Motion guiding device

Abstract

The invention provides a motion guide device capable of suppressing opening of a sleeve part of a cover member. A pair of cover members (5) of a motion guide device are sandwiched by a restraining member having a joining section (9a) and a pair of curved sections (9b). The curved section (9b) of the restraining member enters a groove (11) formed in the end surface (5b) of the cover member (5). The joining section (9a) of the restraining member is in contact with a side surface (5c) of the sleeve section (5-2) of the cover member (5), the side surface (5c) facing the side surface of the guide rail (1). The bent part (9b) is in an elastically deformed state in the groove (11) so that the joining part (9a) presses the side surface (5c) of the sleeve part (5-2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a motion guiding device for a carriage guided by a guide rail via at least one rolling element. Background Technology

[0002] A motion guiding device is known for a carriage having a guide rail with a rolling groove and a carriage guided along the guide rail by at least one rolling element (see Patent Document 1). The carriage includes: a carriage body having the rolling groove; and a pair of cover members disposed at both ends of the carriage body, forming the outer periphery of a turning path.

[0003] The carriage is roughly U-shaped when viewed along the length of the guide rail, and has a central portion opposite the upper surface of the guide rail and a pair of sleeves opposite the side surfaces of the guide rail. As the carriage moves relative to the guide rail, the rolling elements roll between the guide rail and the carriage, circulating in the carriage's circulation path.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-190660 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] In recent years, for example, in applications such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment, there has been a demand for carriages in motion guiding devices to operate at higher speeds and with greater acceleration and deceleration. However, when the carriage moves at high speeds and with greater acceleration and deceleration, the rolling elements collide with the sleeve of the cover member at high speeds and with greater acceleration and deceleration. The sleeve of the cover member is a cantilever beam with a fixed upper end and a free lower end. Therefore, when the rolling elements collide with the sleeve at high speeds and with greater acceleration and deceleration, the sleeve deforms in an opening manner. This deformation of the sleeve generates significant stress locally in the sleeve, reducing its repeated durability.

[0009] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a motion guide device capable of suppressing the opening of the sleeve of the cover member.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] To address the aforementioned issues, one aspect of the present invention is a motion guiding device comprising: a guide rail having a rolling groove; and a carriage guided by the guide rail via at least one rolling element. The carriage comprises: a carriage body having a rolling groove; and a pair of cover members disposed at both ends of the carriage body, forming outer peripheral sides with turning paths. The pair of cover members are held by constraint members having a joint and a pair of curved portions. The curved portions of the constraint members enter grooves formed on the end faces of the cover members. The joint of the constraint members contacts the side of the sleeve of the cover members opposite to the side of the guide rail. The curved portions are in an elastically deformed state within the grooves, so that the joint presses against the side of the sleeve.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to the present invention, since the restraining member inhibits the opening of the sleeve of the cover member, the repeated durability of the sleeve of the cover member can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a motion guiding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the cover component and the R component assembled on the cover component.

[0016] Figure 3 (a) is a three-dimensional view of the constraint member. Figure 3 (b) is a perspective view of the lower side of the carriage equipped with the restraint components.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a front view of the motion guiding device in this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 (a) is Figure 5 Enlarged view of part a of (b), Figure 5 (b) is a perspective view of the cover member and the constraint member.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a rear view showing the state of the ball bearing colliding with the sleeve of the cover component. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The motion guiding device of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the motion guiding device of the present invention can be embodied in various ways and is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. These embodiments are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the invention by making the specification sufficiently disclosed.

[0021] Figure 1This is a perspective view showing a motion guiding device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The motion guiding device 10 of this embodiment relates to a small motion guiding device, also known as a micro guide, but is not limited thereto.

[0022] The motion guiding device 10 of this embodiment includes a guide rail 1 and a carriage 2. The guide rail 1 is mounted on a base (not shown). The carriage 2 is mounted on a worktable (not shown). A plurality of balls 3, serving as rolling elements, are sandwiched between the guide rail 1 and the carriage 2. The carriage 2 is guided by the guide rail 1 and is capable of moving relative to the guide rail 1. When the carriage 2 moves relative to the guide rail 1, the balls 3 roll between them. Reference numeral 6 indicates a sealing member for sealing the interior of the carriage 2. Figure 1 In the middle, to represent the end face of the cover component, the sealing component 6 is represented by a double-dotted line.

