JP2008121862A - Linear motion guide - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a bending amount of a connection arm part of a rolling element holding part. <P>SOLUTION: A plane or protruded surface on which a ball 4 is abutted is formed on an outer side surface of a pair of ball holding parts 11. Therefore, the ball holding part 11 can be slid in an optional direction in the outer side surface of the ball holding part 11, and the movement of the ball holding part 11 to an outer peripheral side of an endless circulation passage 9 is not regulated by adjacent balls 4, and the ball holding part 11 can be moved to the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation passage 9 when the ball 4 housed in the ball housing member 5 changes its direction in the endless circulation passage, and the bending amount of the connection arm part 12 can be reduced compared to the method where a spherical recession in correspondence with a curved surface of the ball 4 is formed on the outer side surface of the ball holding part 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、直動装置に用いられる転動体を回転自在に収容する直動案内装置に関する。   The present invention relates to a linear motion guide device that rotatably accommodates a rolling element used in a linear motion device.

従来、この種の玉収容部としては、例えば、転動体である玉を挟んで配置される１対の厚肉保持部と、その厚肉保持部のみを連結する薄肉連結部とを備え、前記１対の玉保持部の互いに対向する内側面及びその内側面と反対側の外側面に玉の曲面に対応した球面状凹部が形成されたものがある（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
また、その特許文献１には、玉収容部に収容されている玉と玉収容部に収容されていない玉とを直動装置の転動体循環路に交互に配置することが記載されている。
特開２０００−２２０６３６ Conventionally, as this type of ball housing portion, for example, provided with a pair of thick-walled holding portions arranged with a ball that is a rolling element, and a thin-walled connecting portion that connects only the thick-walled holding portion, There is one in which spherical recesses corresponding to the curved surface of the ball are formed on the inner side surface of the pair of ball holding portions facing each other and the outer side surface opposite to the inner side surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Further, in Patent Document 1, it is described that the balls accommodated in the ball accommodating portion and the balls not accommodated in the ball accommodating portion are alternately arranged in the rolling element circulation path of the linear motion device.
JP 2000-220636

しかしながら、上記従来の技術にあっては、玉保持部の外側面にも玉の曲面に対応した球面状凹部が形成されているため、球面状凹部が隣接する玉に嵌り込むことで、隣接する玉によって玉保持部の動きが制限され、玉収容部に収容されている玉が転動体循環路で方向転換するときに、転動体循環路の曲率半径よりも小さい曲率半径で薄肉連結部が屈曲され、連結腕部の曲げ量が増大し、摺動抵抗が増大する恐れがあった。
本発明は、上記従来の技術に鑑みてなされたものであって、転動体保持部材の連結腕部の曲げ量を低減可能な直動案内装置を提供することを目的とする。 However, in the above conventional technique, since the spherical concave portion corresponding to the curved surface of the ball is formed on the outer surface of the ball holding portion, the spherical concave portion is adjacent to the ball by being fitted into the adjacent ball. The movement of the ball holding part is limited by the ball, and when the ball accommodated in the ball accommodating part changes direction in the rolling element circulation path, the thin-walled coupling part bends with a curvature radius smaller than the curvature radius of the rolling element circulation path. As a result, the bending amount of the connecting arm portion is increased, and the sliding resistance may be increased.
The present invention has been made in view of the above prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a linear motion guide device capable of reducing the amount of bending of a connecting arm portion of a rolling element holding member.

上記課題を解決するために、本発明に係る直動案内装置は、転動体転送面を有する案内レールと、前記転動体転送面に対向する負荷転送面を含む転動体循環路を有し前記案内レールに相対運動自在に組み付けられたスライダー部と、前記転動体循環路内に配置され前記案内レールに対する前記スライダー部の相対運動に併せて循環する転動体である複数の転動体と、前記複数の転動体を回転摺動自在に収容する複数の転動体収容部材と、を備え、前記転動体循環路には、前記転動体収容部材に収容されている転動体と前記転動体収容部材に収容されていない転動体とが配置されており、前記転動体収容部材は、前記転動体循環路を転動する転動体を挟んで配置される１対の転動体保持部と、前記１対の転動体保持部を連結する連結腕部と、を備え、前記１対の転動体保持部の互いに対向する内側面には、前記転動体を収容する転動体収容凹部が形成されており、前記１対の転動体保持部の前記内側面と反対側の外側面には、前記転動体が当接する平面又は凸面が形成されていることを特徴とする。   In order to solve the above-described problems, a linear motion guide device according to the present invention includes a guide rail having a rolling element transfer surface, and a rolling element circulation path including a load transfer surface facing the rolling element transfer surface. A plurality of rolling elements which are rolling elements that are arranged in the rolling element circulation path and circulate in accordance with the relative movement of the slider part with respect to the guide rail; A plurality of rolling element housing members that slidably accommodate the rolling elements, and the rolling element circulation path accommodates the rolling elements contained in the rolling element accommodation member and the rolling element accommodation member. A rolling element housing member is disposed, and the rolling element housing member includes a pair of rolling element holding portions disposed with the rolling element rolling in the rolling element circulation path, and the pair of rolling elements. A connecting arm for connecting the holding part; A pair of rolling element holding portions are formed on the opposite inner side surfaces of the pair of rolling element holding portions so as to accommodate the rolling elements, and are opposite to the inner side surfaces of the pair of rolling element holding portions. A flat surface or a convex surface with which the rolling elements come into contact is formed on the outer surface of.

