sliding device

Abstract

The present application provides a sliding device that can maintain durability while suppressing the generation of scratching sounds of metals against each other, and allows a moving object to move quietly. The sliding device includes a metal rail (10) extending in a straight line, a traveling body (20) capable of traveling along the rail (10), and metal rollers (25, 26) (rotating bodies) supported in a rotatable manner to the traveling body (20) and sandwiched between the rail (10) and the traveling body (20). In the rail (10), a resin buffer portion (15a, 16a) continuously extending along the rail (10) is fixed in close contact with a bearing surface (12a, 12b) bearing the rollers (25, 26). The rollers (25, 26) rotate along the bearing surface (12a, 12b) while being in contact with the buffer portion (15a, 16a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sliding device for guiding a moving object. Background Technology

[0002] As illustrated in Patent Document 1 (WO2023 / 157551), the linear guide device (sliding device) has a guide rail extending in a straight line and a traveling body that moves along the guide rail. Multiple rollers (rotating bodies) are rotatably supported on the traveling body and rotate along the bearing surface of the guide rail.

[0003] As illustrated in Patent Document 2 (US Patent No. 4,752,143), other linear guide devices (sliding devices) include a first guide rail extending in a straight line, a second guide rail that can travel along the first guide rail, a retainer disposed between the first guide rail and the second guide rail, and a roller (rotating body) rotatably supported on the retainer, the roller rotating along the bearing surfaces of the first guide rail and the second guide rail. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem that the invention aims to solve In the aforementioned sliding device, when the metal roller (rotating body) rotates on the metal guide rail, a sound is generated caused by the scraping of metal against metal.

[0005] Solution for solving the problem The present invention provides a sliding device to solve the aforementioned problems, comprising: a metal guide rail having a bearing surface; a traveling body capable of traveling along the guide rail; and a metal rotating body sandwiched between the guide rail and the traveling body and rotating along the bearing surface when the traveling body travels. The sliding device is characterized in that a buffer portion extending continuously along the guide rail is fixedly attached to the bearing surface of the guide rail, and the rotating body rotates along the bearing surface while in contact with the buffer portion.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the rotating body does not directly abut against the bearing surface of the guide rail, but abuts against the bearing surface through a buffer portion. Therefore, the scraping noise generated when the rotating body rotates in conjunction with the traveling body can be suppressed. It should be noted that it is also considered to cover the outer periphery of the rotating body with a buffer portion to avoid the generation of this scraping noise. However, the outer periphery of the rotating body is always under load during rotation, so it is prone to deterioration and damage. In contrast, as in this invention, when a buffer portion is provided on the bearing surface of the guide rail, the buffer portion is only under load when the rotating body passes through. Therefore, the burden on the buffer portion is reduced, and it is not prone to deterioration and damage over a long period of time, resulting in excellent durability.

[0007] Preferably, the cross-sectional profile of the outer periphery of the rotating body has a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the bearing surface, and the buffer portion has a cross-sectional shape as if along the bearing surface. With this configuration, the rotating body can be stably supported.

[0008] In one embodiment, the rotating body is a roller with a cylindrical surface on its outer periphery, the bearing surface is flat, and the buffer portion is flat.

[0009] In another embodiment, a groove extending along the guide rail is formed in the guide rail, the groove having the bearing surface, the bearing surface having a semi-circular cross-sectional shape, the outer periphery of the rotating body having a semi-circular cross-sectional profile, and the buffer having a cross-sectional shape along the semi-circular arc of the bearing surface.

[0010] Preferably, the two sides of the guide rail in the width direction are provided as a pair of guide portions, and the bearing surface is formed on the inner or outer surface of the pair of guide portions. Rotating bodies that rotate along the bearing surfaces of the pair of guide portions are supported on both sides of the walking body. According to this configuration, the walking body can move stably.

[0011] Preferably, the sliding device further includes a buffer member fixed to and extending along the guide rail. The guide rail has a guide rail-side engaging portion extending along the guide rail near the bearing surface. The buffer member integrally includes the buffer portion and a buffer member-side engaging portion formed near the buffer portion and extending along the buffer member. The guide rail-side engaging portion and the buffer member-side engaging portion engage with each other. With this configuration, the buffer member can maintain a tightly fixed state with the guide rail for a longer period.