[0023] For ease of explanation, the following description uses the direction of the motion guide device 10 positioned on the horizontal plane when viewed from the length of the guide rail 1. Figure 1 , Figure 3 The structure of the motion guide device 10 is explained by its up-down, left-right, front-back, and back-forward orientations. Of course, the configuration of the motion guide device 10 is not limited to this.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, mounting holes 1c for mounting the guide rail 1 to a base or similar fixture are formed on the upper surface of the guide rail 1. Two rolling grooves 1a are formed on the left and right sides of the guide rail 1, one above the other. A protrusion 1b is formed on the left and right sides of the guide rail 1, respectively. The two rolling grooves 1a are formed above and below the protrusion 1b. Each rolling groove 1a is an arc-shaped groove. It should be noted that the number, arrangement, and cross-sectional shape of the rolling grooves 1a formed on the guide rail 1 are not limited to the above. For example, a rolling groove can be formed on each of the left and right sides of the guide rail 1, and the rolling groove can be formed as a pointed arch groove.

[0025] The carriage 2 comprises a carriage body 4 and a pair of cover members 5 disposed at both ends of the carriage body 4. Two circulation paths 7 are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the carriage 2. Each circulation path 7 includes a rolling groove 1a of the guide rail 1 and a rolling groove 4a of the carriage body 4 (see reference). Figure 3 The circulation path 7 includes a rolling path C1 between (b), a roughly U-shaped turning path C2 on the carriage 2, and a return path C3 on the carriage 2. Multiple balls 3 are arranged in the circulation path 7.

[0026] The carriage body 4 has a central portion 4-1 opposite to the upper surface of the guide rail 1 and a pair of left and right sleeves 4-2 opposite to the side of the guide rail 1. Mounting holes 4b for mounting the carriage 2 to a worktable or similar surface are formed on the upper surface of the carriage body 4. Two rolling grooves 4a (see reference) are formed on the left and right sleeves 4-2 of the carriage body 4 for the rolling of the ball bearings 3. Figure 3(b) Each rolling groove 4a is an arc groove. Return paths C3 are formed on the left and right sleeves 4-2 of the carriage body 4, parallel to the rolling grooves 4a.

[0027] It should be noted that the number, arrangement, and cross-sectional shape of the rolling grooves formed on the carriage body 4 are not limited to those described above. For example, a rolling groove may be formed on each of the left and right sleeves 4-2 of the carriage body 4, and the rolling groove may be formed as a pointed arch groove. In addition, the return path may be formed on the carriage body 4 or on a return path component installed on the carriage body 4.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the cover member 5 has a central portion 5-1 opposite to the upper surface of the guide rail 1 and a pair of left and right sleeves 5-2 opposite to the left and right sides of the guide rail 1. A through hole 5a is formed in the central portion 5-1 of the cover member 5 for fastening members such as screws to mount the cover member 5 to the carriage body 4. The outer periphery of two upper and lower turning paths C2 are formed in the left and right sleeves 5-2 of the cover member 5, respectively.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, recesses 5d are formed on the left and right sleeves 5-2 of the cover member 5. A roughly semi-cylindrical R-member part 8 is fitted into each recess 5d. The inner circumferential sides of two upper and lower turning paths C2 are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the R-member part 8. It should be noted that an inner plate (not shown) can also be installed on the end face of the carriage body 4, with the R-member part 8 integrally formed on the inner plate.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown in (b), a pair of cover members 5 are clamped by a constraint member 9. The constraint member 9 inhibits the opening of each cover member 5 in both directions. That is, the constraint member 9 inhibits the cover members 5 from opening in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 1, and as shown in (b). Figure 6 As shown, the sleeve 5-2 of the cover member 5 is prevented from opening in a plane orthogonal to the length direction of the guide rail 1. The motion guiding device 10 of this embodiment is characterized by preventing the sleeve 5-2 of the cover member 5 from opening.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown in (a), the constraint member 9 is a linear shape with a generally rectangular cross-section. The material of the constraint member 9 is not particularly limited, but steel with a high Young's modulus is preferred. The constraint member 9 has a joint 9a and a pair of bent portions 9b. The joint 9a extends linearly along the length of the guide rail 1. The bent portions 9b are bent relative to the joint 9a. Figure 3 As shown in (b), a groove 11 is formed on the end face 5b of the cover member 5. The bent portion 9b of the restraining member 9 enters the groove 11. The joint portion 9a of the restraining member 9 contacts the side 5c opposite to the side of the sleeve 5-2 of the cover member 5 and the side of the guide rail 1.

[0032] like Figure 4As shown in the front view of the motion guiding device, the joint 9a of the restraint member 9 contacts the side 5c of the sleeve 5-2 at a position lower than the lower side of the ball bearing row 21b between the rolling groove 1a on the side of the guide rail 1 and the rolling groove 4a of the carriage body 4. This is to effectively suppress the opening of the sleeve 5-2. When there is a ball bearing row between the rolling groove 1a on the side of the guide rail 1 and the rolling groove 4a of the carriage body 4, the joint 9a only needs to contact the side 5c of the sleeve 5-2 at a position lower than one ball bearing row.