このような構成によれば、転動体保持部の外側面内であれば任意の方向に転動体保持部を摺動でき、隣接する転動体によって転動体保持部の前記転動体循環路外周側への動きが制限されないので、転動体収容部材に収容されている転動体が転動体循環路で方向転換するときに、転動体保持部が転動体循環路の外周側に動くことができ、転動体保持部の外側面に転動体の曲面に対応する球面状凹部を形成する方法に比べ、連結腕部に作用する曲げ力を低減することができる。   According to such a structure, if it exists in the outer surface of a rolling element holding | maintenance part, a rolling element holding | maintenance part can be slid in arbitrary directions, and the said rolling element holding | maintenance part to the said rolling element circulation path outer peripheral side by an adjacent rolling element Therefore, when the rolling element accommodated in the rolling element housing member changes direction in the rolling element circulation path, the rolling element holding part can move to the outer peripheral side of the rolling element circulation path. Compared with the method of forming a spherical recess corresponding to the curved surface of the rolling element on the outer surface of the holding portion, the bending force acting on the connecting arm portion can be reduced.

また、前記転動体循環路には、前記転動体収容部材に収容されている転動体と前記転動体収容部材に収容されていない転動体とを交互に配置するようにしてもよい。
このような構成によれば、転動体周用部材に収容されている転動体のみを配置する方法に比べ、転動体循環路に配置される転動体の数を増大し、直動案内装置の負荷容量を大きくすることができる。
さらに、前記１対の転動体保持部の前記転動体循環路内周側端面及び外周側端面のうちいずれか一方に前記転動体を挿通可能な開口部を有するものであってもよい。 Moreover, you may make it arrange | position alternately the rolling element accommodated in the said rolling element accommodation member and the rolling element not accommodated in the said rolling element accommodation member in the said rolling element circulation path.
According to such a configuration, the number of rolling elements arranged in the rolling element circulation path is increased compared with the method of arranging only the rolling elements accommodated in the rolling element circumferential member, and the load of the linear motion guide device is increased. The capacity can be increased.
Furthermore, you may have an opening part which can penetrate the said rolling element in either one of the said rolling element circulation path inner peripheral side end surface and outer peripheral side end surface of a pair of said rolling element holding | maintenance part.

このような構成によれば、転動体を挿通可能な開口部がないものに比べ、組み立て時に、転動体収容凹部に転動体を収容して転動体循環路に配置する作業を容易に行うことができる。
さらに、前記転動体収容凹部は、前記１対の転動体保持部の前記転動体循環路内周側端面及び外周側端面の両方に前記転動体を挿通可能な開口部を有するものであってもよい。
このような構成によれば、転動体を挿通可能な開口部がないものに比べ、組み立て時に、転動体収容凹部に転動体を収容して転動体循環路に配置する作業を容易に行うことができる。 According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily perform the work of accommodating the rolling element in the rolling element accommodation recess and arranging it in the rolling element circulation path at the time of assembly, compared to the case where there is no opening through which the rolling element can be inserted. it can.
Furthermore, the said rolling element accommodation recessed part may have the opening part which can penetrate the said rolling element in both the said rolling element circulation path inner peripheral side end surface and outer peripheral side end surface of the said one pair of rolling element holding | maintenance part. Good.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily perform the work of accommodating the rolling element in the rolling element accommodation recess and arranging it in the rolling element circulation path at the time of assembly, compared to the case where there is no opening through which the rolling element can be inserted. it can.

