Motion guiding device

Abstract

The present invention provides a motion guide device capable of improving durability of a circulation groove of a block while improving operation of a rolling body. A motion guide device (1) is provided with: a rail member (2) having a rolling groove (7); a block (4) having a circulation groove (5) including a rolling groove (8), a return groove (9), and a turning groove (10), the rolling groove (8) of the circulation groove (5) facing the rolling groove (7) of the track member (2); and a plurality of rolling bodies (3) disposed in the circulation groove (5). The rolling bodies (3) are lifted while being clamped in the rotation grooves (10) of the blocks (4) and the rolling grooves (7) of the track members (2). The block (4) is provided with a cover member (11) which closes a part of the rotation groove (10) and the return groove (9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a motion guide device including a track member and a block. Background Art

[0002] In the past, there is a known motion guide device called a linear guide having a track member and a block. As one of the motion guide devices, the applicant proposed a motion guide device in which a circulation groove including a rolling groove, a return groove, and a rotation groove is formed in the block (see Patent Document 1). According to the motion guide device, by forming the circulation groove in the block, the rolling body can be circulated, thereby achieving an effect that the block is easy to manufacture.

[0003] In the motion guide device described in Patent Document 1, a rolling groove is formed in a track member. A circulation groove including a rolling groove, a return groove, and a rotary groove is formed in a block. A plurality of rolling bodies are arranged in the circulation groove. When the block is moved relative to the track member, the rolling body rolls between the rolling groove of the track member and the rolling groove of the block. After rolling between the rolling groove of the track member and the rolling groove of the block, the rolling body enters the rotary groove of the block, and after moving in the rotary groove, enters the return groove of the block. Thereafter, the rolling body moves in the return groove of the block in a direction opposite to the rolling groove, enters another rotary groove, and after moving in the other rotary groove, enters between the rolling groove of the track member and the rolling groove of the block again.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. WO2008 / 038674 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, in the motion guide device described in Patent Document 1, a circulation groove is formed in the block, and the rolling element contacts the track member in the entire area of ​​the circulation groove. As described above, the moving direction of the rolling element in the return groove is opposite to the moving direction of the rolling element in the rolling groove. In the return groove, the rolling element and the track member move in the reverse direction. Therefore, it may cause the deterioration of the action and the early degradation of the circulation groove.

[0009] The following describes the reverse movement of the rolling body. When it is assumed that the block is fixed and the track member moves, in the rolling groove of the block, the rolling body moves in the same direction as the track member while rotating. On the other hand, in the return groove of the block, the rolling body moves in the opposite direction of the travel direction of the track member while being squeezed by the subsequent rolling body. Therefore, in the return groove, the rolling body and the track member move in the reverse direction. It should be noted that, in fact, there are many cases where the track member is fixed and the block moves. Even in this case, if the movement of the block relative to the track member is regarded as a relative movement, it can be considered in the same way.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a motion guide device that can improve the behavior of rolling elements and the durability of circulation grooves of blocks.

[0011] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one scheme of the present invention is a motion guiding device, wherein the motion guiding device comprises: a track component, which has a rolling groove; a block, which has a circulation groove including a rolling groove, a return groove, and a rotation groove, the rolling groove of the circulation groove is opposite to the rolling groove of the track component; and a plurality of rolling bodies, which are arranged in the circulation groove, and the rolling bodies are lifted while being clamped in the rotation groove of the block and the rolling groove of the track component, and a cover component is installed on the block to close a part of the rotation groove and the return groove.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the parts necessary for circulation such as the lifting start portion of the rolling element remain, and the range of the rolling element's reverse movement is closed by the cover member, so that the rolling element can move well and the durability of the circulation groove of the block can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a motion guide device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a front view of the motion guide device of this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 (a) is a top view of the motion guide device of this embodiment, Figure 3 (b) is a side view.

[0018] Figure 4 It is an exploded perspective view of the blocks of this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the cover member of this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing changes in the cross-sectional shape of the turning groove of the block according to the present embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the circulation groove of the block of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, the motion guidance device of the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the motion guidance device of the present invention can be embodied in various ways and is not limited to the embodiment described in the specification. This embodiment is provided for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to fully understand the intent of the invention by making the specification fully disclosed.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a motion guide device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a front view which shows the motion guide device 1 of this embodiment.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the motion guide device 1 of this embodiment is a linear guide having a track member 2 and a block 4. The track member 2 is a guide rail. The block 4 can be assembled to the track member 2 so as to be relatively movable along the length direction. A circulation groove 5 is formed in the block 4. A plurality of rolling bodies 3 such as balls and rollers are arranged in the circulation groove 5.

