Curved guide

Abstract

Provided is a curved guide for smoothly circulating rolling elements. A curved guide includes a circular-arc-shaped guide rail, a slider capable of moving relative to the guide rail, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed in a circulation path including a rolling path (13a) between a rolling portion of the guide rail and a rolling portion of the slider, a return path, and a turning path (10a) connected to the rolling path (13a) and the return path, characterized in that the turning path (10a) is curved from a center of curvature (O) of the circular-arc-shaped rolling path (13a).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a curved guide for a slider that moves along an arc-shaped guide rail. Background Technology

[0002] A curved guide is used to guide the circular motion of movable bodies such as worktables (see Patent Document 1). The curved guide includes an arc-shaped guide rail and a slider that can move relative to the guide rail. A circulation path for the rolling elements is formed by a rolling path between the rolling parts of the guide rail and the rolling parts of the slider, a return path, and a turning path connecting the rolling path and the return path. Multiple rolling elements are arranged in the circulation path. When the slider moves relative to the guide rail, the rolling elements move while rolling in the rolling path. The rolling elements moving in the rolling path enter the turning path, move in the return path to the opposite side of the rolling path, and re-enter the rolling path from another turning path.

[0003] In conventional curved guides, the guide rail is arc-shaped. The rolling path follows the arc-shaped guide rail. The return path is either arc-shaped or straight. In turning paths, linear guides are used, and the turning path is semi-circular.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-089772 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] To ensure smooth circulation of the rolling elements in a curved guide, the arc-shaped rolling path and the turning path need to be smoothly connected by a tangent. However, as with conventional curved guides, if the turning path of a linear guide is applied to a curved guide, and the arc-shaped rolling path and the semi-circular turning path are smoothly connected by a tangent, the guide rail bends into an arc shape. Therefore, the following problems exist: on the inner circumference of the curved guide, the turning path narrows, making it difficult for the rolling elements to pass; on the outer circumference of the curved guide, the turning path widens, making it easy for the rolling elements to zigzag.

[0009] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a curved guide for smooth circulation of rolling elements.

[0010] Methods for solving problems

[0011] To address the aforementioned issues, one aspect of the present invention is a curved guide comprising: an arc-shaped guide rail; a slider capable of relative movement with respect to the guide rail; and a plurality of rolling elements disposed in a circulation path, the circulation path including a rolling path between the rolling portion of the guide rail and the rolling portion of the slider, a return path, and a turning path connected to the rolling path and the return path, characterized in that the turning path bends with the center of curvature of the arc-shaped rolling path as its starting point.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the turning path from narrowing on the inner circumference of the curved guide and widening on the outer circumference of the curved guide. Therefore, the rolling elements circulate smoothly. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a curve guide according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 (a) is a top view of the curved guide of this embodiment. Figure 2 (b) is a side view. Figure 2 (c) is the main view.

[0016] Figure 3 (a) is a perspective view showing the circulation path on the inner circumferential side of the curved guide in this embodiment. Figure 3 (b) is a three-dimensional diagram representing the circulation path on the outer periphery.

[0017] Figure 4 (a) represents the track of the loop path of the linear guide. Figure 4 (b) represents the track of the loop path of the curved guide in this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 (a) indicates the track of the turning path on the inner circumference side of the curved guide in this embodiment. Figure 5 (b) indicates the track of the turning road on the outer perimeter.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the radius of curvature of the rolling path of the curved guide in this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a linear guide that unfolds the curved guide of this embodiment into a straight line.

[0021] Figure 8 (a) is a conceptual diagram of the cross-sectional track curve of the linear guide. Figure 8 (b) is a conceptual diagram of the length track curve of the linear guide.

[0022] Figure 9 Figure (a) is a specific example of a cross-sectional track curve for a linear guide. Figure 9 (b) is a diagram showing a specific example of the length track curve of a linear guide. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Hereinafter, a curve guide according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. However, the curve guide of the present invention can be embodied in various ways and is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. This embodiment is provided so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the invention by making the specification sufficiently disclosed.