また、前記転動体循環路内には、前記転動体循環方向に沿って前記連結腕部の厚みよりも溝幅が広い案内溝が形成されており、前記連結腕部は、前記案内溝に摺動自在に嵌め込まれていてもよい。
このような構成によれば、案内溝に連結腕部を摺動可能に嵌め込むことで、連結腕部が案内溝から脱落することを防止でき、また、転動体収容部材に収容された転動体が転動体循環路内で蛇行することなく整然と循環させることができる。
さらに、前記連結腕部の前記転動体循環方向の長さは、前記転動体の直径より長くしてもよい。 Further, a guide groove having a groove width wider than the thickness of the connecting arm portion is formed in the rolling element circulation path along the rolling element circulation direction, and the connecting arm portion slides on the guide groove. It may be fitted freely.
According to such a configuration, the connecting arm portion can be slidably fitted into the guide groove, so that the connecting arm portion can be prevented from falling off the guide groove, and the rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodating member. Can be circulated in an orderly manner without meandering in the rolling element circulation path.
Furthermore, you may make the length of the said rolling element circulation direction of the said connection arm part longer than the diameter of the said rolling element.

このような構成によれば、転動体循環路内に形成される案内溝に連結腕部を摺動可能に嵌め込んだときに、案内溝によって拘束される長さを長くすることができ、転動体収容部材をより安定して案内し、連結腕部が案内溝から脱落することを防止できる。
さらに、前記連結部は、前記転動体循環路外周側に凸状に曲がっていてもよい。
このような構成によれば、連結腕部が予め曲がっているため、転動体収容部材に収容されている転動体が転動体循環路で方向転換するときに、連結腕部の曲げ量の増大を抑制できる。 According to such a configuration, when the connecting arm portion is slidably fitted into the guide groove formed in the rolling element circulation path, the length restrained by the guide groove can be increased. The moving body housing member can be guided more stably, and the connecting arm portion can be prevented from falling off from the guide groove.
Furthermore, the said connection part may be bent in the convex shape to the said rolling-element circulation path outer peripheral side.
According to such a configuration, since the connecting arm portion is bent in advance, the amount of bending of the connecting arm portion is increased when the rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodating member changes direction in the rolling element circulation path. Can be suppressed.

以下、本発明の実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
本発明の玉収容部材をベッド又はサドル等の固定部上でテーブル等の可動体を案内する直動案内装置に適用した実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
＜構成＞
図１は、本実施形態の直動案内装置１の構成を示す斜視図である。
この直動案内装置１は、図１に示すように、案内レール２、スライダー部３、複数の玉４及び複数の玉収容部材５を含んで構成される。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
An embodiment in which the ball housing member of the present invention is applied to a linear motion guide device that guides a movable body such as a table on a fixed portion such as a bed or a saddle will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the linear motion guide device 1 includes a guide rail 2, a slider portion 3, a plurality of balls 4, and a plurality of ball housing members 5.

案内レール２は、細長く延ばされて断面略四角形状をなし、左右両側面には、長手方向の全長にわたって玉４が転動する際に軌道となる転動体転送面（ボール転走溝２ａ）が２条ずつ（合計４条）形成されている。
スライダー部３は、案内レール２に跨架されて（相対運動自在に組み付けられて）断面略コ字状をなし、両袖部の内面には、案内レール２の各ボール転走溝２ａに対向する４条の負荷転送面（負荷転走溝３ａ、ボール転走溝２ａとの組み合わせにより、案内レール２とスライダー部３との間に４本の負荷転走路６を形成する溝）が形成されている。 The guide rail 2 is elongated and has a substantially square shape in cross section, and on both the left and right sides, a rolling element transfer surface (ball rolling groove 2a) that becomes a track when the balls 4 roll over the entire length in the longitudinal direction. Are formed in two (four in total).
The slider portion 3 is straddled over the guide rail 2 (assembled so as to be relatively movable) and has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the inner surfaces of both sleeve portions face each ball rolling groove 2a of the guide rail 2. 4 load transfer surfaces (grooves that form four load rolling paths 6 between the guide rail 2 and the slider portion 3 by the combination of the load rolling groove 3a and the ball rolling groove 2a) are formed. ing.

また、スライダー部３の両袖部の内部には、各負荷転走路６と対応づけられて平行に延びている４本の戻し通路７、及び互いに対応する戻し通路７と負荷転走路６とを結ぶ方向転換路８が形成されている。
そして、スライダー部３は、負荷転走路６、戻し通路７、それらを結ぶ一対の方向転換路８によって無限循環路９を構成している。
無限循環路９の内面には、玉４循環方向に沿って連結腕部１２（後述）の厚みよりも若干広い案内溝１０（玉収容部材５を案内するための溝）が形成されている。 Further, inside the sleeve portions of the slider portion 3, there are four return passages 7 corresponding to the load rolling paths 6 and extending in parallel, and a return path 7 and a load rolling path 6 corresponding to each other. A direction change path 8 to be connected is formed.
And the slider part 3 comprises the endless circulation path 9 by the load rolling path 6, the return path 7, and a pair of direction change path 8 which connects them.
On the inner surface of the endless circulation path 9, a guide groove 10 (a groove for guiding the ball housing member 5) slightly wider than the thickness of the connecting arm portion 12 (described later) is formed along the ball 4 circulation direction.