[0012] Preferably, the guide rail has a base and a pair of guide portions facing each other in the width direction of the base. Each of the opposing surfaces of the pair of guide portions has a first bearing surface close to the base and a second bearing surface away from the base as the bearing surface. The first bearing surfaces of the pair of guide portions are inclined such that the spacing between them increases as they move away from the base, and the second bearing surfaces of the pair of guide portions are inclined such that the spacing between them decreases as they move away from the base. The buffer portion is fixed to the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface. The rollers supported on both sides of the traveling body include a plurality of first rollers and a plurality of second rollers housed in the guide rail. The plurality of first rollers rotate along the paired first bearing surfaces while contacting the buffer portion, and the plurality of second rollers rotate along the paired second bearing surfaces while contacting the buffer portion.

[0013] According to this configuration, even if four bearing rollers with different angles are used to ensure smooth movement of the walking body, the generation of scraping noise can be suppressed.

[0014] In one embodiment, the sliding device further includes buffer members that are respectively fixed to the inner surfaces of the pair of guides and extend along the guide rail, the buffer members integrally having a buffer portion fixed to the first bearing surface and a buffer portion fixed to the second bearing surface.

[0015] In another embodiment, the guide rail is a first guide rail, the bearing surface is a first bearing surface, the buffer portion is a first buffer portion, and the sliding device further comprises: a second metal guide rail extending parallel to the first guide rail and capable of traveling along the first guide rail; and a retainer disposed between the first guide rail and the second guide rail and capable of moving along the first guide rail and the second guide rail, the second guide rail being provided as the traveling body, the second guide rail having a second bearing surface, a second buffer portion extending continuously along the second guide rail being fixed in close contact with the second bearing surface, the rotating body being rotatably supported by the retainer, the rotating body being disposed between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface, and rotating along the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface while contacting the first buffer portion and the second buffer portion.

[0016] According to this configuration, the rotating body does not directly contact the bearing surfaces of the first and second guide rails, but contacts the bearing surfaces through a buffer member. Therefore, it can suppress the generation of scraping noise when the rotating body and the traveling body rotate together.

[0017] Invention Effects The sliding device according to the present invention can maintain durability and suppress the generation of scratching noise. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a top view of the linear guide device of the sliding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the length of the guide rail in a scaled-down manner.

[0019] Figure 2A Is Figure 1 The front view of the linear guide device is viewed from the direction of arrow II.

[0020] Figure 2B It is shown in decomposition Figure 2A The front view of the linear guide device.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Sectional view in direction III-III.

[0022] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the linear guide device, showing the length of the guide rail in a scaled-down manner.

[0023] Figure 5This is a front view of the linear guide device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a front view of the linear guide device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a front view of the linear guide device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a front view of the linear guide device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a front view of the linear guide device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a front view of the linear guide device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 11 This is a front view of the linear guide device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 12 This is a perspective view showing a partial cross-section of the linear guide device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of the linear guide device of the ninth embodiment.

[0032] Figure 14 This is a front view of the linear guide device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 15A This is a front view of the linear guide device according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 15B It is shown in decomposition Figure 15A The front view of the linear guide device.

[0035] Figure 16 This is an exploded perspective view of the linear guide device of the eleventh embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The following is for reference Figures 1-4The linear guide device (sliding device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The linear guide device includes a long, thin metal guide rail (aluminum, copper, stainless steel, etc.) extending in a straight line and a metal traveling body 20 (carrier) capable of traveling along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 10. In this embodiment, the guide rail 10 is horizontally disposed on the lower side, and the traveling body 20 is disposed on the upper side. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 10 will sometimes be referred to as the traveling direction.