[0024] (Curved guide)

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the curve guide 1 in this embodiment is an R-shaped guide with an arc-shaped guide rail 2 and a slider 4 that can move relative to the guide rail 2. The slider 4 moves in an arc along the arc-shaped guide rail 2. The slider 4 is fan-shaped. When viewed from above, the extension line of the end face 4d of the slider 4 passes through the center of curvature of the guide rail 2. A movable body such as a worktable that serves as the guiding object is mounted on the slider 4.

[0026] Reference numeral 13 indicates the rolling path, reference numeral 9 indicates the return path, and reference numeral 10 indicates the turning path. The rolling path 13 is formed in the rolling portion 7 of the guide rail 2 and the rolling portion 8 of the slider 4 (see also...). Figure 3 Between ( ). A circulation path 5 is formed by a rolling path 13, a return path 9, and a turning path 10. The circulation path 5 has an inner circumferential circulation path 5 and an outer circumferential circulation path 5. The number of circulation paths 5 is not particularly limited, for example, 2, 4, etc. Multiple balls are arranged as rolling elements 3 in the circulation path 5. When the slider 4 moves relative to the guide rail 2, the rolling elements 3 move while rolling in the rolling path 13. The rolling elements 3 moving in the rolling path 13 enter the turning path 10, move in the return path 9 to the opposite side of the rolling path 13, and re-enter the rolling path 13 from another turning path 10. Figure 1 The single-dot dashed lines represent the tracks (rolling body center tracks) 13a, 9a, and 10a of the rolling path 13, return path 9, and turning path 10.

[0027] Rolling path 13 is arc-shaped. For example... Figure 6 As shown, in a top view of the curved guide 1, the curvature center O of the rolling path 13 is essentially the same as the curvature center O of the guide rail 2 (see reference). Figure 6 The return path 9 is arc-shaped. Viewed from above by the curved guide 1, the return path 9 is concentric with the rolling path 13, and the center of curvature O of the return path 9 is substantially the same as that of the rolling path 13. (For example...) Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, turning road 10 is a three-dimensional shape that bends the U-shape. Reference numeral A indicates the starting point of the turn in turning road 10, and reference numeral C indicates the ending point of the turn in turning road 10. Figure 6 As shown, from a top view of the curved guide 1, the center of curvature O of the track 10a of the turning path 10 at the turning starting point A is located inside the circle D, D' formed by extending the track 13a of the arc-shaped rolling path 13 (see reference). Figure 6 The details of turning point 10 will be discussed later.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the guide rail 2 extends in an arc shape. The guide rail 2 has an upper surface 2a, a pair of left and right side surfaces 2b, and a bottom surface 2c. Rolling portions 7 extending along the length direction on the side surfaces 2b of the guide rail 2 are formed on the inner and outer periphery. The rolling portions 7 are groove-shaped (rolling grooves), and their cross-sectional shape is either a pointed arch or an arc. Multiple mounting holes 6 are formed on the upper surface 2a of the guide rail 2 for mounting the guide rail 2 to the base.

[0029] The slider 4 has a roughly U-shaped cross-section and is configured to span the guide rail 2. For example... Figure 3 As shown in (a) and (b), the slider 4 has: a web portion 4a, which is opposite to the upper surface 2a of the guide rail 2; and a pair of sleeves 4b, which hang down from the two ends of the web portion 4a in the left and right directions and are opposite to the side surface 2b of the guide rail 2. The slider 4 is a single structure.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown in (a), a rolling part 8, a returning part 19, and a turning part 20 are formed on the inner circumference of the slider 4. Figure 3 As shown in (b), a rolling portion 8, a return portion 19, and a turning portion 20 are also formed on the outer periphery of the slider 4. The rolling portion 8 is formed in the sleeve portion 4b of the slider 4. The rolling portion 8 is groove-shaped (rolling groove), and the cross-sectional shape of the rolling portion 8 is a pointed arch or a circular arc. The rolling portion 8 is opposite to the rolling portion 7 of the guide rail 2. The rolling element 3 is sandwiched between the rolling portion 7 and the rolling portion 8. When the slider 4 moves relative to the guide rail 2, the rolling element 3 rolls in the rolling path 13 between the rolling portion 7 and the rolling portion 8.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown in (a) and (b), a return section 19 is formed in the web portion 4a of the slider 4. The return section 19 is a groove-shaped opening towards the guide rail 2. A return path 9 is formed between the return section 19 and the guide rail 2. In the return path 9, there is a small gap between the rolling element 3 and the wall of the return path 9. The rolling element 3 moves in the return path 9 while being pressed by subsequent rolling elements 3. It should be noted that the return section 19 can be made into a tunnel shape so that the return path 9 can be formed by the slider 4 alone, or the return section 19 can be blocked with a cover (not shown), and the return path 9 can be formed by the return section 19 and the cover (not shown).