玉４は、無限循環路９内に配置され、案内レール２に対するスライダー部３の相対運動に併せて無限循環路９内を循環する。
玉収容部材５は、図２に示すように、曲げ変位が容易な合成樹脂で一体成形された玉保持部１１及び連結腕部１２を含んで構成される。
玉保持部１１は、玉４の直径よりも外径が小さい略角柱状に形成され、互いに隣り合う玉４の中心を結ぶ線上に軸線が位置するようにそれら玉４間に配置されている（１対の玉保持部１１で玉４を挟むように配置されている）。 The ball 4 is arranged in the endless circuit 9 and circulates in the endless circuit 9 in accordance with the relative movement of the slider part 3 with respect to the guide rail 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the ball housing member 5 includes a ball holding portion 11 and a connecting arm portion 12 that are integrally formed of a synthetic resin that can be easily bent and displaced.
The ball holding portion 11 is formed in a substantially prismatic shape having an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the ball 4 and is arranged between the balls 4 so that the axis is positioned on a line connecting the centers of the adjacent balls 4 ( It arrange | positions so that the ball 4 may be pinched | interposed by the pair of ball | bowl holding | maintenance part 11).

１対の玉保持部１１の互いに対向する内側面には、玉４の半径と略等しい曲率半径の球面状凹部１３が形成されている（玉保持部１１の内面の全面が玉４と接触している）。
１対の玉保持部１１の軸線方向の両端面（前記内側面と反対側の外側面）には、玉４が当接する平面（図３、図４参照）又は凸面（図５、図６参照）１４が形成されている。
連結腕部１２は、厚みが一定の薄い帯状（平らなシート状（側面視で直線状）であり、玉４循環方向の長さが玉４の直径よりも長い帯状）に形成され、玉４の両側面（互いに隣り合う玉４の中心を結ぶ線を挟んだ両側）に同一平面上に位置するように配置され、玉４を挟んで配置されている一対の玉保持部１１の両側面にそれぞれ接続されている（１対の玉保持部１１を連結する）。 A spherical recess 13 having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of the ball 4 is formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of ball holding portions 11 facing each other (the entire inner surface of the ball holding portion 11 is in contact with the ball 4). ing).
A plane (see FIGS. 3 and 4) or convex surface (see FIGS. 5 and 6) on which the balls 4 come into contact with both end surfaces in the axial direction of the pair of ball holding portions 11 (outer surfaces opposite to the inner surface). ) 14 is formed.
The connecting arm portion 12 is formed in a thin strip shape having a constant thickness (a flat sheet shape (straight shape in a side view), and a strip shape in which the length in the circulation direction of the balls 4 is longer than the diameter of the balls 4). On both side surfaces of the pair of ball holding portions 11 arranged so as to be located on the same plane on both side surfaces (both sides sandwiching a line connecting the centers of the adjacent balls 4). They are connected to each other (couple a pair of ball holding portions 11).

なお、連結腕部１２の接続位置は、側面視で玉４の中心を通る位置としてもよく、図３〜図６に示すように、玉４の中心からずれた位置としてもよい。
そして、玉収容部材５は、玉保持部１１の間に玉４を回転自在に組み込み、玉４と玉収容部材５とで一組のユニット１５を構成する。
ユニット１５は、玉収容部材５の連結腕部１２が無限循環路９の案内溝１０に摺動自在に嵌め合わされ、図７に示すように、そのままの玉４と交互に無限循環路９に収容されている（無限循環路９内には、玉収容部材５に収容されている玉４と玉収容部材５に収容されていない玉４とが交互に配置されている）。 In addition, the connection position of the connection arm part 12 may be a position passing through the center of the ball 4 in a side view, or may be a position shifted from the center of the ball 4 as shown in FIGS.
Then, the ball housing member 5 rotatably incorporates the ball 4 between the ball holding portions 11, and the ball 4 and the ball housing member 5 constitute a set of units 15.
In the unit 15, the connecting arm portion 12 of the ball housing member 5 is slidably fitted into the guide groove 10 of the infinite circulation path 9 and is accommodated in the infinite circulation path 9 alternately with the balls 4 as shown in FIG. (In the infinite circulation path 9, the balls 4 accommodated in the ball accommodating member 5 and the balls 4 not accommodated in the ball accommodating member 5 are alternately arranged).

