contact state of a connection part and a connection part guide groove. It is a figure which shows the contact state of a connection part and a connection part guide groove. It is a figure which shows the contact state of a connection part and a connection part guide groove. It is a figure which shows the contact state of a connection part and a connection part guide groove. It is a figure which shows the rolling element row | line | column which consists of a separator and rolling element of the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the rolling element row | line | column which consists of a separator and rolling element of the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the rolling element row | line | column which consists of a separator and rolling element of the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the rolling element row | line | column which consists of a separator and rolling element of the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the rolling element row | line | column which consists of a separator and rolling element of the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the rolling element row | line | column which consists of the conventional separator and rolling element. It is a figure which shows the rolling element row | line | column which consists of the conventional separator and rolling element. It is a figure which shows the level | step difference which arose in the connection part guide groove in the conventional linear motion guide apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Linear motion guide apparatus 2 Guide rail 4 Slider 6 Ball 8 Separator 10 Rail side rolling element rolling groove 12 Slider body 14 End cap 16 Slider side rolling element rolling groove 18 Rolling body return path 20 Load rolling path 22 Direction change path 24 Rolling Element Rolling Path 26 Spacer 28 Connecting Portion 30 Planar Portion 32 Recessed Part 34 Rolling Element Row 36 Connecting Portion Guide Groove 38 Load Guider 40 Return Guider 42 Curved Guider 44 Inner Surface 46 of Load Guider Inner peripheral surface 48 Slider body side facing surface 50 Inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion 52 End cap side facing surface 54 Load side inner peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 56 Return guide inner peripheral surface 58 Inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion 60 Return Side inner curved guide chamfered portion 62 Outer peripheral surface of load guide portion 64 Outer peripheral surface of curved guide portion 66 Outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion 68 Load side outer peripheral curved plan Chamfered portion 70 Outer peripheral surface of return guide portion 72 Outer peripheral return guide chamfered portion 74 Return side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion 76 Curved connection portion 78 Notch portion 80 Gap portion R1 Curved radius of curvature R2 Curved radius of curvature A1 Load A protruding amount of the inner peripheral surface of the guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path A2 The outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side A3 Projection amount to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path of the portion on the curved guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion A4 Rolling member rolling of the portion on the curved guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion Protrusion to the outer periphery of the road

Claims (21)

A guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on the outer surface and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path, and a linear load rolling path joined to both axial end surfaces of the slider body and between the rolling element rolling grooves, and the rolling element An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that communicates with the return path, and can freely roll into the rolling element rolling path formed from the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements loaded on the rolling element, and the rolling elements arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and moved in the rolling element rolling path as the plurality of rolling elements roll. And a separator,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
The portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from the portion on the load guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. A linear motion guide device characterized by   The amount of protrusion of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is A1, and the gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is B. 2. The linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein a relational expression of A1 <B / 2 is established.   The linear motion guide device according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral load guide chamfered portion is formed at a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion on the curved guide portion side.   4. The linear motion according to claim 1, wherein a load side inner curved guide chamfered portion is formed in a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the load guide portion side. 5. Guide device. A guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on the outer surface and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path, and a linear load rolling path joined to both axial end surfaces of the slider body and between the rolling element rolling grooves, and the rolling element An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that communicates with the return path, and can freely roll into the rolling element rolling path formed from the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements loaded on the rolling element, and the rolling elements arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and moved in the rolling element rolling path as the plurality of rolling elements roll. And a separator,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
The portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from the portion on the return guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. A linear motion guide device characterized by   The protruding amount of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is A2, and the gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is B. The linear motion guide device according to claim 5, wherein a relational expression of A2 <B / 2 is satisfied.   The linear motion guide device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein an inner peripheral return guide chamfered portion is formed at a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side.   The linear motion according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a return side inner curved guide chamfered portion is formed on a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side. Guide device. A guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on the outer surface and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path, and a linear load rolling path joined to both axial end surfaces of the slider body and between the rolling element rolling grooves, and the rolling element An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that communicates with the return path, and can freely roll into the rolling element rolling path formed from the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements loaded on the rolling element, and the rolling elements arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and moved in the rolling element rolling path as the plurality of rolling elements roll. And a separator,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
The curved guide portion side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from the load guide portion side portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. A linear motion guide device.   When the protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is A3, and the gap between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is B The linear motion guide device according to claim 9, wherein a relational expression of A3 <B / 2 is established.   The linear motion guide device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein an outer peripheral load guide chamfered portion is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion on the curved guide portion side.   The linear motion guide device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein a load side outer peripheral curved guide chamfered portion is formed on a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the load guide portion side. . A guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on the outer surface and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path, and a linear load rolling path joined to both axial end surfaces of the slider body and between the rolling element rolling grooves, and the rolling element An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that communicates with the return path, and can freely roll into the rolling element rolling path formed from the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements loaded on the rolling element, and the rolling elements arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and moved in the rolling element rolling path as the plurality of rolling elements roll. And a separator,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side is protruded to an outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side ;
When the protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is A4 and the clearance between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is B In addition, a linear motion guide device characterized in that a relational expression of A4 <B / 2 is established . A guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on the outer surface and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path, and a linear load rolling path joined to both axial end surfaces of the slider body and between the rolling element rolling grooves, and the rolling element An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that communicates with the return path, and can freely roll into the rolling element rolling path formed from the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements loaded on the rolling element, and the rolling elements arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and moved in the rolling element rolling path as the plurality of rolling elements roll. And a separator,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side is protruded to an outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side;
Wherein the return portion of the guide portion side of the bending guide portion outer peripheral surface of the return side outer peripheral curved guide linear guide device characterized in that the formed chamfer. A guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on the outer surface and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path, and a linear load rolling path joined to both axial end surfaces of the slider body and between the rolling element rolling grooves, and the rolling element An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that communicates with the return path, and can freely roll into the rolling element rolling path formed from the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements loaded on the rolling element, and the rolling elements arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and moved in the rolling element rolling path as the plurality of rolling elements roll. And a separator,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side is protruded to an outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side;
When the protruding amount of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path is A4 and the clearance between the connecting portion and the connecting portion guide groove is B In addition, the relational expression of A4 <B / 2 is established,
Wherein the return portion of the guide portion side of the bending guide portion outer peripheral surface of the return side outer peripheral curved guide linear guide device characterized in that the formed chamfer. The linear motion guide device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein an outer peripheral return guide chamfered portion is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side . A guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on the outer surface and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path, and a linear load rolling path joined to both axial end surfaces of the slider body and between the rolling element rolling grooves, and the rolling element An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that communicates with the return path, and can freely roll into the rolling element rolling path formed from the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements loaded on the rolling element, and the rolling elements arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and moved in the rolling element rolling path as the plurality of rolling elements roll. And a separator,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion on the load guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion;
The portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from the portion on the return guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion. A linear motion guide device characterized by A guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on the outer surface and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path, and a linear load rolling path joined to both axial end surfaces of the slider body and between the rolling element rolling grooves, and the rolling element An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that communicates with the return path, and can freely roll into the rolling element rolling path formed from the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements loaded on the rolling element, and the rolling elements arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and moved in the rolling element rolling path as the plurality of rolling elements roll. And a separator,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion on the curved guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path rather than a portion on the load guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion;
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side is protruded to an outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side. A linear motion guide device. A guide rail having a rail-side rolling element rolling groove extending in the axial direction on the outer surface and a slider-side rolling element rolling groove facing the rail-side rolling element rolling groove so as to be movable relative to the guide rail. A slider body having a linear rolling element return path, and a linear load rolling path joined to both axial end surfaces of the slider body and between the rolling element rolling grooves, and the rolling element An end cap formed with an arc-shaped direction changing path that communicates with the return path, and can freely roll into the rolling element rolling path formed from the load rolling path, the rolling element return path, and the direction changing path. A plurality of rolling elements loaded on the rolling element, and the rolling elements arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and moved in the rolling element rolling path as the plurality of rolling elements roll. And a separator,
The separator has elasticity that can be bent along the rolling element rolling path while connecting the plurality of spacer parts interposed between the adjacent rolling elements and the adjacent spacer parts. A belt-shaped connecting portion formed by
In the rolling element rolling path, the connecting part is movably fitted and a connecting part guide groove that is continuous along the rolling element rolling path is formed,
The connecting portion guide groove is formed in the linear load guide portion formed in the slider-side rolling element rolling groove, the linear return guide portion formed in the rolling body return path, and the direction changing path. In a linear motion guide device composed of an arcuate curved guide portion made,
A portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion on the load guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion;
A portion on the curved guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the return guide portion is projected to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path rather than a portion on the return guide portion side of the inner peripheral surface of the curved guide portion;
A portion on the curved guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the load guide portion is protruded to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path rather than a portion on the load guide portion side of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion;
A portion of the outer peripheral surface of the return guide portion on the curved guide portion side is protruded to an outer peripheral side of the rolling element rolling path from a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved guide portion on the return guide portion side. A linear motion guide device. Among the connecting portions, at least portions on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the separator are curved connecting portions that are curved in a direction along the bending direction of the bending guide portion in an unloaded state,
The relational expression of R1 ≧ R2 is established, where R1 is a curvature radius of the curved connecting portion and R2 is a curvature radius of the curved guide portion. The linear guide apparatus described in item 1.   The linear motion guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein a material for forming the separator is a thermoplastic or a thermoplastic elastomer.

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