[0037] <Composition of Guide Rails> The guide rail 10 is made of, for example, an extruded aluminum profile, having a flat, elongated base 11 and a pair of guide portions 12 facing each other in the left-right direction (width direction). Each guide portion 12 is in the shape of a curved plate, and its inner surface (opposing surface) has a flat first bearing surface 12a near the lower side of the base 11 and a flat second bearing surface 12b near the upper side of the base 11. The first bearing surfaces 12a of the pair of guide portions 12 are paired and inclined at an obtuse angle of 135° relative to the base 11 in a manner that the distance between them increases as they move away from the base 11. The second bearing surfaces 12b of the pair of guide portions 12 are paired and inclined at an acute angle of 45° relative to the base 11 in a manner that the distance between them decreases as they move away from the base 11.

[0038] Thin-walled, substantially uniformly thick sheet-like buffer members 15, extending continuously along their longitudinal direction, are respectively fixed in close contact with a pair of first bearing surfaces 12a and their vicinity. Each buffer member 15 includes a flat buffer portion 15a corresponding to the first bearing surface 12a. Similarly, sheet-like buffer members 16 are also fixed in close contact with a pair of second bearing surfaces 12b and their vicinity. Each buffer member 16 also includes a flat buffer portion 16a corresponding to the second bearing surface 12b. These buffer members 15 and 16 are made of resin, such as POM (polyacetal), and have a length approximately the same as that of the guide rail 10. A preferred example of the method for fixing the buffer members 15 and 16 is described: after supplying adhesive resin to the molding space formed between the mold and the bearing surfaces 12a and 12b of the guide rail 10, molten resin is filled, thereby fixing the buffer members 15 and 16 in close contact with the bearing surfaces 12a and 12b while molding them. Preferably, the buffer members 15 and 16 have a substantially uniform thickness, and the total thickness together with the adhesive is less than 1 mm. In this embodiment, the adhesive is 0.2 mm and the buffer members 15 and 16 are 0.5 mm. It should be noted that the fixing method of the buffer members 15 and 16 is not limited to the above-described method. For example, a thin resin sheet may be bonded to the bearing surfaces 12a and 12b.

[0039] The traveling body 20 is constructed by overlapping the main retainer 21 and the secondary retainer 22 and connecting them using a connecting shaft member 23. The main retainer 21 has a flat plate shape, and the moving object is mounted on the main retainer 21. A pair of first rollers 25 (rotating bodies) are rotatably supported at each of the bent mounting portions at both ends of the traveling direction of the main retainer 21. The dimension of the secondary retainer 22 in the traveling direction is shorter than that of the main retainer 21 in the traveling direction, and a pair of second rollers 26 (rotating bodies) are also rotatably supported at each end of its traveling direction. The rotation axis of the first rollers 25 is parallel to the first bearing surface 12a and orthogonal to the second bearing surface 12b, and the rotation axis of the second rollers 26 is parallel to the second bearing surface 12b and orthogonal to the first bearing surface 12a. These rollers 25 and 26 are made of metals such as aluminum, copper, and stainless steel, and have an outer periphery formed by a cylindrical surface.

[0040] Assembly of the Linear Guiding Device The linear guide device is assembled by bringing the traveling body 20 closer to the guide rail 10 along its longitudinal direction and accommodating the rollers 25 and 26 within the internal space of the guide rail 10. In this assembled state, the four first rollers 25 of the traveling body 20 contact the flat buffer portions 15a of the paired first bearing surfaces 12a of the guide rail 10, and the four second rollers 26 contact the flat buffer portions 16a of the paired second bearing surfaces 12b of the buffer members 16.

[0041] <Function of Linear Guiding Device> When the walking body 20 travels along the guide rail 10, the first roller 25 rotates along the first bearing surface 12a while contacting the buffer portion 15a fixed to the first bearing surface 12a of the guide rail 10, and the second roller 26 rotates along the second bearing surface 12b while contacting the buffer portion 16a fixed to the second bearing surface 12b. Because the rollers 25 and 26 are supported by four bearing surfaces 12a and 12b at different angles, the walking body 20 can travel smoothly. Furthermore, the metal rollers 25 and 26 do not directly contact the bearing surfaces 12a and 12b of the metal guide rail 10, but rather contact the buffer portions 15a and 16a, thus preventing the scraping noise associated with rotation and allowing the walking body 20 to travel quietly. In addition, the rollers 25 and 26, with their cylindrical outer circumferences, abut against the flat bearing surfaces 12a and 12b through the buffer portions 15a and 16a of uniform thickness, thus enabling the rollers 25 and 26 to rotate stably.