＜動作＞
そして、本実施形態の直動案内装置１にあっては、スライダー部３が案内レール２に沿って移動すると、玉４は、スライダー部３からの負荷を受けつつ負荷転走路６の一端から他端まで転動し、方向転換路８に掬い上げられて戻し通路７へ導かれ、反対側の方向転換路８を介して前記負荷転走路６の一端に戻される。
また、その際、玉収容部材５の連結腕部１２が案内溝１０によって規定された一定の軌道に沿って無限循環路９を移動するので、玉収容部材５に保持された玉４は、無限循環路９内で蛇行することなく整然と循環する。 <Operation>
And in the linear motion guide device 1 of this embodiment, when the slider part 3 moves along the guide rail 2, the ball | bowl 4 is the other from one end of the load rolling path 6 receiving the load from the slider part 3. It rolls to the end, is rolled up on the direction change path 8 and guided to the return path 7, and is returned to one end of the load rolling path 6 via the opposite direction change path 8.
At that time, the connecting arm portion 12 of the ball housing member 5 moves along the endless circulation path 9 along a fixed path defined by the guide groove 10, so that the balls 4 held by the ball housing member 5 are infinite. It circulates orderly without meandering in the circulation path 9.

＜作用・効果＞
（１）このように、本実施形態の直動案内装置１にあっては、１対の玉保持部１１の外側面に玉４が当接する平面又は凸面１４を形成した。そのため、玉保持部１１の外側面内であれば任意の方向に玉保持部１１を摺動でき、隣接する玉４によって玉保持部１１の前記無限循環路９外周側への動きが制限されないので、玉収容部材５に収容されている玉４が無限循環路９で方向転換するときに、玉保持部１１が無限循環路９の外周側に動くことができ、玉保持部１１の外側面に玉４の曲面に対応する球面状凹部を形成する方法に比べ、連結腕部１２の曲げ量を低減することができ、摺動抵抗の増大を防止することができる。
また、連結腕部１２の曲げ量が低減することで、連結腕部１２の繰り返し曲げ疲労（方向転換路８を通過するたびに連結腕部１２が屈曲状態となることによって生じる繰り返し曲げ疲労）に対する耐久性を向上することができる。 <Action and effect>
(1) As described above, in the linear motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the flat surface or the convex surface 14 with which the balls 4 abut on the outer surfaces of the pair of ball holding portions 11 is formed. Therefore, the ball holding part 11 can slide in any direction as long as it is within the outer surface of the ball holding part 11, and the movement of the ball holding part 11 to the outer peripheral side of the infinite circulation path 9 is not restricted by the adjacent ball 4. When the ball 4 accommodated in the ball accommodating member 5 changes direction in the endless circulation path 9, the ball holding part 11 can move to the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 9, Compared with the method of forming a spherical recess corresponding to the curved surface of the ball 4, the amount of bending of the connecting arm portion 12 can be reduced, and an increase in sliding resistance can be prevented.
Further, the bending amount of the connecting arm portion 12 is reduced, so that the connecting arm portion 12 can be repeatedly bent fatigue (repeated bending fatigue caused by the connecting arm portion 12 being bent every time the direction changing path 8 is passed). Durability can be improved.

（２）また、無限循環路９には、玉収容部材５に収容されている玉４と玉収容部材５に収容されていない玉４とを交互に配置するようにした。そのため、例えば、玉周用部材５に収容されている玉４のみを配置する方法に比べ、無限循環路９に配置される玉４の数を増大し、直動案内装置１の負荷容量を大きくすることができる。また、玉４同士の相互接触を防止し、玉４の転動時の騒音及び摩擦を抑制することができる。
なお、玉４の配置状態としては、負荷容量の観点及び玉４同士の衝突による騒音の観点から交互に配置することが望ましいが、各種部品の寸法誤差や膨潤等により、無限循環路９の経路長を一定で且つ精度を抑えることは難しい。そのため、玉収容部材５に収容されている玉４と玉収容部材５に収容されていない玉４とを必ずしも全部交互に配置しなくてもよく、寸法誤差等との兼ね合いから、図８及び図９に示すように、部分的には、玉４同士が隣接したり、玉収容部材５に収容されている玉４同士が隣接したりしてもよい。そのようにすれば、玉収容部材５に収容されている玉４と玉収容部材５に収容されていない玉４とを交互に配置できるように無限循環路９の長さやスライダー部３の長さを調整する必要がなく、前記交互に配置する方法に比べ、精度を粗くすることができる。 (2) In the endless circulation path 9, the balls 4 accommodated in the ball accommodating member 5 and the balls 4 not accommodated in the ball accommodating member 5 are alternately arranged. Therefore, for example, the number of balls 4 arranged in the endless circulation path 9 is increased and the load capacity of the linear motion guide device 1 is increased compared to the method of arranging only the balls 4 accommodated in the ball circumference member 5. can do. Further, mutual contact between the balls 4 can be prevented, and noise and friction during rolling of the balls 4 can be suppressed.
As the arrangement state of the balls 4, it is desirable to arrange them alternately from the viewpoint of load capacity and the noise caused by the collision between the balls 4, but the path of the infinite circuit 9 due to dimensional errors and swelling of various parts. It is difficult to keep the length constant and accuracy. For this reason, the balls 4 accommodated in the ball accommodating member 5 and the balls 4 not accommodated in the ball accommodating member 5 do not necessarily have to be alternately arranged. As shown in FIG. 9, the balls 4 may be adjacent to each other, or the balls 4 accommodated in the ball housing member 5 may be adjacent to each other. If it does so, the length of the endless circulation path 9 and the length of the slider part 3 so that the ball 4 accommodated in the ball accommodating member 5 and the ball 4 not accommodated in the ball accommodating member 5 can be arranged alternately. There is no need to adjust the accuracy, and the accuracy can be roughened compared to the method of alternately arranging.