[0025] It should be noted that, for the sake of convenience in the following description, the direction when the track member 2 installed on the horizontal plane is observed from the length direction, that is, Figure 1 The structure of the motion guide device 1 is described with reference to the up and down, left and right, front and back directions. Of course, the configuration of the motion guide device 1 is not limited thereto, and the track member 2 may be installed on a vertical plane, or the motion guide device 1 may be reversed up and down.

[0026] The track member 2 has an upper surface 2a, a pair of left and right side surfaces 2b, and a bottom surface 2c. A rolling groove 7 is formed along the length direction on the side surface 2b of the track member 2. The rolling groove 7 extends in a straight line. The number of the rolling grooves 7 is 2, 4, etc. A plurality of mounting holes 6 for mounting the track member 2 on a base are formed on the upper surface 2a of the track member 2.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the rolling groove 7 is a groove that opens toward the block 4, and its depth is shallower than the radius of the rolling element 3. The cross-sectional shape of the rolling groove 7 is a pointed arch shape. The cross-sectional shape of the rolling groove 7 can also be a single arc shape. A convex portion 13 that protrudes laterally than the lower side surface 12 is formed on the side surface of the track member 2 that is higher than the rolling groove 7. The convex portion 13 is continuous with the rolling groove 7, and the convex portion 13 is in the shape of an arc that protrudes laterally.

[0028] The block 4 has a substantially U-shaped cross section and is arranged so as to straddle the track member 2. The block 4 has a web portion 4a facing the upper surface 2a of the track member 2 and a pair of left and right sleeve portions 4b facing the side surfaces 2b of the track member 2.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, a circulation groove 5 including a rolling groove 8, a return groove 9, and a revolving groove 10 is formed in the block 4. The block 4 is a single structure. The block 4 can also be divided into a central portion formed with the rolling groove 8 and the return groove 9, and an end portion formed with the revolving groove 10.

[0030] Figure 3 (a) shows a top view of the motion guide device 1 of this embodiment, Figure 3 (b) shows a side view. A rolling groove 8 is formed in the sleeve portion 4b of the block 4, which is opposite to the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2. The rolling groove 8 extends in a straight line. A return groove 9 is formed in the web portion 4a of the block 4. The return groove 9 is parallel to the rolling groove 8 and extends in a straight line. A revolving groove 10 is connected between the rolling groove 8 and the return groove 9. The revolving groove 10 has the function of reversing the travel direction of the rolling element 3. Figure 3 (a) is a top view and Figure 3 In the side view shown in (b), the revolving grooves 10 are all bent, and the revolving grooves 10 are all bent three-dimensionally. Figure 3 The dashed lines in (a) and (b) indicate the tracks of the rolling elements 3. The point where the rolling elements 3 are located at the end in the front-rear direction is the turning vertex P of the turning groove 10. The rolling elements 3 reverse their traveling direction in the front-rear direction at the turning vertex P as a boundary.

[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the track member 2, the revolving groove 10 is, for example, in a J-shape formed by combining a circular arc and a straight line. The revolving groove 10 may also be in a single circular arc shape.

[0032] Figure 4 The exploded stereogram of the block 4 is shown. As described above, a rolling groove 8 is formed in the sleeve 4b of the block 4. The rolling groove 8 is a groove opening toward the track member 2, and its depth is shallower than the radius of the rolling element 3. The cross-sectional shape of the rolling groove 8 is a pointed arch shape. The cross-sectional shape of the rolling groove 8 can also be a single arc shape.

[0033] As described above, a return groove 9 is formed in the web portion 4a of the block 4. The return groove 9 is a groove that opens toward the track member 2, and its depth is deeper than the diameter of the rolling groove 8. A revolving groove 10 is formed in the corners of the sleeve portion 4b and the web portion 4a of the block 4. The revolving groove 10 is a groove that opens toward the track member 2, and its depth gradually deepens from the rolling groove 8 side toward the return groove 9 side.

[0034] A cover member 11 is mounted on the lower surface of the web portion 4a of the block 4. The cover member 11 closes the return groove 9 and a portion of the rotation groove 10. Figure 2 As shown, the cover member 11 is disposed between the lower surface of the web portion 4a of the block 4 and the upper surface 2a of the track member 2. A gap g is provided between the cover member 11 and the track member 2 to allow the cover member 11 to move relative to the track member 2.