[0042] As another means of achieving the aforementioned quiet walking, covering the outer periphery of rollers 25 and 26 with resin-made buffer portions is also considered. However, these buffer portions are constantly subjected to load during the movement of the walking body 20, thus easily leading to deterioration and damage. In contrast, when buffer portions 15a and 16a are formed on the bearing surfaces 12a and 12b of the guide rail as in this embodiment, the opportunity for buffer portions 15a and 16a to bear load is limited to the passage of rollers 25 and 26, thus suppressing the deterioration and damage of buffer portions 15a and 16a.

[0043] Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. In these embodiments, the components corresponding to the previously described embodiments are labeled with the same reference numerals or similar numbers in the figures. Detailed descriptions of materials, forming methods, and functions are omitted.

[0044] <Second Implementation> Figure 5 The basic structure of the linear guide device in the second embodiment shown is the same as that in the first embodiment, but the following points are different.

[0045] Each pair of guide portions 12A of the guide rail 10 has engaging recesses 12x and 12y (guide rail side engaging portions). These engaging recesses 12x and 12y are respectively disposed near the first bearing surface 12a and the second bearing surface 12b, extending throughout the entire length of the guide rail 10. A thin-walled resin buffer member 18 extending along the guide rail 10 is tightly fixed to the entire inner surface of each guide portion 12A. Each buffer member 18 integrally has a flat and uniformly thick buffer portion 18a and 18b tightly fixed to the bearing surfaces 12a and 12b, and an intermediate portion connecting these buffer portions 18a and 18b. The buffer portions 18a and 18b serve to suppress scraping noise in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, each buffer member 18 integrally has engaging protrusions 18x and 18y (buffer member side engaging portions) formed near the buffer portions 18a and 18b. The engaging protrusions 18x and 18y extend along the entire length of the buffer member 18 and engage with the engaging recesses 12x and 12y of the guide portion 12A, respectively. Because these engaging recesses 12x and 12y and engaging protrusions 18x and 18y are added as fixing units, the buffer member 18 can maintain a tight, fixed position against the guide rail 10 for a longer period.

[0046] <Third Implementation Method> Figure 6The linear guide device of the third embodiment shown includes a hollow rectangular metal guide rail 110. The guide rail 110 has a base 111 in the shape of a flat plate forming the upper wall, and L-shaped guide portions 112 hanging from both sides of the base 111. The upper surface of the horizontal bottom wall 113 of the pair of guide portions 112 is provided as a flat bearing surface 113a. A flat and uniformly thick, sheet-like, resin-made buffer portion 115, extending continuously along the longitudinal direction, is fixedly attached to the bearing surface 113a.

[0047] The traveling body 120 is inserted between a pair of bottom walls 113 of the guide rail 110. The lower part of the traveling body 120 protrudes downward from the guide rail 110, and the upper part of the traveling body 120 is disposed within the guide rail 110. Multiple pairs of metal rollers 125 (rotating bodies) are rotatably supported on both sides of the upper part of the traveling body 120, spaced apart in the traveling direction. The pairs of rollers 125 are arranged on the left and right sides of the traveling body 120, each having a horizontally extending axis of rotation in the left-right direction, and are supported on the bearing surface 113a of the guide rail 110 via a buffer portion 115. A sliding door, for example, is fitted onto the lower part of the traveling body 120 as a moving object.

[0048] <Fourth Implementation> Figure 7 The basic structure of the linear guide device in the fourth embodiment shown is the same as that in the third embodiment, but the following points are different.