（３）なお、本実施形態では、玉保持部１１の内側面に球面状凹部１３を形成し、玉保持部１１の内側面の全体が玉４と接触する構成としたが、例えば、球面状凹部１３としては、図１０及び図１１に示すように、玉保持部１１の無限循環路９内周側端面及び外周側端面のうちいずれか一方に玉４を挿通可能な開口部１６を有するものであってもよい（玉保持部１１の無限循環路内周側又は外周側のいずれか一方が玉４と接触する構成でもよい）。そのようにすれば、玉４を挿通可能な開口部１６がないものに比べ、直動案内装置１の組み立て時に、玉収容部材５に玉４を収容して無限循環路９に配置する作業を容易に行うことができる。 (3) In the present embodiment, the spherical concave portion 13 is formed on the inner side surface of the ball holding portion 11 so that the entire inner side surface of the ball holding portion 11 is in contact with the ball 4. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the recess 13 has an opening 16 through which the ball 4 can be inserted into either the inner peripheral side end face or the outer peripheral side end face of the endless circulation path 9 of the ball holding part 11. (It may be configured such that either the inner circumferential side or the outer circumferential side of the endless circulation path of the ball holding portion 11 is in contact with the ball 4). If it does so, compared with what does not have the opening part 16 which can pass the ball | bowl 4, the operation | work which accommodates the ball | bowl 4 in the ball | bowl accommodation member 5 and arrange | positions in the infinite circuit 9 at the time of the assembly of the linear motion guide apparatus 1 is carried out. It can be done easily.

（４）また、球面状凹部１３としては、図１２に示すように、玉保持部１１の無限循環路９内周側端面及び外周側端面の両方に玉４を挿通可能な開口部１７を有するものであってもよい。そのようにすれば、玉４を挿通可能な開口部１６がないものに比べ、直動案内装置１の組み立て時に、玉収容部材５に玉４を収容して無限循環路９に配置する作業を容易に行うことができる。 (4) Moreover, as the spherical recessed part 13, as shown in FIG. 12, it has the opening part 17 which can penetrate the ball | bowl 4 in both the inner peripheral side end surface and the outer peripheral side end surface of the infinite circulation path 9 of the ball | bowl holding | maintenance part 11. It may be a thing. If it does so, compared with what does not have the opening part 16 which can pass the ball | bowl 4, the operation | work which accommodates the ball | bowl 4 in the ball | bowl accommodation member 5 and arrange | positions in the infinite circuit 9 at the time of the assembly of the linear motion guide apparatus 1 is carried out. It can be done easily.

（５）さらに、無限循環路９内に、玉４循環方向に沿って連結腕部１２の厚みよりも溝幅が広い案内溝１０を形成し、その案内溝１０に連結腕部１２を摺動自在に嵌め込むようにした。そのため、案内溝１０に連結腕部１２を摺動可能に嵌め込むことで、連結腕部１２が案内溝１０から脱落することを防止でき、また、玉収容部材５に収容された玉４が無限循環路９内で蛇行することなく整然と循環させることができる。 (5) Further, a guide groove 10 having a groove width wider than the thickness of the connecting arm portion 12 is formed in the endless circulation path 9 along the circulation direction of the ball 4, and the connecting arm portion 12 is slid into the guide groove 10. I tried to fit it freely. Therefore, by slidably fitting the connecting arm portion 12 into the guide groove 10, it is possible to prevent the connecting arm portion 12 from falling off the guide groove 10, and the balls 4 accommodated in the ball accommodating member 5 are infinite. It is possible to circulate orderly without meandering in the circulation path 9.