[0033] The joint 9a preferably contacts the inclined surface 5c1 of the lower end of the sleeve 5-2. The inclined surface 5c1 is inclined relative to the lower end surface 5e of the sleeve 5-2 in such a way that it approaches the center line 1d of the guide rail 1 as it moves upward.

[0034] like Figure 6 As shown, in order to prevent the sleeve 5-2 of the cover member 5 from opening, the joint 9a of the restraint member 9 needs to press the inclined surface 5c1 of the sleeve 5-2. The curved part 9b is in an elastically deformed state within the groove 11 so that the joint 9a presses the inclined surface 5c1 of the sleeve 5-2.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the curved portion 9b is bent into two segments. The curved portion 9b has a root portion 9b1, a middle portion 9b2, and a front end portion 9b3. The root portion 9b1, the middle portion 9b2, and the front end portion 9b3 are generally straight. The root portion 9b1 extends at approximately a right angle relative to the inclined surface 5c1. The middle portion 9b2 is bent relative to the root portion 9b1. The front end portion 9b3 is bent relative to the middle portion 9b2. It should be noted that the curved portion 9b can also be formed by the root portion 9b1 and the front end portion 9b3, so that the curved portion 9b is bent into one segment.

[0036] The groove 11 on the end face 5b of the cover member 5 has a root groove 11a for the root portion 9b1 of the bent portion 9b to enter, an intermediate groove 11b for the middle portion 9b2 of the bent portion 9b to enter, and a front end groove 11c for the front end portion 9b3 of the bent portion 9b to enter. By forming the intermediate groove 11b, interference between the groove 11 formed on the front side of the cover member 5 and the turning path C2 formed on the upper rear side of the cover member 5 can be prevented under the main view of the motion guide device 10. It should be noted that the groove 11 of the cover member 5 can also be formed by the root groove 11a and the front end groove 11c, so that the groove 11 is bent into a section.

[0037] With the bent portion 9b of the restraining member 9 extending from the groove 11 of the cover member 5, the angle between the root portion 9b1 and the front end portion 9b3 of the restraining member 9 is set to be smaller than the angle θ between the root groove 11a and the front end groove 11c of the cover member 5. Therefore, the bent portion 9b of the restraining member 9 enters the groove 11 of the cover member 5 in an elastically deformed state with the root portion 9b1 and the front end portion 9b3 open. The front end portion 9b3 of the restraining member 9 contacts the wall of the front end groove 11c of the groove 11, and the spring force of the front end portion 9b3 of the restraining member 9 presses the joint portion 9a against the inclined surface 5c1 of the cover member 5. The angle θ between the root groove 11a and the front end groove 11c is set to 90° or less, preferably an acute angle. This further increases the force of the joint portion 9a of the restraining member 9 pressing against the side surface 5c of the sleeve portion 5-2, further preventing the restraining member 9 from falling off.

[0038] like Figure 4 As shown, the width W1 of a portion of the root groove 11a of the cover member 5 is narrower than the width W2 of the middle groove 11b and the front end groove 11c. In other words, the gap of a portion of the root groove 11a is smaller than the gap of the middle groove 11b and the front end groove 11c. As a result, the root 9b1 of the curved portion 9b can be fixed in place, and the entire curved portion 9b can be prevented from shifting within the groove 11 of the cover member 5.

[0039] When the carriage 2 moves at high speed and with high acceleration and deceleration, such as Figure 6 As shown, the ball bearing 3 collides with the shovel portion 12 of the lower turning path C2 of the sleeve 5-2 of the cover member 5. The sleeve 5-2 is a cantilever beam with a fixed upper end and a free lower end. When the ball bearing 3 collides with the shovel portion 12, a force P is applied from the ball bearing 3 in the opening direction to the sleeve 5-2, causing the sleeve 5-2 to open. When the sleeve 5-2 opens, a large stress is generated locally in the sleeve 5-2, reducing the repeated durability of the sleeve 5-2. It should be noted that in the upper turning path C2, the ball bearing also collides with the shovel portion, but because the shovel portion of the upper turning path C2 is close to the fixed end, the sleeve 5-2 does not open much even when the ball bearing collides with the shovel portion in the upper turning path C2.

[0040] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the joint 9a of the restraint member 9 presses against the inclined surface 5c1 of the sleeve 5-2 of the cover member 5, and the restraint member 9 inhibits the opening of the sleeve 5-2. Therefore, locally generated stress is dispersed, and the repeated durability of the sleeve 5-2 is improved. This locally generated stress dispersion was confirmed in both FEM analysis and experiments.