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown in (a) and (b), the turning portion 20 is formed by spanning the sleeve 4b and the web portion 4a of the slider 4. The turning portion 20 is groove-shaped and opens toward the guide rail 2. A turning path 10 is formed between the turning portion 20 and the guide rail 2. Figure 2 In the side view shown in (b), the upper part of the turning road 10 is most prominent in the length direction. Figure 2 As shown in the front view (c), the turning path 10 is roughly J-shaped, formed by combining an arc along the side of the guide rail 2 and a straight line along the upper surface of the guide rail 2.

[0033] On the rolling path 13 side of the turning path 10, the rolling element 3 is sandwiched between the turning section 20 and the guide rail 2. On the return path 9 side of the turning path 10, there is a small gap between the rolling element 3 and the wall of the turning path 10. When the slider 4 moves relative to the guide rail 2, on the rolling path 13 side of the turning path 10, the rolling element 3 rolls between the turning section 20 and the guide rail 2, and on the return path 9 side of the turning path 10, the rolling element 3 moves in the turning path 10 while being pressed by subsequent rolling elements 3. It should be noted that the turning section 20 can be made into a tunnel shape so that the turning path 10 can be formed by the slider 4 alone, or a part of the turning section 20 can be blocked with a cover (not shown), and a part of the turning section 10 can be formed by a part of the turning section 20 and the cover (not shown).

[0034] like Figure 3 As shown in (a) and (b), the rolling part 8, the return part 19, and the turning part 20 of the slider 4 are seamlessly formed on the slider 4 using a cutting tool such as an end mill. It should be noted that in the above embodiment, the rolling part 8, the return part 19, and the turning part 20 are formed in a single structure slider 4, but the slider 4 can also be composed of a slider body and an end plate mounted on the end face of the slider body, with the rolling part 8 and the return path 9 formed in the slider body, and the turning path 10 formed in the end plate.

[0035] (The track of the turning path of the curved guide (F)) X ´,F Y ´,F Z ´))

[0036] The turning path 10 of the curve guide 1 in this embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, as... Figure 1 As shown, the length direction of the guide rail 2, i.e. the direction of movement of the slider 4, is set as the Y-axis, the height direction is set as the Z-axis, and the horizontal direction (the normal direction of the guide rail 2) is set as the X-axis.

[0037] To ensure smooth circulation of the rolling element 3, the arc-shaped rolling path 13 needs to be smoothly connected to the turning path 10 using a tangent. In conventional curved guides, such as... Figure 4As shown by the dashed line in (b), Figure 4 Linear guide 31 shown in (a) (refer to) Figure 7 The turning track 40a of the curve guide 1 is applied to the turning track 40a of the curve guide 1. Figure 4 In (a), reference numeral 43a indicates the track of the rolling path of the linear guide 31, reference numeral 39a indicates the track of the return path of the linear guide 31, and reference numeral 40a indicates the track of the turning path of the linear guide 31 (see also...). Figure 7 ).

[0038] However, as Figure 4 As shown in (b), if the track 40a of the turning path of the linear guide 31 is applied to the track 40a of the turning path of the curved guide 1, and the arc-shaped rolling path 13 and the turning path 10 are smoothly connected by a tangent, then because the guide rail 2 of the curved guide 1 is bent into an arc shape, the turning path 10 becomes narrower on the inner circumference of the curved guide 1, making it difficult for the rolling element 3 to pass through, and the turning path 10 becomes wider on the outer circumference of the curved guide 1, making it easy for the rolling element 3 to meander. Therefore, the turning path 10 of the curved guide 1 is bent with the curvature center O of the arc-shaped rolling path 13 as the starting point.