（６）また、連結腕部１２の玉４循環方向の長さは、玉４の直径より長くした。そのため、無限循環路９内に形成される案内溝１０に連結腕部１２を摺動可能に嵌め込んだときに、案内溝１０によって拘束される長さを長くすることができ、玉収容部材５をより安定して案内し、連結腕部１２が案内溝１０から脱落することを防止できる。 (6) Further, the length of the connecting arm 12 in the circulation direction of the balls 4 is longer than the diameter of the balls 4. Therefore, when the connecting arm portion 12 is slidably fitted into the guide groove 10 formed in the endless circulation path 9, the length restrained by the guide groove 10 can be increased, and the ball housing member 5 Can be more stably guided, and the connecting arm portion 12 can be prevented from falling out of the guide groove 10.

（７）なお、本実施形態では、連結腕部１２として、平らなシート状のものを用いる例を示したが、これに限られるものではない。例えば、図１３及び図１４に示すように、無限循環路９外周側に凸状に曲がっているものを用いてもよい。そのようにすれば、連結腕部１２が予め凸状に曲がっているため、玉収容部材５に収容されている玉４が無限循環路９で方向転換するときに、連結腕部１２の曲げ量の増大を抑制し、摺動抵抗の増大を防止することができる。 (7) In the present embodiment, an example in which a flat sheet-like member is used as the connecting arm portion 12 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the one bent in a convex shape on the outer peripheral side of the endless circulation path 9 may be used. By doing so, since the connecting arm portion 12 is bent in a convex shape in advance, the bending amount of the connecting arm portion 12 when the ball 4 housed in the ball housing member 5 changes direction in the endless circulation path 9. Can be suppressed, and an increase in sliding resistance can be prevented.

また、玉保収容部材５の連結腕部１２を玉４の両側面に配置する例を示したが、これに限られるものではない。例えば、図１５に示すように、玉４の一方の側面にのみ配置するようにしてもよい。そのようにすれば、連結腕部１２を玉４の両側面に配置する方法に比べ、方向転換路８で曲がりやすくなり、方向転換路８での動きがより柔軟になる。
なお、本実施形態にあっては、転動体として玉４を用いる例を示したが、これに限られるものではない。例えば、図１６及び図１７に示すように、ころ１８を用いてもよい。 Moreover, although the example which arrange | positions the connection arm part 12 of the ball holding accommodation member 5 on the both sides | surfaces of the ball 4 was shown, it is not restricted to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, it may be arranged only on one side of the ball 4. If it does so, compared with the method of arrange | positioning the connection arm part 12 on the both sides | surfaces of the ball 4, it will become easy to bend | curve in the direction change path 8, and the movement in the direction change path 8 becomes more flexible.
In addition, in this embodiment, although the example which uses the ball 4 as a rolling element was shown, it is not restricted to this. For example, rollers 18 may be used as shown in FIGS.

本実施形態の直動案内装置の構成を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the linear motion guide apparatus of this embodiment. 玉保持部の構成を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part. 玉保持部の軸線方向の両端面が平面である場合を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the case where the both end surfaces of the axial direction of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part are planes. 玉保持部の軸線方向の両端面が平面である場合を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the case where the both end surfaces of the axial direction of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part are planes. 玉保持部の軸線方向の両端面が曲面である場合を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the case where the both end surfaces of the axial direction of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part are curved surfaces. 玉保持部の軸線方向の両端面が曲面である場合を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the case where the both end surfaces of the axial direction of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part are curved surfaces. 玉の配置状態を説明するための説明図である。It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning state of a ball | bowl. 玉の配置状態の変形例を説明するための説明図である。It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of the arrangement state of a ball | bowl. 玉の配置状態の変形例を説明するための説明図である。It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of the arrangement state of a ball | bowl. 玉保持部の変形例を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the modification of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part. 玉保持部の変形例を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the modification of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part. 玉保持部の変形例を示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows the modification of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part. 玉保持部の変形例を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the modification of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part. 玉保持部の変形例を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the modification of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part. 玉保持部の変形例を示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows the modification of a ball | bowl holding | maintenance part. 転動体の変形例を示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows the modification of a rolling element. 転動体の変形例を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the modification of a rolling element.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１は直動案内装置、２は案内レール、２ａはボール転走溝、３はスライダー部、３ａは負荷転走溝、４は玉、５は玉収容部材、５は玉保収容部材、６は負荷転走路、７は戻し通路、８は方向転換路、９は無限循環路、１０は案内溝、１１は玉保持部、１２は連結腕部、１３は球面状凹部、１４は平面又は凸面、１５はユニット、１６は開口部、１７は開口部、１８はころ 1 is a linear motion guide device, 2 is a guide rail, 2a is a ball rolling groove, 3 is a slider part, 3a is a load rolling groove, 4 is a ball, 5 is a ball housing member, 5 is a ball holding housing member, Load rolling path, 7 is a return path, 8 is a direction changing path, 9 is an endless circulation path, 10 is a guide groove, 11 is a ball holding part, 12 is a connecting arm part, 13 is a spherical concave part, 14 is a flat or convex surface, 15 is a unit, 16 is an opening, 17 is an opening, 18 is a roller