[0041] The effects of the motion guiding device 10 in this embodiment will now be explained. The restraint member 9 inhibits the opening of the sleeve 5-2 of the cover member 5, thereby improving the repeated durability of the sleeve 5-2.

[0042] Even without enlarging the cover member 5 or covering the entire outer periphery of the cover member 5 with a protective member, that is, without changing the overall height, width, and length of the motion guide device 10, the opening of the sleeve 5-2 of the cover member 5 can be suppressed. Therefore, the motion guide device 10 of this embodiment is suitable for miniature guide members installed in small spaces.

[0043] The joint 9a of the restraint member 9 contacts the side 5c of the sleeve 5-2 at a position lower than the ball row 21b between the rolling groove 1a of the guide rail 1 and the rolling groove 4a of the carriage body 4, thus effectively suppressing the opening of the sleeve 5-2 of the cover member 5.

[0044] The joint 9a of the restraint member 9 contacts the inclined surface 5c1 at the lower end of the sleeve 5-2, thus more effectively suppressing the opening of the sleeve 5-2. In addition, the space between the inclined surface 5c1 and the guide rail 1 can be effectively utilized.

[0045] Since the bent portion 9b of the constraint member 9 enters the groove 11 of the cover member 5 in an open and elastically deformed state, the bent portion 9b can be elastically deformed by pressing the side 5c of the sleeve portion 5-2 with the joint portion 9a.

[0046] The angle θ between the root groove 11a and the front end groove 11c of the cover member 5 is 90° or less, preferably an acute angle. Therefore, the force of the joint 9a of the restraint member 9 pressing the side 5c of the sleeve 5-2 can be further increased, and the restraint member 9 can be further prevented from falling off.

[0047] The width W1 of at least a portion of the root groove 11a of the cover member 5 is narrower than the width W2 of the front end groove 11c and the middle groove 11b, thus preventing the bent portion 9b of the restraint member 9 from shifting within the groove 11 of the cover member 5.

[0048] The constraint member 9 is a linear shape with a roughly rectangular cross-section, thus enabling the joint 9a of the constraint member 9 to contact the sleeve 5-2 surface of the cover member 5.

[0049] This specification is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-164687, filed on September 27, 2023. The entire contents of this application are contained herein.

[0050] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0051] 1…guide rail; 1a…rolling groove of the guide rail; 2…carriage; 3…balls (rolling elements); 4…carriage body; 4a…rolling groove of the carriage body; 5…cover member; 5-2…sleeve of the cover member; 5c…side of the sleeve; 5c1…sloping surface of the lower end of the sleeve; 9…constraint member; 9a…joint; 9b…bend; 9b1…root of the bend; 9b3…front end of the bend; 10…motion guide device; 11…groove on the end face of the cover member; 11a…root groove; 11c…front end groove; 21a, 21b…upper and lower rows of balls (rolling elements); θ…angle formed by the root groove and the front end groove; C2…turning path.

Claims

1. A motion guiding device, characterized in that, The motion guiding device includes: The guide rail has rolling grooves formed thereon; and The carriage is guided by the guide rail via at least one rolling element. The carriage has: The carriage body has rolling grooves formed thereon; and A pair of cover members are disposed at both ends of the carriage body and form the outer periphery of the turning path. The pair of cover members are held by a constraint member having a joint and a pair of bends. The bent portion of the constraint member enters a groove formed on the end face of the cover member. The joint of the restraining member contacts the side opposite to the sleeve of the cover member and the side of the guide rail. The curved portion is in an elastically deformed state within the groove, so that the joint portion presses against the side of the sleeve.

2. The motion guiding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Under the main view of the motion guiding device, the joint of the constraint member contacts the side of the sleeve at a position lower than the lower side of the two rolling element rows between the rolling groove on the side of the guide rail and the rolling groove of the carriage body, or at a position lower than one rolling element row between the rolling groove on the side of the guide rail and the rolling groove of the carriage body.

3. The motion guiding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The joint contacts the inclined surface of the lower end of the sleeve.

4. The motion guiding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The groove of the cover member has a root groove for the root of the bend to enter and a front end groove for the front end of the bend to enter. The constraint member enters the groove of the cover member in a state where the root and the front end are open and elastically deformed.

5. The motion guiding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The angle between the root groove and the front end groove is less than 90°.

6. The motion guiding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, At least a portion of the root groove is narrower than the width of the front end groove.

7. The motion guiding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The constraint member is a line with a roughly rectangular cross-section.

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