[0039] Figure 5 (a) indicates the track 10a of the turning path 10 of the circulation path 5 on the inner circumference side of the curved guide 1. Figure 5 (b) represents the track 10a of the turning path 10 on the outer periphery of the curved guide 1. Figure 5 On the inner periphery of (a), the X-axis reference mark is set to + with point A as the reference and in the direction of the center of the arc of the rolling path 13. Figure 5 On the outer periphery of (b), the X-axis reference mark is set to + with point A as the reference and in the direction of the outer side of the arc of the rolling path 13. Figure 5 The dashed lines in (a) and (b) represent the track 40a of the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31.

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown in (a), the track 10a (F) of the turning path 10 on the inner circumference side of the curved guide 1. X ´ i F Y ´ i F z ´ i The turning path 40 using linear guide 31 and track 40a (F) X F Y F Z ), Figure 6 The radius of curvature R of the track 13a of the rolling path 13 on the inner circumference side of the curved guide 1 shown is... i As shown below.

[0041] (Equation 1)

[0042] F X ´ i =R i (1-cosγ)+F X ·cosγ

[0043] F Y ´ i =R i ·sinγ-F X ·sinγ

[0044] F Z ´ i =F Z

[0045] Where γ is the arc angle starting from the turning point A, γ=F Y / R i .

[0046] Equation 1 means that on the track 13a of the arc-shaped rolling path 13 of the curved guide 1, after advancing an arc length F from the turning point A... Y Take point P as the location, and separate F from point P along the inner periphery in the normal direction. X The point is the track 10a (F) of the turning path 10 of the curved guide 1. X ´ i F Y ´ i F z ´ i The Z-coordinate of the track 10a of the turning path 10 of the curved guide 1 is the same as the Z-coordinate of the track 40a of the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31. When γ is gradually increased using Equation 1, the track 10a of the full length of the turning path 10 of the curved guide 1 is obtained.

[0047] As shown in Equation 1, when the turning path 10 of the curved guide 1 bends with the curvature center O of the arc-shaped rolling path 13 as the starting point, it can prevent the turning path 10 from narrowing on the inner circumference of the curved guide 1 and widening on the outer circumference of the curved guide 1. Furthermore, it ensures that the tangents of the rolling path 13 and the turning path 10 of the curved guide 1 are continuous at the turning starting point A. It should be noted that, preferably, the curvatures of the rolling path 13 and the turning path 10 of the curved guide 1 are continuous at the turning starting point A, but discontinuity is also possible.

[0048] Similarly, as Figure 5 As shown in (b), the track 10a (F) of the turning path 10 of the circulation path 5 on the outer periphery of the curved guide 1. X ´ O F Y ´ O FZ ´ O The turning path 40 using linear guide 31 and track 40a (F) X F Y F Z ), Figure 6 The radius of curvature R of the track 13a of the rolling path 13 on the outer periphery of the curved guide 1 shown is... O As shown below.

[0049] (Equation 2)

[0050] F X ´ O =-R O (1-cosγ)+F X ·cosγ

[0051] F Y ´ O =R i ·sinγ+F X ·sinγ

[0052] F Z ´ O =F Z

[0053] Where γ is the arc angle starting from the turning point A, γ=F Y / R O .

[0054] It should be noted that the starting point A and the ending point C of the turn can also be interchanged, and the radius of curvature of the return path 9 of the curve guide 1 can be used instead of the radius of curvature of the rolling path 13 of the curve guide 1.

[0055] (Linear guide turning path track (F) X F Y F Z ))

[0056] As described above, the turning path 10 of the curved guide 1 bends from the curvature center O of the arc-shaped rolling path 13, and is formed by deforming the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31 as shown in Equations 1 and 2. An example of the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31 will be described below.