Claims (7)

転動体転送面を有する案内レールと、前記転動体転送面に対向する負荷転送面を含む転動体循環路を有し前記案内レールに相対運動自在に組み付けられたスライダー部と、前記転動体循環路内に配置され前記案内レールに対する前記スライダー部の相対運動に併せて循環する複数の転動体と、前記複数の転動体を回転摺動自在に収容する複数の転動体収容部材と、を備え、
前記転動体循環路には、前記転動体収容部材に収容されている転動体と前記転動体収容部材に収容されていない転動体とが配置されており、
前記転動体収容部材は、前記転動体循環路を転動する転動体を挟んで配置される１対の転動体保持部と、前記１対の転動体保持部を連結する連結腕部と、を備え、
前記１対の転動体保持部の互いに対向する内側面には、前記転動体を収容する転動体収容凹部が形成されており、
前記１対の転動体保持部の前記内側面と反対側の外側面には、前記転動体が当接する平面又は凸面が形成されていることを特徴とする直動案内装置。 A guide rail having a rolling element transfer surface; a slider part having a rolling element circulation path including a load transfer surface facing the rolling element transfer surface; and a slider portion assembled to the guide rail so as to be relatively movable; and the rolling element circulation path A plurality of rolling elements that circulate in accordance with the relative movement of the slider portion with respect to the guide rail, and a plurality of rolling element accommodation members that accommodate the plurality of rolling elements in a freely slidable manner.
In the rolling element circulation path, a rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodation member and a rolling element not accommodated in the rolling element accommodation member are disposed,
The rolling element housing member includes a pair of rolling element holding portions arranged with a rolling element rolling in the rolling element circulation path, and a connecting arm portion connecting the pair of rolling element holding portions. Prepared,
On the inner surfaces facing each other of the pair of rolling element holding portions, there are formed rolling element accommodation recesses for accommodating the rolling elements,
The linear guide device according to claim 1, wherein a flat surface or a convex surface with which the rolling elements abut is formed on an outer surface opposite to the inner surface of the pair of rolling element holding portions. 前記転動体循環路には、前記転動体収容部材に収容されている転動体と前記転動体収容部材に収容されていない転動体とが交互に配置されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の直動案内装置。   The rolling element accommodated in the rolling element accommodation member and the rolling element not accommodated in the rolling element accommodation member are alternately arranged in the rolling element circulation path. The linear motion guide device described. 前記転動体収容凹部は、前記１対の転動体保持部の前記転動体循環路内周側端面及び外周側端面のうちいずれか一方に前記転動体を挿通可能な開口部を有することを特徴とする請求項１又は２に記載の直動案内装置。   The rolling element housing recess has an opening through which the rolling element can be inserted into either one of the rolling element circulation path inner peripheral side end face and outer peripheral side end face of the pair of rolling element holding parts. The linear motion guide device according to claim 1 or 2. 前記転動体収容凹部は、前記１対の転動体保持部の前記転動体循環路内周側端面及び外周側端面の両方に前記転動体を挿通可能な開口部を有することを特徴とする請求項１又は２に記載の直動案内装置。   The said rolling element accommodation recessed part has an opening part which can penetrate the said rolling element in both the said rolling element circulation path inner peripheral side end surface and outer peripheral side end surface of the said pair of rolling element holding | maintenance part. The linear motion guide device according to 1 or 2. 前記転動体循環路内には、前記転動体循環方向に沿って前記連結腕部の厚みよりも溝幅が広い案内溝が形成されており、
前記連結腕部は、前記案内溝に摺動自在に嵌め込まれていることを特徴とする請求項１から４のいずれか１項に記載の直動案内装置。 In the rolling element circulation path, a guide groove having a groove width wider than the thickness of the connecting arm portion is formed along the rolling element circulation direction.
The linear guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the connecting arm portion is slidably fitted into the guide groove. 前記連結腕部の前記転動体循環方向の長さは、前記転動体の直径より長いことを特徴とする請求項１から５のいずれか１項に記載の直動案内装置。   The linear motion guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a length of the connecting arm portion in the circulation direction of the rolling element is longer than a diameter of the rolling element. 前記連結部は、前記転動体循環路外周側に凸状に曲がっていることを特徴とする請求項１から６のいずれか１項に記載の直動案内装置。   The linear motion guide device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connecting portion is bent in a convex shape toward an outer peripheral side of the rolling element circulation path.

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