[0049] In this linear guide device, a buffer 118 is fixedly attached to the entire inner surface of the guide rail 110. That is, the buffer 118 has a buffer portion 118a that is fixedly attached to the bearing surface 113a of the bottom wall 113 of the guide portion 112, and auxiliary buffer portions 118b and 118c that are fixedly attached to the side wall 114 and the lower surface of the base 111 of the guide portion 112.

[0050] According to this configuration, the roller 125 moves along the bearing surface 113a while contacting the buffer portion 118a, similar to the third embodiment. When the sliding door, which is the object of movement, is forcefully closed, and the traveling body 120 moves irregularly up and down and left and right and comes into contact with the side wall 114 and base 111 of the guide rail 110, the impact noise can be suppressed by the buffering function of the auxiliary buffer portions 118b and 118c.

[0051] <Fifth Implementation> exist Figure 8In the linear guide device of the fifth embodiment shown, the guide rail 110A has a flat base 111A with a horizontal bottom wall and a pair of L-shaped guide portions 112A rising from the two side edges of the base 111A. The pair of guide portions 112A have horizontal upper walls 113A. The left and right portions of the upper surface of the base 111A are provided as flat bearing surfaces 111a. A sheet-like cushioning member 119 made of resin is tightly fixed to the entire area of ​​the upper surface of the base 111A. The cushioning member 119 has a flat and uniformly thick cushioning portion 119a corresponding to the left and right bearing surfaces 111a.

[0052] The traveling body 120 is inserted between a pair of upper walls 113A of the guide rail 110A. The upper part of the traveling body 120 protrudes upward from the guide rail 110A, and the lower part of the traveling body 120 is disposed within the guide rail 110A. Multiple pairs of metal rollers 125 (rotating bodies) are rotatably supported on both sides of the lower part of the traveling body 120 at intervals in the traveling direction. The pairs of rollers 125 are supported on the bearing surfaces 111a of the guide rail 110A via left and right buffer portions 119a. A moving object is mounted on the upper part of the traveling body 120.

[0053] <Sixth Implementation Method> exist Figure 9 In the linear guide device of the sixth embodiment shown, the left and right sides of the metal guide rail 210 are provided as a pair of guide portions. Grooves 211 with a semi-circular cross-section extending along the longitudinal direction are formed on both sides of the guide rail 210. Each groove 211 has a bearing surface 211a with a semi-circular cross-section. A buffer portion 215 with a uniform thickness and a thin resin wall, also with a semi-circular cross-section and continuously extending along the longitudinal direction, is tightly fixed to this bearing surface 211a.

[0054] Multiple pairs of metal rollers 225 are rotatably supported at intervals on the left and right sides of the traveling body 220 in the traveling direction. The pairs of rollers 225 are arranged on the left and right sides of the traveling body 220, are flat in shape, and have a vertically extending axis of rotation. The outer periphery of the rollers 225 has a convex curved surface whose cross-sectional profile is depicted as a semi-circular arc.

[0055] The roller 225 enters the groove 211 of the guide rail 210 and rotates along the bearing surface 211a while contacting the buffer part 215.

[0056] <Seventh Implementation> exist Figure 10In the seventh embodiment shown, the metal guide rail 310 has a horizontal base 311 and a pair of upright guide portions 312. A groove 313 with a semi-circular cross-section extending along the longitudinal direction is formed on the inner surface (opposing surface) of the guide portion 312. The groove 313 has a bearing surface 313a with a semi-circular cross-section. A thin-walled resin buffer portion 315 with a semi-circular cross-section and continuously extending along the longitudinal direction is tightly fixed to the bearing surface 313a.

[0057] Multiple pairs of metal rollers 325 are rotatably supported at intervals on the left and right sides of the traveling body 320 in the traveling direction. The pairs of rollers 325 are arranged on the left and right sides of the traveling body 320, are flat in shape, and have a vertically extending axis of rotation. The outer periphery of the rollers 325 has a convex curved surface, like a semi-circular arc drawn in the profile of a cross-section.

[0058] The roller 325 enters the groove 313 of the guide rail 310 and rotates along the bearing surface 313a while contacting the buffer part 15.