[0057] Imagine Figure 7 The linear guide 31 shown is a linear guide rail 32 and a slider 34 that can move relative to the guide rail 32. Hereinafter, the length direction of the guide rail 32, i.e. the direction of movement of the slider 34, will be defined as the Y-axis, the height direction as the Z-axis, and the horizontal direction as the X-axis.

[0058] In the attached diagram, reference numeral 43 indicates the rolling path, reference numeral 39 indicates the return path, and reference numeral 40 indicates the turning path. Figure 7 The single-dot dashed lines represent the tracks 43a, 39a, and 40a of the loop path 35 (rolling path 43, return path 39, and turning path 40). The rolling path 43 is formed between the rolling part 37 of the guide rail 32 and the rolling part 38 of the slider 34. The rolling path 43 is a straight line. The return path 39 is a straight line parallel to the rolling path 43. The turning path 40 is a three-dimensional shape.

[0059] The turning path 40a of the linear guide 31 is based on the section track curve 44 in the XZ section of the linear guide 31 (refer to...). Figure 8 (a) and the length track curve 45 drawn on an imaginary plane VP with the length direction of the linear guide 31 set as the Y-axis and the length ω of the cross-sectional track curve 44 set as the length ω of the W-axis (see (a)). Figure 8 (b) is formed.

[0060] like Figure 8 As shown in (a), the cross-sectional track curve 44 is a curve representing the actual trajectory of the track through which the rolling element 3 circulates in the XZ section of the linear guide 31. A is the starting point of the turn, and C is the ending point of the turn. The cross-sectional track curve 44 is predetermined based on constraints such as the shape of the guide rail 32 and the shape of the turning path 40. For example, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional track curve 44 is predetermined based on constraints such as the shape of the guide rail 32, and is formed by connecting a single arc with a straight line in a way that allows the rolling element 3 to move along the arc portion 41 of the side surface 32b and the upper surface 32a of the guide rail 32. Of course, the cross-sectional track curve 44 is not limited to this, and can also be formed by connecting multiple arcs with different curvatures instead of a single arc. In addition, the cross-sectional track curve 44 can also be formed by simply using arcs, ellipses, spiral curves, or spline curves, etc., instead of connecting arcs and straight lines.

[0061] like Figure 8 As shown in (b), length track curve 45 is a curve that reverses the track direction by 180°. A is the starting point of the turn, and C is the ending point of the turn. Length track curve 45 connects to track 43a of rolling path 43 and track 39a of return path 39. Track 43a of rolling path 43 and track 39a of return path 39 are straight lines, parallel to the Y-axis. The turning track width α of length track curve 45, i.e., the distance between track 43a of rolling path 43 and track 39a of return path 39, is related to the total track length α of section track curve 44 (refer to...). Figure 8 (a) are equal.

[0062] The Y-axis of the imaginary plane VP is the length direction of the linear guide 31, i.e., the relative movement direction of the slider 34. The W-axis of the imaginary plane VP differs from the Z-axis of the linear guide 31. The variable ω of the W-axis is not the length of the linear guide 31 in the Z-axis direction, but rather the track length ω from the turning point A of the cross-sectional track curve 44 (refer to...). Figure 8 (a)). For example, when the cross-sectional track curve 44 is a circular arc, the track length ω is the length of the circular arc.

[0063] The length track curve 45 is, for example, a curve with continuous tangents such as a single circular arc. The length track curve 45 can also be, for example, an ellipse, a spiral curve, a spline curve, or other curves with continuous tangents.

[0064] The length track curve 45 connects to the track 43a of the rolling path 43 at the turning point A in a substantially continuous tangential manner. Additionally, it connects to the track 39a of the return path 39 at the turning point C in a substantially continuous tangential manner. It should be noted that the length track curve 45 preferably connects to both the track 43a of the rolling path 43 and the track 39a of the return path 39 in a continuously tangential manner, but it may also connect only to the track 43a of the rolling path 43 in a continuously tangential manner.

[0065] When the horizontal direction of the linear guide 31 is set as the X coordinate, the height direction as the Z coordinate, and the length direction as the Y coordinate, the track length ω from the turning point A of the cross-section track curve 44 is used to represent the coordinates of the track 40a of the turning path 40 through the following continuous X, Y, Z coordinates.