[0035] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the cover member 11 is plate-shaped. A flat surface 11a is formed in the center of the upper surface of the cover member 11. Curved surfaces 11b are formed at the corners of both ends of the cover member 11 in the width direction. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the cover member 11 at least covers the end Q of the revolving groove 10 from the return groove 9 side to the revolving vertex P (see also Figure 3 The flat surface 11 a of the cover member 11 closes the return groove 9 and the straight portion of the revolving groove 10 . The curved surface 11 b of the cover member 11 closes the arc portion of the revolving groove 10 .

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the curved surface 11b of the cover member 11 is arc-shaped when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the track member 2. The radius R2 of the arc of the curved surface 11b of the cover member 11 is equal to the radius R1 of the arc of the convex portion 13 of the track member 2. R1 and R2 may be different.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the cross-sectional shape of the cover member 11 in the longitudinal direction is constant and is a single structure. The cover member 11 is formed with a mounting hole 11c for mounting on the block 4. It should be noted that positioning pins, protrusions, and positioning holes for positioning the cover member 11 on the block 4 may also be provided. In addition, the cover member 11 may also be divided into two or more. The cross-sectional shape of the cover member 11 may also be set to, for example, a quadrilateral, and a groove having a curved surface may be formed in the portion opposite to the rotary groove 10.

[0038] Figure 6 The change in the cross-sectional shape of the turning groove 10 of the block 4 is shown. Figure 6 (a) shows Figure 3 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line aa, and shows the rotation start point of the rotary groove 10 . Figure 6 (b) shows Figure 3 (b) bb line cross-sectional view, Figure 6 (c) shows Figure 3 (b) cc line cross-sectional view, Figure 6 (d) shows Figure 3 (b) dd line cross-sectional view.

[0039] like Figure 6 As shown in (a) to (d) of FIG. 1 , the rolling element 3 is held in the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2 and the rolling element 3 is lifted. That is, the rolling element 3 after moving in the rolling groove 8 of the block 4 reaches Figure 6 The rolling element 3 that reaches the rotation starting point is as shown in (a). Figure 6 (a) and Figure 6 As shown in (b) of FIG. 2 , the block 4 is lifted while being sandwiched between the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2 and the revolving groove 10 of the block 4. In this embodiment, the track of the rolling element 3 is changed to the upper right.

[0040] like Figure 6 (b) and Figure 6 As shown in (c), the rolling element 3 passes over the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2 while being sandwiched between the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2 and the revolving groove 10 of the block 4. Figure 6 As shown in (d) of FIG. 1 , the rolling element 3 that has passed over the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2 is clamped by the convex portion 13 of the track member 2 and the revolving groove 10 of the block 4 and moves to Figure 6 Move above (d).

[0041] The rolling element 3 moved to a position above the track member 2 is released from the clamping of the track member 2 and the block 4. The rolling element 3 enters the revolving groove 10 closed by the cover member 11 while being pressed by the subsequent rolling element 3.

[0042] like Figure 6 As shown in (a) to (d) of FIG. 1 , the depth of the revolving groove 10 gradually increases from the rolling groove 8 side toward the return groove 9 side. The depth of the revolving groove 10 at the revolving apex P is equal to or greater than the diameter of the rolling element 3 .

[0043] like Figure 6 As shown in (a) to (d) of FIG. 1 , an undercut portion U is formed in the turning groove 10 so as to narrow the groove width toward the opening of the turning groove 10 . The undercut portion U is a convex portion formed on the wall surface of the turning groove 10 .

[0044] Figure 7 : is a schematic diagram showing the circulation groove 5 of the block 4. 8 is a rolling groove, 9 is a return groove, and 10 is a rotation groove. In the rolling groove 8, the rolling body 3 is clamped and compressed between the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2 and the rolling groove 8 of the block 4. Therefore, when the block 4 is moved relative to the track member 2, the rolling body 3 rolls between the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2 and the rolling groove 8 of the block 4. The rolling body 3 that has moved to one end of the rolling groove 8 of the block 4 enters the rotation groove 10 of the block 4.

[0045] In the revolving groove 10, as described above, the rolling element 3 is lifted while being clamped by the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2 and the rolling groove 8 of the block 4, passes over the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2, and enters the revolving groove 10 closed by the cover member 11. The rolling element 3 after moving in the revolving groove 10 enters the return groove 9 of the block 4 while being squeezed by the subsequent rolling element 3.

[0046] In the return groove 9, the rolling element 3 moves in the direction opposite to the direction of travel in the rolling groove 8 while being squeezed by the subsequent rolling element 3. After moving in the return groove 9, the rolling element 3 enters another revolving groove 10, and after moving in the other revolving groove 10, enters between the rolling groove 7 of the track member 2 and the rolling groove 8 of the block 4 again.