[0059] <Eighth Implementation Method> exist Figure 11 In the eighth embodiment shown, the metal guide rail 410, like in the seventh embodiment, has a base 411 and a pair of guide portions 412. Grooves 413 with a semi-circular cross-section extending along the longitudinal direction are formed on the inner surfaces (opposing surfaces) of these guide portions 412. The grooves 413 have a bearing surface 413a. The bearing surface 413a has a semi-circular arc-shaped cross-section. Half of a resin buffer portion 415, which has a circular cross-section and extends continuously along the longitudinal direction, enters the groove 413 and is tightly fixed to the bearing surface 413a.

[0060] Multiple pairs of metal rollers 425 are rotatably supported at intervals on the left and right sides of the traveling body 420 in the traveling direction. The pairs of rollers 425 are arranged on the left and right sides of the traveling body 420 and have vertically extending rotation axes. The outer periphery of the roller 425 has a concave surface with a cross-sectional profile that depicts a semi-circular arc.

[0061] The concave surface of the outer periphery of the roller 425 rotates along the bearing surface 413a while in contact with the buffer part 415.

[0062] <Ninth Implementation Method> exist Figure 12 , Figure 13 In the ninth embodiment shown, with Figure 9Similarly, in the sixth embodiment, the left and right sides of the metal guide rail 510 are provided as a pair of guide portions. The guide rail 510 has a groove 511 with a semi-circular cross-section extending along the longitudinal direction on the left and right sides. The groove 511 has a bearing surface 511a with a semi-circular arc cross-section. A thin-walled, uniformly thick buffer portion 515 made of resin with a semi-circular arc cross-section extending continuously along the longitudinal direction is fixedly attached to the bearing surface 511a.

[0063] The traveling body 520 has a circulation path for a plurality of metal balls 525 (rotating bodies) to circulate. The outer path portion of this circulation path forms a groove with a semi-circular cross-section, while the inner path portion has a circular cross-section. As the traveling body 520 travels, these balls 525 rotate along the bearing surface 511a while contacting the buffer portion 515, circulating within the circulation path. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the circulation path may also be lined with a buffer portion 529.

[0064] <Tenth Implementation> Figure 14 The linear guide device of the tenth embodiment shown includes a first guide rail 610 (guide rail) made of metal, a second guide rail 620 (walking body), a retainer 630 made of resin, and a plurality of metal balls 640 (rotating bodies) rotatably supported on the retainer 630.

[0065] First guide rail 610 and Figure 11 Similarly, the seventh embodiment has a horizontal base 611 and a pair of upright guide portions 612. A groove 613 with a semi-circular cross-section extending along the longitudinal direction is formed on the inner surface (opposing surface) of the guide portion 612. The groove 613 has a first bearing surface 613a (bearing surface) with a semi-circular cross-section. A first buffer portion 615 (buffer portion), made of resin with a thin wall and uniform thickness, having a semi-circular cross-section and continuously extending along the longitudinal direction, is tightly fixed to the first bearing surface 613a.

[0066] The second guide rail 620 is provided as a traveling body, extending along the longitudinal direction of the first guide rail 610, and is movable along the first guide rail 610. Grooves 621 with a semi-circular cross-section extending along the longitudinal direction are formed on both the left and right sides of the second guide rail 620. Each groove 621 has a second bearing surface 621a with a semi-circular cross-section. A thin-walled resin buffer portion 625 with a semi-circular cross-section and continuously extending along the longitudinal direction is tightly fixed to this second bearing surface 621a.

[0067] The ball bearing 640 is disposed between the first bearing surface 613a of the first guide rail 610 and the second bearing surface 621a of the second guide rail 620. As the second guide rail 620 moves relative to the first guide rail 610, it rotates along the first bearing surface 613a and the second bearing surface 621a while contacting the first buffer portion 615 and the second buffer portion 625. The retainer 630 moves relative to the first guide rail 610 by half the amount of movement of the second guide rail 620.