[0066] (Equation 3)

[0067] (X, Y, Z) = (F X (ω), F Y (ω), F Z (ω))

[0068] Wherein, the X and Z coordinates of track 40a are the X and Z coordinates of cross-sectional track curve 44 (F X (ω), F Z (ω)). The Y-coordinate of track 40a is the length of track curve 45, which is the Y-coordinate of the W-axis of the imaginary plane VP, with ω as the variable. Y (ω)).

[0069] The following describes an example of orbital 40a. For example... Figure 8 As shown in (a), the X and Z coordinates of track 40a are the coordinates of the cross-sectional track curve 44, which is the track length ω starting from the turning point A. X (ω), F Z (ω)).

[0070] like Figure 9 As shown in (a), when the circular arc and the straight line are connected to form the cross-sectional track curve 44, the X and Z coordinates of the cross-sectional track curve 44 are as follows.

[0071] (Equation 4)

[0072] (X, Z) = (F) X (ω), F Z (ω))

[0073] In the interval A~B

[0074]

[0075] In the interval B~C

[0076]

[0077] Where A is the starting point of the turn, B is the point where the curvature changes within the cross-sectional track curve, and C is the ending point of the turn. ω is the track length from the starting point A, a variable that changes from 0 to α. θ is the starting angle of the turn, R1 is the radius of the cross-sectional track, and α is the total length of the cross-sectional track.

[0078] like Figure 8 As shown in (b), the Y-coordinate of track 40a is the Y-coordinate of track curve 45, which is the length of track curve 45, with ω as the variable of the W-axis of the imaginary plane VP. Y (ω)).

[0079] like Figure 9 As shown in (b), when the length of the track curve 45 is formed by a single circular arc, the Y coordinate of the track 40a is represented as follows.

[0080] (Equation 5)

[0081] Y=F Y (ω)

[0082] In the interval A~C

[0083]

[0084] Where R2 is the length of the orbital radius, R2=α / 2.

[0085] According to F in Equation 4 X (ω), F Z (ω), F of Equation 5 Y (ω) can be used to calculate the X, Y, and Z coordinates of track 40a, with the track length ω from the turning point A as the variable. It should be noted that F in Equation 5... W It is not used to determine the coordinates of orbit 40a, but is recorded as a reference.

[0086] Figure 7 This refers to the track 40a of the turning path 40 formed based on the cross-sectional track curve 44 and the length track curve 45. By forming the track 40a in this way, even if the track 40a is a three-dimensional and complex track, it can be connected to the track 43a of the rolling path 43 in a substantially continuous tangential manner at its turning point A. In addition, it can be connected to the track 39a of the return path 39 in a substantially continuous tangential manner at the turning point C.

[0087] It should be noted that the track 40a of the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31 is not limited to the three-dimensional track described above. For example, it can also be a two-dimensional track such as a circular arc, ellipse, spiral curve or spline curve drawn in a plane.

[0088] (Effect)

[0089] The following describes the effect of the curve guide 1 in this embodiment.

[0090] Because the turning path 10 bends from the curvature center O of the arc-shaped rolling path 13, it can prevent the turning path 10 from narrowing on the inner circumference of the curved guide 1 and widening on the outer circumference of the curved guide 1. Therefore, the rolling element 3 circulates smoothly.

[0091] Because the rolling path 13 and the turning path 10 are connected in a tangentially continuous manner, the rolling element 3 circulates more smoothly.

[0092] The track 40a (F) of the turning path 40 using linear guide 31 X F Y F Z The radius of curvature of the rolling path 13 or return path 9 of the curved guide 1, as shown in Equation 1 and / or Equation 2, represents the track 10a (F) of the turning path 10 on the inner circumference side of the curved guide 1. X ´ i F Y ´ i F Z ´ i ) and / or the outer peripheral turning track 10a (F X ´ O F Y ´ O F Z ´ O Therefore, it can be ensured that the tangent of the arc-shaped rolling path 13 of the curved guide 1 and the turning path 10 is continuous at the turning starting point A.