[0047] Figure 7 The oblique line portion shows the range in which the cover member 11 closes the circulation groove 5. The cover member 11 closes the return groove 9 and at least the range from the end Q on the return groove 9 side to the rotation vertex P of the rotation groove 10. This range is the range in which the rolling element 3 moves in reverse. By closing the range in which the rolling element 3 moves in reverse with the cover member 11, the movement of the rolling element 3 can be improved and the durability of the circulation groove 5 of the block 4 can be improved.

[0048] On the other hand, the cover member 11 does not close the lifting start portion of the rolling element 3 (near the end R of the rolling groove 8 side of the revolving groove 10). This is because, at the lifting start portion of the rolling element 3, the moving direction of the rolling element 3 is consistent with the relative movement direction of the track member 2, so that the circulation of the rolling element 3 is assisted by the track member 2.

[0049] The configuration and effects of the motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment have been described above. According to the motion guide device 1 of the present embodiment, the following effects are further achieved.

[0050] Since the curved surface 11 b that closes a portion of the revolving groove 10 is formed on the cover member 11 , the revolving groove 10 that is three-dimensionally bent can be closed by the cover member 11 .

[0051] The revolving groove 10 is formed with an undercut portion U that narrows the groove width toward the opening of the revolving groove 10, so that the clearance of the rolling element 3 toward the inner peripheral side of the revolving groove 10 becomes smaller, and the rolling element 3 moves smoothly in the revolving groove 10. Figure 2 As shown, there is a gap g between the cover member 11 and the track member 2 on the inner peripheral side of the revolving groove 10. By forming the bottom cut portion U in the revolving groove 10, the clearance of the rolling element 3 toward the inner peripheral side of the revolving groove 10 is reduced, and the rolling element 3 is pressed against the outer peripheral side of the revolving groove 10 under the action of centrifugal force. Therefore, the movement of the rolling element 3 along the gap g on the inner peripheral side of the revolving groove 10 can be suppressed.

[0052] Since the cover member 11 is attached to the lower surface of the web portion 4 a of the block 4 , the range in which the rolling elements 3 move in reverse can be effectively closed.

[0053] Since the cover member 11 is in a plate shape, the cover member 11 can be easily manufactured.

[0054] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to being embodied in the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in other embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0055] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which the rolling elements are fully packed has been described, but a spacer may be interposed between the rolling elements.

[0056] In the above embodiment, an example of an outer block type linear guide in which a block having a substantially U-shaped cross section crosses a rail member is described, but an inner block type linear guide in which an inner block is arranged in an outer rail having a substantially U-shaped cross section may also be used.

[0057] In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which the motion guide device is a linear guide has been described, but the motion guide device may also be a ball spline.

[0058] This specification is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-149930 filed on September 21, 2022. The entire contents are incorporated herein.

[0059] Description of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1: motion guide device, 2: track member, 3: rolling element, 4: block, 4a: web portion, 4b: sleeve portion, 5: circulation groove, 7: rolling groove of track member, 8: rolling groove of block, 9: return groove, 10: revolving groove, 11: cover member, 11b: curved surface of cover member, P: revolving vertex, Q: end of the revolving groove on the return groove side, R: end of the revolving groove on the rolling groove side, U: bottom cut portion.

Claims

1. A motion guiding device, wherein: The motion guiding device comprises: A track member having a rolling groove; A block having a circulation groove including a rolling groove, a return groove, and a revolving groove, wherein the rolling groove of the circulation groove is opposite to the rolling groove of the track member; as well as A plurality of rolling elements are arranged in the circulation groove, The rolling element is lifted while being clamped in the revolving groove of the block and the rolling groove of the track member, A cover member that closes a portion of the swivel groove and the return groove is attached to the block.

2. The motion guiding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover member closes at least a range of the turning groove from the end portion on the return groove side to the turning apex.

3. The motion guiding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cover member is formed with a curved surface that is curved when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the rail member and that closes a portion of the revolving groove.

4. The motion guiding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The revolving groove has an undercut portion formed therein for narrowing the groove width toward the opening of the revolving groove.

5. The motion guiding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The block has a web portion facing the upper surface of the track member and having the return groove formed therein, and a sleeve portion facing the side surface of the track member and having the rolling groove formed therein. The cover member is attached to the lower surface of the web portion.

6. The motion guiding device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cover member is plate-shaped.

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