[0068] The ball bearing 640 does not directly contact the first bearing surface 613a of the first guide rail 610 and the first bearing surface 621a of the second guide rail 620. Instead, it contacts the first bearing surface 613a of the first guide rail 610 and the second bearing surface 621a of the second guide rail 620 through the first buffer part 615 and the second buffer part 625 made of resin, respectively. Therefore, the generation of scratching noise between metals can be avoided.

[0069] <Eleventh Implementation Method> Figure 15A , Figure 15B , Figure 16 The linear guide device of the eleventh embodiment shown is similar to that of the seventh embodiment, including a first guide rail 710 (guide rail) and a second guide rail 720 (walking body) made of metal, and a resin retainer 730 and three rows of metal rollers 741 to 743 (rotating bodies) that are rotatably supported on the retainer 730 and have a cylindrical outer periphery.

[0070] The first guide rail 710 has two vertical walls 711 and 712 of different heights that face each other from left to right, and two horizontal walls 713 and 714 of different widths that face each other from top to bottom. The second guide rail 720 has two vertical walls 721 and 722 that face each other from left to right, and two horizontal walls 723 and 724 that face each other from top to bottom. In the assembled state, the narrower upper horizontal wall 713 of the first guide rail 710 is positioned between the horizontal walls 723 and 714 of the second guide rail 720, and the lower vertical wall 712 of the first guide rail 710 is positioned inside the vertical wall 722 of the second guide rail 720.

[0071] A portion of the outer surface of the vertical wall 712 of the first guide rail 710 is provided as a flat first bearing surface 712a (bearing surface), and the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal wall 713 are provided as flat first bearing surfaces 713a and 713b (bearing surfaces). A portion of the inner surface of the vertical wall 722 of the second guide rail 720 is provided as a flat second bearing surface 722a, and a portion of the lower surface of the horizontal wall 723 and the upper surface of the horizontal wall 724 are respectively provided as flat second bearing surfaces 723a and 724a.

[0072] On the first bearing surfaces 712a, 713a, and 713b, a first buffer portion 750 (buffer portion) of resin with a flat and uniform thickness that extends continuously along the longitudinal dimension is fixedly attached to each other. On the second bearing surfaces 722a, 723a, and 724a, a second buffer portion 760 of the same flat shape is also fixedly attached to each other.

[0073] A vertical roller 741 is disposed between the facing first bearing surfaces 712a and 722a, and rotates along the first bearing surfaces 712a and 722a while contacting the first buffer portion 750 and the second buffer portion 760. An upper horizontal roller 742 is disposed between the facing first bearing surfaces 713a and 723a, and rotates along the first bearing surfaces 713a and 723a while contacting the first buffer portion 750 and the second buffer portion 760. A lower horizontal roller 743 is disposed between the facing first bearing surfaces 713b and 724a, and rotates along the first bearing surfaces 713b and 724a while contacting the first buffer portion 750 and the second buffer portion 760.

[0074] In the eleventh embodiment, roller 741 does not directly contact the bearing surfaces 712a and 722a, roller 742 does not directly contact the bearing surfaces 713a and 723a, and roller 743 does not directly contact the bearing surfaces 713b and 724a. Therefore, the generation of scratching noise between metals can be avoided.

[0075] This invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit. For example, in the case of multiple bearing surfaces, the buffer portion can be omitted from the bearing surface with a lighter load. Taking the first embodiment as an example, the buffer portion can be provided only on the first bearing surface, and not on the second bearing surface.

[0076] In addition to the linear guide device described in the above embodiments, the sliding device of the present invention also includes a sliding device with a curved track.

[0077] In the above embodiments, the buffer part is made of resin, but it can also be made of elastomer or rubber.

[0078] Industrial availability This invention can be applied to sliding devices.