[0093] Based on the cross-sectional track curve 44 in the XZ section of the linear guide 31, and the length track curve 45 drawn on an imaginary plane VP with the length direction of the linear guide 31 as the Y-axis and the track length ω from the turning point A of the cross-sectional track curve 44 as the W-axis, the track 40a (F) of the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31 is formed. X F Y F Z Therefore, even if the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31 is a complex three-dimensional track, the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31 can be made continuous with the tangent of the rolling path 43.

[0094] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be embodied in other embodiments without changing the spirit of the present invention.

[0095] In the above embodiments, an example of a ball bearing being the rolling element has been described, but the rolling element can also be a roller. Alternatively, a spacer can be placed between the rolling elements.

[0096] In the above embodiment, an example of an outer slider-type curved guide with a slider of approximately U-shaped cross-section spanning a guide rail was described. However, an inner slider-type curved guide with an inner slider disposed within an outer guide rail of approximately U-shaped cross-section can also be used. Alternatively, the arc-shaped guide rails can be connected to form a ring.

[0097] Industrial availability

[0098] The curved guide in this embodiment is a mechanical element that guides the circular motion of a movable body. Its application is not particularly limited. For example, it can be used in automobile steering devices, machine tools, handling devices, industrial robots, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, liquid crystal manufacturing equipment, wind power generation equipment, rotary bearings of automobile cranes or observatories, etc.

[0099] This specification is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-001944, filed on January 10, 2024. Its entire contents are contained herein.

[0100] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0101] 1… Curved guide, 2… Guide rail, 3… Rolling element, 4… Slider, 7… Rolling part of the guide rail, 8… Rolling part of the slider, 9… Return path of the curved guide, 13… Rolling path of the curved guide, 10… Turning path of the curved guide, 31… Linear guide, 40… Turning path of the linear guide, 44… Cross-sectional track curve of the linear guide, 45… Length track curve of the linear guide.

Claims

1. A curved guide, comprising: Arc-shaped guide rail; A slider that is movable relative to the guide rail; and Multiple rolling elements are arranged in a circulation path, which includes a rolling path between the rolling portion of the guide rail and the rolling portion of the slider, a return path, and a turning path connecting the rolling path and the return path. Its features are, The turning path bends from the center of curvature of the arc-shaped rolling path.

2. The curve guide according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rolling path and the turning path are connected in a substantially continuous manner with tangential lines.

3. The curve guide according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The inner circumference of the curved guide is the turning path of the circulation path (F). X ´ i F Y ´ i F Z ´ i The track for turning paths using linear guides (F) X F Y F Z The radius of curvature R of the rolling path or return path track of the circulation path on the inner circumference side of the curved guide. i As shown in Equation 1, And / or, The track (F) of the turning path of the circulation path on the outer periphery of the curved guide. X ´ O F Y ´ O F Z ´ O The track for turning paths using linear guides (F) X F Y F Z The radius of curvature R of the rolling path or return path track of the circulation path on the outer periphery of the curved guide. O As shown in Equation 2, (Equation 1) F X ´ i =R i (1-cosγ)+F X ·cosγ F Y ´ i =R i ·sinγ-F X ·sinγ F Z ´ i =F Z Where γ is the arc angle from the starting point of the turn, γ=F Y / R i , (Equation 2) F X ´ O =-R O (1-cosγ)+F X ·cosγ F Y ´ O =R O ·sinγ+F X ·sinγ F Z ´ O =F Z Where γ is the arc angle from the starting point of the turn, γ=F Y / R O .

4. The curve guide according to claim 3, characterized in that, Based on the cross-sectional track curve in the XZ section of the linear guide, and the length track curve drawn on an imaginary plane with the length direction of the linear guide as the Y-axis and the track length ω from the turning point of the cross-sectional track curve as the W-axis, the track (F) of the turning path of the linear guide is formed. X F Y F Z ), (F) X F Z () are the X and Z coordinates of the track curve of the cross section. F Y It is the Y-coordinate of the length track curve with ω as the variable of the W-axis of the imaginary plane.

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