[0079] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10, 110, 110A, 210, 310, 410, 510: Guide rails; 11, 111, 111A, 311: Base; 12, 12A, 112, 112A, 312: Guiding section; 12a: First bearing surface (bearing surface); 12b: Second bearing surface (bearing surface); 12x, 12y: Engaging recess (engaging part on the guide rail side); 15a, 16a, 18a, 18b, 115, 118a, 119a, 215, 315, 415, 515: Buffer section; 18: Buffer components; 18x, 18y: Engaging protrusions (buffer side engagement parts); 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520: Walking body; 25: First roller (roller; rotating body); 26: Second roller (roller; rotating body); 111a, 113a, 211a, 313a, 413a, 511a: bearing surfaces; 125, 225, 325, 425: Rollers (rotating bodies); 211, 313, 511: Groove; 525: Ball bearing (rotating body); 610, 710: First guide rail (guide rail); 613a, 712a, 713a, 713b: First bearing surface (bearing surface); 615, 750: First buffer section (buffer section); 620, 720: Second guide rail (walking body); 621a, 722a, 723a, 724a: Second bearing surface; 625, 760: Second buffer section; 630, 730: Holder; 640: Ball bearing (rotating body); 741~743: Roller (rotating body).

Claims

1. A sliding device comprising: a metal guide rail having a bearing surface; a traveling body capable of traveling along the guide rail; and a metal rotating body sandwiched between the guide rail and the traveling body and rotating along the bearing surface when the traveling body travels, wherein... The sliding device is characterized in that... A buffer portion extending continuously along the guide rail is fixedly attached to the bearing surface of the guide rail, and the rotating body rotates along the bearing surface while in contact with the buffer portion.

2. The sliding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outline of the cross-section of the outer periphery of the rotating body has a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the bearing surface, and the buffer portion has a cross-sectional shape as along the bearing surface.

3. The sliding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rotating body is a roller with a cylindrical surface on its outer periphery, the bearing surface is flat, and the buffer part is flat.

4. The sliding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, A groove extending along the guide rail is formed therein, the groove having the bearing surface, the bearing surface having a semi-circular cross-sectional shape, the outer periphery of the rotating body having a semi-circular cross-sectional profile, and the buffer having a cross-sectional shape along the semi-circular arc of the bearing surface.

5. The sliding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail has a pair of guide portions on both sides in the width direction, and the bearing surface is formed on the inner or outer surface of the pair of guide portions. The rotating body is supported on both sides of the walking body and rotates along the bearing surface of the pair of guides.

6. The sliding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding device also includes a buffer member fixed to the guide rail and extending along the guide rail. The guide rail has a guide rail side engagement portion extending along the guide rail near the bearing surface. The buffer integrally includes the buffer portion and a buffer side engagement portion formed near the buffer portion and extending along the buffer. The guide rail side engaging part and the buffer side engaging part engage with each other.

7. The sliding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The guide rail has a base and a pair of guide portions facing each other in the width direction of the base. Each of the pair of guide portions has a first bearing surface near the base and a second bearing surface away from the base as its opposing surfaces. The first bearing surfaces of the pair of guide portions are inclined such that their spacing increases with distance from the base, and the second bearing surfaces of the pair of guide portions are inclined such that their spacing decreases with distance from the base. The buffer portion is fixed to the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface. The rollers supported on both sides of the walking body include a plurality of first rollers and a plurality of second rollers housed in the guide rail. The plurality of first rollers rotate along a pair of first bearing surfaces while in contact with the buffer part, and the plurality of second rollers rotate along a pair of second bearing surfaces while in contact with the buffer part.

8. The sliding device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sliding device also includes buffer members that are respectively fixed to the inner surfaces of the pair of guides and extend along the guide rail. The buffer members integrally have a buffer portion fixed to the first bearing surface and a buffer portion fixed to the second bearing surface.

9. The sliding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail is a first guide rail, the bearing surface is a first bearing surface, and the buffer part is a first buffer part. The sliding device further comprises: a second metal guide rail extending parallel to the first guide rail and capable of traveling along the first guide rail; and a retainer disposed between the first guide rail and the second guide rail and capable of moving along the first guide rail and the second guide rail. The second guide rail is provided as the traveling body, and the second guide rail has a second bearing surface, on which a second buffer portion extending continuously along the second guide rail is fixedly attached. The rotating body is supported on the retainer in a rotatable manner. The rotating body is disposed between the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface, and rotates along the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface while in contact with the first buffer part and the second buffer part.

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